January & February 2006 Moms - Our kids are 2!

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

Welcome January & February 2006 Moms!
Any Moms with a baby (or babies) due or born in January or February 2006 are welcome!


MODERATORS: Jules1025, KRL626, aligirl, and elladee


LINKS TO OUR OLD THREADS:

January & February 2006 Moms
The first year! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17259)

January Mommies
First Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=96&page=1&pp=40)
Second Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=119807)
Third Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=9682)

February Mommies
First Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=382)
Second Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=75448)
Third Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=10468)


TO JOIN: Please submit a post to this thread with the following information IN RED.

CC Name:
DD/DS:
Me: Name, Age
DH: Name, Age
Married: Date
EDD: Date
ADD: Date
Time of Birth:
Weight:
Length:
Other Children: (If Applicable)


*Please put updates in red to make it easier for me to find them!*

*Please include how many weeks and days old your baby is in your first or largest post of the day, so other members will know your baby's age when you're discussing various topics.*

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

MEMBERS

ajb524
DS: Sean Jason
Me: Andrea, 25
DH: Jason, 28
Married: 05/24/03
EDD: 03/09/06
ADD: 02/10/06
Time of Birth: 2:27AM
Weight: 5lbs. 6oz
Length: 18 3/4 inches

aligirl
DS: Alexander Matthew
Me: Ali, 26
DH: Jay, 27
Married: 05.31.03
EDD: 02.08.06
ADD: 01.22.06
Time of Birth: 11:58 PM
Weight: 7 lb, 15 oz
Length: 20.25 in

angelgirl8
Me: angelgirl8, 28
DH: dave, 28
DS and DD: m (a girl) and j (a boy)
Married: 7.6.04
EDD: 2.8.06
ADD: 1.10.06
Time of Birth: 11:08am and 11:09am
Weight: 4 lbs., 14 oz. and 4 lbs., 2 oz.
Length: 18.5" and 17"

Anon25
DS: Brendan Allen
Me: Leah, 25
DH: Richard, 32
Married: 5-25-02
EDD: 1-20-06
ADD: 1-14-06
Time of Birth: 11:44 pm
Weight: 6lbs 13ozs
Length: 20 in
Other Children: None

AusMarchBride
DD: Sarah
Me: Ann, 40
DH: Michael, 42
Married: 16 March 03
EDD: 17 Feb 06
ADD: 27 Jan 06
Time of Birth: 1.46pm
Weight: 5lbs 2oz (2.33 kg)
Length: 17.5ins (45cms)

blondegirl
DS: Jace William
Me: Micheleen, 27
DH: Bryce, 31
Married: 9/6/04
EDD: 2/8/06
ADD: 1/26/06
Time of Birth: 7:37 am
Weight: 7lb 11oz
Length: 21 in
Other Children: Skylar 2/21/05, Rosalyn 6/3/99

catandmouse
DD:Jordyn Elaine
Me:Cathy, 32
DH: Brian, 32
Married: 10/18/03
EDD: 1/15/06
ADD: 1/13/06
Time: 1:10 AM
Wt: 7 lbs
Length: 19 in

chefker
DS: Ian James
Me: Kerrie, 34
DH: Mike, 36
Married: 10/2/04
EDD: 1/27/06
ADD: 12/31/05
Time of Birth: 9:21 p.m.
Weight: 6 pounds 11 ounces
Length: 19 1/4 inches

edsbabyrhi
DS: Morgan Emerson
Me: Rhiannon, 25
DH: Ed, 25
Married: 7-10-04
EDD: 2-5-06
ADD:1-24-06
Time of Birth: 9:13 AM
Weight: 7 pounds 13 ounces
Length: 20 1/4 inches

elladee
DD: Esther Bridget
Me: Lisa, 25
DH: Greg, 30
Married: 10-18-03
EDD: 1-24-06
ADD: 1-18-06
Time of Birth: 11:30 pm
Weight: 7 lbs, 8 oz
Length: 20 in

froggie
DS: JR
Me: ES, 30
DH: LK, 31
EDD:02/12/2006
ADD: 02/09/2006
Weight: 6lbs 2 oz
Length: 18 3/4 in

Ginadc
DD: Annika Rose, adopted at birth from Savannah, Georgia
Me: Gina, 39
DH: Evan, 35
Married: 5/17/03
EDD: 2/6/06
ADD: 2/3/06
Time of Birth: 8:37 pm
Weight: 7 pounds, .8 ounces
Length: 20 inches
Other Children: none

J&K2003
DD: Noe Claire
Me: Jamie, 28
DH: K, 32
Married: 07.05.2003
EDD: 01.17.2006
ADD: 01.25.2006
Time of Birth: 3:58 am
Weight: 7 lb 8.6 oz
Length: 20.5 in

Jackie&Tom
DS: Alex
Me: Jackie, 28
DH: Tom, 28
Married: 8.14.04
EDD: 12.31.05
ADD: 12.31.05
Time of Birth: 10:14 am
Weight: 9lbs 0oz
Length: 20.5 in

Jasonsgal
DS: Noble Bruce
Me: Karen, 30
DH: Jason, 35
Married: 05/24/02
EDD: January 14th, 2006
ADD: January 17th, 2006
Time of Birth: 4:48pm
Weight: 8 pounds, 13 ounces
Length: 20 inches

Jen309
DS: Matthew Michael Grevel
Me: Jen, 28
DH: Kevin, 28
Married: 09/28/2002
EDD:01/01/2006
ADD: 01/09/2006
Time of Birth: 9:30 am
Weight: 8lbs 5 oz
Length: 20 1/2 in

jeninef
DS: Joshua
Me: Jenine, 29
DH: Daniel, 31
Married: 01.31.04
EDD: 01.31.06
ADD: 02.08.06
Time of Birth: 12:21pm
Weight: 7 lbs. 7 oz.
Length: 19 in

jennapeach
DD: Michaela
Me: Jenn, 31
DH: Solar, 29
Married: 07.04.03
EDD: 02.22.06
ADD: 02.09.06
Time of Birth: 2:16pm
Weight: 7lb, 3oz
Length: 19.5 in

jjohm
DS: ryan joon
Me: julie, 31
DH: simon, 31
Married: 10/4/03
EDD: 1/18/06
ADD: 1/19/06
Time of Birth: 3:00 pm
Weight: 9 lbs 8 oz
Length: 21 inches
Other Children: none

jordan
DS: Nathan Dominic
Me: Jordan, 27
DH: Matt, 29
Married: 7-24-04
EDD: 2-26-06
ADD: 3-7-06
Time of Birth: 9:58pm
Weight: 9lbs 2oz
Length: 22in

Jules1025
DD: Audrey Elizabeth
Me: Julie, 28
DH: J, 32
Married: October 25, 2003
EDD: January 21, 2006
ADD: January 17, 2006
Time of Birth: 11:53 PM
Weight: 9lb, 10oz
Length: 20.25 inches

Kate&Joey
DS: Mick
Me: Kate, 34
DH: Joey, 37
Married: 10/23/04
EDD: 01/12/06
ADD: 01/10/06
Time of Birth: 6:21 pm
Weight: 7 lb 7 oz
Length: 20 in

Kellymb75
DS: Benjamin Robert
Me: Kelly, 30
DH: Kurt, 27
Married: 06/02/01
EDD: 02/25/06
ADD: 03/04/06
Time of Birth: 7:54 am
Weight: 9lbs 5oz
Length: 20 inches
Other Children: DD Morgan (04/19/03)

KRL626
DS: Jeremiah Wesley
Me: Kate, 27
DH: Ricardo, 27
Married 6/26/04
EDD: 1/9/06
ADD: 1/10/06
Time of birth: 7:25 pm
Weight: 7lbs. 2oz
length: 20.5 in

lobeth
DS: Nicholas J.
Me: Lori, 33
DH: Maine, 34
Married: 10/11/03
EDD: 1/14/06
ADD:12/30/05
Time: 9:45 am
Weight: 8lb 2oz
Length: 19.5 inches
Other children: Tori Y., 11/13/04 (16 months)

Loving'it
DD/DS: Ella Linda and Nina Maria
Me: Emma, 26
DH: Stace, 31
Married: 11/16/2001
EDD: 03/09/2006
ADD: 02/15/2006
Time of Birth: 5:49 PM and 5:51 PM
Weight: 5 lbs 9 oz and 5 lbs 13 oz
Length: 19 in each

LRL
DD/DS: Edward Thomas
Me: Laura, 26
DH: R, 28
Married: 07/17/2004
EDD: 02/15/2006
ADD: 02/14/2006
Time of Birth: 1:53 PM
Weight: 6 lbs 15 oz
Length: 20 1/4 in

lynnh
DS: Nathan Allen
Me: Lynn, 33
DH: Bruce, 38
Married: 9/01/01
EDD: 2/10/06
ADD: 2/10/06
Time of Birth: 7:00 am
Weight: 7 lb
Length: 21"
Other Children: Aaron, 2 born 2/22/04

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

MEMBERS

mauibride1
DS: William Christian
Me: Karin, 35
DH: Christian, 33
Married: 2/19/03
EDD: 2/9/06
ADD: 1/23/06
Time of birth: 10:13PM
Weight: 6lbs, 7oz
Length: 21in
Other children: none

Meatpie
DS: Jack Maurice
Me: Joanna, 32
Hus: benny, 31
Married: 10/12/02
EDD: 2/13/06
ADD: 2/13/06
Time: 12:23pm
Weight: 7lbs 7oz
Length: 19 3/4inches

medako
DS: Jack Ryan
Me: Melissa, 26
DH: Adam, 27
Married: 3-13-04
EDD: 1-15-06
ADD: 1-12-06
Time of Birth: 12:45 pm
Weight: 7lbs 15oz
Length: 21"

meggers
DS: Owyn Joseph
Me: Meghan, 26
DH: Jeff, 26
Married: 6/15/02
EDD: 1/20/06
ADD: 1/23/06
Time of Birth: 3:59pm
Weight: 9lbs 12oz
Length: 22.5 inches

michiganbride
DS: Robert Alexander
Me: Allison, 24
DH: Andy, 28
Married: 06.04.05
EDD: 02.02.06
ADD: 02.02.06
Time of Birth: 2:21 PM
Weight: 8 lb, 3 oz
Length: 20.50 in

Mindy3094
DD: Ella
Me: 31
DH: Jacob, 31
Married: 11-13-1999
EDD: 2-20-2006
ADD: 2-20-2006
Time of Birth: 8:14pm
Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz.
Length: 21 inches

MMH
DD: Meredith Ryann
Me: Molly, 28
DH: Jesse, 30
Married: 08.16.03
EDD: 02.10.06
ADD: 02.04.06
Time of Birth: 12:06pm
Weight: 7lbs. 10oz.
Length: 22 in.
Other Children:Ruby and Tucker, our labs!

MrsTazlvr
DD: Daniella Jamie
Me: Cori, 32
DH: Hal, 30
Married: 10/21/01
EDD: 1/12/06
ADD: 12/29/05
Time of Birth: 8:06 am
Weight: 7 pounds, 9 ounces
Length: 20 inches
Other Children: Allison Rachael 12/9/03


Newmommy
DS
Married: 09-14-02
EDD: 01-06-06
ADD: 01.07-06
Time of Birth: 9:10PM
Weight: 7 lb, 12 oz
Length: 21 in

Nikkid
DS: Jaxson Phillip
Me: Nikki, 31
DH: Stacy, 30
Married: 02/02/02
EDD: 1/05/06
ADD: 01/04/06
Time of Birth: 5:09 pm
Weight: 9lbs 5ozs
Length: 21 inc
Other Children: Austin 10.1.96, Justin 12.31.02, Kaitlyn 7.5.04

Roe6373
DS: Raymond James
Me: Rosalie, 32
DH: Michael, 32
Married: 09-04-04
EDD: 02-11-06
ADD: 12-31-05 (6 weeks early)
Time of Birth: 11:34 a.m.
Weight: 5 lbs 8 oz
Length: 17 3/4 inches

Sophonisba9
DS: John "Jack" Montgomery E.
Me: Eva Marie, 29
DH: Matt, 30
Married: August 9, 2006
EDD: January 24, 2006
ADD: January 26, 2006
Time of Birth: 1:14 am
Weight:8 lbs 3 ozs
Length:21

Sunflower10/04
DS: Max Joseph
Me: Deanna, 28
DH: Mike, 30
Married: 10/10/04
EDD: 2/2/06
ADD: 2/13/06
Time of Birth: 8:44 PM
Weight: 8.5
Length: 20 1/2
Other Children: None

Taurus
DS: T
Me: 27
DH: 30
Married: 4/12/03
EDD: 1/26/06
ADD: 1/19/06
Time of Birth: 4:07 am
Weight: 6 pounds, 10 ounces
Length: 19 inches

Terrys wifey
DD: Ashley Camille
Me: Kimberly, 31
DH: Terry, 33
Married: 10/25/03
EDD: 1/7/06
ADD:12/29/05
Time: 11:19am
Weight: 7lbs 14oz
Length: 19 inches
Other children: Malik, 10

TheFuture
DD/DS: Reese Roseanne
Me: Carisa, 30
DH: Don, 30
Married: 3/29/03
EDD: 2/26/06
ADD: 2/18/06
Time of Birth: 9:41 a.m.
Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz
Length: 20"

tinagirl26
DS:Caleb Eric
Me: Tina, 34
DH: Grant, 41
Married: 6/26/04
EDD: 2/24/06
ADD: 2/13/06
Time of Birth: 8:57PM
Weight: 6lbs, 12 oz
Length: 19 1/2 in

tray622
DD: Jocelyn
Me: Tracy, 25
DH: Mike, 28
Married: 6.22.02
EDD: 3.1.06
ADD: 2.11.06
Time of Birth: 1:15 am
Weight: 7 lbs 10 oz
Length: 20 inches
Other Children: Zoey 10.6.04

tsmom
DS: Drake James Joseph
Me: Cathy, 37
DH: Derek, 38
Married: 09/14/02
EDD: 1/30/06
ADD:1/30/06 (prompt little boy)
Time: 4:52 pm
Weight: 7lbs 8oz
Length: 19 1/2 inches
Other children: Tatum 2, 3/6/04

Tommy's Mommy
DS: Thomas Owen
Me: Lisa, 25
DH: J, 26
Married: 07/26/03
EDD: 1/27/06
ADD:1/26/06
Time: 11:10am
Weight: 7lbs 12oz
Length: 20 inches
Other children: D,7 (10/18/98)

twomidnightblues
DD/DS:Evan Matthew
Me: Amy, 31
DH: Nathan, 28
Married: Oct 20, 2001
EDD: Jan 19
ADD: Jan 22
Time of Birth:12:34pm
Weight:6lb 13 oz
Length:20 inches
Other Children: N/A

Twyla Bug
DS: Caedan Jay
Me: Twyla, 26
DH: Jason, 28
Married: 8/26/2000
EDD: 2/18/2006
ADD: 1/24/2006
Time of Birth: 11:24 am
Weight: 6lbs 7oz
Length: 19.5 in
Other Children: DD Annsleigh, 12/20/2001

yoganut
DS: Rhys Stewart
Me: Ali, 32
DH: Jason, 32
Married: 10/13/01
EDD: 1/3/06
ADD:12/29/05
Time: 12:29 pm
Weight: 9lb 6oz
Length: 21 inches
Other children: Rowan Lanskail, 2 on 12/2/03

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

LIST OF BABIES BY BIRTHDATE

DECEMBER
29- Daniella Jamie (MrsTazlvr)
29- Ashley Camille (Terrys Wifey)
29- Rhys Stewart (yoganut)
30- Nicholas J. (lobeth)
31- Raymond James (Roe6373)
31- Alex (Jackie&Tom)
31- Ian James (chefker)

JANUARY
4- Jaxson Phillip (NikkiD)
9- Matthew Michael Grevel (Jen309)
10- M (a girl) and J (a boy) (angelgirl8)
10- Jeremiah Wesley (KRL626)
10- Mick (Kate&Joey)
12- Jack Ryan (medako)
13- Jordyn Elaine (catandmouse)
14- Brendan Allen (Anon25)
17- Audrey Elizabeth (Jules1025)
17- Noble Bruce (Jasonsgal)
18- Esther Bridget (elladee)
19- T (Taurus)
19- Ryan Joon (jjohm)
22- Alexander Matthew (aligirl)
22-Evan Matthew (twomidnightblues)
23- William Christian (mauibride1)
23- Owyn Joseph (meggers)
24- Morgan Emerson (edsbabyrhi)
24- Caedan Jay (Twyla Bug)
25- Noe Claire (J&K2003)
26- Thomas Owen (Tommy's Mommy)
26- John "Jack" Montgomery E. (sophonisba9)
26- Jace William (blondegirl)
27- Sarah (AusMarchBride)
30- Drake James Joseph (tsmom)

FEBRUARY
2- Robert Alexander (michiganbride)
3- Annika Rose (ginadc)
4- Meredith Ryann (MMH)
8- Joshua (jeninef)
9- Michaela (jennapeach)
9- JR (froggie)
10- Nathan Allen (lynnh)
10- Sean Jason (ajb524)
11- Jocelyn (tray622)
13- Max Joseph (Sunflower10/04)
13- Jack Maurice (meatpie)
13- Caleb Eric (tinagirl26)
14- Edward Thomas (LRL)
15-Ella Linda and Nina Maria (Lovin'it)
18- Reese Roseanne (TheFuture)
20- Ella (Mindy3094)

MARCH
4- Benjamin Robert (Kellymb75)
7- Nathan Dominic (jordan)

MEMBER LIST BY BABY'S GENDER

BOYS
ajb524 (Sean Jason)
aligirl (Alexander Matthew)
angelgirl8 (J)
Anon25 (Brendan Allen)
blondegirl (Jace William)
chefker (Ian James)
edsbabyrhi (Morgan Emerson)
froggie (JR)
Jackie&Tom (Alex)
Jasonsgal (Noble Bruce)
Jen309 (Matthew Michael Grevel)
jeninef (Joshua)
jjohm (Ryan Joon)
jordan (Nathan Dominic)
Kate&Joey (Mick)
Kellymb75 (Benjamin Robert)
KRL626 (Jeremiah Wesley)
Lobeth (Nicholas J.)
LRL (Edward Thomas)
lynnh (Nathan Allen)
mauibride1 (William Christian)
meatpie (Jack Maurice)
medako (Jack Ryan)
meggers (Owyn Joseph)
michiganbride (Robert Alexander)
newmommy (DS)
NikkiD (Jaxson Phillip)
Roe6373 (Raymond James)
sophonisba9 (John "Jack" Montgomery E.)
Sunflower10/04 (Max Joseph)
Taurus (T)
tinagirl26 (Caleb Eric)
Tommy's Mommy (Thomas Owen)
tsmom (Drake James Joseph)
twomidnightblues (Evan Matthew)
Twylla Bug (Caedan Jay)
yoganut (Rhys Stewart)

GIRLS
angelgirl8 (M)
AusMarchBride (Sarah)
catandmouse (Jordyn Elaine)
elladee (Esther Bridget)
ginadc (Annika Rose)
J&K2003 (Noe Claire)
jennapeach (Michaela)
Jules1025 (Audrey Elizabeth)
Lovin'it (Ella Linda and Nina Maria)
Mindy3094 (Ella)
MMH (Meredith Ryann)
MrsTazlvr (Daniella Jamie)
Terrys wifey (Ashley Camille)
TheFuture (Reese Roseanne)
tray622 (Jocelyn)

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

Saved - Pictures

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

Saved - Pictures 2

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

Saved - Pictures 3

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

Saved - Pictures 4

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

Saved - Pictures 5

[tsmom]

Just subscribing -

Beautiful cards and babies everyone and Happy Holidays!

[Medako]

subbing so I don't miss out on the fun!

Are we all ready for Christmas AND birthdays?? Hard to believe our little ones are already one!

I finished up Jack's invitation the other day and got them ordered. They should be here in the next couple of days. (I ordered them as 5x7" photos)

http://images.photos.walmart.com/3488935%3B8%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D3237%3E9%3B5%3E335%3EWSNR CG%3D3232425674986nu0mrj

and a Christmas one.

http://images.photos.walmart.com/3488935%3B8%7Ffp33%3Dot%3E2328%3D%3A%3A6%3D426%3DX ROQDF%3E2323334766553ot1lsi

[LRL]

Ok- subscribing. I promise to keep up in this thread! :)

Medako- How cute is Jack?!!? He is SO big!

[blondegirl]

Just subbing. Will pop in tomorrow to post when I'm at work.

medako-your invitation is too cute!

[Anon25]

Our babies are turning one? When did THAT happen?! It hit me on the way home ...today Brendan turns 11 mos. on the nose. Eeek! Only one month until a first birthday!! I like to think back to what I was doing last year at this time. Trying to decorate for x-mas preggers went something like this...hang something, sit. Another something. Sit. Eat. Repeat. LOL.

[Anon25]

Medako- I *heart* Jack's invitation! You are SO on top of things. Also loving the color/b&w combo...too cute!

[KRL626]

Medako Cute invites! Umm I think I've said this before but Jack is so much bigger than Jeremiah. It is unreal! You must be a strong momma carrying him around!

Here are our invites: I hope this works. Let me know if you can't see them!

http://www.winkflash.com/cache/74e5c826-6ae8-4088-94d1-1f2acea234c9.jpg

We're going to do a frog theme and I bought a cupcake stand to serve cupcakes (We had one at our wedding with cupcakes instead of a cake so it's something we love) I really can't believe my baby is almost 1!

Speaking of almost being one what are peoples plans for weaning and/or introducing whole milk? I have no idea what we're going to do!

[jules1025]

medako - Very cute invite! And, adorable christmas picture!

KRL - I love your invite! Very clean and simple. :)

I can't believe we are so close to our babies turning 1!! Seriously. Where did the time go? Audrey is already starting to look more like a toddler than a baby. I kinda miss my baby. :( But, she is loads of fun now. :)

weaning/introducing whole milk - I was going to post this question, too! Audrey's ped said (at her 9 mos appt) that she wants Audrey off the bottle before her first b-day! :eek: And, let's see... How many attempts have I made since then at switching her from a bottle to a sippy cup? ZERO. She gets 4 bottles a day and 3 of those are given as part of her nap/bedtime routine. (I know, I know... I'm in for it!) I just have no idea how to make that transition. I'm going to try with her morning bottle first, but she's still not an expert at drinking from a sippy cup by herself. She'd much rather turn it upside down and chew on the bottom; resulting in her spilling her drink all over her lap. How do you make the transition?? I swear, I'm going to be that mom who's kid is still drinking from a bottle before bed at 2 years old. :rolleyes: And, about whole milk... I think I'm just gonna wait until right around her 1st birthday. Her ped never really gave us a date to start the switch so I'm kinda flying solo here. Anyone have advice here, too?

[Medako]

Thanks for all of the compliments guys. And you're right, he's a chunk to carry around. Thank goodness he's able to crawl himself around so I'm not having to lug him around nearly as much anymore.

Jack's never taken a bottle (he's refused and I wasn't going to push it). He's been using a sippy since about 6 months (with water) and he does pretty well with it. I figure I'll slowly start weaning next month or so. I want to talk to his doctor just to make sure we're doin' it all correctly. He's only nursing twice a day now, so I don't think it'll be a hard transition.

[Nikkid]

Thanks for all the compliments on my Christmas pics! I am very pleased with how they turned out. I can't remember who asked but it wasn't too hard getting them all to smile at the same time. I'm sure I looked ridiculous because I was trying to dance and make them laugh while DH was snapping pics constantly. I think this is the first pic we have of all four of them smiling!

weaning~ DH and I were just talking about this yesterday. I think the next time we go to the store we are going to buy some whole milk and start mixing it in with his formula. We will just do a little at first and then gradually start adding more milk and less formula until he gets used to the milk. My DD would not drink milk at all until about 5 mos ago so we just had to make sure we substituted her calcium with other dairy products. As far as the bottle goes Jaxson still takes a bottle a couple of times a day. He is somewhat weaning himself off the bottle because after a few ounces he just plays with it and then throws it down. He is occasionally still getting up in the night (around 4) and the only way to get him back down is giving him a bottle. He doesn't drink much of it but it's what gets him quiet and back to sleep. So I really need to stop this routine. The party I'm really dreading is taking the paci away. :eek:

Medako Your Jack is such a big boy. I love the picture and the birthday invites. You are so creative. My kid will be lucky if I even send out an invite. Sometimes I get lazy and just call people. I guess that's what happens after having 4 kids. :rolleyes:

Thanks to whoever started this new thread!

[newmommy]

Hi ladies!!

I've been thinking about this time last year ALOT!! My best friend is preggers with her 2nd child, and is due in two months...and she finally "gets" how I felt last year(seems as though she thought I had a little too many aches and pains) Anyways I digress :rolleyes:


It's amazing to me how quickly time has flown!! DS is doing so much now, it's crazy! He is walking, talking--I swear tonight he tried to say I love you!! Okay, so it was a three syllable mumble--but I almost heard it ;)

Weaning to a bottle I've been thinking about this alot..DS is also sort of playing with his bottle. He only lets me hold him while he drinks just before bed. Lately, he shakes it around, throws it, and also grabs it with one hand, and tips his head back---so cute!!!

I think just after the new year I'm going to buy some whole milk, and substitute one ounce of formula with milk-one week at a time. Once he's on strictly whole milk, I'll switch him to the cup---and keep just the bottle for bedtime(because I love that cuddle time--just a bit longer)

I figure we'll try to get him off his paci sometime after his surgery(he has an undescended testicle :( ) Our goal is to have him off by the summer...we'll see how that goes. He uses his paci only in his crib...he uses it to fall asleep, and spits it out as soon as he's asleep.

First birthday party I'm feeling a little guilty because we've decided to have just immediate family here for his bday. We had a huge party for his christening, and I think that might be the last time we have such a big party like that. We no longer speak to much of DH's family, and I think having all of my family over, makes it hard for DH(which is a big reason I'd like three children--but again I digress :) )

Well I think that's about all for now!

[angelgirl8]

hi all!

just subscribing to the new thread. figured i'd drop off a new photo!

that's ds's "camera face". it cracks me up.

http://static.flickr.com/102/316455666_93ca44d411_o.jpg

[Kate&Joey]

angelgirl: that photo is priceless! They are so cute. :) A couple of my friends have twins and I really don't know how you twin-mamas do it!

Love everyone's Christmas cards and photos. I did mine on Shutterfly with a picture of DS from last month. Didn't even want to attempt to get the dogs and cats in that one. :cool:

DS is doing great. Lots of babbling that he seems to mean something to him...I just can't make it out. haha! He repeats the same things over and over so I guess he's practicing. Not walking on his own, but he'll stand unassisted...lots of cruising.

Weaning/Whole Milk: Not sure about this either. DS is still nursing and I pump at work, but we do supplement with formula. Guess we will substitute whole milk for formula gradually (actually, he's been getting whole milk for a month or so when I *share* my morning oatmeal with him...probably a no-no, but it just occurred to me a week or so ago :rolleyes: ). He loves drinking H20 in his sippy cup so I'll have DH transition his bottles to sippies during the day.

He still isn't STTN...much to my chagrin! Usually he wakes up twice a night, nurses and goes back to sleep. I don't think I'm ready to eliminate the night nursing if he isn't ready. I've gone this far without a full night's sleep, what's a few more months, right? ;)

Birthday Party: Probably won't do a big thing...just my parents and DH's parents. DH hasn't been working (staying home with DS) so we don't have a lot of $$$ to spare. I love hanging out in the First Birthday Ideas thread, though!

Christmas: DH's parents came to visit last weekend and we *celebrated* Christmas with them. Bought DS entirely too much stuff...most of it age-inappropriate anyway. :rolleyes: We're going to see Santa this weekend. Should be interesting to see DS's reaction to Santa...so far he doesn't really have stranger anxiety.

[aligirl]

been thinking about weaning too... and I know Alex won't care because he doesn't really like taking a bottle any more (only gets 3 now a day if we're lucky, sometimes it's just 2) but he's not too keen on the sippy either. He'll drink about 2 ozs from it but is not interested in holding it at all.

I bought some invitations for his 1st birthday party yesterday - just fill-in ones from Target - but I like them and they'll do. Now, we just need to settle on a date. We too had a huge baptism party and I'm so not interested in that for his birthday. Hopefully, it'll just be our parents and siblings and maybe a close friend or too. If we invite any of Jay's aunts/uncles, we'll have a 45+ person shindig and in January, that's just not cool since it's so cold out here!

Here's a few pictures of Alex...

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a337/alison53103/of50590442.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a337/alison53103/of50590373.jpg

[meggers]

Thanks for starting the new thread. I can't believe our babies are about to turn one already.

weaning/whole milk: I think it will be awhile before we introduce cow milk to Owyn. When I stop pumping at when he is a year, I will still have milk in the freezer that he can take to school. He won't need any cow milk at home as I plan on continuing to BF him for awhile. We haven't been using a sippy cup at all since they don't use them at his school. Every time he has a solid meal, he gets water in a regular cup for practice. He won't be off a bottle at a year though because any extra milk I send with him will be in a bottle (I don't want him to spill the milk that I worked so hard to pump for him). When he runs out of the frozen milk, I guess that is when we will introduce cow milk. I think his school requires kids to have some sort of milk product during the day.

[MMH]

Of course, right when I log in DD wakes up! She can hold on a minute...

Weaning/Mik - Perfect timing as I was just going to begin this process. DD has never taken a bottle so I think this might be a challenge. My concern is that she just doesn't drink that much out of a sippy. I'm wondering how I will get her to drink enough milk during the day?

My ped. finally told me to just start giving DD whole milk because she keeps losing weight. Four days of vomiting didn't help! She hates formula so the half formula/half milk concoction didn't go over well. I think I'll try whole milk warmed in a bottle next week?

Honestly, I'm confused and have no idea how to do this! DD is still nursing at 10pm and 7am. I guess you just slowly stop?

Have a wonderful weekend ladies!

[MMH]

Angelgirl - I can't get over the hair on your kids! It's amazing...

[elladee]

Medako, omg, he's adorable! What a little chunk!

angelgirl8, I love the camera face! Too funny.

weaning, around 1 year (holy crap, that's next month), I'm going to cut out the day time nursing sessions. Right now DD gets water in a sippy cup with solid meals, so I guess I'll start doing milk instead then. We're lucky that she took right to the cup. Well right to drinking water out of the cup anyway. I hope she'll drink the milk as well. I'll keep nursing before bed and at night as long as she wants to.

[tray622]

Just popping in and loving the pics :)

[Twyla]

Subbing!

Wow these pics are adorable!

Medako- How did you get the pic in both color and black and white? What program do you use? I think I want it LOL

Weaning- My daughter was ver lactose intolerant as a baby. So we are slowly weaning Caedan onto cows milk. He still nurses. Too much as my mom likes to tell me. he nurses before naps and still wakes to nurse. he will take a bottle and a sippy cup. but he HATES mommy milk in a cup, spits it out everytime. So this is going to be a tough one for us. But I plan to start on a lower milk then whole and mix it with the BM and slowly add more until it it all that milk. Then we will slowly move him up to whole moilk with my daughter we had to do it with her formula. i think it took us about a month and a half to get her onto whole milk. So I guess right now is the best time to start that process. In a way I think I will miss nursing though. Does anyone else have that feeling or did you when you stopped?

Along the lines of weaning i guess - Sippy Cups- How is your DC doing with a cup on their own? Caedan has trouble holding it up to his mouth without help. He does like a regular cup too. Which I know I should just work with those and him. But I sort of like the non spill factor of the sippy LOL

Walking- Caedan walked across the living room last night! So I am betting he will be completely walking by Christmas. If he is we aren't telling the family. This way he can show off on Christmas day :)

[KRL626]

elladee Yes we're going this route as well. I'm hoping to get down to only wake up and bed time nursing within a month or so after his 1st birthday and keep those sessions as long as he seems to want them.

meggers Once you use up your frozen what will you use to make the whole milk transition if you're not pumping? I was planning on using the 100 or so oz I have in the freezer to begin mixing the whole milk with a little bit at a time whe J. turns one. I'm also going to quit pumping when he turns one and just trying to figure out how much I need to get him transitioned.

[meggers]

KRL626--I guess I thinking that cow milk would just be another thing he could have at a year and wasn't thinking of transitioning him from breast milk to cow milk. I imagine that he will continue to nurse regularly for a while (I'd like to nurse him until he is 2) so I don't think he will really need to drink whole milk.

[Medako]

Twyla - I used a program called paint.net (it's FREE!) You can download it at www.getpaint.net . Once you download it, I can tell ya how to do the B&W with color - it's pretty simple!

[Twyla]

Meggers- I wish I could go to two years. My family is already on my case about Caedan "still" nursing. Plus he is biting so much right ano and he only has two teeth. I can only imagine how he will be with a whole mouth of teeth. But good for you! I am jelous!!

Medako- Thanks for the tip I am going there now ;)

[KRL626]

Continuing the milk discussion Okay so maybe someone can give me an idea, How much milk do kids drink after a year old? I'm still in this mentality of milk, milk, milk, but really what is a realistic range of of oz. that I should expect him to drink? Theoretically if I continue nursing in the am and pm, how much should he get in between. I have Mr. skinny bones over here :confused: so I am always concerned that he's eating and drinking enough (he seem to do a lot of both, but I'm never sure) I'd guess he's drinking about 20-26 oz of BM a day right now.

[aligirl]

KRL626 - Alex gets about 20oz of formula a day - his ped said that 16oz for now is the minimum but we haven't talked about whole milk yet - at least, the amount. I'm curious about that too!

[meggers]

Twyla--Sorry your family is giving you trouble about still nursing. My family hasn't made any comments yet, but I expect that might change when I start nursing past a year. Have you tried pushin Caedan's head into your chest when he bites while nursing? Owyn's not much of a biter. He usually only bites if I offer to nurse and he doesn't want to.

[Medako]

The only time Jack bites me is when he's not really interested and is just playing. He's only done it a couple of times and when he bites, session over. (he got me one time so bad that it bled for what felt like forever.

[Twyla]

Caedan actually will bite down and not let go. I have had to get DH in on it a few times to get him to let me go. He bit me so hard last month that I nearly cried for about a week everytime he nursed. I think he does it when he is teething bad. He has teeth that take forever to come in.

I hope my family just lets me be. I mean it's not hurting them that he is still nursing. I just don't want to tramatize him and stop it too fats.

[LRL]

Weaning- Argh. I am having issues with this right now. My family gives me grief about nursing DS, and I expect for it to continue to get worse. I really want to BF as long as possible as I am a WOHM and nursing is our bonding time. To be fair, I gave my sister grief when she was BF my niece at 2, but that was just ugly as she would scream at the top of her lungs when my sister would not let her pull up her shirt and expose herself to the world. (They never learned the art of BF discreetly). Worse than that, DH does not like the idea that I want to BF past one year. I am still not sure what the problem is for him. I think he thought my sisters situation with BF was pretty unpleasant. I need to work on that one. :rolleyes:

I do not know if I will continue to pump at work after one year. My workplace seems to be supportive, but I don't know if this will change as DS gets older. Right now, it really does not bother me to have to pump during the day. I have enough in the freezer to feed him during the day for a couple of months, but then I guess we would transition him if I stopped pumping.

ETA: I fought so hard for our BF relationship, and I hate to give up on it so easily!

[KRL626]

LRL I so agree with you! It was so hard in the begining and now that I enjoy it I don't want to stop. Interesting that you are considering pumping past a year. I had posted a question about this in BFing and Pumping Moms and got no bites. I've actually considered it too because it is just so easy. We'll see. My DS has been struggling to gain weight the last two months due to illness and a quick metabolism. I know whole milk isn't as fattening as BM so I'm really hesitant to start it.

[jordan]

Just quickly subscribing... will stopback with a picture.

[angelgirl8]

nursing/weaning...like lrl i'm getting a lot of questions about when i'm going to stop nursing my two. truth is, i don't know yet. but most people seem to expect me to be done at a year. i'd like to continue, but ds has a lot of allergies which has been really hard on me. on the other hand, nursing him is the best thing for his allergies! i think i'll at least nurse through cold and flu season and then see what happens.

[MMH]

I can't believe it'll be Christmas in one week!

Like many of you posted, I too have recieved some strange looks when I tell people I am still nursing. Whatever. I'm hoping to have DD weaned in about a month, DH and I are going on vacation for a week and I feel that will be a perfect time to be done with bfing, which I have loved...

DD is over the flu, but still gets bad hives. We've discovered that the hives only appear when she is exposed to the cold. Anyone have any experience with cold urticaria?

[Medako]

Know what....I say, keep nursing if you want to! What's it going to hurt? It's not like our babies are going to stay babies forever. And I really doubt any of us are going to be raising our shirts at their high school graduations so they can get a snack before walking across the stage.

My mom is dead set against me stopping at a year, and as it gets closer, I'm just not sure I'm ready to give it up yet. Jack's only nursing twice a day as it is, so I think I'll keep it up for a while. How long, I don't know. But when he wakes up and before he goes to bed are times that I enjoy together.

[KRL626]

angelgirl Dealing with cold number 4 here and also seriously considering putting off all forms of weaning until winter is over...we'll see.

[Kate&Joey]

Not Weaning Yet: I'm lucky and don't get much flack from family/friends about *still* nursing. I'll try to continue through winter to deal with cold/flu season. I count my blessings every day that DS has been healthy as a horse. But if DH gets a job and DS has to go to daycare, I really want to continue BFing as long as possible. :)

[Taurus]

I haven't had much time to be on these boards lately. Thanks for setting up the new thread.

You all inspired/reminded me to get the ball rolling with T's birthday party. We are doing a joint party with my nephew (4 days younger than T) and even with just family and close friends it is a long list of guests. We won't do joint parties every year, but my sis and I are very close, they are both our first kids, and we have many common friends or at least know all each other's friends. We are doing it in my parents' backyard and hoping for a nice Southern CA day. We plan to have it Open House style so people can pop in whenever is convenient for them, and we will set up various activities for kids and even a table with a game for grownups for some of our friends who don't have kids but will be nice enough to come and hang out.

We are now getting some physical therapy to help T reach some of his gross motor developmental milestones. He's now moving around a lot more, but he's behind. Seems he has a weak trunk but it is not anything we can't work on and help him strengthen. Kinda ironic that his muscles are weak while mine are seriously toned for the first time in my life from toting this 24-lb guy day and night! I saw a pair of yoga pants online that said "Kids are my gym" across the butt, and I thought, "That's me!" I am in better shape than I was before pregnancy. I'll be happy when he can start to get around more on his own though.

QOTD for those of you who live in cold climates:

We are taking DS to DH's family in the Midwest on Friday for Christmas. We have bought him a winter jacket (Old Navy) and a couple of mitten/hat combos. I thought it wasn't safe for him to be in the car seat while wearing a big jacket? Or is that just true of those big bunting things? How do we keep him warm going to/from homes and cars? I know I could search for this but wanted to get age-specific info if possible. TIA!

ETA: It looks like the anticipated weather is in the 30s-40s each day.

[newmommy]

QOTD:
I usually leave a fleece blanket in the car, and try to pre-heat the car if possible.....also if it's really cold, I will put his coat over DS.

I have another question: How many naps are your children taking? DS takes on morning nap, and sometimes an afternoon nap...depending. He's up there right now, banging around and sort of talking....

Also, for all the holiday parties coming up, what are your plans about bedtime? We're going to bring his pack and play with him, and put him in pajamas.......I'm sort of anxious about his change in routine--he's pretty regimented....

TIA

[Taurus]

Thanks newmommy.

Naps- I think we may be in the process of transitioning to just one LONG afternoon nap (2.5 - 3 hours), but it is too soon to call it the new routine, and it is hard to stick to unless I am home most of the day. The vacation will surely mess it up anyway.

ETA: FWIW, he sleeps 11-12 hours at night.

Parties/Bedtime- We had success last Sunday putting him to sleep in a PnP at my sister's, but then again DS has always been really good at bedtime even when he's not in his own room. We do try to do most of his routine as if at home. Not a bath, but we still do PJs, quiet time with one of us to settle him down, and a book. We tried this once at a friend's, though, and it was way too noisy in the house for it to work.

[blondegirl]

taurus- We prewarm the car most of the time. DS just wears his coat to go from house to car, but if it's really cold i'll throw a a blanket around his legs or cover him with my jacket. Luckily, it hasn't been too too cold yet this winter - only a couple of mornings has it been below 35 or so. In the early winter last year, before DD was walking, I had a one piece fleece suit for her, that wasn't too bulky. When she started walking we just used a regular coat.

naps- we are also contemplating/in the process of moving to just 1 nap in the afternoon. DD now naps from about 1-3, and life would be so much easier for me if DS napped at the same time. On the days he is in daycare, he only takes 1 nap, so it looks like we'll be doing this at home soon as well. He also sleeps about 11 hours at night. Right now, he naps around 10 and 3, a few hours each time.

[tray622]

I am jealous of the one nappers. My oldest kept two until 19 months and it looks like Jocey is following. She sleeps 11-12 hours a night and takes a 9am and 1pm nap. Having both kids on 1 nap would be heavenly ;)

[jules1025]

naps - We are up in the air with naps right now. All of last week, Audrey fought her afternoon nap so I decided to try just giving her one nap a day over the weekend. That went horribly. And, on Monday, she was back to wanting two naps a day (at 9am and 1pm). Today, though, she fought the afternoon nap again. I left her in her crib and she finally fell asleep at 2pm. I may just try moving her second nap back to 2pm instead of 1pm. She definitely still needs two naps a day. She doesn't take nice, long naps (I'm lucky to get 1.5 hours) and gets so tired if she only gets one nap.

[Taurus]

Jinxed myself...

The one-long-nap thing happened Mon and Tues but not today. We'll try nap #2 around 2pm today.

[meggers]

naps--Owyn now takes only one nap a day. He goes down somewhere between 11 and 12. Usually he will sleep for 2.5-3 hours.

[jennapeach]

Sub'ing to the new thread...

Milk No plans to transition until her birthday. She's showed signs that she's not all that interested in the bottle anymore. She does still like it at bedtime and one as soon as she wakes up, but I'm pretty sure she'll go to sleep fine without a bottle now that we've sleep-trained.

Naps She still very much needs her two naps. Sometimes, she's ready for her morning nap by 8:30am! Usually, though, it's 9-10am and 2-4pm. We recently moved her bedtime from 8:30pm to 7:30pm and saw no change in her wake-up time or nap needs, so we figure she's needed more sleep anyway.

Parties/Bedtime We actually started sleep training away from home (I know, but I was DESPERATE for a night's sleep). We were at my folks' house and normally my mom helps with night wakings, but she was recovering from surgery, so when M fussed at bedtime, I let her CIO in her PnP. She woke up a couple of other times during the night, but I let her CIO and she was fine. We firmed up our bedtime routine, so I don't think she'll have a hard time going down for bed whether at home or away. It's been almost a week now and she's now going right down when I put her in her crib (after a couple of half-hearted squaks) and if she wakes, she puts herself back to sleep within a few minutes. I hope I can keep this up, cause I'm LOVING the sleep!

[angelgirl8]

taurus...definitely no winter coat in the car seat. we don't use cars very often, but i think warming the car and then covering him with a blanket would be fine. we have bundle me things on the car seats but it definitely doesn't make sense to buy those for a few days!

[jules1025]

screaming - OMG, tell me you guys are also having this issue! Audrey has taken to screaming all. the. time. Mostly when she doesn't get what she wants. (Are we starting tantrums already?) I was in the grocery store today, which was swamped with people, and she kept screaming b/c I wouldn't let her pull items off the shelves (I'm talking a scream so high-pitched that dogs started barking). People kept looking at us. I was embarrassed. :o

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!! I'm excited to celebrate it this year with Audrey. It makes it so much more special. :)

[LRL]

jules1025- I totally hear you on the screaming issue! My DS screams when he is excited or wants attention. DH is constantly telling him "No screaming!". I think he hears this more than he hears us tell him "No". Plus, he thinks it's pretty funny when we tell him not to scream! :rolleyes: Too bad he's so darn cute. :p

taurus- I would just use a thick blanket over the carseat. I avoid keeping thick coats on DS under his straps, as I am overly cautious.

[Taurus]

Thanks for all the replies helping this CA girl keep her kid warm and safe in cold weather!! We are still on our vacation and actually enjoying very mild temps for this time of year, so it's been pretty easy.

Hope everyone is enjoying Happy Holidays with their families.

[mauibride1]

This screaming is driving me crazy! Does anyone know when it will stop? Are we supposed to be telling them "no screaming" or ignore it? DS sometime screams for no reason, ie. just sitting calmly and he will let her rip!

Glad to know there are some other moms dealing with this....

We recently took a tortuous plane ride and a really nice grandma looked at us with pity and said "I have a grandson who is a screamer too...we call him the 'screaming eagle!'"

SIGH.......:rolleyes:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

[newmommy]

Screaming: Here too!!!! When DS doesn't want to do somehting, he screams....for example: diaper changes/getting dressed is murder lately.

Also since getting off schedule for the holidays---he's been waking up at night crying. I'm not sure if it's him teething(eye teeth) or just being off and over tired. I'm exhausted, and this vacation week isn't starting off on the right foot : ( I pray that he STTN tonight, because I'm so tired. He woke up twice just last night!

On the bright side, he's learning to play with his toys, and is eating so much more now. He's down to 3/4 bottles of 1/2milk 1/2 formula a day!!!(I am weaning a bit earlier than his first birthday)

[Nikkid]

I hope everyone had a nice Holiday! Here are a couple of pics of my little guy opening presents...

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/drusenik/Picture002.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/drusenik/Picture017.jpg

And here are a couple of pics of my guy dressed up on Christmas Eve..

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/drusenik/Picture037.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/drusenik/Picture042.jpg

[Medako]

Oh, where to begin...I feel like I've been gone forever.

Screaming - Jack screeches constantly now. Both when he's happy/excited and when he's mad. Oh, it's so much worse than just crying. I don't mean to sound like the mean mommy, but I HATE it!

Clinging - He's clinging to me constantly now. I can't even walk to the kitchen without him getting completely mad!

On a happier note, Saturday, at 11 months and 11 days, Jack took his first steps! He's loving being able to chase the dog from higher up now! He's still only taking a couple at a time (6 at the most), but it won't be long. I can already see the wheels turnin' in his head and he's trying to figure out how to run!

We had a good Christmas and Jack is now buried in new toys and clothes. We didn't have to do much for him knowing that everyone else would. I've put several toys away already and they'll be slowly rotated in as others are rotated out so he doesn't get bored with them, or overwhelmed by the sheer volume!

*today's mess* - this morning I left Jack to play with his toys in the living room while I ran to the bathroom and to check my mail. I wasn't gone hardly any time at all and when I went back to check on him he was covered in a mess. He'd figured out how to get the fridge open and pull out the carton of eggs! He'd then proceded to smash them EVERYWHERE, including his clothes, the carpet and every shelf in the fridge. Thankfully there were only 2 eggs left and it only took me 20 minutes to clean up while wrestling him out of the way.

Anyone know of a good fridge lock out there??

[KRL626]

NikkiD Look at Jaxson! What a handsome boy!

Medako That story is too funny! I'm telling you your Jack is a muscle man! Opening the fridge on his own!

We are also overwhelmed with the gifts. Just thinking about his birthday coming up in two weeks and more presents makes me realize I am going to have to put a bunch away for later!

Jeremiah has also been tentatively taking a few steps here and there. He doesn't seem like he'll be off and really walking any time soon though.

Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

[chefker]

clinging - Oh yeah! DS is doing this all.the.time lately. He even does this with our daycare provider--for example, if he's in his high chair eating and can't see her, he pitches a fit.

I can't believe this, but DS's first birthday party is already happening this Sunday! Where did the past year go. This Friday, the 29th, will mark a year since my ill-fated trip to the OB--it was my usual prenatal checkup, and when it was discovered I had pre-eclampsia....off to the hospital I went.

I feel so overwhelmed and unprepared for this party. We are ALL sick right now with a head cold, and last week I had some stupid stomach virus. Hopefully I'll get my act together and pull this party off--it's just hard to feel like doing anything while I'm sick.

[KRL626]

Here's Jeremiah enjoying one of his gifts on Christmas morning

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/336141256_c22cc354e3_m.jpg

[Medako]

oh, I forgot to mention just how much food this kid can put away. Christmas Day he ate THREE plates of ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli rice casserole, carrots, corn and hot roll....followed by a small container of mandarin oranges. And I'm not so sure he wouldn't have kept goin' if I'd had put more in front of him. (I probably wouldn't have given him that much, but try telling that to grandma)

[MMH]

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! It looks like all the little ones enjoyed their first present unwrapping extravaganza. My DD was fairly interested in everything but like Medako her favorite part was the food! Kid loves stuffing...

My dad built DD a rocking whale which was a huge hit. It's amazes me how much her grandparents love her.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/336659386_29d898a412_m.jpg
She's also cruising around, I think walking will happen any day!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/87/336659390_4d1f9edcfe_m.jpg

On a more serious note, I need some advice from unbiased parties. I know there is a whole thread on MILs but I'm not sure I can go there yet! Needless to say, my DH and his mother have always had a rocky relationship. On and off for the last ten years since I have known him. For the last FIVE months she has not spoken or seen us and made no effort to patch things up. My DH and MIL had a falling out in August and DH pretty much said he was to tired of the drama to continue and gave her a list of things that needed to happen before they could have a relationship.

Anyway...

DH and I are going on a week long vacation to Mexico. MIL thinks that she should get to spend half the week with DD and my parents the other half. Um NO. My parents KNOW my DD, they have fed her and bathed her and put her to bed and taken her places. MIL hasn't seen us in five months and expects us to just pretend everything is okay?

Am I totally crazy putting my foot down on this one? DH wants his mom to get half the week. I just don't want to start WWIII here...

Thanks Ladies!

[tray622]

Sick baby thoughts...

Jocey has had a cold for a month. Last week we got antibiotics and a rx of a sinus infection. Last night she couldnt breathe from coughing so hard. Turns out she has bronchiolitis and the beginning stages of pneumonia. We had a breathing treatment at the doctor and brought them home to do for the next 2 weeks along with some meds to decrease the swelling of her airways. Think healing thoughts!

[Medako]

oh, MMH, tough one. But I think I'd be with you on this one. MIL hasn't shown interest and all of a sudden she thinks she's going to get equal treatment & time with DD, I don't think so! If I had to make a compromise, I might suggest that she could have a day or an afternoon, but not half of the week like your parents.

I guess I'm probably a little biased though. My MIL doesn't care if she sees Jack at all, so I have a few harsh feelings when it comes to that....

sidenote - Jack's getting that same push toy for his birthday :)

Tray - - *sending happy & healthy baby thoughts your way*

[MMH]

Medako - I got that thing for $10 at the dreaded Wal-Mart and it's been a huge hit. Jack will love it.

Thanks for the advice. If MIL had spent any time with us at all it would be a different story. Uggg, I hate this!

[Medako]

I totally know what you mean, if you ever wanna swap bad MIL stories, I probably have a few for ya!

I picked up one of those push toys in nearly new condition at a 2nd hand baby store for $5. I'm thinking that place is my new favorite store! We all know how fast kids outgrow toys, so it's not like the majority of stuff is heavily used and I enjoy the cheaper toys (especially right after Christmas). Besides, he's young enough right now he doesn't know, and even if he did, he couldn't care less if some other baby had it first. :)

[jules1025]

MMH - I'm confused why your DH is insistent on that if he doesn't want a relationship with her anyway (or at least until she does the items on his list). I agree with you, though. Your DD needs to be with someone you can feel comfortable with and you know what kind of care she's getting. I think Medako has a good idea of giving her an afternoon with your DD or something like that, but not an overnight stay (or even a full day!).

tray - Sending some healthy baby thoughts your way! I hope Jocey gets better soon!

----

We all got colds for Christmas. Yay. :rolleyes: Audrey is on day 5 of her cold and seems to get more congested each day. She's starting to cough now, too. When should I take her to the doctor?? How long do colds last anyway?

Audrey goes ballistic when we try to suck the snot out of her nose. OMG, you'd think we were torturing her or something! Does anyone else's DC do this?

Aside from the colds, our Christmas was good. Audrey got way too many toys! We got her the Leap Frog learning table from Santa, and she loves it. Another hit was the Parents brand toy keys - she loves those! And, the Leap Frog Fridge DJ. She loves to dance to Old McDonald. :)

[MMH]

Jules - We have colds as well. Not fun! My DD also totally freaks when she sees the sucker coming towards her. It's nearly impossible to use that thing anymore. Glad she likes the music table, my DD also loves that toy.

As for our situation, I'm confused as well. The problem is that both my DH and MIL think that MIL can have a relationship without my DH being involved. It makes NO sense, that is why it's so hard. I keep telling him that it's all of us or none of us. It was much easier when it was just he and I because I would just stay as far away as possible! We just need to have a frank discussion about it...ugggg.

And YES if MIL had EVER once babysat DD it would be different. We literally haven't spoken to or seen MIL since August 5th.

Thanks for the feedback.

[meggers]

tray & jules--I hope your babies get better soon.

Owyn had a pretty bad cold a week or two before Christmas. He screams like crazy when ever I try to suck the snot out of his nose. His school is closed between Christmas and New Years, so I'm happy that he'll be away from the germs for awhile. I swear he kept getting one cold right after another.

Christmas went well for us. Our living room now looks like a toy explosion. The next project is to figure out the best way to store and organize his toys. Here are a few pictures (thanks again Medako for the instructions on the B&W pic):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/336914603_08bbae6307.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/335815679_ce4e1bccd5.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/335814890_ac42b0d755.jpg?v=0

[MMH]

Meggers - that little chair is TOO cute.

[Twyla]

We have had a nast flu thing in our house this week, Caedan got hit first After midnight Sat night. Then Christmas my dd got it, and that night I ended up with it too, dh caught it yesterday. We were all so sick and in and out of the bathroom for one reason or another.

Now that has passed and Caedan seems to hae a terrible cold. Any reccomndations for meds? We have been using Little colds and it is not cutting it. Caedan also has a HATE for that asperator now, he doesn't seem to like vicks much either. I hate going to the Dr. just for them to tell me it is what i already assumed LOL

Christmas would have been nice without one child getting over being sick and the other ne becoming sick.

[KRL626]

I can't help but be excited because the birthdays have started!!! I don't know if we've heard from their mama's in a while but...

Happy Birthday to: Daniella, Ashley, and Rhys!!!

[terrys wifey]

Oh my goodness!!!! Where have I been??? I don't know the last time I was on here.

Anyway, Ashley is 1 years old today!!!!! I can not believe how fast time has gone by. We are not having a party it will just the 4 of us (myself, DH and brother Malik who will be turining 11 on Sunday... yep both in December).

I didn't want to do the BIG Ole Birthday bash, just wanted something small.
She is a little under the weather anyway, she had a bad cold and started wheezing and it would not stop. So I took her to the doctor and they sent me home with a nebulizer and albuterol solution. That was on Tuesday it didn't improve much so I took her back yesterday and they prescribed prednisone (sp?) a steroid to help her lungs get rid of the congestion. She will only be taking that for 3 days thank goodness.

I gave it to her last night for the first time and the wheezing immediately stopped the coughing was down to a few then stopped and she slept through the night. It was heaven!!!

Weaning....... We started her on Whole milk last week and she loves it!!! I am thinking of doing Organic Milk we buy it occasionaly.

I saw on the news last night that selling cloned meat and milk from the cloned animals have been approved for human consumption!!!! So I am freaked out, as if the steroid pumped animals aren't affecting our kids enough.

Walking..... Ashley is not walking and I am so tired of folks making a big deal out of it. She just turned 1 today for pete's sake. Good Grief!! She pulls up and can stand on her own, she tried to take a few steps then dropped to the floor and starts crawling.


Sippy cup.... it took a while but she has been drinking from a sippy cup for a few months now she loves to drink her apple juice and water from it but can be sometimey with drinking milk from the cup. We're still working on it, if only the pacifer weaning was as easy.

[jules1025]

Happy Birthday, Daniella, Ashley & Rhys!!!

twyla - Little Colds meds doesn't seem to be cutting it over here either! We used Infants Tylenol Cold & Cough before and that worked well, but they were out of it at the store when I went. I know what you mean about going to the doc. I don't want to go if they're just going to tell me to keep doing what I'm doing!

[newmommy]

We're not sure if DS has a cold/teething or a milk allergy!!! DH is lactose intolerant, and although DS is on a milk based formula, he has had some sort of reaction DS---

oh no, most of my post has erased on it's own!! AAHHH

Basically DS is back on formula until his next check up--poor thing, he looks terrible...

His bday party is going to be just a pizza party, cake and some balloons with our immediate family next weekend...I hope I don't regret it!!!

Well I have to go, I'm annoyed that my entire post disappeared :(

[terrys wifey]

Happy Birthday, Daniella, Ashley & Rhys!!!

twyla - Little Colds meds doesn't seem to be cutting it over here either! We used Infants Tylenol Cold & Cough before and that worked well, but they were out of it at the store when I went. I know what you mean about going to the doc. I don't want to go if they're just going to tell me to keep doing what I'm doing!

awwwww thank you, I agree Little Colds meds did not work for Ashley either.

[Twyla]

I just saw Triaminic has decongestant and cough thin strips for infants. We use that brand for DD so I may look for those today.

Wow Birthdays! Happy Birthday babes!

I guess that means I need to tie up the lose ends for Caedan's party. LOL

[jules1025]

Happy Birthday to Nicholas!

qotd - NYE Do y'all have any big plans for New Year's Eve? We are doing nothng at all except putting Audrey to bed around 6:30pm and watching movies all night. My cold got worse, so I've been laying around the past two days. Do not really feel like celebrating this year. :o

[meggers]

Happy Birthday Nicholas!!

I can't believe our babies are turning one already.

[chefker]

QOTD - NYE--well, as it's Ian's birthday, we're having his party. What a freaking fiasco the Spongebob cake turned out to be. :rolleyes: I made the mini cakes and frosted them just fine, with no problems. (I have the Wilton pans). The mini Spongebob was going to be Ian's smash cake, and the large one for everyone else.

So for some reason, I could NOT get the eyes just right on the large cake. I was outlining them in black, and redoing them forEVER. Finally at 5:00 I said "eff this", went to the bakery at Shaw's supermarket and asked them if I could order a cake for TOMORROW. The girl was nice, said they normally require 24 hours notice, but they could have a cake ready for me "after 12:00" on Sunday. Ian's party starts at 12:30. But I will have a 1/4 sheet cake ready for pickup at 1:00. It'll be awkward to have to run out in the middle of the party to go get it, but people will be busy eating at that point, and it's only 5 minutes away. I wish I had ordered a damn cake in the FIRST place instead of going through all this hassle! Oh, and to top things off, my DOG somehow got ahold of some buttercream frosting I was using (I think he licked it out of a bowl that I stupidly left on a chair), and not surprisingly threw up afterward. So now I have to shampoo one of our rugs, as if I don't have enough shiz to do.

I still have to wrap Ian's gifts, finish cleaning the house/mop the floors, and somehow be ready for tomorrow. DH has been no help at all. [hubby vent] FIL decided that TODAY was a good day for him and DH to install a new garage door opener. He actually wanted to do it TOMORROW, before the party, but I said hell no. "It'll take an hour, then I'll be out of your hair for the rest of the day!" claimed FIL. They started at 10 this morning, and didn't finish until 4:00. I was so FREAKING irritated...I had a CAKE to decorate, and food to prepare, which is pretty much impossible with a baby underfoot! So I couldn't even start anything until later in the day anyway. UGH what a freaking day. I told DH to do the damn dishes while I have a glass of wine (or two) right now. [/hubby vent]

Hopefully everything will go off smoothly tomorrow. I'm at the point where I don't CARE if people notice dust on my bookcases or anything like that.

[Jackie&Tom]

I haven't posted in a while, but have been following along!

Tomorrow is Alex's birthday and we're having a family dinner and party.
Next Saturday is his big party!!

I can't believe it's been a year already. Just one year ago today I was sitting on the couch very pregnant, an hour later, my water broke and 10 hours and 14 minutes little, Alex arrived!!

[KRL626]

Happy Birthday Alex, Ian, and Raymond!!!

[jules1025]

Happy 1st Birthday, Alex, Ian & Raymond! :D

chefker - I hope the party goes well today!

[aligirl]

Happy 1st Birthday, Alex, Ian & Raymond!

As for NYE - tonight! - we're going to Jay's BM's house who conveniently lives about 2 miles down the street, next subdivison over. I'm a little sick and so is Alex so he's staying home and my parents are coming to watch him. My mom's on call tonight so really can't do any reveling so it works out. That and they'll take any excuse they can get to play with the little man. ;)

Happy New Year!!

[jeninef]

Subscribing!

Happy New Year's everyone!! We are staying home as well!!! We just got back from our trip back East, so we decided to play it low key!! Movies and some wine is it for us tonight!! We're trying to get DS back on schedule with bedtimes, etc...which so far has been going pretty well!! Let's hope it continues!

Christmas was great and DS got soo many toys!! I can't believe that our babies are turning one and that DS will be one in 5 weeks!! I have a birthday party to plan!! Eeek!! Here are a few pics of DS opening some gifts pre-Christmas, which were too big to take on the plane! (Notice his runny nose as we all got sick right before we left!)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/340369138_a9a3ed1f8f.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/340369146_1e755c33b3.jpg

[blondegirl]

Happy New Years everone!

And Happy Birthday to all our little ones who have had one so far! Can't believe they are turning 1 already! Yikes!! Just a little over 3 weeks until DS turns 1. Did the invitations yesterday so those are all ready to be mailed. Even did a little shopping for some party supplies.

We had a nice Hanukkah/Christmas. The kids got way too many toys. Crazy! Just today I started to try and put them all away!! We did Hanukkah in NY with the in-laws, and christmas in Boston woth my family. What a relief to just relax at home for a few days!

Totally bummed out because I lost my camera christmas day, and hadn't uploade any pics from hanukkah or christmas. I'm so mad! Though I am still holding out hope that the camera will show up!! My aunt took some pics at xmas, and I'm hoping she'll email to me soon and then I'll post a few.

DS is doing well. That boy loves to eat!! Still not walking, and not really standing up on his own too much yet. But I'm not worried. Each day he does a little better. DD walked pretty much a few days after her first bday, and I have a feeling DS will do the same.

[MMH]

jeninef - Right there with you on party planning. Yikes! Better get on that...

blondegirl - Sorry you lost your camera. But a good excuse to get a new one!

We had a lovely new years in the woods. Lots of snow in Idaho! Seriously, this baby has aged me. I have wrinkles around my eyes! Ay yi yi.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/137/341540808_2d955a2a75_m.jpg
I've been finding DD in all sort of odd places. I turned around for two seconds and she had climed into the tub I was packing.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/341540807_a2182069a3_m.jpg

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Years!

[mauibride1]

QOTD DH and I went out with friends to a comedy club and party last night. Left DS with his grandparents until today which meant that we slept in this morning until almost 9:00AM. Can anyone say "heavenly"?

chefker Let us know how the party turned out. Sounds like things were shaping up to be pretty hectic. I'm sure it was great.

MMH You and your DD are BOTH so cute! And you DON'T look old!

blondgirl Sorry that you lost your camera. I really hope it turns up...

jeninef Such adorable pics. Looks like your DS really got into the presents already!

Has anyone cut their DS/DD's hair yet? William's hair has gotten so long over the last few weeks: his little bangs are almost hanging into his eyes! I took out some scissors and cut some of the back and sides...WHAT A DISASTER THAT WAS! I'm going to let it grow out a bit, but then I need to figure out where to take him for his first "official" cut.

Any ideas?

[MMH]

Thanks Mauibride, some days I feel old too! I would KILL for a to sleep in until 9am. That does sound wonderful.

Do you have Monkey Dooz in your town? Some friends of ours highly recommend this place.
http://www.monkeydooz.net/

[Jackie&Tom]

Has anyone cut their DS/DD's hair yet?

We've had his haircut twice. It's funny, he was born with a TON of hair, then lost almost all of it within 3 months. It started growing fast after that. We got it cut at 10 months and a couple weeks shy of a year.

He LOVED it!! The vibration of the clippers had him cracking up!

[MMH]

Jackie - Would you mind sharing where you got DSs cute 1 shirt?

[blondegirl]

MMH- No kidding! I HATED my camera, and am hoping, just a little, that it doesn't turn up! I'm online right now looking at new cameras! Though I am VERY bummed that I won't have the pics from xmas and hanukkah. And you don't look old!! but I totally know the feeling! There are days when I look in the mirror and think yikes!

haircut- DS has has 2 haircuts so far, but I've done it myself. I'm planning to take him to a real place and have it done before his birthday.

mauibride- Oh how I would lill to sleep past 7!

Over the last couple days, DS has started saying Uh Oh. It is the cutest thing.

[angelgirl8]

haircuts...my two have tons of hair. they had it at birth and it just keeps growing! i've cut their hair twice...they're very squirmy/screamy but i feel like they'll be that way anywhere, so i might as well do it! definitely looking to bring them somewhere soon, though!


i can't believe m and j will be a year old in 8 days. where has the time gone?!

[Mindy3094]

Joining--

CC Name: Mindy3094
DD/DS: Ella
Me: 31
DH: Jacob, 31
Married: 11-13-1999
EDD: 2-20-2006
ADD: 2-20-2006
Time of Birth: 8:14pm
Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz.
Length: 21 inches
Other Children: none


Here's our girl -
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q220/jacobobbi/B6W5LLIHE5RU5IX8-S5JGT.jpg

Loving the discussion and all of the pics. The kids are so cute!

haircut Not yet! Her hair is getting a bit thicker right now and she can wear a hair clip for a while. It eventually falls out. Our hair dresser comes to our house though so when the time comes, that will be super nice!

[MMH]

Vacation W/Out DC
Okay ladies, I'm trying to prepare myself for a February vacation without my DD. I am a SAHM so we are kind of attached at the hip! I know DH and I need to go on this trip, I just dread leaving my little one for that long (one week). Has anyone else been away from their DC for this long yet?

I also mentioned in an earlier post that DH/MIL and I are having an all-out battle over babysitting duty while we are gone. MIL hasn't spoken to us in 5 months and now thinks she is going to spend half our vacation with DD. Um...NO! MIL hasn't changed her diaper, fed her, put her to bed, given her a bath etc...EVER. Am I nuts?

Thanks ladies, I am going to have an anxiety attack over this trip.

[Medako]

Are you kidding? I'm not sure if I've been away for more than 6 hours, much less a week! (okay, I'm not helping the anxiety, am I? :p)

I'm still with you on your MIL NOT watching you DD while you're gone. She'd be much more at ease and comfortable with your parents it seems like.

[meatpie]

MMH I feel your pain. Is there a way for you to go away one weekend to ease yourself into the separation at all? That would be my advice. If that's terrible for you, maybe a 5 day break is better than an entire week.

I have a similar problem...although a bit different for me. I work outside the home and we need a vacation (we did 4 weddings this summer traveling from Los Angeles to South Carolina, Minnesota, Maine, and the Cape in MA) without family, weddings, commitments, etc. But I won't go without Jack-man. So we thought about really going away to Paris but flights are $1,000!!! Now we have no clue where to go. The thought of a 9 hour flight is really tough as well, but I was willing because it's overnight from LA and Jack is a great sleeper. Anyway...

You are NOT nuts with you MIL. I would not allow her to watch my kid if the situation was reversed. You need someone with some history with your child or else all you will do is call home and worry. Not a great vacation for you!!!

[MMH]

Thanks Ladies - I need to have the dreaded conversation tonight with DH. I just can't have MIL with DD while I am out of the country.

Meatpie - I would take DD with us to Cabo in a heartbeat. The problem is that we are staying in a private home with six other kidless couples. Although I'm sure they would love DD to be there, it would be too hard. Plus, I KNOW that DH and I need some time. It'll be great in the big scheme of things but I dread leaving DD ;(

Mexico could be a good option for a vacation? Usually cheap and kid friendly. Although, fairly close to home for you! My parents are thinking about a European family vaca, I can't imagine that flight with DD!

[blondegirl]

MMH- It won't be that bad leaving DD! And you will enjoy your vacation!! And I agree with Medako, I wouldn't leave her with your MIL! (I have similar issues with my MIL, and wouldn't leave my kiddies with her for more than a few hours! And even that drives me crazy!)

DS stayed with my MIL for 1 night, but DD (who is 22 months) has been away from us for 5 days. With her, we started little, a night here, 2 nights there. The first time she stayed at her grandparents, she was about 9 months.

DH and I are going away for 5 nights in May. My mom is going to stay at our house with the kids..

[Medako]

A few pictures of Jack on his new tractor....

my lil farmboy :)

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/Jack764.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/Jack769.jpg

We went to a birthday party last weekend and they had this ball pit toy that Jack just loved. We've asked for one for his birthday, so I'm hoping someone will come through for us. :) I had a hard time pulling him away from it!

Here he is playing in the balls...
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i162/mom2jackryan/Jack736.jpg

[newmommy]

Hi ladies....

It's official, on February 15 my son has to have surgery to bring down his undescended testicle :( It's a day/one hour procedure, and I realize it could be worse, but I'm really sad about it.
After his appt, we went to Costco's...and we bought him a table and four chairs to go in his room!! Not age appropriate, but my poor baby is going to have surgery, so I felt he "needed" it ;)

He was weighed and measured, and he is 23 pounds, and 29 inches....is that short for a one year old? I ask because MIL said he's short....

[Jan&Feb2006Moms]

Updated to here! Welcome, Mindy3094! :)

Hopefully we'll be able to keep up with this thread better. :o

[blondegirl]

newnommy - So sorry to hear about the surgery! Your poor DS! ......... I would say that 29 inches is very average?? DS hasn't had his 1 yr appt yet, but I would guess he's about the same.

medako - What a cutie you have there!!

[Twyla]

Medako- I just ordered that ball pit for Caedan's party. Walmart.com has it for the best price ;)

newmommy- We got Caedan a table and chair set to share with his sister. He LOVES it. So I say good choice mommy! And I would feel that way too after an appointment like that. I wish your little guy a speedy recovery from his upcoming surgery

[KRL626]

Happy Birthday Jaxson!!

[newmommy]

Thanks ladies : )

I'm feeling guilty that I haven't made a big deal about his bday party, so last minute, I've been calling friends and family-and inviting them over! I thought I wanted it to be low key-but now that it's here, I'm doing it up!!

I am doing just a "first birthday theme"....and I'm also going to try to bake a smash cake....we'll see...it may end up being store bought :rolleyes:

I haven't decided if I'm doing goodie bags yet...we'll see on that one!

Thanks again!

[jules1025]

Happy 1st Birthday, Jaxson!

newmommy - Sorry to hear about your DS's surgery. I hope it goes well and he recovers in no time!

medako - LOVE those tractor pictures!

MMH - I hope the talk with your DH went well!

Welcome, Mindy3094!

[Medako]

panic mode is beginning to set in. Jack's party is a week from Saturday and it seems like I have so much left to do (even though I really don't). I have almost all of the food and it won't take long to prepare (thank goodness for crockpots). I've GOT to start cleaning the house sometime soon though. We did go through and dust pretty good and knock down cobwebs :lol: last week....I'm just not looking forward to making my house ready for so many people...

people...that's another thing. This party started out as family. Then family and a few close friends. Now, I've lost count of who all is coming. I just hope there's enough food.

The cake is another sore spot right now. My mom is a professional cake decorator and has done cakes for other people for years. (not so many lately, but that's beside the point). I asked her if she would decorate the cake if I baked it and frosted it. She told me to do it myself. Her reasoning - if I do it for Jack's first birthday, then I'll have to do it for his next and then all of the grandkids (Jack's the only one right now). *sigh* So, it looks like I'll be doing the cake sometime. I have a feeling it's going to be quite simple.

[Nikkid]

Thanks KRL and Jules!!

I can't believe my baby is one today!! I woke up this morning to him "talking" away in his crib, very early. I rolled over and asked him what he was talking about (he's in our room) and I almost forgot it was his birthday! :rolleyes: I said Happy Birthday Jaxson and DH said, Oh yeah, it's his birthday. :rolleyes: What good parents we are. At least we remembered right away in the morning and not at the end of the day. Not that he would notice anyway. I'll have to go back and read his birth story to see what was happening right about this time.

We are having his party this Sunday. It will be with his brother who turned 4 on NYE and my grandpa who turns 80 next week. So we won't be having so much of a theme. My 4 yr old is into superman and spiderman right now so I will probably get a sheet cake with something like that on it for him and then get a little smash cake for Jaxson that will have his name on it. We are having the party at a community center since my family is getting so big and we can barely all fit in one house anymore. So at least I don't have to worry about cleaning. We just keep it simple and have BBSQ's and then I make a crockpot pizza casserole along with chips and cake/ice cream.

I'm on break at work right now but I will do S/O's later tonight. I've been reading along, just haven't had time to post lately.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of the babes I've missed so far!

[MMH]

Happy Birthday to all our Kiddos!

hmmmm...I better get onto planning a party! Everyone keeps asking me what we are doing. I haven't even thought about it.

DH/MIL Sitch - Thanks for your thoughts ladies. Had the big chat with DH last night. Did NOT go well. This whole thing has made me sick to my stomach and I'm ready to cancel our vacation. This was our first big blowout in 9 years...

Medako - Cute pics!

[Twyla]

Happy Birthday to all of our babies!!

Caedan's party is on the 27th. I have a bunch too do too. I placed an order with partypro.com yesterday LOL I looked in the box I have full of stuff for his party and realized that I neve ordered the napkins or table covers. So I got those and a few other things. We reserved the jumper yesterday too. Since the party is a pirate theme we went with one that looks like an island, the corners are palm trees. And I guess they put a pirates banner on it. I have inflatable swards to throw in the jumper and all sorts of pirate toys and goodies. i haven't figured out the cake yet. I wanted to do the pirate face, but not everyone likes fondant. So we may just do that as the smash cake and use a sheet cake for everyone else. Food is easy we are doing pizza :)

I was going to ask a few things, but the natives are restless LOL See ya later!

[catandmouse]

Hi everyone! I have really just not had any time to be on here, but now I'm all caught up & maybe I can stay that way.
I can't believe it's been a year either! I always like coming here & seeing what everyone else is doing with their kids because I usually have the same questions as everyone else!
Weaning- I'm using up the frozen BM for daycare & then BF 2 times a day. Once the frozen stuff is gone I will switch to whole milk, but I will probably keep BF for awhile. She usually sleeps from 730 to 530ish & then I feed her & she will go back to sleep for another hour. I would love to break that habit, but I don't know if that will happen.
Naps-Jordyn is not a good napper. 2 half hour naps a day usually.
Birthday-Jordyn's party is the 13th. I'm doing a taco bar & caterpillar & butterfly cupcakes.

Now I have two questions - Any of you working full time & how do you manage everything?? I guess I manage what I need to manage, but I'm still having issues with the guilt. I guess I was expecting that to get a little better by now. Jordyn loves daycare & she does so well there so that makes it a lot easier, but it's still hard.
#2 - Are you guys sicker since you've had your kids? I am sick all the time! Prior to getting pregnant, I can't tell you the last time I was on antibiotics for anything & now I've just started my 3rd round since July. I seem to pick up everything whether she brings it home from daycare or I pick it up at work. I've never used so many sick days!

Love all the pictures and the updates. Here are a couple pics of Jordyn:
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/catrd73/IMG_2831.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/catrd73/IMG_2911.jpg
Oh yeah - haircuts - I'm still looking forward to the day that I can put a bow in her hair, let alone cut it!!

[KRL626]

catandmouse Oh my gosh she is gorgeous! I love those teeth! I was a blonde baldie myself until I was about two! I feel really bad about working too even though DS loves his babysitter. I just feel so stretched. It really stinks!

[jennapeach]

Look at all the cutie-pies!!

Happy Birthday to all the new One-Year-Olds!!

Sick UGH! With DD at MIL's while we work all day and two step-daughters that are with us half-time, it seems like there's never a time when at least one member of the family isn't sick. Sucks. We all just got over colds. Micki did pretty well, but it really screwed with her sleeping for a bit. She seems to be back on track for the most part. We had good luck with the Triaminic infant strips for cough/stuffiness and Tylenol or Motrin when she had a fever.

Vacation I'd have a hard time with a week away, I'm sure. I definitely wouldn't have her stay with MIL, but only b/c she watches her during the workdays, so we like to give her a break and my folks miss Micki terribly, so they are quick to voluteer. We are having Micki spend the occasional night here and there at my folks' house without us. She's spending this Saturday night with them. I can't wait to sleep in!

Chilly Sleepers? Anyone have a hard time keeping their little one's temp regulated at night? Micki is a sweaty baby, but sometimes when I get her out of her crib in the early AM, her little feet and hands are cold. I'm sure it wakes her up earlier than she normally would. I've started putting socks on under her blanket sleeper (with footies). What about her little hands though? She's got a blankie for comfort, but she moves way too much to actually use it for warmth.

Weaning Started her on a Stage 2 formula that has more calcium and iron in it. As soon as we get the green light from her ped, we're switching to milk. I'm going to try to serve her milk in sippies only and cut out the bottle at the same time. We'll see how well that goes. She will not take formula in a sippy now - only water and diluted juice. On the plus, she's less and less interested in finishing bottles anymore.

Anyone use BabyLegs? We just bought a couple of pairs. They're a big hit!
http://images18.fotki.com/v376/photos/4/42358/3262049/DSC00748-vi.jpg?1167941878
http://images14.fotki.com/v377/photos/4/42358/3262049/DSC00755-vi.jpg?1167942373

Her favorite way to wear 'em:
http://images14.fotki.com/v363/photos/4/42358/3262049/DSC00777-vi.jpg?1167943828

Micki ADORES being naked. As soon as we take off her onesie/shirt, she gets a huge cheese-smile and squirms to get to the ground so she can crawl around. :D

[catandmouse]

I've never seen those Babylegs, but they are pretty cool!!

[Twyla]

BAbylegs- Those are too cute!!! I may have to buy some for my cousin's baby shower :)

[Medako]

The babylegs are just to protect them from carpet/rug burn, right?

We've been fairly lucky that Jack's legs haven't gotten too mangled from his crawling. He's almos always wearing pants since it's been pretty chilly. If he were doing all of this crawling in the summer months and only wearing a onesie or a tshirt, I can see where they'd come in VERY handy.

ADAORABLE naked Micki picture :)

[MMH]

Ohhh Babylegs in action! I've been debating about buying some. I think they would be more for me than for DD.

Weaning - DD still won't drink formula and doesn't really like milk. We're still trying though. I've dropped her bedtime feeding so we are down to once a day. Sad!

Naps - Any insight on when to switch to one nap per day?

MIL Sitch Update - Ack! After much debate and many sleepless nights I've decided it's just not worth the drama so I am allowing MIL to stay with DD while we are in Mexico. The dumb part? No one told me she could only stay here for TWO NIGHTS. Yes, all the drama for one actual night alone with DD. Anyway, I think giving in will buy me some leverage for future debates. Why can't DH have a normal family...

Hope you all had a nice weekend!

[KRL626]

Well we had Jeremiah's birthday party today! It was a great success, except for the fact that he is now exhausted and not sleeping, and crying his eyes out. Oh well! Here are some pictures of the big day:

The sign and banner I made him:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/348455953_20a57936db_m.jpg

The smash cake I made him:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/348455951_0124e12c3d_m.jpg

The cupcake tree (we did a frog theme)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/348455955_bdd4776df9_m.jpg

Enjoying his cake!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/348455957_7296212c2a_m.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/348455961_047655ad9e_m.jpg

Not sure if this shows in the picture, but the bath water turned green after we bathed him!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/348455964_ccac590a93_m.jpg

[newmommy]

That green bath is funny!

So today DS is one-and his party is today! We were supposed to just have immediate family--but a few more relatives/friends are swinging by-now I worry that the cake isn't big enough :rolleyes:

DS convinced me not to do a smash cake for DS now I regret it-and there's no time to make one : ( I really didn't plan very well for this party...but I have many ideas for next year--Sesame Street theme : )

Today is a great day :D

[KRL626]

Happy Birthday newmommy's DS !!! (we don't know his name right? Otherwhise I would have included it :) )

[jules1025]

Happy Birthday to your DS, newmommy! :) Hope the party goes well!

KRL - Great job on the party! Everything turned out so cute!! It looks like J had fun digging into that cake. :)

refusing milk? - So, for the past two days, I've tried to give Audrey milk in her sippy with breakfast. She'll take the first sip, then when I ask her to drink subsequent sips she spits it out. Anyone else having an issue with their DC not liking milk? I may try soy milk as well. I'm just a little worried b/c I was hoping to give her milk in her sippy cups only and replace a bottle with a sippy gradually to get her off the bottle. She's not cooperating with my plan! :p

[J&K2003]

The babylegs are just to protect them from carpet/rug burn, right?

We use them to keep DD's legs warm- we live in a cold climate at this time of year and her pants are forever pulling up to her knees. The babylegs keep her calves from freezing. :D

[newmommy]

THANKS!!!

No I've never included his name :o

Today was a hit!! It went very, very well : ) Good thing I never baked a smash cake-he refused to eat the slice I put in front of him! He wouldn't even taste the frosting!!!


This time last year, I was getting ready to push!! Man, how time flies! THis has been the best year of my life, I am so ready to TTC#2 and add on to our little family!

[blondegirl]

KRL- Great pics! Glad the party went well! eta: Where did you get the stand for the cupcake tree?? That's what I plan to do, but haven't been able to find one, though I haven;t looked too hard!!

Happy Birthday newmommy's DS (yesterday)! Glad you had a great party!

Wish I had known about babylegs when DD was younger. WHat a great idea!

Here is a pic of DS from Hanukkah. NOt the best pic, but it is all I have! Hoping to get some pics from xmas soon. (Still haven't found my camera! Bummer!)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/350491759_3a4db57a68.jpg?v=0

[KRL626]

blondegirl I got it on ebay. I think it's made by Wilton.

[aligirl]

blondegirl - you can also get it at Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens N Things and Target...

[blondegirl]

Thanks ladies! I'll have to venture out this weekend to get it!!!

[jennapeach]

OMG, KRL, that bathwater is a hoot! I love that pic of J sucking his thumb with frosting all over him. So sweet.

As for the BabyLegs, I've been putting them on underneath Micki's pants, too, especially when they're running a little short. She's pretty tall but usually too skinny for the next size up, so I put the BLs underneath her pants so her little ankles are covered. They should fit her well into toddlerhood.

[aligirl]

Alex still refuses bottles so I have a feeling he's going to refuse milk too, no matter what method we use to get him to drink it. I'm planning on starting him on milk this weekend - or at least get him to try it. For a while, he was liking yogurt but now he's not too interested. Not sure what's up with that either.

[MMH]

Finally a moment to post...

aligirl - My DD has never taken a bottle, to this day! She is also refusing milk and has always refused formula. I just keep trying to get her to drink the milk but she only takes a few sips. She has also been eating really poorly lately. It's stressing me out! I hope your DS likes milk more than my DD. Good luck!

Great Birthday parties so far!

I just made an invite on Shutterfly and have decided that DDs birthday party theme will be red and pink and lots of hearts. I couldn't find any birthday stuff I really liked. This will be the only year I do a "Valentine" theme as my friends with similar birth dates have warned me that they hate combining VDay and their birthdays.

[LRL]

MMH- If DS had been a girl we would totally be doing a Valentines Day theme as he is a V.D. baby! But I figure I will save him the embarassment when he looks back at his baby photos later! We like that all the girls will have to give him presents on Valentines Day! ;) Don't forget to go to Target- they have a ton of heart stuff in their dollar bins.

We are definitely Valentines Day decorating though- just not the theme for his birthday!

blondegirl- I think the cupcake stand (23 cupcake one) was cheapest at BB&B (by $10). We just bought the 13 cupcake one for DS's party.

krl626- LOVE the party! Looks like your DS had a blast! We are doing a lime/turquoise theme, with some airplanes and trains thrown in.

jennapeach- those are darling photos! I want to buy some Babylegs, but DH thinks they are too girly. :rolleyes:

[KRL626]

Happy Birthday Matthew!!!

MMH I love red and pink! Those were my wedding colors!

LRL Thanks!

[MMH]

LRL & KRL - Oh good! I'm glad you don't think it's a silly idea. There is just so much cute VDay stuff out there. I figure we'll have lots of cartoon theme parties in the future so this time we'll do it my way, before DD has an opinion! I will totally check out the $1 bin at Target...

Anyone have opinions on furniture from Company Kids? I am getting DD a toy chest for her birthday. I'm debating between the CK chest and Land of Nod.

[tray622]

We are doing Valentines theme too and bought a bunch of stuff from Oriental Trading Company. I am very excited :)

[Medako]

I've started putting up a few decorations for the party on Saturday (can you say anal?). I have strung some streamers around while Jack's sleeping and I've gotten the photo banner put together and hung. I want to have as much done ahead of time as I can because I have a feeling we'll have several guests who decide to stop in early to visit before the party starts.

question - does anyone else's DC beat their head on things? When Jack's mad or really tired he'll start thumping his head on the floor, the couch, the wall, etc. I think he's trying to keep himself awake, but I dunno. Is he the only one??

[blondegirl]

question- Medako, my DS does the same thing. He does it when he's really tired. He bangs his head against the couch if he's standing up, or he'll bang it once or twice if he's laying on the floor. I'm trying to move him to one nap a day, so he's been quite tired lately, so I've recently really started noticing it. But it's the only time he does it.

Did some more shopping today, to pick up the rest of the party supplies, but the party store I went to didn't have what I was looking for. Going to make one more trip out before I give up and order online!! I did find a cupcake stand in the party store, but they didn't have the small one, and I think that's the size I want to go with. Linens and Things has the small one for like $12.

[jennapeach]

Yeah, Medako, Micki likes to head butt when she's really tired. Case in point, every night, we do play time with Daddy and Mommy on our bed. By the end of the 15-20 minutes, she'll start ramming her head into our tummies, arms, legs, pillows, whatever. That's when it's bedtime. ;)

[newmommy]

Hey ladies!!
Has anyone else notice how "grown up" your little one has become??? Here is an example: DS knows when he doesn't something wrong--in a big way!

This morning I heard him going through a drawer, and I called him over. I had a laptop on my lap and usually he runs to the laptop. Well he had pulled some things he shouldn't have in his hands, and I called him to me. Well he froze there-staring at me, and when I called him over again--he ran the other way!!!! LOL :D

Isn't that amazing, at one-he knew full well that he was in trouble!!! I think that's hysterical!!

We have his one year appt with his pedi Friday--I'm really looking forward to that-I have a ton of questions! For example: I'm wondering if DS really reacted to the milk-or if it was a big coincidence!!

Banging head: DS did that a month or two ago-I think to hear the noise he could make. We ignored the behavior, and it hasn't returned....although at the time he found himself very funny! :rolleyes:

QOTD: Weaning from bottle

Has anyone started this, or know how they will/when they will????

[jules1025]

Happy belated Birthday, Matthew!

Happy 1st Birthday, M & J, Jeremiah, and Mick!

MMH & tray622 - Love the V-day themes! There are tons of pink & red clothes at Gymboree if you are looking for a b-day outfit! :)

[angelgirl8]

jules...thanks for the birthday wishes! you are so sweet! i wish i was as good at keeping up with this thread as you are...i always read but rarely have time to post!


today is m and j's first birthday. where has the time gone? i can't believe how long it's been. we had a small birthday party for them on sunday which was really nice.

here they are:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/350458932_491bae0ee3.jpg

[MMH]

angelgirl - Your little ones always bring a smile to my face! Congrats on making it to one year!

[Kate&Joey]

Thanks for the birthday wishes, jules! I sang Happy Birthday to DS this AM and he was so happy...almost like he knew it was a special day. :)

We're having a small get-together on Saturday. I invited a few friends who have babies around DS' age, plus my parents and my SIL/family are coming for a visit. Trying to keep it low-key!

[KRL626]

Thanks Jules! We sang to J. too this morning! It was too cute. I'm very emotional today. I just can't believe it has been a year! I keep thinking about where I was a year ago! It has been a really good day to reflect on everything. I'm so happy and so thankful. Just can't imagine what the next year will bring!

[Anon25]

Kate and KRL-You two are making me cry...What a special moment!


Happy Birthday Babies! I can't believe it's January already!

Head beating- Brendan has not done this to date. I think I might have a coronary if and when he does. He's already such a physical/sometimes aggressive little guy...it sends me reeling with worry.

angel-Your little ones are too darn cute! I love how DD is eating her shoe. :p

KRL- I love the colors you chose for J's party and I'm so impressed with the photos on a string. I think I might copy that idea. :D

[Twyla]

Hi Ladies!

I haven't been on much lately. Caedan's party is on the 27th so I still have a little time. But things are crazy here. My husband was offered a job transfer to Chandler Az. and he is going to accept. So I have been busy looking into rental properties, schools, new Dr.'s etc. It is all happening so fast. Basically as