October 2006 Babies Working Towards Our First Birthdays

[MichelleRenee]

I hope everyone is OK out there....

I just wanted to report that T is officially getting up on his knees and rocking. It seems he will be crawling any day now.

[Ericka_Jarett]

We are doing well.

Easton has been standing up for a while now and is getting brave and trying to let go of things to stand independently. It's so cute to watch, just hate when he falls down though. He started having some Baby Golfish crackers today, did well with the 3 he ate so far. Got some stage 3 food today for him, will see if he does better with them and then shortly will just try giving him some table food. My baby is growing up so fast.

We go Thursday for the u/s on the twins, I will be 19 weeks that day.

Well off to try and nap, just got my replacement laptop today.

[maplekitty]

Hi ladies! things are moving along in our house.
New things Robyn is doing:

-saying "uh oh" , which is hilariously cute!

-*almost* has figured out how to get from sitting position onto her knees...she's thisclose!

-Clapping!! :) omg, I love it when she claps!!!

-She's trying desperatly to pull herself up on things when she's sitting. She's so strong in her arms and can lift enough to get her butt off the ground, but then doesnt know what to do so lets go and plunks back down on her butt, haha.

god i love this age, she's just so cute and learning so much!! :D

[MidwesternGal]

Michelle--Very cute pics!!

MichelleRenee--Hopefully you are all recovered from your vacation!

Ericka--Can't wait to hear the gender of your twins!

Maple--I'm so jealous that Robyn claps! Ben thinks it's great that we do it, but has no interest himself.

______________
Things here are moving along. DS keeps me very busy during the day! He gets into everything! I ordered a play yard for him, and had it shipped up to my parents. I am leaving for their house tomorrow with DS for a week. But don't worry, I'll be checking in from their place! DH is going to a motorcycle rally, so I'm going to get some r&r at my parents! I'm actually kind of excited. My mom and I plan to shop till we drop (with g'ma paying for lots of stuff, tee hee!), go out to eat; DS will get pics done; and I'm catching up with a few HS friends.

I've been trying to teach DS to clap, do "sooooo big" (where they put their arms up over their heads) and wave bye. Well, he's a bit confused. He will put both arms up over his head at the same time and then wave!! LOL. It's quite cute. He also will sit with his hands in his lap and open and close his fist and mini-wave at himself. Apparently it's quite fascinating!

Speech Development Question: I see that Maple's DD says "uh-oh." My DS doesn't associate any sounds with anything. He mostly just says "babababa" or "nananana" or "dadadada" but just chatters to himself. Nothing that really shows he has an association of any of those words with actual things. He also seems to be stuck at those three words, with only an occasional "mama" thrown in. Is he normal, or is he a bit behind? I talk to him a lot during the day, and read to him every night. . . is there anything else I can do?

[Ericka_Jarett]

Midwestern - no worries about the speech. My ped told me at 9 months that the babies will say the words but don't associate them to anything really. She told me that they will get it in their own time.

Easton has been saying mama and dada, I call DH daddy or dada to Easton so he associates the word and person. I am always saying mama and mommy to him when I talk to him, so he associates me with the words. He knows bottle, just doesn't say it of course. He knows his name and loves seeing baby pics (his and ones in magazines)

[AmyS]

Anyone having trouble with finger food? I have tried on several occasions giving AJ puffs. The first two he seems ok with, but he always chokes on the third one. Every time I've given them to him, this is what happens. Is this happening to anyone else?

AJ is pulling up on anything and everything he can. He keeps me busy. He is starting to only hold on with one hand and even tries to stand by himself. Oh course he falls down, but he doesn't seem to mind. :)

AJ doesn't really understand mama or dada yet, but he does say them. He'll turn when you call AJ, but if I call him by Andrew he doesn't seem to care. Sometimes he'll mimic the AJ sound when we're playing. I'll keep saying his name over and over and then he'll sound like he's saying AJ back to me. It's really cute. I've been trying to get it on video, but he stops whatever he's doing and just smiles and laughs whenever he sees the camera.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Amy - Easton was that way with puffs too. Takes time for them to get the hang of it, just keep up with the 2 and he will take more when he is more use to them. Easton is just now getting the hang of them and eating goldfish too.

[Rippy1010]

New things in our house ...

Logan is definitely wanting to try out walking. When he is standing at the sofa or table, he will just let go. I hate seeing him fall. :(

He's gotten down waving now. But, doesn't always understand how he's supposed to be using it. LOL. He waves at the curtains, and at his name on the wall, and at himself in the mirror. It's really funny. Often times, this will be with both hands waving while his arms are fully-extended above his head. It is adorable, IMO. Ha, ha!

The new thing that I love?!?! He shakes his head for "no" ... on purpose. If someone asks him a question, or tries to give him something he doesn't want, that head starts a-shakin' back and forth. I'm sure in another two weeks or so, I won't really be loving it anymore, but it's pretty darned cute right now.

No real distinguishable words yet. Just chatter ... a LOT of chatter. I kinda feel like I'm distinguishing "hi" sometimes (at appropriate times), but I'm not positive yet.

We had a rough weekend overall. Tooth # 5 & 6 (5 finally through, 6 is a bugger) have been pretty painful for him. So, he's been overly cranky, doesn't want naps, been sleeping less at night. Ugh. Poor baby.

Also, we went out without him on Saturday, pretty much for the first time since we had him. We left him with my sister, and apparently he screamed and cried the entire time we were gone right up until he fell asleep at bedtime. My poor sister was beside herself, and ended up crying herself. I hate upsetting his little world like that. :( And I feel so bad that she had such a rough time.

Logan's 9mo WBV was on Monday. Oh. My. God! He didn't have any shots, but he did have to get blood taken. They said it was routine ... to check for any possible lead, and to check for anemia and such. I thought this would be the foot-prick thing ... uh, NO! They actually had to stick his arm, and take two vials. It was awful. He screamed, and thrashed, and sobbed. I saved my sobbing for later. :(

Here are Logan's stats:
27lbs, 10 oz. 30.75" long.

He's 99% for weight, 98% for height, and 49% for head circumference (I forget that measurment, though)

He's a big, solid boy! LOL. :o

[bunnybeth]

We have our first tooth coming in! I just noticed it on Saturday when Simon was gumming my finger. He's become a bit of cranky boy lately, so I think this explains that.

He can also now pull himself to standing, and does it all the time. He was standing up in the PNP for 10 minutes straight the other day. He'll also grab on to the crib aquarium, and hang off it, crazy.

But, my favorite news is he's now full-fledged crawling! Sometimes he'll still go back to the belly crawl, but he's actually moving around off his belly most of the time. Yesterday was first time he'd done more than a 'step' or 2 in a row, he crawled over to me when I came in the room to pick him up from daycare.

[jbemommy]

Steven had his 9-month visit today. He is now 21 lbs., 9 oz. and 30 inches. I don't quite believe the length, although I watched her do it. DD is 36 inches--surely he can't only be 6 inches shorter than her?? Anyway, that explains why he's wearing 12-18 month clothes already. He also has an ear infection. Interestingly, he's been in a better mood the past few days than he usually is. No shots, and our office does the lead and hemoglobin at a year, so this was a great visit.

[MichelleRenee]

TM: please update my age to 25 and DH's age to 31. Thanks.

[Bubeleh]

Everyone is just as busy as we are I see!

Erika Good luck tomorrow! I wil be out of town until Monday, but will be thinking about you. Hopefully the little ones will cooperate.

Speech Development Try not to worry. Most of the research shows that boys are a little slower in speech, but faster in physical development.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DS has his 9 Month visit yesterday. We did do the anemia test but it was just a little prick in the finger and they took two drops of blood. He didn't even flinch. And he got a cute blue bandaid after they were done.

His stats are: 25lbs 13oz, 31 1/4" tall and 18 1/2" head. He's 95%+ on height and weight and 90% on head circ.

Dr said he's doing great, and developing nicely which is always good to hear.

Good luck keeping up with all of your little ones!

[Rippy1010]

We did do the anemia test but it was just a little prick in the finger and they took two drops of blood. He didn't even flinch. And he got a cute blue bandaid after they were done.
See ... now, I'm a little upset about this ... ??? (Not at you, BTW, but at my lab/dr office). Why is it that one mom says it was a foot prick and no big deal, another mom says it was a finger prick and no big deal, and then I take my son in and they take two vials of blood from his arm???? And ... it was a MAJOR deal ... screaming, sobbing, thrashing, kicking, clawing major deal.

Does anyone know what the difference is?

[Ericka_Jarett]

Rippy - I would call the dr's office and ask. I know when I was at the hospital for a blood draw for this pregnancy, the nurse taking the blood asked how old Easton was, told her he was 8 months, she said to him, well in a few weeks we will see you for your vial blood draw. She didn't go into detail as to why. She looked at me and said well at 9 months he will have his blood draw. I thought to myself no, he won't be here since our practice is not Mainline, it's PennCare and how dare you tell me he will be getting a draw when my own ped never said anything about it.

[MichelleRenee]

Here is a pic from our vacation: (more in my journal)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/AngelyWangely/Florida%202007/DSC01599.jpg

T drank out of a sippy cup today! I give him one every day so he can learn to use it but up until today he just chewed on the nipple. He has taken "sips" before but today he actually drank all of the water in the cup. (1 ounce)

[Rippy1010]

MichelleRenee ~ Wow, good for T!!! Logan still does not understand sippy cups at all. :rolleyes: Cute pic, too!

[Michelle]

Cute picture MichelleRenee! It looks like T was having a good time!

[Maxicat]

I love that picture MichelleRenee, what a happy baby. If you don't mind my asking, where did you go? The water is beautiful.

[MichelleRenee]

Rippy, Michelle and Maxicat: thank you. He was like that every time we were at the beach. He really loved it! We went to Destin, Florida, and yes, the water was beautiful!!!

[Maxicat]

We are heading for Destin in September, how funny. I guess I am glad I like how it looks.

[MichelleRenee]

Haha... too funny! We stayed at the Sandestin resort right outside of Destin. It was perfect, but I heard it is much nicer in the fall. (warmer water and slightly cooler weather) I hope you guys have fun! There are more pics in my journal if you want to see more of what it looks like down there!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Looks like we have 2 twin Girls growing.

[Michelle]

Congratulations on your girls Ericka! Easton is going to be a great big brother! :)

[maplekitty]

congrats ericka!!!

[MichelleRenee]

Congrats Ericka! I can't believe how far along you are already. Do you have any names picked out yet?

[Ericka_Jarett]

We are pretty much set on 1 name, just need her middle name. The other is one I thought of with Easton, but not sure if I want to name my daughter it now.

The one is Julianna (thinking Grace as a middle) and the other Abigail Faith (not sure of this whole name)

[AmyS]

Yay Ericka!

[Rippy1010]

maxicat & michellerenee ~ Is that becoming the hotspot!? I know two other people that went there this year! They both stayed at the Sandestin as well. Too funny!

Ericka ~ OMG! Congratulations on your girls! That is so wonderful! I like both names that you picked out. Julianna Grace sounds so beautiful, and flows really well.

[MichelleRenee]

Rippy: Sandestin resort is GIGANTIC. It is like a town all on its own. I can't even describe it. (you can check it out at sandestin.com ) A lot of people have never even heard of Destin before but it is an absolutely gorgeous part of Florida and I would recommend it to anyone!

[TaterBaby]

Congrats, Ericka!

Destin has ALWAYS been the hotspot for people here. We're in TN and it's an easy 8 hour drive. Almost everyone my parents know have a house or condo there. If you've never been, it's a great place!

[Roxygirl]

Congrats Erika: Wow twin girls. I'm sure Easton is going to be the best brother.

Haven't checked in awhile. Kendall is doing great. She is crawling now and boy does that change your day. We're definately starting to see her personality forming. It is so amazing how every day is something different and I swear she does something new every day. This definately is a fun age.

[jbemommy]

Congrats, Erika! And of course I love the name Julianna. ;) Abigail would have been my second choice for a girl's name except that Abby sounds funny with our last name.

[Ericka_Jarett]

thanks Shana. I like Abigail, but am afraid of that nickname thing. I don't want her to be called Abby, so that is why I am sort of straying from it, we will see. We don't really want our kids to get nicknames, I'm sure they will get them in time, but like my brother's are Michael, Raymond and Brian. Well they go by Mike, Ray and Rudy (nickname of our last name (my maiden of course)) I know Rebekah probably would have gotten the nick of Becky or Becca, but I still didn't care I liked the name. It's just something I have never liked was nicknames. When I am introduced to someone and then they say but you can call me ____ if you prefer, I call them their real name the one I was told first. My brother's I don't use their shortened names, it's full names to me. Just how I was raised I guess you could say.

[MidwesternGal]

Congrats on the girls Ericka!! Everyone I know IRL has boys, so that's exciting to hear about your twin girls!! I love the names you picked out, too! I have a cousin who doesn't like nicknames, and so they would just correct others when a name would get shortened. Actually, I think people are more sensitve to that issue these days. When I tell people DS name, they usually ask me if it's the full name or not. That really surprised me. Of course, once your DCs are old enough to talk and introduce themselves, they may want to be called by a nickname.

MichelleRenee--Cute picture!!
____________
We're having a blast at my parents. DS is soooo tired from crawling around their house (about 4x bigger than ours!) and he loooves the dogs. He waves to them and "chats" with them when we go outside. And my parents are just having a great time with him here.

We did pictures at JCP and I have to say, I was extremely disappointed. I mean, I still bought a few, but ugh. The lady got right up in DS face in this awful voice and he almost started crying! Then, I told her he could stand up and I wanted a standing picture with a prop (to show off his outfit and to keep his fingers on the prop instead of in his mouth!) and she didn't do it. All the pics were waist up, so the shorts I bought are barely in the pics. GRRR. I think we'll stick to Portrait Innovations from now on.

DS cheeks are all swollen like a little chipmunk hoarding his nuts. I think we may FINALLY be cutting that tooth that's been peeking out.

I'll post a few pictures when we get home!!

Take care all!! Oh, I showed my mom this site and the pics in everyone's avatars and from vacations and she thinks everyone's babies are just adorable!!

[Bubeleh]

Congrats Erika, now the girls will have the majority in your house!

[nic]

Erika- Congratulations on your baby girls!

Today is Christian's first day of daycare. I thought I'd be a mess, but so far so good, I didn't shed a tear this morning.

Is anyone still using the infant car seat? I really need to made the switch. I just have to make an appt. with the police department to have it checked.

What's everyone doing for the 4th?

[Rippy1010]

What's everyone doing for the 4th?
Not much ... DH has major dental work on the 3rd, so he'll be miserable. Just relaxin' at home, and then a picnic dinner at my parents' house.

[Ericka_Jarett]

no plans for the 4th. May hit the local fireworks display.

We are still using the infant seat but that is only because I haven't put his other seat in (have to vacuum and clean the seats before I install it) plus don't want to have to take the big seat on our upcoming trip, so after that trip will wash the cover and straps and get ready for the new babies. He is just about at the height limit on his seat so we have to switch, weight he is still good on, but the height is 29" and he is 28 1/2" I don't carry it around much, usually take him out in the car and put him in the stroller, sometimes if he is asleep or it's going to be a fast trip I will leave him in it. Plus with my car being a 2 door, not looking forward to moving to the big seat since he will still be rear facing for a while yet and being pregnant having to get him buckled into his seat. Oh the fun I will have. Once we get the van (probably in the next 2-3 months) it will be easier, as we are already discussing how the seats will be arranged.

[TaterBaby]

car seats: We're still using the infant carrier and I plan to keep her in it as long as possible. I don't carry it too often, but I love not having to wake her if she falls asleep in the car while we're out.

4th of July: DH's family is having a huge picnic, which will be fun only because we have a baby. ;) She has an adorable red, white & blue outfit to wear!

I realized I haven't posted a pic of DD recently. Here's my petite, non-crawler with no teeth! ha! :D

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k176/chiogirl_01/7-3.jpg

[MichelleRenee]

Tater: she's gorgeous!!!

non-crawler with no teeth!

That's us too.....will he ever get a tooth???

Car seats: we switched to the convertible about 2 months ago.

4th of July: tomorrow is DH's birthday so we are having a cookout and watching our town's fireworks from our backyard. Wednesday we are going to the parade and then to a family cookout. When I was PG I bought a onesie that says "Mommy's little firecracker." He is wearing the tomorrow and a red, white and blue striped polo shirt on Wednesday.

[Jenzen01]

car seats - I switched Ada about a month ago, putting her into Gabe's convertible seat and Gabe into a booster.

Still no crawling here. Ada scoots in circles and goes backward, but she can not figure out forward. It drives her (and me!) nuts. Seems like she's so close ...

She does a lot of standing with me holding her hands, and she's starting to take little steps while I hold her.

Otherwise, newest accomplishments are waving, clapping, saying, "uh-oh" and lots of growling. That's right, growling. It's the funniest thing to hear, and she's shocked many a sales clerk already with her very unladylike growl. DH likes to get her started ...

And, no teeth here, either!

Jen

[AmyS]

car seat: We switched AJ to a convertable in February. He was just way to heavy for me to carry and I don't he was comfortable in it either since he is such a big kid.

4th of July: I feel like I'm smack dab n the middle of a Civil War re-enactment. Some idiot is blowing off those horrible firecrackers that only make that loud boom right behind my garage. I did absolutely nothing today. DH is working at the firehouse. AJ and I took 2 really long naps. I guess we were trying to recover from our "vacation." We went to our cottage for 3 days and MIL and FIL insisted on coming with. *sigh* I just can't get away from them. They didn't do a darn thing but sit inside and watch tv and complain when we wouldn't sit inside in the air conditioning with them. HELLO? It's 74 and sunny, we're on a river and we have a boat. No, I am not sitting inside.

[Michelle]

I'm really beginning to hate the 4th of July. We live in an unincorporated area and fireworks have been going off nonstop for the past few days. Naps have been so difficult and getting her down for bed at night has been a nightmare with all of the fireworks! AGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

AmyS - I'm with you today. DH is working so it's all about relaxing for us!

Tater - Lainey is adorable!!!!!

[jbemommy]

carseat DH has been in the convertible for about a month now. He's over the weight limit for the infant seat already. Jenzen I don't want to be obnoxious, but if your DS isn't 4, he probably shouldn't be in a booster yet.

4th of July We went to our town's parade/festival, and DH is at the fireworks with DD now. There's no way I'm keeping DS up that late, so he and I are at home (he's asleep).

For those of you having trouble with people setting off fireworks, you might try white noise. We always run a white noise CD in our DC's room--helps to block out barking dogs, etc.

[MichelleRenee]

We had a box fan running in DS's room during our town fireworks (which were at a park right across the street) and he did not wake up because of them. I was very grateful for that!

Our 4th was nice. T wore the "Mommy's little firecracker" shirt that I bought while I was pregnant.... and threw up on it within the first hour. I am glad the holiday is over. Fireworks make me nervous.

[Jenzen01]

jbemommy - He's in an Evenflo booster with a back. Those seats are for 30-100 pounds. He can't go without the back till he's a little older and weighs more. Gabe is around 35 pounds right now. I've read a bit about this and feel comfortable with my decision.

The Bid Kid Confidence Booster is for use forward facing with children that are 30-100 lbs (40 – 100 back less) and under 57” tall.


http://www.evenflo.com/Portals/0/images/catalog/products/ConfidenceBlacksmith.jpg

[Rippy1010]

I'm in agreement with everyone else that is sick of hearing fireworks. They've been going around our house for about a week now ... and will probably be going for another week. Ugh. It's funny how having children changes your perspective on so many things. The fireworks only starting bothering me last year.

[Ericka_Jarett]

we went to a town's fireworks yesterday and he was fine through them. We then got home about 10pm and there were at least 3 houses near us that were setting some off. Easton slept right through it all.

[MidwesternGal]

Fireworks--We went to see them last night and DS was fascinated!! I just put him down at 7:15 like usual, then got him up to leave. He even "chatted" with the fireworks. Didn't even want us to cover his ears (although I tried, he fought it like crazy and finally I just let him be.)

Fourth of July Plans--My ILs came over and we grilled out. The last few visits with them have been very unpleasant, and while they were nicer *to my face* this time, I ended up crying over several things after they left and DH was sleeping on the couch. They just outright disrespect me in almost every way possible. DH grew up seeing his g'ma do this to his mom (MIL's MIL) and a lot of the disrespect I feel is for stuff they think is "normal." They are very very um. . . "roughneck" and I have a hard time. Sigh.
______________________

As I mentioned, DS and I were at my parents for about a week. Here are a couple pictures of him.

He loved seeing the dogs. He'd get excited and wave his arms all over and chat with them. He was much more excited to see them then they were to see him, LOL!
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/midwesterngal03/PlayingWithCassie05.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/midwesterngal03/PlayingWithCassie03.jpg

And here he is looking goofy in his hat while checking out the cows. He's standing in the grass, hence the worried expression on his face!! Hehehe
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/midwesterngal03/Cows03.jpg

[jbemommy]

Jenzen I'm glad it has a back, but children are safer in a 5-point harness as long as possible. If you're comfortable with that decision, that's fine.

[Rippy1010]

MWGal ~ I'm sorry you're having such a rough time with the ILs. And it really sucks when the DH doesn't understand why you're upset, or why it's a problem. THAT I totally understand!! I hope they leave you alone for awhile. ;) I wish I had a solution.

Oh ... ETA ... and I love that last pic with the worried expression. LOL. Too cute!

[bunnybeth]

Congrats on your girls Ericka! I like the names you're thinking about as well. Girl names are so cute. :D

4th of July It was nice to have a day off work, but weird in the middle of the week. Simon had a cute "Lil' Firecracker" romper I bought for like $2 (love used children's shops!) and my dad grilled... well technically smoked chicken. No fireworks for us, but that's typical. No way I'm going to be up & out of the house until 11pm/midnight when I have to wake up at 5 am for work the next day!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Thanks everyone on comments on the girls possible names. We really haven't talked anymore about it, we want to get confirmation on the 16th if possible that they are both girls.

Easton is 10 months old today and I am 20 weeks pregnant with the twins.

[Michelle]

So I finally was able to put Madison to sleep at 11:15 last night. Seriously. It was so crazy around my house, there was no way she was going to bed. I tried to keep on our normal schedule but as soon as I sat down to rock her in her chair, I knew it would be a lost cause. We did go outside and watch them for awhile though, she was awed by them. All I could think about was how much money was being shot into the sky! Those things have got to be expensive!

- - - -

MWGal - I'm so sorry about the fourth and your DH! Those pictures of your DS are adorable!

[MichelleRenee]

I think my baby is going to be toothless forever!

After almost 2 weeks of sleep training I officially have a good sleeper! We finally broke his habit of waking up for bottles at night. It didn't even take as much crying as I thought it would! (from him or me!)

He has become a bit more difficult to manage during the day. He just wants to go do stuff but isn't quite mobile yet. He has developed a temper when I don't let him play with certain things that he shouldn't play with. He is just so squirmy! But he is still super smiley and has a new hobby.... swimming! He loved the ocean and kicks like crazy in the pool. We will be starting swim lessons in the fall, which will be so fun!

[Rippy1010]

He has developed a temper when I don't let him play with certain things that he shouldn't play with.
Wow ... have you stolen my DS? LOL! My DS is doing this, too. He gets REALLY mad, and lets me know it. It has had me concerned that he is going to be a major brat when he gets older. :(

[nic]

MichelleRenee- Don't worry, T will have a tooth before you know it.
I'm glad to hear sleep training has been a success. You're going to feel like a million bucks now that you can sleep through the night too.

If any of you have a Brooks Pharmacy near you go check it out. Eckerd/Rite Aid just purchased them so they're selling their Brooks products for 75% off.
I got diapers for $1.24 and Brooks brand tylenol for $1.00 yesterday

[MidwesternGal]

Hello, all!

MichelleRenee--Still no teeth here, either! One corner has been peeking through forever. . . but nothing else!

Temper Tantrums--YUP!! I'm terrified to be one of THOSE moms with one of THOSE kids. AND, my kid thinks "no" is a great game and laughs in my face when I say it! Yikes.

___________________
Q:Gagging w/Solids: So since DS is 9m old (or almost), I figured we needed to work on finger foods. He gags and ends up semi-puking with mushed up avacado, Cheerios, and bananas! I tried Gerber puffs this morning, several hours after he'd eaten, and he STILL gagged and puked just a bit. How in the world do I get him to start "chewing" and not puke? I am ready to move him to table foods (ie, whole wheat pastas and small chunks of fruit and veggies) but it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon.

[jbemommy]

Steven has an amazing temper! DD was never like that, but if he decides he doesn't want to do something (like having his diaper changed), he is furious about being forced to do it. He is also very determined--if he's trying to get something he's not supposed to have, we have to move it or he will just wear himself out trying to get to it. He also holds his breath if he's really upset and crying, usually I can blow in his face and get him to breathe, but the other day he pinched his fingers and he held his breath so long he turned blue. It was scary, even though I knew he'd start breathing eventually.

MidwesternGal I would just keep offering solids every day or so. He'll eventually get used to them. I think the Gerber puffs are good for starters b/c they do dissolve fairly quickly.

[Ericka_Jarett]

We had a photo shoot this weekend back in NJ, so stayed at my brother's house.

Left Easton Sunday morning with my BFF to watch him for a few hours, was the first time to leave him with anyone, other than DH for more than an hour. She said he did great, took a 2 hour nap, played with her 2 son's and only fussed about 2 times and it was only for a min or 2. She and her hubby took him to Target with them and he said the looks they got were funny, because his wife is 5 months pregnant and their boys are 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 yrs old and then having Easton at 10 months in his car seat in the cart. The hubby said we were like, he looks different from the other 2, he's not ours. It was funny.

We went to the party store on Saturday since we don't have a party store in our area. We got a birthday crown, a birthday ducky and a birthday bib for Easton, as well as a the party's here sign for the yard and we got a nice fabric Party banner a few weeks ago at our local Hallmark that had it on clearance for $.99 so we have it for all the parties now. We figure his b-day party is less than 2 months away now so we need to get the items while we were near a party store. We will most likely have his party at the local park so I don't have to worry about cleaning so much when I am 7 months pregnant and the mess can be at the park that way too.

http://www.partycity.com/cgi-bin/parties/show.cgi?name=1st%20Birthday%20Boy%20Rubber%20Duck&parties=Boy%201st%20Birthday&thepartytype=1004&products=117674&zoom=1&start=21
http://www.partycity.com/cgi-bin/parties/show.cgi?name=Boy%201st%20Birthday%20Fabric%20Crow n&parties=Boy%201st%20Birthday&thepartytype=1004&products=103369&zoom=1&start=21
http://www.partycity.com/cgi-bin/parties/show.cgi?name=Boy%201st%20Birthday%20Blue%20Baby%2 0Bib&parties=Boy%201st%20Birthday&thepartytype=1004&products=108586&zoom=1&start=41

[MichelleRenee]

T is trying SO hard to crawl....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/AngelyWangely/Tristans%20First%20Year/Picture3004.jpg

[maplekitty]

Robyn is now standing up in her crib (and pretty much everything in the house!!)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p2fee67b742b68e1b3fa966f0e4005195/e8a47b42.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p9a682f2995d404a1a6bd84df409317f2/e8a47b46.jpg

[Bubeleh]

Maple - that bottom picture is just adorable!

[bunnybeth]

Not too much new. Simon has been really improving his crawling skills and is quite fast across our floor. Now we really have to finish up some more baby-proofing. We only have the living room cleaned up downstairs, but need to do the dining room and put up the gates still.

Midwestern We just tried Simon on mashed (not just pureed) bananas and he did the same thing with gagging, and even shuddering. I thought it was odd as he loves the pureed bananas. I figure he'll get used to more texture eventually. Once the pears I bought ripen up, I think I'm going to put some slices in the baby safe feeder (mesh feeder) I got to see if he does better chewing on that.

MR The look of concentration! I bet he's going to crawl real soon, if he's up on his hands and knees like that.

maple Way to go Robyn! Does she know how to sit herself down as well?

[MichelleRenee]

We have a tooth!!!

[nic]

Congratulations, MichelleRenee! YOu must be so excited, I know I was almost jumping up and down when DS finally got his first.


DS is on his second week of daycare and I'm finding it so hard to get out of the house in the morning. DS wakes up anywhere between 6:30-7:15 so it's hard trying to get up before him to get ready because I'm never really sure when he's going to get up. Now that's he's mobile I can't just put him on the floor with a Boppy and some toys. I have to watch him like a hawk inthe midst of trying to get myself together. I suppose I could try waking up at 6:00 instead of 6:30. What do you do?

[Ericka_Jarett]

MichelleRenee - good to hear you have a tooth.

nic - I'm a SAHM but I think if I were you I would get up earlier and try and get as much done before your DS wakes up. Can you just leave him in his crib to learn to play for a while after he wakes up. I do this with Easton, he will play for anywhere from a few mins to 1 hour in his crib after he wakes up in the am. After his 1 hour he lets me know he has had enough and is ready to get out and eat. I feed him and then put him in his superyard to play while I get my own breakfast or get some laundry put in.

Me - I had the worst nights sleep last night. Went to bed around 11:20pm the twins were moving all around, and Easton woke up crying (figured it was his teeth, he is teething his tops in now) at 2am he took half a bottle and just was fighting me to go back to sleep. Finally got him down at 3am and he was fussing off and on for another 15 mins or so, finally he fell asleep. I think at that point I had only gotten maybe 30 mins of sleep myself. When I went back to sleep it was much better slept til hubby's alarm went off at 6:30am. Easton decided he didn't want to sleep til 9-10 so he was up at 8:30 and so got him a bottle and laid on the couch. Made for a rough morning for me that lack of good sleep last night.

[Rippy1010]

nic ~ I don't handle it the best. But, I bring some toys in to the bedroom while I get ready and he plays on the floor. It's a handful since he's crawling now ... I do have to keep an eye out. Since our house is semi-babyproofed, I don't fret if he goes down the hall, but I pop my head out to check on him. If he's gone for more than a minute, I go get him and bring him back though. Other times, I put him in his walker and let him scoot around the bedroom and bathroom. Again, sometimes he runs down the hall, but usually comes right back. I go get him if he's been gone for a minute. Typically he comes right back though, because he surgically attaches himself to my hip. ;) Now that we just bought a playard, I might end up using that sometimes in the morning, too. When I first went back to work, the mornings were always stressful and I always ended up getting to work late. So, they worked with me to change my time a little bit.

[Rippy1010]

One more Travel Question ~
I know several people mentioned that they use a pack n'play or a playard for their DCs to sleep in when traveling. Do you just have your DC sleeping right on the mat in the playard? Or do you put something in there to make it soft and "mattress-like"? I know the warnings say not to, but it just seems so uncomfortable. So, looking to see if anyone puts something in there ...

[Ericka_Jarett]

Rippy - I have a plush pnp sheet that I usually take with us and use. I also have just a normal cotton pnp sheet that I use on occassions. When he stayed at my friends for the day, we had no sheet on it and he slept just fine in it. Our pnp has enough padding I think, just try to keep the pad clean (although didn't work well since it's a bit dirty and I have to clean it before the twins). Babies are use to not sleeping on the super comfy beds like we are since their crib mattresses are usually on the firm side so don't allow much room for bounce or anything.

[MidwesternGal]

Yay for T and his tooth!!

Rippy--Does Logan get upset about being the play yard? We bought one and my DS gets maaaad. He is not adjusting well from having the run of our not-in-the-slightest babyproofed (so very FUN!) office to being contained.

nic--Although I SAH, I find days when I need to get up to be at an appt. or something. I try to get up before DS. Sometimes, I leave him in his crib, too. Unfortunately, DS usually wakes up with a dirty diaper and so I have to attend to him fairly quickly. Do you have a exersaucer you could pop him into in the bathroom or somewhere you could see him from the bath or bed room?

PnP Mattress--He just sleeps right on the mattress. Usually he's so tired when we got out visiting that he doesn't seem to notice. I have a roll-y guy, so the smaller space to crawl in his sleep is what bothers him.
_________________

So a couple of quick questions:

DS outgrew the Rainforest jumperoo a few weeks ago. (too tall for the heighest setting and didn't really bounce anymore in it). There is a yard sale two blocks away and I see they have an excersaucer--should I get that to help contain DS or would it be a waste? WDYT?

Anyone else have a "I scream because I love attention, good or bad" attitude in their kid? I know I posted about his screaming before, but it's sooooo awful. I try to ignore it but OMG, the headaches!! I know he's clean, changed, fed, etc, and I cannot be my DS personal "toy" all danged day long!! ARRG!!

Finally. . . . will regular naps return if he EVER pops a tooth? We didn't take ANY the last TWO DAYS in a row. I am a very frazzled mommy today, but thank the good Lord, he is napping as I type. Also, could it be that he is dropping a morning nap all ready? He never really took a very long one (only about 30-45 minutes).

[Ericka_Jarett]

midwestern - the exersaucers usually have a lower height limit (28-30") than the jumperoo (32") My friend has an exersaucer, when he is in it she had it on the lowest setting still, well Easton looked uncomfy in it, so I raised it. It was a bit better but he still sits lower in his jumperoo than he did this toy. He also would try to jump in it but since it doesn't have the bounce, he was ok in it, but still kept trying to jump like he is use to.

I wouldn't bother getting that exersaucer. Would get him use to having to be contained since your office is not very babyproofed as you say. Once he starts walking, he will be into everything he can get into. That is why we have a superyard now. It's in our livingroom and he has all his toys in there and he can walk all around the edges and he likes to shake it sometimes. Keeps him safe and all his toys in one place instead of all over the floor under our feet.

My friends son does that screaming drives Easton crazy when we visit, because Easton doesn't like loud noises like that, so he ends up crying when Micah starts the screaming. If Easton did that I would be telling him NO in a stern voice, he knows that no means no, since I say that to him on occassions with different things he does and he knows I mean it.

naps - Esaton usually takes one long nap a day, sometimes he will take a smaller 30-45 min nap later in the day if he needs to. His long nap is usually between 2-3 1/2 hours.

[Roxygirl]

Kendall just got her first hair cut on Wednesday (well her bangs were trimmed). I swear it has totally made her look so much older.

http://www.cmphotocenter.com/is/ImageServer.psp?Cmd=RenderImage&I=img16%3A%2F%2F67679%2Fimg_3983+_original__&width=400&height=400&fmt=JPEG&Q=80&Pad=FFFFFF

Everything else is going good. She's crawling like crazy and pulling up to her knees and sometimes her feet. Still no teeth yet but I can feel a lump in her bottom gums. She's definately fighting it.

She's not too bad of a screamer. Just sometimes when she doesnt' get what she wants, which still drives me crazy.
The biggest problem we still have is crying when I walk out of the room, even though she can follow me now.

My QOTD is about food. We're supposed to be giving her three meals a day now and I'm just so confused. Do you feed real food at night of just the jarred baby food still?? My mom told me to just food process up what we have for dinner. I know she still can't handle too many chunks still.

Also we're just starting to transition into bottles from BF. It seems to me like she drinking too much. She will down an 8 oz bottle anytime I give her one. Isn't she just supposed to have 24 oz a day???

I guess if everyone would just post what your DC eating schedule is like on a normal day that would help.

Sorry so long!!!!

[Rippy1010]

Rippy--Does Logan get upset about being the play yard? We bought one and my DS gets maaaad. He is not adjusting well from having the run of our not-in-the-slightest babyproofed (so very FUN!) office to being contained.
We haven't yet tried the play yard inside the house. We've used one outside numerous times, and he does fine then. I can totally see Logan getting mad having to be in it while in the house though. :rolleyes: I'll have to let you know.


Roxy ~ I don't do a "real food" meal yet. Although, I know some moms in the September thread have been doing it ... IIRC. All of our meals are the jarred food, and then the only "real food" I've given has been the fingerfoods that we try out (fruits, mainly). Our food schedule is kind of like the following:
8:00a - 1/2 jar of fruit, serving of mixed grain cereal, 7oz bottle
11:00ish - 7oz bottle
2:15ish - a jar of veggie (sometimes some fruit, sometimes about 2oz of bottle)
4:30ish - 7oz bottle
6:15ish - a jarred "dinner" (meat and veggie), serv of rice cereal, and 2-2.5oz of juice/water mix (sometimes 1/3jar of a dessert)
7:15ish - between 3-6oz bottle depending on how hungry he is before he falls asleep.

Keep in mind that my chunker was 30.75" and 27lbs 10oz at his 9mo WBV. LOL. So, possibly, not all of the babies are eating this same type of schedule. :o In formula alone, I think he gets between 22-28 oz a day.


ETA: Thank you for the PNP responses!

[Ericka_Jarett]

As for feeding

6-8ish - gets a 7oz bottle usually before breakfast if he is up early.
10ish - bowl of cereal and 1/2 -1 jar of fruit
11-12ish - 7oz bottle
12-3 - nap usually
3-4ish - 7oz bottle
5ish - jar of dinner and rest of breakfast fruit or a full jar of fruit (usually big jars of stage 3) or veggie if the dinner had fruit in it, some puffs when done or chunks of fruit or goldfish
7ish - 7oz bottle
bedtime is anytime between 7:30-9 - 7oz bottle before bed

This is just a rough schedule, he gets puffs throughout the day if he wants some, he never seems really hungry for a 3rd feeding, will try fruit if he looks interested. So he gets roughly about 2oz for each pound that he weighs.

He is not terribly interested in chunky food at this time, he will have rice if we offer it to him while we are eating, he will sometimes taste a sauce that we are using on our dinner. He will try chewing whatever we give him like the rice and such, but until we have some top teeth, he can't really "chew" things that are too big or a bit hard.

[nic]

Rippy I use a quilted sheet on the mattress of the Pack n Play and DS does fine with it. I'm sure he likes his crib better but he'll sleep in the PnP.

Midwestern- I don't have an Exersaucer ( I have a Jumperoo) so I can't say for sure but it's sounds like it would probably be a waste. I bet the height limitations are similar.

Roxy Love the picture, so cute!!!
DS usually has 4 8 ounce bottles a day. I think the last time we were at the doctor she said no more than 35 ounces per day. DS has become really interested in table food recently so we're incorporating more and more as the days pass.

Yesterday he ate:

7:00 am- 8 ounce bottle & half a waffle (probably more like a quarter of it beacuse he was wearing half of it)

11:00- 8 ounce bottle 2 ounces apricots

1:00- small piece of pumpernickel bread, handful of puffs & a few spoonfuls of mashed potato

5:00- 8 ounce bottle

6:30- 3.5 ounce green beans
a few tiny pieces of turkey burker & grilled squash

7:45- 6 ounce bottle

Holy crap, my kid eats alot!!!!

[MichelleRenee]

Roxy: our ped said a minimum of 30 oz a day at T's 6 month visit.

[jbemommy]

Rippy We just use a PNP sheet and he doesn't seem to mind. His crib mattress is very firm, so it's probably not much different.

Midwestern I wouldn't get an exersaucer at this point, either. Steven doesn't scream, but he has a very annoying loud grunting noise he makes when he's bored/upset/tired. It really grates on DH and my nerves. We've started saying "no" to him when he does it and trying to get him to make another sound--like mama, etc.

Nic Are you the only one there when getting ready in the am? DH and I try to divide up the time so we each have time to get ready. If I'm alone, I just bring DS into our room with some toys, and he stays pretty content in there.

Eating DS drinks about 30 oz. of formula per day. He eats 1 or 2 stage 2 jars of food 3 times a day. He doesn't get much table food yet, still gags a lot with things that aren't really soft. He eats the Gerber puffs and cheerios, pieces of crackers or bread, and had some noodles tonight.

Steven decided a few days ago that spitting while being fed would be a fun game. We told him "no" very sternly and if he didn't stop, just stopped feeding him (he wasn't getting any food anyway since he was just spitting it out). It seems to have worked, he didn't do it much at all today. It's interesting that "no" works already, he really gets his feelings hurt about it sometimes--pouty lip, tears, the works.

[maplekitty]

.

maple Way to go Robyn! Does she know how to sit herself down as well?

yes...thankfully! :)
although now that she stands up in her crib...i can't just go in in the morning and give her a bottle and hope she'll go back to sleep. Nope she stands up and yells for us....*le sigh*

[Ericka_Jarett]

jbe - Easton does the pout and will start to cry after we tell him no as well, I just give him a hug and say its for you not to get hurt, he gets happy after that.

Easton did have the about 3/4 of a jar of fruit yesterday afternoon, he goes through phases sometimes he wants something mid-day other times just breakfast (since he doesn't eat it until 10 anyway) and dinner (usually at 5) Then of course some puffs or goldfish here and there. He doesn't always finish his 7oz bottles, many times he will drink half or leave 2-3oz in a bottle. I know he is growing and healthy though, so no worries from me.

[maplekitty]

It's interesting that "no" works already, he really gets his feelings hurt about it sometimes--pouty lip, tears, the works.


robyn just yells at me, and thinks it's funny. She'll do it again after I say no, or stop. And then she'll go red in the face, bear her bottom teeth at me, clench her fists and yell at me. I think its quit funny, but wow...attitude!!

[MidwesternGal]

Maple--We have "attitude" here, too. I say "no" and he does it anyway. . . usually faster, and laughing. It doesn't matter how "mean" I say it, or how mad of a face I make. Once I finally get on him enough, then he gets mad and then he has a tantrum. I'm NOT looking forward to toddlerhood!

[TaterBaby]

Lainey just had her 9 month WBV on Thursday. My little one is a whopping 17.2 lbs and 27.5". :) We currently do three "meals" a day of purees and some finger foods here and there with about 26-30oz formula/day. The ped said to start a lot more finger foods, enough where she'd gradually drop her formula intake to about 24 oz/day. She's really not into feeding herself so much yet with the tiny cut up pieces. She either wants BIG pieces of things or to be fed with a spoon.

Mornings: I get up at 5:30 and get myself completely ready while Lainey is still asleep. She wakes up around 6:30. I get her ready, we have breakfast and are out the door.

[nic]

jbe- DH leaves @ at 7:00, so he'll spend a little time with DS in the morning but it's mostly me.

I just wish he'd wake up at a more consistant time, I don't mind waking up earlier but it's hard to figure out a good wake up time for myself when his it ever changing.

[Maxicat]

So much going on with everybody. I love the little attitude stories. Lauren gets a little impatient with me because I obviously take way to long to make her food or pick her up. She screams out what sounds like MOM and then says quietly "da daa".

She will have her 9 month dr appointment on Friday, I am assuming I will be lectured on the weight again. The kid loves to eat but I don't think she eats that much. She gets 3 jars a day and 20 ounces of formula. Plus some Gerber puffs and water. Does this seem like to much?

Lauren started a type of forward crawling last week. It looks like she is a salmon swimming upstream. She also wants to feed herself and that ends up in a messy tug of war for her spoon.

On the 1st of August we leave for a cross country flight. This will be the first time she has flown and I am a little nervous. I don't want to be one of those people who can't seem to control their screaming kid. I now understand so much.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Maxicat - you leave the day after we come home from our cross country flight to CA from PA. Just make sure to pack a few toys, snacks and jar food and all should be fine. Doesn't sound like your little one is eating too much.

[nic]

Maxicat-Doesn't sound like your DC eats too much. My DS usually has 32 oz of formula, 2 jars or food, plus we've introducing lots of finger foods too.

[Maxicat]

Ok well I feel better now. I just remember at the 6 month appointment and the Dr came in and said "Wow she has gained some weight" and then later I asked him about developmental questions and he said "heavier babies learn slower".

Maybe I need a new dr because thinking back on this I am a little surprised by my lack of reaction. Maybe it just takes me awhile to get worked up.

When she was born she was 6.3 at the 6 month she was 16 something. I think she is a little chubby but I don't want to starve her. Maybe the poor kid has my metabolism. Bummer for her.

[nic]

Maxi- My DS was 6 lbs at birth and close to 17 pounds (sorry I can't remember the exact number) at his 6 month appt. I think he was in the 50th percentile for weight.

[MichelleRenee]

I am missing Tristan this morning. Just for fun, a new pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/AngelyWangely/Tristans%20First%20Year/DSC01685.jpg

[nic]

aww, what a cutie pie!

[jbemommy]

Maxicat I don't think it sounds like your DD is eating too much. And I think that was a very strange and wrong statement for your dr. to make. Sometimes heavier babies don't roll over as soon as others but otherwise I don't think there's a difference between heavier babies and thinner ones in terms of their development.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Taken today at 10 1/2 months:

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/erickakulm/DSC02645.jpg

[Rippy1010]

Ericka, he is ADORABLE! He has such a mature face! And look at those little skinny legs. I could just gather him right up and hug him! He's so cute!

[Ericka_Jarett]

thanks Rippy.

It's funny we had some friends over this weekend, their nephew was born about a month before Easton. She picked him up and told her husband he is super light compared to Paul Joseph. That is her nephew and he is about 11 lbs heavier than Easton is.

[MidwesternGal]

MichelleRenee and Ericka--Such cute boys!! They are all getting so big, aren't they? Time certainly is flying!

Maxicat--I think your DD is just fine on weight. DS was 15.8 pounds or something similar at his 6m appt and that was around the 50th percentile. So your doctor's comments seem odd to me.

_______________
Well, we just spent another few days at my parents. DH helped my dad with some work on the farm.

Mom and I bummed around with DS. OMG, I have to say, I think I have trouble on my hands. He flirted with every.single.girl who walked by him when we were shopping. He "hammed it up" for my parents every night, doing all kinds of tricks like flipping over in our arms, "driving" his books around the floor, making funny faces, etc. He continued to defy my every "no," "stop," or other words of discipline, all the while waiting for my back to turn, then just laughing, laughing, laughing. Whenever someone quit paying attention to him, he'd start waving "bye bye" at them or throw his arms in the air for "sooo big."

My kid apparently LOVES an audience. I really hope it means he'll be outgoing and social. . . and not a brat who has to have attention all the time!! Anyone else with a little "star" on their hands? Yikes.

In developmental news. . . one of my distant cousins has a baby that was born this past March. He just got two teeth!! My DS is STILL cutting his first two (one is coming through the bottom now, too!).

[nic]

DS had his 9 mpnth WBV yesterday

Stats:

Height- 28 1/2 inches
Weight- 19 pounds

Here are a few new pictures

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/nniles/july3.jpg?t=1184938846

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/nniles/july2.jpg?t=1184938881

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/nniles/july4.jpg?t=1184938937

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r246/nniles/july5.jpg?t=1184938965

[Rippy1010]

Cute pics, nic.

I keep forgetting to tell you guys Logan's newest and greatest thing. LOL. He's dancing now. HA HA. When he hears a song that he recognizes, or when a commercial might have an exceptionally good beat, he starts rocking back and forth on his butt when he's sitting ... or if he's standing, he'll hold on to something and rock his body back and forth on his feet. It is hysterical ... and quite cute. LOL.

MWGal ~ I have a flirter and a little boy that loves to be the star, too. LOL.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Rippy - isn't it cute when they dance. Easton does that too.

[Rippy1010]

Rippy - isn't it cute when they dance. Easton does that too.

It is really great. I love it! I rub it in to DH saying that he's going to love to dance just like his mommy (because DH hates to dance). LOL!

[MichelleRenee]

Tristan's newest milestone: going from laying down to sitting up on his own. He did it for the first time last weekend and twice today so far. It was so funny to me to walk into his room this mornign and see him sitting up!

[Rippy1010]

Yeah, Tristan!

I can't BELIEVE how many new things they do every DAY and every WEEK! It's crazy. I'm sad that this year has flown by so fast.

[Maxicat]

Lauren's 9 month Dr appointment was today. Dr seemed much happier with her progress this time.

Height 28" (75th percentile)
Weight 17lbs 11oz (25th percentile)

She also has a boyfriend at daycare. He is very cute and only 1 month older. Apparently every afternoon he puts his head in her lap and takes a nap.

[Rippy1010]

She also has a boyfriend at daycare. He is very cute and only 1 month older. Apparently every afternoon he puts his head in her lap and takes a nap.

THAT is absolutely the cutest thing I've ever heard! Too bad you can't get a picture of that! Priceless!

[nic]

Maxicat- That's so weird, DS measured 28.5 inches yesterday and his doctor said he was in the 50 percentile. Not that it matters, I just wish all doctors used the same scale.

[Ericka_Jarett]

nic - I believe it also has to do with weight. When Easton had his 9 month, the ped said that he is right on for his weight given his height.

[MichelleRenee]

nic: I may be wrong here, but I think the scales are different for boys and girls.

[Rippy1010]

nic: I may be wrong here, but I think the scales are different for boys and girls.
I'm pretty sure this is correct.

[nic]

I checked, you're right Michelle.

What's everyone using for baths these days?

I have this bathtub:

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/41V9PWH146L._SS260_.jpg

but DS constantly tries to climb out of it. I tried to find a bathtub ring like this:

http://i15.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/88/db/5daf_2.JPG

so I'm not sure they make them anymore. Does anyone have any tips for getting DS to sit still for 5 minutes?

[MichelleRenee]

Here is a neat website that lets you put in your DC's weight and height and follow their chart yourself:

http://www.mybirthcare.com/favorites/babygrowthchart.asp

We are debating the whole bathtub thing. DS is too squirmy for just an open tub but we haven't found a better alternative yet!

[Maxicat]

Nic I have that second bathtub you posted and I really don't like it. Lauren keeps slipping over to one side and I have to hold her arm up. Also she is sitting right where I need to be cleaning:rolleyes:

[Rippy1010]

We are unsure about baths right now as well. He sits fairly still (for a baby boy), but we need to get a nonslip mat for the tub bottom ... we tried a bath in a regular tub while on vaca, and he got really freaked out and started screaming and crying because his butt was slippin' and slidin' around. Poor guy was scared. But, he's grown out of his other tub. I figure I'll try the nonslip mat route to start, and see how it goes, then investigate further if it doesn't work.

[Ericka_Jarett]

We use the aquarium tub we got at my shower, he sits on the seat pat or in the bigger part of the tub. At my brother's I went to give him a bath in the regular tub and he hated that so much, he screamed so I just held him and got a shower with him instead. We may need a bath seat, but right now holding off on it. He is usually pretty content to just sit and play with a few tub toys while I wash his hair and body and then let him play until he tries to start standing up. Once he starts that, I tell him to sit down and if he doesn't after a min or 2, I take him out of the tub.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265151&cp=2255976.2768949&parentPage=family

I have to laugh at some of the reviews for it. Some have 7lb 10oz babies that they couldn't get into the water by using the sling. Easton was a whole 6lbs and was able to have his tush in the water as the directions say just fine. I love the trub and Easton loves to play with the little fish that is on the side of the tub.

Here is a bath seat: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2627305&cp=2255957.2273443.2255976.2256088.2256094&parentPage=family

[AmyS]

9 month WBV today
25 pounds 8 ounces
29.5 inches

AJ is already in 18-24 month clothes. I bought him a Bears jersey form Target the other day, 24 months. I tried it on him and I don't think he would have made it through pre-season in it. It barely just fit him. What the heck size is he going to be wearing when he actually is 18 months?? 3T??? :rolleyes:

Bath time is a real issue in our house right now. AJ is too big for the Fisher Price Aquarium tub so a month and a half ago I got an inflatable tub to put in our bathtub. It worked for a little bit until AJ learned how to stand up. He now sits for 30 seconds tops and then stands up and puts up a danergous fight when you try to make him sit down. He is incredibly strong. I swear he's the Incredible Hulk. He actually puts up a huge stink whenever he must sit in his high chair or in the car seat. For the last few weeks we have resorted to DH hopping into the tub and holding AJ while he stands up. On nights DH is at work AJ just doesn't get a bath. He is way too slippery when soapy and wet.

Funny bath story that DH would KILL ME if he found out I told you guys. DH gets in the tub nekkid with AJ. He says they have the same parts and he thinks it's silly to put on his trunks. Last week AJ discovered DH's fire hose and he is terrified of it! It's actually kinda funny. As long as AJ faces forward he's all good, but as soon as he turns around and looks down :eek: and he bursts into tears. We've taken to covering it with a washcloth. I have no clue why he is so afraid of it.

[Tika]

Hey ladies!

It’s so nice to see all the new pictures. It’s amazing how time flies while watching all the kiddoes grow up.:D

Well DS had his 9 Month WBV about 2 ½ weeks ago and his stats were both at 25%ile:
Weight: 19 lbs13 oz
Height: 27 ½ inches

Let’s see what has he been up to the past month? He has 2 bottom teeth, standing like crazy and cruising. His new favorite thing is clapping and laughing when he hears “Frere Jacques” on our French CD. I just love when he has one of his “toothy” smile/laugh! Warms my heart!:D

I only read the last few post so…

Bath: I still use the same tub as Ericka and DS loves it. Having the toys to play with keeps him happy while I take care of business. It also helps that he loves to splash in the water.

[MidwesternGal]

Bathtub--We're at a strange point here, too. DS is waaaaay to big for the baby tub, but tries to crawl and stand in the big tub. He stays seated for about ohhh, 1 minute total and the rest of the time, he crawls. Luckily (I guess?) he hated baths when he was little, so I'm a pro about getting him in and out in 5 minutes or less. To do his hair, I just lay him back in the 1/2 inch of water and rinse.

AmyS--ROFLMAO, that story is HILARIOUS!!!

Rippy--DS has started "bopping" to the music, too! It's sooooo danged cute.
_________________
Well, we finally got around to babyproofing the kitchen. We ended up making 2 fake "gates" out of cardboard to go around the trash/end table and the shoes and coats (no porch).

We also installed cabinet locks and drawer locks. Um yeah. DS figured out the drawer locks! I think hubby didn't install them quite right though. I just switched the stuff out for plastic spatulas and stuff he could play with.

Teething Question: We can see 1 tooth coming in and feel 1 underneath. He has the WORST diaper rash/diahrea today (I doubled up using A&D AND Balmex! He cried just horribly at every diaper change, poor guy). Does this mean one of those teeth will break through soon??? If your DC got the diaper rash/diahrea symptoms, how much longer did it take for a tooth to finally come in all the way?

[maplekitty]

baths - thankfully Robyn is really content to just sit and splash the water and play with her bath toys. We've been bathing her in the actual bathtub since she was....4 months old?? Its been a while so she's used to it.

standing up in the crib - our major issue right now isbedtime and naps. Since Robyn is stnading up, she's so hard to put down to sleep!! She used to go right to sleep so easily, but now she just stands up and cries and cries. I've resorted to having to hold her tight (while she tries her darndest to wriggle out of my arms while screaming like a banshee) until she eventually falls asleep. ugh, this is a nightmare!!! :(

[Rippy1010]

maplekitty ~ do you use some kind of nonslip bath mat? We tried a bath in the regular tub, and his bottom was sliding all around and it really scared him, and he burst in to screaming sobs.

AmyS ~ We are having bathing problems for the same reason. DS was 27lbs and 30.75" at his 9mo WBV, so you and I can relate. LOL! He's just too big for all of the baby tubs. LOL. And, yes, we are now moving in to the 24mos clothes as well. It's crazy, isn't it? But, I keep hearing that once they start actually walking, they slim down a lot. That's what I keep hearing anyway, we shall see.

[MichelleRenee]

As of Saturday we have a crawler!

[Bubeleh]

Maple The novelty of standing wears off. DS still races to stand in his crib when I lay him down, but within a few minutes he curls up with his giraffe and falls asleep. It does get better!

MR Congrats on the crawler

[Jenzen01]

Update:

Ada is "this close" to crawling. She's finally on her knees, and she lunges forward to get things. She also started pulling up and getting from her stomach to sitting.

Breastfeeding: I think I'm done. My supply has been getting worse with every period, and this morning, I only pumped 1.5 ounces. That's it. It's not worth it. Ada's 9-month WBV is this Thursday, so I'll discuss a feeding schedule then. I'm sort of sad, because I never intended to use formula, but what am I to do? I think I'll try to continue nursing in the morning and evening. But then again, I have a business trip coming up in August, and do I really want to carry a pump with me for so little milk? I don't know ... The other sad part about this is that I BF Gabe for a whole year, and I feel like I'm shorting Ada.

Baths - We bathe Ada and Gabe in the tub together. Ada has been trying to crawl in the tub, so her baths are quite short. She does love splashing and kicking ...

Oh, and no teeth yet, but I think they're due soon. She's really cranky and her nose is running.

[Michelle]

Baths - We still use our Primo Eurobath. In fact, we have not even turned it around to the big end yet because Madison loves to splash. It's such a large tub, that we will be using it for a quite awhile.

I did something for the first time that I have not done since having Madison. I read a book! I'm exhuasted but I started Harry Potter at 12:15 Saturday morning and finished last night. Every time she slept, I read. I'm exhausted and my house is a mess, but it was worth it! :)

I'm finally in birthday mode. I'm ready to start thinking about her birthday. Now the question is what theme I'm going with? This is going to consume me until Oct 22! :)

[MidwesternGal]

Awesome for T, MichelleRenee!!

Michelle--I just made a "practice" bday cake for DS. I'm going with the popular "Hugs & Stitches" plates and napkins, and making it a teddy bear theme. So I have been practicing decorating a bear-head cake. I really wanted to do a "My little stinker is turning 1" or a "the little monster is turning 1" but couldn't find a whole lot to go with it.

Jenzen--Maybe your doctor could give you pointers on upping your supply, if you were interested. I know the BF Support thread has a lot. But I understand about quitting when it gets low. . . it's a big commitment and when my supply dipped around 6m, I went to formula. Don't beat yourself up--you can't control your body.
_____________

Today, DS was standing by DH and doing "sooo big" with his arms over his head. . . and then took 3 STEPS towards me with his arms above his head!!!!!!! :eek: DH and I just about cried. It was so exciting!!! Of course, we couldn't get him to do a repeat performance. He still can't stand unassisted. . . so I'm guessing it was a fluke. Maybe the arms over the head were there for stability?? LOL. Just goes to show how time flies!!!

[maplekitty]

Maple The novelty of standing wears off. DS still races to stand in his crib when I lay him down, but within a few minutes he curls up with his giraffe and falls asleep. It does get better!



How long has your DS been standing for?? Robyn has been standing now for a couple weeks and she's still so proud of herself that's all she does. So sleep time is just a huge struggle. Where she used to roll around in her crib and eventually wear herself out, now she stands and cries. :(

maplekitty ~ do you use some kind of nonslip bath mat?

Yes we have a bathmat, I've always used bathmats, I hate feeling uneasy in the shower and always scared of falling. So it works perfect for her she doesnt slip at all.

[Rippy1010]

MWGal ~ WOW! Even if it was a fluke, that is so exciting!!! My DS can stand unassisted, but only for a few seconds at a time right now ... we think that he took 1 step by himself the other day. But, it happened so fast that we weren't exactly sure. LOL!!! But, never three steps. So, it sounds like your little man's big milestone is right around the corner. :D

[Roxygirl]

Okay more help please!!!

DD is refusing baby food, but still not that great at eating solids. What you you feeding your DC other than babyfood?? I'm totally running out of options.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Roxy - Easton went a few days with refusing a meal, I would make sure he had bottles to at least make sure he was getting food of some sort. He would eat a few puffs and sometimes didn't want anything but a bottle.

[maplekitty]

roxy - yah robyn has had a few days where she spits out everything i give her. i think its part of teething, so i just make sure to give her more bottles throughout the day. no worries, it wont last forever!

[kate's mom]

Haven't been here in forever. Summer has been going by quickly with 2 little ones.
Glad to hear that everyone is doing so well.
Meg is crawling like crazy and has taken several steps! EEK!
So different than my first daughter who didn't crawl until 10 months and walked around 12 months.
I am pretty sure she is trying to keep up with her big sister. She also wants nothing to do with babyfood, only wants big people food. She actually had pizza today for the first time and LOVED it. (Just like her mommy.)

Birthday Plans I have seen a few of us over in the first birthday thread. I can't believe it is time to start thinking about that. Anyone know
what they are doing for sure? We had a pretty big party for my oldest so I think we will for Meg. I am leaning towards a pink/brown theme or a letter M theme.

More later.

[Roxygirl]

thanks guys that's good to know. She has a tooth about to break through right now. She is drinking plenty of formula.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Kate's - We already have the bib, hat, ducky and sign for Easton's party. We have to get the cake pan for his ducky cake and figure out exactly what we are doing about food for the party. We have the date, just not the time set so far. We are thinking that it will be at the local park for sure, since we have a few young kids coming and they can play on the playground stuff. For right now, we are thinking of the CA trip so his party is back burner a bit, but that will change once we come home on the 31st.

[bunnybeth]

Right now, Simon is working on clapping. He does it mostly when we're listening to music, but sometimes just randomly. He is also recently become obsessed with waving. We're looking forward to our trip up to visit the in-laws this weekend. MIL hasn't seen DS since he was 5 months old, and FIL hasn't seen him since he was only 2 months old!!!

bath We're still giving Simon a bath with me in the big tub. After we started it we never went back. Mostly he chews on Aflac, his rubber duck, I hold him up and daddy scrubs him down. He has just started splashing a little bit. Still not too big on bathtime.

Jenzen If you give your kids your best, you're not short-changing Ada, even if she doesn't BF as many months.

Roxy We had a few anti-solids days when teeth were starting to come out. It's just not a very fun time for them.

[nic]

Roxy- Like others have said, don't worry about it too much, she'll probably have her appetite back soon. Does she have a fever or seem sick at all?

I think we're doing a monkey theme for DS's party. His birthday falls on a Tuesday so we'll have to figure out weather to throw the party the weekend before or after his party. I have no idea where we're going to put people, our apartment isn't very big.

[maplekitty]

We're going to be doing a pink and orange pumpkin theme for Robyn's party. I don't know how *not* to make it into a huge event?? LOL we have so many family and friends, and friends with kids that there is no way we could do a "small" party. I dont want it to seem like such a big thing, but I can't imagine not inviting all these people who mean so much to us. :confused:

[AmyS]

I wanted a rubber ducky theme for AJ's party since he *loves* his ducky in the bath, but DH vetoed it. It has to be a football theme of course! At first I wasn't thrilled with it, but now I'm getting excited. We have a friend with a hot dog machine and popcorn machine like at the stadium so we're going to borrow them. We're also going to have chili. DH is on his vacation at that time so he wants to actually go on vacation somewhere. I'm all for it except for the fact we'll get home 1 day before the party. He assures me the house will be in tip top shape before we leave and all we'll have to do is come home and party, but I seriously doubt it.

[MichelleRenee]

We have our theme set as well.

It is a "Little Prince" theme. (http://www.celebrateexpress.com/celebration/pages/products/product_bd.aspx?N=4294967244&pageID=0&SKU=FWD999&iRec=134&vw=aslist&Ns=sort149)

We both like it and once I order the kit the rest will be fairly simple. I also have a crown shaped cake pan. So we're set on that. All we need now is a location and for me to decide on the food. I am torn between a chili bar and just "appetizer" type foods.

ETA: T's birthday falls on a Saturday but my sis is in a wedding that day so the party has to be Sunday. :(

[bunnybeth]

I totally forgot to post this yesterday... We're going with a pumpkin theme as well, but no pink. ;) Simon's birthday is in the middle of the week (Th) but we're going with the weekend before because it's going to be costumes optional and therefore I want it before Halloween.

MR What were you thinking as a chili bar? Like a big pot of chili and a bunch of different toppings? I was thinking of serving chili and the idea intrigues me. My dad loves making chili so maybe I could use that fact to my advantage.

[kate's mom]

It sounds like everyone has fun birthday themes. I too was thinking of a chili bar and baked potato bar so I 'll be interested in hearing about everyones.
For my first DD we did pizza and subs which was nice and easy but we had so much leftover.

[MichelleRenee]

We are planning on doing 2 or 3 different types of chili: regular chili, white chicken chili, vegetarian chili.... I am sure there are other you could do. I would just borrow crock pots so I could make each kind in it's own pot and serve it from there. Then for toppings we'd have cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, green onions, crackers, diced tomatoes, diced jalepenos and maybe Goldfish for the little ones.

I was also thinking of serving two kinds of grilled cheese: American cheese on white bread for the kids and a fancier one for adults. And I would probably also make cornbread.

I just think late October is a great time of year for chili!

[MichelleRenee]

QOTD: For those of you who are planning on having another but who want to wait a couple years.... are you finding it extremely difficult to wait? I am! Maybe it is still a part of my PPD but I am just longing to be PG again so bad. And I was pretty uncomfortable while I was PG! I swore I woudl never want to do it again.

Our plan is to wait until we finish school. I am going back this fall to finish my engineering degree and it will take about 3-4 years, part time. DH is just starting his second year so he has 3 more years to go full time. A second baby would be extremely difficult, yet I seem to find myself hoping for an "oops" every month. Anyone else?

[nic]

Do any of you live in an apartment? We currently live in an aprtment and I am really stressing over everyone being crammed in for DS's birthday. There will be about 25 people there so not really enough to rent a hall but really crammed for his party. I'm actually thinking about asking MIL if we can do it at her house but I feel funny not having his party at our own house. I'm probably just being silly.

[MichelleRenee]

Do any of you live in an apartment? We currently live in an aprtment and I am really stressing over everyone being crammed in for DS's birthday. There will be about 25 people there so not really enough to rent a hall but really crammed for his party. I'm actually thinking about asking MIL if we can do it at her house but I feel funny not having his party at our own house. I'm probably just being silly.

We have that EXACT issue! We are in a house, but it is very small and I just cannot justify spending $100 to rent a hall for 25 people! Our best option so far is a friend who lives in a nice apartment complex. They have a party room that you can rent but if you clean up after yourselves the entire rental price gets applied to the following months rent.... meaning it is free once it is all said and done. But I do feel weird about not having it at home. :confused:

[Michelle]

MichelleR - I saw that stuff at a party store last weekend. They have it in pink or blue. It's really cute!

Birthday party location: Yep, I'm in the same boat. Our house is tiny and not good for entertaining. Luckily my parents live close by and I can ask them to use their house. I don't mind not having it our house but hopefully one day we'll have a hose that is better for entertaining and we can have future birthday parties there!

2nd Child: I want to wait a little while. We had a scare recently where I skipped my period and I don't know how many tests I took but they were all negative. Finally AF came when it was supposed to the next month but during that time I had a lot of time to think and I realized that if I was pregnant we would have made it work but I think we'll be in a better position to try for child #2 in a couple of years.

[MichelleRenee]

I saw that stuff at a party store last weekend. They have it in pink or blue. It's really cute!

You did? I have been looking for it everywhere because the only online store that has it is pretty pricey. I would love to be able to find it in a store so I could just buy certain pieces here and there between now and then. Was it a chain store or a local one?

[Michelle]

You did? I have been looking for it everywhere because the only online store that has it is pretty pricey. I would love to be able to find it in a store so I could just buy certain pieces here and there between now and then. Was it a chain store or a local one?

I just looked at their website and it's a local store only. I have some plates and napkins that I have to return from the baby shower that I threw for my friend last weekend that I have to return. Do you want me to look at prices of particular items for you?

[marathongirl]

Coming out of lurkdom (and hanging head in shame for being such a bad poster):(

Took James for his 9 month visit in early July. He's now 27 3/4" long and weighs 19 lbs 1 oz. We've pretty much been living at the allergist's office too. Turns out his horrific eczema was due to several food allergies. He's allergic to dairy, soy, and peanuts. Since we're still BF'ing I've had to cut out all dairy, soy, peanuts and to be safe tree nuts and seafood.

I've also started working about 15-20 hours a week at the quilt store so I've been tied up doing that.

Hope all is well with everyone!

[Rippy1010]

We finally decided on a tentative theme for Logan's first birthday party. We are doing a surfboard/surfer boy theme. But, I think I'm going to have to make most of the stuff, because we are having trouble finding things like decorations, invites, etc ... we kind find a ton of luau stuff, but I don't really want luau. I specifically want surfer and surfboard items. But, for food I think I want to get like two medium pizzas, some hamburgers, some hotdogs and such things, and then set up the food table as "The Boardwalk". Some lemonade, since that's a big boardwalk thing. Can you guys think of anything else sold on the boardwalk that would be easy? Any favor ideas for the kids attending?

[mimieliza]

Birthday Party - Good Lord, I can't believe we're thinking about first birthdays! Crazy! No idea at this point what we'll do - and I'm worried about conflicting with Halloween parties, so we'll need to get our invites out early, I guess.

Tub - I've been bathing M in the big tub since she could sit up on her own. I was considering some type of bath seat or ring, but she does fine, so I'm not going to spend the $$$.

2nd Child - I've started to move out of the abject terror phase and think it will be nice to have another baby. :) We're going to wait until M is two before we start TTC again.

Milestone Alert - Crawling FAST, pulling up on everything, trying to climb (uh oh), and starting to cruise - she'll take a few steps in either direction while holding onto something. Waves bye-bye. Dances to any music.

QOTD: What types of words do your babies seem to be saying?
M is solid with "bye bye" (her first real word), da da (daddy), mama (usually when she's pissed about something or tired and wants to nurse), da (dog), and a weird sound for "cat" - she just says "tuh," like she's just saying the end sound of the word.

[Rippy1010]

QOTD: What types of words do your babies seem to be saying?

We have a very clear and concise "hat"
He also just started saying "head" when he touches his head. It sounds sort of like "haayyyyd". LOL.
He have either a "hey" or "hi" because sometimes he says it very elongated, and sometimes he says it short and sweet.
(So ... in other words ... he really likes "H" words. LMAO.)
I think we have "daaaaa", for daddy. But, I'm still not sure about that.
And I think I'm starting to hear some type of "cckkt" kind of noise for cat.
OH! I almost forgot ... he's doing a "na na na na na" noise for "no" also, and it partners with a vigorous shaking of his head. :rolleyes:

[MidwesternGal]

QOTD: What types of words do your babies seem to be saying?

We're pretty behind on this. DS has been saying Dadada for a LONG time now, but he mostly calls everything this. He will say "MOOOM" but only if I ask him, "Are you hungry? Do you want a bottle? Should we eat?" and he'll reply "MOOOOM" with a huge "mmmm" sound. So he thinks "mom" is food, apparently. :rolleyes:

Other than that, DS is still allllll baby talk/babbling--he does it quite a bit, but it's all incoherent, with nothing really representing anything. A few "bababas," a few "nanas;" but that's about it. He doesn't call anything by a word yet. I am slightly worried, but he seems to be just ahead of the curve for physical stuff, and I hear they work on one skill set at a time. At least, that's what I keep telling myself. And he's a boy, so slower vocab, too, right? :confused:

[jbemommy]

Midwestern I wouldn't worry yet. Most 9-10 month olds are only saying dada, sometimes mama, and not always specifically. I *think* Steven says "mama" to mean me, but it's not consistent yet, and he doesn't say anything other specific words for sure, just lots of babbling. When DD was 9 months, she said "kiki" for kitty and was saying bye, but she's always had very advanced verbal skills.

We aren't planning a big deal for Steven's birthday. My mom and grandma will be visiting, but we don't have family in the area, so we aren't having lots of people over. We had the same thing for DD's first birthday, just grandparents. Then we had a couple of her friends and their families over for her 2nd and 3rd birthdays.

[Ericka_Jarett]

midwesterngal - at Easton's 9 month appt the pediatrician said that at this age babies will say mama, dada, baba and such and not mean anyone specifically, it's just them learning to make sounds. So don't worry, DS is not behind.

[nic]

DS says Mama constantly but I'm not sure he's directing it towards me. He's said Dada once but mostly he just babbles.

[MichelleRenee]

I just looked at their website and it's a local store only. I have some plates and napkins that I have to return from the baby shower that I threw for my friend last weekend that I have to return. Do you want me to look at prices of particular items for you?

It is very nice of you to offer, but I'm sure the prices won't be too much better than they are online. I am going to check out local party stores to see if they carry it. Otherwise I'll just order online. Thanks!

[maplekitty]

Robyn says "dadda", "mamma", "dah", "uh oh", "wabo", and "dat"
She understands uhoh, because she'll drop something and say it. If Curt comes into the room, she'll look up and say "dadda", so I think she understands that. She doesnt say mamma very much. But If I say "come to mommy", or refer to myself as "mommy", she'll look at me and say "mamma".

[MichelleRenee]

Words: Tristan has been saying mama for a looong time, so I really don't know when exactly he transitioned from just babbling to actually *saying* it. But if DH is holding him and he sees me he says "mama." He also says "dada" whenever he sees DH. And I am pretty sure he says "baba" for bottle. In the morning when he wakes up he alternates between yelling "mama" and "baba" until I get my butt out of bed and give him his bottle.

Speaking of waking up in the morning, he knows sits on his knees holding the bars of his crib with his face all smooshed up against the bars as he yells "mama" and "baba."

Baths: we were just using the big tub when SIL gave us one of those bath seats that hooks onto the side of the tub. He likes it, but we have to put way more water in the tub and he can't really splash with his hands or anything. He is just a little too restrained with it.

We will be starting his new day care in a couple of weeks. (August 6th) Our babysitter is getting a job so we are going to switch him to an actual center. We found a place we love and I know he will be happy there. The only sad part is the extra dent in my wallet.

[maplekitty]

here's some recent pictures of Robyn...her hair is getting really long and super curly. I think she's really startingt o ook like a little toddler!

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v107/242/112/636800144/n636800144_858568_6070.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v107/242/112/636800144/n636800144_858567_5849.jpg

[MidwesternGal]

jbemommy and Ericka--Thanks for the reassurance. I guess I just expect more because he's such a "big boy" these days, ya know?

Maplekitty--What a little heartbreaker! And yes, she does look like a toddler. I wish DS hair would curl! It curls in the humidity and when wet, but is stick straight otherwise. . . . and I have to ask. . . in the 2nd picture, what kind of doggie is behind R? It looks too cute! Do they get along?
__________________________________

My 1 IRL mommy friend who lives in the same town as us (WHY is it so hard to meet other moms?? ARG) and I took our sons to the pool today. It was DS first time--he LOVED it. She had a little blow-up racecar that her son used to play in, but he is 1 year older than DS, and didn't care anymore, so DS used it in the 3-feet. DS kicked the whole time, thought it was a blast! We will have to go more often. I wish there was a class for babies and mommies around us.

[nic]

Maplekitty- She's adorable!

I thought I'd give us a little bump up.

DS is cutting his third tooth. It's up top to the side, he's going to look so goofy since he doesn't have his upper center teeth yet.

[maplekitty]

Maplekitty-- in the 2nd picture, what kind of doggie is behind R? It looks too cute! Do they get along?
.

He's a pikanese-shitzu mix. He's sooo good with her, but i cant take teh credit for doggy manners. We adopted him just recently when our friend's mom passed away suddenly. He's 13 and mostly just sleeps throughout the day. But he's so good with her, she climbs all over him, and pulls his fur and he just sits there and let's her do it. He licks her feet and toes and always goes and sits right next to her. Its very cute, they are totally buddies :)

[MidwesternGal]

Maple--Aww, it's such a cute dog! I'm glad he and R get along. And good for you and your DH for taking in a newly homeless doggie!
__________________

Just had to share this exciting stuff. . . ..

Hopefully the link works!

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/midwesterngal03/th_b7896537.jpg (http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q168/midwesterngal03/?action=view&current=b7896537.flv)

[nic]

Midwestern- He's adorable. I can't believe he's taking steps!

[jbemommy]

Midwestern How exciting! He looks very proud of himself. :)

We have finally moved Steven to a bedroom in the basement. I avoided doing it as long as possible, but after a week of him getting up at 5:30 and then after 45 minutes of playing acting like he really needed to go back to sleep, it was just time. He and DD had been sharing a room since we only have 2 bedrooms on the main floor of the house. So now when he starts making noise at 5:30, we just leave him alone, and he goes back to sleep. The past 2 mornings he's slept till after 7, which is just amazing!

We are in the process of building a new house, so hopefully in 6 months, he'll have his own room--his room and DD's will be on the second floor.

[MichelleRenee]

Maple: great pics! We have some curly hair too, but not that curly!

MWGal: what a cute video! I can't believe our kiddo's are starting to walk!

Lots going on here... T's new skills:

-feeds himself finger foods
-pulls up, cruises, sits down with ease
-waves
-sits on his knees (I think that is just so cute!)
-getting 3 more teeth
-has eaten table food for a full meal (lasagna)

He's doing great, other than the 3 teeth at once. He has had a couple of night-wakings because of the pain and his cries are just so heartbreaking!

[Rippy1010]

-sits on his knees (I think that is just so cute!)

OMG! I think that is adorable also! They look so much older when they do that!

[MichelleRenee]

Oops... I forgot to post T's stats from Monday:

18 lbs 14 oz
28 3/4 in

[Ericka_Jarett]

Easton's 11 months today!!!

DH baked a smash cake last night and got the decorations for it made today (fondant circles in primary colors) we are doing his pro pics today of him smashing his cake so they can go on his invites. His birthday theme is bath time which we are having on the 1st of Sept. DH plans to make a bathtub out of cake and then we are probably going to just put plastic rubber ducks in it, since the cake pan duck is too big for the pans we are using. I have sand buckets, bubbles and small play doh for the favor buckets so far, will add 1 or 2 more things most likely to them. We are only having about 3-5 kids coming to the party, most likely will be just 3, aside from Easton. So things are coming together slowly. I updated the registry as DH's family won't be coming most likely (they leave on the west coast and well aren't close to them really) and for others in case they ask we have a small list of things we would like for him, and of course could use clothes, since the twins just got a load of clothes the other day for next year where Easton has enough for the rest of the summer, but no fall or winter things. Will post the pic once we get it taken. He had a taste of just icing today and liked it which we knew he would since he has had a taste of sweet stuff before.

[Roxygirl]

Does anyone else have fun times like these? :)

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w264/Scrapgirl79/?action=view&current=MVI_4033.flv

I hope that worked, I've never posted a video before.

[marathongirl]

Ericka - I don't think I ever said congrats on the twins!!!

Rippy - woohoo! Congrats on #2!

Midwestern - yeah for walking!

[MichelleRenee]

Roxy: that video is hilarious! I love the part where she looks at you as she pulls another out. Too cute!

[Michelle]

Roxy and Midwestern - Those videos are so adorable! It's amazing how fast they are growing up!

Ericka - Happy 11 months to Easton! :)

- - - - -

Madison made her first friend a week ago who is her age! Sarah (Maplekitty), her DH, and Robyn were in town so they stopped by. It was so much fun to watch them play. Madison has never played with somebody her age. I loved watching them play together!

Here's a picture of Robyn (Maplekitty's DD) on the left and Madison (my DD) on the right.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa197/michelle1177/DSCN1164.jpg?t=1186367225

[Ericka_Jarett]

Photos from Easton's cake smashing session:
(was a giant lollipop we got at Disney, he hit it to the floor 1 time and it broke into a bunch of pieces, he has what's left)
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/erickakulm/dsc_6443_std.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/erickakulm/dsc_6651_std.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/erickakulm/dsc_6520_std.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/erickakulm/dsc_6591_std.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/erickakulm/dsc_6645_std.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n96/erickakulm/dsc_6646_std.jpg

[Rippy1010]

Roxy ~ That video was hilarious!

marathongirl ~ Thank you! We're at that not-yet-ecstatic-because-we-are-too-shocked-and-stressed stage. LOL. Worried and stressed about the effect of a 2nd one in the house. The whole "when one cries, it wakes the other one up" dilemma I am DEFINITELY not looking forward to! Ha ha! And how the heck do you get two ready for bedtime and put to bed???!!! Yikes ... a whole new learning curve.

Ericka ~ the photos are adorable. Which one will you use? How can you decide!

[MichelleRenee]

I have a video too! Tristan kissing himself in the mirror:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/AngelyWangely/Tristans%20First%20Year/th_Picture3006.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v498/AngelyWangely/Tristans%20First%20Year/?action=view&current=Picture3006.flv)

[jbemommy]

Rippy Congrats on #2. It is harder having two, and it was a big adjustment for me. But seeing them play together is really wonderful, and you'll figure out how to handle two. I still feel stressed out when I take both of them to the grocery store, though. :)

[Rippy1010]

MichelleRenee ~ I love Tristan's video. PRECIOUS! I'm a big fan of the little squeal when he sees the baby, too.

[Rippy1010]

jbemommy ~ THANK YOU! And thanks for the advice and support. I think I'll need it!!! :D

[portlandbride]

Rippy1010 Just wanted to stop in and say congrats. You're in a similar situation to the one I was in just last year! I recommend checking out the "2 under 2 thread" in the 12 -36 month section. From my experience, it will be hard at first, but not that bad. And, it gets better every day! Now that DD#2 is 10 months my life has gotten tons better! The kids are interacting and it's so fun to watch them!
Anyway, just wanted to say congrats and good luck!:)

[MidwesternGal]

Great videos Roxy and MichelleRenee!!

Ericka--Those photos are just PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rippy--Okay, I must have missed the memo--When are you due? Is this a happy surprise? I'm outta the loop! CONGRATS!!!!

____________________________
We were at the ILs this weekend. Things were "eh." Better than other times, but of course, it's still akward.

No real developments. DS is taking about 5-8 steps at a time now and is very proud of himself. Getting his two bottom teeth, but they are not fully in.

He has a strange little bump on his lower leg. I'm wondering if I should get it looked at. It is hard and is about the size of a large pimple. It's red and raised. However, it doesn't seem to bother him or itch.