April 2007 Mamas & Babes: Enjoying Our April Showers

[April07Mamas]

April 2007 Mommies

April has showered us with our beautiful little babes!

*****

If you are new here, congratulations! We hope you will consider joining us. We look forward to sharing this amazing journey together! Please posts all updates in RED.

If you are new here, congratulations! We hope you will consider joining us. We look forward to sharing this amazing journey together! Please posts all updates in RED.

Please list your stats in RED in your first post.

CC Name:
Me: Name, age
DH: Name, age
Married: Date
DC: Name
Birthdate: Date
Siblings: (Other kids & their birthdates)

The threadmistresses are MarriedaGoalie & lauren f s. Feel free to PM them if you have any questions/comments regarding the thread.

Previous Threads:
April 07 Mamas (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22882)
April 2007 Mamas: Graduating to Trimester Number Two! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25203)
April 2007 Mamas: FINALLY hitting the Third Trimester! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28639)
April 2007 Mommies: Babies Arriving!!! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31237)

[April07Mamas]

Mama & Baby Roster

lauren f s
Me: Lauren, 25
DH: Kris, 27
Married: 10.21.05
DC: James Brian
Birthdate: 03/29/07
Sibling: Ava 12/16/03

MarriedaGoalie
Me: Tosha, 22
DH: Rob, 26
Married: May 20, 2005
DC: Carter Thomas
Birthdate: March 24, 2007
Sibling: Quentin, 9 (Stepson)

happy1nuv
Me: Rosa, 31
DH: Jeff, 32
Married: 9/21/02
DC: Joseph Charles
Birthdate: 3/23/07
Sibling: Dominic (Nic), born 5/18/05

Wendstress
Me: Wendy, 30
DH: Jon, 35
Married: 4/28/01
DC: Alexander Jon
Birthdate: 4/2/07
Sibling: DS James, born 5/10/05, 6 weeks early

juliemag
Me: Julie, 28
DH: Joshua, 27
Married: 4-24-04
DC: Jackson Graham
Birthdate: March 22, 2007

ieducate
Me: Karen, 34
DH: Andrew, 35
Married: August 1, 2004
DC: Julia Rose
Birthdate: January 13, 2007

SarahKatG
Me: Sarah, 27
DH: Ryan, 27
Married: December 28, 2002
DC: Juliana
Birthdate: March 29, 2007
Sibling: DD 2/12/05

mili04
Me: 29
DH: 30
Married: 11/04
DC: Noah
Birthdate: 3/8/07

Cohl
Me: Nicole, 27
DH: Matt, 29
Married: October 19, 2002
DC: Kaden Michael
Birthdate: April 15, 2007
Sibling: Bryelle July 19, 2004

diedra1027
Me: Diedra, 33
DH: Blake, 36
Married: 8/24/2001
DC: Ian Charles
Birthdate: 3/29/2007
Sibling: DD, Avery 5/5/2005

Femmie
Me: Andrea, 30
DH: 32
Married: 9.1.02
DC: Felicity Ruth
Birthdate: 4.10.07
Sibling: Tate, 4.30.04

lil_nance
Me: Nancy, 37
DH: David, 34
Married: 10/12/02
DC: Avery Elaine
Birthdate: 4/2/07
Sibling: DS, Connor, 7/15/05

pg_jess
Me: Jess, 28 (29 in a month)
DH: Andy, 29
Married: 7/27/02
DC: Ethan
Birthdate: April 10, 2007

Myshel
Me: Michelle, 29
DH: Chris, 28
Married: 6-6-03
DC: Carolina Elise
Birthdate: 05/01/07
Sibling: Luka born 7-21-05

annielynn
Me: Annie, 30
DH: Paul, 31
Married: Sept. 20, 2003
DC: Claire Ryanne
Birthdate: April 20, 2007
Sibling: Jack Nov 10, 04

BusyBee
Me: 27
DH: 46
Married: 8/17/02
DC: Noelle
Birthdate: 4/10/07
Sibling: DD 4/22/05

kimthebride
Me: Kim, 31
DH: Tom, 31
Married: 10/18/03
DC: Ava Siena
Birthdate: 4/17/07
Sibling: Thomas 6/3/05

sunni76
Me: Sara, 30
DH: Tim, 34
Married: Date 7/20/02
DC: Nolan Patrick
Birthdate: 4/1/07
Sibling: DD, Macy born 3/22/05

Michael’sBride
Me: Melissa, 30
DH: Michael, 39
Married: 8/10/02
DC: Michael John
Birthdate: 3/26/07
Sibling: Andrew – 8/26/03 Evan – 7/19/05

herewego
Me: 29
DH: 29
Married: Oct, 02
DC: Elijah Caleb
Birthdate: 4/5/07

Tonysweetie
Me: Lesile
DH: Tony
Married: 3/26/05
DC: Andrew Michael
Birthdate: 4/6/07

golfer_girl
Me: 37
DH: 36
Married: 3/17
DC: Emerson
Birthdate: 4/22/07
Sibling: DS, 6/9/05

tinkerbell
Me: Amy, 30
DH: Brian, 38
Married: 06/29/02
DC: Tanner Stephen Thomas
Birthdate: 04/12/07
Sibling: Julia 12/14/05

[April07Mamas]

Birthdates

January
13 - ieducate

March
8 - mili04
22 - juliemag
23 - happy1nluv
24 - MarriedaGoalie
26 - MichaelsBride
29 - lauren f s, SarahKatG, diedra1027

April
1 - sunni76
2 - Wendstress, lil_nance
5 - herewego
6 - Tonysweetie
10 - pg_jess, BusyBee
12 - tinkerbell
15 - Cohl
17 - kimthebride
20 - annielynn
22 - golfer_girl
30 - Femmie

May
1 - Myshel

[April07Mamas]

Welcome, Mamas!

Please take a moment to look over the first few posts and make sure your information is correct! Let us know in red if anything needs to be updated/changed.

(I chose to update 20 minutes before I got off work, so I don't know if I added all the info, so please let me know if anything was missed!!)

[mili04]

Copied over from the old thread since I posted as the new one was being made:

Hi all-

We just got from our first road trip with Noah. We drove 8 hours to visit family and friends. He did great on the trip. We didn't get there until 1am the first night, so his sleep was thrown off a bit, and another night we went out for a late dinner, which again disrupted his normal sleep schedule. But on the nights I had him in his pack-n-play by 10pm, he slept really well. Since he is now taking notice of his surrondings, I think he really enjoyed meeting new people and seeing new things.

Sling: We have a mei tai that my mom made that he doesn't seem to mind. I also have a pouch that I could never get him into, and on our trip, had to buy a ring sling. We forgot the stroller and the other carriers at home and we were doing a ton of walking. We ended up going to a baby boutique and the only thing they had was a ring sling. He cries every time I put him in, but calms down eventually (after 10-15 looong minutes). I hated to hear him cry but carrying him in our arms was wearing us out. I think I'll keep trying it at home.

STTN: I can't believe I'm saying this, but Noah has become a really good nighttime sleeper. I always feed him sometime between 8:30 and 9:30, depending on when he last ate, then wrap him in his miracle blanket (it truly is a miracle!), and then put him in his crib. So he goes into his crib between 9 and 10pm and then has been sleeping until 2-2:30, waking to eat, and then sleeping again until 4:30. He eats again at 4:30 and sleeps until 5:30 or 6:00, when he is up for the day. Last night, I think he would have slept longer than 2:30, but I woke him for two reasons: 1) My breasts were full and uncomfortable, and 2) he is easily distracted during the day and not taking in as much.

Naps: So even though he sleeps well at night, Noah is not a great napper. I can tell when he is getting tired, but he fights it so much. And he will only nap in someone's arms.

NIP: I do this all the time, which is strange because I am usually very modest. But I found that being couped up in the house to avoid having to NIP was driving me batty. The first time I did it was when I went in to work for a meeting and took Noah with me. My co-workers were so incredibly supportive that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Since then, I have nursed at the mall several times, at a restaurant, and friend's houses, and at the park. The only person I won't nurse in front of is FIL, and that is because he seems so uncomfortable with the idea that I am uncomfortable too. Whenever he comes to our house, he always yells, "Is he nursing?" before walking in. If I say yes, FIL waits outside until he is finished.

Thread updates: I am now 29 years old and DH is 30. Funny story about that: When we had been dating for about a year, DH said he hoped to have his first child before he turned 30. Well, my due date was after DH's 30th birthday, but since DS was born early, DH got his wish!

Thanks for the new thread!

[MarriedaGoalie]

WOW, new thread! Great job!! I'm so sorry... I was totally slacking... haha

[michael'sbride]

Just wanted to update...

My DS is Michael John and he was born March 26th.

DH is 39 and I am 30.

Thanks!

[lauren f s]

mili: I'm impressed you went on an overnight trip! We're going to the beach in July and I'm a little nervous about the long car ride with James! James is a bad napper, too. Actually, I just put him in his bed after holding him while he slept 15 minutes and as soon as he was put down those eyes popped open :rolleyes:. I left him in hopes he'd fall back asleep! Good job for NIP! And your FIL sounds too funny. yelling before he comes in the house!

MAG: I had finally caught up on my work and had nothing else to do for the last 30 or so minutes, so I decided to go ahead and do it :) Kept me busy!

James had been doing so well with his nighttime sleep and then last night he was up every 2 hours. I'm exhausted! I should nap since he & Ava are both asleep, but laundry needs to be folded and I'd like to shower alone for a change, too. We're meeting my best friend, her DH, and their 2 kids for a movie this afternoon. I'm excited! James should nurse and then fall asleep and then we'll all be able to enjoy the movie :D

ETA - he fell back asleep on his own! I just went into his room to check and sure enough, he went back to sleep!!

[April07Mamas]

Updated to here!

(Sorry about that girls :)! )

[myshel]

mili: Your FIL sounds like mine. He came to stay with us last week, and one morning went to take a shower upstairs. After the shower, he yelled down the stairs, "Are you decent?" I find this especially hilarious because MIL bfed all three of her kids. Where was he during all of that? :rolleyes:

Looking at the list of babies, I was right. I was the last one. Funny stuff.

Weekend widow: DH was home for 2 hours last night before returning to work until 2 am. The time he was home was fraught with tears and arguing, because I'll be a weekend widow for the next three days. I kind of flipped out, because I can barely leave the house, but he's leaving for work (Friday night and Sunday) and a bachelor party (Saturday). It's not so much that I care that he has to work or that he's going to the bachelor party; it's just that it's a perfect storm this weekend. My mom, aunt, Dh's aunt, uncle, and cousin are all coming up today to see C. I'm home alone with Lu and C all weekend. We have no real food for entertaining, and I never got the chance to go get some. Ugh! I finally told DH that my biggest issue with him is the fact that (and I really said this) he "has the sensitivity and tact of a cactus." I think that got the point across, because he did stick around this morning so I could shower.

Fear of leaving home: Since all of you are WAY more experienced at thispoint than I am, I have a question for you. How did you get over the fear of leaving the house and having DC want to eat (particularly bfers)? I never had issues with going out with Luka because he was formula fed, but for some reason, I fear leaving with C. We usually take a bottle of BM out with us, but if we're gone longer than three hours, my boobs start to ache and feel like implants, so then we're rushing home so I can pump. Does anyone have tips for NIPing? I have a bit of a hard time being discreet because of the nipple shield . We also have a problem because C is a sloppy eater (meaning she sometimes spits milk out or drips it everywhere because of my forceful letdown), and I haven't found a great way to "clean-up" after she eats without exposing myself completely. Tips? Suggestions? Advice? Personal experience?

[kimthebride]

pg_jess & STTN
Its too early to sleep train, to spoil them, to really do anything 'forceful' routine wise or detrimental to them habit wise - so don't worry about bad habits just yet!
I kind of let DS guide me when he was an infant. We had times of just sleep in a chair together, it was just survival mode for the first few months. Then i found he got his rhythm and as long as I kept an eye out for new cues (like needing a change in a naptime/drop of a nap or drop a BFing session and have a nap instead) the transition from No Sleep Newborn to Reasonable Routine Baby was pretty smooth. And of course, it just kept getting better and better as he grew.

mili
I find that travelling is the easiest when they are newborns. I know most people are more nervous to travel when the baby is so small, but enjoy it while you can, lol!
I had to LOL about your FIL. Mine acts like someone threw acid in his eyes if he 'catches' me nursing - even though I always use the Hooter Hider! :rolleyes:
That is so funny about beating DH's bday!

lil_nance
Is she just spitting up a lot, or seems uncomfortable as well?
I have had friends with kids who just SPEW, no real reason or discomfort. The only other things I have heard about are reflux and something associated with a hernia i believe??

Swaddling
I am a HUGE fan of Swaddling - I have been called a hardcore swaddler by those who see me in action. Here's my swaddling blanket review:
Koala Baby Recieving Blankets 30x40" $12.99 for 4 pack on BRU
http://TRUS.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-3038812reg.jpg
- I used these with DS, and at 2yo we still use them as a 'sleep cue'. He naps and sleeps with them. They are a thin cotton flannel, and if you are a good swaddler, they are great! I also think they are perfect for swaddling the arms when you have them strapped into the carseat/stroller, and they don't overheat the baby.
Swaddle Me $9.99
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/519JJJFNDNL._SS260_.jpg
-I bought it, don't get it, it didn't hold her in at all. Maybe I am just really stupid, but it didn't work!
The Ultimate Recieving Blanket $25 42x42"
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NSQND1Z6L._SS260_.jpg
- I love these cotton flannel HUGE swaddling blankets. Warm, soft, wash well, and nice colors/simple patterns. These are idiot-proof and even have a tag on them with instrutions on how to swaddle perfectly. I like they they are big enough to use on the floor for playtime, and as a blanket for when she's bigger and not swaddling anymore. I do notice that at night if I am bleary-eyed and do a swaddle half asleep in bed that she can break her arms out of it though.
Miracle Blanket $30
http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/21JpPJBa5SL._AA280_.jpg
http://www.miracleblanket.com/instructions.htm
-I've heard nothing but great reviews on this practically escape-free blanket. I just ordered one off Amazon to try, since I need something she can't break out of after I swaddle her while half-asleep at night.

myshel
Its always tough to be home alone with the kids. I had DH's head for breakfast this morning over it myself. Needless to say, I'll be headed to a matinee today on my own :D .

Getting Out/NIP
I too use a nipple shield, so i use a Hooter Hider when I go out. I keep the HH and a shield (in a pacifier case) in my diaper bag all the time. This is what I do when I NIP:
- Give DS a snack & a toy to keep him entertained
- Sit down with my HH on, shield in the case by my side, and a Koala baby recieving blanket on my lap
- I put DD on my lap under the HH, tuck the corner of the HH into something (crease of my crossed legs/hem of my shirt, whatever) to keep it from sliding and exposing me if I am really in public where men are.
- I then unhook my bra/nursing tank, put my shield on (using Lansinoh helps the shield 'stick' on), then pop DD on the boob.
- Any leakage, drooling goes on the blanket. I can also use it to wipe out excess milk from the shield when I'm done
- If she needs to burp, I sit her on my lap under the HH and do it so I'm not exposed
- When I am done, I lay her down on my lap still under the HH while I pop off the shield, wipe it out, put it in the case, put my nursing pad back on, close up the bra.
- Once I am decent, I'll take off the HH and put everything away, burp her again, then put her back in the stroller.

As for getting over the fear? Just do it, baby! Its either that or sit in the house climbing the walls. not a good option, IMO .

[pg_jess]

swaddling - We've been swaddling with various receiving blankets, but Ethan always managed to get his arms free and wake himself up. We finally picked up a couple of miracle blankets. Best investment thus far! They are amazing and there's no way in the world he can get his arms out of there. He has somehow managed to free a leg twice now, which I completely don't understand. But at least his arms are pinned! :) The lady at the boutique where we bought the miracle blankets said he was getting his arms out because the blanket was too small. She also recommended (and DH purchased) some blankets from Australia. They're giant, cotton muslin blankets by Aden & Anais (www.adenandanais.com). They're super breathable and she said they get softer every time you wash them. We use those during the day since you're not supposed to tight swaddle more than 10 hours a day...

pacifiers - We have a bazillion and one pacifiers that we're not using. We ended up getting the soothies pacifiers from the lactaction consultants. The ones we had before were all the "other" style. I figured we might use them when Ethan outgrows the soothies/isn't in danger of nipple confusion. But they're all marked 0-3 months and that's how long the soothie is rated. Are there really different sizes? How different are they and how important is it to use the right size? I'm guessing this is a choking hazard thing, perhaps the older sizes are bigger? Are there other sizes of soothies?

[Tonysweetie]

pacifiers: All we use right now is soothies. DS won't take any other kind.


Andrew must be going through is 6 week growth spurt b/c my goodness this child will eat all.day.long if I let him. Sheesh! I'll be glad when this phase passes. He's already grown out of his first set of clothes. He has officially outgrown newborn clothes and is now in 0-3 month clothes. My baby boy is growing so fast!!

[tinkerbell]

Hi

I wanted to stop by and say a quick hello. I also wanted to add my information:

tinkerbell
Me: Amy, 30
DH: Brian, 38
Married: 06/29/02
DC: Tanner Stephen Thomas
Birthdate: 04/12/07
Sibling: Julia 12/14/05

I hope all is well with everyone. I will try and update later.

Take Care

Amy

[myshel]

pacifiers - We have a bazillion and one pacifiers that we're not using. We ended up getting the soothies pacifiers from the lactaction consultants. The ones we had before were all the "other" style. I figured we might use them when Ethan outgrows the soothies/isn't in danger of nipple confusion. But they're all marked 0-3 months and that's how long the soothie is rated. Are there really different sizes? How different are they and how important is it to use the right size? I'm guessing this is a choking hazard thing, perhaps the older sizes are bigger? Are there other sizes of soothies?

Jess, there are soothies that go up higher in age. The nipples are larger on them. You can find them at Target, or at least that's where I've seen them.

DS was (and still is to some extent) a NUK man. He used the 0-3 month NUKs for long past the three month stage. In fact, he wouldn't take the next size NUK until he was almost a year old. I have read that if you're trying to wean from a pacifier, that you shouldn't move up in sizes. I guess the smaller sizes discourage sucking or something.

I wish Carolina liked the soothies. I have four of them, but she hates them. I think it's because they don't stay in her mouth very well. I've switched her to the NUKs and happiness is hers. Go figure.

DH finally rolled in last night at 3:30 am, which coincidentally was the time I finally got back to sleep after princess chub had her little late night party from 1-3am. DH is a punk. Luckily, both kids have been content to cuddle in bed and sleep an extra 2 hours with Daddy and Mommy. Because of his late night out, I plan on spending some money today. Apparently, spending money makes me feel better for some reason. ;)

[lauren f s]

NIP: I'm a very modest person, so for me it varies. If I'm out shopping I'll go into a dressing room and feed James there. At a restaurant I'll usually feed him at the table, because from my experience nobody's looking. When we're grocery shopping or at the park or somewhere out in the open like that, I'll go the car. I refuse to nurse in a bathroom, unless it's one of the nicer family restrooms, and would rather walk to the car, sit in the a/c and listen to the radio while he eats.

Swaddling: I stink at swaddling! And James loves it, poor guy. He has an afghan that a friend made him and it's the only blanket he'll let me wrap him in, so it's not ideal for swaddling. But I wrap him up like a little burrito the best I can and he seems happy. I'd love to try some of these blankets, but hate to think I'd buy one and he wouldn't use it!

Pacifiers: We bought these MAM pacifiers and while James doesn't seem thrilled with them, he'll take them.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e323/laurenballew/paci.jpg
His, obviously, is blue ;).

We went to the movies yesterday and James was wonderful! We met my best friend and her family to see Shrek. I brought the stroller and set James up next to me. He woke up to eat then went right back to sleep. It was such a nice little treat, even if the movie wasn't that great!

[MarriedaGoalie]

Pacifiers: Agreed! The Soothies are the best! We even use the Soothie bottles. I don't like any of the others.

[kimthebride]

Swaddling Blankets For Hot Weather
Is this what the muslin ones are for?

Pacifiers
DS was a fan of the MAM ones.
I tried 3 or 4 different brands with DD, and she is a MAM fan as well. Which works out ok, since they have clear ones and once she's teething they also have them with gun-massaging nubs on them.

NIP Today
I am pretty vehemently against being banished to a bathroom to nurse, so unless its a nice comfy lounge I won't purposely do it.
Well I was at a family event today at a catering hall and the music was SO LOUD I had to take a chair and nurse in the ladies room for some peace and quiet. It was a new building so the bathroom was totally clean and spacious, but on principle I almost wouldn't go, lol.

I also can't tell you how many people asked me if today was her 1st outing, after telling them she was almost 5 weeks old. Yikes! I can't imagine staying inside for 5 weeks!!!

Sleep
Last night DD did a wonderful stretch from about 9pm-3am. Now, had I been sleeping as well it would have been perfect! :rolleyes: I'd love for her to do a 10pm/4am/8am feeding routine....must ask her to try that ;) .

[diedra1027]

Yeah, we're in the Infant/Baby section now!!

Pacifiers - We have at least one of every kind except the Soothies left over from Avery who never took one. Ian will grudgingly take a NUK for a few minutes here and there, but he more or less doesn't like taking a pacifier. I've been using them when DH isn't around at night to get through Avery's bedtime routine - even if he's sleeping when we start he almost always wakes up at some point during the evening festivities!

NIP - I think I'm the laziest BFer on the planet...I've learned to rely heavily on a boppy so that I can be hands free. I pretty much can't get comfortable nursing any other way. This, of course, makes NIP very difficult. I usually just bring the boppy with me and nurse in the car if I have to. When Avery was little she freaked out in public everytime we went out so I learned to nurse her in a ring sling (I also used a nipple shield with her), but it was a huge production.

Swaddling - We have a miracle blanket because I just can not figure out a good blanket swaddle on my own. I tend to get lazy with the MB and just tuck the last flap under Ian without finish wrapping it and he can totally bust out of it that way:eek:.

[juliemag]

Pacifiers - we use a slew of different types. But they all have that "orthodontic" looking tip. He didn't like the MAM ones or the soothies.

NIP - I NIP'd for the first time yesterday! Outside TJ Maxx in an area with a bunch of benches. I was suprised at how much I didn't care at ALL what anyone thought! One lady actually walked by me and pointed at me and said something in spanish to her child. Then she pointed again and said something else...because once wasn't enough. :rolleyes:

Jackson will be 2 months old tomorrow! We are finally starting to get some long stretches of sleep from him! :D The past three nights he's had a 6 hour stretch, a 5.5 hour stretch, and a 6.5 hour stretch! Hallelujah!!!!

[myshel]

Sleeping in Crib:Yay! C slept in her crib for almost the entire night! The only stretch she slept with us was from 5am until DH left for work. We finally got smart and bought a crib soother (we got the FP Rainforest Waterfall one), and it works like baby crack! It put her to sleep in her crib yesterday afternoon and for the first part of last night. It finally dawned on me that Luka needed one to fall asleep too. Why I didn't think of this sooner, I don't know!

Weekend Visitors: Our weekend visitors were fun. DH's two aunts and a cousin came as well as my mom and my aunt. The only semi-weird moment was when I started to bf C (under a blanket as discreetly as I could), and I looked over at my mom. She rolled her eyes and shuddered, turning away. My sister, who was there, started laughing. I got the complete opposite reaction from one of DH's aunts, who wanted to look at the nipple shield while I fed C.

More NIP: Thanks for all of the suggestions. I feel like I use a ton of blankets and burp cloths (cloth diapers) as it is, but I just need to practice more. Diedra, I've only nursed with the Boppy, so that's one of my fears too. I have two of them, so I'll start toting one in the car when we go out.

Luka has been feeling pretty crappy the past few days, so he's staying home with me today. So far, he seems pretty content. Let's hope he doesn't start a crying jag. :cool:

[kimthebride]

myshel
Since I am tall, the Boppy makes life so much easier at home since it brings DD up closer to boob-level and prevents backaches.
But I can't always use it in public, so sometimes I just toss a heavier crib blanket in the stroller to roll up and use to prop her higher for me when I NIP. It does help some.

[lauren f s]

Good job myshel!!! Sounds like a good weekend, with Carolina sleeping in her crib and NIP! Too funny about your mom, but good for you for doing it! My mom, funnily enough, has never been very supportive of BF'ing, but has always encouraged me to NIP. Go figure :rolleyes:. Kim's suggestion of using a blanket as a substitute Boppy is a good idea. I've used my diaper bag; it works well enough.

[mili04]

Spit-up: DS was spitting up a ton and also acted like he was in pain so the ped put him on reflux meds. He has been so much better since then. I also stay away from dairy and soy since they seem to aggrevate the reflux.

Pacifiers: We have the Nuk ones and it is hit or miss getting DS to take it. Maybe I need to try another kind.

Swaddling: Noah sleeps really well with his Miracle Blanket. So far, he has broken out of everything else, including the Swaddle Me wrap. He starts daycare in a few weeks, so I'm going to try making a big, lightweight swaddle blanket for naptime.

Travel: We just got back from our first road trip and will be taking DS on his first flight this weekend. We are flying cross-country and couldn't get a direct flight...wish me luck!

[pg_jess]

Kim - Yes, the muslin blankets are designed to be breathable/comfortable in hot weather. Plus, they're HUGE so they make swaddling really easy. I love them *almost* as much as I love my miracle blanket.

Mili - The Aden & Anais blankets I posted about earlier are huge and lightweight. They're expensive (I think DH paid $40 for 4), but in my opinion, totally worth it.

NIP - I've only mustered up the courage to nurse in the car and at my in-laws house. I need to practice nursing with a blanket so I can NIP for real. I haven't been wearing nursing tops, so I have to pull up my shirt, which complicates things. I also haven't graduated to one-handed nursing yet. I'm hoping to get more comfortable because currently we're timing all outings around nursing sessions and carrying bottles of EBM everywhere. Oy.

My doctoral classes started again last week. I think DH has officially been home alone with Ethan more than I have. He works from home, so when I'm here during the day I'm not really alone, which is nice. He's in his office most of the day, but just knowing that there's someone else here is comforting. But I'm amazed at how much more confident I feel about parenting compared to just a couple of weeks ago. I may even reconsider my only half-joking ban on a second child! :)

[michael'sbride]

Spit-up: We've had such a problem with spit-up. Michael was in so much pain that we tried Zantac to help his reflux. He was choking/coughing during nursing and I was terrified so we did a OPMS - Modified Barium Swollow Study to determine if he was aspirating milk into his lungs, which he was. My Ped strongly suggested exclusively pumping and thickening his milk with Simply Thick to stop the aspirating, but I refused and chose Reglan instead, to see if that would help with refluxing and choking. THe Reglan made no difference and he still choked the same amount so I am now pumping 90% of his feedings and we haven't had a single problem since I started 2 days ago. It helped the cranky-ness, screaming during nursing, painful burps, spitting up and choking. I have exclusively nursed my other two boys for over 6 months and I am just devastated about this BUT I believe in doing what's best for my baby and not necessarily what is best for me emotionally.

I'm still nursing the middle of the night feeding, just for ease.

Pacifiers: Michael is a MAM addict. He liked the soothie but I like the shape of the MAM better for the long term.

Swaddling: We use a swaddle me every night. Did the same with Evan until 9 months.

[Tonysweetie]

Just got back from my 6 week PP visit. My blood pressure is STILL an issue. I'm still on BP meds and now have to go see my regular Dr. Ugh!!! Why won't this go away! I was down 2 lbs. since my last visit 2 weeks ago. WHOO HOO! I can now go back to my regular activities. I'm SO excited to get back in the gym. DH will also be thrilled we can DTD once again. I also got an RX for BCP which I'm happy about. I didn't know you could take BCP while BFing but she said you can.

Swaddle: DS doesn't really care to be swaddled. I will every now and then with a regular receiving blanket but he could careless about it.

Crib Sleeping: Non existent. DS will NOT sleep in his crib. He will sleep great in his PnP and the cradle. He is still STTN which is making me a very happy Mama.

NIP: Not yet. I just can't work up the courage. I will either bring EBM or mix him up a formula bottle. We are a BFing/FF family. I was going to try and get my supply up and BF only but this is working great for us so we decided to stick to it. I still have to use the nipple shield though but really I like it more than DS really needs it. It keeps me from having sore nips and DS seems satisfied more after using it.

[MarriedaGoalie]

NIP: I haven't done it yet... I'm just not that comfortable with it. I will do it at someone's house, but not in public.

Crib Sleeping: He sleeps in a bassinet, but hasn't slept in his crib yet. I am sure he would, but I just don't feel like getting up and going in the other room to get him in the middle of the night. Until he sleeps through the night on a regular basis, he will be in our room in his bassinet.

Spitting up: It has become a HUGE issue. When I was strictly BFing, he wasn't spitting up at all and the more we substitute formula, the more of an issue it has become. He is even on soy formula. I'm wondering if I should switch back to milk based formula? I'm just not sure what else to do...

DH and I got our first night out on the town last night for our 2nd wedding anniversary. We had fondue at a fondue restraunt without the kiddos and it was GREAT. It was a nice little break!

[myshel]

MAG: How nice that you and DH got out by yourselves! I'm in the process of trying to plan something for our anniversary too.

What kind of bottles are you using? Type of formula? DS was a big time spitter. We switched to Good Start and that helped some with the spitting up. The other thing that seemed to help, quite honestly, was switching bottles. We were using som Evenflo bottles, but switched to Dr. Brown's. That made a huge difference for us. If you're not using Dr. Brown's, you might see if you can find a single bottle and try it out on Carter for a few feedings.

being home yesterday with the kids went fairly well, minus the last hour when all hell broke loose. C wanted to be fed just as I was starting dinner. Then Luka started crying uncontrollably for "Daddy, Daddy." He stood by our front window for an hour, the longest on of my life. All was well once Daddy came home though.

Baths: Is there anyone else with a sea monkey for a child? C LOVES baths. She is so calm when she's in the bath. Luka hated baths and to this day, hates any body of water that's deeper than our bathtub.

BabyHawk: I broke down and ordered a BabyHawk. I really love the look of the sling-pouches that Nancy and kim posted, but I wasn't sure how comfortable I'd be using them. I've used a mei tai before, so that's what I decided to go with. I can't wait to get it, so I can try it out in the neighborhood.

[lauren f s]

Water Baby: Both of mine are. Ava stays in her bath until the water's cold and I have to drag her out. James loves them, too. It's funny, he'll be screaming and fussing at me, I'll stick him in that bath, and he's instantly calm!

Spit Up: I think some babies just spit up a lot. James only gets BM, from a bottle while I'm at work and me at night, and he spits up like crazy.

myshel: So sorry your last hour with the kids was tough! Have you taken the kids out yet?

MAG: Happy Anniversary! How nice to have a night out, just the two of you!

My poor little guy would not nap at all on Sunday. He'd doze for maybe 20 minutes, then wake up. He slept an hour total, if that, all day, and was falling asleep in the bath that night. Yesterday he slept all day long! Poor baby only woke to take 2 bottles (he normally takes 4). He was awake when I got home for a bit, then was out for the night at 7:30! Poor guy was so exhausted, I felt bad for him! He slept well last night, so I'm hoping he'll have a good day today and be back on track!

[myshel]

myshel: So sorry your last hour with the kids was tough! Have you taken the kids out yet?

Normally, Luka wouldn't be home. He was sick with a fever yesterday, so the farthest we went is on our patio. We are continuing to send him to daycare through the summer. The reason, which seems a little lame, is that for infant and transitional rooms, the center charges full price whether the child is there or not to hold that child's spot. Once kids reach the toddler room, they will allow you to take kids out four weeks at a time, eight weeks total for the year, at $25 per week to hold your spot. If we're plunking down $175 per week, then DS will continue to go.

I think I probably could handle them out in public on my own, but the taking a bfed baby out in public thing still freaks me out a bit.

[lauren f s]

I'd keep sending him to school, too! I don't blame you one bit ;). If I take a day off work I still send Ava. If I'm paying, her butt's going! Is Luka better today?

[myshel]

Luka is feeling better, thanks. Last week, he was diagnosed with a sinus infection and pink eye. We kept him home one day to make sure the antibiotic was working and then sent him back to school. Over the weekend, he developed a 103 degree fever and cried a lot Sunday. Yesterday was just a precautionary stay home day. Luka spent much of yesterday sleeping on the floor and "taking care" of his "baby." We've been working with him to say, "Lina," but all he can get out is "Baby." Everytime, C cries, Luka yells, "Uh oh!" and runs to get a blanket to cover her-- even in 80 degree plus heat. It's pretty darn funny.

[BusyBee]

Hi, Ladies,
I'm just popping in with a quick question about the Bjorn carrier - does it get very hot for you or baby in the summer. I tried our old Snugli at home, and it's ok for a 10-pounder, but getting worse. Target has a Bjorn Air carrier (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_3/601-4350798-5404156?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000BVN0GO) that's suppose to be cooler, but the straps & support look much like the Snugli.
Thanks!

[kimthebride]

Busybee Re: Bjorn
DS was born in June, and I used the Bjorn Active Carrier all summer/fall and he never got too hot/sweaty to the point of concern. I get the concept of this new one (I was just looking at it the other day, in fact), but I also don't think its an "active" one which means it doesnt have that great lumbar support.

myshel
Glad to hear Luka is feeling better!
Its tough having 2 at home. Trust me, I am on the verge of sending DS somewhere, ANYWHERE, some days so i can be a little less frazzled ;).
Thomas does the same thing when Ava cries - he runs to her pointing and going "UH OH BABY!" then will give her a blanket.
I'm telling you, just try once to BF in public. You'll see that no one is really noticing and you'll do great. Maybe at first try in a lounge at the mall, then a mall bench, then a restuarant, work your way up to more 'exposed' areas.

Water Babies
DS runs screaming to the bathroom when DH or I tell him its bathtime. he about passes out with delight when we give him a new bath toy. I just found these rubber ducks that light up, so we'll put them in the tub & turn off the lights. My God, I think the child is going to hurt himself he laughs so hard when we do this!
DD is one happy clam during bathtime too.

lauren
Yuck! That little sleep must have made for one cranky kid (and mama ;) ).

Married
Happy anniversary!

Tonys
Oh yeah, you can take the mini pill when BFing. If not, then my DH would be sleeping on the floor for a while :D .

pg_jess
Thanks for the info on those muslin blankets. I may order a pack to check them out.

mili
Good luck flying with DS! My DS's first flight was when he was exactly 2 months old tot he day. We were soooooo nervous, but now realize that flying with an infant is a piece of cake. Flying with a crazed toddler? Not so fun. :p

Presents
Ihave to say, it has been WAY too long that anyone in the family has had a baby girl. You should see all the cute clothes we are getting in the mail, LOL! This child is never going to wear the same thing twice until she's about 2.

[MarriedaGoalie]

Thanks for the anniversary wishes, ladies!! :)

Myshel: Honestly, we have used all kinds of formula. We've used Similac, Enfamil and the generic brand from Wal-Mart (whatever it is called). I hadn't thought about the bottle thing. He has been using the Soothie bottles and sometimes the Drop Ins system. I have one Dr. Brown's bottle and he did wonderful on that in the beginning but it is only a 2 oz bottle so we don't use it anymore. Maybe I should go buy a bigger one and see if that helps! Thanks for the advice!

[Tonysweetie]

Kim: Mini pill? She told me this is the full dosage pill. :confused: What is the mini pill? Is it just as effective?

Married: I LOVE Dr. Browns bottles, DS does so much better on those than any other kind.

I'm just so depressed with my body. I really thought by now I would've lost more than I have. I've barely lost anything. I still look 5 months pregnant. I'm still wearing my maternity clothes. Forget wearing a bathing suit or shorts this season. I'm just so sad about this. My stomach is so flabby and saggy. I have this lovely sag going over my pubic bone. It's gross. I just hate it. I've been working out for about a week and 1/2 now hoping maybe I'll start seeing a change. My stomach just looks like a big glob of lose skin. Ugh! I get so jealous when I hear about women who just had babies when I did back in their jeans. I'm not expecting to be wearing all my old clothes but I at least expected to be out of my maternity clothes by now. I have at least a good 30 lbs. to lose before I'd be anywhere near my old weight. I thought maybe it was just in my head but the other day I was walking outside and 2 of my neighbors asked me when the baby was due. :( :( :(

[lauren f s]

TS: The mini pill is the bcp, with lower doses of hormone (progestin, I think). It's safe to use while BF'ing and won't affect your supply. And I know it's depressing that you can't wear you regular clothes again. But first, remember that it took 9 months to gain that weight. Some people lose it easily, but for most of us it takes time. Exercise, eat well, and it'll come off. Also, I'd go out and buy a few things that fit you now. Get out of the maternity clothes because that will depress anybody! Go buy some nice jeans, shirts, and a dress or something that fit now. Don't worry about size, just get something that fits and makes you feel pretty. I've done this after having both kids and it's amazing what good fitting, new clothes will do for you!

myshel & Kim: Too sweet that your boys comfort their sisters like that! I caught Ava comforting James a few days ago. At least, I'm telling myself she was comforting him and not attempting to smother him with a receiving blanket that was wrapped tightly on his face :eek:. Seriously, she's a sweet girl, she just doesn't understand that he's not 3 like she is!

[lil_nance]

Hi just found the new thread. I'd been wondering why everyone was so quiet. :o

We are on day #2 of EPEF (Explosive Poop and Extreme Fussies). DD went through 3 outfits yesterday and 2 so far today. I've been ignoring some of the spit up or I'd be changing her even more. She fussed from 2pm-8pm last night. By the time DH got home even he could see I needed a break. She's fine at night just fussy in the afternoon. Wish I knew why. Sometimes she seems like she's in pain so I still wonder about reflux. But, I thought if it was reflux it would bother her all the time, right? Have her in a swaddle right now and she's sleeping on my lap thank goodness.

NIP Been doing it all the time. I just am not concerned about other peoples' thoughts this time around. I've NIP'd at the playarea in the mall, a restaurant, and friends' homes. I did go into an office at church but I was tempted to just NIP at coffee hour there too. We have a small congregation so most know I'm BFing.

MAG Happy Anniversary. I love fondue. DH and I went to Melting Pot for our anniversary in Oct.

Swaddling We have a few big recieving blankets that we usually use. I might try to get a Miracle Blanket or one of the muslin ones. I want it more for day than night. At night we only swaddle her from chest down but I'd love to get her to nap without me holding her in the day.

pacifiers I've tried 2 with DD. She's not interested. I wish she would be. Anything to end the fussies. I know she'll outgrow this phase. I'm ready for it NOW!

[myshel]

TS: I second what Lauren said about going out to buy a few clothes that fit for right now. I bought a few t-shirts and a pair of jeans after the birth of DS to get me through those days when nothing seemed to fit right. Even this time around, I've purchased a few new shirts and plan to buy a pair of capris that fit right now. You really do need to give yourself some time, my dear. Every single woman I know has had the saggy, lumpy, dough-y baby stomach. It doesn't go away like magic once you give birth, which is what I thought the first time around. Just remember that while you may not love your body right now, it did give you and DH one of the greatest gifts in the world-- your DS.

Eye color: Has anyone had their DC's eye color change yet? I just wondered. DS's eye were slate grey and gradually changed to a dark brown. Carolina's eyes are the same slate grey-blue. There's a small (and by small, I mean very, very small) possibility that she could have an eye color other than brown but...

[kimthebride]

Eye Color
DD's eyes are a fairly light blue already, have been since birth. DS started a deep slate grey and went to light blue like mine. I am anxiously awaiting to see whether DD lightens a little more to my color, or goes to a light green like DH. Here's a pic - its a little dark, but you can pretty much see how they aren't really that slate color at all:
photoremoved

tonys Re: Post Baby Body
It just takes time! And don't forget, a lot of the people you see who 'slip back into their jeans' either puked their whole pregnancy or weren't on bedrest and were chasing around other kids the whole time or are naturally very thin or are using pliers to get themselves into said jeans ;) .
Don't get down on yourself - your body just did a great thing and it takes time to recover. Besides, its just a little fat and wobbly stuff. Not the end of the world. :)

lil_nance
Boy am I THRILLED to be entering the Cranky Phase right now. Yeah, good times. :rolleyes:

[myshel]

DS started a deep slate grey and went to light blue like mine

So, there might be hope? :p DH is Hispanic/Latino, so it seems that anything genetically is influenced by him. Needless to say, DH has very dark brown eyes. I also have brown eyes. Both MIL and my father have blue eyes, so I keep hoping... maybe... DS has coloring very similar to DH's. C has lighter skin, but much darker hair. She'd look great with blue eyes.

[MarriedaGoalie]

Eye color: Carter's eyes are still blue! Hopefully they stay that way (like mine).

Mini Pill: I'm on the mini pill too. The only thing you have to be extremely careful about is to take it at the same time every day. If you take it more than 3 hours away from your usual time, then you have to use an alternate method for two days. I just set my cellphone alarm to remind me to take it at the same time!

[kimthebride]

myshel
LOL! Yes, there is still hope. DS's were dark, we didn't know if he'd go hazel or brown (like most of our Italian families) or fade to a light blue or green (like recessive me & DH). This is what he went to:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/213/509911694_85f1731fde.jpg?v=0

[BusyBee]

Kim, thanks for your input on the Bjorn - I'm going to give it a try (the Active, that is).

Eye color: Both girls started out the same - dark dark blue, navy almost. DD's slowly became lighter over the first year, to a much lighter blue (like Kim's DS - I'm not that quick with the photos :) ). Mine are more blue-gray with a bit of hazel in the center, DH's are pure blue, and DD's are even bluer than his.

Pacifiers: N is 6 weeks old today, and we just started working on the pacifier. I've been giving her an Avent, and she "catches" it sometimes, it'll take some practice.
DD refused it until she was 4 months old, but I think I was so worried about BFing that we didn't start until very late. One day she latched onto my wrist, so I popped in a Binky in instead, and it just clicked.

[lauren f s]

Eye Color: There's hope for blue eyes myshel! My nephew's dad is Hispanic with dark hair & eyes. My nephew has dark hair, dark skin, and piercing blue eyes. Ava's started out grey, then turned a lovely shade of light brown. James's are greyish blue and I swear they're turning more blue every day. DH and others see it to, esp. when he's wearing blue clothes. I really hope they stay blue;DH has blue eyes and while I think Ava's eyes are lovely, I'd love a little blue eyed boy.

[happy1nuv]

i'm so far behind...not sure where the time goes these days...

nic likes to comfort joe with a thrown blanket too... at least, thats how i see it now. before, i figured he was trying to cover up the sounds so i wouldnt pick joe up and spoil his fun...

and i agree...im much more bold nip'ing this time around...

blue eyes - not to discourage anyone, but my nieces eyes went from really blue to brown right before her first birthday... nic's eyes were brown right away (before 2 mos, when he was baptized)... joe is 2 mos today and still blue (no chance of that being permamnent)

[myshel]

I NIPed... sort of! I took DS and DD to DH's softball game yesterday. While we were there, it started to get really windy and sprinkle, so I took the kids back to the car. In the meantime, my sister shows up with her two boys, ages 3 and 5, because my BIL plays on the same team. Since my sister has to go to class, I'm supposed to watch the boys. Because of the rain, we stayed in their van, the kids watching an Elmo video. I sat in the front seat, in a very busy parking lot, watching the game, and NIPed right there. ;)

[kimthebride]

Yay myshel!

[mili04]

pg_jess: Thanks for the swaddling blanket recommendation. I'm not sure I can talk DH into spending $40 when we have 2 dozen blankets already. I'll just have to remind him of one of his favorite expressions..."You get what you pay for."

MAG: Happy Anniversary!

TS: Please don't worry too much about your body. You carried your son for 9 months and gave birth, and that is a beautiful thing.

Myshel: Good for you for NIP!

Pacifiers: Ok, I went out yesterday and bought 3 different kinds of pacifiers: Soothies, MAM, and Gerber Natural Latch. Hopefully DS will like one of them.

Eye Color: We have no idea what color N's eyes are going to be. They were slate blue at birth, then started turning brown, then went back to the slate color. I have dark brown eyes and DH has blue eyes. My parents both have brown eyes, but my grandmother has blue eyes so there is a small chance I carry the recessive gene for blue eyes. It is still a waiting game for us.

[April07Mamas]

Updated to here!

[diedra1027]

Eye Color - DDs eyes stayed grey for a long time (like 7 months) before turning brown, a lighter shade than mine. Ian's eyes have already turned brown, if they stay that way it looks like they are going to be dark brown like mine. I know two other couples with similar eye color genetics that DH and I have (I have brown eyes, but carry a blue gene since my mom has blue eyes and DH has blue eyes) and both other couples ended up with blue eyed babies. My Dad's brown eye genes are very powerful ;).

TS - I second (third?) the recommendation to go out and get yourself a non-maternity outfit. I'm still wearing my maternity pants too, but bought a few regular T-shirts to go with it. I'm so sick of these stupid maternity pants though that I'm considering some new pants too - my 'natural' pp weightloss seems to have stopped, so I don't think I'm going to lose any more weight without putting effort into it...

[lil_nance]

Ok I've decided I need to complain to you gals more often. After my last post, Avery went on to have a fairly good afternoon. Very nice for me.

myshel Yeah for NIP!
eye color Blue and staying that way. DH & I both have blue eyes, so does DS.

More curious about what her hair color will be. Both DH and I were blond as kids. His turned brown fairly early. Mine started darkening in my 20s, now it's dark blond to light brown and going grey. DS is very blond. Right now she has some reddish brown hair but, I think she'll loose it like DS did.

We have Avery's baptism on Sunday. FIL is coming in tonight but only staying one day. My family is too far away and the rest of DH's family was busy. So, it will be a small group of friends only. The older I get the more I realize that sometimes friends are better than family.

[lauren f s]

The older I get the more I realize that sometimes friends are better than family.
Because you can choose your friends ;).

I think James is going through a growth spurt. He didn't nap - at all - on Sunday and spent all day Monday sleeping, went to bed early, and spent all yesterday sleeping. In those two days he'd normally take 8 bottles and he's only taken 4! When he's awake, though, he's ravenous and scarfs down his bottle or, if I'm home, nurses constantly. Is it bad that I'm more than a little happy he's taking half the normal amount of bottles because this puts less pumping pressure on me? I've been so worried that I would have to supplement with formula (I know there's nothing wrong with formula, I'd just prefer not to if I can) and these few days of eating less are building up my freezer stash!

[happy1nuv]

dh took off Monday to accompany us to the drs.... Nic's 2 year visit and Joe's 2 month visit.

Joeys stats
Height: 23" (50th percentile)
Weight: 12 lbs 10 oz (75th %)
Head Circumference: 15" (50%)

[myshel]

We just got back fom an appointment with the LCs. I swear! They are so worried about weight gain that they wanted one last weight check to be sure. Here are the stats:

5/9 (ped): 8 pounds, 14 ounces
5/23 (LC): 9 pounds, 14 ounces

Yay! One pound in two weeks. I asked the LC about the fact that Carolina really only eats for about 10 minutes and is done. She had me feed C there and did weights before and after. Apparently, in a 10 minute nursing session, the girl drinks about 3 ounces. The LC seemed pretty impressed with that.

The LC did question why I didn't pump when C only eats from one breast (which she has always done) at a time. Do any of you do that? I tend to feed her from one breast and then offer the ooposite one at the next feeding.

[lauren f s]

Myshel: I don't. With both kids I just nursed them on one side at one feeding, then the other side at the next feeding. I know I *should* pump on the side James doesn't nurse on when he's finished, but I don't feel like it. I pump at work and when I'm home I don't want to deal with it. I nursed Ava 13 months this way and she was perfectly healthy! I think it's fine that you're doing it.

[Tonysweetie]

myshel: YAY for NIP! Also awesome she gained a whole lbs. in 2 weeks! :)

Eye color: DS eyes were grey at birth and they have turned to a very pretty bright blue. I'm hoping this stays.

Hair falling out: Is anyone's elses DC hair falling out? DS had a nice head of blond hair and on the sides he's gone bald.

Thanks girls for giving me some words of encouragement. It's just so hard to have a flabby tummy when I just had a flat tight one 11 months ago. *sigh* I did start working out and lifting some light weights this week and I got up this morning and weighed 2 lbs. less. YAY!!! :) Hopefully if I get these pesky 20 or so lbs. off I'll be back to my old self or close to it.

I'm SOOO excited. DH and I are going to go stay in a hotel on Sunday night. We are staying at the Hilton where we stayed on our wedding night. We feel we need some "reconnection" time. So were leaving DS with my Mom overnight. I'm extremely nervous to leave my little man overnight but I know he'll be fine. Must go shopping tomorrow night to get something cute to wear to dinner and maybe a haircut. :D

[kimthebride]

Single Breast Feedings
I feed from one per session. But if I pump, I pump both at once.

Hair
DD was born with dark brown hair (serisouly, is she even mine?!), but now its falling out and she has the middle-aged-man receding hairline look. Very attractive.

DH has light brown hair & I have light blonde. DS is almost 2 and still light blonde, but his lashes are a little darker. DD's dark hair is falling out, but she has very light blonde lashes & brows. So who knows!

We knew having kids would be a crapshoot as fas as coloring. DH & I are both fair. Both his parents are olive skinned, dark hair & hazel eyes. My mom is a freckly redhead and father had black hair, olive skin & hazel eyes. Genetic soup, anyone??

tonys
Have a nice night out! DH & I have been away from DS, but never together. I'd like to try it sometime, lol.

myshel
DD eats fast too - sometimes these girls are just very efficient ;) . Sounds like all is going well!

lauren
You crack me up. :) But its true! My friends become family to me, and its because we want to spend time together a lot, lol.

Growth Spurt
DD is on her way. She is an ANIMAL when its time to eat, and she's waking a little more frequently at night too. I can't tell you how many poopy diapers I change a day. Girlfriend is growing out of clothes faster tan i can wash them!

[myshel]

hair color: DH has thick, black hair (FIL has the same hair, MIL is/was blonde). I have thick, dak brown hair (both parents have thin brown hair). DS was born with brown hair, but as he's gotten older it's become a light brown-- way lighter than mine. His hair is also pretty thin. DD was born with very dark brown hair, nearly black. She hasn't started sporting the old man hair yet, so it's a bit early to tell what color her hair will be. I'd love it if it was the same color it is right now-- really dark, almost like DH's hair.

[lauren f s]

Tonys: Have fun on your night out!

Kim: :D It's true! Friend are our adopted family!

Hair color: I have no clue what it'll be! James had light brown hair with a receding hairline when he was born. We joked that he not only got my dad's name for his middle name, but my dad's hairline as well ;) Then hair grew in up top, but it's falling out on the back. Poor kid! His lashes and eyebrows are light, light brown and his hair is darker. I have dark auburn hair, DH has light brown hair. My dad is bald, but his hair was my color, my mom's is black. MIL is blond, FIL has black. Ava's is light brown. So who knows what it'll be! I expect it to be light brown, though.

[diedra1027]

The LC did question why I didn't pump when C only eats from one breast (which she has always done) at a time. Do any of you do that? I tend to feed her from one breast and then offer the ooposite one at the next feeding.Umm..yeah, because you don't have anything better to do, right?? ;) I try to feed him from both sides at each feeding, but if he only takes one I do exactly the same thing that you do...I can tell by feel which boob has more milk in it and I always start him on the fuller boob (or I start on the 'faster' boob first if I can't feel a difference between the two volume wise).

Hair - Ian is the baldest baby that anyone in my family has ever produced. I'm totally used to a new baby with a full head of hair and Ian came out with male pattern baldness (or 'The Friar' as my aunt calls it) - no hair on top with a little bit on the sides. It's starting to come in and it's pretty reddish-blond. My kiddos hair color is something I wasn't expecting - I appear to have the dominant features and I have very dark hair (DH has dark blond hair). Avery was born with jet black hair and it changed to a blond/brown and Ian's looking to follow the same pattern. Avery's hair color changes with the seasons right now (Really blond in the summer, darkens through the winter), but I'm guessing they'll both end up with browner hair as they get older.

[sunni76]

Hi ladies! We finally have our computer back up and running:) I was beginning to go a bit batty!! Hopefully now I'll be able to keep up with everyone:)
Nolan is doing great, he was 10 pounds at his 1 month dr. visit, and his 2 month is next Fri. already! Time is going way too fast.
Nursing is going well. I usually just nurse one side at a time, and I try to pump almost every morning to build up my freezer stash for when I go back to work (next week already!!). I have over 100 ounces, so I'm feeling pretty good about it.

[myshel]

OMG! Fussiness! For the love of all that's holy! My sweet, docile little girl has hit the fussies big time. She was fussy last night during all of Lost (damn it!) and is again this morning. I know that it can't be anything having to do with breast feeding because she quietly took the breast during all of her feedings last night. I think it's the three week growth spurt. ARGH!

[MarriedaGoalie]

I can't believe my little man is 2 months old today! OMG How time flies!!

I am so proud of myself. I did so well last night with putting Carter back to bed. He went to bed around 9:45 and slept until 6:00 this morning. I fed him and put him back in his bassinet. He fussed for a little bit and then must have fell back asleep because I woke up at 7:30 and he was asleep. He woke up at about 8:00. One other thing I need to get in a better habit of doing is feeding him in the mornings. I can't remember the last time I fed him before I went to work. I am just so bad at getting up early enough to do it... I have to get better at that.

[happy1nuv]

single boob/feeding ~ yup, i do that too ... well, i try and do one boob/3 hours if i can remember (so if he eats and then wants a snack in 1 1/2 hrs he gets the same boob) ... never pump the other... did the same w/ nic and never had any issues... of course... nic could stay on the boob 24/7 w/o a prob... joe wants to eat and get off, but then he wants to cuddle the boob (i think i might still be a bit fast for him... so if he stays on sucking longer than he should, he always ends up choking... his fave position is a pacifier against a preferably bare boob... BOYS!

joe's been having a few fussy episodes lately, and im pretty sure its food related (he pretty much eats, is a tad fussy - but then he cries likes hes in pain and theres no stopping it ... he's done it a handful of times in the past 2 weeks) - im just not sure how to figure out what it is... i really dont eat that much dairy but a few weeks ago i was all about ice cream and he was fine... i have a feeling im going to need to do the elimination diet, but im dreading it...

[golfer_girl]

Giant Swaddling Blankets - did someone say they were from Australia? Could someone put the link in them. Seems my DD is so long already that I often have to reswaddle to get her toes in there. I used to be a champ at swaddling with my first one. I swaddled DS for 6 months! He slept like a champ.
I do have a few larger swaddling blankets but they were hand me downs and can't find the big ones.

myshel - good for you NIP. You'll get more comfortable with it. You'll have to :). Pretty soon you'll feel like the hesitation was silly. Go get a HH or a Honolulu Babies cover. It'll make you feel so much better. I always use mine and it really is great. Another thing, I always learned that it seems like people are focused and staring at you, but they're not. They won't think twice after they even pass you on a bench. Well, if you don't have anything to cover you up, then of course, people would be more shocked. It's not as big of a deal as you think it might be. Just smile and enjoy you're out.

Pacis - the larger sized paci's grossed me out. I used the small ones for my DS till he was done with them. I didn't want him getting used to a giant nipple!

[lauren f s]

his fave position is a pacifier against a preferably bare boob... BOYS!
Ha, that's the only way I can get James to take a pacifier, too! :rolleyes:

I've been feeling pretty down lately. I was a SAHM with Ava, so this whole working/parenting a newborn thing is new for me. It's been really hard for me to find a balance at home between the kids, cooking, laundry, housework, etc. Most nights I'll get home, feed James, pop him in the bouncy and start dinner. Halfway through he's fussing, Ava's all over me trying to "help", and I'm a nervous wreck. Dinner is quickly finished, DH & Ava eat while I comfort James, then DH takes James so I can eat. Then James goes to bed, I bathe Ava, she goes to bed, then I decide if I want to clean or sleep. It's awful. And it doesn't help that when I pick him up each day he's smiling and so happy for his sitter, but rarely smiles for me (Ava, all the time; me, not so much). I've just felt like he doesn't need me for anything other than food. And it hurts. So I spent much of yesterday talking with my best friend, who went through all these same feelings a year ago with her DD, and then I talked with DH, too. For the time being, when I'm home, I'm focusing on the kids. Dinner can be sandwiches, tv dinners, take-out, or eaten late. But for my sanity (and my slowly breaking heart), I need to spend what few hours James is awake in the evenings with him. Laundry & cleaning can wait for the weekend. I really need this time with my kids and DH sees that and agrees. So the four of us hung out last night, ate mac & cheese for dinner, and had a nice night. The first truly enjoyable night for us all in a while. I'm happy :)

[sunni76]

lauren It's so hard to find balance! I remember that feeling well when I went back to work after Macy was born, and I am dreading it again this time when I go back again. It's just that you feel so stretched out like you are about to break! That's how I felt anyway. I'm glad you are going to take it easy and spend as much time with James as you can. No one will suffer if you have simple suppers and skip a bath here and there or whatever for a little while. I need to remember this when I go back too...:) The hospitals should send us all home with a cleaning service for the first few months:)

[lil_nance]

OMG! Fussiness! For the love of all that's holy! My sweet, docile little girl has hit the fussies big time. She was fussy last night during all of Lost (damn it!) and is again this morning. I know that it can't be anything having to do with breast feeding because she quietly took the breast during all of her feedings last night. I think it's the three week growth spurt. ARGH!

Must be something in the air. Avery has been fussy too. Last night she screamed from 8-12:30 except when eating. She's been good today. Sleeping a lot. We're planning on leaving the kids with my FIL and his lady friend tonight. DH & I are going to the movies. :D

[myshel]

Nancy: The irony is that after a long nap on Momma (because if I put her down anywhere else, screaming would ensue), she's perfectly content to be in her diaper, propped up in the Boppy, with a binky. What the hell?!

I hope you have a great time tonight at the movies!

We're going to a dinner tonight; it's at my department head's house. We're taking Carolina because everyone wants to see her. She's also pretty portable. Luka, on the other hand, is going to go play with his cousins. I feel bad about not taking Luka too, but these people have a beautiful house that could be destroyed easily by even the best behaved toddler.

[myshel]

Lauren: I completely understand how you feel. When I went back, at 4 weeks pp, after Luka, I struggled greatly with the balance between family, house, and my job. It's especially hard because teaching is a profession where you must bring home some amount of work. I got very good at doing as much work at school as I could. It also meant that my grades didn't get done as quickly as I would have liked. If I needed to do schoolwork, I always waited until Luka went to sleep to start on it. As far as housework goes, honestly, I'm not the type of person to spend days and days cleaning my house. I think since having kids, we've become even more lax. We, meaning DH and I, basically clean on Saturday mornings. In terms of spending time with Luka, and starting in August, the two kids, I've told myself that they will not remember the day to day activities. They'll have a faint memory of being loved abd doing things, but the specifics will fade. I've been told by many, many people that it's easiest to allow the guilt to pass when the children are young, because they don't have the memory. It's when they get older and have sharp memories that being there counts. Now, I'm not sure that I buy into that 100%, but all of these working women who have said this have great relationships with their adult children and feel like they've done the best they could. I'm sure what you're doing is the best you can do. That's perfectly fine.

I agree with sunni; they should send us home with cleaning service and a chef!

[pg_jess]

golfer girl - It was me with the big swaddling blankets...Aden & Anais. The website is www.adenandanais.com I believe. :)

[Tonysweetie]

DH & I are going to the movies. :D

Have fun!

[kimthebride]

FP Rainforest take-Along Swing
Love this thing! She napped for 3 hours this afternoon in it.

Miracle Blanket
They aren't kidding! She was freaking out, and the moment I put her in it she shut right up. Has been chilling out ever since.

fussies
Oh yeah, they are here too!

Muslin Blankets
I will be ordering a pack of these for when we're out. She likes to have her arms wrapped (like a lame swaddle, lol) when I have her out & about in the stroller. On warmer days, I think the flannel blankets are a bit too much.

Balancing Work & Family
I can't imagine - it must be really tough & demanding!

Tired
I am tired. Just thought i'd share.

[lil_nance]

We just got back from seeing Shrek 3. It's cute. The miracle is when I left DS was still awake and playing cars with grandpa and DD was screaming her head off to his friend. We arrived home to silence. Both kids are asleep...at the same time. Ahhhh. Think I'll invite FIL down more often. ;)

[MarriedaGoalie]

Balancing work and family: I have to admit... it is tough! The only nice thing is that since I don't cook, that is one less thing I have to do at night. It is really going to be tough when I go back to school in August... I'm not sure how going to school, working and having a 5 month old is going to be...?! We'll see!

[lauren f s]

Ahh, I wish I didn't cook! I hate it! I love baking, but cooking? Not so much! But if I leave dinner to DH poor Ava will be eating tons of carbs, very few veggies. James went to bed at 8 tonight, we were eating dinner by 8:30. Thank God for 30 minute meals!!

[Tonysweetie]

Family: All I have to say is thank goodness for 10 minutes frozen skillet meals or we'd have a problem. I don't mind cooking as long as it doesn't take me hours in the kitchen.

Well I left DS with DH today and went out shopping after he got home from work. I came back w/nothing. I tried on so many things and if I find something that fits in the waist it's HUGE in the butt and legs. I think until this belly sag (please tell me does go away eventually) goes away I won't be able ot get back into regular jeans. So for right now I'm wearing my maternity stuff and stretchy things. Great.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend!!

[myshel]

TS: I always have had luck at Old Navy in finding things to fit my oddly shapped post-pg body. Yes, the belly sag does get better. I won't lie though; your body is never quite the same as it was before. For a lot of women, the hips cause issues (as it did for me).

Nancy: Yay! I'm so glad you had fun at the movies. Your FIL can stop by my house to put my kids to bed. ;)

Meals: There was a point where I was going to come in and ask all of you what you cook for meals because I was having a dickens of a time thinking of things that were easy and quick. It looks like I'm not alone.

Last night was fun for us. DS went to play with his cousins (and was miraculously alseep when we picked him up), and we went to a dinner party. Everyone at the dinner party wanted to hold Carolina, so I finally got a chance to not have her clinging to me. I enjoyed that as it seems like I'm the only one who can soothe her these days.

We also had a good night of sleep. I fed C at 11 pm and put her down. She slept until 3am an woke again at 6am. Pretty good, I'll say.

[lauren f s]

Yea for all the mamas get out ALONE! How nice! I'd love to go out somewhere other than work!

TS: I don't know where you're shopping, but stay out of the juniors dept! I was 22 after I had Ava and while before the things there fit me wonderfully, after they didn't. I was so depressed until my mom made me move to the women's side. Things fit!

Meals: I get made fun of for it, but I swear by 30 Minute Meals. I have several cookbooks and am always copying recipes off the Food Network website. I know Rachel Ray can be a bit much, but her meals are quick, easy, mostly nutritious, and good. I hate that most fast, pre-packaged dinners are full of salt and fat. I can make a 30 minute meal in just as much time and it's good for my family! I also <3 my crockpot. I'll throw something in there on my way to work, come home and make a salad and we're ready to eat!

[kimthebride]

Fast & Tasty "recipe": Tomato Basil Chicken w/ Rice & Veggies
Get the Perdue Perfect Portions chicken in tomato basil
http://www.perdue.com/files/6832_361x361_2.jpg

Pour some Progresso Italian bread crumbs in a bowl and mix in a couple tablespoons (or so) of Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil Garlic seasoning
http://www.healthyheartmarket.com/ProductImages/24633.jpg

Preheat over to 375.
Coat the chicken in the crumb mixture.
Bake on one side for 12-14 minutes.
Flip and bake on the other side for 12-14 minutes.

Microwave a pack of Uncle Ben's Long Grain & Wild Rice
http://www.unclebens.com/images/products/RRLGW.jpg

Microwave some Green Giant Simply Steam Vegetable Medley
http://www.bettycrocker.com/NR/rdonlyres/24421540-5B22-4048-941D-0A706EA9AF97/0/ss_brocCar.jpg

Top the rice with the veggies, serve beside the chicken which should be moist inside & savory.

You're eating in a half hour!

Crock Pot/Slow Cooker Q
DH doesn't like creamy stuff and I don't eat meat other than chicken breast. Is there anything I can cook with these machines that could be a real dinner? Are they the same thing?

[lauren f s]

Kim: You can put anything in a crockpot! I'm not a fan of creamy soups added so I never do that. I love to put chicken breasts (w/the bone; boneless gets dry too quick, in my experience) in with a can of Italian style diced tomatoes, garlic, some Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and a cup or so of chicken broth. Serve it over pasta with salad. Yum! The chicken cooks all day so it gets super moist and tender. Pasta takes a few minutes to cook. BBQ chicken is easy, too. Pour a bottle of bbq sauce in w/a chicken. Not much easier than that ;) Look at the crock pot thread here; they have tons of yummy recipes. I love my crockpot! I really hate cooking dinner and this makes it so easy. I put everything on in the morning before we leave for work. When I get home I make a salad and another side dish and we're eating in no time!

[Tonysweetie]

I love my crockpot as well. I use it a lot. My favorite is to make Spaghetti sauce and then boil some pasta when I get home and we eat with in 10 minutes or so. Also putting a pot roast in turns out juicy and tender. Yum now I'm hungry! lol.

Lauren: I shopped a little in the Jr. dept but mainly in the womens dept. I still didn't find anything. Like I said if I found a pair of pants to fit in the waist they were huge in the butt and legs.

[diedra1027]

Crockpot - Mine is bubbling away as we speak. Kim - I also don't really enjoy creamy soup based recipes, so I use my crock for simple meaty dishes. Tonight I'm making BBQ pork (seasoned boneless pork ribs, beef broth, and a few onions in the crock for 4 hours). When the meat is done, I'll shread it, mix in some BBQ sauce, and make pork sandwiches for dinner. I'm an allrecipies.com devotee, so all the best recipes I use come from there.

Other quick and easy meals - Soft Tacos: just brown the ground meat of your choice (we like ground turkey), mix in the taco seasoning, and serve on soft flour tortillas with the toppings of your choice. I recently found this Baked Ziti (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Ziti-I/Detail.aspx) recipe that is quick, easy and super tasty (I halve this particular recipe and I use a package of store bought Italian Blend shredded cheese instead of the specific cheeses called for). I'm a big fan of simple marinated meats for grilling or stir fry. I find the best way to get cooking done these days is to do most of the prep work during the afternoon nap (whenever possible), so I'll cut up meat and veggies while the kids are napping so I just have to throw everything in the pan when I'm ready. For working moms, maybe cooking and freezing on the weekend then just thawing as needed or one of those dinner prep places would be helpful.

[myshel]

I got out of the house for four hours today! I went to school for a life insurance meeting and stayed to work on my room. That thing is a complete nightmare! Anyway, C handled everything pretty well. I fed her twice in my room (shut off the lights, sat at my desk, and listened to the tv), which worked fairly well. I'm still not very good at not exposing myself just a little bit, particularly when I get started and finish.

In other news, I have another plugged duct. Damn it! It's the right one this time, right at the top of the breast. It's a strange place to get one, but I'll deal. I tried massage and pumping. It's softened up a bit, but still hurts. I see some ibuprofen in my future and perhaps a hot pad. Ick.

[golfer_girl]

pg_jess - thanks for the link, these are big, but aren't the muslin ones right? I might also have to get the muslin ones. Not only do I need big swaddling blankets, my girl gets hot! It's warm here and the flannel ones are too hot in the day.

Can someone repost the link for the muslin ones too?

Balancing time - I find that it's hard too. I have to admit, I pay for conveniences often. We eat out (more like take out) often, and just do the minimum to get by. I just catch up when I have the energy or time. (Really, you never have enough time.) It's just a fact of life. My mom's advice is first take a deep breath and just to let one of the little ones cry it out for a while while you finish what you're doing, and they'll all be fine.

myshel - I feel for you on the plugged duct! I'm plagued with them often too. I'm just getting over mastitis!!! I felt like H E double L for the last few days. I called my OB and got antibiotics. Luckily I didn't need to go in, but man, mastitis sucks!

MarriedaGoalie - what brand is your sling/carrier? I'm looking for an easy one for my sister in law.

[kimthebride]

Can someone repost the link for the muslin ones too?
http://www.adenandanais.com/
I placed my order at lunch and got a notice they shipped within a few hours. can't wait to get them!

Thanks for the crock pot info ladies - I will check out that thread and maybe buy one this weekend. It seems that EVERYTHING happens at once between 4-7pm, so I end up starting to make dinner after DS goes to bed at 8pm...yuck.

[lil_nance]

We had dinners delivered by my MOMS Club when Avery arrived. One of the easy ones I liked was meatballs & gravy. Turkey meatballs, Italian style from Shadybrook Farms in the fresh meat department mixed with 1 bottle of Boston Market beef gravy. Serve with beef rice or egg noodles. Quick and yummy. The meatballs are good with spaghetti sauce too. My DS liked it too.

Kim let me know how you like the blanket when you get it. I'm also going to check what they might have at the fabric store and see if that's an option for muslin.

[pg_jess]

golfer girl...The giant blankets and the muslin blankets are one and the same, at the website Kim posted.

nance...I have the blankets already and we love them. Expensive, yes, but they keep him swaddled and they're cooler than the other receiving blankets out there. When I mentioned them at my moms' group someone suggested just purchasing muslin at the fabric store. I'm sure that would work and it would certainly be much cheaper!

BFing madness...Things are going relatively well with the mechanics BFing, but there are days when I get so frustrated with how messy Ethan is! He dribbles milk everywhere (he can't keep up with the flow sometimes) and usually spits up all over me. Lately he's been spitting up a lot, to the point that I feel he's spitting up everything he eats, even though I know this isn't the case. It's frustrating for both of us. I'm forever doing laundry because he soaks 2-3 burp cloths at each feeding (we're going to Target this weekend to get more). It's trying. And then I feel bad because I'm frustrated and it really isn't Ethan's fault. Bah.

[myshel]

ROs: DH has conceded and is willing to let us get a double stroller. Which ones do you guys have? If you could also include a link, I'd be grateful.

[sunni76]

We still haven't bought a double stroller yet either...I'd appreciate any links too! I'm leaning towards a sit and stand type, but I'm just not sure.

[beinglizzy]

pg-jess have you tried to unhook him and re-attach? Sometimes I do this with Alex when he seems to need to catch his breath when the flow is fast.

[lil_nance]

He dribbles milk everywhere (he can't keep up with the flow sometimes) and usually spits up all over me. Lately he's been spitting up a lot, to the point that I feel he's spitting up everything he eats, even though I know this isn't the case. It's frustrating for both of us. I'm forever doing laundry because he soaks 2-3 burp cloths at each feeding (we're going to Target this weekend to get more). It's trying. And then I feel bad because I'm frustrated and it really isn't Ethan's fault. Bah. This is our issue. Plus I'm really beginning to wonder if we're dealing with reflux. I know it's not as common in BF'd babies. Avery often screams right after nursing, arching back, lots of spit up, etc. Her 2mo is next Fri. I'm debating waiting until then or going in earlier.

Crazy weekend going on here. Baptism tomorrow. Will be back to post more when I can catch my breath. Oh good news she slept a lot last night so I felt sort of rested. Yeah! Wonder if it was the margarita I had. ;) (nah, I pumped & dumped)

[lil_nance]

myshel We have the new Graco Quattro Duo. I like it. It's heavy but it manuevers fairly well. We wanted a double but didn't want to spend tons of $. I figure DS will be mainly walking within a yr. At that time we'll be using a single again or I might pick up a used sit & stand. FWIW DS loves our double. He can get in and out of his seat. And he likes that it's open, no bar. He seems very happy to sit there. The only thing he doesn't like is the sunshade, but that's just his issue not something wrong with the stroller.

[lauren f s]

No double stroller here. Ava won't sit in one. She does love to push James in his, though. We actually put her in his stroller last weekend, though, at the mall. We'd had a long day and were leaving my BFF and her kids (her DD & Ava are BFF's, too, cute!) and she was sooo upset. I held James and we popped Ava in. Times like that it'd be nice to have one. Good luck finding a good one, myshel!

Today was fabulous. Since coming back to work our weekends have been spent running errands and fighting James on naps. I went grocery shopping last night and spent today at home. DH took Ava out for breakfast and I put James in bed with me and slept until 11 :D It was heaven! James was in a fabulous mood all day. He'd play, eat, then easily go to sleep and take good, long naps! And he's been smiling like crazy, too. While he napped I was able to enjoy time with Ava and bake yummy cupcakes, something I've really missed doing. I've been so tense and stressed out lately and it's been sooo nice having a truly wonderful day with DH and the kids.

[Tonysweetie]

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day tomorrow!!! We are leaving DS tonight with my Mom and I'm already having a hard time with it as this will be the first time we've been separated over night. :*( BUTTTTT really looking forward to spending time with just DH and I.

We went and saw Pirates 3 last night. SO GOOD! A lot of violence though. I do not recommend it for any children under the age of 13. There were some things in there that would really scare children. What gets me is this was suppose to be a Disney movie. :confused:


ps Andrew slept 7 hours last night! YAY!!!

[kimthebride]

OMG OMG OMG OMG!
She slept OVER 7 hours last night! WOO HOOOOOO!
The stinker is that since she has been on a nighttime feeding frenzy lately I was so painfully engorged my boobs kept waking me up because of the pain :rolleyes: . But it was lovely! She slept from about 9pm-4:30am in the Miracle Blanket (God Bless This Blanket), ate from both boobs, then slept til about 8am.
She is now my favorite person for the day.
She has been waking me up in 2-3 hour intervals at night for the last week, getting me up for the day around 6am....icky icky yucky pooh. So last night was like a vacation day. :)

tonys
Have fun tonight!

lil_nance
How much smaller than the DuoGlider is the Quattro Duo? Any chance you'd post (or email me) a pic of C in it so I can get an idea? I'd like a travel stroller smaller than my Duette.

Gas
I noticed that DD is waaaaay more gassy than DS was at this stage. She burps like a drunken sailor every session! I never had to burp DS regularly, and i have to burp 1-2x every time with her. Otherwise she FREAKS OUT when she needs to burp.

myshel re:Double Strollers
I have the Peg Perego Duette which is very expensive BUT I absolutely love it, get asked about it wherever I go, and had no issues paying for it since I knew I'd get a lot of use out of it (DS loves the stroller, will nap in it, etc). here's a link to the Peg website:
http://www.pegperego.com/page.php?sid=0b4c363aa4f1cc891d4fb6391bff2977&pageid=UJVNL001&idf=05&idp=0000000108&cl=N

Check out the Double Strollers thread. You can "search this thread" by stroller name. I did a lot fo research and put it in there. I looked at the Phil & Ted's e3, Peg's Duette & Tender, Valco, Graco DuoGlider, Macs....there's so many to choose from!

As for buying tips, www.amazon.com often has CRAZY deals on doubles, particularly joggers, and often does free shipping. Alsso check on Craig's List & eBay. Oh, and moms pop onto the double stroller thread with sale info - I know there is a Mac SBS on sale for $250 from $500 link there right now. I am considering getting this as a travel stroller, it has all the bells 7 whistles & is pretty light.

pg_jess re: BF Madness
I feel the same way - at times (particularly around 3am) when I get so frustrated, I almost wish I was not BFing so I could smack DH awake to feed her so i can sleep...or when she's just on & off and i just don't want to deal with the infant stage anymore. Then I get more frustrated with myself for getting frustrated with her since she's just doing what's normal/natural for her to be doing!

NIP
(myshel I did this just for you!)
I had DH take a pic with my cameraphone of me Bfing DD in the Whole Foods at the Columbus Circle shops in midtown Manhattan at lunctime on Saturday of Memorial weekend. In other words, in the busiest, most-exposed place with the nosiest, pushiest people you can be around. :D And yes, I am also eating lunch at the same time....mmmm goat cheese salad!
Sooo....are you feeling inspired? ;)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/516189825_30c38da83f.jpg?v=0

[diedra1027]

pg_jess re: BF Madness
I feel the same way - at times (particularly around 3am) when I get so frustrated, I almost wish I was not BFing so I could smack DH awake to feed her so i can sleep...or when she's just on & off and i just don't want to deal with the infant stage anymore. Then I get more frustrated with myself for getting frustrated with her since she's just doing what's normal/natural for her to be doing!Ditto this. I think I fantasize about this tiny infant stage being over about a thousand times a day. Ian's been doing this thing where he'll be just about asleep and when I put him up on my shoulder to rock/pat him the rest of the way asleep he starts rubbing his face on the burp rag, triggering the rooting reflex, and he ends up rubbing himself awake and I have to start over at square one. Makes me crazy EVERY TIME. As for the spit-up, I'm actually pondering putting Ian in a bib for burping just to contain some of it.

[myshel]

kim: I saw your post in the sling/wearing thread and thought I'd respond here. I used a mei tai with DS when he was 1 month old. In fact, I wore it to hike in. The MT I had at that time was a hand-me-down from my sister. Here's a pic of DH wearing Luka when Lu was 4 months old:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/18/70079800_7d1e32416f.jpg?v=0

Here's another:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/70080260_54e530effe.jpg?v=0

DH is tall-- 6'3" and is well over 250 pounds and yet, I can wear the same carrier too. That's a big plus. I used the above carrier on Friday, wearing C while I did some light cleaning in my classroom. It worked just fine.

I just purchased a BabyHawk MT last week and got it on Saturday. I used it today for a little while, trying to garden. It was a little cumbersome for that, but it did put C to sleep. Goal achieved! ;)

I'll try to take a picture of us using the BH sometime today or tomorrow.

[kimthebride]

I'll try to take a picture of us using the BH sometime today or tomorrow.
oh thank you! i have been researching MTs all afternoon, and i like the look of those best....I am most intrigued by the headrest. In the baby wearing thread theres a link to a pic of a CCer BFing in it, and it shows the headrest fairly well but I want to be sure.

[Tonysweetie]

Were back! We had a fab time but missed DS so much. I almost couldn't wait to pick him up today. He didn't sleep well for my parents which made me feel bad but that's expected when you take babies off their routines. Hopefully he'll get back to his STTN schedule tonight. Having a 2 full days of alone time with DH was wonderful. I got myself a nice tan and a full night of not worrying about DS sleep! Even though Andrew STTN most of the time I still wake up to check on him every couple hours. We spent all day Sunday at the beach, DH surfed while I layed up on the beach to tan (Yes I did wear my bikini with my baby belly hanging out YEA!!! lol!). Then we went back to our room to clean up and went to dinner. We had a nice dinner right on the beach. It was beautiful and romantic. Then afterwards we went back to the room and ordered a movie and watched it in bed and cuddled. We were out by 11:30 and slept blissfullly until 10 this morning. It was great! Then we got up got some breakfast and went back to the beach. We stayed at the beach until 2 and got lunch then packed up to go home. We picked up Andrew a couple hours ago and I missed him SOOOO MUCH! I was so happy to see him. Now him and Daddy are napping in bed. :) I hope everyone else had a great weekends.

[myshel]

TS: I'm glad you had a great time with DH!

kim: Here are pics of Carolina in the BabyHawk. Please ignore the wretched state of my hair and face-- I didn't do my regular getting ready routine today! :o

BabyHawk from the back:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/519080844_f07fb541e9.jpg?v=0

A close-up of Carolina in the BabyHawk w/headrest:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/519108579_cd64f2da6d.jpg?v=0

Side view of Carolina in BabyHawk:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/519077750_87ae1016e6.jpg?v=0

So far, I've found the headrest to be very helpful. It keeps C's head in place really well. The material used in the BabyHawk is a bit more stiff than my other MT, which gives it a structured feeling. The only drawback I find with the BH is the fact that the bottom straps aren't super long. My older MT has bottom straps that wrap completely around the back and are tied in the front. I guess with my pp body, I feel like the BH straps are a bit short, but I'm sure they're fine.

[annielynn]

I know that it has been way too long. Finding the time to sit down at the computer is really an issue. ;)

I have been trying to catch up this morning with all of you. What a busy busy thread. I am very happy to hear that everyone is doing so great and that these babies are getting big and strong.

Update on us: Claire is getting big and sleep is going pretty good. The last couple of nights she has woken up around 3am. But when I go to feed her she falls asleep within 5 mins and is out until 6am. I don't think that it will be long before she is STTN. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

After weeks and weeks of trying I have decided to discontinue trying to BF. We even took her to an Oral Muscular therapist to see if that would work. I am doing exercises on her cheeks and gums 3 times a day to help build up the muscle in order to make BF easier but she still has the same issues she did when she was born. So as much as it breaks my heart, I have decided to be an Exclusive Pumper. I know that she is getting the best that she can get from me. I am hoping and praying that have the strength and supply enough to make it to at least 6 months. If I can make it that long I will go to 9 and maybe even a whole year. I would be over the moon happy with that.

I go back to work on Monday and I am not looking forward to it. The rest of this week I am dedicating myself to getting a routine/schedule down pat in order to get my to work on time. I already know that I will have to get myself up, showered, dressed and pumped. THen it is the kids turn whoever wakes up first. I am thinking that it will take me a good 1.5 hours to get ready in the morning. YIPPEE. :)

Before I go, a new picture....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/alynn0903/may%202007/5_28_07006.jpg

[wendstress]

We're here.... We're hectic....

Love you all..... I'll try to be back sometime soon with an update!

[kimthebride]

Thanks myshel! I just ordered one, and can't WAIT to get it. I think it was the head support that sold me. (yours is cute, btw!)

annielynn
Wow, you did a LOT to keep BFing. i am very impressed! I'll keep everything crossed that pumping works out for you.

tonys
Glad you had a nice time with DH!

wendstress
Hello, Miss Drive By! ;)

As for us....
I was complaining a while ago that I hate eating late at night but that's when DH likes to and the only chance as of late for me to make a meal. I've just been cooking, shoveling food in me around 9pm and then up with Ava every 2-4 hours at night (exhausted, obviously). I am happy with just a bowl of cereal around 6pm - dinner's just not my thing. I have been eatin like this just to have something in me to keep up with the milk factory and give me some energy.
Wellll....or the last few days I have been eating a big lunch then just cereal & fruit for dinner and *knock knock knock* Ava has been sleeping 7-8 hour stretches! Like from 8pm-4am, then passes out after that and sleeps til 7:30am or so. SWEET! Needless to say, I just bought 6 boxes of cereal at Target today to keep up the routine ;) .

Crying baby. bbl

[pg_jess]

annie - I'm also impressed at the BFing efforts. Good luck with pumping. I hate pumping, so I feel for you! But like you said, at least Claire will get momma's milk.

TS - The getaway sounds lovely. DH and I are pondering something similar for our 5-year anniversary in July. My parents are in San Diego, so we might head down there and do something. I don't know if we'll leave Ethan overnight or not. I guess it depends on how he's sleeping by then! :)

kim - Congrats on the sleeping routine! Hopefully the cereal and fruit thing continues to work out for you.

As for us, I think we're really close to sleeping through the night. So close I can taste it. Ethan eats his last meal of the evening anywhere between 8 and 11 (some nights even earlier) and invariably wakes up again to eat between 3 and 4. He does this no matter what time I put him to sleep. After the 3/4 feeding he'll usually go back to sleep but not for very long. Today he slept until almost 8 and I was so proud I wanted to have a party.

I don't think hunger is what's preventing him from STTN. I think it's all the other issues. He'll break a leg free from the miracle blanket or spit up or have a dirty diaper or all of the above, and then he decides he wants to eat. :) At least it's only once a night. As long as I go to bed early enough, I'm okay.

I also have to return to work next Monday. My sister will be in town to watch Ethan, so it will be like training wheels for me in terms of leaving him. I only have to work for two weeks before I'm out for the summer, so it shouldn't be too bad. I am worried about daycare in the fall though. I'm torn between a family daycare situation (I don't want to send him to the house of a complete stranger) and a center (I don't want him to be ignored in a crib all day). WOHMs, what are your daycare plans?

[juliemag]

Daycare: My office has a daycare onsite, however there isn't a slot for Jackson until October. :rolleyes: So, my dad is taking him Tues/Thurs halfdays - DH can take him the rest of the day. Then, my good friend who has the summer off will take him M/W/F until she goes back to school mid-August. Then, I have to find someone who'll cover the M/W shift. My mom is going to take every Friday off as a vacation day. If we make it through this without a hitch, I'll be impressed. My poor boy will be all sorts of confused I'm afraid.

I apologize for being MIA... I read daily, just dont have time to post!

[MarriedaGoalie]

Daycare: We have Carter in a daycare not too far from our house. It is a lady that is registered through the state and has three other children in her home. We love her! Our daycare is $110 per week.

I just thought I would share a couple of pictures... my little guy is getting so big!

http://images23.fotki.com/v868/photos/1/1116680/4987978/IMG_4135-vi.jpg?1180417378

http://images23.fotki.com/v858/photos/1/1116680/4987978/IMG_4140-vi.jpg?1180417420

http://images24.fotki.com/v864/photos/1/1116680/4874880/IMG_4095-vi.jpg?1180396036

[diedra1027]

We just got back from Ian's 2 month WBV.
Height: 23.5" (75th)
Weight: 13lbs 12.5oz (90th)
Head: 41cm (75th)

My goodness, this is a whole different experience than with Avery. Weight wise, he's grazing the top of the curve in the 90th percentile and she's scraping the bottom of the curve at less than 5th percentile! At 2 months old, Ian is only 8 lbs lighter than Avery at 2 years old :eek:.

Daycare - I don't know yet whether we are going to need to do daycare or not. My perfect ideal would be to have a nanny caring for both kids in our home. I've been checking costs and in my area a nanny, even going through an agency, is comparable or more affordable in some cases to the available daycare options.

[lauren f s]

I've been trying to come by and post all day but things keep coming up!

James has thrush. My boobs have been itchy for a few days now and over the weekend we noticed a few white spots inside James's mouth. I called his dr. and a prescription was called in for both of us - meds for James and a lotion for me. He has his 2 month well check tomorrow, so the thrush will be looked at then.

Sleep: James still wakes twice a night, which I'm okay with. I know he'll sleep completely through the night soon enough. And besides, he's only up for maybe 10 minutes, so it's not a big deal. Right now he goes to bed between 8-9, then is up at 1, and up at 5. I'm trying to push him back to waking at 2 so that he'll then wake at 6 and after I feed him I can get ready for work.

Daycare: This has been a bit of an issue with us. Ava isn't too expensive since she's 3.5 and potty trained. James, naturally, is. My SIL was watching James for us and that worked wonderfully. She adores him, he's crazy about her, and he was getting tons of love & attention every day. However, she lives with my super flaky MIL and one day didn't show up. DH had to take the day off work to stay with James. Apparently MIL didn't feel like waking her up :rolleyes: I was furious and we were ready to send James to daycare but ended up sitting & talking with MIL and SIL. SIL really wanted to keep James so we stressed that it's a job and she has to show up every day. No excuses. And if she thinks she can't make it over, she can spend the night (which she did last week). So SIL is keeping James now and it's working best for us. We pay her $75 a week and James gets tons of attention and (HUGE PLUS) she's been cleaning my house while he haps! It's heaven coming home to a perfectly cleaned house every day!

Kim: Way to go Ava!! And keep up the fruit & cereal diet, seems to be working :D

Annie: Good luck pumping! I do it 3 times a day at work. So far I've found that I have to eat a good breakfast and lunch and drink lots of water to get a good amount pumped. I also snack on oatmeal cookies and swear that they help, though I think I really just enjoy a good excuse to eat a cookie ;)

TS: Glad you had a nice weekend!

Very beautiful babies!!

[happy1nuv]

Sleep ~ The past two nights, Joe has only gotten up once! AND, last night, he spent the WHOLE night in his co-sleeper (i usually fall asleep while he's eating so he ends up sleeping with me at least part of the night...I don't mind, but it makes dh crazy to think we might be heading down the same path as Nic)

Easy dinners ~ Just had to share...one of my fave things to do for dinner lately is to make pasta. Throw frozen spinach, an avacado, 2 cloves of garlic, juice of one lemon, salt and pepper (and a can of artichoke hearts too if i have them) in the food processor and throw over the cooked pasta -- the pasta heats the sauce enough, its yummy and healthy! and VERY quick! (i take the spinach straight from the freezer - no thawing) ... I've done the same with peeled tomatoes and walnuts as a base, but it takes longer since you have to blanch/peel them... i'm experimenting with other combos too since its sooo easy!

We're doing Nic's 2nd birthday party this weekend, which is why I'm so mia lately... just no time to keep up. Hope all is well with everyone!!

[lil_nance]

We had a busy but fun weekend with friends visiting. They left early Mon. Last night was horrible and so far today hasn't been great. I strongly suspect that Avery has reflux. I'm trying to wait out going to the dr. until her WBV on Fri. However, I think I have to at least call the ped tomorrow. Part of the time she's fine the other she's screaming her head off (like now). DH has been helping but we're both feeling frazzled. It really stinks and makes me not enjoy this newborn stage. I was in tears today at playgroup, so tired.
Sorry no shout outs, I'm just too exhausted.

[myshel]

daycare: For the next school year, my dad will come to our home to watch Carolina. We had the same set up for Luka, except my dad lived with us at the time. After next school year, we'll put C into the same daycare center that Luka attends. It's connected to DH's work, and we've had a great experience there with Luka.

stop with the plugged ducts! I got two plugged ducts yesterday on the same breast (left this time). I knew they're were coming on, but went to DH's softball game with the kids anyway. After the game, I drove home in a haze. By the time I got home, I was running a fever of 102.5 and shivering like mad. Luckily, I got them worked out by midnight, but the feeling crappy finally wore off at 4 am.

growth spurt? For the last few days, C has been up for longer stretches, eating like a fiend. In a two hour time period, she'll eat for 10 minutes (usual eating length), get drowsy, wake up, eat again, get drowsy, wake up, eat again... well, you're seeing the pattern. I'd say that easily, in a two hour time period, she'll eat a minimum of 3 times. Last night, she was up at 1:30-- 2:15am (at twice in a 45 minute time period and wouldn't settle down until she had), 4:30-5:15am (ate twice again), and then up at 6:00 am. Someone please tell me this a growth spurt. C is 4 weeks old as of yesterday. Also, someone please reassure me that this will pass and that she'll start sleeping longer stretches at night. This morning, I was bitching, and DH said, "Michelle, she's not doing this to be spiteful. She's just a baby." It amde me realize that I'm losing my temper a bit more, but I retorted back, "Yeah, but I'm the only one who has to deal with this. You get to sleep through it and then go off to work all day." He didn't really have much to say to that.

[lauren f s]

Nancy: I'd call her dr now. Maybe they can get you in for the checkup today? James was supposed to have his on Friday but I got it moved to today because of his thrush.

Happy: Yummy dinner idea! Thanks for sharing! Happy early birthday to Nic!

Myshel: It sounds like a growth spurt ot me. I don't think kids follow a definite timeline for these, because I know James hit one last week, at 7 weeks. All that crazy eating and being up sounds like one to me. It's easy to get frustrated, esp. when you're the only one up at night dealing with it. I get so irritated with DH for not understanding just how hard it is. Here's hoping it ends soon!!

[happy1nuv]

michelle ` its a growth spurt! And, it will pass... HUGS!!!

[diedra1027]

myshel - sounds like a growth spurt to me too. Should pass quickly...on the bright side all that nursing is probably pretty helpful in getting those plugged ducts cleared.

[kimthebride]

The