September 2007 Moms: Experiencing the fun of sleep deprivation

[DisneyGirl]

If I lived in the state where Dh and I grew up I am not so sure I would be as bored since all my friends and family are there. Now, If only I could get them to move here casue there is noway in the world I will be moving back to NJ since the cost of living there is way to high for me. My life is much more comfortable here and I'm not living pay check to pay check anymore.

Jess both my other kids could drink out a straw at around a year. Not sure what is "normal" though.

[Taurus]

I really, really wish I could pick up all my family and friends and move them to a less expensive state. We swoon every time we see what we get for the cost of our house in another state. Sigh.

[emschwar]

So here's my day today (copied from my lj - I didn't feel like re-writing):

Today started as one of those totally ordinary, run of the mill days, and ended up decidedly NOT.

Boring morning, blah blah blah. Went to pick Noah up from school. Left a little early because Mr CrankyPants decided he didn't need no stinkin' nap at 10 and by 11:15 he was exhausted. Anyway, got to school early and the kids were outside playing and I went into the cubby room to get the various art out of Noah's cubby. And then all the kids came inside.

Why? Because there was a freaking FATAL SHOOTING a block and a half from the school. Some whacko high schooler shot someone else at the exxon station WITH A COP SITTING IN HIS CAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM and then took off. One of the moms in our class saw the whole thing. Every cop in the city (county?) was called on scene as they searched for the gunman. Locked down 6 public schools in the area and the private ones too (including ours).

15 kids, 12 parents (some kids carpool), 3 teachers, 3 toddler younger sibs and 2 infant younger sibs all in the school (basically one room - it's a tiny co-op school) FOR 2.5 HOURS.

The kids were absolute champs through the whole thing. They didn't have a clue what was going on and had a great time playing. They especially enjoyed their lunch of frosted mini wheats (no milk), potato chips, crackers, pineapple and apple juice. Some of them thought it was actually the best lunch they'd ever had.

Here's the news story - http://www.wbaltv.com/news/15834729/detail.html They still haven't caught the guy.

[Bucktown]

Em~ :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Jen309]

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with the general public these days? People shot every other day, nobody assisting a mom with a baby, kids thinking it's ok to bring guns to school or show them off to friends... :confused::confused::confused:

By the way, Em, I'm glad everything worked out ok, but it's super scary and even worse that they haven't caught the guy, even with the police right there.

[TracyDP]

I really miss my family too. I moved away from them when I was 29 to come to Portland, OR. I was pretty messed up for a while, but eventually came out of it and married my DH. I LOVE Oregon and don't want to leave (as if DH would agree to that anyway :rolleyes: ) but I really do miss being close to my family. I was always close to my cousins, aunts, uncles etc. and it makes me very sad that Ellie isn't really going to know my side of the family. I feel some guilt over it sometimes since I was the one who ran away and left everyone and now Ellie will pay the price by not knowing them. DH's family here is step-family and we aren't that close to them. It's hard too because DH doesn't understand how close I used to be to my family so it's hard to get him to agree to take a trip to visit them. I am working on calling them and reconnecting with them because I am tired of feeling like a "lost sheep".

Sorry, I should be putting this in my journal not on here. I guess I'm basically saying that I know how all of you that are far from family feel. I'm tired and should just go to bed.

[Bucktown]

Hi Jess glad you came by! Gage seems to be doing really well and is on target with some of our babies (I remember you being concerned that he would start lagging behind). Seems like we both have some pretty big babies! ;) As for the straw, I haven't tried but I think I read in some other baby month thread's that moms had given straw cups vs reg sippies. Can't hurt to try!

Jen~ I have heard that MI is having a really hard time. I have a friend who has been trying to sell a house in Grand Rapids for 3+ yrs with no luck. He's dropped the price so many times I think he wouldn't even get enough to cover the mortgage. I think you're right re: IL. I only seem to have a problem with people not giving a crap in my home State. Driving is horrible We live near the Edens and it's a do or die to get onto the thing now. No-one ever wants to let you in to merge as if your going to make them 2 seconds late to their important lives. :rolleyes:

Taurus~ NU? Is that Northwestern? And where is that list? :p Posted somewhere online or on campus?

I want to know how you all get your stuff done and have time to get bored!! I'm lucky to get the dishwasher emptied, much less reloaded and a load or two of laundry a day!!

My Auntie who has 7 children would say 'You need to have more babies if you're bored' :p

Em~ I'm really glad you and the kids are ok. I just don't get it. :confused: Makes me sad and full of anxiety.

Tracy~ **hugs** Keep trying to get your DH to take some trips with you. I know if mine doesn't/can't go I just say 'see ya!'

[Jen309]

Bucktown No doubt re: the driving. I start fearing for my life once I pass I-80 :) I actually think driving in the City is easier b/c it's not such breakneak speeds.

We've got some friends who live in Detroit subs who got relocated and gave up trying to sell their house - they rent it out.

A little complaining here: the weather today is just dismal. It's rainy and windy and I had to run out by myself with the boys b/c we're going away for the weekend and needed things. Our basement will probably flood and the dog will have muddy paws for the next several days. Blech. :o Thanks for letting me ramble.

[TracyDP]

I've got a question that I don't really want to start a new thread for, and I couldn't find an existing thread that seemed appropriate.

I am looking for a "play yard" for Ellie, but not the portable ones. I am looking for the fence type that you can add too and make it as big as you need. We have a very large area in our living room that we never really use and it would be perfect for making a "corral" for her. It would be great because I can see that area from our kitchen. I will also need it next winter for keeping her away from the wood stove.

I have a HUGE cheap rug I got at IKEA for $20 that I want to put on the deck out back and put the corral up on it for hanging out outside this summer.

Any suggestions? I am not finding much searching online, maybe because I don't know the official terms for what I'm looking for.

[emschwar]

I've got a question that I don't really want to start a new thread for, and I couldn't find an existing thread that seemed appropriate.

I am looking for a "play yard" for Ellie, but not the portable ones. I am looking for the fence type that you can add too and make it as big as you need. We have a very large area in our living room that we never really use and it would be perfect for making a "corral" for her. It would be great because I can see that area from our kitchen. I will also need it next winter for keeping her away from the wood stove.

I have a HUGE cheap rug I got at IKEA for $20 that I want to put on the deck out back and put the corral up on it for hanging out outside this summer.

Any suggestions? I am not finding much searching online, maybe because I don't know the official terms for what I'm looking for.

Try the super yard.

[hmbay]

Tracy--I think you're referring to something like this:

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=488757&parentCategoryId=85183&categoryId=85217

http://content.onestepahead.com/assets/images/product/detail/12823.jpg

I know I've seen them places other than one step ahead but I'm not sure where of the top of my head--Target maybe?

[emschwar]

Tracy--I think you're referring to something like this:

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=488757&parentCategoryId=85183&categoryId=85217


I know I've seen them places other than one step ahead but I'm not sure where of the top of my head--Target maybe?

Yep, that's the superyard. Babies r us has it - I'm not sure about target. We got ours at BRU.

[Jen309]

Yup, we have two sets of those... Got one at TRU and another at ShopKo... a K-Mart type place when they were going out of business. I think they're about $60-65 a set... if you get it from BRU/TRU keep an eye out for their frequent $off baby gate coupons.

[Taurus]

Drive-by post.

Bucktown~ Yes. I'm not sure if it's all digital now, but "back in the day" students would put themselves on a list, and then families could call and would get a handful of students' names/numbers. Try calling someone at Career Services (http://www.northwestern.edu/careers/) and ask if they still keep a list of students seeking babysitting jobs.

[TracyDP]

Thanks Em, Hmbay and Jen. That's exactly what I'm looking for. I think I'll order 2 of these from Wal-Mart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5983018)and just have them shipped to our store for free and pick it up. No stores in our area actually carry it in-store. One for inside and one for outside.

Onestepahead has a Deluxe playyard with extention kit included that would be good for the price, but with $30 for shipping I think I'll just buy 2 of the wal-mart ones and combine them for a large yard in the house and a smaller one outside.

Ellie is now, as of this morning, doing the "hop". She will be on her hands and knees then hop both legs forward by pushing off with her toes, then move her hands forward, then hop again, then move her hands. It's amazing how its like she just woke up knowing how to do that. I watched a story on some news show about how sleep is the time when your brain solidifies nueral pathways of things you practice during the day. So if you practice piano all day, then sleep well, you will be better at it in the morning when you wake up. They were talking about how all night test cramming is actually much worse than less nighttime studying and good sleep. Anyway, it looks like crawling and other baby learning works the same way. I guess I'd better get on the babyproofing this weekend!!!

Hmm, no one has posted since I did so I'll just add on my eventful evening:

First Big Scare We had our first really scary thing happen tonight. I was in the kitchen making Ellie's last bottle before bed and DH was playing with her in the living room. Suddenly I hear this choking sound...I drop the bottle and run for the living room, meeting DH in the dining room cause he is running into the kitchen. He'g got DD and I can tell she is struggling to breath so I grab her and immediate turn her over and stick my finger down her throat to see if something is in there. I didn't feel anything and she was still not really breathing so I gave her a few pounds on the back but nothing came out so I did a couple of heimlich pushes on her stomach (by basically putting my fist under her ribs and letting her body weight push her down). She gasped and sputtered and started to cry, but nothing came out of her mouth. She kind of coughed and gasped a bit more then her breathing seemed ok. I walked her around and sang to her until she calmed down, then asked DH what happened. He said he was just playing with her, lifting her up above his head. He said she was laughing then when he "dropped" her down into his arms she started the choking. Since she wasn't anywhere near anthing she would have put in her mouth all I can think of is 1) she choked on either her own spit or aspirated some spit-up [like when you drink and it goes down the wrong side] or 2) when DH brought her down into his arms it pushed her chest just the right way and it knocked the breath out of her. I had changed her diaper (nothing small enough to choke on around there) then handed her off to DH who just walked into the living room with her and it was only like 2 minutes later it happened, so I really don't think she actually had anything in her mouth to choke on. If she did then she swallowed it because I didn't see anything come out. I was more worried afterward that I'd hurt her putting my finger down her throat or pushing on her stomach/chest. I watched her closely for the next hour until she went to bed and she seemed just fine, happy and playing on the floor. I tell you though, I'm going to keep the monitor on a little higher volume tonight and check on her before I go to bed.

That was really really scary. Tomorrow I'm signing DH and I up for a infant CPR/first aid class. I have taken about 20 classes over the years for various reasons and that training just kicked in, but DH has only ever had one CPR class and that was probably 20 years ago. I don't know if he would know what to do if she really did choke and he was here alone with her. He was more freaked out by it than I was because of it so he wants to take the class. He just stood back and was like "Wow, you just knew exactly what to do". That's part of the point of staying current with CPR/First aid classes, so that it just becomes automatic in a stressfull situation. So, if you or your DH don't have any CPR or first aid training...get thee to a class soon!

[Jess71903]

Wow, tracy! I'm sorry that happened! It sounds like she did choke on some spit or something! Good for you and DH for going to a class.

I meant to post about your ordeal, Bucktown! That's awful! I don't know what's wrong with people! I was at 6 Flags when I was, oh, 8 months pregnant and sprained my ankle and fell. DH was in front of me and didn't see it happen, and when he realized he left me on the ground to get a chair. There were a ton of people around that saw it happen and they all just stared at me. I was so angry and embarrassed that I didn't take the chair. I wanted OUT of there!

I guess when I say I'm bored, I mean that I miss interaction. I have plenty to do and don't usually get it all done.

So, I guess we need a new thread, huh?

[Bucktown]

Tracy~ So so very happy your DD is ok!

Listen up here September babies, no more scares. You have met you quota!

Jess~ I totally remember you posting that story when it happened. I'm trying to believe that people are good but some make it really really difficult. :(

[DisneyGirl]

OKay its time for a new thread~!!! ANY IDEAD ON WHAT TO NAME IT???

[Jess71903]

What about something like "Sept '07 Babies gettin a move on" since they will all probably be getting mobile soon.

[jjohm]

jess: that works for me!

today, we saw alex get up on all fours and wiggle back and forth. then he fell flat on his face, but he had moved several inches!

[DisneyGirl]

crawling and walking our way to One....sounds corny..huh?

[TracyDP]

Title: Getting our groove on?

[Bucktown]

How about 'Getting Our Move on' :p (JK!)

[TracyDP]

How about 'Getting Our Move on' :p (JK!)

That's way better than mine. I like it! It gets my vote. :)

[Bucktown]

Hey, where'd everyone go?

How about Halfway to one, gettin' our move on. Disney, let me know if you want some help. :)

[Boskie]

I love Bucktown's suggestion!

[jjohm]

We must all be off chasing our crawling (or scooting) babies! I'm ready to go to another thread...Gettin our move on sounds fine to me!
http://files.blog-city.com/files/J04/60871/p/f/img_4485.jpg

shoot, i'll be back to fix the size...

[jodylovesscotty]

I think Zoë will be crawling soon too. She keeps getting up on all 4's.

[Peever]

Still lurking since DD was born 9/29...

Is anyone else still losing a lot of hair? I forgot how long this lasted with DS. I'm on a pretty strict e-diet with DD so I'm not sure what's "normal" for hormonal hair loss and when I should start being more worried about my diet. I just hate to have my iron checked again because I don't think our new insurance will pay for the labs, but oh well.

[TracyDP]

jjohm: Super cute pic! Love the little bare feet. Ellie LOVES to be barefoot and even though it's still a little chilly here I usually let her go without socks. I just check her feet occasionally to make sure they aren't cold. They never are, even when mine are cold in wool socks!
She's like her dad who loves to go barefoot in the summer. She got those hobbit genes from him. I always have shoes or slippers on.

Still lurking since DD was born 9/29...

Is anyone else still losing a lot of hair? I forgot how long this lasted with DS. I'm on a pretty strict e-diet with DD so I'm not sure what's "normal" for hormonal hair loss and when I should start being more worried about my diet. I just hate to have my iron checked again because I don't think our new insurance will pay for the labs, but oh well.

My DD was born 9/6 and I just stopped losing my hair about 3 weeks ago, so you should be doing better soon. It just stopped one day. I showered and realized I didn't have a hand full of hair after conditioning and it's been fine since.

Cloth diapers: Anyone else on this thread using cloth? I just last week bought 8 pocket diapers from a friend of mine that owns a natural baby stuff/cloth diaper website and we've been using them for about 3 days now. Ellie seems to actually really like them. She goes longer with the cloth dipes before she whines to be changed than she does with the disposables. This surprizes me, but in a good way. We still use a disposable for nighttime since she STTN and I'm not messing with a good thing to save 1 diaper. I think I'm going to go ahead and order enough so I only have to wash every 2-3 days. I tried the pre-fold dipes and covers...ummm, not so much :rolleyes: I think I'll stick to the all in one type.

[emschwar]

Peever - If I remember right, your hair loss with O lasted forever. I remember you mentioning it for a long time, probably because I was going through the same thing! I'm still losing lots of hair this time too.

[Taurus]

Still lurking since DD was born 9/29...

Is anyone else still losing a lot of hair? I forgot how long this lasted with DS.

Unfortunately, yes. I can't remember what happened last time either.

[Peever]

Tracy- I sure hope mine slows up soon because I'm going to be bald at this rate.

Em- I'm glad one of us remembers! ;) I seem to remember it taking a while with him, but I can't remember when it let up. I tried skimming my journal and haven't found anything yet, but it was funny reading about O as a baby. It's hard to think of him being the same age as N.

Taurus- I'm glad I'm not the only one. I can't remember much from when DS was little either!

[Jess71903]

Are we all just waiting on the new thread to post? I just came here to update on Sabre. She no longer has internet access at home. This is from her LJ:

I only have a few minutes, my computer time at the library is almost up. I checked in here on Friday with only 4 minutes left and only got to reply to one person before I got kicked off.
*Zach got two teeth. He's crawling, pulling up on anything and everything, and yesterday he cruised down the couch just a bit. He hasn't done it again since but I'm sure it will come soon. He's also clapping and saying "yay." He's also a crappy sleeper. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that boy. Jess~ I can't get on CC because the library IP is blocked, I'm guessing because Southerner lives here and she was getting on during all of the drama, etc. So if anybody is asking about us in our due date thread, that's what's up.


Gage is shaking his head now as if to say "no"...it's funny. I have been signing to him more often and I think he has signed "milk" to me a few times. I also do "drink" for his sippy, "more", "mom", "dad" and "finished", but he hasn't done any of those unless you count the likeness of "mom" as his thumb goes in his mouth ;).

[TracyDP]

Yeah, I was going to do a little "update" thing to see where everyone is at but was waiting for the new thread. I'll check in later and see where we're at.

[emschwar]

Jess - can you ask Sabre to PM me or email me or contact me on LJ? We can try to get her IP issue fixed if it's a problem on CC's side.

[DisneyGirl]

I am going to work on getting the new thread up....its just hard to keep it up..LOL

[September2007Mommies]

This thread is now CLOSED!!! Please visit our new one.

Disney

[emschwar]

New thread is here:
http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41041