June 05 Mommies - Walking our way to our first birthdays!!! [Archive] - Page 2

LIZNKEITH

10-09-2005, 09:58 AM

Hey girls! I'm back! Trip went very well and DD was fantastic on the plane. When we landed, all the passengers around us breathed a collective sigh of relief. She literally slept the WHOLE time! :eek:

Welcome, HedgeGirl! I'm finding a lot of lurkers are coming out of the woodwork now. Those of us with EDD's at the end of the month found it kind of difficult to settle in to one group.

QOTD
When Caroline was a week old, I swore in my sleep deprived stupor that we wouldn't have anymore. Now that the amnesia is beginning to kick in, I'm thinking we'll start trying for #2 around her second birthday. Funny because I always said I wanted 3 and DH said he wanted 2. Now we've swapped. LOL! I could go for 3 though. I love this motherhood thing!

Winter Coat
Haven't bought one yet and not really sure if we need one. Our winters are pretty mild here. I've been buying a lot of sweaters for her. I'm thinking layers and a hat will be enough for her.

Halloween
Caroline is going to be a lobster. I can't wait to see all of our babies dressed up. LOL!

Delivery
Had an induced vaginal with an epidural. I would have loved to go in to labor on my own and experienced the whole "surprise" element. Not to mention, attempt delivery without an epidural. Maybe next time.

LIZNKEITH

10-09-2005, 10:04 AM

Meri, Can you please change my age to 27. My birthday was Friday. :) Also, DH's age should be 35. Thanks! BTW, let me know if you need help with updates.

Mrs.Chappy

10-09-2005, 01:43 PM

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1532/1/63/82/41/61/6/661418263106_0_ALB.jpg

We experienced pumpkins last week..DS had no clue...it was more for us!!

here;s another
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1532/1/63/82/30/58/9/958308263106_0_ALB.jpg

LIZNKEITH

10-09-2005, 04:06 PM

I can't see the pics, Mrs. Chappy. :(

jmvan74

10-09-2005, 06:19 PM

Liz:That's great that your trip went well. Whenever I think about kids on planes I think of that old Bill Cosby skit with "jeffrey." Do you know what i'm talking about? :D I was looking at a lobster costume, too, but we decided to go with superman!

MrsChappy: So cute! I need to get a pumpkin and take some cute pics. First the rain needs to stop and DS needs to kick his cold.

Halloween: We ordered a superman bunting costume...well my mom did. Yah! I can't wait to get it.

Winter wardrobe: We were totally not prepared for colder weather! It just snuck right on in. We had so much summer clothes and didn't think too much about fall and winter. Now it's cold and we have only a handful of long sleeves and pants. One spit up incident and I'm doing laundry. Tomorrow DH and I are going to shop for DS. I'll probably buy everything big. He's so close to being out of 3-6months i feel like it would be a waste, so i guess we'll just roll and tuck 6-9 month clothing. Plus we are moving in to size 3 diapers! wow! The 2's are starting to resemble a speedo. :p

kimthebride

10-10-2005, 06:19 AM

The 2's are starting to resemble a speedo. :p
LMAO!

We did the same thing with Thomas since he'll be 6-12 months in the colder weather, it only makes sense.

Dreshny

10-10-2005, 07:27 AM

Kim: I don't get the sizing thing at all. Asher can still comfortably wear several things marked "3 mos," his 3-6 month outfits are still a little big (though that's what he's mainly wearing), and he's wearing Carter's "6 mos" onesies (though I think they're really 3-6 mos.) But though he may be a little shorter, I think he weighs at least as much as Thomas. :confused:

As for me, ILs gave me a $200(!) giftcard to Banana Republic for my birthday, and I want to use it, but none of the clothes there seem to fit with my new mom role....

sophiapb

10-10-2005, 08:05 AM

Welcome HedgeGirl!

Winter coat-We have a 3-6 month snowsuit, a 6-9 month snow suit and a sweater style bunting. Add in the bazillion blankets we have and Alexa should be okay.

Vent-I had a physical with full urine analysis and bloodwork done over the Labor Day weekend since I just wasn't feeling right (That's when I was taking multiple pregnancy tests :p ). The doctor's office sent me the results which showed slightly elevated cholesterol (I ate bacon and eggs the day before, am I an idiot?) and elevated leves of CRP which I had never heard of. The doctor's office than starts calling repeatedly leaving messages with my mom that I need to make an appointment right away and get medication for my test results, which of course freaks out her AND me. I call and leave messages but never get a live person. Finally after weeks of phone tag, I get the nurse and she tells me that I have a UTI and need to get some antibiotics. Fine, whatever, but thanks for scaring the crap out of myself and my mom with your vague messages of needing medication for my test results. I ask if the medication is safe since I am nursing and the nurse asks the doctor who assures me that it is. When I pick up the prescription, there's a big label on it that says "Not to be used while breastfeeding". I tell the pharmacist I am nursing and the pharmacist says NOT to take the medication or if I do, to pump and dump. Well, that's what I'll do since I do need this medicine and there isn't anything to treat it with that IS safe for breastfeeding but I'm annoyed that I got different instructions from the doctor. Thank goodness I've got a decent freezer stash so Alexa will be on frozen breastmilk for th next 8 days (7 days of antibiotics and 1 day to get it out of my system).
The next day, I get ANOTHER phone call from the doctor's office saying that I need to take another blood test because my CRP levels are so high. I'm clueless as to what CRP is so they send me a New York Times article with "important parts" highlighted which says that CRP is a protein that has been shown to increase the risk of heartattacks and strokes. I'm reading the article getting more and more panicked until I get to an unhighlighted part that says that the level frequently increases in the "late stages of pregnancy". HELLO! I had twins May 26 which is in my chart. Did anyone think that my levels might be elevated because of that? I call up the office and they're like "Oh yeah, that'll do it." :confused: Am I dealing with morons? I'm going to go back and retest but will not use this doctor after all of this.

kimthebride

10-10-2005, 08:28 AM

Kim: I don't get the sizing thing at all. ....
Ugh! I hear ya...plus every brand makes things in a different fit, so he's completely in different sizes depending on what I buy. :rolleyes: Annoying!

YAY! for the gift card! I always liked BR's sweaters, jeans and long-sleeved tees...maybe you can buy a nice sweatercoat for fall or something like that? Treat yourself, you totally deserve it!!

ETA...

sophia, we cross posted. And I had to say WTF is WRONG with those people?! Geez.

LIZNKEITH

10-10-2005, 09:04 AM

Sizing
I can't get over how different it is with each brand...and with each child. DD is still in 0-3 stuff and just about to graduate from Size 1 diapers. Do I have a runt or something? :confused:

Sophia,
OMG, what idiots! Talk about scaring the crap outta ya.

tgr68

10-10-2005, 09:36 AM

LIZ~If you have a runt, then so do I. Shylah has yet to grow out of her 0-3 mos items (although we are transitioning to 3-6 mos.) and we are comfortably in size 1 diapers! :D

kimthebride

10-10-2005, 09:41 AM

Do I have a runt or something? :confused:
LOL, no!!
I was always a long, tall baby (and I peaked at 5' 9 1/2" tall when I was like 14 :rolleyes: ).
Just to give you an idea of how much height there is trickling around my family, my 3 1/2 year old niece is so tall she has been wearing a size 6X since earlier this summer. :eek: So my kid's the freak, not yours. ;)

tgr68

10-10-2005, 09:46 AM

kim~So my kid's the freak, not yours. ;) LOL! Not even! There is a little girl at our church who is 2 wks younger than DD and wearing 6-9 month clothing! :eek: That seems large to me, but it is becoming more of the norm.

sophia~Ooh! I would be soooo :mad: !!

jmvan74

10-10-2005, 10:42 AM

Sophia: What a mess. I swear doctors don't even look at your charts when they meet with you. Every time I met with a different doc at my practice, I had to fill them in...read the info! I'm sure your fine.

Do I have a runt or something?

LOL! I think boys are normally a bit bigger than girls at this age. Collin is over 16lbs and about 25inches long. He fits in 3-6 for some brands, but mostly he is really moving in to 6-9months. As for the diapers...I know once I start getting leaks and his diaper is slouched down below his "milk belly" its time to move it up! hehe.

LIZNKEITH

10-10-2005, 11:06 AM

Whew! *Wipes sweat from brow* I was beginning to get worried. I'm so interested to see where she is on the charts when we go back to the Ped on the 26th. I have so many people tell me how tiny she is for her age.:rolleyes:
So my kid's the freak, not yours.
LOL! I hardly think so. He's a little doll!

tgr68

10-10-2005, 11:12 AM

Question~Does anybody out there feel like people are continually second guessing their parenting decisions? I know that it is our choice in how we raise our daughter, but it seems to me that "everyone's a critic" so to speak. :( I have been bombarded with statements such as "Well, now that she's getting teeth you have to stop bfing" and (when it's in the 70s wearing a sleeveless dress, tights, and I'm carrying a lightweight jacket for her when we go outside) "Why don't you get that baby's arms covered up" to "She needs to spend more time on her tummy" (after we've had two 15-30 minute tummy sessions that day)!! I'm beginning to feel rather overwhelmed!!

LIZNKEITH

10-10-2005, 11:52 AM

QOTD
I feel very fortunate in that I don't receive too much unsolicitated advice (and I hardly think that I'm doing everything right!). I did have a co-worker at 6 weeks pp who drove me crazy trying to tell me how to hold my daughter. I tried to ignore it as much as possible until it finally got to me and I snapped, telling her that she was perfectly okay. Don't second guess yourself. Your daughter is 4 months old and her head hasn't fallen off yet. You're obviously doing something right.

Mrs.Chappy

10-10-2005, 11:54 AM

tgr: i hear you totally..i smile and nod and say nothing...or 'he's fine'.

Sophia..what a mess!! Doctors know nothing!!(only some of them at least).

jmvan74

10-10-2005, 02:14 PM

The only person I seem to get a lot of unwanted advice from is MIL... I've started to avoid her altogether. She's given me grief about bfing from the start and continues to share how her other grandkids did just fine with formula and a nurse at her hospital even told her formula was best!!!!WTF!!! Shut up witch. You raised your kids.

kelseyledare

10-10-2005, 07:14 PM

QOTD: I haven't recieved too much unwanted advice, thankfully, other than regarding her flat spot. DD has a flat spot from always turning her neck to one side which (thankfully) she no longer does. But everyone kept telling me to put a toy near the weak side, and she'd look the other way. Well, what a novel idea :p ;If only I hadn't been trying all the time already :mad:

My DH did have his competitive older brother criticize the way he was holding DD when we visited for a family wedding. Like my DH hadn't been holding her just fine for the past 7 weeks... :rolleyes: I think some people just can't keep their mouths shut. :confused:

Size: My DD is in the size 2 Huggies and needs the 3-6 mos in pants/one piece outfits, but only the 0-3 in tops. Makes her clothes baggy by the time they're long enough :) . She's going for her 4 mos check up tomorrow so I'll be sure to post some stats. I'm guessing she's around 14.5 lbs, though. I keep reminding myself that BF babies put on weight more quickly in the first 4-5 months and then slim down vs. the more steady weight gain of a FF baby. We have found the Pampers Swaddlers to be a little bigger than the Huggies Supreme so DD moves from one brand to the other as she grows.

Sophia: I am sorry you had such a bad experience. It really doesn't sound like your doctor was taking the time to familiarize him/herself with you and your past medical history. Definitely find someone else who takes more time!

tgr68: I can't believe the BF comments you received... I guess I also have received the frequent tummy time comments, especially since DD is not rolling over yet. Like we're not trying :confused:

Megande

10-10-2005, 07:35 PM

QOTD-I have also been fortunate not to receive too much unsolicited advice, which is good, because I don't take it very well :). DH's 85 year old grandmother, however, thought we were torturing Dean by swaddling him. She kept saying things like, "Poor baby, they are trying to suffocate you!" I kept my mouth shut about that one, since she is DH's grandmother, and we don't see her very often. I kept wanting to scream, "they swaddled Jesus, and he turned out ok" :D

kimthebride

10-10-2005, 08:00 PM

I kept wanting to scream, "they swaddled Jesus, and he turned out ok" :D
L.M.A.O.!!!!

Basically, unless I *ask for advice*, am in a moms group event, or someone is currently a mom of a fairly young child, I really do prefer they keep their trap shut. :) DS is so far a clever, happy, healthy little boy because of the decisions Tom & I have made. We're doing just fine, thankyouverymuch.
So bugger off those of you in the real world who have so far "Advised" me that I am spoiling him, I am not paying enough attention to him, he should be BFd longer than I plan to, he shouldn't be BFd solely as long as I have been, he's too thin, he's too fat, I am over dressing him, I am underdressing him, I should bounce him to sleep, I should rock him to sleep, I should let him fall asleep alone, etc etc.
Sometimes I'd like to tell these people "Oh go f*** off with your unwarranted advice", but Tom prefers I smile politely. He totally cramps my style. ;)

tgr68

10-10-2005, 11:02 PM

Megan~I kept wanting to scream, "they swaddled Jesus, and he turned out ok" :D ROTFLOL!! This is halarious!!!! :D :D

kelseyledare

10-11-2005, 07:12 AM

they swaddled Jesus, and he turned out ok :D "

OMG, that's great!!!

Ferris

10-11-2005, 07:29 AM

LOL about Jesus being swaddled. I might have to use that one.

QOTD My family is pretty good about advice, but my MIL when she visited hated us swaddling him as well.

Megande I am surprised that your DH grandma hated you swaddling him. It's an "old school" thing, and my g-pa's wife thought it was the best and was very impressed that we did that! It's everyone else who comments on us swaddling him!:rolleyes:

Size DS is in size 3 huggies and they are a little big, but size 2 were way to small. He is wearing size 3-6 months, but his feet are so big they don't fit into the foot portion of the outfits. We don't want to start using 6-9 month because they are just to big on his body.

sophiapb

10-11-2005, 07:55 AM

Doctor-Yup, he's an idiot so I won't be going back after my repeat blood test. I honestly don't understand the point of keeping a patient file and taking a history if you're not going to use it!

Sizing-Alexa is pretty true to the sizes although some brands like Gerber run small. She is currently in 3-6 and doing well with most of her clothes. Diaper-wise she is in 1-2 and once we go through our last 168 pack, she'll be going into size 3.

Unsolicited advice-Don't get too much. For the most part I just nod and smile. However, I actually have gotten advice which has helped. We used to totally overfeed Alexa so that she was spitting up constantly. Once my mom (it KILLS ME that it was my mom :rolleyes: ) got her on a more normal feeding schedule, the spitting up eased up significantly and we weren't going through tons of breastmilk. Turned out Alexa was fussing because she was tired, not hungry.
Most people mean well when they say something so that's how I try to take it. A baby is such a tiny, helpless little thing that everyone wants to make sure they are well cared for and protected. Not a bad thing.

Kelsey-Alexa has not rolled over either but I'm not too worried. She does loads of half rolls and it seems like it's her shoulder that's in the way of her doing a full roll. She'll figure it out in time. Also, she scoots around alot and will do a complete 180 turn on her back in a matter of minutes. She's developing well and is even getting better at tummy-time (once her avowed enemy!) so I'm not freaking about the rolling over milestone.

jmvan74

10-11-2005, 07:59 AM

Megan, your Jesus comment is sooo funny! hehe!:D

Kelsey:We got the flat head acdvice to...we were already changing his toys around. Now his head is much better. No thanks to outside advice.

He totally cramps my style
Kim, I feel the same way! hehe! DH is constantly telling me to let it go! Sometimes I just want to tell the person what I really think of their advice.

QOTD: Are you all near family or live near where you grew up? I'm not anywhere near friends and family and it is starting to get to me. We just moved in April and I'm at a loss for things to do. I've only found one mommy group and it meets on 1 Saturday a month and evenings?? I want something to do with DS.

Dreshny

10-11-2005, 08:01 AM

QOTD: Yes, I take a lot of cr@p about carrying Asher in a sling.
From total strangers I get "Isn't that bad for his legs?"
From my grandmother I get "Honey, he NEEDS to go in the stroller now," (uh, huh, YOU try putting him in there, Grandma.)
From my dad "But isn't he in the FIFTH trimester now?"
From DH's dad "Well, what's the difference if you just let him scream in the stroller?"
But I also get lots of compliments, so I guess that's worth something...

My grandmother doesn't like it that Asher sometimes wears jeans. She thinks he should wear "baby clothes." But he wears those, too. I have trouble finding traditional baby clothes.

Sophia: I really can't stand doctors sometimes...

jmvan74

10-11-2005, 08:12 AM

Roseanne: Now that you mention it...I get sling comments, too. I usually hear "that doesn't look very comfortable." My reply...Does he seem unhappy? No! whatever. Everyone has an opinion. :p

tgr68

10-11-2005, 08:39 AM

I knew I couldn't have been the only one annoyed by the comments. Most of mine comes from DH's mom and gma. I know they are trying to help, which makes it hard to tell them to back off, but at times they absolutely drive me nuts. There are even times they can't agree on what advice to give me, and they end up arguing over it! :rolleyes:

LIZ~Your daughter is 4 months old and her head hasn't fallen off yet. This made me laugh! I know we are doing what's best for her. It just gets so overwhelming when nobody else seems to see that!

jmvan~I get alot of grief from MIL as well.

kelsey~We totally get the flatspot grief. "I know they told you (GMIL) to lay them on their tummy to sleep at night, but that's not the case anymore!" My MIL is of the opinion that no baby should be BF after they get their first tooth, and since DH was colicky while she was BFing, she is convince that I am torturing DD by doing so. I can just imagine the comments I'll get 6-9 months from now when I'm still nursing!! :eek:

Megan~Hehe!

kim~We're doing just fine, thankyouverymuch. Amen to that!

sophia~I have gotten some great advice too! I hope I didn't sound too ungrateful. I'm glad MIL and GMIL are there, especially since my own mom won't give her grandchildren the time of day.

QOTD~My dad is here in town along with just about all of DH's family! My sis is a couple of hours a away, but the rest of my family is about 6-8 hours away. I'm really actually having a hard time finding someone I can talk to IRL when I go through stuff, but there is literally nobody, which makes the criticism all the worse. I am seriously going to look at starting a playgroup at my house. Maybe then I could meet/get closer to some other moms in the area.

Dreshny~I honestly am not a big fan of "baby clothes", so DD wears jeans a lot. MIL freaked when I didn't just her in her onsie for warmer days, but now she thinks it's cute that DD looks like a miniature kid! :cool:

golfer_girl

10-11-2005, 11:16 AM

Hi Ladies - thank you sooooooooooooo much for all the kind thoughts. I really needed the support and you all were there with such kind words! We've both finally made the adjustment (me with my face half working and DS and his bottle and poop). It took about 5 days to get him to get back to his "normal" consumption. Good news is that he had his 4 month checkup yesterday and his weight gain was fine. I was worried he had lost some weight! I'm now off the meds and will attempt to BF again (once or twice a day) after the meds clear (48 hrs). Sadly, the ped said not to be too optimistic that he'll go back to breast since he's been on bottle with formula for almost 2 weeks now. She said many times they don't want to go back. :( I kinda think she might be right - he doesn't seem to like the BM I had bagged. I feel so rejected when he doesn't want BM in the bottle even! Oh well, if he goes only formula after this, so be it. I just felt such a disconnect, kind of like a detachment issue. The whole thing was kinda sad since I had to suddenly stop nursing and during the same week, we moved DS into his own room at night. Double :( My DH thought it was best for me to get better sleep so we made the move. I miss him in the room - but DS is doing amazing in his room. He's sleeping at least 8-9 hours only waking once sometimes. As for my face, it's starting to have feeling and move a little. I'm only getting out the tape a little now for that creepy dry eye. (Wendstress, I'm sending u a PM)

Meri - I'm so sorry to hear about your thyroid issues. I hope the rest of the test and your recovery go smoothly. I know it sucks not feeling so well when you're trying to handle or enjoy your DD. p.s. My hair is falling out in clumps too!

Sophia - your doc's office sounds like they need to get their act together - u have all the reason to vent!!! They're scaring the crap out of you unneccessarily!

I liked the comments on "comments" - Megan, your line: Jesus was swaddled too and Liz with her comment of the baby's head not falling off. Those were some good laughs for me! It must be something with MIL's. Mine just could not get over the swaddling too! She said she never saw that kind of thing and also asked if it was "new". :p

jmvan74 - I live near family but I'm sometimes at a loss during the day for some human interaction. I was recently lurching at the nearby park/playground to meet some mommys. I only kinda chatted with one for a minute but I'm hoping to meet a few more since they are in the neighborhood already. I'd love to find more people to take a walk with and get coffee...

4 month checkup stats: 14 lbs 6 oz, 26 " tall, 16.5 head.
He's wearing size 2 huggies right now too... size 3-6 month clothing mostly with a few exceptions of smaller and bigger items.

diaper bag - I still love mine... I have the kecci one that I think tgr68 showed off once on the boards. I bought it on ebay and love it!

golfer_girl

10-11-2005, 11:19 AM

Oh, I saw this earlier too. I was told by my doc that since I had a c section, that they wouldn't let me do vbac for a second child - hospital/docs won't allow it. I think it's an insurance issue... I'm in California and wonder if it's mandated in our insurance now? I'll have to find out.

spps

10-11-2005, 03:17 PM

Hi. I have been lurking in this thread for a while and finally got up enough nerve to join.

spps
Me: Sara, 25
DH: Sam, 26
Married: 8/5/2001
DS: Avi, 6/8/2005 1:54 PM
Weight: 7 lb, 2 oz
Height: 19.5 in

QOTD: I too get comments about carrying DS in his sling, but they are usually positive. As far as unwanted advice, both my parents and in-laws try to respect our wishes, though sometimes you can tell that they think I am nuts, but they do what we want anyway even though it is apparent that they are not happy about it.

usafwife

10-11-2005, 03:25 PM

Naamah ~ Congrats on DD rolling over!

Julie ~ Thank you.

December ~ DD has been chewing on her hands more. She has been drooling for a while but I do think that it is increasing. She even wants to chew on my fingers. I haven't felt anything yet but I've heard it can be a little while before the teeth come in from when they start chewing.

sophia ~ Thank you. I think you have every right to be upset at the doctor's office. That's the way that the nurse who was filling in for the regular nurse at my OB's office was a couple of weeks ago. If I didn't get them called within an hour of her calling, she was calling me back. So that's why I thought that she wanted me to be seen that day (she was calling).

A Baby Story ~ Yes, I did see it. It brought back so many memories. I loved her whole house. It is absolutely gorgeous on the outside. And that kitchen is my dream kitchen!

QOTD - When are you going for the next pregnancy? ~ We are thinking that we'd like to start next December or early 2007. DH wants a baby born in November but I think that either December through April/May would be fine as well. That would make DD over 2 when the next one is born. As much as I'd like to have another one right now I don't want two that close in age. Plus I want to savor my time with her.

Vaginal Delivery ~ I'm totally hoping that I can have one next time. I've already discussed it with my current OB (but he's leaving in a couple of weeks). He's told me the risks (risk of uterine rupture, can't use pitocin - don't want it anyway...I had it when I was nearly 10 cm this time and no epidural. I was having intense contractions as it was and that only made them MUCH worse). He also said that we wouldn't have to schedule a c-section and just wait for me to go into labor naturally. I'm all for that one. I really don't want to pick the day, I'd rather have the baby chose. I plan on discussing this with the new OB when they get here. I was nearly there this time and probably would have made it but I wasn't able to walk around.

HedgeGirl ~ Welcome!

Halloween ~ I wanted a really cute custome but didn't want to spend an arm and a leg on it. So last month we found one that we agreed upon. And then wouldn't you know it that one of the local stores gets some baby customes in. Why didn't they have them up with all the rest of the customes? I found one that I really wanted but DH said that we could use the one we already had. It's not that I don't like the one we have, it's just that it is more gender netural than a girl one.

Winter Coats ~ We bought DD a pink Winnie the Pooh fleece snowsuit/bunting at Penney's last month. Glad we got it then because they don't have too many left now. We also have some flannel blankets that we will be covering her up with when we go outside in the winter. We also received a fleece carseat cover at the baby shower. So we will be putting that over the carseat as well to keep her warm.

Liz ~ Glad to hear that the trip was good. If you have a runt then so do I. See my comments directly below.

Sizes ~ DD is still comfortably wearing her 0-3 month outfits. Unfortunately most of them are short sleeve/sleeveless/shorts/summer dresses that aren't the right season now. The 3-6 month outfits are too big for her and swallow her up. Especially the pants. We bought a pair of jeans on Saturday and they are so big that I had to use 2 safety pins to keep them on her Sunday. Do they make belts for babies? If so, I definitely need to find one. I'm considering buying some 0-3 month pants outfits but I fear that they are going to be too short or that she won't be wearing them for very long. And she is still wearing size 1's Huggies Supremes and Pamper's Swaddlers. We did buy a big box of size 1-2 swaddler's at Sam's a couple of weeks ago. The other pampers and luvs just aren't working for her. I think DD is going to be long, lean, and tall just like her daddy. ;)

Comments ~ We get them all the time. They usually range from 'my, what a big baby' to 'wow, what a tiny baby.' I don't think that DD is all that big. She certainly doesn't look like I did in my baby pictures. I was a lot bigger than her. Even our newborn pictures are so much different. She looked a whole lot more tiny than I did and there was only a 3 ounce difference in our birth weights. I don't know how much weight I lost after being born but DD went down to right at/just below 8 lbs. As my mom says, she thought that they had a brick on the scale when they weighed DD.

QOTD ~ Advice from others? ~ We really haven't gotten that much. But I have been told that I need to burp her more (at first she never would burp), that I was hitting her too hard to get her to burp, that we shouldn't be at x with the baby. I just usually listen and then let it go out the other ear. After all they aren't with the baby 24/7 like we are. DD doesn't like to burp very often and if she does it's only once.

Megan ~ I kept wanting to scream, "they swaddled Jesus, and he turned out ok" That's too funny!!!

Kim ~ Sometimes I'd like to tell these people "Oh go f*** off with your unwarranted advice", but Tom prefers I smile politely. He totally cramps my style. I've wanted to say the same but I haven't.

QOTD - Are you all near family or live near where you grew up? ~ Yes. We are near our immediate families (my parents, DH's gradma, stepmom, and brother/SIL). We did live a couple of hours away until last year when we moved back to be closer. Plus we didn't really want to be raising kids where were living. I'm so greatful to be so close to my mom's. I go in 3 nights a week (although once it starts getting cold we won't be doing that) while DH is at class. It gives me a break from taking care of DD and gives me someone else to talk to. My SIL has offered to come and watch DD to let me get away or if I just want to talk to someone as well.

Diane ~ Thank you. I just hate the way I feel when it should be the most happiest, enjoyable time in my life. I had yet another blood test done yesterday. I'm waiting on them to call me back with the results and where we go from there. My poor arms can't take too much more sticks. They are so bruised and sore that it's not even funny.

tgr68

10-11-2005, 05:11 PM

golfer~So glad to hear that things are getting better! Yeah for DS's continual weight gain!! Hopefully, he will be able to transition back to the breast.

Welcome, spps!!

Meri~I ended up buying DD some plain white onsies to layer under sleeveless shirts/t-shirts. With how quickly the weather turned cold, there wasn't much of an option! BTW, do you ever go to Joplin at all? Maybe we could meet up and go sometime to get us both out of the house!

Later, gals. Gotta go eat dinner. Then I'll probably veg in front of the TV. It has been such a crazy week, and it's only Tuesday!

kimthebride

10-11-2005, 05:58 PM

From my dad "But isn't he in the FIFTH trimester now?"
I found this kinda funny! :)
It was great to see you two today - he's just so smiley, alert and happy you are clearly doing something right! Besides, I'd *love* to be curled up all cozy and carried in a snugly sling...

QOTD: Near family?
Not near immediate - DH's immediate family moved from here when he was 11, but he does have aunts cousins and the like here.
Have you seen the big post I did about finding other moms and things to do? Maybe that would help you meet more people and get more active...

Dreshny

10-11-2005, 07:26 PM

Awww, Kim, thanks! :D Thomas is pretty smiley and adorable himself.

QOTD: My parents and extended family are 2 hours away in Philly. DH's family is 5 hours away in Syracuse. So my family is sort of close, but not close enough to just drop by anytime.

Welcome, spps!

And I promised Kim I'd post a picture of my iPod baby:

http://roseanne.org/photos/asher/IMG_4441.jpg

(You can buy them at www.ipodmybaby.com.)

HedgeGirl

10-11-2005, 08:45 PM

Wow, this thread has been busy! I'm sure it doesn't help that I haven't checked it since last week...we had a busy weekend and then I got food poisoning for the last 2 days (blech). Fortunately, I had a stockpile of frozen milk so DH could take care of feeding DS while I was "busy"

Thanks for all the welcome greetings...and welcome to spps

Halloween Costume - Nothing definite. DH would love to dress DS up as Yoda (and he'd be Luke...complete with backpack to carry yoda in), but we haven't done anything to make a costume or even look around to see if the sell them someplace. I think we'd have the same problem kelseyledare mentions wrt hat sizes since DS is also in the 25% for head circumference. We'll probably dress him up as a cowboy or hockey player (we've got hand knit cowboy boots and hat or knit hockey skates).

HedgeGirl

10-11-2005, 08:52 PM

Dreshny, adorable picture of your iPod baby.

Last Christmas, we used a iPod mini onsie wrapped in an iPod box to tell several family members we were expecting.

spps

10-12-2005, 05:25 AM

Dreshny: That onesie is adorable. My DH would love it!

QOTD: We live close to all of our immediate family. Everyone lives between 5 and 45 minutes away from us. The exception is my BIL who is up in Boston for school.

sophiapb

10-12-2005, 07:24 AM

DH would love to dress DS up as Yoda (and he'd be Luke...complete with backpack to carry yoda in),

Holy crap, I almost snorted coffee through my nose when I read that. I love that idea. How hysterical. You TOTALLY have to post photos if you find a Yoda costume.

Welcome spps. I'm glad that people are delurking to join this thread. I guess we're not TOO threatening!

I keep popping into the 2006 June Mommies to reminisce. Compaints about nausea and food aversions bring back such fond memories (semi-sarcastic but I do miss certain things about my pregnancy). I just remember the idea of actually having a baby being so unbelievable and yet here I am a year later in all my spit-up covered glory. Pretty amazing.

Edited because I found this:

http://birthdayexpress.speedera.net/images.birthdayexpress.com/costume/assets/productpage/251734_0612.jpg

I found a Princess Leia and a Chewbacca costume but they were copyrighted and I couldn't get the properties. You can view them here:

http://www.anniescostumes.com/walkerlic.htm

After viewing these, I think Alexa's pumpkin costume is just too boring but I'm too cheap to get a second costume. Next year though, I'm definitely considering the Princess Leia just for the headpiece!

tgr68

10-12-2005, 08:43 AM

Love the iPod onsie and the Yoda costume!!!

jmvan74

10-12-2005, 09:23 AM

Welcome ssps.

Hedgegirl, I saw a yoda costume for an infant at onestepahead.com
I thought about that too. DS is going to be superman instead.

kim; I did use your resources, but there's not much around here that suits me.

Sophia:I'm a june 2006 lurker, too.

Roseanne:Asher is adorable!

june05Mommies

10-12-2005, 01:48 PM

Updated to here.

Please let me know if there are any specific things that you would like to include on the first page. The previous thread links are now posted.

HedgeGirl

10-12-2005, 04:16 PM

golfer_girl: Yes, my impression is that it is an insurance & liability issue and depends on the hospital. Check out http://gentlebirth.org/local/resources.html#VBAC for info on VBAC in a hospital in the South Bay. Homebirth may also be an option for VBAC.

Actually, I'd encourage anyone wanting to find out more about VBAC (and Cesarean births in general) to take a look at an organization called ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc (http://www.ican-online.org/)) which has info and local chapter meetings. The Midwife Archives on http://gentlebirth.org/ also have tons of notes and links about VBAC studies, stories, etc. This was one of the many things I did research on during my pregnancy (just in case).

HedgeGirl

10-12-2005, 04:27 PM

Yoda: Wow, I love that costume...maybe we'll end up doing it after all. I'll have to forward it to DH. Thanks for the links! (the Leia and Chewbacca costumes are great too).

Family: We are 6 hours from almost all of our immediate family. My mom and MIL have driven up together to visit about 3 times since DS was born and we've made the trip down there once. While it would be handy to have the gmas closer for babysitting, they get weekly pictures and the occasional video chat. We're pretty fortunate to have a good network of friends (Of the 6 guys in DH's group at work, 4 had their first baby this year --btwn Feb & July)

kelseyledare

10-12-2005, 05:45 PM

Welcome ssps. I was a former lucker myself ;)

Hedgegirl, I saw also saw some yoda costumes for infants online and thought they were too cute! Someone made DD a pumpkin hat (knitted) which she can wear during Halloween and Thanksgiving. Thankfully, it confirms to her small head and looks great!

Roseanne: Asher is such a cutee! Maybe he was pre-teething, though he didn't sound fussy. Maybe he is such a night owl :cool: They always seem to know when you have an important morning coming up!

QOTD: My family is about 5 hr away, unfortunately, so we miss them a lot, plus are at a loss for baby-sitters. ;) DH's family lives much farther away, but we're not close to them at all and rarely ever see them.

4 mos WCC: DD is 14 lb 6 oz (75th) and 25 inches (80th). Unfortunately, her head is still small (less than 5th) and not round, although better than before. We're continuing to watch it until she's rolling. Hopefully, she'll decide to sleep on her stomach some and help round out her head. Did very well with the shots and only cried until held. She also did better than at 2 mos with less fever and fussiness that evening. I gave her Tylenol before the shots and through the evening until she was asleep for the night. I also sent some with daycare today in case she seemed irritable, but she was her usual sunny self! :) We also talked about rice cereal, but I'd really like to keep on BM until 6 mos. She's eating 5 oz of EBM four times a day plus 3 oz baby juice and vitamins.

usafwife

10-12-2005, 06:06 PM

Halloween ~ (Have I already answered this question before? Heck, I can't remember. If I have please skip over.) DD is going to be Tigger. I would have liked something more girly but they didn't have them when we were looking in her size. So we bought it when we found something. There were no costumes for babies in any size below 12 months when we were looking last month. And I didn't want to wait until the last minute and then be hunting.

My aunt sent DD a 'Baby's First Halloween' outfit that has a bib, hat, and booties. So she will wear that for the Halloween parade we go to on the Saturday before Halloween. And she'll wear it again during the day on the 31st before we put her in the costume. Then it will be packed away after we get some pictures of it.

Christmas ~ I found a very nice Christmas dress online but the store didn't have any on Saturday. I'm keeping the tags on the dress we did buy and will look this weekend in case they have it. And then decide if we will exchange it or keep the one we bought. We will also look at BRU when we go in late November (hopefully sooner) to see what they have. Unfortunately we probably won't get there before we have our family pictures taken in early November so that they are back in time for Christmas.

Star Wars ~ The Yoda costume would be absolutely perfect if we had a little boy. DH is a major Star Wars fan (I had to go to the theater in May when Episode III came out even though sitting in those chairs was the last thing I wanted to do when I was nearly 9 months pregnant). He is counting down the days until Episode III is out.

kelsey ~ Glad to hear that DD did good at her 4 month checkup. We don't go until early next month.

June 2006 Thread ~ I know that I'm going to find myself reading that thread more and more. I'm probably going to post just so they know why I'm reading that thread and haven't posted yet. I know it will bring back so many memories. Monday marked the anniversary of my BFP. I still can't believe that's it been an entire year. It certainly doesn't seem that long ago. Little did I know just how much my (our) life would change from last year. Exactly one year ago on the day that DD was born I had no idea that I would be in labor and delivering a baby girl then.

golfer_girl

10-13-2005, 03:49 PM

HedgeGirl - thanks for the info on the VBACs! Wow, I didn't know this stuff. Of course, my hospital was El Camino hospital - the one the site specifically says that won't do it cause of the malpractice letter they got. Are you in the bay area too?

I tried BF'ing this morning after 2 weeks of not doing it cause of the meds and it was WEIRD. It was foreign and strange feeling. I don't know if I even like it which makes me feel more weird about the whole thing. This Bells and meds episode really had more emotional issues than physical for me. Now I don't know if I would or should BF any longer! I'm so confused. I'll see how the next few feedings go... I was thinking of trying to BF only twice a day to not interfere with the progress of the bottle. Does anyone have advice or links to how to wean your breasts? My DS is already mostly all formula; it's my boobs I don't know how to transition... help! I heard to bind them tight and not to stimulate them and the milk will eventually dry up...

jmvan74

10-13-2005, 04:24 PM

Golfer: A friend of mine just stopped nursing cold turkey! She used frozen cabbage leaves to help with engorgement.

Hedggirl;Thanks for the info. on vbacs

kelsey:Glad to hear DD's appt went well. We have ours next Friday.

December27JJB

10-14-2005, 07:19 AM

Yesterday was DD's 4 month birthday :( I made a mistake, I looked at pictures of her from the moment she was born up until a picture I took last week. I started bawling. I miss my tiny baby. Sure, she's much more fun to play with now that shes responding to stuff but I am overwhelmed with how fast she's growing! We've been signing to her everyday now, so important for us. Every time before I give her the boob, I sign 'milk' and if she's not looking, I repeat until she looks then give her the boob. She'll eventually pick up on it. For the last few days we've been helping her roll over, she can't do it unless we put her on her side then she pushes herself to her stomach. Her arm gets stuck a lot but last night she figured how to pull herself up a little so her arm isnt so stuck. Yay!!! We also have been reading her a lot of books, she is so focused on the pictures, its so funny! Sometimes I put her in her bumbo and read her books, sometimes I hold her, but when I do, the dog joins us :rolleyes:

I've been taking pictures of DD in a white dress since Month 1. I will continue doing that until she hits 12 months. She was wearing the same dress in Months 1 and 2 (that was my dress as an infant) I still need to find a white dress for her Month 4 photo:

-removed picture-

tgr68

10-14-2005, 09:27 AM

Hedgegirl~Thanks for all the VBAC info!!

6/06 Thread~Yep!! I'm a lurker there too. I didn't post once, though, to congratulate everybody on their BFPs. I couldn't help myself! ;) LOL.

golfer~How is the BFing going? You had said you were going to give it a few more tries. I've heard that a bag of frozen peas will help with the pain of engorgement as well. Good luck and lots of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

December~I've been signing, too! I have started DD with "change" and "potty" after I lay her down to change her diaper. Right now she squirms too much when it's time to eat that I have to keep both hands on her - no signing there! ;) Pictures are so cute!

Has anyone else starting working out yet? I've been able to finally start fitting it into my schedule! I usually get up and feed DD, then get her ready for the day while DH is in the shower. Then DH and I get dressed while she lays on our bed and plays. Then I hand her off to him and head to the living room for my workout while she "helps" him check his email. It makes for busy mornings, but I get it in and she gets some one-on-one daddy time!

jmvan74

10-14-2005, 11:07 AM

December:Beautiful pictures! I have been signing "eat" before feedings. I was thiinking about attending a formal "baby signs" parent class.

Naama:As far as exercise goes...I try to do work with my balance ball while DS plays and we try to take a walk daily, weather permitting. Next week, I will begin running on the treadmill 3 times a week while DH takes care of DS. I'm only 3 lbs away from my pre-pg size, but thins still don't fit right.

tgr68

10-14-2005, 11:34 AM

jmvan~See that's the way I am - really close to prepgcy weight, but everything has been redistributed. :rolleyes: I'm still in 1 size bigger in my clothes, and since I was on the heavy side of the "normal" range, I would like to actually get below my pre-pgcy weight/size.

HedgeGirl

10-14-2005, 11:53 AM

golfer_girl: Yep, and I delivered at El Camino as well :)

spps

10-15-2005, 09:47 PM

We are just back from our 4 month check up. DS is up to 15 lb 5 oz and is between 24 and 24.5 in long. Though, strangely enough he seems to have shrunk since 3 months when he was measured at 25 in?? :confused: We were out to lunch with friends today and he was about the size of their 7 month old.

Does anyone have the Symphony-in-Motion mobile? Is it worth it? We have the one that came with our bassinet, but it doesn't hold ds attention for very long. I would love to find one that works. Any other recommendations?

kimthebride

10-16-2005, 05:45 AM

We have this one:

Symphony In Motion Mobile by Tiny Love - Geometric Shapes
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005BX8Y.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

And Thomas LOVES it. The music is not annoying, has 2 volume levels, and the bright contrasting colors/patters mesmerize the kid. Also those smaller bits slide down the arms of the mobile as it turns, creating a "Shooosh" sound.

A lot of people on WC and CC have this and highly recommend it. I know I do!

kelseyledare

10-16-2005, 12:28 PM

We have this Symphony-in-Motion mobile and have been very pleased with it. It definitely holds DD's attention and interest to a much greater extent than the bear mobile on her PNP (which she never seems to notice). The base is a little tricky to install over your crib bumper, but we just folded the bumper down at that spot. Would definitely give it high marks! IMHO, I don't think the remote control version is worth the extra $$

http://store1.yimg.com/I/babyscholars_1864_6630271

I won't worry, spps. Babies' lengths are notoriously hard to measure. I bet your DS wasn't really measured accurately at one of those visits. They never want to stretch out when it's measuring time and some nurses are better at it than others...

Mrs.Chappy

10-16-2005, 05:44 PM

just stopping by..we had our 4 month check up.
Ht. 24 1/2 (45%)
wt. 14.7 (50%)

as far as PP wt. goes..i lost 9.6 lbs on weight watchers so far in six weeks. i am probably 5 lbs away from the weight i was when i got preggers. its good considering i'll be returning to work in Dec and will hopefully fit into some clothes i haven't worn in a long time.

jmvan74

10-16-2005, 06:40 PM

That mobile looks soo fun! I may have to invest in one. I took the little bear one from the pnp and put it on the changing table. DS loves it there. I alwawys point at the bears and tell him the story of the 3 Little Bears.

kelseyledare

10-16-2005, 07:00 PM

jmvan74: That is a great idea to relocate the PNP bear mobile to the changing table! I may have DH see if he can rig ours up. DD is never in her PNP except to sleep so the mobile is totally wasted there.

spps

10-16-2005, 07:25 PM

Thanks for the mobile recommendations. I am definitely going to pick one up the Symphony-in-Motion one during my weekly Target run.

Ferris

10-17-2005, 08:37 AM

New QOTD's What temperature do you keep your house at night? And has anyone used Crest White strips while nursing?

Mrs.Chappy Congrats on the weight loss. I have been doing weight watchers for 18 weeks and have only lost 13!:rolleyes: I still have about 9 pounds to get back to pre-pregnancy weight but I want to lose 15. Am I one of the only bf'ers that the weight didn't just drop off! I get so frustrated at the threads that say "to lose the weight just breastfeed, I was at my pre-preggo weight in 6 weeks"!! I wish!!:p

I keep seeing this abbreviation around about sleep and have no clue what it means, what is CIO?

kelseyledare

10-17-2005, 09:08 AM

CIO is cry it out, as in to let the baby cry themself to sleep.

I have always thought that weight loss advice was rather crummy. :( Not everyone will have the same results with BF

jmvan74

10-17-2005, 10:09 AM

QOTDWe keep our thermostat at 69 day and night. DS wears fleece jammies and we still swaddle (which he just started breaking completely out of) and I still feel like it's a bit chilly. I don't know.

Kelsey:Thanks for the CIO info. I thought that is what is meant...it's good to get clarification. ;)

tgr68

10-17-2005, 10:40 AM

QOTD~We keep ours between 70-72. I can't have it too cold between by arthritis and ciruclatory problems. DD has both light cotton and flannel PJs, so if she's particularly warm or cold, we can put her to sleep accordingly. Also, on especially cold nights, we wrap her in a blanket!

Oh, DD has now found her toes, and it has now become a morning ritual to suck on them for at least a few minutes. LOL!

We have our 4 month checkup next Monday. I need to call ahead to see if they can give her the shots there or if we have to go to the other clinic. Last time, our doctor hadn't recieved the vaccines yet. That way I know whether or not to give her Tylenol before we go in.

sophiapb

10-17-2005, 11:21 AM

Ferris-I haven't lost weight from breastfeeding either because I am constantly hungry and craving terrible stuff like sweets and fried foods. Aaargh! The good thing is that I haven't gained weight from all my eating but still! I'm losing over 600 calories a day in breastmilk so if I could just control my eating, I should be losing over a pound a week from that alone. Doesn't help that I have not gotten back into an exercise routine. Annoyed with myself. :mad:

QOTD-We keep our house at 65 at night and use a sleepsack on Alexa.

spps

10-17-2005, 01:34 PM

Weight Loss - I am still up 10 lb from my pre-pregnancy weight, and 20 from where I should be. DS is EBF and it is not helping the weight come off for me either.
This is a problem though because I am going back to work part-time in 2 weeks and I am scared to find out that I will need a new wardrobe.

Temperature - At night the house goes down to 65. DS has been sleeping in a light sleeper and a sleep sack with arms. Carters actually makes some really nice fleece ones.

allyray231

10-17-2005, 01:46 PM

where can I get a sleep sack with arms???? that woud be great!

jmvan74

10-17-2005, 02:02 PM

Weight Loss: I am close to my pre-pg weight, but I attribute it to genetics and not bfing. I'm afraid to see what happens after baby #2. I am constantly hungry from bfing and eat so much crap.

sleepsack: I'd like to find one with sleeves, too! I have never seen one.

Mrs.Chappy

10-17-2005, 03:01 PM

Costco has sleep sacks with arms..$7.99 by Carters

Mrs.Chappy

10-17-2005, 03:03 PM

I want to add...i have been having numbness in my hands/fingertips particulary when i breastfeed. I wake up tingly and numb (probably from sleeping on my arm) but its always worse when i BF the first feeding then it goes away for the day..should i call my doctor?

kimthebride

10-17-2005, 03:06 PM

BFing Weight Loss
Yes, it helps but it's not the only way to lose the weight! It also drives me nuts when people say "oh I gained 30 lbs during pregnancy and lost 35 by 4 weeks post partum". Sorry, but I have a hard time believing that in 95% of the cases! I have a handful of active, thin, high-metabolism healthy-eating friends and even they needed at least 6 months to get to pre-preg weight. You gotta do it the healthy way, IMO.
(ok, off soap box)
What I am doing to help the matter is wearing a pedometer to see how much I walk in a day. Like today between 10am-5pm I walked 7450 steps. Having long strides, that's a lot of distance in one day!

Temperature
Our thermostat is not accurate I am guessing, so I think it's about 70 here at night upstairs and cooler downstairs. We need DS in a fleece PJ even now.

Sleepers With Sleeves
I know I saw these in Carter's recently, but they weren't very long so Thomas wouldn't have fit. I think they went to about 25-27" or something like that? Someone else may know for sure...

A Good Idea
I had Infant CPR training in my last trimester, and the instructor suggested I keep a copy of the instructions by the changing table 'just in case'. Since we have a duplex, I keep one in the changing table drawer downstairs, one in the kitchen upstairs. Also, I typed it all up in a simplistic manner so my husband - who couldn't make the class - could follow along should I not be around in an emergency.
And to make me sound even more neurotic ;) I shrunk the instructions to fit on one page and popped a copy in both of my diaper bags. I feel better knowing that it's there if I need it, since in an emergency I may not recall everything properly.

kelseyledare

10-17-2005, 03:24 PM

I will be on the look out for some long sleeved sleep sacks as well! Ours have no sleeves and DD's hands get cold even in her mittens.

kimthebride

10-17-2005, 06:06 PM

I want to add...i have been having numbness in my hands/fingertips particulary when i breastfeed.
Did you have any Carpal Tunnel when you were pg, or even before then? I got it late in pregnancy and it was so uncomfortable when BFing: like a painful tingle in the center of my wrists. I learned how to BF hands-free because of it.
I'd call your Dr. just to be on the safe side.

usafwife

10-17-2005, 06:19 PM

I'm a little ticked at the internist I saw last week. I waited all week for the results of the blood tests I'd had done at my appt. When Friday came and I hadn't heard anything, I called. I was told that I would be getting a call either Friday afternoon or Monday from the nurse and that my results were back. So at 4:30 I called again and that's when I found out that the office closed at 3. I was ticked at the woman for not telling me that. So I waited until noon today to see if they would call me. They didn't so I called. Once again the woman had no idea who I was or what I wanted. So I explained once again who I was and what I wanted. She told me that my results weren't back and that I'd have to wait until next week when the doctor got back. I informed her that I'd waited long enough (especially when she told me they would call and nothing about closing early on Friday). I wanted a copy of my results and that if I didn't speak with the nurse then I wouldn't be back. Well, magically my test results appeared and with the news that I had to have yet another round of bloodwork before I could start the meds. I'd already had one of the tests not more than a month ago. So I got the blood test done today but when I called to see if the meds were ready they told me they didn't have anything for me. So either they didn't call the meds in yet or I'm suppose to start them until next week. I wish that they would get their act together. Of course after reading about the drug in one of my drug books I'm not sure I want to take it. It sounds like it's quite expensive, has some adverse side effects, requires constant monitoring, and has reproduction problems.

My mom's boss can't figure out why I haven't been sent for a scan of my thyroid yet. She said that's what her doctor sent her for immediately following her first couple of blood tests.

Weight Loss ~ I've got about 2 lbs (maybe 5 lbs) to lose before I'm back to where I was before I got pregnant. I lost 26 lbs within a week of giving birth. Of course most of that was from water that was in my legs and feet (they were swollen so bad during the second half of my pregnancy to the point where walking was very difficult). I probably lost it sooner but I didn't get on the scales until I went back to my OB a week after giving birth.

I try to watch what I eat. It took 9 months to gain the weight so it can take that long to come off. I hope to be a little less before I get pregnant the next time. I just don't have the energy to do much exercise. My muscle feel like I've run 1,000 mile race each day when I wake up so my sleep isn't very restful to me (part of the thyroid problem).

I did have to buy another pair of jeans. My 8s just don't fit right now. I can get them on but I can't get them zipped. I hope to be able to get them zipped by next summer.

Temperature ~ Well, right now it's pretty cool. I'm constantly hot from my thyroid problem so that doesn't help. I usually try to go by DH's feeling about whether it's hot or cold. We usually keep it between 65 and 70 at night. And it may go even cooler depending upon the price of our heating bills this winter. We will just cover up and wear warmer clothes.

Dreshny

10-17-2005, 08:17 PM

Weight Loss: Don't shoot me, okay? :o I'm an actor, and I was really careful about what I ate in pregnancy because I wanted to lose the weight fast so I could get back to auditioning right away (yeah right!) So I gained 22 pounds in pregnancy, and DS was just over 7, and the weight was pretty much gone by my 4-week post-partum appt. I've been doing sit-ups every morning and walking a lot, and hopefully it stays off, because, um, I'm eating a lot of crap lately because it can be hard to prepare healthful stuff.

Temperature: I have no control over it: the heat goes on and off at the whim of the landlord, and since it's steam heat from the radiators, there's no thermostat. Consequently, it's always either too hot or too cold in here. Lately, it's too cold (no heat yet), and DS is sleeping in footed sleepers.

kimthebride

10-18-2005, 07:20 AM

(dreshny: you were in my 5% that I believe ;) )

sophiapb

10-18-2005, 08:25 AM

Carters has the sleeved sleepsacks (sold at both the Carters outlets, Babies R Us and Costco) but Alexa is quickly outgrowing them. I believe the size says up to 9 months but her feet are flat up against the bottom. They were great while they lasted though.
We are going to start putting her in a footed fleece sleeper with the overalls style of sleepsack.

Meri-Sorry you're dealing with an idiot doctor's office as well. How did these people make it through medical school?

jmvan74

10-18-2005, 08:35 AM

Roseanne; LOL! no one is going to shoot you. You're a lucky duck! I know I could kick the last 5 lbs if i ate more sensibly, plus 3 of the 5 is probably extra breast weight! hehe. I've heard that a lot of nursing moms lose the rest of the weight almost immediately after nursing stops. I'm not counting on that, though.:p

meriSo sorry you are dealing with so much stress. I hope your docs get it together.

temp/sleep;DS has been pretty cold at night, so last night we put him in fleece,footed jammies, swaddled from under the arms down and put him in an overall style sleepsack. It seemed to work...a pita if he decides to poop at night though!:D

allyray231

10-18-2005, 10:29 AM

Dreshny don't you just love NYC and heat!! we are in the same boat-I went out and got a space heater

golfer_girl

10-18-2005, 01:42 PM

spps - I have the same mobile as kelseyledare and my DS LOVES IT!!!

jmvan74 - thanks for the advice on engorgement... I heard of the cabbage leaves before somewhere and forgot about that!

tgr68 - Thanks for asking about me. I am now BF'ing 2 times a day. I don't want to interfere with the formula/bottle thing but I am hoping I can keep up just the 2xs per day. I can see the volume of my BM changing (decreasing) and it makes me a bit sad... I think I'll be lucky to keep it up another month or 2. I was hoping to just make it to the 6 month mark. When DS was born, I hoped I could BF for a year...

Weight - I have about 8 lbs to go for PP weight. Ideally, I wish I could drop an additional 5! Those last few pounds just don't want to come off!!! :( I've been walking about 4x's per week for at least 45 min at a time. I see that even if I lost a few more pounds, my belly is just flabby!!! I hate doing crunches/situps!

Meri - how frustrating about your doc's office! I'd be going nuts too! Ticked is an understatement...

Sleepers - I have some of the carter's fleece pj's too along with the sleepsac w/ arms from Costco too that DS is wearing to bed. It's still fairly mild in temps here in CA.

Bells Palsy update - I have been doing everything I can and I can say my face is maybe 75% recovered? My eye will now close in the shower! It still gets very dry, but the whole thing is so much more managable than it was when it started almost 3 weeks ago. Wow, time has flown...

tgr68

10-18-2005, 10:06 PM

Wow! I haven't posted in here in several days! :(

Weight/Excercise~I have been doing pretty good at keeping up with my workout schedule. In fact, last week I had missed a couple of days in a row, so on Friday I went for a two mile walk (to the library and back home)!! I was tired but soooooooo rejuvinated afterwards!

jmvan~I know what you mean on the eating. I was just telling DH tonight that it seems lately that I am hungry all the time and feeling slightly dehydrated. I wonder if DD is going through a bit of a growth spurt. :confused:

BFing & Weight Loss~Fortuantely this worked for both my best friend and I, but it's not a blanket rule! I go by the saying "It took nine months to put it on. It will take that long to get it off." If anything, it helps me not get discouraged that I'm not in my old clothes despite what the scale says.

kim~Great idea about keeping the CPR instructions in your diaper bags!

Meri~Sorry about the contintued problems with your doctor's office. I had to go out and buy larger jeans as well. I was a 10 before I got pg this time, and I would love to be an 8 before I am pg with #2!! :cool:

Okay, I know we've had the sizing discussion before, but now I can't seem to find any clothes that fit DD!!! :mad: Her 0-3mos. clothes are still big on her, but to get anything to fit length wise on bottom we have to put her in 3-6mos. The problem is they all fall off. :( Does anyone have any recommendations on brands for long, skinny babies?

golfer~Glad you are back up to BFing twice a day. Yeah for a 75% recovery so far! That is great news!!

Well, I had better get to bed. It is a busy week here for me with Teen Read Week going on and me having things every night this weekplus an all-nighter on Friday. I think we are sending Shylah to ILs house.

kimthebride

10-19-2005, 06:24 AM

Does anyone have any recommendations on brands for long, skinny babies?
2 weeks ago at Thomas' 4 month appointment he was 26 1/2" long and 15lb 2oz...I think he's already grown longer since from a growth spurt.
I find these things from www.OldNavy.com in the baby section fit him in the 6-12 month well: the legs and sleeves are long enough so he doesn't get that tall-baby draft ;).

French-Knit 1 Piece Bodysuits $12 (tons of colors)
http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/322/322988/main/on322988-01p01v01.jpg

Animal One Pieces $8.50
http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/336/336144/main/on336144-01p01v01.jpg

I also like their Waffle-Knit Long Sleeved Bodysuits $9.50 for 3-packs
http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/336/336158/quick/on336158-00qlv01.jpg
He only *just fits* into the 3-6 months, so I am ordering the 6-12 months to fit for the long term.

My friend also has a long, skinny baby GIRL so I can vouch their girl colors/versions are cute too. :) We love Baby Old Navy because they do seem to cut long and thin.

allyray231

10-19-2005, 10:54 AM

skinny baby Old navy is great-also gap onies are good. DS has the length issues too and soem of his 3-6 month stuff is big but he has to wear it

tgr68

10-19-2005, 12:46 PM

Thanks!! I love Old Navy's maternity stuff, and I've gotten a few things from a friend when DD was smaller. Looks like I'll have to find time to run over there!

I like Gap, too, but our Gap doesn't have a baby section. :(

HedgeGirl

10-19-2005, 04:47 PM

Weight Loss: I'm around 5 lbs over my ppg weight though I'm tempting fate because I'm eating pretty badly now that I'm back work (eating out way too much and sitting at a desk all day can't help either). Even so, I think I've got the flabby stomach for life (I've worked to strengthening my stomach muscles, but they're hiding underneath). I think the good sesnsible eating I did while I was pg made a difference in my legs though...once I could see them after I had DS they were in better shape than I remembered them being (but that doesn't help me fasten my pre-pg jeans around my waist and hips).

Old Navy: half of my maternity wardrobe was from Old Navy and DS has a number of things from ON which I really like. I got really tempted to buy a ton of things the last time I was there for a pg friend (I can now understand how I ended up with so many baby clothes for DS because there is so much cute stuff out there), but managed to restrain myself...at least until she has her 20 week u/s and knows the sex ;)

Sizes: Brady has outgrown all of his 0-3month stuff and some of his 3-6 month stuff is getting tight in the length. Last time I checked he was btw 25 & 26 inches long (was just over 23 at his 2 month appt) and he's around 13lbs...we'll know for sure next week at his 4 month appt.

spps

10-19-2005, 07:18 PM

Allyray: Like everyone else said, I got the long sleeve sleep sacks at a Carters outlet. They were like 7 dollars a piece. I also have seen them at Babies R'Us at full price. Kim is right that they only go till 27" even though the tag says one size fits all.

kelseyledare

10-20-2005, 08:27 AM

Sleepers: That is too bad about the long-sleeved sleepers. DD will not fit into that length for long.

Christmas: I haven't even thought much about Christmas gifts for DD. Two large toys that were recommended to me are these below. I'd also like to get some baby books to add to her collection. It will be time for her winter wardrobe so she may just get clothes for DH and I. ;)

http://store.babycenter.com/MEDIA/ProductCatalog/39910_204472_hg.jpg

and
http://store.babycenter.com/MEDIA/ProductCatalog/36679_204350_hg.jpg

golfer: So glad to hear you are doing better! You are awesome for continuing to BF. If you want to keep going, you could ask your OB about some meds to help your supply.

Meri: Sorry to hear your doctor's office continues to give you such poor communication. Hope you will be starting some treatment shortly and feeling better in no time!

sophiapb

10-20-2005, 12:32 PM

Some new photos:

Dh "flying" Alexa. She belly laughs when we do this to her.

http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C%3A63523232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D665%3D3%3 A7%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B8378777%3Bot1lsi

Celebrating Daddy's favorite team. DH and SIL have gotten her three Yankee outfits in three different sizes. :rolleyes: She's set for a couple of seasons.

http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C%3A63523232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D323%3B%3E574%3E2%3B 6%3EWSNRCG%3D3232%3C7469687%3Anu0mrj

Alexa signals the runner to steal second!

http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C%3A63523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D665%3D3%3 A7%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B83787785ot1lsi

Christmas-We are not huge gift people. Alexa is too young to understand the season and I KNOW that ILs are going to go nuts with gifts for her. We will probably give her a couple of things like some books and maybe a toy to open for photos but that's it. I did buy her "Baby First Christmas" ornament already and will get a family photo of Alexa, DH and I for Christmas cards. Need to get that done in mid-November.
We are doing Alexa's Christening next Sunday and I am rushing, rushing to get everything done so I won't be able to concentrate on Christmas things until next month at the earliest. Aigh! Where is the time going?

HedgeGirl

10-20-2005, 03:22 PM

golfer_girl - glad to hear things are getting better. BFing twice a day is great! I'll keep thinking positive thoughts for you that things continue to go so well and that supply doesn't become an issue (as long as you want to continue BFing)

sophiapb - I'm so not a baseball fan, but I love the picture of Alexa "signaling." Aren't belly laughs the greatest...I can usually get one by kissing him repeatedly and its sure to put a smile on my face every time. I'll have to get a picture of DS posted soon...I love seeing everyone else's babies :)

Christmas - I haven't given this one much thought (I can't believe we're already in late October!), but Christmas is a usually a big deal in my family. I may try to keep what I do for DS to a bare minimum since I imagine that the rest of the family may go overboard.

HedgeGirl

10-20-2005, 03:36 PM

Okay, I got my act together and here are a few pictures of Brady:

http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C%3A74323232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2343%3D%3C8%3B%3D7 %3A4%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B8472865%3Aot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/344%3C%3A74323232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2343%3D%3C8%3B%3D7 %3A4%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3B8472887%3Aot1lsi

golfer_girl

10-20-2005, 03:46 PM

sophiapb - I just love the picture of Alexa! I'm with you on the Christmas thing too. I was planning on a photo card, an ornament, and just a token gift or two cause I'm sure the rest of my family will go nuts with needed supplies for the next phase and lots of toys for fun too. I'm actually looking forward to hearing my DS laugh and squeal from all the excitement at Christmas. HedgeGirl and sophiapb, just like your babies, I know he's just going to be SPOILED by the family!!!

BF'ing - it's going ok so far with the twice a day. I feed twice and pump once. The rest of the feedings are bottle with formula. Every time I give DS a bottle, I get so nervous that he's gonna start throwing a fit! So far, we're doing ok! I hope he keeps being agreeable!

HedgeGirl - oh we just cross posted - cute pic of Brady!!! I see he's into the fingers too!

Jessiesmama

10-20-2005, 04:08 PM

I've been MIA since WC! Lurking of course, but haven't registered until recently. Can I join you guys again?

WC Name: Jodie25
Me: Jodie, 32
DH: Lenny, 34
Married: June 8,2005
TTC: Weren't TTC
BFP: October 8, 2004
EDD: June 11, 2005
Gender Prediction: Boy - but had a girl
DD or DS: Jessica Alexa
DOB: June 8, 2005
Time:8:29pm
Weight:8 lbs 3 oz
Length:21 1/2 inches

Jessica is now 4 1/2 months old - she is "talking" up a storm, laughing, grabbing, rolling
We just had her 4 month well baby visit today. Stats:
14 lbs 2 oz (the Dr. said this is the 75th percentile - but that sounded high to me)
24 1/2 inches long (50th percentile)

Weight loss
This is a really sore subject for me. I gained more weight than I thought was humanly possible. Let's just say that I had not seen anyone post a gain that exceeded mine. I lost some but I have a lot to go. It's not falling off in any way shape of form and I'm starting to get discouraged.

Professional photos
We had pro photos done at 3 months. Here she is
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce01b3127cce94e22648e62900000016108EZtWzNw0Z8

Sizes
We're in 3-6 month but many of those are starting to get tight. I think we'll be in 6-9 very soon.

Anyway, glad to be back!

jmvan74

10-20-2005, 05:25 PM

Sophia,Hedggirl,Jodie:Great pics!

Welcome back Jodie. ;)

Golfer:I'm glad that things are improving with the bell's palsy and bfing is going ok.

Holiday shopping;haven't started yet, but want to get DS some peek-a-blocks from fisher price and some other manipulative type toys. I was a teacher, so I have tons of books, but i'll probably pick up some more board books.

tgr68

10-20-2005, 05:26 PM

Christmas~There are things we still need for DD, so I am putting those on "her" Christmas list. I am sure that people will go nuts with gifts for her (it started last year when I was pg :rolleyes: ). I'm not sure if DH or I will buy anything for her though, maybe a bookshelf to hold the already large library she has!

sophia~DD loves to be "superbaby", too. We got a video of it!! I would post a link, but the site is down. :(

Hedgegirl~Brady is so cute!!

Jodie~Welcome back, due date twin!! Jessica is so pretty!

Well, gotta go make dinner. Later!

kimthebride

10-20-2005, 05:37 PM

QOTD: Peek-A-Blocks...???
I heard they're great, got some at my shower....but what the heck do I do with them?

Dreshny

10-20-2005, 06:52 PM

What are Peek-a-Blocks?

kimthebride

10-20-2005, 07:31 PM

These blocks by Fisher-Price with different themes of what's inside them: alphabet, sports, touch sensory, sight sensory, etc.
Here's the Banyard Animals set $7.99 on Amazon:
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0006ZE6N6.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

They just don't seem all that "fun" to me....

sophiapb

10-21-2005, 07:03 AM

Jodie-Where have you been, girlie? Glad you found us. Lousy about the weight but as I recall, you were on bedrest for quite a while. It's not like you could have gotten up and gone jogging so your body is probably still adjusting. However, the end result is your gorgeous daughter (I could just pinch those cheeks!) and once she gets you chasing her around, the weight will come off.

Peek-A-Blocks-I'd like some input on these too. I keep hearing people raving about these and amassing huge collections but I don't understand the concept. Can you open them up and play with the actual object in there or is just a visual thing? Do they squeek or move or anything? Apparently a college degree is worthless when it comes to the comprehension of Peek-A-Blocks. :confused:

Golfer-I'm so proud of you for hanging in there will the BF and the Bell's Palsey. I'm sure it's a lot of work and requires plenty of patience but you are doing great!

Loving the baby pictures. I just want to snuggle all the munchkins!

allyray231

10-21-2005, 07:12 AM

well made it though my first week of work-sucked but got better

Those blocks are wild!

Xmas no gift ideas yet becuase I KNOW my mom and dad will go wild

Side sleeper anyone? Anyone have a baby who wants to sleep on his side? A has been doing this lately which is OK but he keeps pressing is face to the mattress and trying to roll sometimes and I am afraid!!!

kimthebride

10-21-2005, 07:22 AM

Peek-A-Blocks Research
Yes, I am a nerd but it was really bugging me that I just couldn't figure these things out! :rolleyes:

Per the www.fisherprice.com website, these are the perks of P-A-Bs:

DEVELOPING MOTOR SKILLS
• Encourages development of balance & gross motor skills as baby learns to stand & cruise around block.
• Grasping & stacking blocks enhances fine motor skills.
• Sorting blocks & placing them into activity sides encourages eye-hand coordination.

ENCOURAGING COGNITIVE ABILITIES
• Helps baby understand spatial concepts like in/out, up/down.
• Fosters problem-solving skills as baby figures out how to stack & build.
• Offers progressive challenges, from simple activities to more complex stacking & sorting.

STIMULATING THE SENSES
• See-through blocks with bright colors & movement stimulate visual development.
• Grasping & feeling textured surfaces enhances sense of touch.

There are about 12 PAB play sets that you can use the PABs in, and a bunch of different-themed PAB block sets.
You can, for example, but the Incrediblock...
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/img/product_shots/C5523_b_1.jpg
And use the Alphabet set of PABs in it...
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/img/product_shots/G8683_b_1.jpg

I've been asking around, and moms say they are good for different stages: stacking, knocking down, counting, spelling, texture, visual, naming animals - there's even a Calendar set with something inside the block associated with each month. Some move, some make noise.

Interesting...I may just break out the set we got and see if Thomas is more interested in them these days.

Jessiesmama

10-21-2005, 08:17 AM

Jmvan74
Thanks! Glad to be back!

Tgr68
I forgot we were twins!!! And we ended up being 10 days apart - go figure! I was induced - I'm sure I would have gone longer had I not been :rolleyes:

Sophiapb
I've been hanging out at a friend's chat site. I started a journal there over the Summer My Journal (http://www.ebride.tv/showthread.php?t=105) It's more of a wedding site - but the girls are so great - and I've known many of them for years now! Anyway, I was indeed on bedrest for like half of my pregnancy which sucked and added to my weight gain issue. Oh well - one pound at a time. Thanks for the compliments on Jessica. Her cheeks kill me. I think she's storing food for the winter.

Peekablocks
I bought these for my best friend's 8 month old. I got the incredablock and a set of peekablocks. My girlfriend said he has tons of fun with it and uses the incrediblock to pull himself up to a standing position. There are activities that they can do on the incrediblock. Not sure what the peekablocks do on their own.

Potential problem
I've been swaddling Jessica for bed since she's born. She slept through the night at 4 weeks after I began swaddling her in this blanket called the miracle blanket. Well -I never stopped because I read somewhere that you can swaddle up to 5 months. My Dd. freaked at me yesterday. Said her only recommends swaddling for the first 4-6 weeks! Anyway - I tried to put her to sleep without the swaddle last night but she wouldn't go down. I gave in and swaddled her because I had to go to work today. I'll try again tonight. Did I ruin her? Any advice?

tgr68

10-21-2005, 08:42 AM

P-A-Bs~We will probably stick to plain old fashioned blocks. Most of the advatanges to the PAB version, I was asking myself, "And a regular block can't do that?" Heck she's got a ton of peek-a-boo books and other stuff. I would hate to overwhelm her!

Side Sleeper~I'm sure she sleeps on her side at some point. I usually don't worry about it too much though. During the day, she will fall asleep during tummy time sometimes, and end up wadding the blanket up right in front of her face, usually because she thinks it's too bright in the room. Just keep an eye on him and turn him back over if he's in that position when you check on him, and everything should be fine.

sophia~Apparently a college degree is worthless when it comes to the comprehension of Peek-A-Blocks. ROTFLOL! I find that to be true with a lot of kids toys/entertainment!

Jodie~I ended up being induced too, but because I was a week overdue and showing very little signs of progression! I ended up with a c-section, and talk about your body being readjusted!! :eek: I wouldn't trade it for the world though because a have a wonderful little girl to show for it! ;) As far as swaddling goes, we took DD out of her swaddling blanket (similar to the Miracle blanket) and wrapped her in another blanket for a few nights (which she ended up kicking out of because it wasn't as tight as the swaddler). Then, when she got used to that blanket we started just draping it over her, and tucking it under her arms. Now she can sleep with or without a blanket! Good luck!

Well, gotta get. I still have some work to do before the library lock-in tonight!

vegasgirl

10-21-2005, 08:58 AM

i can't remeber if i joined here (i know i joined the May/June 05 thread).
so this might be a repeat: I don't post to much but always follow along.

Name: Heather
Age: 31
DH: 33
Edd: June 30, 2005
Ellie Judith born June 21, 2005
8lbs, 19 3/4 inches long

4 month wbv this week:
13 lbs 23 3/4 inches
I am orginally from NJ and have always lived on the east coast but we moved to Las Vegas 4 years ago and love it!

Jodie: Swaddling - I went through the same thing at about 3 months. I freaked out and tried to cut the swaddle out cold turkey. It was not pretty. I was just worried that she might roll over. I was told that you can swaddle up to 6 mos and that they baby lets you know when they don't want to be swaddled. After that first night I started swaddling her under her arms which helped, she got used to her arms moving around and was able to find her fingers to suck which helped to soothe her. I still occasionaly swaddle her legs but she can sleep through the night without the swaddle but she does startle herself (i watch her on the monitor) alot more often. She is finally able to put herself back to sleep. In regards to your note on weight loss, i too gained quite a bit but started weight watchers about 10 weeks ago and it is really working. I also walk at least 3 days a week with the stroller and friends and i that really helps. I am not nursing-which i know helps the weight come off faster - but friends have told me that you hold onto at least 10lbs until you stop.

Jessiesmama

10-21-2005, 09:21 AM

Thanks for the advice ladies! I have been swaddling her arms only for the last 6-8 weeks - her legs no longer fit in the little pouch of the miracle blanket so she used to not having her legs swaddled. I think I'll try a regular receiving blanket to transition her - I'll wrap the receiving blanket loosely around her arms - I know she'll be able to get out of that pretty easily. I like the idea of transitioning her and not going cold turkey. That might help.

tgr68
Induced and a c-section! Wow!

Vegasgirl
Where in NJ were you from? I've been here all my life. Re: Weight Watchers are you on points or core? Just started points myself!

Jessiesmama

10-21-2005, 09:34 AM

Halloween
I'm sure I missed what everyone's DC is being for Halloween. :( But I wanted to post Jessica's costume. She'll be dressing up twice. Once for a parade in my SILs town, and once on Halloween. I'm taking the day off from work on Halloween. I'm a nut! Jess will be trick-or-treating with her cousins - (Elyssa 7 & Briana 5). Can't wait!

Here's the costume:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/brandsonsale-store_1868_15845328

Side note - I love the costume - but had a horrible experience with www.brandsonsale.com (the one place I found the costume). I'd never use them again!

Food
The Dr. gave us the go-ahead to start cereal. I'm not ready. The reading materials he gave me indicate that a formula fed baby is ready when they reach 15 lbs, have doubled their birth weight or are consuming 32 oz formula (or more) a day. My DD has reached none of those milestones so I'm not starting quite yet. Has anyone else started? How is it going? I'm so not ready for this - my baby is getting so big!

Sorry if I'm posting things you guys have already discussed. I'll keep up from here on in!:)

kelseyledare

10-21-2005, 11:13 AM

Jessiesmama: Love that costume! Your Jessica will be soo cute with those cheeks! My DD is going as a UNC cheerleader (our alma mater) since all the headpieces were too large for her small head. Thanks for the info about brandsonsale. I had looked at their website.

Food: We also discussed cereal, but have decided to wait. My DD has doubled her birth weight (little piggy ;) ) but hasn't hit any of those other milestone. I would like to wait until closer to 6 mos.

QOTD: Speaking of eating, we need to buy DD a highchair and are looking for recommendations. We have looked at the Aquarium Healthy Care, but the colors are a little bright. But we do like the reclining seat and removable trays- sounds helpful. Anyone have a highchair they'd recommend?

jmvan74

10-21-2005, 11:53 AM

Jodie;Costume is adorable!!

Kelsey: I reccomend a fisher price high chair. If the aquarium one is too bright for you they sell other patterns. I have jungle plaid. I love it. It is very sturdy and i like that the center part (between ds's legs) doesn't come off with the tray...a little safer.

tgr68

10-21-2005, 11:55 AM

Jodie~Yep! I had both. After an hour and a half of Pitocin and my water being broke, I still couldn't feel contrax (even though they were registering 75/100 :eek: ). Plus the dr had noticed that DD's h/b was dropping with each cntrax. During the c/s, we discovered that the cord was wrapped around DDs neck.I hated to have the c/s, but I am so thankful we did because it maent that DD was safe & healthy! :D

BRB.

jmvan74

10-21-2005, 11:56 AM

4 month appt!
Collin is 16lbs. 10 ounces
25 and 3/4 inches long.

I'm so excited about starting solids! I know I am in the minority. We have already started rice cereal and now I'm going to introduce oatmeal and some apple juice tonight. Yeah!! DH can finally be more involved in feeding him.

Jessiesmama

10-21-2005, 12:09 PM

kelseyledare
Thanks about the costume. Can't wait to see photos of all the babies in their costumes! Yes - avoind brandsonsale if you don't want a headache!

jmvan74
Thanks! Good stats! Did your DS get shots today?

tgr68
What an ordeal! Thank goodness you had the c! What a story.

Quick question: What percentile is 14lbs 2 oz at 4 months? Anyone know?

jmvan74

10-21-2005, 12:15 PM

jodie DS did get shots. He took them like a trooper, but he has barely let me put him down all day. :(

kimthebride

10-21-2005, 03:05 PM

QOTD:Anyone have a highchair they'd recommend?
We love ours:
Baby Trend Palm Tree High Chair $89.99 at BRU
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0001NE3ZO.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
- SUPER easy to set up
- 5 point harness
- removabe dishwasher safe tray
- 4 position recline
- seat height adjusts all the way up and down almost to the floor
- locking wheels
- easy to fold and store
- neutral fabric that easily cleans
- cushy seat with lots of padding so a thrashing child is protected ;)
- tray has 3 positions and removes with 1 hand
- tray can be stored on the legs of the chair if you want to pull chair up close to dinner table

tgr68

10-23-2005, 05:32 PM

Here's what I posted in my journal: Friday night Shylah went to stay with ILs, and since I couldn't pump anything, we decided to let them give her formula for the bedtime/morning feedings.

Well, that's all it took. DD has been really fussy the last few days, and it could be for several reasons (AF is in town, teething, stressful week, transition from bassinet to larger bed, sudden & drastic changed in weather, etc.), but MIL has seemed to convinced DH that we have to supplement because there is something wrong with my milk. (We have been through this with MIL time and time again, but she is still convinced of this because that was the case with her when DH was an infant. She is also of the firm belief that babies should not be nursed after 3 months and definately not after they get teeth.)

Now that DD has had a bottle for a few feedings in a row, she fusses when I try to nurse her. She won't hardly eat, but the second DH gives her a bottle, she gobbles it right up. :( :( I keep trying to nurse her, but it just sets me off on an emotional roller coaster. Right now I can't even stand to feed her with a bottle, so DH does it.

Tomorrow is Shylah's 4 month wellness check up, and I'm going to talk to her about this and what we can do. To add to the stress, I've been thinking that I have PPD for a few weeks now. I don't know why it took so long to hit, though, if that's what it is. I ended up in tears this morning for over half an hour over this whole BFing/FFing thing. I just don't know what to do. I'm half angry at MIL, and totally feeling like a failure.

The funny thing is I know I've talked countless other new moms through these types of situations, but I can't seem to take my own advice that everything will be okay no matter what they have to decide. golfer~You seem to have recently gone through a similar struggle with your BP. Any advice on how to make this (hopefully temporary) situation any easier?

Jessiesmama

10-24-2005, 07:29 AM

tgr
Will she taked pumped BM from a bottle?

kimthebride

10-24-2005, 08:10 AM

tgr
I am so sorry to hear that everything is compounded on top of each other. The hardest thing for me in the very beginning of mommyhood was the disagreement between DH & I in regards to feeding DS (wow, that was a VERY short summary of my long story!). When you have 2 people - MIL & DH - almost making you feel like you are starving/malnourishing your baby, it just gets emotionally ugly. Just to reiterate things you have likely said to other moms in your position:
- Many babies have some form of temporary nursing strike, and all get over it
- While on the nursing strike, give her bottles of EBM to keep your milk flowing
- Ignore your MIL, do what you know is right for your kid (she already raised hers and needs to back off)
- 1 out of 5 moms has some sort of PPD, definitely tell your doctor and get on a road to happiness
- We are all here for you, you are so not alone

Maybe it's a tumultuous time in motherhood - this 4-6 month age - for I noticed a few moms (including me) going thru some stuff right now, being more emotional, just kind of losing it more than normal.
- I have been overthinking lately how much DS means to me, and how I just honestly don't know how I'd go on if something happened to him. I'm almost obsessing over it (this was spawned by reading about a CC member's loss of infant due to SIDS and here locally a mom lost her 3-month old twin boys after thickening their formula with corn starch). This isn't like me, and I expect once I process this it will pass.
- One friend is just beside herself going crazy over her DD's nap/eating shcedule, and with so many family members giving their (unasked-for) 2 cents she feels so pressured and out of sorts.
- Another friend is just beside herself over the BFing/introducing solids issue because her family is all over her about it.
We're all healthy, strong, independent women with no history of depression, yet all 3 of us are hitting some sort of fan right now. Hearing outside influences over and over can reach a boiling point, and being an exhausted mom does not help in the fight against it.

I hope things get better quickly. Let us know if there's anything any of us can do. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

tgr68

10-24-2005, 10:30 AM

Jodie~Yes, she will, but it seems as though my supply has pretty much synched with what she is eating, so I haven't been able to pump much at all. The most I have gotten here lately is about 2oz. :(

kim~Thank you so much! It sounds like I'm in the same boat as you and your friends. I've bee having horrid dreams of something bad happening to DD, and wake up freaked out until I go in and check on her. I know what you mean about this not being like you because it seems so out of character for me, too. I am so sorry to hear that everything is compounded on top of each other. I really think this is it. Everything has really seemed to hit at once!!

From my journal:4 Month Checkup
Things went really well today at the dr. Shylah is 24" long and 10lbs 8oz. She has lost a little weight, so the dr did say to supplement a couple of times a day with formula until we can get that weight up. Then I can go back to exclusive BFing. Yeah!! :D The dr isn't neccessarily concerned at her current weight, but that she has lost a little between 3-4 months. Since DH and I are smaller people, our kid is bound to be smaller too. ;) Shots went well. She didn't hardly cry at all!! The third prick was by far the worst for her, but she calmed down in less than a minute. The dr was very impressed with her head control and is predicting that she'll definately be sitting on her own by Christmas!! :eek: We have to go back in a month for a weight check, then in 2 mos. for her next checkup!

As far as I go, I'm having a much better day today. With everything that happened at Shylah's appt I forgot to ask about the possibility of PPD. I am keeping a close eye on things and DH says the second I start showing signs of another breakdown, he is calling the dr because he really doesn't want be to be down, especially since I have our daughter to care for!

He also said that when we do supplement her, it will ONLY be after she has nursed for a bit. That made me feel a lot better about having to give her a bottle. Plus, the dr says it might help to go ahead and start her on cereal to help get her weight up. I really didn't want to start her on solids until she was six months, so I think we may just stick to the formula when needed for now and see how she does. I've still got grocery shopping to do today, and I am going to pick up a Christmas dress for Shylah as well!

Tomorrow I took off work, and DH and I are going to take DD over for pics. I just have to decide on a background. I think we are going to go with Walmart for now. Then get family pictures done later.

jmvan74

10-24-2005, 12:25 PM

Naamah: I'm so sorry you are having a hard time. I'm also really glad you said something here. I've been wondering about late onset of PPD myself. I keep trying to ignore my sadness. I feel like I should be so happy, but i'm not. I'm so tired and stressed out. Last week I was so exhausted, I just couldn't deal with Collin's crying. i had to put him in his crib and get in to the shower. I just sat in the shower and cried until I felt like I could handle him again (probably 10-15 minutes). It made me feel like a horrible mom. Unfortunately, DH doesn't know how to handle it. He has family members that had severe depression issues.:( Anyhow, I'm thinking about you.

sophiapb

10-24-2005, 01:15 PM

- I have been overthinking lately how much DS means to me, and how I just honestly don't know how I'd go on if something happened to him. I'm almost obsessing over it

I've bee having horrid dreams of something bad happening to DD, and wake up freaked out until I go in and check on her.

OMG, I thought it was just me! I have terrible, terrible fears concerning Alexa. I won't even give details so as to prevent planting seeds in other people's brains but it's awful. Where does this stuff even come from? I figured a lot of it had to do with hormone fluctuation and losing Alexander so we were more protective of Alexa but I honestly feel like a nut job sometimes!

I just sat in the shower and cried until I felt like I could handle him again

I've had this happen when I've been tired and feeling overwhelmed. On Saturday, we had an outdoor corporate event that I oversaw and, wouldn't you know, it rained! We came home cold, muddy and tired and DH headed right to bed at 6:30. Thanks! That left me with Alexa for the rest of the evening. She ended up getting overtired and would not go down for me at 10:00. I was exhausted by this time and listening to her howl in her crib got me bawling. I had been tired all week and had pushed myself to make it to the weekend and this was my limit. My mom finally went in and calmed Alexa down but I felt like the worst mother in the world plus I wanted to smack DH senseless. :mad: It was miserable. Since I am Alexa's food source, I am the last person to go to bed since I have to pump and the first one up in the morning since, once again, I have to pump. I know a lot of my problems are due to lack of sleep and they will remedy themselves in time but still, it's rough!

tgr68

10-25-2005, 10:56 AM

sophia~I won't even give details so as to prevent planting seeds in other people's brains but it's awful. I really wanted to share more about my dreams, but this is the very reason I didn't give any details! There are times I make DH go in and check on her because I'm too freaked by what I just saw in my sleep. How chicken is that?

jmvan~I just sat in the shower and cried I did this when DH called to get the formula from his mom to supplement. I couldn't even stand to watch him feed her from a bottle that was not filled with BM. :( Now, I am doing better. I guess something about hearing it from the dr made it okay. I've gotten to where I can make her bottles, but I still hand her off to feed her. I feel like I am being so ridiculous about this, but it's really hard for me.

We are getting pictures done today. I bought Shylah a dress yesterday that is similiar to this one:
http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/336/336316/quick/on336316-01qlv01.jpg
Instead of a bow, it has three roses, and the top and roses are a crushed velvet.

Well, gotta go get DD up from her nap, so we can get to the photographers with some time to spare - just in case of a dirty diaper or empty tummy! ;)

Mrs.Chappy

10-25-2005, 02:42 PM

hey ladies..just wanted to pop in and offer my support to you all..I've often felt like i have PPD..late onset..and i've done the shower thing..more so DH doesn't see me get upset.

As far as my little one..he has certainly discovered his voice..he screams and screams...they are happy screams but its driving me nuts!! its cute and annoying all at once..anyone else have this?

Dreshny

10-25-2005, 03:01 PM

Hey...I'm not currently having any big issues, but I'm certainly here to "listen" and offer support....

Screams: Ah yes, the happy screams, the frustrated screams, the tired screams, the "get me out of this sling" screams...Yep, I hear them all. :rolleyes:

Mrs.Chappy

10-25-2005, 04:04 PM

here's our latest:

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1527/1/4/53/58/58/3/358585304106_0_ALB.jpg

HedgeGirl

10-25-2005, 04:44 PM

Just got back from Brady's 4 month checkup...here are his stats:

Weight: 13 lbs, 2 oz (27%)
Height: 25 1/2" (55%)
Head: 40.6 cm (20%)

Everything went very well (and B didn't pee all over himself when we went to take his weight which is always a plus). That said, I always seem to walk out of the dr visits irked about something. This time it was the fact the dr said his weight is fine but he should be sleeping more at night and eating more during the day (he was doing this before we started day care, but now he's waking up every 2-3 hours and I feed him back to sleep and I've been fine with this, esp since he only eat 4.5 oz when he's at day care). Maybe I'm selfish, but the fact that he eats more at night and from me makes me feel better (esp after leaving him at day care all day) but I still get those pangs of guilt that maybe I should be doing something different when somebody suggests so.

Repeat to self: "this works for us; just keeping doing what works for us; trust your mommy instincts"

I feel better now.

The topics on this list are pretty timely...I've been increasingly worried about something bad happening as well (and not just to DS but to me or DH as well)...feeling vulnerable might be a better way to put it. I've attributed it to reading things that plant those seeds and the fact that I've realized just how much DS and my family means to me.

I'm glad people are comfortable sharing the tough times they are going through. You are all the best parents for your children. My DH likes to tell me when I'm all worked up over something that it just goes to show that I'm a good mommy because I'm worrying about whatever it is (however small). And sometimes we can be down because something didn't go the way WE wanted or expected it to. (As wonderful as our DC are, we still have our own feeling and expectations and emotions and its okay for those to be negative feelings sometimes!) I'm thinking about all of you and sending positive energy your way :)