September 2005 Mommies - Our Baby's First Year!!!

[Kay2003]

cr8zy - Aack. Sending you a huge hug!!

alison - yup, I was reading the 5 - 12 month section of the weissbluth. a third nap is okay at this age, according to weissbluth. You're lucky... sounds like your baby fits the weissbluth "ideal!"

I already failed miserably the first night trying to follow this book. Kaito wakes up at 3:45 so I feed him and then he gets up again at 4:30. He cries, I wait, he cries again and I send my DH to check to make sure he hasn't flipped over or has pooped in his diaper. In the course of changing Kaito's diaper, Kaito is really up and wants to eat. So I feed him again (even though I know he's n ot hungry).

Have a good weekend!!

[pixiecat]

Hi ladies!
Interesting discussion about sippy cups - hadn't even thought of that yet! Although Lily really likes to hold her own bottle, so maybe I should pick one up! We are going to get our solid food supplies this week... pretty big deal!!

Lily's new cute thing is to "kiss"!! She grabs your face, pulls herself in and gives you a big 'ol open mouth kiss! Too cute, I love it!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I am ready for a break!

[PrincessCrappy]

Well, we had Griffin's follow up doctor appointment. He seemed to be in better spirits, but I just knew that he wasn't getting any better. It turns out he does have fluid in his ears and his ped was really concerned with the way his lungs sounded -- he felt he got a lot worse between our first visit on Monday and then on Friday. He had to give us an anti-biotic and an inhaler. I left crying and felt like a loser mom -- I didn't want him to go on those medications but after four weeks of being sick, I know he needs the extra help. I was totally crying at the pharmacy when the pharmacist had to show me how to hold the mask over his face to use the inhaler. If he isn't significantly better by Monday or Tuesday, his ped wants to take x-rays of his lungs. UGH!! Nikki, you handled Ava being sick so well -- you were so strong! I'm falling apart over a little cold! I feel like such a dork! To make myself feel better, I had a little retail therapy and bought him a ton of stuff at gymboree (ok, and I ate a HUGE bowl of ice cream WITH chocolate sauce!). :o

cr8zy - HUGE hugs to you!

Kay2003 - You didn't fail last night, you just followed what Kaito needed instead of what a book told you to do! I beat myself up so much when we were trying to follow someone elses plan on getting Griffin to sleep. Now that we're kind of doing our own thing and LOOSELY following Weissbluth, things are much better.

[dbers]

Princess - I'm so sorry sweetie! I know it's scary, but you can deal with this. Please keep us updated!

Here's a pic of Alex on her 6 month birthday :)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc05b3127cce973d4c33035c00000016108AbMWjNs3cM1

ETA: a picture of Alex's reaction to her first taste of rice cereal...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc04b3127cce9739fac69a7700000016108AbMWjNs3cM1

CLASSIC!!

[pixiecat]

He had to give us an anti-biotic and an inhaler. I left crying and felt like a loser mom -- I didn't want him to go on those medications but after four weeks of being sick, I know he needs the extra help. I was totally crying at the pharmacy when the pharmacist had to show me how to hold the mask over his face to use the inhaler. I.

Carrie - we had to do this same thing w/ Lily. I know it sucks, but it should help! After 1 week her ears had cleared up and her breathing was fine. She always smiled when we put the little mask on her, so that helped. Big hugs to you & Griffin!

[Kay2003]

Princess - hang in there. I would feel the same way. And thanks for the support about not "failing." You're right. I should just loosely try to follow weissbluth.... I know it's not going to work that well for me tonight either as we were out with friends and didn't get him to sleep early enough with enough m ilk in his belly. oh well.

[cr8zyforaf]

Kay2003 - Kay - you are so not a failure. Sleep is hard. Believe me, I know. Ashley also has reverted back to getting up numerous times during the night (FWIW - I read this is common around 5-6 months as the babies are becoming more aware of their surroundings and are too excited and interested to stay asleep)...I also just cave and either feed her or put her in bed with me since I am exhausted and it is just the easiest thing to do. Just think - one day, all of these stupid sleep issues will be laughable once our babies learn to SSTN.

dbers - Ohhh..what a cutie!! Love the expression!!

PrincessCrappy - so sorry you have to deal with this. You are so not a loser mom - you are a great mother. I will be thinking of you and hope that
Griffin gets better real soon. And hey, there is nothing wrong with a little retail therapy and ice cream!!

pixiecat - how cute that Lily is kissing.

I am not sure what kind of sippy cup we use - I have a few different ones. I hate one that I have with adjustable handles - it just seems to big for her now.

Ashley has the flu - it started Friday night - by Saturday morning I was frantic...she was throwing up everything I put in her and then when she was empty, she was dry heaving. Doctor said to keep pumping the pedilite in her so she had something to throw up. She finally stopped puking late yesterday but now she has diarrhea really bad. I can't send her to daycare like this so will probably take off tomorrow and take her in..she is also tugging at her ears a lot and I want to make sure she does not have an ear infection. She still refused to eat any formula however, I did feed her some bananas just to get something in her. Poor baby - I've been holding her non stop since Friday.
MIL is p*ssed because she was supposed to stop by today but DH called to tell her not too - Ashley is just too sick and now I think I'm catching it. She got angry - I also found out she is badmouthing me to other family members - saying I only make time for my family and not her which is cr*p...she just baby sat 2 weeks ago - my mom hasn't baby sat once since I went back to work and I don't hear her complaining.

[BeachBum]

Well we tried solids (sweet potatoes) for the first time. http://images.snapfish.com/3463%3B%3C%3A73%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3248%3E4%3B5%3E2%3B %3A%3EWSNRCG%3D3233558848%3C55nu0mrj I was so sad about doing it, but Henry just loved it which made it worth it.

As for sippy cups, we are using the Nuby brand with two handles and the flexible silicone spout. Because he so rarely has a bottle it is a very empowering experience for him! ;) He just loves getting to hold it, but often puts the wrong part in his mouth :D It is so cute and fun to watch.

[solongtogo]

We also started solids this past weekend, sweet potatos. Courtney LOVES them...she actually said mmmm when she was eating :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/Courtney/6%20mo/1.jpg

plus a few of her 6 month pics! We go for vacc and WBV tomorrow!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/Courtney/6%20mo/8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/Courtney/6%20mo/3.jpg

[solongtogo]

Just got back from Court's 6 mo. WBV

Weight: 14 lbs
Height: 25 1/4 inches
Head: 42.4 cm

[Brink]

I am a HORRIBLE mother! DH and I went to bed last night and forgot the monitor downstairs! We woke up at 6:45 this morning and realized it. Aimee's room is on the other side of the house downstairs and she could have been screaming her head off and we never would have heard her. She normally STTN but she has been waking up this last week since she had her fever. So, I'm sure she probably woke up around 2am and had to scream herself back to sleep. I feel awful! The other day we went to the ped and forgot her diaper bag. We had to get a diaper from the ped (they only had size 1) and use that until we got home. I'm going to be one of those parents who "forgets" their kid and leaves them in the car!

Solongtogo - Courtney is just beautiful. That pic with the wings is priceless.

Jo&sean - very cool about Addison giggling out loud. That is so fun to hear.

Cr8zy - sorry the trouble with the MIL won't go away. Then to have such a sick little baby. I hope she is feeling better today.

Dbers - Alex is so cute in her pics for her 6 month.

Pixiecat - love the "kisses" story. Can't wait for Aimee to start some of that.

Princess - How is Griffin? I hope the treatment is working and his ears are starting to clear up.

Beachbum - cut pic with the sweet potatoes.

Aimee did great the first couple of times with her cereal. Then the last two nights she has eaten a few bites but really isn't that into it. I don't know if I'm just catching her at the wrong time. We'll see how she does tonight.

[philnikki]

Sweet Potatoes for us too!!!!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/philnikki/100_2879.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/philnikki/100_2876.jpg

Kim - So sorry that Ashely is so sick :( Sending get well vibes and {{HUGS}}. I am pretty sure my MIL is ranting about me too. Oh well. screw em.

PrincessCrappy - Thanks for that, but I really think it was more denial than anything that let me deal with everything. I didn't really have a good cry about everything until a few days later. I balled when they put her IV in, but after that I just kind of numb to everything. I am so sorry about Griffin! I hope he gets better really soon!!!

[cr8zyforaf]

OH - all the pictures of the babies eating are so cute!!!

solong - love the pictures of Courtney - did you take those? They are excellent and she is adorable.

philnikki - Ava is adorable - I love the second picture - it looks like she is totally playing it up for the camera!

Brink - You are not a horrible mom - I did the same thing with the monitor last week - except I had the one in our room - I just forgot to turn the one in her room on...the dog actually hear her screaming and woke us up. And, twice I forgot to put a nipple in her bottle when we were headed out and when I went in her diaper bag to mix her bottle, everything was soaked. I was at lunch with my coworkers the second time it happened and they looked at me like I was nuts. It happens to us all. The worst thing I ever did - when she was really small, I went to lunch downtown - the girl I went to lunch with held her until we got outside and I just put her in the carrier and decided to strap her in when I got to the car...well, I totally forgot to strap her in so I drove all the way home with my baby unstrapped in the carseat...I've never told anyone that - I felt awful.

BeachBum - Henry is adorable. I love his bib.

Well, no ear infection for Ashley - the doctor said it will just take awhile for this to work out of her system. She still isn't really eating and is napping all the time. Poor thing. Her lips are chapped also :( . I did take her to daycare for a few hours so that I could get some work done...and then I came home and took a nap - so, I think I get the bad mom award today. I am just physically wiped out.

[randysmandy]

Your babies eating are SO cute!
We are going to have Hunter's pics taken on March 9th-I can't wait! He hasn't gone since he was a month old.
[B]Princess Sorry to hear about Griffin
Damn the MILS!
OK I have to work now--picking up extra work for extra cash while the little one is sleeping.

[Kay2003]

cr8zy - I hope you feel better soon!!

priceless photos - of your babies eating solids

brink all the cry-it-out baby books talk about how babies wake up happy andnot remembering anything about crying during the night. So I think you're just fine : )

[Kay2003]

Oh no... just got this info. from our local mom's group about recalls on britax seats..

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/search.htm?query=recall+britax

[jo&sean]

Cr8zy - So sorry that Ashley got the flu and is not feeling well. Poor little girl. I hope she gets to feeling better really quick. Don't feel bad for going home and taking a nap. You need a break!

Beachbum - Henry is such an adorable little boy! He is going to be a heartbreaker when he is older :)

Solongtogo - I love Courtney's pictures -especially with the angel wings. Too cute!

Brink - You are not a horrible mom! I know you feel awful but Aimee won't hold it against you. Like Kay said, they supposedly don't remember anyways. I bet you will always know where your monitor is from now on. Addy does the same thing with her food like Aimee does - I think it is catching them at the right time.

Kay - Thanks for the Britax recall information!

I ended up taking Addison to the dr yesterday because her cold just wasn't getting any better and her breathing was horrible on Sunday night. I was worried that she had fluid in her lungs because she sounded so awful but that is not the case. We did decide to go ahead and put her on antibiotics though because she has been battling this thing for almost five weeks now. Plus she has a little infection in her eye from the cold. After getting just two doses, I noticed a huge difference in her last night and this morning you could tell she felt better. We decided to keep her home from school yesterday and today to give the medicine some time to kick in and get her feeling better before she goes back to the germs. Hopefully this will work and she can get rid of this thing.

The school auction was Saturday night and it went really well. We raised $26,500 after expenses - that was the best revenue ever! I guess our committee rocked!

Better get back to work...

[crow]

Get well wishes to all our little sick ones (and their mommas)...

A quick question, as we are desperately looking for a new crib (our hand me down on is just TOO squeaky):

Would you recommend your crib? If so, would you please let me know about how much it is? Mostly we are looking for something quiet and easy for us to put our baby down (I am short-- 5 feet 2). Like if it has a drop down side, is it easy to operate. And something that won't require a long wait time for shipping.

I quickly scanned the cribs thread, and solongtogo, how's your crib faring? That is one we are considering. (Also beautiful photos of Courtney)

May I also ask you since I remember you also are a photographer--is photo flash harmful to babies' eyes?

Oooh...so many cute babies eating!!! Love the photos!

[solongtogo]

Crow...I like our crib. It's nothing fancy, but is very sturdy and came highly recommended from baby bargains. It was like 200.00 at target.com. The drop side is not as easy to work as I would like it to be, but it's not terrible either. It just sometimes seems to stick a bit. I am quite tall though, so I don't have the height working against me, and we have her mattress on the highest setting. I ordered it and it was at my home within 3 days of ordering.

Photo flash is not harmful to babies:)

[AlisonCO]

Hi! I LOVE all of the cereal and sweet potato faces - those pictures are all priceless and totally capture how exciting new things are for our little ones.

We are in teething hell here - I so briefly forgot how bad it is! Caitlin has been up a bunch for the last few nights and nothing really seems to help. In happier news, she is sitting by herself. Yesterday she sat on the bed while I put away laundry for a good 10 minutes before she reached a bit too far for a toy and fell forward - she is very flexible:) So we are 10 days from her 6 month b-day and I put away all of her 3-6 clothes and pulled out the 6-9 stuff. This weekend she was also able to wear her 6-12 Robeez for the first time. I need to make her 6 month appt, but insurance is being an ass about paying for her vac's. Caitlin only gets one at a time and a NP does it not a doc so we don't have to pay an office visit fee. Anyway insurance is freaking out because the way they are coded is different from the norm. I can't understand and the billing person at the ped's is being so nice, but right now I owe $300 for 3 shots.

Sorry - no SO's because I need to shower. I hope that all of the sick babies get well soon.

[Kay2003]

crow - I have the Pali April (I think it's April...)crib. Pali got good reviews in baby bargains. I forget exactly how much it was ... in the $350 range?? Anyway, like you I am 5'2. With the side all the way up, I have to get a little on my tip toes to get Kaito in the crib but not when the crib side is down. I this this would be true of any crib, though!

[BeachBum]

Well H is going to the doctor this morning. I think "teething hell" is the problem, but my mom thinks it could be an ear infection, so I want to be sure.
In my baby book is says that the #1 cause of ear pulling without a fever is teething. So interesting I thought!

[pixiecat]

Hi everyone:
Sorry to hear about all of the sick babies. I hope it's just the season... Lily has a cold again too :( Seems pretty spunky though, so I'm not worrying yet!

crow - we have the Madison Jardin crib from BRU... it is very pretty, but *not* good for us shorties b/c it doesn't have a drop side. I knew it would be an issue, but DH loved it and I caved. Now I wish I hadn't!

food - Lily tried cereal for the first time this past weekend! It was a hit! But then she developed a diaper rash (& she *never* gets these!) so I'm letting it clear up before we try again. Also, we used barley cereal & everyone is telling us we should have used rice cereal. They seem kind of the same to me... Anyway, I'm tempted to just give her a bite or two of sweet potatoes next & just skip the cereal! Any thoughts? Here is a pic of her enjoying dinner:

http://images.snapfish.com/34644657%3A%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3235%3E248%3E85%3B%3EWS NRCG%3D3233563%3B%3B35%3B7nu0mrj

[solongtogo]

pixie: I'd go ahead and try the rice cereal..it's the easiest of the cereals to digest. As far as going straight to sweet potato, I've heard that if your baby is 6 months or older, you don't need to start with a cereal for solid food, but if she's younger than 6 months, you need to start with cereal before "real" food.

[philnikki]

Beach Bum You know whats weird? Ava never did pull at her ears or offered any signs that she had an ear infection other than the fever. Weird huh? Good luck with H!!!!! Tell us how it goes!

Julie - FWIW, we tried rice cereal a few times, and decided it was time to stop torturing our daughter. She HATED it! We just skipped cereal altogether and went straight to fruit. Then we started veggies. People are going to tell you to them the other way around, but honestly, Ava will eat it all just the same. I thought it might be easier on her to try something sweet at first until she gets the hang of it, ya know? Anyway -- that is my two cents!!

Ava's 6 mo WBV is today (well, at least I hope its today...we'll see if her ped says she is healthy enough for her shots today). Wish us luck!!!

[Brink]

Good morning everyone. I'm so bad, I get to work and just can't start my day until I get in here and see what's been going on....

We ended up having to buy another car seat. We had originally bought the Eddie Bauer 3-1 and it won't fit in my car! We bought it a long time ago and cannot return it (don't have receipt or box). I drive a Mercedes E320 and can't believe it won't fit - it's not like I have a little car. Anyway, we ended up moving that one over to my DH's car and bought an Evenflo for my car. It's much smaller and should work. Bummer because the Eddie Bauer was so neat looking and matched the car perfect (I know, it shouldn't matter).

Horrible Mom - thanks Kay2003, Jo&Sean and Cr8zy for the reassurance about leaving her. Cr8zy - I can totally relate on the strapping in issue, while I have never actually forgotten to do it, I will get driving and have to stop and check because I just can't remember! I can't imagine all of the things we will be too emarrassed to tell people about as the years go on.

Nikki - Great sweet potatoe pics of Ava. Good luck on her WBV today.

Jo&Sean - so glad to hear Addison is responding to the antibiotics. Is she all better now?

Alisonco - bummer about the insurance. Is it through your employer? If so, I would go to your benefits person and have them call the insurance company. I work for a benefits broker and we can get things pushed through all the time when it is escalated up the chain. Just a thought.

Pixiecat - Yeah for her first solid. We gave Aimee rice cereal a couple of times last week but it only lasted for a few days and now she doesn't want anything to do with it. We tried Sweet Potatoes last night and she seemed to like that. Solongtogo - I had not heard about only giving rice cereal until after 6 months - Aimee is only 5 months and 3 days, I hope I'm not doing something totally wrong. She seemed to be ok with it - we'll see how she handles it over the next few days....

Well, I'd better get to work.

[cr8zyforaf]

I am really sick and so is DH...poor Ashley - last night around 1 we both had just had it - puking, pooping and she wouldn't go back down - so I just put her in the crib and let her cry. She cried (and not a scream, more like a pathetic attempt to get someone to pick her up) for about 15 minutes- I went back in and put her pacifier in and she was out until 5 this morning..thank god since DH and I are so sick we can barely stand. This morning she woke up with a horrible diaper rash. She still has the runs really bad - she is going 7-10 times a day and while it isn't water, it isn't really solid either. And it is bright yellow- almost glowing. Questions - for those babies that have had stomach viruses - how long did the runs last and did you use Pedilite- if so, did it turn the poop a funny color. The Pedilite is apple flavored and I think that may be the cause of the yellow poo. The doctor said not to be worried but she is still hardly eating - and this has been going on since Friday.

Pixiecat - woo hoo for solids. I am also one of the moms that skipped cereal all together - I tried oatmeal, barley, and rice and she had gas and rashes with each one...so I went right to squash and sweet potato. My doctor said that some babies have a really hard time digesting cereal. She did much better with the veggies and now fruit (started with pears and bananas).

No advice on the crib - I am almost 5'10" and I sometimes have trouble getting her in and out - while she is not moving, I keep the side down - I think I got mine at Sears.

[charmcitygirl]

been reading along but haven't had much time to post...

sorry to hear there are still so many sick babies & mamas. j & z are fighting the sniffles again. nothing so major, though, as to warrant a doctor's appt.

birthday weekend and increasingly annoying mil so my b-day was on sunday and on saturday morning, dh told me to pack a bag... we were going away for the night (we went to shepardstown, wv... oldest settlement in wv...tiny little hippy college town). since my parents were away, his parents were going to take care of the babies. so we get to his parents and mil keeps going on and on about how the babies were going to be fine. that's pretty much all she said to me. it wasn't like i was concerned about their well-being, it was just that it was my first night away from them. then, as we are leaving, she says something to them along the lines of "they're leaving you guys... but we'll take care of you... they can have their fun and we'll have ours..." my blood was boiling! she's so freaking competitive. does she really think my kids are going to like her better than they like me?!

so we get to the inn and then go into town for some lunch and shopping. since the inn has an enormous jacuzzi tub, i decide that we should go back so i can take a bath and then we can both nap. it was so nice. i napped for 2 hours. so right before we go to dinner, i call the il's to check up on the babies and she basically makes fun of me for calling! grrrr.... again, she kept going on about how they were fine and i had no need to worry. fine, except i was just seeing how jake was since i knew his 2nd tooth was coming in (i could see it just below his gums). she quickly said good-bye and practically hung up on me, but not before telling me that we shouldn't come home too early. whatever.

we had a great dinner and i can't even believe this happened, but i woke up at 7am... about 45 minutes before the babies usually wake up. i tried to will myself back to sleep but it just wasn't happening. we spent sunday morning in harper's ferry, had lunch, and headed home.

mil claims the babies didn't cry one bit and kept saying that they slept in. when i finally asked what time they got up, she tells me 7:30am. whatever. oh, and i notice that zoe's got the sniffles, but god forbid she says anything. she just doesn't want me to think it's her fault (i don't, btw).

so since we've been home, they've both been sick and jake's been getting up every night once or twice. his 2nd tooth popped out on monday. poor thing, teething and sick.

sil's baby shower is this weekend (mil is hosting), and i'm dreading going. i'm kinda hoping the babies are still sick so that i can leave them home with dh and have a good excuse to leave early. bad mommy, i know. i am just getting so sick of her. i know she's not horrible and she's just trying in her own crazy way to help but she is just driving me up a wall. her competitiveness and constant fear of not being liked is really taking its toll on me.

okay, enough ranting.

[pixiecat]

Thanks for all the advice ladies! Obviously there is no one right way... we'll just have to try again & see how it goes! Thank you!!

[Kay2003]

brink - our ped told us to start rice cereal at 5.5 months, so I'm sure Aimee was ready.

cr8zy - feel better!

charmcitygirl - I'm SURE your MIL was the same way when she left her babies at home for the first time. And it wasn't like you were super worried or anything. You just wanted to check in. She should've been more supportive. Your weekend away sounded wonderful!

can't stop eating - I'm still about 6 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight. Yes I am still breastfeeding but I know I am eating too much becuase I'm not even hungry when I eat whatever is around. I think it's becuase I'm stressed out and I find food comforting. I've got to stop but I just can't!! AARGH.

[BeachBum]

Well H is going to the doctor this morning. I think "teething hell" is the problem, but my mom thinks it could be an ear infection, so I want to be sure.
In my baby book is says that the #1 cause of ear pulling without a fever is teething. So interesting I thought!


Just teething hell. I'm glad that it's not an infection, but also bummed that we can't "fix" the problem. More sleepless nights on the horizon. :rolleyes:

[charmcitygirl]

kay that's the funny part... she told me that the first time she left dh overnight, she rushed home in the morning because she couldn't bear to be away from him. it's funny how people are sometimes.

beachbum glad to hear it's only teething... i'm right there with ya in anticipating a rough night.

cribs i'm also short (lots of shorties here, huh?) and i have a drop-side crib that i have to lower everytime i get/put a baby in. i was just telling dh that i don't understand why they don't make truely silent drop-sided cribs. it startles them every time. usually i wait until i know they are really asleep before i raise the side for the night. that said, i really like my crib. it's a sorelle, and i think the model is clara.

cereal skip it if your baby is reacting badly to it. as far as i know, there's no real reason to give cereal. i use it only as a thickener for my homemade food. works well for that and it adds some iron.

[Brink]

I forgot to mention in my earlier e-mail a weird thing at daycare. There is this baby there that only sleeps with a blanket over her face. Well, we have seen it before and DH commented on it today and the person said "oh, we do that to all the babies"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DH asked if she did that to Aimee and she said yes. First of all, Aimee has no problem taking naps. She sleeps well and when she does wake up she will lay there for 10 minutes just looking around. So, I called the center and told them not to do this to Aimee any more! Am I just being controlling or does anyone else find this weird?

Is anyone using the Kirkland formula from Costco? My DH just went shopping and it is about 1/2 the price of the name brand. My ped said it is all the same and just use whatever is cheaper. Has anyone had any experience with it?

Cr8zy - so sorry to hear your whole family is so sick. I can't imagine trying to take care of a baby while throwing up. I hope you all feel better soon.

Charmcity - Your MIL is a piece of work. I give you credit for being able to leave them overnight. People just don't get how hard it is to leave them.

[AlisonCO]

pixiecat - I am fairly certain that barley has wheat in it so it definetely could be an allergy. If it were me, I would try rice and see if it happens with that or wait a bit and try a veggie.

Brink - I hadn't thought about calling the benfits person about the insurance mess - Thanks, I will look into that! The blanket on the face thing is weird - So they put one on every baby's face? I can see if the parent requested it, but not just because.

cr8zy - Hope that you all are feeling better! If the diaper rash is really bad, the Triple Paste is the best. It is only at pharmacies but it is the best and really clears it up fast!

BeachBum - Right there with you. Seriously, for the next 2 years we will be blaming everything on teething!

charmcity - Wow, very annoying MIL indeed! Sounds like you and Dh had a fairly relaxing and fun mini-vacation though.

Kay - I am a comfort eater too. I NEVER sit down all day for a meal or snack and I do eat healthy during the day, but when the kids go to bed, it is all about the Girl Scout cookies and chips.

Caitlin is still miss crabby-pants. She now does this funny thing with strangers: if someone comes up and plays peekaboo or talks to her, she looks up to see if I am holding her before she reacts. Its like she is making sure I am still there before she smiles.

[randysmandy]

YAY for solids!! All the babies look so cute eating their food.

Charmcity That was so nice of your DH to take you away for the night. I would have a heartattack if DH ever said that to me. He is not romantic AT ALL, but he makes up for it in other ways. MIL'S-gotta *love*
them!
Brink I can't belive they put a blanket on your DD's face! That shocks me! I love how people take it upon themselves to start habits for our babies.......
My MIL (speaking of) watched DS while I work from home (and away) and I get to see that she does differently w/ DS than I normally do and have told her to do. She turns the TV off when he goes to bed so it is SILENT in my house-I told her I wanted him to have noise.
I tell her to feed him fruit and cereal at the same time-she won't listen to me and feeds him his cereal and then his fruit. Has she ever tasted the cereal?? It's so BLAND! I try to mix in the fruit here and there to delight DS' taste buds. Sheesh...then she does these annoying things like leaves a wet facecloth on my coffee table everyday! AND she puts the same shirt (I have the same shirt in 3 different colors) on him if she needs to change it. ARG! Am I anal or is she just defient?
Kayand Alison I have 6# to go and can't shed them. I eat VERY healthy, but can't find time between making bottles, cleaning the house, and making dinner, etc...to get to the gym! It was so much easier to lose weight before having a baby though. My aunt told me a tidbit-she said that our hips get bigger after we have kids and i have to accept the fact that my body has changed and I may not be able to fit into my stretch jeans. Yah-and what about all the women I see who are actually smaller than they were before having a baby! I just don't know, we are all made differently I suppose.
This is Hunter's new thing:
http://images.snapfish.com/346453%3B97%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3256%3E2%3A%3B%3E962%3E WSNRCG%3D323355%3C54%3B863nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346453%3B97%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3256%3E2%3A%3B%3E962%3E WSNRCG%3D323355%3C558533nu0mrj

I have to go now-My cat just knocked my entire cup of coffee onto my keyboard and mouse (ironic)!!!!!!!

[solongtogo]

Hunter is teething! My DD started doing this two weeks ago, and we have a tooth now on the bottom that's working it's way in.

[philnikki]

Just wanted to drop this off. I will bbl to catch up more!

So Ava had her 6 mo WBV visit yesterday and I am please to report that she is 100% better!!!! :D I was so happy yesterday I cried over that (and over her shots!) We still have to give her the pulmicort twice a day until June, and then we'll talk about taking it away until fall.

Her stats:

17 pounds, 3 oucnces
26 1/4 inches long
43 cm head circum.

She's in the 75th percentile for everything!! Remember how I was worried about her weight? Well, she gained 10 ounces in two weeks! :eek:

[AlisonCO]

nikki - That is wonderful news about Ava - you guys have obviously been taking great care of her!

randysmandy - Uggh - I hear you on going to the gym. I actually have lost all of my preg weight, but my tummy is certainly not going to get toned eating GS cookies at night. My husband works out from 7:30-8pm, but that is my time to relax so I can't bring myself to join him. Hopefully as the weather improves, I can start doing more strenuous walks. Caitlin likes to eat our faces too:) Cute!

[jo&sean]

Barley cereal vs. other typs: Barley is a type of grain just like wheat is a type, so it does not have wheat in it. All of the stage 1 baby cereal are single grain cereals so if you have a reaction you can easily tell which grain is causing it. Barley is very high in fiber and it is hard for even adults to digest it so I can only imagine what it could do to a little persons system. I would just discontinue the use of it and personally, I would try oatmeal before I went to rice cereal. Just my .02 though.

Crow - We have a simplicity crib - pretty basic but sturdy. I am 5'0 and it seems to work ok for us.

Cr8zy - Hope you guys are feeling better!.

Charmed - How sweet of your DH to suprise you like that. Your MIL would aggrivate me too.

Beachbum - Glad it isn't an ear infection for Henry's sake but I know what you mean - if it was then you knew there was an end in sight!

Brink - I do think the blanket over the face is very odd and I would definitely say something. It is one thing for a baby to pull the blanket up by themselves but for an adult to do that? Strange.

Randysmandy - Cute pics!!

Nikki - Great news about Ava :)

Addison is really feeling better. I am really glad that we decided to give her some antibiotics. Her eyes are cleared up finally and her nose is clearing up too. She hasn't had near the runny nose as she did. She is also sleeping a lot better which means she has TONS more energy. She is a handful - I have a hard time trying to keep up with her now so I can only imagine what she will be like when she is mobile!

There are three babies at school though that went home early with the flu yesterday. I am soooo hoping that Addison doesn't catch it....

She started making more vowel like sounds yesterday. She has always been a babbler and her "vocabulary" has changed a lot but yesterday it was pretty dramatic. When I picked her up she was telling her teacher a great story with different tones and pitches. Too cute :)

Better get back to work.

[PrincessCrappy]

Thanks for the good thoughts for Griffin. He is MUCH better, I'm glad to hear so many of the other kiddos are also getting better!

We just got back from our well baby visit. The ped gave Griff a clean bill of health -- no more medicine!! His new measurements:
19.2 lbs 75-80%
26 inches 50%

jo&sean - Griffin's vocabulary dramatically changed yesterday, too. It is SO much fun to hear him talking!

We started rice cereal this week for the first time -- he LOVES it. I think he's an addict, he just can't get enough. We're doing oatmeal tomorrow and then adding veggies next week. He is so much fun to feed.

We went to a baby gym trial class this week. He had a blast. They did "warm-up" stretches and then had different stations to practice "skills". He really liked to ball pit and doing barrel rolls on an inclined surface. I was surprised that he didn't like the swings. We're trying one more place tomorrow and then I'll make my decision about which place to join. He really enjoyed being around other people and I liked the change in our usual routine. This is such a fun stage!!

[cr8zyforaf]

PrincessCrappy - so glad Griffin is feeling better! Gald you had a good time at the class - we start swimming lessons tomorrow and I can't wait.

jo&sean - Glad Addison is feeling better. Hope the flu doesn't come your way. Four kids are out with it between the two infant rooms at Ashley's school. She is FINALLY starting to get back to being herself after a week of being sick.

philnikki - I am SO glad Ava is 100% again. What a great job you and Phil did of taking care of her. And great news about the weight!!

randysmandy - Hunter is so cute!! Ah, MIL's - they will always try to undermind us and never follow our direction. I am taking A to see my MIL this Sunday and I am dreading it - I plan on just dropping her off for a few hours so I don't have to sit and listen to her. Maybe she will teach Ashley how to smoke during their time together.

AlisonCO - Thanks for the triple paste rec - I went out and got some and she is almost 100% rash free...thank goodness! Poor thing - she was screeching everytime I touched her butt.

Brink - Yes, the blanket thing is weird...and, they do that at my daycare also...which is funny because I had to get a note from my doctor allowing me to use her sleep wedge because the director told me NOTHING is allowed in the crib with the babies. Last week one day, I came in and the baby in the crib next to A's was totally covered in a blanket - when I asked about it the teacher said she woke up after ten minutes and she knew she needed more sleep. I asked her to please not do that with Ashley and she looked at me as if I were nuts.

charmcitygirl - hats off to you for not throwing a fit when you had to leave the babies with MIL..because that is what I would have done. My MIL is the same way - I left A on New years Eve with my sister and the next morning MIL called to tell me that she had a bet with everyone that I wouldn't make it through the night and would have gone to pick her up. She also does the 'don't worry, we will have fun without you' cr*p when I leave A with her which I am doing this Sunday and already DREADING.

BeachBum - so glad there was no infection. Yes, teething does stink. And I am with you on the sleepless nights - however, I have no idea what the cause of ours is.

Ashley is having school pictures today and of course, I went out and spent a fortune on a dress. I got her this and it looks ADORABLE:

http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/Gymboree/140007187?$240x305$

Thank goodness I had the self control not to buy the $34.50 mary janes to go with it. I hope they turn out good.

Also, I feel so good about leaving her at school lately - her teachers love her and she loves them and the other children. She has a boyfriend - she was totally flirting with this little boy yesterday when I went to pick her up - they were both sitting on the floor across from each other playing. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen...and she was laughing and smiling at him and totally threw a fit when I picked her up to take her home :rolleyes: .

Happy Friday to everyone.

[solongtogo]

[QUOTE=cr8zyforaf]Also, I feel so good about leaving her at school lately - her teachers love her and she loves them and the other children. She has a boyfriend - she was totally flirting with this little boy yesterday when I went to pick her up - they were both sitting on the floor across from each other playing. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen...and she was laughing and smiling at him and totally threw a fit when I picked her up to take her home [QUOTE]


OMG that is *so* cute, you are so in for it!

[philnikki]

Kim - Awwww LOVE that dress!!! Its adorable!!!

Lisa - Too cute on the flirting! How is DH handling it?! :D

MIL's - Well you guys know I can't stand mine. I have two though, lucky me, right?!? The one that is staying with me right now is doign awesome though..its the other one that drives me crazy! Good luck girls!!! There is an ES Thread started if you need to vent!

Also glad to hear that all of our sick babies are doing better! I sure hope we are turning a corner!!!

[jo&sean]

Kim - That is the cutest dress! Ashley will look adorable in her pictures :) That is too cute about the babies flirting together. Does Ashley have a good mix of boys and girls in her class? Addison's is mostly boys and they all LOVE the two little girls. It is sooo cute to watch them together. I just now noticed that we have the same anniversary and our babies were born just 2 days apart. :)

I can not wait until Addison is done with the antibiotics. Talk about Poop-Central! She had TWO blowouts at school yesterday and the day before. No sign of the flu for us so I am keeping our fingers crossed.

Is everyone else glad it is Friday?!?

[cr8zyforaf]

jo&sean - Thanks. No, this poor boy is the only boy in her class. Another little boy was supposed to start last week, but he has RSV and won't be in for awhile :eek: . Now, in her new class, I don't think there are any boys...boo hoo. My DH will be happy to hear that. I didn't even notice we were married on the same date..doesn't it seem like so long ago? Thank goodness we are coming to the end of the pooping I think - I will keep my fingers crossed for no flu- hers started with puking so maybe you are safe.

Nikki - Thanks. I love the dress. And DH was flipping out about the flirting - he had a little 'talk' with her this morning about flirting.

solongtogo - yes, we are going to have our hands full I think!

And don't even get me started on MILs...I have to take A over to see her on Sunday :( because she hasn't seen her in over a month. I am dreading it - I plan on just dropping her off and running some errands - that way I don't have to sit and stress about A wanting to be held by me and not her and MIL not letting go. I really hope I don't have to go over with her how she should NOT be smoking in the house while A is there - it just makes me sick.

[Kay2003]

randysmandy and alison - glad I'm not alone, but not glad we're having these problems. I shouldn't even have cereal around the house because I find myself snacking ALL day on it.

level II nipples - don't know whether I wrote about this on this thread yet or not, but about a week ago I ask my DH to look up when to switch to Level II nipples. DH says "3 months." 3 MONTHS???? Poor Kaito. He's 5+ months and I just switched to Level II nipples. He likes his bottle much more now...

Have a good weekend. I'm glad everyone is feeling better.

[fifibee]

I haven't posted in a while, but I'm still following along. I'm definitely sending all the sick babies and mommies lots of "get well soon" vibes, and hope everyone gets to enjoy the weekend.

I also want to post something just to remind all the moms to be careful and learn from my stupid mistake. This afternoon when Max was refusing to nap and was fussig, I decided to bring him to our bed so that I can soothe and nurse him to sleep. He finally did but woke up after 30 minutes and started protesting. I peeked in, saw that he was awake and ok, and thought, "okay, maybe he'll soothe himself back for some more sleep." I walked away and picked up a phone call. In the background, I continued to hear him protest, but decided to continue the phone conversation. After about 2 minutes and with him still protesting, I decided to walk back into our bedroom and saw something that almost gave me a heart attack. He had my pillow covering his entire head! :eek: :eek: I hung up the phone immediately and ran over to take the pillow off his face.

How could I have been so extremely stupid?! I should've known better than to leave him protesting on our bed with our pillows lying about. He is strong enough now to push himself from the middle of the bed to the pillow area and I should've known. I have been tearing and so consumed with guilt about what I had done.

I just wanted to share this incident with my fellow Sept mommies just to remind everyone not to do what I have done, and to never underestimate our babies.

[Cr8nme]

Noelle had her WBV and 6 month shots today...I am a little sad because her doctor kinda got testy with me hence she only gained a 1/2 oz :( I am a little sad...

Here are her stats @ 6 months

Weight: 13 pds 7.5 oz 50th %tile
Lenght: 25.5 Inches 23rd%tile
Head: 41.5 17th %tile

[Cr8nme]

Nipples...I need to switch too :eek: I can't believe Noelle is still on the slow flow...I am going to go to target tomorrow and get her some more. Oh speaking of target, Stride rite has a version of their shoes at target now.

[Cr8nme]

fifibee~ You know you are right...I have stupidly let Noelle be in my bed before too not that she is super fussy but I know what you mean by thinking that they will soothe themselves. Thank you for awakening me to thing because I would hate for any of us to learn this the hard way

[charmcitygirl]

fifibee i know you feel horrible but we all make mistakes. really.

level 2 nipples haven't used 'em. not sure if i think i need to start. maybe i'll try and see how it goes.

more mil ranting just got back from mil's who hosted a baby shower for sil... i am so completely fed up! without going into a long boring rant, i'll just boil it down to this: i am really convinced that she wants me to be this hysterical, helpless mother so that she can swoop in and save the day. and then other people who are around hear what she says and act that way too. it's like none of them have ever seen me with my kids. all you have to do is take one look at me with them and i think it's really obvious that i can take care of them just fine... i'm comfortable with them... i don't sweat the small stuff... etc. they are thriving... all because of me. all of her crazy issues that were easily shrugged off before have really come to a head now that she has grandchildren. i just don't understand. i really have to reiterate--because i don't think i've said it enough--that we were really pretty close before i had the kids. it's just so incredibly frustrating. not to mention that my hubby never takes my side and plays into all of the passive-aggressiveness.

so now i have to give the public shout-out to my mom. she never, ever makes me feel this way.

i'm still really pissed, but at least i've got it off my chest and maybe i can go to sleep now. oh wait. i can't. waiting for hubby to come home from his parents' with the kids. oh wait. no, they've probably convinced him to stay the night. because, god forbid, he might drive AT NIGHT with them. :mad:

[jo&sean]

Kim - Hope the visit with your MIL goes ok. I would leave too...and the smoking around the baby thing?! That would really tick me off...

Fifbe - Thank you for sharing your mistake. We all make them but by telling others about it, we all can learn from them.

Cr8nme - I am sorry the dr. got testy with you. The main this is that she is healthy and happy right?

Charm - Glad you got to vent! Your MIL sounds a lot like my grandmother with her comments. One reason why I stay away from her as much as I do despite her living just four houses down the street. She is toxic...

Nipples - I have stage 2 nipples on the Avent bottles but stage 1's on everything else. Addison doesn't seem to notice or care about the difference.

I have been really ticked off most of the day. Someone got a hold of our credit card number and had some fun trying to use it. Luckily we got a phone call late last night from a calling card company asking us if we tried to purchase some cards. Of course we said no, so the guy told us that someone tried to place an order online but got the security code from the back of the card wrong. He declined the order immediately. I checked our account on-line first thing this morning and there were some other charges that showed up that weren't ours. I called the card company (MBNA) right away and they were on it immediately. They even called me back a few minutes after we hung up to ask about some other charges that had came through while were on the phone - all of which were not ours. The good thing is that we caught it right away and all of the things they tried to purchase were on-line so we were able to cancel the orders. MBNA was GREAT. I was really impressed - they closed the account immediately, tagged the charges that were not ours, made contact with each retailer, phoned me back with an update and we will have new cards on Monday. But still, what a PITA and it is also creepy. Someone has our card number, my DH's name and his cell phone and was acting like him when these things were ordered. My only saving grace is thinking about them joyfully going to another site to purchase some stupid crap and finding out the card is no longer valid...ah sweet victory.

So to make myself feel better I went shopping :rolleyes: Macy's was having a great sale ... plus I stopped at Old Navy. Needless to say, Addison's closet grew A LOT today. DH just shook his head...thankfully he thought everything I bought was really cute ;) I realized today that while other mom's have shoe obsessions, I have an obession with pants. The sad thing was after I hung everything up in her closet, I realized I needed more tops to go with all these pants...great...I mean really, how many pairs of pants does a 6 month old need? :p

[Kay2003]

fifi - I leave Kaito on my big bed all of the time, with our down comforter on him !!!! Okay, I will be more careful about this. It's just that I often wake him up whem I transfer him from our bed to his own crib... but you're right to warn us....

crazy shopping today - today we bought a britax roundabout seat, a graco comfortsport car seat (for the babysitter), a Maclaren triumph stroller and other odds and ends. NOw we have to install everything so that Kaito is out of his infant car seat. We got a hand-me-down jogging stroller and DH put it together this weekend. It's super bulky and the front wheel locks! I took it out today and it was really difficult to maneuver. I guess this will strictly be for running...

[Brink]

We went up to our cabin for the weekend and had a great time. I always get worried because it throws Aimee's schedule off and I think I'm going to pay dearly for it. Yesterday she slept for 5 hours in the car on the way home. She went to bed at 11:00 instead of her usual 9:00 but she was up at her normal time this morning, so I think I'm ok. DH is out of town, so today was my first day dropping her at daycare. So sad to leave her.

The job intereview went well on Friday, I think I'll have another meeting with them soon.

So glad to hear most of the babies are feeling better.

Jo&Sean - What a PITA for the credit card. Glad you caught it right away. I"m so bad - I lost a card about a month ago and have never called in to cancel it. I'm convinced it is in some jacket pocket, but I should call and cancel anyway.

Cr8zy - How was the swimming class?

Level II Nipples - I hadn't even thought about changing Aimee's. She seems ok with the current flow.

Well, off to work - busy day today.

[philnikki]

Charm - I know exactly where you are coming from and my DH is the same way with not taking any sides. It drives me insane. I have given up my intense agression towards MIL though for Lent. I am hoping I can learn to not let it get to me. Its doubtful, but worht a shot ;)

Nipples - We have moved Ava up to the Avent Level 4! We had been with 2's since she was 8 weeks old. She seems fine with the new flow and I was happy to pitch her old ones. They were getting kinda gummy.

[cr8zyforaf]

Brink - Glad you had a good time at the cabin and it didn't throw you off. schedule. The swimming class was great - thanks for asking. She was more interested in looking at all the other children. It is mostly to get her used to the water - she seemed a little tense - however, I had to put her head all the way under the water twice and she didn't cry.

Kay2003 - wow, that is a lot of carseats!!

jo&sean - That really stinks about the credit card. Where were they having the stuff delivered? Wouldn't that get them caught? Yeah for the shopping. I also went nuts - they just opened a Gymboree outlet and I spent a ton - I wasn't that impressed with the prices but it didn't stop me. And, you can never have too many pants.

Cr8nme - sorry about the doctor getting testy with you - at least she gained weight - that is good, isn't it?

fifi - so sorry about the bed. I also leave Ashley on the bed with pillows a lot - I won't do it from now on. I guess I need to think more.

charmcitygirl - so sorry about the in laws. I can totally relate to DH not taking our side and playing into the passive aggressive cr*p. It stinks that you were close before this and now they are acting nutty. What is it about grandkids that makes the grandparents act like nut cases?

Speaking of nut cases - left A with Monster In Law yesterday - she calls me at 1 to tell me she is cooking a full meal and I should stay for dinner - ummm...no. You had her since 10 AM - I want to go home. And she pulled this "don't worry mom - we will have fun while you are out and about". Of course she lied and told me she slept well, etc. Well, I could tell she didn't because her eyes were bloodshot and she fell asleep as soon as she got in the car. She is going tout to get her a new pair of Robeez because the pair I got her are "getting ratty" and now that the days are starting to get longer, she can come up all the time after work to see her - I can hardly f*cking wait. And she threw a fit about me not staying for dinner. When I got there she wouldn't even let me hold her. And then when I was packing up my stuff she said "I can't believe you are taking my baby home". It truly is a nightmare.

OK - I hate to be a downer again - does anyone else have a baby that just WILL NOT SLEEP. For the past few nights- she is up EVERY HOUR. I put her down around 7 - she screams and fusses until 8-8:30 (I just let her cry and check on her every 10 minutes, put pacifier back in) and then she is up at 11, 12, 1, 2...ect. Last night - it took me almost 2 hours to get her back down when she woke at 12:30. I fed her at 12:30 and put her back in her crib and she went nuts. I refuse to hold her all night - I physically cannot do it anymore. I am so tired I am messing things up at work, the house is a mess, and I hate everything. It seems now she can't go longer than four hours without food (which is nuts since she was sleeping 10 hours a few months ago) and she wants to be held ALL THE TIME. I am at the end of my rope - I am so tired I just don't know what to do anymore.

[Brink]

Cr8zy - I am so sorry about the sleep. Something must be going on. I can't believe that it is normal for a baby to wake up every hour the way Ashley does. Have you tried contacting your local hospital to see if they have any recommendations? Maybe they have a parenting resource that can help? I don't know, just throwing out ideas. Aimee STTN so I don't have much advice. Have you tried keeping her up until late? For a long time she was up until midnight and then went down for the night. I know that if we had tried to put her down earlier we would have had a battle on our hands. Instead we just let her take some very short naps (like 15-20 mins) between 7pm and 9pm and that would keep her from being horrible. It was hard to keep her entertained until midnight when you are sleepy, but, once she went down she was down for the night. For some reason she regulated herself and now she is down around 9pm. I don't know that it would work for Ashley, just sharing what we did.

[AlisonCO]

nipples - Caitlin only gets a bottle ~4 times a week, but she still uses the slow flow and I am not going to move up. If you breastfeed, you can stay with the slow flows the whole time that way you baby won't start to prefer the bottle because it flows faster.

cr8zy - I don't know if you live in a big city, but I have heard that there are sleep nurses that come to your house and sort of evaluate your baby's sleep habits. Then based on what they see and what you tell them, they can recommend some things to help improve it. It seems like you are at the end of your rope (understandably) and need some outside help. It seems like you do not want to CIO or believe that it won't work for Ashley and unfortunately that is what most ped's will tell you to do that is why I wonder if a sleep nurse might give you other options.

So I don't know if it is teeth or a developmental thing, but I can't put Caitlin down for more than 5 minutes before she cries. I think over the weekend someone held her for 98% of her awake time. It is so hard because I have a 2 year old that needs me too plus my arm gets tired:) Luckily she likes the Bjorn and the sling in a hip carry, but sometimes I need her to sit with her toys for more than 5 minutes. This too shall pass, this too shall pass etc. In better news she is sitting totally unassisited now and did not fall over once this weekend. I bought 2 sweet potatoes yesterday and plan to make them this week and celebrate her 6 month b-day Friday with them!

Hi to everyone!

[jo&sean]

Brink - Glad you had fun at the cabin. I bet Aimee will be just fine with her schedule. You should really call about your credit card just in case (have to preach a little bit ;). Hope you hear some good news about the job!

Kim - Glad that A liked the swimming lessons. I really need to look into them here because I am terrified of water and I don't want Addison to be that way either. I am really sorry she is having trouble sleeping - it seems like she was getting a bit better now this?! In regard to the credit card/shipping address. I thought it would be really easy too but two of the companies I called would not give out the shipping address. Can you believe it? I was livid so that is when I decided to let the credit card company handle it. They said they would anyways but I was so mad about it I wanted to get some answers.

Alison - That is great that Caitlin is sitting up without assistance. So cool!

Addison was really cranky yesterday. Does anyone know if a 6 month growth spurt is typical? It didn't seem to be her teeth and she didn't feel warm. She wanted to eat, eat, eat and then cried and fussed the rest of the time. I felt so bad for her - nothing I did really seemed to sooth her.

I went out and bought MORE clothes yesterday. This time I got shirts/tops that she needed to go with all those pants! We also had photos done yesterday. She was happy for about the first 30-35 minutes then she was done.

Back to work!

[AlisonCO]

Does anyone know if a 6 month growth spurt is typical?
Yup - it's the last big one!

[Kay2003]

cr8zy - Oh! My heart goes out to you. I wish I had some solution but I know you've tried so many things. Just know I am thinking of you and I am wishing you more rest.

And "Monster-in-law" cracked me up!

[solongtogo]

cr8zy I'm so sorry! I have no idea what could be causing her restlessness other than maybe she hit her 6 mo growth spurt?? Call your pedi and talk to them, they should be able to recommend something (hopefully other than cio), or maybe go to Karp's 5 S's...?

[Sandie78]

Aww Kim. I'm so sorry about Ashley's sleeping. I wish I could help you guys. Do you live near Florida?

jo&sean-hopefully Addison will feel better soon too.

Zach's sleeping hasn't been great the last couple nights. I think he's teething. He goes for his 6 month WBV tomorrow so hopefully that will go well.

We are still using the nipples he's had since he was born. He's also nursing, so I don't want to make the bottles too easy.

[AndreaMMS]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone know if a 6 month growth spurt is typical?

Yup - it's the last big one!


Ok, good - I was wondering about this - Naomi ate 12oz of formula in 2 hours last night!:eek:

I'm glad all the sick babies seem to be doing better....

Kim- My heart goes out to you as well.:( Can you ask your pediatrician for a recommendation to a sleep specialist? Or call you insurance company to see if they can recommend one? After everything you've tried - including CIO- it really seems like some outside help would be good - YOU DESERVE TO SLEEP!!!!!!

re: nipples- we changed them at the three month mark.

fifibee- thank you for posting about Max and the pillows. Please don't be too hard on yourself - we all make mistakes. For example:

When N. was a newborn I used Bert's Bee's Baby Buttermilk lotion on her. It seemed really gentle and smelled great. I stopped using it when she was diagnosed with excema. Well, two days ago I thought, " Aw, what the heck, it didn't bother her before, and it smells so good, I might as well...." BIG mistake. Her whole body turned bright red and she has sand-paper-like bumps from head to toe. I'm having to cover her in hydrocortisone cream 3 times a day. :( Why? Because *I liked the smell of a stupid lotion.* Thankfully, it doesn't seem to bother her at all, but I feel awful about it......

Good news, though - last week in the space of thee days Naomi learned lots of new tricks - she rolled over back-to-tummy, held her own bottle, and as you can see in my avatar, learned to sit up by herself! Very exciting.:)

[cr8zyforaf]

Thank you all for the support - she was much better last night - only up three times - each time starving. I try to tank her up at night but between 5-7 she won't eat - and she usually takes her bottle at daycare around 3...so she goes from 3-7 without really eating. I don't give her solids in the evening because I find when I do, she is up with gas all night. We go for her 6 month exam this Friday and I plan on talking to the doctor about the sleep issues and also asking about allergies - I think that may be part of the problem also.

Nipples - Ashley is still using Ventiair size 1 - if I move her up to a two, she has a fit and just screams - I think it comes out too fast for her.

Andrea - so sorry about the Burt's Bees reaction. Poor thing...but Yeah for all the new tricks. Love the picture in your avatar...she has such a great smile.

Thanks again for all the support - I seriously hate to be a downer all the time - I just want my baby to sleep so she can be happy during the day! Must run - I am at the library - I WAS working from home until my DSL connection decided to cr*p out on me. I am now going to get A's big girl carseat installed!!

[AlisonCO]

A few new pictures:

Cailtin and Aidan's first bath together - she was not amused at first, but had a much better time last night:)

http://www.allsam.com/MAR2006/images/030306_25.jpg

Caitlin playing in the grass - suprisingly she didn't try to put it in her mouth!

http://www.allsam.com/MAR2006/images/030306_01.jpg

Hope that you all are doing well!

[BeachBum]

OK - I hate to be a downer again - does anyone else have a baby that just WILL NOT SLEEP. .
We usually get 2 hours instead of 1, but yes you pretty much described us. I mean I can tell he is tired, he wants to sleep, but just can't stay alseep. It majorly sucks. Co-sleeping doesn't make things better either. It is very frustrating. We are one tired family!


Andrea--where have you been? was it your vacation? Do tell us how it was traveling with N :)

[jo&sean]

Thanks everyone for confirming the six month growth spurt :) We also discovered today that Addison is getting her second tooth - it's another bottom one so she has two cute little bottom teeth coming through. She was much happier and like her normal self today so she is definitely feeling better.

Kim - You are not a downer! I don't have any more advice just that I am really sorry that you are still having such difficulties with Ashley. Addison still gets up 2-3 times per night (or more like the past few) but she eats and goes right back to sleep. I hope you get some relief soon.

Andrea - So sorry about the reaction to the lotion. I am glad it doesn't seem to be bothering her much.

Alison - Such cute pictures! I love the one of Caitlin in the grass.

Michelle - I was thinking about you the other day when I was grumbling about my DH being out of town for one day.. How are you handling everything on your own?

Tomorrow is Addison's six month birthday :) It seems like time has FLOWN by! DH was cute and asked if we were going to have a little party :)

[cr8zyforaf]

OK - I think Ashley is going through her growth spurt - I wonder if she gets growing pains. The reason I say this is because she was up FOUR times last night and ate at least 4 ounces each time. Now- the first three times she went right back down with only a little fussing...the last time (at 3:30, I finally had to pick her up and put her in bed with me). Plus I think switching to the new classroom has thrown her off....her eating during the day is awful..she refused her last bottle yesterday at 3 but ate as soon as we got home at 5..so I felt like she was already behind for the day. It is so funny (not really funny but I have to find something positive) - when I put her in the crib and try to soothe her - she looks at me as if to say "why am I laying here alone - I should have your arms around me".

Beachbum - our situation is exactly as you describe - she is tired and wants to sleep but just can't. Very sad - I just want our babies to get a good nights rest.

Alison - Oh, great bath picture and I LOVE the chair - how long can you use that - I may have to go get one. Love the grass picture also - she looks like she enjoys sitting in the grass!

Yes, Ashley's six month birthday was the 6th - I can't believe our babies are so big - where did six months go??? It just flew. I was feeding her last night and thinking of how sad I am that she isn't my teeny tiny baby that I can wrap up and hold in my arms - she is so big now and her little hands and feet look like little girl parts as opposed to baby limbs - I watched her arm move in the moonlight last night and I though "god, she is so BIG". She is so much fun now and I love interacting with her but part of me misses the little baby that she was. She is huge for her age I think - I bet she is 19-20 pounds!!!

Well, I am off - I am headed home - we are having furniture delivered. I am so excited. We've had a cr*p bedroom set the entire time we've been together and we finally bought a really nice set that is being delivered today...I think that is a great reason to buy all new bedding!!

[AlisonCO]

jo&sean - thanks!!!

cr8zy - thank you too! the bath seat is awesome and we used it with ds from 6-18 months - it is from safety 1st.

i am in cranky, teething baby hell - is it time for my vacation? c was up last night a bunch, didn't want to nurse this morning and has basically been hollering at me all morning!

[pixiecat]

Just a quick post to say hello! I've been reading along, but I felt bad that I had no time for s/o's... hope everyone is doing well. I have to say that I sympathize on all of the MIL and sleep issues! With regard to sleep, we have our good days and our bad ones, but I'm mostly surviving!

Bottles: We have a mixture of size 1 and 2 nipples. I don't really pay attention to which ones she is using, but don't plan on getting any larger sizes.

Allison - cute pictures of the kids in the bath & on the grass. I am jealous that you guys can play outside! It is so cold and rainy here... can't wait for the nice weather!

Teething - still no teeth here, but there is more drool, so maybe she is working on it?

Solids - the rice cereal is going down great! Next week we are going to try a veggie! Probably sweet potatoes. I'm loving the wholesomebabyfood site btw... it has *great* info!!

Here is a picture of Lily with her new luggage (gift from BIL):
http://images.snapfish.com/3464%3A7%3B63%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3235%3E248%3E85%3B%3E WSNRCG%3D323357896%3B454nu0mrj

[Sandie78]

Zach had his 6 month WBV today he is:
27.5" tall, 90th percentile
20 lbs, 75th percentile

Percentiles are so wierd. Those are the ones my doctor gave me, but if I check babycenter it says his height is at the 75th and his weight is between 75th and 90th.

He has one tooth poking through and another has broken the gums, but hasn't popped up yet.

We'll probably start solids this weekend.

[AndreaMMS]

AlisonCo - Adorable bath pics!

Kim- thanks for the compliment on Naomi's smile. Congrats on the new furnature! Overstock.com is having a big ol' sale on bedding...just fyi....;)

pixiecat- Lily is so cute!

Beachbum- Aw, ya missed me?:p Thanks! No, no vacation yet - just an endless parade of friends and relatives from out of town visiting us. We go to Jamaica soon though - I can't wait! And apparently neither can Naomi...
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c133/AndreaMMS/IMG_1724.jpg

Little girlfriend is ready to get outta the cold!

[solongtogo]

OMG that is priceless..look at that *adorable* bathing suit and hat!!! WHat a sweetheart!

[AlisonCO]

pixiecat - Lily is adorable - I love the suitcase too. My grandma bought my son a suitcase about a year ago and I took a picture of him in it and sent it to her.

Andrea - OMG that is too cute for words - Naomi should be on a cruise brochure or something:)

So people are weird - we all know it, but here is a story for ya:

Today we were out with my mom and she and Aidan were doing something and Caitlin and I were off together. An older woman came up and said how cute she is etc and then asked how old the baby is. I said that she is going to be 6 months old Friday. The woman said she? Now its cool to not assume the sex of a child, but Caitlin was wearing a pink turtleneck and purple overalls. Ok, whatever. So then the conversation goes like this: "is she really 6 months old?" Yeah. "she's little, when was she born?" September. Then she freakin counts the months on her fingers and says "yeah, I guess that is 6 months."

Have a good night moms and babes:)

[jo&sean]

Pixie - That is the cutest luggage and Lily is just a doll. She looks mischevious...(is that how you spell that?!)

Andrea - That picture is too cute for words. She IS ready to get outta the cold!! Adorable.

Alison - People can be so weird aren't they? I was out shopping last weekend and Addison was in a purple turtle neck WITH ruffles and had a pink blanket on her lap and some lady said "oh what a cute little boy" like five freakin' times. Annoying....

Addison was in a great mood tonight and played and played until she fell asleep on her mat. I am so sore - I had another massage today and the lady really works on the kinks and knots. My whole body is sore so obviously there are a lot of knots and kinks.

It is snowing here - blech! I was hoping we were done with that!

[Kay2003]

Andrea - what a cutie in her swim suit!

I just had this realization. Do you realize that we've known each other online for over a year now? What a wonderful community we have here...

[solongtogo]

Andrea - what a cutie in her swim suit!

I just had this realization. Do you realize that we've known each other online for over a year now? What a wonderful community we have here...

It's so nice to have a little group of mama's who are so supportive. I love all of our babies like they were all mine :)

[PrincessCrappy]

I love all of our babies like they were all mine :)
Oh my gosh, I totally feel that way. I find myself worrying about our babies when I've read that someone is sick. I wonder how Ashley is sleeping or hoping that Alex doesn't have any more blood in her diapers and on and on and on. It's amazing how this little online community becomes such a part of my real life.

I forgot to add: I LOVE the latest pictures everyone is sharing -- what cute babies!!

[Cr8nme]

Jo&Sean~ Thank you soo much for asking me how I am holding up. All is well here in Phoenix...I am really really lonely and find myself staying at work longer through the days just to get adult interaction. I also feel like I am wearing myself thin. I have been sick more times than I can count and overall I am just really really in dire need of some me time. I don't mean to sound negative but I never have time to stop and maybe get a pedicure or just run out and do something. It has been hard keeping the house up for showing. While I am at work I am usually GREAT then once I get home and have the daunting task of being a single mom and way too much time to think about how lonely I am. I have found some sort of solace if thats the word in coming here and reading about everyone else.

Hope all else is well with everyone...loving all of the pictures!!

[cr8zyforaf]

cr8nme - I am so sorry and don't worry about sounding negative - I can relate a little bit- my DH doesn't get home until after we are all in bed most nights so I know how it is to have no me time - I am fortunate to have family close by - I am so sorry and think about you a lot and hope that soon, you will be with your DH.

PrincessCrappy - your post made me cry. It is so nice to have such a supportive community to come to daily and yes, I worry about our mommies and babies all the time!

jo&sean - so glad Addison was in a good mood - how cute that she fell asleep playing..ahhh, a massage - I am jealous! I think I will ask for another day at the spa for mother's day!

AllisonCo - people are weird. We went to dinner a few weeks back and this couple sitting next to us kept saying 'HE is such a good baby'...umm, HE is dressed in PINK - why would they think she was a boy???

Andrea/B] - Oh my that is a great picture. Looks like Naomi is ready for some sun and fun!! Where did you get that hat? That has got to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen! I am headed to overstock today!! Can't pass up a sale!

[B]Sandie - Zach is adorable!! I think he may be one of the only babies bigger than my chunk - she goes tomorrow but two weeks ago she was over 18 pounds! yeah for the teeth - do they seem to be bothering him?

pixicat - Love the bag!! Lily is so cute!! And I love the curtains you have on your French doors!

Well, I don't know what happened but I put A down at 7 last night - had a bit of trouble getting her down - she was back up at 11 to eat and then I didn't hear a peep from her until 6:30 and I think she would have slept longer if she hadn't pooped...so, I have no idea. There is no rhyme or reason to her sleep pattern. Maybe she could tell that mommy is near her breaking point. I cried the entire time I fed her at 11 because I am just so tired. She was so happy when she woke up this morning. I was up at 5:30 because I had an early meeting - so I got a whole hour to get ready by myself..it was heaven.

She hates her new car seat. I think because she is sitting up so straight and there are no toys dangling in front of her. I am not sure what I am going to do - we are taking a 6 hour car ride in May and my plan was to leave after I put her to sleep and drive through the night.

Today is one of the days where I just ache being away from her - I miss her so much and I cried on my way to work - weird. Maybe because I didn't get to spend time with her last night like I usually do when she wakes 5-7 times...

[cr8zyforaf]

Oh - and I forgot...my MIL is now telling me I should give Ashley whole milk instead of formula to get her to sleep longer. Given her past stomach issues that is a great idea, don't you all think. I swear this woman is mad.

And, I just have to post a picture - A in one of her Valentine's day outfits

http://images.snapfish.com/3464%3B644%3B%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3238%3E577%3E3%3A8%3E WSNRCG%3D3233536%3A%3C5%3C9%3Cnu0mrj

[jo&sean]

Kim - YEAH for the good nights sleep!! Ashley is so adorable. I LOVE her cheeks and her eyes. She actually reminds me of Addison when I look at her picture. I just noitced that Addison and Ashley have the same middle name too...finding all kinds of similiariteis ;) I had a REALLY hard time leaving Addison this morning too. It just broke my heart. Usually DH drops her off but he is out of town on Wednesday's so I have to drop her off on Thursday mornings. It's horrible. All I want to do is go pick her up and play with her all day....

Michelle - I can't even imagine what it would be like - and the fact that you have no family around makes it even worse. Hang in there.

Addison was happy as usual this morning but she pooped right as we were headed out the door so needless to say, I was late for everything this morning. Oh well, could have been worse I guess. I stopped by Old Navy this morning and picked up some St. Patrick's day shirts for everyone - we are going to a party on Saturday. I have never dressed Addison in green before - it should be cute with her slightly red hair :)

[Sandie78]

cr8zyforaf I think Zach's teeth were bugging him before, but not so bad now.

[Kay2003]

cr8zy yay for a good night's sleep! let's hope iti continues....

[wildcat]

OMG, can life get any busier??;) I try to pop in here every few nights and check in on "my" babies and mommas, but usually fall asleep before I muster the energy to post! So, this will be short! I feel terrible not doing s/o's, but I promise I'm keeping up on each and every one of you!!

Lauren is just doing great! She started trying to sit up by herself at the end of 3 months, and by she was 4.5months, she had it down!! Now that she's 5+ months, I don't even worry about her falling over anymore, she's pretty steady! Still no teeth, which is fine with this BF mommy! She's eating 3TB of rice cereal and really likes it. We tried a few bites of carrots last weekend for fun (after the cereal) and she took a few bites and seemed to like it, but then "realized" it wasn't cereal and started making horrible faces and shaking, it was too funny!!

She came down with a cold a few weeks ago (the 2nd one ever! the first was at 6 weeks) and by last weekend, she was really fussy and just didn't seem herself. She didn't eat well Sunday night (didn't want to lay on one side) and then woke up every 30mins all night long. Fortunately, all we had to do was put her paci back in and she went back to sleep, but that's not like her. So, I was thinking ear infection, took her to the dr Monday morning, and sure enough, ear infection. So, she just finished day 4 of amoxicilyn (sp?) and is back to her normal self. She was just over 5 months at that appt and weighed 14lb 9oz! I looked at the growth charts online, and I think that keeps her where she's always been in about the 45th percentile.

Oh - big news! Just today, she started waving!! I picked her up from daycare and our lady asked if she'd been doing that at home and I said no and she waved at her and she waved back!! It was so cute!! She did it for DH when he got home too! It's so funny how we're amazed by the small things:D.

Ok, so that wasn't that short!! Here's a few recent pictures!

http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/wpw-20060305/normal_IMG_2548%7E0.jpg

http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/wpw-20060305/normal_IMG_2578.jpg

http://www.billyandashlee.com/gallery/albums/wpw-20060305/normal_IMG_2600.jpg

[philnikki]

Awwwwww look at all of the cute babies!!!! I also feel like your babes are "my" babies too. :D I should know better to say that! MIL says that and it drives me nuts! lol

So Ava is sick AGAIN. ack. I told Phil that I am beginning to think that Ava will never be healthy again... Its so frustrating. We have dealt with more viruses than I can even think of. This one is a cough in her chest again, so her ped. had us restart the albuterol (4 times a day) keep up with the pulmicort (twice a day) and also give her OTC Triamenic 4 times a day. My poor baby is so drugged up :( Yesterday my MIL who has been watching her until she can go back to daycare called me freaking out because Ava had wheezed for the first time when she was there. I had my neighbor who is a nurse come over to listen to her, but she said that she was definately harsh, but she was getting air through. So, after talking with my ped, we are going to wait till Sunday to see if she starts to get better or worse. If its worse, we are going to need to put her on an oral steroid instead of the inhaled that she has been getting. I really hope that she gets better by Sunday!!! Plus we are supposed to go to Texas for vacation (we are leaving on Wed.) so we are just sort of in limbo waiting to see if Ava is well enough to go.

Ava just got her 6 mo baby pics taken. There are more in my LJ but here is a preview:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/philnikki/pink7a.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/philnikki/pink3a.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/philnikki/pink1a.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/philnikki/tub1.jpg

[Brink]

Work has been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to post. I think Aimee is getting sick again. She had raspy breathing again this morning. Every time the ped has listened to her lungs they say she is fine, but it just sounds so terrible. How do you know if they are diagnosing her correctly? Would i know if she had something like asthma or RSV?

Aimee took a 5 HOUR nap yesterday. She still STN last night. I don't know if she slept a ton because she is getting sick again or maybe it is her 6 month grow spurt.

Andrea - that pic of Naomi in her swimsuit is priceless.

Cr8zy - congtrats on A sleeping so long the other night. How was last night?

Wildcat - Lauren is just adorabe. I need to get some of those headbands for Aimee. I can't believe how well she is sitting up. She and aimee are about the same age and she does not sit up on her own yet!

Nikki - So sorry to hear that Ava is sick again. I hope she is better for your trip. Her 6 month pics are terrific. The one in the bathtub is great. Where did you get them done?

Hanging things - Cr8zy - you mentioned the car seat and not having anything hanging to play with. We have the same issue and so my DH put a bungee cord between the two clothes hooks in the car (does that make sense?) and we hung a couple of things from there. Seems to be working. What is everyone else doing to keep them entertained?

[AlisonCO]

So it is Caitlin's 6 month birthday today and what do I get..AF!!! Blah, I feel really yucky, like crampy and bloated - the whole mess! Man is she a raging b!tch the first time she comes again. I can't really complain, but it was more like 8-9 months PP with Aidan so I was hoping for even longer this time. I mean Caitlin only gets a bottle 2-3 times a week and has had no solids yet. But on the bright side like my DH pointed out this morning, "At least your not pregnant!" Speaking of DH, I told him this morning about AF and said that the tampon was uncomfortable. He says "well maybe its in wrong" :rolleyes: Then he laughed and said that was really dumb to say. I said "why do men always need to fix things?" He said "Well I certainly don't want to fix your tampon." Again :eek: So we laughed and said that he would bring home ice cream for me.

I am defrosting Caitlin's first cube of sweet potatoes right now - I think that we will do them in the morning.

nikki - Poor Ava - what a bummer that she is sick again. Hopefully she is building amazing immunity and will not be sick at all next winter! Cute pics!

wildcat - SO cute - I like the barretts and headbands too!

cr8zy - A is too cute! I am surprised that your MIL just doesn't tell you to take A to McDonalds for a Happy Meal with chocolate milk;)

Hope that you all have a great great weekend!

[AndreaMMS]

Oh, I totally relate to what everyone else has said about "our" babies. Ava was on my mind constantly when she was in the hospital (and I'm so sorry to hear she's sick AGAIN!:( ), I've wracked my brian wishing I could help Kim with Ashley's sleeping, I want Alex's allergies to be figured out once and for all (but you know that, my dear Diane), I send my best wishes to cre8nme and hope she and Noelle can move soon...I could go on and on! Cyber-hugs all around!

wildcat- Lauren is so cute! Look at all that HAIR! Ummm...can she loan some to my sweet baldie????

Kim- Ashley is such a doll - her skin is SO BEAUTIFUL! Flawless!

Thanks everyone for the compliments on Naomi's picture. Someone asked about where I bought the hat (Kim, maybe?) The whole outfit was from Gymboree.

[crow]

I agree that it iis so nice to log in here and see how everyone is doing.
I'm kind of stressed, so it is relaxing here.

So many recent photos of pretty girl babies in here! Naomi, Caitlin, Lauren, Ashley, Ava! I hope I'm not forgetting anyone.

Hopeful future boyfriend? (hopefully this photo works)
http://images.snapfish.com/346537473%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3243%3E8%3B6%3E%3A66%3EWS NRCG%3D323357%3C43%3A8%3A%3Anu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346537473%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3243%3E8%3B6%3E%3A66%3E WSNRCG%3D323357%3C43%3A8%3A%3Bnu0mrj


Alison ugh, impeccable timing of your 6 month "present!" sorry!

Here...
Sleeping is sometimes good, sometimes bad. What we're realizing is that he does great when he doesn't sleep much during the day--that is opposite of Weissbluth (so we couldn't believe it, but baby is very consistent in this) When he naps textbook-perfectly, he has frequent night wakings. When he naps terribly, he sleeps great the whole night!

Gulp, our parents were right (they were all nagging us about that).

[cr8zyforaf]

crow - YES...A is the same way - cr*ppy naps usually equate to better nights for us - I also dropped her last nap - she was napping from 5-5:30 and then when I put her down - she was up and down for the first few hours...crazy...last night was bad but not horrible...up around 11:30 to eat, 3 and 4 but I popped the paci back in and out she went and then up at 6.

AndreaMMS - Yes, love the hat. However, hubby has banned me from Gymboree - I went out and spent a ton on summer clothes - I am going to have to start cutting the tags out and putting in generic tags - he knows how expensive the Gymbo stuff is - I try to tell him that the resale value is very high but he thinks spending that kind of money on every day baby clothes is insane. Poo on him! Thanks for the compliment on Ashley's skin...

AlisonCO - So sorry for AF showing up - but the conversation between you and DH is hysterical...

Brink - so sorry to hear that Aimee is sick again...not sure about the RSV diagnosis - I know when I took A in a few months back because she sounded AWFUL...almost like a smokers cough they told me her lungs sounded fine and I just couldn't believe it because she sounded so awful. Sending healthy vibes your way - and I am going to try the bungee cord thing - she hates her new car seat - she can't sleep because she is sitting up and there is nothing to play with - I've tried sitting things on her lap but she just throws them or they fall and then she gets angry.

philnikki - I am so sorry that Ava is sick again...hang in there - spring is just around the corner and she will get better -this must be so frustrating for you and Phil. I am always thinking of Ava and wondering how she is doing...those pictures are SO ADORABLE...she looks JUST like you - and I love the one in the tub!!

wildcat - Lauren is so adorable - she has the prettiest brown eyes!! I am so jealous of the hair - I want to use hair accessories!!! I've even thought about gluing a bow to her bald head! I cannot believe she is waving. That really is just too cute.

Well, A had her six month check up and all is well. The doctor told me to stop feeding her at night - she said that I am encouraging her to wake up and that I need to just let her cry it out...I just don't agree with that. Tonight I did try feeding her again around 5 - the doctor suggested a starch - something that will stick with her. We will see..she said that at 6 months she should only really be waking once and should be putting herself back to sleep - isn't every baby different? She made me feel like a failure - but she was very nice about it...who knows. It is what it is at this point.

Her stats:

weight 17 pounds 14 ounces (80%), Length 26.5 (75%) and head 44.5 (93%...gosh, she has a pumpkin head)

In other news - I think she hugs me..she puts her arms around my shoulders and squeezed. And, I took some fabulous pictures outside yesterday because it was so nice....

http://images.snapfish.com/346527639%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3238%3E577%3E3%3A8%3EWS NRCG%3D32335794%3C2566nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/346527639%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D3238%3E577%3E3%3A8%3EWSNR CG%3D32335794%3C5%3C%3B%3Cnu0mrj

[philnikki]

Thanks to everyone for thinking about Ava!!! We really appreciate it very, very much.

Munchkin is the same this morning, so at least its not worse. One more day to go until we know...

Thanks for all of the compliments on her pics! I got them taken at Target!!! I LOVE their studio, and for 5.99/heet (as compared to 14.99 at JCP or Sears) you just can't beat it!!

crow - I couldn't see your pic :(
Kim Your pics of Ashley never cease to make me smile! :D
Andrea - awwww I loved that swimsuit pic
wildcat - How cute is Lauren?! And Ava's jealous of her well styled hair. She wants to know how she gets it to stay in one place! ;)

As far as the whole RSV concern goes Brink, is Aimee coughing a lot??? Amazingly, that is a good sign. If she is coughing she is moving that gunk in her lungs around. RSV kinda makes it hang out there (which is how pneumonia and ear infections set in). Also, listen to her back. If you can hear air moving through her lungs, then she is probably ok. Ava sounds terrible right now, but its all the mucous in her throat causing a rattle. When she was in the hospital, she wasn't getting air through her lungs hardly at all and that is what caused the wheezing sound. Sometimes its so hard to tell though, so just ask your ped to rule out RSV. Its a simple blood test. If you are really concerned, maybe see if at the ER they could hook her up to a pulse ox. That would tell her your oxygen saturation and would let you know that she is breathing well on her own. A good pulse ox rating would be around 96...when Ava was at her worst, hers was around 82-83 (which is why she was on oxygen). please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. I would hate that any other baby has to go through this!!! :(

Well, I better get going. Errands to run sans the babe today. I am getting a spray tan, going to curves, and picking up Ava's pics from Target along with a little shopping!! Should make for a very productive morning. Oh, and I am getting Panera for lunch. I LOVE panera!

Have a great day ladies!!!

[Brink]

Yeah for Saturday. Aimee went to sleep early last night and didn't finish her bottle. So, she was up starving at 2:30 this morning. I fed her and put her right back to bed. She took a while to fall back to sleep, but she didn't cry. I feel for those mom's getting up at night, this stinks and I only got up once!

Cr8zy - those are wonderful pics of Ashley. Her eyes are so pretty. Did you take those yourself? I haven't tried to take a real closeup like that, not sure if my camera is good enough.

Nikki - thank you for the advice on RSV. I guess you were forced to learn a lot about it in a quick period of time. Aimee actually sounds better today. I don't think I'll take her to the ER or anything, but I will definitely talk to her dr. about it at her next visit. If it gets worse again I may PM you for advice. Tell Ava to hang in there and get better. I hope tomorrow comes and the dr. says she is great and doesn't need the extra treatments. And, what is Panera?

Crow - I couldn't see the pic of crowbaby........

Here is a pic we took of Aimee yesterday. Nothing fancy but I realized that aside from her newborn pics, we didn't have any of us together.

http://images.snapfish.com/34653348%3A%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3233%3E48%3A%3E%3B49%3E 232448%3A%3C3%3A46%3Bot1lsi

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend.

[dbers]

It was so beautiful today - we brought Alex to Central Park for the first time! So much fun :)

http://images.snapfish.com/346536258%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3B96%3E%3B52%3E WSNRCG%3D323357%3C289%3A%3B%3Bnu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/346536258%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3B96%3E%3B52%3E WSNRCG%3D323357%3C28%3B933nu0mrj

[cr8zyforaf]

Real quick - pictures are adorable - Alex is so cute and it looks like she is having so much fun. Brink - Aimee is so cute - gosh she has a great head of hair. Yes, I took the pictures myself - I have a Kodak Easyshare and it is great when I don't have to use the flash - the flash on the camera is a dog and it is hard to get a good shot.

OK - so....WE HAVE TEETH...I think I feel two teeth poking through on the bottom - it feels really jagged and I can almost see them - perhaps that is why the past few weeks have been he11...

[BeachBum]

Sorry--fly by---

OK - so....WE HAVE TEETH...I think I feel two teeth poking through on the bottom - it feels really jagged and I can almost see them - perhaps that is why the past few weeks have been he11...

US TOO!!!! Spotted the first one Friday, and the other one yesterday!
Last night he only got up once--I'm a new woman! :)

[Cr8nme]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and well wishes. I too constantly think of all the babies as "my" baby. In a sense not many others know as much about Noelle as you all do and I usually they don't have the same thing going on with their life so I find comfort coming here knowing that many of us may be going through the same thing at any given time. Noelle celebrated her 1/2 year birthday last saturday. I took her out and to the mall and we just had a mommy daughter day. I also fave her some chocolate cake :eek: for her celebration. I also made the mistake of giving her some potato chips out of my mouth...I know gross but now when she sees a bag she whines. My child loves potato chips so sad so sad. On a more healthier note she has been downing green beans that I puree for her by the cups! She loved green beans go figure. Which also brings me to the next subject...constipation....Noelle has been having such a hard time pooping because of all of the green beans...I have started giving her water and that hasn't helped so I may give her some prune juice any suggestions??

Well I must say all of the pictures are sooo cute and I am going to add to the mix...Miss Noelle's 1/2 year pics

https://www.searsphotos.com/ImageServer/dep_show_line_item.aspx?I=D87A97C7-F825-4B8F-8166-F9BA6B170617&C=Nat
https://www.searsphotos.com/ImageServer/dep_show_line_item.aspx?I=6BCB926F-E1C2-4123-8936-25F86597723D&C=Nat

[fifibee]

It seems like I always take a while to post something and to see how our little ones are doing. I have to say that everytime I drop by to read everyone's post and to see the pictures, it brings a smile to my face. Like crow says, it helps relieve the stress and to remind me of the more important things in life. Anyway, I also wanted to thank everyone for making me feel a bit better about my last booboo with the pillow incident.

I'm loving all the recent pictures that everyone is posting!

Andrea -- I agree with everyone. That picture of her in the swimswuit and the hat is priceless! I'm sure you know the redemption period for Gymbucks is coming up... dangerous! I'm already getting ready to see if there are any upcoming birthdays or new babies arriving so that I can make use of my Gymbucks. (DH is scared when I get so excited about shopping for babies...)
Wildcat -- Lauren is definitely a cutie! With all that hair... I'm wondering does she have a small patch of bald spot in the back of her head? Reason why I ask is because I've seen so many babies (including Max) with one because that's where they sleep and it's the funniest and cutest thing. Just curious if Lauren has that too. :P
Nikki -- Hope Ava is feeling better already. I've read some of your MIL stories and I just feel for you. Good thing we have a support group to vent these frustrations. By the way, I love Panera too!
Cr8zyforaf -- Yay on the teeth!! You know you might be right. That's probably the reason why Ashley's been fussing a bit. Beautiful pictures too -- I noticed that she has really big earlobes, which is a great thing in Chinese culture because it means her life will be filled with good fortunes. :) I love that she's starting to hug you.
crow -- Crowbaby's growing quickly and so cute! It's funny about the good naps/bad naps thing. Max is all over the place -- sometimes he naps well and sleeps well, but sometimes he naps well and sleeps poorly at night. I guess we should really throw all the books out the window cuz babies have their own little set of rules that us adults just don't know about.
Brink -- What a great picture of mom and daughter! I hope she's feeling better these days.
dbers -- It's always so wonderful to take a stroll at Central Park when it's sunny, isn't it? Alex looks like she's having a blast and what a cute hat too!
AlisonCo -- Funny story with DH! Bummer on the AF.
BeachBum -- I *just* sold my Bumbo!! Maybe you can try your local craigslist because I do see them listed for prices ranging from $20~$30. I wished I had known sooner that you were looking for one. Oh well. Yay on waking up only once at night! It's going to get better. :)
Cr8nme -- Noelle looks like such an angel! I'm loving all the 6 months photos. Makes me wanna run out and get one for Max too. But I can't seem to decide where to go yet.

Some updates on our end -- Max is currently learning how to sit... longer. He lasts for about 3 seconds and topples over. However, I do notice that he's more interested in sitting than the whole rolling over thing, which is has done probably less than 10 times so far.

Last night we also went to Maggiano's Italian restaurant to celebrate my FIL's birthday. Since we are waiting for Max to hit his 6 months b-day before he starts on solids, he is still BF-ing and taking bottles. Naturally, my MIL had to make a comment again at dinner about him and eating --

MIL: "It's so boring that he can only take BM. Can't you just give him a piece of this bread and let him chew on it? He'll like it. Babies always like new things."
DH: "Mom, why take the risk of him being allergic to something. We're going to take it slow."
MIL: "You guys are overprotective."

Then she proceeds to pick a straw out of BIL's LEMONADE and want to stick it into Max's mouth. WTF?! Luckily, everyone on the table, including FIL, stopped this woman and said, "that's got lemonade on it." :mad:

Sorry to hijack this thread again for MIL venting. On a brighter note, we dressed Max up last night for FIL's b-day dinner in this Chinese style outfit that we got as a gift from a family friend in Taiwan. It's the most hilarious thing... makes him look like a little emperor... LOL!

Max and FIL:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/betsy808/Max/20060311_0081.jpg

[AndreaMMS]

I think Naomi may be sick:( . She had (sorry to be gross) two big watery-diahrria diapers this morning, and has been sleeping a LOT today. How do I know if I need to call her doctor? I don't *think* I do...no fever, was taking bottles, and when she was awake she seemed pretty happy, but this is all new to me!:confused:

crow- oh my goodness, your little boy is SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fifibee- Aw, hi prince Max! I hope you are a benevolant ruler! Oh, I am SO on the Gymbucks thing! I have a list of birthday gifts for babies around here.... and my eye on some cute stuff for Naomi, of course...

Kim- Ashely is truely beautiful. Look at those eyes! She just need to keep them closed longer at night, and you'll be set!;)

Diane- Alex is adorable! In my head I'm seeing her clap her little feet....

cre8nme- Noelle is gorgeous! And what a beautiful dress!! Where did you get it?

[solongtogo]

Andrea-

Make sure you're giving her some pedialyte or nursing/giving her bottles or water as much as possible to keep her hydrated. You might also try some tylenol. If she starts running a fever over 100, then I'd call the doc.

[AndreaMMS]

Update...

Just called the doc & am waiting for a call back. She had another bad diaper and now 20 minutes after a 3 hour nap she's acting tired again. Something's not right....:( :( :(

[dbers]

Oh Andrea! I'm so sorry Naomi is sick.. I'm sure she'll be okay, but I know it's scary. I'm home tonight if you want to chat...

[AndreaMMS]

Thanks, solongtogo and Diane. The doc called back and told us to push as much Pedialyte (which Rich just ran out in search of) and rice cereal with bananas and/or applesauce as she'll take. Which is proving to be hard, as she doesn't want to eat. Slightly less challenging than trying to get a pill into my cat, I suppose, but still...

If she's still sick tomorrow I will bring her in.

[solongtogo]

Everyones pictures are so cute!! And teeth coming in for a few of you too..how exciting! C has been teething, but so far, there's nothing in there. Today was a fantastic day, very warm out. We went walking around the neighborhood for hours.

A few pics...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/cubs1.jpg

We bought her some bubbles too, which both she and my cat are fond of.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/solongtogo/cubs4.jpg

[Cr8nme]

Andrea~ I am sorry Naomi is sick...she will be in my thoughts...It sounds like a little virus. As far as the dress Noelle got that dress along with 25 others from my IL's for christmas.

I am about to go and take a picture of all of her dresses... its hilarious

[wildcat]

Lauren finally rolled over from her back to her belly today!! She's been rolling belly to back for 2 months, but I was convinced she was never going to go the other way bc she hates her belly so much! She was on her gymmat and was reaching for something and she started to go, so I told my DH to come look and me talking made her flip back over, but as soon as DH got in her room, she started reaching again and rolled right over and we both saw it!! :D Of course within 30 seconds she was crying bc she was on her belly!

Still no teeth for us! My DH got his bottom teeth at 4months and I got mine at 8months, so it looks like Lauren is going to take after me:).

Andrea - That sounds just like Lauren the last two weekends. Two weekends ago, she woke up with a cold and just didn't feel well and took several 3-4 hour naps that weekend. Then she seemed better until last Saturday. About 5pm, she got fussy, which isn't really like her unless she's tired or hungry, and neither was the case. The next day she slept alot, but when she was awake, she wasn't herself and then by that night, she wasn't wanting to eat too much. I suspected an ear infection as she was on the tail end of her cold and I took her in on Monday. I felt kinda weird taking her in saying, "she's just not herself, something just feels wrong"...but I'm glad I did...she did have an ear infection. Trust those mama instincts and I hope Naomi feels better soon!!

I love all the baby pics, it's amazing how much they've all grown!!

fifibee - Yep, Lauren has a bit of a bald spot from where she lays in her crib and flips her head back and forth. However, her hair is so long, she has a "comb over" and you can't tell it's bald unless you lift the long hair on top! I love the "little emperor" outfit, too cute!!

[Cr8nme]

Ok! I am finally back...after cleaning up, talking on the phone, and getting us ready for work and school tomorrow!!

So here are some random photos of my cutie pie!

This is how she sits almost all of the time!!
http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A64%3C7%3Bnu0mrj

Just sitting on Mommy's messy bed,lol

http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A68%3C94nu0mrj

Mmmm this foot looks yummy!
http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A735%3B6nu0mrj

[Cr8nme]

The dresses

http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A7478%3Cnu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A73686nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A736%3A%3Bnu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A8%3B%3B23nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/346545%3B%3A7%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3237%3E%3A%3B8%3E%3B7 9%3EWSNRCG%3D3233587%3A8%3B72%3Anu0mrj


Now mind you this is not the bulk of her clothing its just ALL that I can fit in the closet...The rest of her clothes are in her 2 dressers...its also sad to say that all of these clothes in the closet are not even her size they are all brand new and mostly have tags and are currently too big or some of the things I bought for summer and next fall.