Jan/Feb 05 chat - Thread #3

[Deb_in_oz]

Hi everyone.

I don't know how many of you saw my post in the PPD board but i am doing SO WELL. i can't explain the difference in how i am feeling except that i can tell the difference KWIM?  our days are not perfect (although today was pretty darn close) they feel "good" because i feel like i am doing a good job and that everyone is happier and things are going smoother with the solids, i am really starting to use what i have been learning and can calm myself down if i get anxious. i also think it is a case of each good experience makes me feel stronger so i end up having more good experiences KWIM?

Solids: olivia is now eating ok (at breakfast still won't eat cereal, porridge/oatmeal, etc but we have settled on cheerios and fruit as finger food - NO SPOONS), we seem to have found our rhythm and she has about 70-80% finger foods and will allow me to spoon feed certain foods (defnitely knows what she likes) when she is hungry and interested.


Interesting development - need feedback: We dropped the DF cold turkey again last night (too early to tell if she will "let it go")- she woke at 11pm and resettled herself and slept til 6am (too early for me but i will take it).  on top of that she has not had her 3-4pm bottle either yesterday or today due to the lateness of her 2nd nap (both days "up" after 4pm so i figured i woudl hold her off until dinner and she fed better at dinnertime because of it) do you think that is terrible to drop from 5 to 3 bottles cold turkey?? she seems happier this way and we have had 2 good days of solids and her milk is ok - she is taking extra at bedtime - seems to know she needs it (taking about 11 oz / 350-380ml  :shock:  instead of usual 8 1/2 oz / 260ml!) we feed her a full 8 1/2 oz bottle but she has cried out for more both nights and taken the extra and then gone to sleep. I would guess her total from the 3 bottles is around 25-28 oz  :?   the 3-4 pm bottle was the one that she was dropping some days of her own choosing so it makes sense that it goes now and i figure on days when she wakes around her usual 3pm i can just offer it in a sippy cup for practice and without pressure of wanting her to take a full bottle.  what do you all think?

[Jaime]

why does life always get so crazy around the holidays?  even worse, why do i seem to like it that way?   

luke is adding butt-scooting to his bag of tricks.  still not crawling, but he will kinda bend over & then drag himself forward a little.  so now his favorite rooms are the kitchen & the bathroom, since they don't have carpet!   :lol: and i think he's been inspired by some of your babies.  this past week has now will eat a little pureed food at dinner, but then wants to eat veggie puffs.  by himself!  i am so proud.  he's getting better on his aim too.

2 weeks left until christmas vacation!  yay!!  now if i can only find time to write my midterm exams, i'll be good...

Christine - read your post on the night board.  awesome!

Heather - how goes it on the bottle front?  luke's does something similar every so often.  he will half finish a bottle, and then take the rest 10-30 minutes later?  not sure why either...

Kate - love that kissing photo!  so cute.

Hazel - glad the playgroup went well.  it is nice to find a group that you & ds can fit into.

Deb - hadn't seen your ppd post but checked it out - WOW!!!  that sounds fantastic.  and i agree with some of the other posters - very inspirational.  yay for you.  re your new eating plan, i'd say go with what you have.  sounds like liv is really loving those solids.  and if she's still pretty much getting the same amount of milk, it works.

have a great weekend everyone! 

[julieb]

Well, we all got sick.  :?   Dh, then Asher, and now me.  DH is better, Asher is one day behind, and I'm one day behind Asher.  Hopefully by time we go to Disneyland, we'll all be better.

I was using all my homeopathic stuff, but when it came down to it, I just couldn't get Asher to stay asleep.  He was waking every 20 minutes so at 12:45 AM, I finally drugged him with the bendryl and he slept until 6:30.  Took short 45 minute naps because he couldn't breathe and suck his thumb (despite MORE bendryl), but then slept all night with no meds!     Last night was a different story, but he seems to be taking a good nap this morning.  I'm just not sure how to keep his nose clear.  I've got a peppermint candle going, humidifier, aromatherapy, saline spray, take hot showers, etc.  But he's still stuffed and has trouble sleeping and nursing.  I end up suctioning his nose right before and putting eucalyptus oil on my breast so he breathes it in while nursing.  :roll: Tried putting his bed at a slight incline but he ends up rolling to the end and sleeping sideways, hitting his head on the slats.  :lol:   So I gave up.

Any other ideas?

Not much time to reply to everyone, though I want to.  My family is in town for a reunion, but it looks like we'll miss it today.  Tomorrow will be better.  My little sister got engaged last night!    Much to do while Asher is napping this morning!  Hope everyone is staying happy and healthy!

[klt]

Deb - I just read your PPD post and that is so fantastic.  it is really great of you to share it all in such detail and honesty; so much of it rings true for any mother I am sure, even without PPD - I certainly have had moments of despair because a nap went wrong or the night wakings seemed to go on and on and sometimes it is hard to put it into perspective - sleep deprivation is a terrible thing!  But facing up to your feelings is very courageous (my dh is in therapy now and I know it is a hard thing to go through but so worth it); you also do so much to help others on this site - so thank you and well done!  Hugs to you!     

Kate

[Schae]

Kate: Just wanted to say that your avatar is lovely! Well done on figuring out how to get it to show.

Julieb: Shame man, hope you feel better before your holiday. When are you guys meant to leave?

Deb: I'm off to go and read your post in the PPD forum. But just from reading the post in this thread.. wow! You sound so much happier. Liv sounds like she's doing great... the teenage years are going to be interesting coz she really seems to know exactly what she wants. But we'll all be there for each other right? Our babies will be 15 and we'll be online  :lol:
re: the dropping of feeds. I think you should go for it. It sounds like Liv is guiding you guys, if she was hungry she'd wake right? Also her daily intake sounds about right (is that about 750ml).

Us: Good news on the nanny front. We had a nanny when I was a baby, she looked after me, my sister and my cousins and she may look after Luka. Just need to confirm with her again. It'll put my mind at such ease. I've been having nightmares thinking about leaving my baby with a stranger (even if I train her for a month first). This will make me feel so much better and I know that Luka will be in excellent hands.

[HeatherC]

Deb-I'd say give Olivia what she wants, she's always good at letting you know, right?  Nothing is set in stone is my theory.  If you have to add another bottle back, it will be okay. 

Schae-I'm so glad you have found a nanny that you will be comfortable with.  What a blessing.

Julie-when is your trip?  Have you tried Pediacare?  I know you try to not medicate, but pediacare really dries Kelsey's runny nose well and doesn't make her sleepy.  She sleeps better just because her nose is clear.

We've had 2-3 days of successful eating.  She's gone back to eating her solids completely.  The trick has been to wait at least 30 mintues when she wakes from her naps to feed her.  In the morning she'll eat right away, though.  Anyway, we've had less struggle in the highchair this way, and she'll eat the 4 oz of food and finish a bottle.  Her pm nap has shifted by about 30 minutes and she's been sleeping about 1.5-1.75 hrs, so she goes right past what used to be bottle #3.  Therefore, I just give her some sips of watered-down juice and maybe a snack, then she has dinner and juice, and then a bottle before bed.  She seems content this way, and she's still getting 21 oz of formula.  I also give yogurt for lunch or dinner so she's getting calcium from that, too.

[sedona314]

Schae:  Congrats!!!!!!  that is such great news.  Im so sorry to hear Luka is still waking at night.  That is soooooo hard.  I hope he will adjust very well when you move too.

Christine:  Please let me know what program you use for photos, I need to get one.

Heather:  I recomend a whole grain noodle like brown rice noodles, spelt noodles or even corn noodles. Its best to keep them off of white flour as much as possible.  They come in all shapes and sizes at the health food store.

Debra:  Im so happy for you that you are feeling better. Im going to read the PPD forum to see your post.  I also agree that since it is working with Olivia to keep at it.  She'll let you know if she wants the fourth bottle.

Julie;  Hope you are feeling better.  Let us know how Asher does at DW.  I couldnt take Matty right now, he would just get scared off all the rides and the disney figures.  Are you going with family so they can help you with Asher?

Us:  We are doing well except Im having a tough time coming up with  finger foods for Matty.  I am doing grapes, whole grain noodles, steamed carrots, gerber puffs, freeze dried apple pieces (also gerber), banana and thats about it.  Please let me know what else you all are feeding the little ones. I dont want to give him too much white flower, the puffs are it.  He also doesnt know how to hold sticks of food yet.  I tried giving him a slice of banana and he tried to stuff the whole thing in his mouth, it was so cute, but I had to give him little pieces again.

Oh yeah, and Matty is fine going to stores still, but having trouble when people come up to him.  He cried at our neighbor today, whom he has met a bunch of times; he just gets so scared. 

Im also thinking of joining a play group but i dont knwo how to find one.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Julie

[Daniel's mummy]

The last two days have been so wonderful.  I'm guessing it's partly due to Daniel getting mobile, but he is just sooooo happy these days.  He is sleeping really well and is smiling ALL day.  (Why can't it always be like this?!)

Went out this afternoon to buy some safety gates.  I keep thinking I've baby-proofed the lounge room well and then Daniel shows me something else that needs removing :lol:   Just as well he shows us.

My SIL is in hospital as we speak having her baby.  She was due to be induced this afternoon but the last I heard was that her contractions were starting already and that was about 10 this morning.  So who knows.  The LO could already be with us or my SIL could have many hours still ahead :shock: I am so excited though.  It brings it all back again - the sheer exhilaration of having a newborn.  Me and DH talked about another one today.  We'll probably start TTC in the spring.  I just wish I could skip the pregnancy bit. 

Debra - I say dropping from 5 to 3 bottles is fine.  Olivia sounds as if she is happy with the 3 so I would just focus on those 3.  We've had to play around with Daniel's bottles (only has 2 now).  The best times are on waking first thing and then after his afternoon nap (3/4pm).  He just will not drink before bed!  I usually get a few more ounces in him through the day so I'm happy with that.  I'm so happy to hear you are feeling so well.  Enjoy it.

Julie - I found a play group by trial and error.  I went on a local website that gave info on loads location and times etc) and then just tried a few.  I think you get a feel for it as soon as you walk through the door.  The one I'm settling on now was really welcoming, small (about 15 kids) and quite a few were babies rather than toddlers.  I may still try a few more to have the option of going on another day.

Julieb - when do you go away?  Have a great time. I'm not jealous, honest!!! :oops:

[Deb_in_oz]

thanks for the support on the bottles everyone - it is going really well - helped along by the fact that she has extended her afternoon  nap to 2hrs/ 2hrs 15   4-5 times out of the last 7 days    so by the time she gets up there is only an hour or so til dinner anyway.  she is doig ok without the 5th bottle and has not had any food after 7:30 for 4 nights. her wake up times have really varied though buti am crossign fingers that it improves. 

her standing and cruising (just started a little cruising this past week) is affecting the sleep a little though but very inconsistently - Saturday she went down for all sleeps on her own but Sunday she needed me to shh/pat her down for both naps as she kept moving and standing up or sitting up and calling me in  :roll:

Hazel - glad to hear all is going well and i hope your SIL delivers safely and soon.  good luck with TTC.

Julie - finger foods are a big part of Liv's meals as she is happier that way, but she is a picky eater so we try things unntil we find what she likes. she has: peas, sweet potato, carrots, pasta spirals, watermelon, canteloupe, pears, papaya, cheerios, pieces of cracker, green beans and that is it.

Julieb - sorry asher is ill you sound like you have it all covered trying so many things - the most effective thing for us were always sucking it out (nasal aspirator) just after a bath as the room got steamy with the door closed, and then she would have a great bedtime feed.

Schae - that is awesome about the nanny - how old is she by now  :lol:  I hope it works out - everythign seems to be coming together for you - how exciting!

Other news - alex's daycare place (where she goes on Monday mornings andf they both went on thursday during my PPD supprt group) just opened their books for the new year andi have got Liv in with alex on Mondays starting Jan 30 so I will be free and on my own from 9-12:30 every monday (haven't actually told Dh yet because i was planning on doing it once a month, but if i don't lock it in as every week i will be stressing and i think i need the time alone more than i need the time with Liv KWIM?)  I can actually get my haircut more than twice a year and can run errands alone etc I hope he is cool with it but i am happy.  I also bought myself 2 pairs of summer sandals yesterday - a sign that i am doing better as well because i am always afraid to spend money on myself and it is like i am saying "i am worth it" and i felt so great wearing one pair today dropping off alex as it is baking hot today and i am wearing shorts and a tank top AND NO BULKY SHOES (how cr@ppy i looked before).  My mom teased me and told me to ditch my handbag as well as she said i should be embarrased carrying it around (bought on holiday back in ??2001??  don't even remember). so i am trying to make an effort and might even take the time tonight to paint my toenails!!!)  Thanks again for all the support i can't believe how much better i am doing (not perfect but better  )

[Daniel's mummy]

I have a neice!    Yay.

My SIL gave birth at 8.25 this morning.  Baby (may be Grace...) weighed 6lb 1oz and mother and baby are both doing really well.  Only 10 mins of pushing :roll:

Just thought you'd all like to know.

[Leah's Mom]

Congrats Auntie Hazel! Not much time to post. I just wanted to share that I am going to post my attempts at taking Leah's Christmas Pictures in the photo gallery. I think they turned out OK. Of course she wouldn't smile for me!  :roll:

[HeatherC]

Congrats Hazel!
Deb, I'm glad you are doing well.
Christine-Happy 10 months to Leah, and I'll be looking for your pics!

[Leah's Mom]

Heather - Can you belive they are 10 months already??!?!?!?!

Someone asked what program I use for pics? I am at school and I need to look at home, can't remember the name of the program. I will post it later!

[thitz]

Dh is back at work so I can get back on the computer:)  I miss you guys :wink:

Finger foods:  wheat puffs, plain brown rice cakes, 60% whole wheat weight watchers toast, arrowroot cookies.  I've put chicken pieces on her tray for about 3 weeks now and she still doesn't eat them herself.

Happy Emily news: she did one REAL clap and one REAL rollover from front to back and can take a few steps with me holding just one hand.  Also both front top teeth are coming in.  I think we're on the start of a development rush like JulieB says will happen.

As you can probably guess, all this developement is causing havoc with naps.  I've given 4 shots of advil in the last week and some naps just didn't happen.  We had a couple of short night wakings but overall very good nights and no dreamfeed for 1.5weeks now.

Schae, that's perfect that your old nanny can be a nanny for Luka.  You'll be able to concentrate so much better at work knowing Luka is well looked after:)

Debra, that's really really GREAT that you are feeling better.  I agree with Heather, that Olivia's been good at telling you when she's hungry so if 3 bottles works...run with it:)

JulieB, that sucks about the colds.  I'm dreading Emily's first cold.

Christine, love your new avatar!  We took Emily for her first professional photos and she wouldn't smile for the family photo but we got a couple smiles of just her.  Thank goodness I brought a favourite book along and that got her smiling.

Car Seats:  I've been driving myself batty trying to find the perfect car seat for Emily.  Then dh bought the evenflo vanguard5.  It's a convertible seat.  I haven't put it in my '98 cavalier yet, I'll let you know if it fits.  It drives me crazy that the US has so much more selection.

Gotta run....Tarri

[thitz]

It's me again

Emily took two steps without me holding a hand :!: