Jan/Feb 05 chat - Thread #3

[klt]

Julie - welcome back, sounds like you did really well, what a good idea for the packnplay.  Sounds like you are going to be busy for the festive season!

Branwen - I forgot to say aswell, I agree that they all develop at their own pace and I think lots of times we are concentrating on the big things like walking, talking and don't notice all the things they are learning every day, like Eirwen wiping the tray and meowing at the cat - that's amazing stuff!  Ciara and her cousin (4months older) do things very differently but in another couple of years they'll both be at the same point I am sure.  Also, my aunt tells me that Margot Fonteyn (the ballerina) didn't start walking till she was nearer 2yo, so you never know what will happen!

We have been doing great at this night sleep thing (3 nights now...), although the afternoon nap seems to have developed a problem (would rather it was that way to be honest)!  Deb, your comment to me before about us all having difficulties in different areas made me appreciate having a good eater; I posted in Solid Foods some tricks that seem to have helped Ciara eat well, so at least I can feel I have given something back the next time I need help on sleep!

http://www.dropshots.com/KMC (Kate-Miles-Ciara)

[Daniel's mummy]

Julieb - so good to have you back.  Sounds like you've had a busy time away.  So sorry to hear you've not been well, but glad you're on the mend.  I've said it before but our lo's seem to be so similar in so many ways - the last couple of days Daniel has turned into such a picky eater.  I was thinking only yesterday how I needed you back on here to see if Asher was doing the same :lol: And wouldn't you just know it...  Daniel will still eat most things when I put them in his mouth but there's very few things now he'll actually pick up himself and put in his own mouth.  He generally just plays with it or slings it off teh tray.  To be honest I think a lot of it is that he is just bored with the same old stuff.   I'm trying now to offer him a more varied diet (lots of different fruit and veg rather than just pear and banana :oops: )  He still eats the meals I make up for him (about 4oz) so that's good.  (Daniel has also had a cold on and off for the last few weeks so that too could be adding to the problem)

Photo ornaments - this must be an american thing (at least I don't think it's British) as I've nver really heard of it before, but so many of you seem to do it already.  We're gonna start it this year though. 

Christmas - this year my parents are staying with us so we're doing Christmas at home.  We open presents first thing.  Then go to church in the morning (an hour's service).  Then BIG christmas dinner at about 2pm.  Then slob out for the rest of the day.  This year we are geting together with all my siblings and kids (will be 15 of us altogether) on Christmas day evening.  Then on 28th we're going down to Phil's parents for a few days and staying til 1st January. 
I'm trying to work out how to time everything on Christmas day around Daniel's sleeps!  I'm hoping he'll be able to make it through til we get back from church (about 11am) before he naps.  When we get in we can put him down for his nap whilst we prepare dinner. Then we can all eat together at about 2pm.  Then his 2nd nap will be a bit later than usual which should mean he can stay up with the family a bit later that evening.  (Isn't it great how we make all these wonderful plans but our little ones enjoy changing them!    Nothing ever goes quite as well in reality as it does in my head when I plan it.)

Deborah - my dh is called Phil.  I've attached a photo which I think I have already posted before but it's one of the few photos we have of all 3 of us.  (Mental note to self!)  He's soooo lovely.  Great hubby and wonderful daddy.  Love him

[HeatherC]

Julie-welcome back.  Seems like you were gone forever.  Other than the illness, it sounds like you had a great trip.
Kelsey wakes anywhere between 7:30-8, though I don't get her until 8.  Her naps are at 10:15-10:30 and approximately 3:30.  She sometimes plays for a few minutes, but is in her crib for 1.5-1.75 hrs.  Then she goes to bed at 8.

[Leah's Mom]

Julie- I agree with Heather. I felt like you were gone forever. I actually had to go back and figure out where you were.  :roll: I had completely forgot about Disneyland. Glad you're back. Look forward to seeing some piccies of the trip! Love the tent you made for Asher. We also stayed in a hotel for the first time last Friday and Saturday. Luckily it had two beds, then a half wall with a sleeper sofa on the other side. We put the pack-n-play on the other side of the half wall. Then I made everyone be very quiet when she was sleeping.  :oops:

Deb - Are you sure Olivia and Leah aren't the same person? Leah is constantly on the go. It takes her a long time to settle down for naps and nightime also. She literally rolls around her crib, sitting up and down, standing and moving. When we were at the hotel I brought her into bed with us for awhile ( :oops: ) becuase I didn't want her to wake my sister and BIL. I had to go put her back in the pack-n-play becuase she kept wacking DH and I with her hands and feet. Her head was up by us, then she was down by our feet. On the go!!!!!!!! I think it is the spiritedness in them? Can't wait to see what's she's like when she walks.  :shock:

[thitz]

Hi Everyone, we had two 45mins naps today.  But she was in good spirits for most of the day.  And I can't complain since she actually slept till 6:30 this morning:) 

Someone asked about Boxing Day, I'm not sure the significance of Boxing Day but it's the day that my mom's side of the family decided that everyone should get together since I was born (I'm the oldest cousin).  I have lots of fond memories:)

My dh's name is Peter.  He went xmas shopping after work yesterday and got Emily 'pound a ball' which looks really good, cause you kind of sit the balls on the rings and then either push them in with your hand or bang them with a plastic hammer and then you see them roll around and out the bottom.  He also bought some tiny rubber bath animals and a book. 

Christine, I want to open up her presents early, like you did, but so far I'm being good, it's just that we're desperate for some new toys :wink: Hope that Leah starts settling down better before nap/bed for you.
 
Heather, was that the 5-in-1 adjustable gym in the xmas tree picture with Kelsey?  Do you like it?  I've put that on Emily's list for Grandma.  I thought it looked neat but dh didn't think so :?

JulieB, I'm looking forward to those Disney videos    Emily claps even before Asher does when I play your Christmas song clapping video Emily is very pain sensitive and has been since day 1, so she can't handle falling all the time.  I think I just have to follow her around for awhile till she's better at walking.  I swear it's like she aims for the wall corners :oops:

Everyone, what's a good height for baby to pull up on?  It seems that Emily is interested in pulling up but can't seem to do it.  It's like the couch is too high.  I tried my old 'reebok step' but that didn't seem to help.

Happy Emily news, she now points to things in books AND she can flick light switches off with one finger!  She's DESTINED for greatness :wink:

[HeatherC]

Yes, that is the 5-in-1 gym.  It's flipped to the flat side which could be used for coloring or something later when she's old enough to sit at it.  However, I was going to use it as a table to eat at one day while she played  :oops: , but I discovered she likes to bang on the flat side just as much as the activity side.  It's not as great as I had expected.  It's actually the toy she fell on, too, but that was during assembly (which was easy).  The volume is VERY loud and nonadjustable, which is terrible for my sensitive ears.  The 3 turning toys have already lost their appeal with Kelsey and the music buttons are kind of tough to push unless she's just banging away.  But for $25 (when I got it) I thought it would make a good pinic/art table when she's older.  Oh, and it's very light weight so I have to stabilize it against something b/c she pulls up on it alot.

[Deb_in_oz]

Julieb - welcome back!! I am amazed that  you took asher there so young so well done for being brave  Love the pack n play tent - we might end up doing that on our trip to New Zealand in March.  Sorry you are experiencing some of my food dilemmas - i guess it is just the age where some of them willbe willful and show that they have a real mind of their own

thanks for the ideas about A time and windown - i am thinking about both and tarri - i will post Livs routine at the end and see what you guys think - i am thinking it is fine and we just need to get through this - wehave had 2 days in a row where she went down for both naps and bedtime by herself (both nights led to 6am starts but you can't have it all  :roll:  CAN YOU?  :lol: )

Kate - i replied on your solids post as i thoghtthey were great tips!

Christine - that is so fuinny - they are alike! we can never even think about having Liv in our bed - she just thinnks it is a playground - sleep here HA she says! i am so dreasding walking because if it has taken 3 weeks to get over standing what the heck will happen when she walks  :shock:

Tarri - not sure what height is particularly good for pulling up but both girls loved to do it on our coffee table which i just measured and it is 40cm high = just under 16 inches high HTH Liv will stand at the table bouncing up and down and laughing etc and i still rememeber when alex started climbing on it  :shock:

well US  - i just want to say thanks for the millionth time for all the support.  i am doing much better today - feel almost normal and rational  :lol: and had a good day! Liv ate 3 good meals, i went with the flow at the doctor's appt (stupidly i got there 15 min early and then she was 30 min late  :evil:  and the apptwent on forever and i had not brought lunch for alex etc) anyway we got a referral to a dermatologist to check out the girls' skin and then i guess a referral to an allergist if necessary.  Liv's skin is gettingworse every day - it has spread to her butt cheeks and worsened on her shoulders and face  :cry:

we are off to New Zealand March 6-20 so i need to start planning that trip and since thatis mostly to get our residency sorted and some holiday Dh wants to book a real beach holiday for October in the Cook Islands    I am tryin to convince my mother to come visit us and join us on the trip - we could rent a 3BR house on the beach and that way we woudl have help and she woudl have a holiday as we would pay for accommodation ...

almost forgot Livs routine:
wake up time averages 6:30 (except last 2 days were 6am)
7ish breakfast
8:30 bottle
9/9:15 down for nap
wakes either 45min later or sometimes does 1-1 /2 hrs
11/11:30 lunch
12:30/12:45 bottle
1:15 down for nap - generally sleeps 1:30-3 but can go as long as 2hr 15 and can start as late as 2pm
5/5:30 dinner
6:30 first offer bottle
6:45 or so bath
7:15 finish bottle and down for bed before 7:30

[Leah's Mom]

:shock: That's exactly our routine Deb! Although we found when we moved bath to 6:30 and into bed by a little before 7, she settled down quicker and slept later in the morning. NO idea why. I mean everything is the exact same. We even offer her bedtime bottle before bed so she will hopefully drink most of it. Glad to hear your routine is the same though. So, when you decide to start dropping bottles and such, let me know!!!!!!!! We can tweak together! Can Liv get down on her own from standing in the crib? I realized this morning Leah can. I was getting her clothes ready and she was standing in the crib, then she just sat down. I looked at her and said - WELL, then I guess you can do that in the night too!  :twisted: Leah may take awhile to settle down, but I just leave her alone. She usually always goes to sleep without any intervention.

[Deb_in_oz]

CHristine - too funny!...am glad to see someone with same routine - what do you do for winddown routine? and do you find Leah will sit and read stories with you (i posted reently on activity board that Liv will not sit calmly - it is totally a windUP)

 the only time she gets in bed before 7 is if daddy arrives home early and she seems tired.  maybe we will try it this weekend and see if it helps with wakeup time (3rd day of 6am, but was also good yesterday she again put to sleep for both naps and bedtime so i am hoping we have finally passed this milestone - i hope i don't jinx it)

she can sit down from standing SOMETIMES and other times calls for help - i guess she will improve.  never wakes in the night to practice though 

everyone who was "dealing" with flat head issues - now that the kids are almost 10-12 months how much improvement have you seen?  Olivia has a lot os curly hair now so itis less noticable. it seems to have rounded more at the top and still flat at the bottom half (midway down to the nape of her neck)

[HeatherC]

I don't think Kelsey will have a very ball shaped head, but her flatness is markedly improved.  Her hair also makes it hard to tell, but when it's wet I can definitely see more shape to her head.  Her hair is crazy, but I love it.  It's also long and curly at the ends, but I have to trim it back from her eyes all the time.  She wears a little barrette every day.

[Leah's Mom]

Heather - I noticed Kelsey's crazy hair picture on your jusspress site. And let me say how jealous I am! I would love to use fun little clips with Leah.  Someday...... 

Leah's head is still flat, but much improved from when she was little. Once she has hair I don't think I will notice it so much.

Deb - Leah will also not sit still for books. But she also won't just sit with us in the chair either. DH would like to just sit with her and watch TV while she played with a book or something, but it doesn't happen. She wiggles and wants down. Our wind down routine is very simple. Change diaper, grab blankie and paci, sit in chair for like one second and toss into crib (not literally  :wink: ) She winds herself down in the crib tossing and turning, sort of. I guess she expells all of her energy and then probobly passes out.  What do you do?

[Deb_in_oz]

forgot to post Liv's Xmas and Chanukah presents: she already has inherited alex's millions of toys so is getting less than Alex... and MANY books so she can have her own

from us:
toy mobile phone that we can record a message on
gorgeous stuffed dog
books
Pop up animal toy (the kind with 4 animalsthat pop up when you twist, press, etc)

from others: FP learning keys, wooden hammer bench toy (pound down 3 balls), books, Baby Einstein Neighbourhood animals DVD, clothes, my mom knitted her a gorgeous baby blanket (same as alex but different colour scheme)

plus whatever else she gets from family and friends that i have no idea about

[Deb_in_oz]

you guys were posting at the same time (we shoudl meet in the chat room...)

just before Dh tried to sit olivia on his lap while she and alex were watching Bear in the big blue house - i had to laugh at him - i said " she so does not want to just sit passively in your lap Jeff - she needs to be "doing"" it lasted 3 seconds before he was like "do you want to stand in daddy's lap?"  :roll:  and so on until she was on the floor and pulling up and climbing over everything  :lol:

our windown is similar christine - we change nappy (if she pooped earlier and got changed i pretend to do it - open up lift up and put back on  :lol: ), hold in my arms for 30 sec while i sing rocka bye baby and then in cot and turn on noise machie and leave.  she settles herself (apart from when she has these major milestones!  :evil: )

[julieb]

Christine/Deb, okay you two have the spirited ones and our wind down is longer than yours!  :lol:   Granted, Asher spiritedness runs a close second, but still!!  We change the diaper (Deb, I "fake it" too!!  :lol: ), rock & sing for 5 min, sleep sack, lights off, rock & sing slow song for 15 seconds (I could skip this part, but it's more of a cue and more cuz I want to rock my baby  :oops: ), and in the crib.  I didn't add the 5 minute wind down until he was 4 months old and it was the night & day difference in our naps!  I've kept it ever since.  And I laughed all your TV stories!  No TV watching here!  "Things to do, people to see!" is Asher's motto!!  We had trouble keeping Asher's attention during a 20 minute interactive Playhouse Disney show at Disneyland!! 

First glance at your routine, Deb, and I wondered if your A times are long enough at this age.  Doesn't seem like it's enough time to work the wiggles out, she ends up doing that in bed instead (same with Leah?).  Asher's morning A time is 2:45 hrs+ and afternoon is 3:30 hrs.

 :oops: And I must admit, Deb, I really wasn't that brave taking Asher to Disneyland.  :oops:   We totally brought the bendryl with us to drug him!  :lol:  Only used it the first night though.  I really didn't have a choice not to go.  DH would've never let us stay home since we go every year (even 8 month PG!  :? ).  :wink:

Hazel, I think you hit the nail on the head.  Maybe our LOs are bored with the variety?  I can't wait to start dairy & wheat, just 1.5 more months!  I bought some new veggies and fruits at the store today.  I've been sticking with organic, but you can't find everything.  It gets boring.  I bought some conventional today to try.

Tarri, Asher pulled up on me the first time while I was laying on the floor.  I take him and put him kinda over me with his knees still on the floor and he thought it was really funny.  Then he started doing it himself.  Anything else they can get a good grip on.  He also used the baby gates.  He just had to figure out how to position those legs.  He usually goes to one knee, then goes up from there.

He's up.  My plan for a long nap didn't work. 

[thitz]

JulieB, Emily has been starting to lean forward to my legs and once she did come up so that her legs went under into a tummy position and then she got stuck.  We've got to keep working on that arm strength :!: .  It just seems crazy that she's taking like 10 walking steps by herself but can't crawl or pull-up :? I installed a baby gate but so far she doesn't understand to pull up.  We haven't needed one yet cause she can't go anywhere by herself yet :oops: .

Deb, That's awesome you had a good day today Emily is also an early waker, anywhere between 5:30 and 6:30am.  I've stopped fighting it and I just go to bed earlier myself.  I find she can still stick with the same nap and bedtimes regardless of wake-up time.  Like Julie, I think Olivia's afternoon nap seems a bit early.  Maybe keep an eye out and see if she naps better in the afternoon when she's up till 2:00pm.  I know if I put Emily to nap too early I'm in for a long fight.  We have a doctor's apt. for a referal to another dematologist.  Emily has dry skin all over, but I'm just concerned about her cheek, cause it's her face and I have to put 5%(not sure if it's 0.5 or 5 hhmm) cortisone on 3 times a day to keep it under control.  The last dermatologist was a fossil and wouldn't listen to any of my questions/comments.  Also, I'm about to go around and measure my furniture and look for something 40cm tall :wink:

Heather, thanks for the info on that activity table.  I've taken it off Emily's wish list.  Also, is your avatar a professional photo?  And I noticed she has another xmas dress.  Didn't you say you could only buy one :wink:  :wink:

Books, Emily now likes to read books before her bedtime bottle.  She loves turning the pages and pointing at things.  Her favorite is 'hello kitty, hello colours'.

Us, dh had a snow day today cause we couldn't get out of the driveway.  We had at least a foot of snow overnight.  We put Emily in the backpack and trekked around the backyard forest.  The dog only got halfway cause she was caked in snow like a snowman.  I tossed her inside infront of the fire to thaw out:)
Have a good day/night everyone, Tarri