BabyWhispererForums.com
ACTIVITY => E.A.S.Y. Forum => Topic started by: Deb_in_oz on October 13, 2005, 11:36:24 am
-
Welcome all Mom's of babies born in Jan/Feb 05. having already chatted on 37 pages in thread #1 and 84 pages in thread #2 we are here for a fresh start. whether you are an "old timer" who has participated in either of those threads or have been lurking or have just found us please join in at any time.
a few things to keep in mind this time around as we have grown into a very large group (and will continue to grow i imagine)
:arrow: Please do not feel obligated to respond to everyone everytime you post a reply. In other words, do not feel that you need to "catch up" with everyone!
:arrow: If you want, pop in to just tell a story or share some news!
:arrow: If you have a question that no one here seems to be able to answer, post it elsewhere - a lot of other members have been there before, whereas most of us are going through it now with you(some of us have more than 1 child, but most are first time parents).
looking forward to chatting about daily life with these babies who are fast heading towards toddlerhood :shock: they are all now heading for 8-10 months old :shock: :shock: and just as their needs have changed so have ours, so let's all drop in for a virtual "cuppa" and have a chat when we can! pull up a chair and tell us about yourself and your lo.
-
Since we're starting fresh, I figure it would be great for everyone to introduce themselves all over again.
I'm Michelle and my daughter, Kinlagh (pronounced Kin-Lah), will be 9 months old next week. I can hardly believe it.
Me: 30 years old. Celebrated my 4th wedding anniversary last week. Kinlagh is our first child, but we're planning on a couple more. Our happy family lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (for now). May consider a move back to Ontario - my home.
Kinlagh: Almost 9 months old. Textbook (although would like to check that again cause I think there's a little touchy in there too). Is now crawling, standing and starting to cruise along furniture.
Looking forward to getting to know you all over again! And even meet a few new faces.
-
I'm Hazel and my son Daniel is 8.5 months old. We live in England with my dh. I am 27 years old, no, wait... I'm 28 years old :oops: Daniel is our first child too but we want at least 3 maybe 4. He is a textbook baby with a lot of angel thrown in (although listening to him in the bath at the moment he sounds a bit 'grumpy') :) Daniel is a happy soul. Lots of sitting and rolling, but no signs yet of crawling. LOVES his food (always has done). weighs around 23.5 lb now (eek). He is just the most amazing thing that has happened to my dh and I ever. We love being parents.
Look forward to chatting.
-
I'm Julie, 28 for the third time :wink: , married 8.5 yrs, and SAHM to our first, Asher, 8.5 mths. He's mostly textbook with touchy and spirited being an equally close second. He's a busy, active boy with an intense and passionate personaility, just like his father! :lol:
-
Hi there - ooh I am so looking forward to a "fresh" start!!!
Well - introductions ....
me My name is Nikki - I am 31 yrs old - Live in South Africa - work part time on a wine farm but trained as an Occupational Therapist (planning to get back into OT next yr) Celebrating our 6th anniversay on 30th of Oct. Lise Anne (Debra - only saw now that Olivia's second name is also Ann!!) is our first of hopefully 2 kids (cannot believe I said that out loud!! 3 mths ago I would have called you MAD if you asked if I want more!!!)
Lise is 7.5mths old and spirited with a little bit of touchy thrown in. She has 2 teeth and is crawling - well more of "butterfly" stroke on the floor :oops: We struggle with naps longer than 45mins. and that's that!!
and now that I have attached THREE pictures I have the following idea ...
Maybe we should only attach max 1 picture as a "teaser" to friends on this thread and post the rest in the gallery?? What do you think?
Look forward to hearing from all of you ...Nikki
-
My name is Tarri (30 years old) and my daughter's name is Emily. She's almost 8 months old and is mostly textbook with a little Angel and Touchy. Emily has only rolled a few times, doesn't crawl at all but is a good sitter and loves it when I help her walk around the house. I always call her my 'super cutie petutie pie'!
I want to say thankyou to Tracy (if she can hear us) for all her baby whispering, it changed Emily and my life around when I found it at the 3 month mark.
Also, I'm soo excited that I'm going to see a movie and have dinner with a friend tomorrow night!
-
What movie are you gonna see, Tarri? We saw In Her Shoes (good) and Serenity (good) last weekend. I'm still hoping to see Proof and Elizabeth town. I'm so glad it's the weekend soon! Even though DH is going paintballing all day on Sunday, I can go and visit people with Asher because everyone works during the week.
-
Hi, I'm Colleen mother of Charlie who's almost 8 months. Charlie's a textbook/angel baby and a georgous little boy. I didn't think motherhood would be this much fun, I'm having a ball...particulalary now that he sleeps all night.
We're great at sitting and squirming all over the place, can't really be bothered to roll but enjoy rocking back and forth on our hands and knees.
I too am grateful for Tracy Hogg and her advice, I have followed her since day 1 and can't imagine would it would have been like without her. I lost my own mother to cancer and so Tracy's has been able to help me when my mum would have.
We live in Melbourne Australia.
Cheers
-
Helloooo everyone! :D
I'm Shuia (aka Schae), I'm 24 and at the moment, am a SAHM. Went for a job interview on Wednesday that went well.. so we're hoping. We live in Johannesburg South Africa.
Luka: Will be 8 months old next Sunday :shock: He is crawling all over the place and pulling himself up on any and everything.. lots of running after him saying: "You're going to fall" :lol:
Deborah.. you asked about the nightwakings I think? They are just in the early evening. :?
Looking forward to getting to know all of you again :)
-
Hi everyone.
My name is Lizzie & i'm 25yrs old. My son is Alex who turns 8months on Tues and he's a very spirited little one!
I've been lurking about the boards for a while now & read alot of the old thread & glad a new one has started up!
Hazel: I see Daniel is a budding Liverpool supporter as is Alex, all his fathers doing!!
I live in Reading, UK with my boyfriend of 7yrs. We are engaged but no plans to marry soon, too much else going on!!
Alex isn't crawling yet but is a pro at rolling, especially at night!! :roll:
Haven't seen a movie since I was pregnant. Pls keep me updated on what you recommend to watch as they take a little longer to be released in UK. Haven't even heard of Elizabeth Town, Proof or In Her Shoes!!
Look forward to chatting some more!
-
hi there,
Me - my name is Jaime. I'm 27 years old, a teacher in Florida (US), and married for 5 years (today!)
My kids - Luke is the one who fits into this chat :wink: he's almost 9 months old and quite the touchy guy. I also have a 2 year old (Jaina). they are 20 months apart, and while i like it, I sincerely hope we're finished! :lol:
-
HI all - My details are very similar to Jaime's :lol:
I am Deb, a 33 year old SAHM with a 27 mo old and an almost 8 mo old (19 mo gap :shock: ) and I am done barring any accidents :wink: I live in Sydney (6 1/2 years now) with my English husband since neither of us wanted to live in the other's country :roll: and we both loved Australia. Today is also our 6th wedding anniversary :!: I am currently on meds for PPD and a thyroid condition - both of which make my days just that little bit more challenging :wink:
Olivia will be 8 months on Wednesday and is equal parts spirited, textbook and angel. she is a very happy child who just does not want to miss out on anything that is going on... she is currently crawling all over BUT BACKWARDS or in circles ONLY.
Lizzie - glad to see you joining in - i remember when you first started on the site and then i never saw you on the thread. hope you are doing well.
Colleen - nice to see another Aussie on this thread - hope to see you on Thursday nights at the aussie chat for the site
-
Hi Everyone:
I'm Julie G. since we have two Julie's. My son Matthew (Matty) is 8.5 months old and started out very spirited and now is still spirited but fortunately is more textbook now. :lol: Im married 3 years next month. I seem to remember a lot of us have Oct/Nov anniversaries.
Welcome to newcomers. Colleen, I lost my Mom to cancer too, so if you ever want to commiserate, let me know. Its so hard sometimes raising Matty without her being here to see him!
I am a family/child therapist and work part time.
Julie, how the heck did you get to see those movies? :D I'm jealous.
Nikki, Lise is cuter than ever, I just want to squeeze her. Hazel, that last picture of Daniel with the mussed up hair made me laugh.
I love all the pictures and I would like us to keep posting them here, cause honestly, I just dont have the time to go to the gallery. I also want you all toknow that I still feel bad if I dont mention everyone. Like mentioning Nikki's and Hazel's pics but not the others, which I also thought were beautiful. I never mean to leave anyone out. I dont know if Im gonna get over feeling that way on this thread. But you guys are right, it is stressful to feel the need to comment on everything people say, even though I want too!
Anyway, I DO need some feedback from you gals. I am feeling remiss about not taking matthew out more. He gets walked everyday but he doesnt get to go on many errands. I work 2.5 days a week, and the days I am home I have a helper part of the day so I can get other work done. Therefore, when my helper is here I run allmy errands (so much easier) and then do stuff at home with Matthew. He gets to go on errands with me and Daddy during the weekend.
Is this horrible? Should I be taking him out more with me even though its harder? I feel so darn guilty. Just to let you know, when we do take him out, he does really well, he is calm and not afraid of strangers. Hope this doesnt sound silly but its been bothering me for a long time.
thanks for any feedback.
Sorry this is so long!
Julie
-
Hi Everyone:
I am Vidya and a 28 yr old SAHM to Diya. I have been married for 4.5 yrs and we live in a very small town in the U.S. We are orginally from India and have been living in the U.S for 7 yrs.
My daughter Diya is mostly a mix of Angel and textbook but spirited with respect to sleep. She is crawling and standing up now and trying to cruise.
We went to SFO recently and it was a great trip. Diya took most of her naps in my sling and found it hard to go back to her crib. She is getting better though.
Julieb: How did you get to watch so many movies :shock: I am thinking about catching up with all of the movies when my parents visit me at the end of this month for 2.5 months.
Deb: It was good to finally put a face to you. Adorable family!
Lizzie: When I think of going to the movies, I go to msn.com and click on movies for reviews. It even tells the movies which are showing in my town. I'll post a link of the site and you'll be able to read the reviews. To find out about the movies showing in UK, go to msn's UK site.
http://movies.msn.com/
JuileG: Babies at this age only need love of their parents. You'll be able to provide a stimulating and loving environment at home. So, you don't have to worry about not taking Matty out all the time. I am a slave to Diya's naps too and I find it hard to squeeze in BF, solids and outinng in the 2 hr window between naps.
Everyone: I have a question. I'll try to post this in EASY and BF forums too. Diya doesn't take a lot of solids. I still have to nurse her 6 times for her to sleep through! Also, she is able to go 3.5 hrs in the afternoons without BF. But she wakes up in the middle of the night for a feeding if I do that. Is my body trained to produce milk based on 3 hr feedings(meaning less milk than a 4hr feeding schedule)? Do I have to try changing the interval to 3.5 to 4 hrs so that I'll produce more milk or should I give her extra formula? I so badly want to do this so that we can increase her A time and change her routine so that she will have only 2 naps instead of 2 short am and pm naps and a 2 hr long catnap:(
Vidya
-
Well, after two weeks of watching these front teeth (plus another week of grouchiness before I could see them coming), one of the magical disappearing teeth made it's final debut yesterday! We had a coming out party last night, complete with teething tablets and tylenol! Woohoo! The other is close behind! Then maybe we can have a couple more months of peace and quiet! :shock:
I didn't think motherhood would be this much fun, I'm having a ball...particulalary now that he sleeps all night.
Colleen, I had to laugh at this comment! My DS just started sleeping through a month ago and it's amazing how quickly it's erased the scariness of those newborn months! I also like to say, jokingly, of course, "I love my son with all my heart, but I love him just a bit more when he takes a 2.5 hour nap!" :wink:
JulieG, I'm fortunate to have nearly ALL of our family in town and they're lined up around the block to have their chance to babysit Asher. We have to hold a lottery at times. :wink: Actually, we don't go out as often as we could because of finacial reasons (we're still waiting for the family to pay US to go out!). And Asher isn't easy to sit for (I pay the price when I get home). Last weekend was a bit of a fluke!
And if it makes you feel any better, Matty make it out of the house MUCH more than Asher! It's a hassle to do errands and Asher doesn't care for it. Plus, until just a couple days ago, it's been MUCH too hot to go on walks! Asher's lucky if he goes out of this house once a week (to family's houses)! :shock:
Vidya, read your post. I'm gonna think about it and get back to you since Asher's up.
-
JulieG, I feel just the opposite. I feel bad taking Emily out on errands. With dh still looking for work, I always leave Emily home with him while I go shopping. I feel better this way so that she doesn't catch colds and doesn't get too overstimulated.
JulieB, I don't know the name of the movie yet except that Jodie Foster is in it. Only 2 more hours and I'm free..... :D
Debra, it's so nice to see a picture with you and dh :D :D .
Also welcome to everyone else, and if I haven't responded to you it's just cause I can't think of any good suggestions :wink: .
-
Deb - you do exist!! i was starting to think you weren't posting pictures on purpose! :wink: boy, olivia looks a lot like her daddy.
maybe one of these days we'll pull off a family photo.
JulieG - go as many places as you want, and if you'd rather stay home, that works too. :D it gets easier to move about once that morning nap is gone.
-
Hi all! I feel like this is a fresh start for us Jan/Feb moms! Thanks for the new thread.
Me: I'm Tammy, and I'm 29 (will be 30 in less than a month :shock: ). I'm a SAHM. Dh works out of town during the week Mon thru Thurs, so I call myself a single mom those days! We've been married 6.5 years. We live outside Dallas, TX.
Ethan: Will be 8 months old this coming Monday! He is mostly textbook, with some touchy thrown in with regards to sleep. He is crawling now, pulling up in his crib, and now trying to pull up on the furniture in the rest of the house!
JulieG - I wouldn't worry one bit about not taking Matty out of the house that much on errands! I only do after his afternoon nap, and sometimes, honestly, that is to kill some time between end of afternoon nap and bedtime! We go on a walk every evening around 6 pm because Ethan's a happy guy when outside, not so much inside at that time of day. :roll:
JulieB - We're all jealous of the movie taking! I haven't seen a movie since I was pregnant with Ethan, and I don't even remember what that is. However, we do have a home theater, so we have seen some movies, but not many. Now that I'm getting rid of the df, I think we might be able to watch some more soon! :D Anything on DVD anyway.
I have zippo pictures to post of Ethan and I. I'm always the one taking all the pictures! However, I want dh to take some pictures soon of Ethan and I. I want to give one to my dad for his upcoming birthday. But I'll post a couple of Ethan!
-
Julie G- in the first 5 months thanks to short A time and the dramas of trying to manage 2 kids Olivia so rarely left the house (including me not even taking her down to our garden or on the deck too much) that when i started doing this more around 4-5 months old she reacted with such awe at the trees and wind blowing on her that i felt SO BAD - i was forcing her to be house bound because of MY anxiety... and you know what? she is fine. my child nurse reassured me that food, sleep and love were the most important things and do what you can with the rest - the love is what will help them thrive and they certainly won't feel bad because they had too little or too much errand time, etc. you do whatever works for you and Matty and all is OK. since he does do well, then you do take him on weekends, but since it is easier in the week to leave him at home, that is the right choice too (just think then you get home faster and get to do FUN things with him and cuddle rather than get him in and out of the car etc = BORING)
Vidya - my only thought about your situation is that with 6 breastfeeds i think she is too full to increase her solids. Personally i woudl not add in formula, your body will certainly be making enlough milk as it is based on demand and with 6 BF a day i imagine your supply is good right? if it were me i woudl take the plunge and cut back the BF a little and give it a few days for her and you to adjust , which YES could mean she might wake in the night once or twice or NOT at all. but just like any other change they need to adjust and i really don't think she will initiate it if she is happily feeding that much. i woudl definitely at 8 mo be pushing to 4 hr feeds and getting her settled into a new food routine gradually. start with one breast and solid combo and work your way up until all feed cycles are better. HTH
Us - we are starting to wean off Df as of tonight using the plan in Tracy's latest book. i too am terrified of losing the sleeping through or nightwakings waking alex up, but if we don't get rid of DF i don't think she will ever eat well at Bkfst ... and we are hoping she will take more calories in the day over the course of the 2 week weaning plan. I am still extremely stressed about food and Olivia but will write about that later - i want to think some more before i ask for more help and want to be calm (cried about it in bed last night and i know i am putting too much pressure on myself :cry: )
-
1 more thing - since i have received quite a few PMs (and people also wrote on the old thread) that so many people felt similarly to me about how the other thread wasn't working anymore I hope everyone can really let go of the feeling that they "should" respond to every little thing people mention. it should be just like a normal chat where you can listen as well - the person you chat with in real ife is not offended if you don't comment on everything they say - if they ask for advice or commiseration that is when they want to hear you speak up... if you want.
that's the last from me - i am defnitely giving this another chance and am glad to see so many of you from the old thread and some new faces too.
-
Vidya: I read your dilemma on the BF board aswell, but I have no suggestions. I've been thinking about it, but can't come up with anything.
JulieG: I personally think it's good for them to go out once in a while, but it isn't good to go out too much. Balance. I try to take Luka out once or twice a week, he really enjoys it. Even if it's just to the mall to walk around for an hour. It also helps me, I'd go insane if I stayed home all the time. :)
Jaime: How do you pronounce Jaina's name? I've been wondering for ages, and keep forgetting to ask you.
Deb: Please be gentle with yourself...things will get easier with Olivia. That's what I keep telling myself.
Us: We still have the nightwakings and now we have a 6am wake up. It used to be 7/7.30am, don't know what's happening now :? And it's throwing our schedule off completely because he won't go down for a 3rd nap despite being tired.
He's also taken to refusing to eat breakfast AND lunch :?
We've had a runny nose for about two weeks, last Friday the snot turned yellow/green and we went to see the paed. Paed claims Luka has an infection and needs antibiotics. I'm not so keen on AB. I ask for alternatives, he says there are none :roll: He also warns me that if we don't do the AB the infection will spread. I notice that the runny nose is only when we're at home. If we're running errands then his nose is clear. Makes me think that this is more allergy related, the paed disagrees.
I'm going for a 2nd opinion on Monday (earliest appt I could get).
What do you ladies think?
Now how's that for a novel? :D
-
Debra,
I'd say about 4 days a week that Emily will only drink 2-3oz before bed and maybe only 2 oz for dreamfeed. And she still has no problem waiting till 6:45-7:00 am for her first bottle :o . Her eating seems to have gone down over the past few days and she's also eating a couple ounces less solids at lunch. But no night wakings and she's still a happy, chubby baby :D . She just doesn't seem to need as much food as other babies. It sounds like Olivia is the same way. Is she waking hungry at night? If not and she still looks chubby (from your photo) don't worry. Don't even try to get extra ounces in her if she protests. You know she'll eat well when she's hungry cause of how well she ate during her last growth spurt.
Good Luck, Tarri
-
Schae,
Emily also wakes early. I would suggest, not even trying for the third nap and just putting him to bed maybe a half hour earlier. Also, I'm sure his stuffy nose isn't helping matters. Good luck at your next doctor's appointment.
Tarri
-
Schae:
Is Luka running a fever? Quite honestly, I recommend homeopathy, but you would need to find someone qualified near you. If he truly has an infection, the antibiotics are the right thing to do, but it makes me wonder if he does because as you say, his nose isnt runny much of the time.
Are there pets at home? Dust, mold or mildew?
Julie G
-
Tarri: Thanks. Earlier bedtime ... will try that.
JulieG, I'm actually looking for a homeopath. It's my next call after the doc on Monday. Luka doesn't have a fever, he is his usual happy self. His lunch and breakfast appetite has decreased though, he more than makes up for it at supper time though.
We have a dog. And it has been extremely dusty here, no rain and lots of wind and dust.
thank you for letting me air out my thoughts with you...
-
Hi everyone
I must say I am thrilled with this new thread, I posted a few times on the old one but felt a bit lost as couldn't keep up with everyone...
A bit about us:
I'll be 29 at the end of the month, been with DH 10 1/2 years and have been married 5 years at the end of the month. I work part-time as an administration contractor.
Crystal is the first of hopefuly three (another girl & boy i've decided :wink: :lol: ).
Crystal is 9 1/2 months old, born 2 Jan 05. She's mostly textbook with a little bit of angel thrown in. She has two teeth, is sitting, rolling, and almost crawling.
We live in New Zealand, in a beachside suburb called Titahi Bay.
I'll try & attach a photo (haven't done this before so hopefully it works :lol:)
Anyway, I look forward to chatting to you all in the future :D
Sandie
-
Oh well obviously can't work out how to add photo... never mind :?
Sandie
-
Crystal is the first of hopefuly three (another girl & boy i've decided :wink: :lol: ).
Me too!! But dh is convinced it'll be boy, boy. Such a fool. :lol: :lol: Welcome Sandie.
-
Schae - Jaina's name is pronounced JAY-na, with the emphasis on the first syllable. from what i can tell, it's a (much prettier) derivative of Jane.
her middle name is Kourtney, so her name(s) mean gracious & courteous.
-
Hi all! I do still exist, but my sister was married this weekend - so I haven't been around much. I will post more about the wedding and such later, but just wanted everyone to know that I too am excited for this fresh new start!!!! Take care!!
-
Ugh, we're still in the throws of the month long teething marathon waiting for that last top tooth to break through. :? We now have a 6 am habitual wake up (for the last 5-6 days). So I'll try wake to sleep tomorrow morning. :roll: And we've been having short 45 minute naps nearly every afternoon. Lord knows why! Teething, overstimulation, poor sleep?? Take your pick. I'm wiped out.
Oh, and as of yesterday, I dropped to 3 BF. Well, 2 full (morning & night), and 2 half (after naps). For the first time in a couple weeks, he's actually taking a full feed at bedtime again. I switched on accident (or necessity really). Asher was refusing his afternoon nap (overstimulation) and I was desperate to get him to sleep at least a little or we'd be in for a hellish night. So I kept trying since I knew he wasn't hungry. Once he finally fell asleep and woke up, there was no time for BF, dinner, BF, so I just did dinner and BF and he was fine!
Tammy, sounds like you have the next best thing, a HOME theater!! I see most things on DVD nowadays since I don't have nearly the time/money to see everything in the theater. I LOVE movies. We belong to netflix so sometimes I sit down with the paper, enter all of the current movies, and load up my queue with future rentals! Whoever invented netflix, BTW, is my hero!
Vidya, I agree a lot with what Deb wrote. Remember how Tracy explains to extend from 3-4 hour routines? Sometimes you have to really distract them when they start getting hungry to stretch them out. Then hopefully she'll be that much more hungry and take in more. Are you giving her solid foods she likes? I have a limited selection with Asher, or I end up sweetening things with pears, bananas, or yams. :roll: Such a sweet tooth (like me!)
-
Hi there - well we had our first SUMMER weekend here in Cape Town - was 30degree C since friday. So we had a great swim etc.
AND I got to go out to a wedding Saturday - only came home (my parents house - they were babysitting) after 2 am :oops: Felt like a teenager sneaking in! Luckily my mom took the night shift to!! Unfortuanatly I still woke up around Lise'e regular 6am rousing!! so no sleeping in for us. Still had a GREAT time.
Vidya: I agree with the other girls - but something else you might try is to pump after a feed to stimulate your breasts to produce more milk for the next feed (our body is sooo great!!) Your body now will produce enough for the feed as she is taking now - so you need to get her to take more at a feed so you can go longer in between - and as your body is used to making enough currently for her to last 3hrs (i think it is now???) you have to "trick" your body to make more and she will then take more ... does this make sense to anyone else (this is what I tried with growth spurts). Also I wouldn't worry to much about the solids as the milk is still the most important part of her dieet (all the fats etc). Good luck!
Schae: When snot turns green it is a sign of a "bacterial" and not viral infection - so not just a cold that gets better with vitamin C, rest etc. and antibiotics is probably indicated even though there is no fever etc. The fear usually is for ear infections to occur - because our ears and nose is "interlinked". Allergies is something that is possibly agrevating the CURRENT infection to make Luka even more congested possibly?? so you should look at allergies etc and get that sorted out!! I hope Luka gets better soon. Maybe you should "shop around" for a dr. you trust. I know that as soon as I don't trust a dr. I feel very reluctant in taking advice and kind of start doing my own thing. I have found a paed. that I really like and have decided to when I ask advice - I go prepared for all his answers with possble questions - and then after our discussion - I follow his advice. I think that this will make "health issues" a non issue ... So good luck!!
-
Hi all - hope you had a good weekend!
I did it - I finally stopped the df on Saturday! I was so nervous about it - that he would wake up. And he did, but not fully. Just some moaning and reshuffling in his crib on Saturday. And then last night, he still woke some, but no moaning, just reshuffling. Hope he'll figure out that I'm not coming in anymore! But so far so good - knock on wood!
Oh, and Ethan has been waking earlier and earlier. For the longest time, he would wake at 7 on the dot. Then he started moving that to 7:30 by himself. I thought that it was because it was getting lighter later in the morning. Then, when I started to decrease his df, he started waking earlier and earlier. The past 2 nights, with no df, and he's slept until 7 again! He still wakes between 5 and 6, but goes back to sleep. So, here's hoping the trend continues!
Julieb - that home theater is my husband's baby. Honestly, it's just sad! :roll: :wink:
Oh, and I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with a sweet tooth for a kid (or is that the other way around)? :wink: I started him on veggies first, cause some people say if they eat fruit first, then that's all they want. So, he liked pretty much everything - except anything green! He doesn't like peas, green beans, zucchini. Weird. Anyway, now that he's been introduced to everything, he just LOVES all fruit. I swear I can't fill him up on it. But most veggies - forget it. He does love carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. But that is it. I'm hoping when he starts finger foods, he will like to eat the peas and green beans.
BTW - to all you moms - Ethan doesn't seem particularly ready for finger foods. If I give him veggie puffs, sometimes he just plays with them, he doesn't even put them in his mouth. I also tried him on some very ripe banana, and he was totally not interested. So, I was just curious when or if you started? And what you started with?
Have a great day!
-
Tammy - Leah has been eating finger foods for over a month. I started with the puffs also. At first she just played with them, but now she will eat them. I would let him play, eventually he'll figure it out. Show him - I would put something on her tray and then eat it myself. She now eats - puffs, wagon wheels, cheerios, bannana, pear that's about it.
-
Hi all
We have been having a really tough time! I don't know if teething an eye tooth, separation anxiety or the jet lag from the trip is the culprit. Saturday night, she woke up eveery 2 hrs. That was the worst night for us and I ended up cutting my finger accidentally with a knife yesterday when I was sleep deprived. Anyhow, last night she was good. She slept through! Thanks to Deb's idea of moving the dinner to a later time instead of a BF!
Deb: I can't thank you enough for taking the time to answer my questions in 3 different forums! You had asked about the A time. If I increase it, she is fine and she even sleeps for the 2 hrs sometimes, making it a 4 hr EASY. The only problem is she wakes up that night. I have been reading all the 4 hr transition posts and slowly moving her second feeding to 3.30 hrs and the first one to 3.75 hrs. This way, it won't be too different for her all of the sudden. We reduced one BF session according to your suggestion and she slept through last night. I have one question for you. Diya really wanted to feed from one breast for the first 2 feedings for sometime. I was the one who was forcing her to take all the milk so that she will sleep through and I used to offer the second breast 30 mins to 1 hr later. And then I was complaining that she wasn't taking solids :lol: Do you think that I should just leave it with feeding from one breast?
Juileb: I am giving her table food only and mostly from my plate. She loves this and I am reducing the salt and spices now so that she won't get Acid reflux like me! Thanks for the suggestion about reducing the salt.
Nikki: That was a great idea and Branwen had suggested that in the BF forum too. I am going to try that tommorrow
Others: I have another question! After coming from San francisco, Diya's bedtime changed to 9p.m. She acts very sleepy at her usual bedtime. But if I feed and put her to bed, she screams with a mantra cry looking at all the lights in the other rooms. So, if I turn off all the other lights, she gets very mad and cries. She ends up doing that till 9p.m and then falls asleep. Should I move her bedtime to 9 and try to move it up by 15 mins at a time . Should I put her down when she shows sleepy signs at 8.30 p.m
Really sorry about the long post! I have to bring it off my chest and also get valuable suggestions from you guys!
-
Tammy, I started Emily out on peas but she couldn't pick them up. Then I tried wheat puffs and after about a week she's become a pro. She watched me pick up the puff and put it in my mouth and then I started chewing with my mouth open and stuck my tongue out so she could see it. She LOVES them now. Also, it's a great delay tactict when I'm trying to get her meal ready.
Heather, are you out there somewhere?
Tarri
-
Tammy - i haven't started Luke on finger foods yet either... up to this point he hasn't seemed very interested in what we've been doing. however, lately he's been very interesting in picking things up period, so i think we may be trying soon... it's so weird - jaina always wanted to be doing these kinds of things, and he just doesn't. i sometimes wonder if it's a boy thing...
Vidya - just to play devil's advocate - it will be daylight savings in 2 weeks. then her 9pm bedtime will be 8pm again. something to think about. otherwise, i'd work at slowly cranking it back 15 minutes at a time until you've got it where you want it.
-
Daylight savings! :shock: :shock: Great! Now our 6-6:30 wake up will be 5 -5:30!!! I know for a fact it will take Leah a few weeks to straighten things out. Why or why do they have to change the time on us!?!?!?! :twisted:
-
Shew! Daylight saving can really mess up the routine hey?
Vidya, I'm glad the solids and sleeping is going well, but once again, I'm clueless as to how to help solve your problem. Jaime's mention of daylight savings should have some bearing though.
Tammy: Luka isn't on real finger foods yet. He'll have a chip (a baked one) and suck on it to his hearts content. But he hasn't even tasted peas yet. Well done on the df!
Nikki: Isn't summer LOVELY?! :D Thanks for the info. I'm aware of the whole green snot = bacterial infection, but I'd prefer it if real tests were done rather than the paed looking at the snot and saying, yup antibiotics. He also told me that there are no alternatives and no side effects.. things that I know for a fact aren't true. This paed was recc'd by a few ladies whom I trust, but I am on the lookout for a new one.
Us: Not much really. We're going to interview a paed tomorrow. Wish us luck. We still have the nightwakings, but they're not as bad as they used to be. I'm just learning to deal with it.
-
Wake to sleep worked this morning!! He woke at 7 am! Praise God!! :lol:
Just got back from our first trip to the zoo. I'm wiped. Asher wouldn't go down for his afternoon nap, so I had to rock him. Even if he doesn't nap in the car seat, I noticed he has a hard time if we do anything BIG during A time. :roll:
And now he's up after just 45 minutes! :shock: Bye for now!
-
Hi there,
I am excited about the new thread. Anytime I tried to jump in on the old I ran out of time to post my own reply.
Us: I am 30, at home right now until I have to go back to work in January :cry: I have a boy, Jordan, who was 8 months on Saturday and a girl, Erin, who will be 3 years old in a few weeks. DH and I have been married for 4 years and were friends for 7 years before we married, but that is another story for another time. Jordan is pulling up in his crib and trying pull up on other furniture, will roll everywhere and is starting to cruise. No interest in crawling or sleeping through the night.
Looking forward to chatting!
Joanne
-
Joanne- I LOVE the curls that Erin has! Leah also has no interest in sleeping thru the night! :lol: - well maybe it's not funny...... :wink:
-
Julieb - As usual, sounds like Kinlagh and Asher are in similar boats, but this time for different reasons I think. Hope you get those naps straightened out.
Tammy - Way to go on dropping df. He still wakes between 5 and 6, but goes back to sleep.
Kinlagh's mornings are exactly the same. Usually some stirring around 5:30 and she too is a 7am waker. Strange! As for finger foods, we started with dry food. Like crackers, cheerios and bread. With us, Kinlagh found those much easier to pick up so didn't get so frustrated. We are now onto pears and bananas too, but she's still having some issues picking those up so we coat them in dry infant cereal to help. Worked like a charm today. I found that one day, it just clicked for her. If she could only get those slippery foods in those tiny fingers.
Schae - Good luck on the dr. interview.
Joanne - Welcome fellow Canadian!!! Where in Nfld are you? I often travel to St. John's/Mount Pearl for work...well not now, but will again shortly. I too return to work in January.
Vidya - I don't know if teething an eye tooth, separation anxiety or the jet lag from the trip is the culprit.
Probably a combo of all of the above. Poor little Diya. Hope your finger's ok. And as for the later bedtime, what was her old bedtime prior to your trip? I think we'll all be doing some rearranging of bedtimes with the upcoming time change. Yikes!
On that note, does anyone have any advice on what the time change will do to our lo's? Anything we should be doing to prepare them? Our routine is just starting to get back on track after our standing/first cold/teething craziness, so might as well work on a routine that'll work post time change I guess.
~~~~~~~~~SLEEP VIBES TO ALL~~~~~~~~~~~
-
Tammy: I started Diya with finger foods when she was 7.5 months old. I started with veggie puffs. She would scoop it and put it in her mouth. Then I started giving small pieces of steamed rice cakes which I make at home. I also give her well cooked pieces of diced carrots, broccoli, cantaloupe, homemade whole wheat flour tortilla. She does ok with peas and pieces of pears. You could even try rinsed canned beans later.
Heather: I was wondering the same too. I hope you and Kelsey are doing ok.
Jaime: I was thinking in those terms too but didn't remember when Daylight savings started this year. Thanks! I am going to just stick to the 9 p.m bedtime for now then to make it easy on me!
Julieb: How do you do wake to sleep? Could you please explain it to me if you have time?
Schae: Thanks for thinking about us. I think we are getting better. Diya will let me know the verdict tonight if last night was a fluke.
Michelle: My finger is much better today. Thanks for asking.
And as for the later bedtime, what was her old bedtime prior to your trip?
8.30 p.m was her old bedtime
I have been meaning to ask you this for quite some time. How long was Kinlagh's A time before you changed her routine to set Nap times? If you get a chance, could you please post your EASY for the day. I am sorry if you have posted it just recently.
Anyone else with A times longer than 2.5 hrs, could you please post your EASY if you find time?
Vidya[/quote]
-
Hi
Anyone else with A times longer than 2.5 hrs, could you please post your EASY if you find time?
Vidya
[/quote]
our EASY program looks something like this..usually about 15 minutes either side-
6.30 wake
7 Bottle - 200ml and daddy time
8 finger food - usually a piece of wholemeal toast cut into little squares with vegemite followed by cereal/porridge with fruit (ie banana or stewed apricot) and water in sippy cup
9 sleep
11 wake and play
12 lunch usually veges with a little meat and water followed by play time/errands etc
1.30 bottle - 200ml
2 sleep
4 wake and play
5.30 finger food, then veges followed by yoghurt and fruit
6.30 bath time and massage with daddy
7.00 bottle - 200ml and sleep fingers crossed for the night but seems to enjoy waking at around 4am for some babbling practice.
have to go, 4pm and he's awake just like clockwork!
Cheers
Colleen
-
Hi Everyone, I just wanted to share our good news, that dh got the job!!!! He starts work on Monday.
Tarri
-
Congrats Tarri! You must be feeling so relieved and happy!
Vidya
-
Congratulations Tarri. That is great news. So very happy for you and your dh.
-
FAB NEWS TARRI! :D
-
Well, Asher is awake after just a short morning nap! :roll: So this will be short!
Wake to sleep didn't work so well this morning. He woke 15 min after I did it, snoozed some, and then woke every 15 minutes until 7 am! :shock: I'm tired, but finding the new coffee mate pumpkin spice favored creamer makes me a very happy girl despite! :lol:
Vidya: WTS, you rustle them just a bit an hour before the habitual wake time. Just enough to disturb their sleep cycles. Would you share your steamed rice cakes recipe with me? I've been trying to figure out how to get my rice to stick together so I can give it as a finger food.
Routine:
7 wake & BF
8 solids
9:30 nap
11 wake & BF one side only
12 solids
2~2:15 (been extending) nap
3~3:30 wake & BF other side (he's been having major problems with short afternoon naps, but used to be 1.5 hours before the teething marathon)
4:30~5 solids
6 BF
6:30 bed
Not envying any of you with daylight savings times! We're one of the few states that doesn't do it! :wink:
-
YAY TARRI!!!!! :D :D :D
julieb - really?! no daylight savings? nice! though i always like the long summer days. something about sunshine makes me happy - guess it's good i don't live up north in the land of winter!! :lol:
-
Tarri - Congrats to dh!
Jaime - I must say, you are lucky. The winter is just around the corner and it's tough getting Kinlagh dressed up in her jackets, hats and mitts. Although I must say I can't wait to get her in her Robeez boots. They're so cute!
JulieB - I'm not looking forward to the time change but from what I've read, it's not as difficult as we think. Fingers crossed. BTW, our routines are so similar.
Vidya - We're in a bit of a transition because of age (9 mths tomorrow) and also because we're trying to get back on track after the standing and her cold. But here's where we were.
7am wake
7:30 bottle
8:00 breakfast
9:30 nap (til 10:30 or 11)
11:30 bottle
12:00 lunch
1:30 nap (til 2:30 or 3) - but right now working on making this a 2pm nap
3:30 bottle
4:00 or 4:30 supper
6:00 bath
7:00 bottle
7-7:30 bed - depends on the daytime naps
Question - Kinlagh is really starting to take to finger foods, but she's also still taking 32oz formula per day (4 x 8oz). I read that in the early days of starting solids that they should be taken after the bottle. But does anyone know when is a good time to have solids before bottle?
-
Michelle: I am in Corner Brook, opposite coast of St John's but I went to university there. We love visiting there.
Christine: Erin does have beautiful hair and we thought it would be curly, both dh and I have curly hair. And with those blue eyes I think she will be a heartbreaker when she hits her teenage years!
Tarri: Congrats on dh's job! It is frustrating while you are waiting for that call. That's great!
Us: Well, Jordan has slept through the night for the last 2 nights and I hope it is not a fluke. FIL is visiting and shares a room with him and he stirs around midnight when he goes to bed and then settles again so I am not sure if that is doing the job or if he is finally ready. But I did do something I hadn't planned on. I gave him back his pacifier for sleep. I took it away 2 months ago hoping he would start sleeping all night and he started waking more often. He never figured out how to self-soothe, which is likely because we rushed in too soon, and I finally reached the end of my rope. We used to have a heck of a time getting him to sleep. Now, after only 4 days I can usually put him in his crib awake and as long as he has had sufficient wind down time he will fall alseep on his own. So, that's not so bad is it? Funny how sleep deprivation alters your decision making process. Well, I will deal with taking it away again sometime but for now I am enjoying the less stressful bedtimes :D .
Anyway, Jordan is having a short catnap now so it is time to start dinner.
Joanne
-
julieb: This is the recipe for steamed rice cakes. I don't know if you will be able to find the ingredient urad dal. It is a lentil and it is available in Indian grocery stores.
Rice: 3 cups
Urad dal: 1 cup
Soak both of them for 3 hours in water and blend it with not too much water until you get a paste which shouldn't be too watery or too thick.You could do this overnight. On the next day(It gets fermented overnight), pour this batter into a plate or cup and steam it(plate or cup should be rubbed with 2-3 drops of oil). You could add a little bit of salt to this batter if you want.
If this is too much work, try cooking rice very soft till it becomes starchy and then you could mash it with a big wooden spoon and then you can make it into small balls like sushi rice balls(KWIM)??!!.
I was also thinking that you could make pancakes with rice flour without adding eggs(if you have not started asher with eggs). Are you holding off wheat for sometime? If that is the case, I am not able to think of another flour which you could substitute for wheat flour/flour. You could probably try millet flour??!!.
We make rice pancakes again with the first recipe's batter. I hope that you would be able to find an international grocery store for that. If you have any questions, please ask me.
Vidya
-
julieb: I forgot to write how I steam it.
Take a pot filled with a cup and a half of water and put the cup with batter in it and then close it with a lid which will have a small hole or close the lid with just a little bit of space for the steam to be vented. If you have a pressure cooker, fill that with water and put this plate/cup with batter in it. Make sure that the vent of the pressure cooker's lid is not closed(otherwise it will become all mushy)
Sorry if I made it sound very hard. It is really simple if you have all the ingredients and utensils:)
Vidya
-
Hi all, I too used to read some of the old thread but never participated so thought I'd say hi now a new one has been set up.
A bit about me - My name is Sarah and I am 27, I live in Northampton England with my dh (married for 2 yrs) and Joseph, 9 months next week). Things are all well with us except the usual teeth, night waking, learning to pull up and crawl scenarios. Joseph mastered crawling last Fri and is slowly becoming a pro and loves to try and pull up on everything although he is short for his age so can't reach a lot of things - bless him.
Looking forward to chatting with you all and sharing problems / ideas / achievements. Speak soon.
-
Sarah - so nice to see a fellow UKer! Our sons must be very similar in age.
Michelle - I started giving Daniel his solids before his bottle quite a while ago. As far as I could work out it's really just to make sure they take the correct amount of milk rather than filling up on solids first. Daniel has always been willing to eat everything and anything put before him :oops: so it never proved to be a problem. If Kinlagh eats well I don't think it would be a problem changing them over.
Us - we are dong ok although Daniel is definitely teething again :evil: He actually cried during dinner today (a first!) and didn't really want to finish his food. That's when we know something is really up. His left cheek was glowing all day and sooooo hot. He's gone down alright tonight though and slept great so far so lets hope he stays asleep all night.
The last few nights he's ended up turning 180 degrees in his cot, but sometimes wakes up halfway round when his head gets stuck on the bars! Don't suppose there's anything we can do to stop this though. Hopefully he'll sort himself out.
No crawling yet although, boy, does he want to now! He is getting so frustrated at not being able to reach for stuff. It's hard not to try to 'make' them crawl. I know he'll do it when he's physically ready but sometimes it'slike I want to give him crawling lessons!
I'm off to bed now. See ya
-
welcome Joanne and Sarah
Tammy - Olivia is not doing finger foods - i have been trying for a couple of weeks. she will let me put cheerios in her mouth and sometimes little pieces of fruit, but she will not put it in her mouth. she barely plays with it but does not even try to bring it to her mouth.
Vidya - you are welcome - i am so glad that my suggestion helped. i do think you shoudl follow her lead if she is happy with 1 breast at the feeds. (i shoud take my own advice :oops: and relax about olivia's intake). i know that some people on this site push BF until 1 year as the main source of food, but here in Oz afetr 6 months there is a clear reduction over that last 6 months and itis important that by 9 months or so solids are firmly established as meals (they are not just "tasting" food until 12 mo as some would imply) that last quarter of the year is for increased amounts and changes in textures etc so i do think if she is not taking much solids (at least 2-4 oz x 3 meals - and can be as much as 6-9oz x 3) i woudl cut back the BF to 4 good feeds over time. she will have 4 good quality feeds and the net effect won't be as dramatic as you are thinking (ie not losing 2 whole feeds, you just can't see how much milk she is taking but sh might be spreading it out more now because she knows she gets 6 KWIM?)
Tarri - I am so happy for you - ecstatic!! wish him good luck and congratulations from me!
Jaime- i don't think it is a boy thing - i am thinking it is a second child thing though! i feel such guilt every day for how different my parenting is now whereas i feel i did such a good job with alex, i have not introduced as many foods to olivia, don't do as many activities because it is harder with 2, alex watches too much TV/DVDs (and Liv watches along with her :oops: ) but my mom said to me this morning that they will get there no matter what and not to worry and compare - we are doing a good enough job and the kids will be different of their own accord and due to different situations, but they will benefit in so many other ways...
Michelle - we have done lunch solids before bottle for ages now and did try to do breakfast solids first to see if that helped her but no better so went back to bottle first. in Oz the rec. is by 9 mo to switch to solids first. she always had dinner solids at 5 and bottle at 7 as well. HTH
Us - had a bad day yesterday but today is a bit better. am still very tired but we are happy that we have been weaning off DF and are at 150ml at 9:30pm now and no night waking (slept to 7 first few days and 6:40 today)
-
we are happy that we have been weaning off DF and are at 150ml at 9:30pm now and no night waking (slept to 7 first few days and 6:40 today)
I am so happy for you - but I don't think we are gonna be so lucky - We have had wakings NIGHTLTY for the last 2 weeks - anything from 2-5 wakings at random times(5 last night was REALLY the worst and I have some sort of bug so NOT TO HAPPY today!!) We are not giving any bottles after 7:00 now ...
Is there anything else we can do?? Lise is REALLY getting enough to eat - 3 bottles of 200ml each and 1 with 225ml of formula & 3 solid meals - 4 tablespoons at breakfast, lunch and dinner. so at a loss!!!
Any suggestions would be appretiated re this waking issue!!
-
Nikki - i would say you have 2 angles to look at
1) is it hunger - if so increase her solids. every baby is different, Alex at this age was eating 6-9 oz per solids meal + 4 BF; Olivia when sheis on the 4 bottles (she said with fear) won't take as much as Lise (except bedtime bottle) but we hope as DF goes, they will increase (currently she is taking only a token amount at 3:30pm so we are struggling)
2) if it is not hunger look at how her day is going - if she is only getting short naps she is probably overtired = nightwakings; if she is struggling from last nap until bedtime = overtired too; is there anything developmental going on - can't remember what things she is up to right now = crawling? standing in cot? etc (did not open a separate windown so can't go back to your earlier posts)
-
Hi everyone!
I miss you all very much. Eirwen and I are doing good. :D
Our house is still on the market :cry: and we are no longer moving to NM- BUT we're going back to Colorado! I am beyond excited!!! We are moving to Boulder...I hope...I mean a lot is riding on our house but I am thinking positive. My husband has an "in" with a company there so we are pretty much thinking it's a sure thing. I wish someone would buy our home...it is so cute.
I have new meds :oops: but they are really helping! The other thing that helped me out of my funk was to rent a hotel room with my husband for 4 hrs. :wink: :oops: 8) I really felt for the first time in a long time like "a woman" again instead of just "mama". It was expensive but well worth it. We got room service and everything!
Eirwen is getting so big! In 3 days she will be 9 months! :shock: That is how long she grew in me!!! She is trying desperately to crawl but mostly just spins or gets her butt in the air. She doesn't seem to have an issue rolling anymore and can go both ways. I think it was just about time for her. It's too funny because now she goes from sitting to tummy to back, it's like her little play game now! she always has this beautiful satisfied smile on her face, esp when she does it when I'm not looking!
She's currently teething again- time for the top ones!!! We had a nice 2 week break from it all. She wakes at night sometimes but the advil is helping. I feel like at least I know what to do this time!!! She's very touchy about it but we're doing better this round. :wink: At least I am!!!
We have a new routine- it is a 7am to 6:30 routine and is sooooo great. :D I do find my bf's coming before nap time though because we have 3 naps but feeds are 4 hrs apart. My dh is now home to see her and help me almost every evening. YAY!!!! We even found the magic time for my dh to sneak downstairs in the am without waking her!
We're still climbing our way out of funkness but MUCH better!
Here are some recent photos of my angel pie!
-
Branwen - good to hear from you! Eirwen is such a cutie! :D Keeping positive thoughts for you to sell your house! Boulder is so beautiful, I'm jealous! My sis & family live in Ft. Collins, so we've been to visit a lot, and been to Boulder quite a few times. Love the downtown walkaround area. Well, not sure if that's downtown, but I'm sure you know what I mean! Sounds like you guys have a good routine going - I know those teeth are always keeping us on our toes!
Deb - good job going with the df. I don't know about you, but I was so nervous cutting it back, and then cutting it out completely. But here's hoping it goes well for you! Glad to know Ethan isn't the only one not into finger foods.
Hazel - isn't it funny how they turn all around in their sleep? Ethan is never in the same position... of course, by the time he wakes and I get up to his room, he's usually standing now!
Sarah - welcome! good to see some new faces!
Us - well, the good streak continues! We dropped the last of the df this past Saturday, and while he wakes a bit around the old df time of 10 pm, it has slowly gotten later and later, and shorter and shorter. He just resettles himself in his crib, and he's off again to sleep. Yeah! And now that I have dropped the df entirely, he's back to sleeping until 7 or 7:15 again!
About the time change - I honestly am not doing anything to prepare. Ethan seems to be sleeping a little later on his own in the morning, and I personally think it has to do with the fact that it's still dark. His bedtime is 7:30, so that one night we will have to do our best to keep him up until 8:30, and hope he sleeps until 7 the next day, and not 6! But if he does get up at 6, we'll just stick to the routine as best we can, and I'm sure after a few days it will be back to normal. I wouldn't stress out about it.
Have a good day everyone!
-
Well WTS was a disaster this morning. He completely woke up and babbled/snoozed on and off until 6:30. :shock: I'm gonna give it a break for a few days and try again. I think he may have already been awake a bit because after just 2 days, I was waking up before the alarm myself! Add to that the 1.5 hr I was wide awake and restless in bed, I'm pooped and heading back to bed during his morning nap.
I was so excited last night though! I found brown rice pasta at the store. I also picked up some rice bread. I've been trying to figure out other ways to get grains in him since he doesn't care for cereal and I'm still trying to delay wheat products. I gave him toast this morning with homemade applesauce on top. He thought I was nuts at first, but seemed to like it and ate the whole (tiny) slice.
I also think he's starting to sign to me, but it's hard to be sure since it's not consistent. I think he does "more" but he's been doing the motion for a while so I just passed it off because I thought he was too young. Then this morning I think he was doing "banana," so maybe he does understand. If he starts doing something resembling "water" then maybe I'll be convinced.
Nikki: My first thought was she's not getting enough solids (especially at dinner) to last her through the night. 4 tbsp is only 2 oz. I believe many at her age would be well on their way to 3-4 oz per meal.
Branwen: So good to hear from you! One of my close friends just moved to Ft. Collins CO. She loves it and is doing SO well. Makes me want to move to CO everytime I talk to her! Eirwen looks like she's doing so well! So happy!
Well, back to bed for me! :wink:
-
Congrats Tarri on DH's job!
Welcome to anyone new!
Hazel - I always wanted to "show" Leah how to crawl too. Then one day she just started to army crawl. She sure can move on her stomach!
Hi Branwen! Beautiful pictures!!! We too are still at 3 naps per day, and Leah also gets her bottle before her nap. But the bottles are 4 hours apart too, except the last feed of the day. I'm not worrying about dropping the catnap. I've learned to just watch her and see if she needs that nap. If she does, I let her have it. A hotel room for 4 hours? And may I ask what went on for those four hours?!?!!? 8) Kidding, you need not tell! :wink: Good luck with the house selling. I LOVE Colorado!
Tammy - Glad to hear that you are not planning on doing anything to prepare Ethan for the time change. That was my thought too. We'll just see how it goes......
Julieb- Are you giving Asher plain toast? Can he gum it up well enough?
Deb - Good luck with weaning from the DF. We just went cold turkey becuase like Alex, she was getting up at 2 am anyway!
US: I posted some pics from my sister's wedding this weekend. We had lots of fun. It was an outdoor wedding! The pictures are kind of fuzzy, but if you click on them they are clear. :? You can see the rest of our pictures on our website if you want. http://ebner.gotfamiliesonline.com
I'm doing well, just trying to stay sane right now with work and all. Busy times!
-
Welcome to all the newbies! :D
Branwen, it's so nice to hear from you! You sound much better and Eirwen looks soooo cute man! Good luck on selling your house. Has the housing market in the States hit a slump?
Vidya: I think I may use your recipes.. when I finally have the chance to do some proper cooking for Luka.. thanks for sharing it.
Deb: You sound fragile.. are you doing alright?
Nikki: We were also dealing with multiple nightwakings, since our return from the doctor yesterday they have diminished considerably. Is Lise's nose okay? Not blocked at all? Maybe the weather? You mentioned that it was hot in CT. I hear the ideal temperature is 21 degrees.
Christine: Gorgeous photos! I recognise that determined look lol! :lol:
Us: We're doing much better. We went for a second opinion, and as I suspected, Luka was having an allergic reaction. Bascially he's allergic to our dog and to grass - the doc did a skin test. So, he's got meds and is now sleeping much much better. I think I feel the beginnings of a bottom tooth and he is always sticking his tongue out of his mouth. :lol:
When do babies start talking? I'm asking because i SWEAR I heard Luka say "All Gone" lol!! We always say that to him (and do the sign) when his meal is over, and today I swear I heard him say "Aww Gaw" after breakfast? Do you think it's my mummy ears playing tricks on me :lol:
-
Tammy and Julie- I grew up in Fort Collins! It's such a small world really. Yes Old Town is so cute...it was more college kid oriented when I lived there...has gotten a little more high-end if you know what I mean- new tech sector. I am actually 7th generation Fort Collins if you can believe that!!!!!! :shock: There are streets named after my great great grandparents. I too love the Pearl St Mall area in Boulder- it is so wonderful...sigh...it's so good to be moving home. :D
All of you- you are all invited to visit us!!!
-
Branwen- We are planning a trip to Colorado next summer! We have realatives in Parker. Where is that in relation to Boulder, do you know?
-
Hi all, thanks for welcoming me to the thread. Thought Joseph's picture was in need of an update so hope a more recent one is now showing!!
Please excuse me for not knowing names here but only have one window open, anyway just wanted to make a few quick comments.
Joseph also has lunchtime solids before milk and has done for a while, at dinner we also have solids at 5 and milk at 7, seems to work for us. His milk intake has decreased (I think - breastfed so kind of guessing!!) but I figure that he is going to begin eating more and more solids and less milk anyway.
In terms of crawling I can completely understand the desire to 'teach' them to crawl. Joseph has never been that keen on his tummy although he was put on it and showed absolutely no signs of crawling or even getting on all fours but then randomly 2 weeks ago he got on all fours and 5 days later began crawling, it seems he just did it when he was ready - has to be said he can't really be bothered most of the time though and prefers to stand.
A quick question for you all to see if anyone can help - Over the last few weeks Joseph has screamed everynight when dh gives him a bath from the minute he gets in to the minute he is dressed - any ideas. Could it be ?overtiredness ?separation anxiety from mum ?suddenly hates baths. Hope someone can offer words of advice, think dad is getting cheesed off with it all and I hate hearing him scream.
Thanks all, sorry for waffling.
-
Oh, don't forget to get your powerball tickets, ladies! $340 million :D Hmmmm, what I'd do.... pay off the mortgages of my family and close friends, buy two new Saturn VUEs, remodel my house, and hire a maid, gardener, personal chef and personal trainer! But first, I'd take all of my family and friends to Disneyworld for 2 weeks! :wink:
Christine: it was lightly toasted, with a tiny amount of olive oil butter, and smeared with applesauce (instead of jelly). I also cut it into small pea-sized pieces. He gummed it quite well. But I decided the crust was a bit too hard on this particular bread, so I ate off the crust before giving those pieces to him.
sissy16 (sorry, don't see your name on your post and can't remember due to "mommy brain" :lol: ): Could Joseph be cold? Maybe it's the cooler weather for all of us now? Does he scream when you give him a bath as well? How about some new tub toys? Did he maybe have a bad experience in the tub recently? ie, falling, soap or water in eyes or ears, etc?
Well, I'm officially on the lookout for shoes. I just went to two second hand shops but neither has any used Roobez. I'm gonna try bidding on ebay as well. I hate to pay $24 for shoes he'll only wear a couple months, but I don't ever see any other brand of soft leather shoes. I also can't figure out what size he wears in normal shoes. 3? His foot is so fat (not wide, but thick), so even though they appear to fit in length, I can hardly get his fat little foot in the front. :?
-
Since I have a few minutes, I thought I would jump in and say hello. To introduce myself, I'm Heather, 27, and a first time mom to touchy/textbook Kelsey. She is 8.5 months.
I haven't had much going on worth talking about lately, as to explain my absence from the thread, but I have been reading the thread and trying to keep up with everyone. I was particularly thrilled to see a post from Branwen. :)
I am trying to work on introducing more finger foods with my texture-adversion baby. I feel this is an appropriate conclusion because she loves her pears, but gagged at a piece of pear. She also gags at cheese. Even still, I'm going to keep trying, and I'm being brave enough to lay the veggie puffs on her tray and let her eat them whole!!! She's great at it and has fun, too.
I tried the 3 bottle thing today, and she accepted it well. However, I didn't feel comfortable with the feeding schedule change, and, therefore, am going back to the usuall for a bit longer. I'm rereading BW trying to figure out exactly when the milk intake is supposed to decrease and the solids increase. I didn't really decrease her formula today, just consolidated by offering more at 3 bottles; still 24 oz.
Anyway, good to chat. I'll try to pop in more often. Thanks for asking about me.
-
Very quickly before I turn in for the night (yes, it is 8:21 pm here now, but I don't care, I'm exhausted!)...
Branwen - you better watch out, or we'll all wind up coming to visit you! I haven't been to visit my sis in Ft. Collins since Ethan was born. Mostly because they have a 3 bedroom house, 1 bed is theirs, 2nd is my nephew's, and the 3rd is a guest room. I just don't know where Ethan can sleep. Yes, I know he *can* sleep in the same room as us, but he is such an easy waker when you even walk by his door sometimes. I suppose we'll take the plunge and try it out next year sometime. Anyway, you'll have to let us know when you actually get to move. Yeah! I'm so excited for you!
Us - most of you know that Ethan was acting completely uninterested in finger foods. I tried the veggie puffs, fruit puffs, very ripe banana, he had no interest at all. Kind of played with all of it, but didn't even try to put the stuff in his mouth. Which is so crazy if you think about it - everything else goes directly to his mouth! Anyway, so today, at lunch, I once again put 3 veggie puffs and 3 fruit puffs on his tray. And he ate them! Actually stuck them in his mouth and chewed! And no gagging! I was so proud of him - how silly is that?!? :roll: :oops: :lol: I attribute my success to making his fruit thicker by adding oatmeal cereal to it. A week and a half of getting used to that, and I think he's figured out a bit about this whole chewing thing.
Anyway, had to share, I was excited!
Have a good evening ladies!
-
Branwen, it was lovely to hear from you. Wow - sounds like you are doing really well, and as for Eirwen, she is just sooooo cute. The photo of her sitting in the bath is adorable. Such a cheeky smile. Renting a hotel room for 4 hours sounds like fun :wink: Hoping that the house sells soon. Must be an exciting (and little bit scarey) time.
Christine - the wedding looks really beautiful. My sister got married in July and I was a bridesmaid. Seeing the photos you posted brought it all back again. I'm glad you had a good time.
Sarah - lovely new avatar - Joseph looks a very happy bunny! It's funny you should ask that about bath times because we recently went through exactly the same thing. My dh does the bath and Daniel used to start crying the moment he started to undress him, he'd winge right through bathtime and only stop once he was dressed again. Poor dh used to get so discouraged and fed up. In the end we put it down to Daniel being cold.We started putting the heating to come on about half hour gefore and, hey presto, he now chatters and laughs all the way through (apart from getting dried down - he hates that for some reason :? ) Overtiredness may also be an issue though. We have to time Daniel's bath quite carefully as if he's tired he will just cry. I guess it can be a lot to cope with when you're tired.
Julieb - I smiled when I read your post about not being able to get shoes on Asher's fat feet. Daniel's feet are EXACTLY the same. Not wide, just thick. I have one pair of soft shoes that can fit on him but most just don't even get over his toes. Plus he curls his toes up ALL the time so that stops it as well :lol:
Tammy - happy news about the veggie puffs and fruit puffs! It is funny the things that brighten our days isn't it?!!! But it's these small things that sometimes seem so important.
Us - we had a nice day out yesterday. Went shopping with my next door neighbour and her 7 month old dd. Today we're off to try out a
local mums and toddler group. I'm hoping people will be friendly and we'll feel like we want to go again.
Have a good day / night everyone.
-
Branwen and Heather - welcome back :wink: beautiful photos as ever of your lovely angel Eirwen!
Nikki - and Julieb - my understanding is that 1 oz = 1 TBS= 1 standard ice cube so i don't see 4 TBS as 2 oz (at least not that i have read)
Christine - i just want to tell you that I thought you looked beautiful in those photos - did you feel all special ?? last wedding we went to olivia was 4 weeks old and i had to wear what fit KWIM so was not dressed as well as i might have if i had more options (plus BFing at the time limited what i could wear since we brought olivia and i needed to feed her several times :roll: )
Schae - i am allright. i have ups and downs (putting too much pressure on myself about "doing right" by Olivia, etc) what made me sound "fragile" out of curiosity....
Us - well after posting about the finger foods we had success at dinner last night and tonight - just minor but i was so happy - last night she finally TRIED to bring the food to her mouth and got the back of her hand instead :? but then she connected and ate a little cracker type thing (called "Cruskit" here) and she did it again tonight with a few successes. I know i just have to offer her some at every meal and show her what to do by me eating it too. she will get there in the end...
had my 3rd PPD support group today and it was great - today we got past the niceties and got into some "work" and thanks to another woman in the group i got some insight into some of my anxiety - she (who is also a 2nd child) sussed out that part of my problem is that i was a 2nd child and don't want olivia to ever feel she got short-changed etc by being 2nd so i overly stress out and put pressure on myself to make sure i do everything "right" just the same as i did for alex, when that is just not possible as i have less time and energy, our circumstances are different, i have PPD, etc I thought that was such a revelation! just thought i woudl share. Dh is out tonight at one of the 2 "husband" nights - they have 2 x 2hr sessions for the husbands to talk about issues dealing with PPD.. i am so excited for him to have that :D
-
Very quickly before I turn in for the night (yes, it is 8:21 pm here now, but I don't care, I'm exhausted!)...
Ha! I went to bed at 8:45 last night! Don't feel bad. Late for us now is like 9 pm! :oops:
Christine - i just want to tell you that I thought you looked beautiful in those photos - did you feel all special ??
Of course, just like a princess! :lol: Thanks for all the compliments everyone! It was such a wonderful day and the first time I have really done my hair and makeup in a few months. Yes, I do work, but my hair is in a pony tail everyday. Hey I work with 5-9 year olds. They could care less what I look like!
-
Just need a little vent to my BW girls. It's been a really rough week. I have a history of back problems since 2000 and it's expected that I will be bed ridden for a week or so a few times a year for the rest of my life. (fun huh) Well this has been one of those weeks. I don't know what set it off this time, but I woke on Tuesday unable to move my head, neck and left arm. So dh stayed home from work Tuesday and i didn't lift Kinlagh once - so I could heal. On Wednesday, dh tried half a day at work and things were ok with us girls at home. But he came home for the afternoon shift anyway to give me a break, although I did end up doing too much (typical mother huh?). So this am, I was hoping to be at 100% and I lifted Kinlagh and yet another spasm happened in my neck, this time on the other side. Grrr... And dh has work out of town so I'm on my own. If you don't already know, I don't have family out here and dh's family has their own issues to deal with (SIL is sick) so that leaves me. I do have a girlfriend nearby that has been gracious enough to invite us over for the afternoon (as long as we need her). However, she too has a 10 mth old so it's gonna be pretty hectic I'm sure.
Wish me luck for tomorrow - just hope I can make it to the weekend withouth totally being broken down.
Pfew...there, that's my story.
-
Oh Michelle- that sounds painful. :( Vent away!!!! :wink: What happened to your back?- only reason I ask is because I have chronic issues myself. I've been doing physcial therapy for it since June and the one thing they told me was do not lift or carry the baby!!! And if you must always rotate how you carry every time. I know it's almost impossible but I took their advice and even put her in the stroller for everything I did over the summer. They gave me instructions on how to pick her up from the floor etc...if you want I can PM you about it? I'm not sure what therapies you've tried. Chiropractic care has also been helpful on and off for me...and a TENS machine? Do they have those out there?
-
Branwen: Great to hear from you! Gorgeous pics of Eirwen! I saw her clapping hands in justpress and it is so cute!
Sarah: Glad that you joined us. I am glad that one more paci weaning buddy of mine has joined the group! Joseph is so adorable in that new avatar! I think that he is feeling cold too. Try throwing his bathtowel in the dryer just before taking him out of the tub so that he feels warm.
Christine: You look great and so are your sisters! Beautiful family! That is how I feel now when I get dressed up! I went for a hair cut and after getting my hair styled, I felt like I had 10 cups of coffee:)
Deb: It takes a long time for them to get used to finger foods. So, don't give up. The insight from the other lady in the group makes sense. You are doing really great with two kids. So give yourself some levy!
Michelle: I can't even imagine how hard it will be for you now! That must be so painful and hard. Could you try hiring a teen babysitter just for a few hours so that you can atleast overlook everything while you rest? Just a thought!
Us: I gradually moved her to 4 hr feeds for 2 of them. I am thinking on working on the next 2 from today! Our second naps are a complete mess. If I try to do the third nap, it is hard because we want to go for a walk at that time only! So, putting Diya to bed at bedtime is becoming harder. I am sure that it will get better!
Vidya
-
Hi there,
Well not much going on with us now. Just wanted to check in, otherwise I will get into the habit of just reading and not contributing. We also have the "thick foot" problem. I finally gave in and started putting slippers on Jordan to go anywhere. I really couldn't pay $25 for Robeez and the slippers work great since when we go to my Mom's he doesn't slip on the hardwood floors. I am proud to say that Jordan has slept through for the past 4 nights. Not really sure how it happened. He bunked with his Grandpa the first three nights and with us last night (still in his crib, just in the same room), so the true test will be tonight in his own room by himself. And wouldn't you know, he starts sleeping through and Erin (3 years old) starts showing up in our bed at 3am because of monsters. We let her in the first few times but last night led her back to her own bed so I could get a decent night sleep. Anyhow, we are now approaching the 1 1/2 hour mark for Jordan's nap so he should soon be stirring. I will check in again soon.
-
Deb: You made me panic for a minute, thinking I was feeding Asher 10 oz per meal! :lol: But I looked it up on google and it says 1 US ounce = 2 US tablespoons. So I guess tbs are just measured differently elsewhere! :wink:
Your revelation was so interesting! I'm also a second child so it really makes me think how I'll be when we have another. I'm also glad your DH is going to a couple sessions. I think that is so important and supportive!
Michelle: so sorry to hear!! That's gotta be so frustrating! May I ask what it is about your back? I've been seeing a chiropractor for the last month and it's already helped so much! I hope this gets better and passes for you quickly!
Branwen: So true about rotating the baby! My chiro has been telling me this lately because one side is chronically bad. I've been trying to get used to the other side, but it's so hard!
Hazel/E&J's mommy: Glad to know Asher isn't the only one with fat little feet! :wink:
So I didn't win powerball. :( Some goober in Oregon. :lol:
And Asher decided to wake and play at 3:00 AM last night. :roll: Thankfully he went back to sleep but woke crying at 5:00 AM! :evil: That was the WTS time for the last three days, though I didn't do it this morning! ARGH! So I created a new and even earlier habitual wake up time?! I wondered if he was cold so I gave him a blanket when I settled him back down. It's this fuzzy and silky one that he likes to use as a luvie sometimes. I could hear him talking to it on the monitor! :lol: But at least he wasn't crying and he went back to sleep eventually until DH's morning shower woke him up. :roll: I can't win.
-
forget to mention before - WELCOME Sarah & Joanne!
Michelle - (((((HUGS))))) vent here anytime. that has got to be rough.
Deb - thanks for all your words on 2nd children - think i needed to hear that (again!). i sometimes feel guilty too that luke doesn't get to do the things jaina did, but i just don't have the time that i did with her. i also need to keep reminding myself that he is a different kid - a totally different person, with different interests, milestones, etc.
Branwen - good to see you again. love the pix of Eirwen. 9 months! :shock: when did we get to this point!!! it does not seem possible. oh... and to show how silly i am... the way everyone's described Ft. Collins, it sounds like Everwood (on tv). :oops: any truth to that? regardless, everyone i've known who moved to colorado loves it... i know we want to see it someday!
Christine - to echo others - you did look gorgeous.
Us - we were doing well with naps. today i got stuck at work and luke went down 15 minutes late - and is awake 30 minutes later. :evil: not exactly crying, though, so i don't want to go in. i hate that - i wish they would either cry or not. then i can either soothe them or sleep - but this limbo stage drives me crazy!!!!! :roll: :lol:
-
My history: Spondylolysis and spondylolysthesis is what I was diagnosed with in 2000. It is something I was born with and nothing can be done to improve it. I am a grade 2 of 4 severity and they'll only operate if you're a 3...which I guess is a good thing. So it's something I'll just have to live with.
What it is: I was born with two vertebrae not attached (no facets on either side) which means they were kind of just floating with only ligaments and muscles holding them in place. So over time, they found their "home" out of alignment. One vertebrae is pushed in (towards my belly) and the other above it is pushed out (towards my back). So if you run your fingers down my spine, there's an indentation followed by a bump. Does that make sense? I just hope it doesn't pass on to Kinlagh.
So because of all that, I often have lower back pain & sciatica and therefore overcompensate and end up hurting my upper back (shoulder blade area) or my neck. But if I didn't take care of my lower back, it would give out. So it's a bit of a double edged sword. One only regular massage therapy and occasional physio can take care of.
Today: Ended up spending the day with my girlfriend at her place which would have been better had Kinlagh not decided to have a spell of stranger or separation anxiety and needed her mommy anyway. So as much as my friend tried to help, Kinlagh fought her most of the time. So we decided to take the kids to the mall to give the moms a break but that didn't work out great either. We stopped for dinner in the food court and Kinlagh ended up grabbing my tray (with a full plate of my supper) and tossing it to the floor. Oh well, we tried. Hopefully dh can stay home tomorrow. If not, friend's son will be in daycare so she offered to come here to help out. I think Kinlagh would be better in her own home. We'll see.
And because we were "off" today, she didn't have a second nap and she fell asleep on the car ride home so had a 6:00 catnap which I'm sure will mess up bedtime. But what can you do?
Sorry for the long story. But you guys are such great listeners. And I just needed to tell the story so I don't yell at dh when he calls asking how my day was!!! :evil: :evil:
I'm off to have my junk food supper and a glass, oh who am I kidding, a bottle of nice red wine! :shock:
-
Oh Michelle, please know that we are thinking of you!!!!! I hope you soon feel better. Have a bottle of wine, you deserve it!!!! Take care of yourself!!!!!! Thinking of you and sending vibes your way for a quick recovery! Only wish I was closer to come by and help you out. Wouldn't it be great if we all lived close? We woulnd't have to explain our ways to each other. We would be able to just drop our children off and we would all know what to do!!!! I think we all probobly even know each other schedules! :D
-
Michelle - i hope your back (and the rest of your body) improves soon - i cannot imagine doing this if i was in that much agony. i have pain in my hips (similar to ligament pain i suffered when PG) and struggle to walk some days but i can push through it and manage with tylenol... i think if it is bad enough to lay you out... i can only imagine so sending you supportive hugs and a free pass to vent whenever needed :wink:
Jaime - how do we let go of the guilt ? i feel like i am never doing enough for olivia and that she will miss all her milestones because of me ( that is my big battle :cry: ) i know rationally they all get there in the end but i feel like i am doing her a DISSERVICE if you KWIM?!
Julie - ok i looked up the TBS thing and it is the most retarded thing ever. a cup everywhere = 250ml, a teaspoon everywhere = 5ml but a TABLESPOON in Canada, US, New Zealand and UK... = 15ml and ONLY in Australia for some reason a TBS = 20ml so our tablespoons are 33% bigger than yours
so now how much is everyone in US/Canada.... feeding their 8-9 mo old per meal?? i am not even sure how to convert that all to oz. now. i was told that at this age they need a minimum of 1/2 cup per meal as a goal and by a year that increases to 1 cup per meal. what is the guide in North America??
Us - well the DF weaning continues and is not great, but i know it could be worse and is a transition. last night she refused it at 9:30 :shock: and we tried again at 10pm and she only took 60 ml (2 oz) :shock: and slept until 0610 which i know is good that there was still not a peep overnight but we are creeping so far backwards and there has been only tiny movement forwards in terms of increasing daytime intake. today at least she ate more at breakfast, but it is not like she wakes and takes a big bottle - she is crying from hunger and then only takes 100ml or less (3 1/2 oz) then has solids and then i offer more bottle around 8 or so.
good news is that even though she is waking earlier and needing her morning nap by 8:30 instead of 9-9:30 she is making up the sleep and increased her am nap to 1 hr 30 so we are back on track for the day and last 2 days have been good in spite of pre-6:30 wake ups.
other good news - she seems to have "clicked" with her cruskits and now can pick up pieces and get them to her mouth and suck/eat them so we are on track. not able to pick anything else up yet (ie fruit pieces) but if i put in her mouth she eats chunks of banana, papaya, cheerios, etc PATIENCE i know :D
-
Deb: Sorry to rock your tablespoon world! :lol: Who knew?! :wink:
Anyway, not sure what the official guide is, I've just been comparing to other babies his age (and his cues). Since I still view the BM most important, I don't care how much he eats as long as he's not spewing it all back up after every meal and still sleeping through the night! :lol: But that 1/2 cup reference makes sense right now because 1/2 c = 4 oz = 8 US tbs and that's about what Asher's been eating. That comes out to a little over 6 Aussie tbs. And it appears that 1.5 Aussie tbs make up 1 ounce. :roll: Good luck!!
Have you tried coating the fruit pieces in dry cereal? If she's not frustrated though, I'd just let her keep trying. You'll be surprised how inventive they can be. Asher manuevers the pieces up the tray until he can grasp them! :lol:
Well, we're going to a pumpkin patch tomorrow. I'm so excited. We went to the zoo last week. It finally feels like we're a family since we're starting to do family outings! Silly, I know, but Asher hasn't been very portable to this point. It still messes up his routine for the rest of the day, but we're usually back on track by bedtime, so I haven't minded.
-
Julieb - I am right there with you in regards to doing some outings! My sis and nephew are visiting (from Ft. Collins Branwen! :wink: ) and we are going to the pumpkin patch this afternoon, and a hayride! Oh, and a petting zoo! My nephew is 20 months, so it's fun for him. Ethan, eh, he could kind of care less! He likes animals though. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to rush through the "baby" stage and get to the stage where we can do fun outings together. I try not to though. And I agree, it will usually mess up his day as well, but every once in a while, you just have to go for it! We plan to go today, after his afternoon nap, so at least if he's cranky, he'll be outside, which is always a good thing! :wink: :)
Deb - who knew about the tablespoon conversion thing? Isn't that weird? Anyway, right now, Ethan is eating about 6 oz. baby food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and lunch I fix 4 oz. fruit with cereal mixed in, which probably makes it around 6 oz. Dinner is 4 oz. veggies, with some fruit afterwards, usually about 2 to 2.5 oz. His formula intake has decreased too, but that will happen as he takes more solids. He is offered 28 oz a day, and usually takes anywhere from 20 to 25, depending on the day. We cut out the df finally, and haven't looked back. He still isn't starving at breakfast though! Usually only takes 4 to 5 oz. of formula (along with his 6 oz cereal). Hang in there!
Leah - I wanted to also tell you that your pictures were great! You look awesome! Me, I still have about 15 lbs. to lose... :oops: :cry: It's so hard.
Michelle - I'm so sorry you have to deal with your back! That totally stinks! I hope you get back to feeling normal soon!
Us - Naps on Thursday were a horrible mess because I had to wake Ethan up from his am nap to go pick up dh from the airport. The rest of the day was a nightmare! Even though he was tired, wouldn't sleep longer than 30 min. on his pm nap. Yesterday was good though. Ethan was actually decent at my folks yesterday while visiting with my sis and nephew. We were over there from about 4 to 7. May not sound like a lot, but he woke up from his nap around 2:30, so... you can get the picture! He actually let us eat dinner in *relative* peace! And he likes to chase after his cousin... crawling of course! It's so cute. I think they will be pals when they are older and can actually race around after each other!
Well, it is time for someone's nap, so better go. Have a great weekend ladies!
-
Christine, I like the flower picture with Leah, it looks like she has your eyes:)
Heather, you're so funny about worrying about the veggies puffs :wink: . Glad to see you back:)
Michelle, that's sounds horrible about your back. I hope you start feeling better soon!
Tammy, it's wonderful when they cooperate when you're out visiting.
Debra, I hope your support group keeps going well.
Everyone, thanks for the congrats on dh's job. Its been very hectic around here because he was offered another job too :o . So now he's taken the second one because it was a little more money and only 20mins from home (instead of 45mins.). Also we had to buy a car because our old van wouldn't pass the emissions test. So we've been dragging Emily around to used car dealerships. We brought it home yesterday. This was a priority because there was no way I wanted to be stranded at home with no car with dh at work...Eeeks! So we're more than broke until that first pay check comes in :oops: . And when we went to leave one dealership just at 2:00pm (Emily's nap time), our car wouldn't start! Oh my god...somehow a miracle happened and I managed to get Emily to sleep while we were parked in a repair garage to get the battery replaced and this is with Angel (our dog) growling at all the mechanics going by! :o :o
Have a good day/night everyone! Tarri
-
Went to the pumpkin patch today, but can't get Asher down for his PM nap now. :? I tried rocking (worked before), but now DH is rocking and it doesn't sound like it's going very well. :roll:
Had quite the reality check this morning. AF is back. Makes sense since Asher's been sleeping through the night for about 1.5 months. I'm so sad though! I'll miss this 1.5 yr of freedom! But what makes me really sad is the reality that my little baby is growing up. He looked so grown up in his t-shirt and jeans this morning. Like a little boy. And he'll prolly be walking within a week or two. I'm so sappy! I don't know if it's the hormones getting back to normal or just this stage. Now I know why so many of my friends started getting the 2nd baby itch when their LOs turned 1. :cry: :roll:
-
just wanted to announce that we have crawling forwards - finally more than 2 paces forwards - we'll see how it improves. right now she is also trying to stand and if i hold her up she will "walk" without any assistance - just hand holding. who knows what she wants to do - :D
-
Hi,
My name is Amanda and I'm from Costa Rica, I'm 25 years old and married to a Canadian. My son's name is Giorgio and he's going to be 9 months on Nov 1st. He was born premature 1 month so I guess he's really 8 months. Today I saw his first tooth!!
-
welcome amanda - what beautiful eyes georgio has. we have the exact same exersaucer as you - small world!
-
Hi all, and welcome to the couple of new "faces".
I am feeling a bit down and needed to share this with you guys.
We were supposed to be in Sanibel, Fl for our very much needed week vacation starting today, but instead we are home, here in Ft. Lauderdale preparing for another hurricane. I had everything ready for this trip, even bought a portable DVD player and DVD's to take with in the car for Matty! And I had lined up the sitter to come over for a few days so my dh and I could really relax, and still have Matty with us. This is so crazy. Dh is really down because today instead of relaxing on the beach we were home putting up storm shutters. I also had filled my freezer with homemade baby food over the past few weeks, thinking that the storm season was over! We ALWAYS lose power, so that is probably all going to go to waste. When Katrina hit florida (it wasnt bad here, we were lucky) we lost power for 6 days, even though the winds were very mild. So Im just ticked off and down. Of all the weeks I pick for our vacation!!!
Thanks for listening. I'll probably check in tomorrow to catch up and then may not be on for awhile if no electric. I also worry more now about the storms cause of the baby. :(
Anyway, Michelle, hope you are feeling better, and welcome back Branwen. Congrats on dh's job Tarri and hugs to everyone!
Julie
-
Deb - great new avatar! reminds me that i should change mine too one of these days. i think luke was only 5-6 months in this one! i sent you a pm responding to your earlier comments (i was afraid my response would get too long & it did :oops: ) yay olivia for crawling!!
JulieG - that stinks about the hurricane & your vacation. i wish the darn thing would just decide what to do and be done with it!!! though i hope it doesn't roar through here again... i can't afford another new roof. hope you all stay dry too.
Julieb - will we be seeing a pumpkin patch avatar soon???
Welcome Amanda! glad you found this thread!
-
hi ladies,
i have a prayer request (or a good vibe request if you don't pray :wink: ) i will probably be posting in the News forum when things shape up more, but i may not be posting on much more than the boards i moderate for a whle. (though i will still be reading this thread so i can keep up with everyone!)
WARNING - this will be long
you may have seen my thread about minimizing a budget on the Home Management board. i started it cause dh & i are going broke - and we don't spend money on much of anything and are very financially responsible. following some great suggestions, we have improved things a bit, but not enough yet.
i started looking into my salary... and am coming to the rapid conclusion that my school has been underpaying me the entire time i have worked there. i am realizing how naive i have been - but in my defense, i have also been pregnant twice and had a bit of ppd inbetween the 2 kids, so i was a little distracted! :roll:
i've been asking many (hopefully) discreet questions, and it seems that there is no standard salary schedule in place at my (private) school. also seems that the higher ups are paying folks whatever they feel like paying them, with no regard to experience or education. unethical? yup. illegal? not sure wrong? absolutely.
after staying awake most of friday night worrying & praying about this, i have come to the conclusion that i am indeed the one to be dong something about this. i love my job, but my job is not worth sending me to the poorhouse. i also realized that i am an extremely hot commodity (all science teachers are, but one that can teach chemistry & physics? priceless). i am waiting for 2 more pieces of information, and then i will start going to many key people, asking to see a salary schedule to determine how my salary was even calculated, ask for daycare reimbursement (since i'm not getting free tuition!) and ask for a fair salary next year.
i think i am very good at my job (though i have asked others just to be sure! :oops: :lol: ) and am hoping that this fact will help me retain my position even when this is all over. i'm scared though - the whistle-blower never seems to keep their job :cry: but am comforted in the fact that it shouldn't be too hard to find another one. i hope.
anyhow, if you made it this far you're a star! :D
-
Jaime-Haven't much time but just had to write and let you know that I'll be praying for you. That is so difficult for you. I understand that it's not going to be easy getting to the bottom of everything. But you're doing the right thing.
-
First of all, thanks to all for your well wishes. DH stayed home on Friday so I had 3 days to get better. It is loosening up a bit, but I am dreading tomorrow when dh goes back to work and I'm on duty again with Kinlagh. He's been such a big help. I haven't lifted her once!
But it looks like it's time for me to send {{HUGS}} back to a few of you.
Jaime - Good luck with your discussion. Hope all turns out for the best.
Julie - Big time bummer on the trip. But more then a bummer, I really hope you guys don't get hit hard where you are. It's so tough to be without power with a baby. We're supposed to be in Miami in 2 1/2 weeks so I'm hoping for a different fate and our trip goes as planned!
And prayers to all others in Florida!!
-
Good luck Jaime!! You know how much you're worth... go get it!!
JulieG: I'm so sorry about your vacation :( I can only imagine how disappointed you are. I hope that the hurricane doesn't affect your area too much and that eventually you can go on your vacation.
Tarri: I'm so happy for you and your dh. Glad he got a better paying and closer to home job... that's fantastic! We've also just bought a car, so I completely understand the broker than broke sentiment! :wink:
Us: well, the 'words' remain "Aww Gaww" lol!! Too funny. I have another job interview on Wednesday for a job I wouldn't mind doing.. it involves lots of driving around but that's okay isn't it?
-
Jaime- Uggg, sometimes school districts are such pains!!!!!!!! Are you working full time? You said for a private school? We have a union in our school so we are at set salary schedules with increases every year plus increases for credits. You should definitley check things out. There must be some leagalities. OOhh, it just makes me so mad! They do all they can to get by cheaper!!!! I'm praying for you.
-
Hi,
I'm a bit late on the intro but I thought I'd join in if thats ok. Have seen quite a few of you around on the forums generally so you are familiar faces already :)
Anyway I'm Sarah, Samantha's mummy. I am 30 years old (just :wink: ) and live in Nottingham, England. Have just gone back to work 2 days a week as a Commercial Property Lawyer - not sure if it is the right decision but will give it a chance before deciding either way.
My dd is heading towards 10 months old having been born right at the beginning of January. Should have actually been a Christmas baby but she decided to stay put for an extra week. She is totally adorable and a happy little soul. Never stops moving which keeps me on my toes, loves her food and absolutely loves reading books.
Have attached a couple of pics taken back in September when we went to Cornwall for our holidays
-
Sarah(sam's mum): She is a cutie pie.
Jamie and Julie: I feel so sorry for you. You are in our thoughts and vent as much as you want.
Us: Diya seems hungry even before 3 hrs for the past 4 or 5 days. Could it be a growth spurt? She is going to be 9 months this Tuesday. She always had her growth spurts one week earlier. Should I offer the breast more often or give her solids now that we have established solid feedings. I am scared to go back to the 3 hr EASY but at the same time want to have enough milk for her after her growth spurt. Please help me out again!
Thanks
Vidya
-
Julie, that ULTRA sucks about missing your vacation. Espescially since you were super good with all your planning. I hope the storm doesn't affect you guys too much. I'll be thinking of you and hoping your freezer stays frozen!
Jamie, I didn't realize you were so worried about finances. We're especially broke right now, since dh was layed off two weeks before Emily was due and only starts a job next week. I don't have many suggestions on penny pinching but it does make me feel better when I use coupons for baby stuff, I now put them straight in my wallet so I don't forget them :oops: Good luck with asking for a raise. I would try a very open discussion asking for your employers suggestions before actually bring up the question of the raise, I find you usually get farther when it's their idea. Maybe the approach could be to ask for a performance review.
Schae, good luck on your job interview next week.
Vidya, sorry I can't help because I've stopped breast feeding. I hope you get it sorted though.
Deb, just wanted to share that Emily is still only eating 1-2oz of her bedtime bottle (she's stuffed from dinner) and about 3oz at her df. And she isn't crawling in any direction! She hardly even rolls over.
Us, I'm working hard on shifting Emily 15 mins later to prepare for the time change. My goal is to do two 15 mins shifts this week and then two 15 mins shifts the week after the time change. So far it's going really well :D :o I started with giving her bedtime bottle 15 mins later and df 15mins later and then did all her stuff the next day 15 mins later. It probably sounds like I'm overly focused on this but it would be completely impossible to keep her up a whole hour later on the night of the time change. She'd just pass out wherever she was!
Happy Emily news, she made a huge laugh when the dog sneezed today!
-
Thanks for the support everyone.
Jaime: You are definitely on the right track. I think it's great that you realize your worth and are going for it. Stay positive and strong and let us know how you do.
Michelle: Hope you are feeling much better.
Schae: Good luck on the job interview.
Welcome Sarah! Samantha is adorable.
Tarri: thats a great idea to start retraining bedtime now before the time change. I dont think I'm going to be able to do that with the hurricane to deal with. Will have to wait and see.
Debra: Thats great about Olivia crawling.
Hope to see you all soon. Keep us Floridians in your thoughts please.
Hugs
Julie
-
Hi everyone... I just need to vent a bit.
We are really struggling with naps and the nighttime sleep. He refuses to go down for naps and for nighttime.
For naps, this is our routine: I'll bf him, then we go to the bedroom and I'll bounce on the birthing ball till he's sleepy then I'll put him down. He used to make a little noise and then go straight to sleep, these days he gets up on all fours and rocks while 'singing'. It is so frustrating :twisted: The other night it took me an hour and a half to get him down for the night.
I don't know what it is. He hasn't done anything new developmentally. And nothing has changed really in our days and routine.
I've tried asking dh to do the naps/bedtime, but it just results in Luka screaming his head off.
EG: Right now (it's 10h50 here) Luka is meant to be asleep for his first nap of the day (usually from 10am till 11am) but he's wide awake and crawling around. I could feel myself getting extremely frustrated and decided that it would be better if we both just came out of the bedroom. :oops:
Anyway, I feel a bit better after typing this.
He cant' really want to drop a nap can he? He's too young for one nap a day isn't he?
-
Julie G - I was watching about the hurricane this morning on the Today show. I'm praying for you and your family. May you stay safe!!!!! Keep us updated.
-
well thanks to the hurricane i've got a day off from work... :roll: though i get to check in with you guys so that helps! :D
JulieG - i hope you all stay safe & dry. let us know when you can if you're okay... will keep praying for you. we're pretty much glued to the news this morning.
Schae - oddly enough, sometimes they get all wonky right before something new starts developmentally. luka may be about to do something nifty - we can only hope, huh?
Tarri - layoffs stink, don't they? my dh was laid off a couple months before i got pregnant with jaina, and he didn't start a new job until 3 days before she was born. talk about timing! i agree about the coupons... every little bit helps.
also, ordinarily i'd say your advice about asking for a raise was spot-on, but things have gone way beyond that. my school is refusing to show me a salary schedule (so far!), and my questioning is leading me to believe that there isn't one. there are teachers with less experience than me making more than i am. there are teachers with masters degrees and 15+ years experience making less than what the public schools pay a first year teacher directly out of school!
i am part time, but i work 2/3 what a normal full-time teacher does. i've been asking other schools what my salary would be if i was full time there. from the numbers i've got so far... my salary is less than half of the LOWEST figure. :evil: the truth will be exposed and this will be fixed or i won't work there next year. while i won't go in with that ultimatum, i have decided that this is what will happen. also hoping that they will not want to lose me - and truthfully, they can't afford to :wink: :D
-
Julie: I hope you guys are safe! I heard on the news that it is now a Category 2, I hope that is a good thing.
Thanks Jaime, he seems to be trying to learn how to stand on his own. Keeps lifting his bum in the air instead of just crawling properly :lol:
Today wasn't so bad, I think the heat contributes aswell. It's very hot here and dry too.
I'm so impressed with you. GO JAIME!!
-
Feeling better today - I'm on my own so I have to. So far so good. However, please keep us in your thoughts now too. Hurricane Wilma is headed our way. We're expecting the storm tomorrow although it should be a tropical storm by then. 100 km/hr winds + 70mm rain expected. Not the best so I too will probably be without power for a day or two. Wish us luck!
Sorry, I'm all take take take lately! I promise to give back when things are back on track. Pfew!
-
Michelle, Julie G, and Jaime -
Please stay safe in this storm!!!!!! It looks horrible on the TV! :( I'm praying for you all.
-
hi - we're okay.
keep praying for JulieG though. she lives in Ft. Lauderdale, and after talking to my ILs (who live there too) that area was pretty badly hit (though i don't know what specifically may have happened to her). they don't have power yet, but hopefully will within the next couple of days.
hold tight Michelle!!!
-
Asher's other top tooth finally popped through! :D :D :D Now maybe we can have some peace and quiet for a while? He's been practicing his walking like a man on mission! That's all he wants to do! Doesn't touch his toys anymore except to stop, pick one up, and carry it along his walk around the family room! He goes about 3-5 feet before falling or grabbing on to something now. It's crazy how fast this all happened! :shock:
Glad all the Floridians are safe (and hopefully Julie and Michelle as well?), good to hear the new milestones (yay Liv!) and job progress for everyone. My DH is still looking. :roll:
Schae: I'm thinking either something with his morning A time or a milestone (teething again??). Wanna post your current schedule? Though, I have HEARD of babies trying to drop a nap this early, but it is certainly in the minority (less than 10%), so don't assume quite yet.
Here's a couple photos at the pumpkin patch. No smiles from Asher. It was way too hot!!
-
welcome sarah - your daughter is gorgeous!!!
Tarri - are you planning on weaning the Df? we are down to about 3-4 oz but stopped pushing it back and have stayed at 9:30pm because she is just not adding to her daytime food at all so we were sick of the earlier wakings and chickened out - we will discuss it again later in the week. Dh is happy at least that it is early enough that if he is knackered he can get to bed by 10.
Schae - i don't think it is a case of dropping a nap (definitely too young) but we go through this too at some naps - on Sunday it took me an hour and today an hour and 20 min for first naps (thankfully it never seems to happen at bedtime - knock on wood). i think sometimes they just can't let go - they partly think hey this is fun, and partly it is like they can't get their limbs to suddenly lay still. what i do if she is all over the place and noisy... (and not getting any quieter) is ito go in and hold her lower body down with one arm while i pat and shh to get her to calm and focus on that and usually in 2-10 min she is asleep - the trick is getting her DOWN - if she is wriggling or getting around me it takes longer, or if i leave before asleep sometimes after i am gone she revs up again. i figure just as TRacy explained that they can't cry and listen to shh/pat (3 things is too many) i figure if i can get her focused on the patting and loud shhing she will start getting relaxed and let go and give in to her tiredness since she can't get anywhere KWIM? sorry so long just my theory. HTH.
he seems to be trying to learn how to stand on his own. Keeps lifting his bum in the air instead of just crawling properly
Olivia is doing this as well - very frustrating for her - that's one reason why she was not going forward - could not decide if wanted to crawl or stand. :roll:
Us - well we have had a yucky 24 hours. olivia has had fevers up and down and today she did not eat either breakfast or dinner. she ate lunch thankfully because the fever meds broke it long enough for that and then it started climbing again. it took 1hr 20 to get her down for morning nap (which i did not handle well :oops: ) and then she woke crying after 25 min - another 10 min pat/shh and got her down for another 40. 2nd nap was just shy of 1hr 30 and she was so tired afterwards that in spite of wakng at 2:50pm she was back in bed just after 4:15pm and slept from 4:30-5:30 :cry: would not eat dinner and was very hot (temp was 39.1 C even 1 1/2 hrs after dosing her with nurofen) thankfully it had come down to 37.3 by bedtime and she took a lot of milk (340ml = 12 oz :shock: ) and another 100 at DF. i hope she wakes up better in the morning
-
Deb- Poor Liv!!!!!!! I hope she is feeling better soon. Do you think it is just a cold? Leah has had a hacking cough for about two weeks now. But no fever so I've just learned to live with it :roll:. Hopefully she'll kick it soon.
Julieb- OMG! Asher is walking!!!! :shock: I know early walkers walk about 9 months of age. But it's just so hard to believe that they are that old already! Leah doesn't even pull herself up yet, although she did manage to tear the border off her wall by sitting up in her crib. Time to lower the matress! :wink: She is still only army crawling, not up on all fours yet. That's fine with me though, she's growing up too fast as is!
Hope our hurricane victams are doing OK. Julie G - I know where you live was hit hard. Let us know how you are as soon as you're back!
-
Hope everyone is okay that the hurricane has affected!
Deb - I'm so sorry to hear that Olivia has been running a fever. I know you are stressed about her eating. I have no advice, just my sympathy!
Julieb - great pictures of Asher!
Jaime - I am wishing you all the luck in the world regarding your job. Doesn't it just make you boiling mad when you find out what you are paid in regards to others? And in your situation, it sounds like the school is being kind of shady in regards to it's pay policies. Good luck!
Michelle - hope your week is going well, and that your back is okay now that you're on your own with Kinlagh during the day again!
Schae - I would think Luka is too young to go to one nap a day yet, although never say never! I have no advice, but just wanted to say I know how frustrating it is. Hang in there!
Welcome to all the new additions! Love all these pictures!
Us - My sis and nephew came to visit for the weekend. We had a great time, even if it disrupted the routine a bit. I thought yesterday we would get back on track. We did, sort of, but his nights are still a nightmare! Sunday night, and last night, Ethan has started his screaming fits in the middle of the night. This happened probably 6 or more weeks ago for a day or two, then quit. Well, it's back! I don't know what on earth the problem is. Sunday night I thought perhaps it was because he was so worn out from the weekend, and he had gone to bed later than usual. So, yesterday was all about routine. I had him in bed (and out like a light) by 7:15 pm. 11:15 he screams to beat the band. Nothing is helping. I finally pick him up and rock him in the chair until he calms down. After about 5 minutes of this, I am able to lay him back down, and rolls over and goes to sleep. Great, right? Until 4:15! Then he's at it again! Same deal, no idea what the problem is. I gave him some motrin in case those top teeth are bugging him (we saw one tooth come and go for the past week or so). He seems to settle after I give him his paci, so I leave room. 20 minutes later I'm back as he's screaming again. Finally he falls asleep, and sleep until 7:30 (about 30 min later than usual). I have no idea what is going on with him. I thought perhaps he was gassy - as he seemed moreso Sunday night and last night than usual. But I have given him nothing new. What are the fruits or veggies that cause the most gas? He has a small repertoire right now :roll: that consists of applesauce, peaches, pears, pear w/pineapple, bananas, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, and prunes. (He refuses to eat anything green! :x :roll: ) Anyway, I put gas drops in his bottles at every meal anyway, so maybe I should give him some more before bedtime? I don't know, it's got me so confused! And after him sleeping peacefully through the night, it's horrible when they start to wake up again - but not just wake up, scream bloody murder!
Thanks for the vent!
I'm going to attach a couple of pics that we took over the weekend!
-
Just time to write a quick post. Not really much happening here. It's funny how many others seem to have just bought a car. We have too! Picking it up tomorrow and can't wait. We are going away for a week's holiday with my parents and my inlaws (thankfully we all get on really well!) on Sat so the car has come at just the right time. We wouldn't be able to fit everything into the boot of our old car. Life has been very busy here over the last week or so, so the break is really needed. (I really feel for you Julie, having to miss your holiday due to the huricane :( So sorry.)
Welcome Sarah (we found out on another thread that we went to school together :shock: - different year groups though. Small world eh?) Samantha looks totally adorable. Such big blue eyes.
Julieb - I can hardly believe Asher is nearly walking. That is amazing. Daniel still isn't even crawling yet!! I know I shouldn't worry but it does get to me sometimes. So many people seem to presume he's crawling and pulling up and then seem shocked when I say he's not. Like they ask how old he is and then say 'oh I bet he's crawling all over the place isn't he?' And I'm like 'no, not at all'!
He's not even 9 months so I KNOW it's not a problem but it's hard to keep on reminding yourself of that isn't it? I keep trying to remind myself I need to make the most of these pre-crawling days. He is always just sooooo happy to just sit and play. Most days he'll quite happily sit for about an hour at a time and just amuse himself. Then I start feeling guilty coz I feel like I neglect him but occasionally when I try to play with him he gets upset and just wants me to leave him alone :lol: :oops: I guess he's not 'needing' to crawl just yet. He's happy to just stay where he is and play. It's amazing the things we find to worry about isn't it? :)
Debra - Don't think I mentioned it but I LOVE your new avatar. Your girls look so sweet together. That is amazing that Olivia took 12 oz before bed. I thought my ds could eat a lot, but looks like she could give him a good run for his money!
Tammy - Lovely photos. As for the night wakings and screamings, I can sympathise. Daniel has weeks like this where he just keeps waking up and crying. In fact he did it this morning. I put him down for his nap at 9am (as usual) and he fell asleep with no problems then woke up 20 mins later and screamed solidly for an hour and 15 mins :evil: ) He was so tired (could barely keep his eyes open) but just would not sleep. Eventually I took him back downstairs, read a book for 10 mins and then put him back down in his cot. He went off in about 20 mins. We think it's often due to overtiredness when he wakes up screamin in the night. Not really sure why that should happen but that's all we can put it down to. He always goes to sleep ok initially. It's only when he wakes up later that the problems start.
Schae - You poor thing. I hope he gets his sleeping sorted out quickly. I am dreading what learning to crawl is gonna do to Daniel's sleeping! Another reason I should enjoy these pre-crawling days while they last :)
So I started this by saying 'just time for a quick post' and here I am 35 mins later :oops: Really must go and get on with making dinner. Just time to attach a recent photo
-
Hazel- Don't worry. Leah doesn't pull herself up and she just started to army crawl a week or so ago. She just doesn't have the balance to stand holding onto something. She will also play by herself well for a long time. I feel guilty too! Like I should play with her, but when I try she just starts to play with something else. :D
Tammy - I have no idea! :roll: I can tell you that applesauce causes MAJOR gas in Leah. Also, if you use the Gerber Fruits and Veges, there is a carrot sweet pea that Leah loves. It's orange, but it has peas in it. Leah will also not touch the green peas! LOVE your pics. You look awesome!
-
Oh guys! Most of my "playing" with Ethan consists of following him around as he tries to pull up on things. Things that I don't want him to fall off of and bump his head (which he winds up doing sometimes anyway!). Ethan was army crawling for a long time before true crawling. And the pulling up was literally a few days after crawling! I don't think there is any timetable for when they "should" crawl or pull up or whatever. Babies do it in their own time. I know it's hard not to worry, but don't stress! Then you'll wonder where the time went when they're tottering around! :lol:
-
Deb: Poor Liv! Do you think it's a sickness or teething? The time Asher was sick, all he wanted to do was sleep, it was SO easy! :lol: Much easier than how he normally is and I secretly hoped he'd be sick longer! :oops:
Re: JulieG: I heard that Ft. Lauderdale was hit the hardest and may be without power for a couple weeks! :shock: I hope Julie got out and went elsewhere! Can't imagine no power with a baby!
Christine: I hear ya! The walking makes me so sad sometimes! I really wish he would've waited longer. But we honestly knew from the first couple weeks he was born, Asher would not stop until he was running around (and away from us!!). :shock: :cry: I miss the crawling/rocking stage. It was so cute! And as a friend of mine said, enjoy it while it lasts because out of their entire lives, they'll only be crawling those couple months, but walking the rest of their lives!
Tammy: Great pumpkin patch photos!! I feel for your night wakings! Asher does the same thing often and I don't know what it is either! :? It's as if he's doing it in his sleep or something.
Hazel: What a fun photo! Daniel looks like he's having so much fun! And you're right, crawling is nothing to worry about, but it's normal to feel that way! I belong to another list of ladies with babies the same age and several are not crawling at all. I think it's just the different temperments! I also can't seem to play with Asher much these days. He acts far too busy to be bothered with Mama! :lol: They're just getting into and discovering their world! Kinda a nice break from those early months where everything revolved around Mama! :wink:
Food pickiness: For those with picky eaters, I discovered if I could make something into a finger food, Asher develops a taste for it (and I can spoon feed it later as well!). Just a trick that may work for others? Seemed to work with green beans, broccoli, peas, rice, and avocado.
Us, well, early wakings (6:00) seemed to get even earlier now (5:30). Don't know what goes through his head because it's still completely dark! :shock: I think I need to get back to a solid 6:30 bedtime. I've been lax lately, 6:45 and 7:00, maybe that's the problem. :roll:
-
Thanks guys for the sympathy - Liv was still sick today - barely ate bkfst, gorged at lunch, ate no dinner. luckily i had my PPD check up at 4pm so just had the doctor check her out too (cheeky i know - sorry to make the next patient wait- hee hee). she said it is a virus and just to give her panadol for fevers and make sure her fluids are up (nothing too bad wth ear, throat, breathing...) naps were terrible so she was tired. again took lots of milk before bed [Hazel, usually she takes about 7 1/2 - 8 oz, this is just because no dinner solids] she also checked her mouth out and saw no signs of teeth (Liv still has NO TEETH :shock: )
Hazel - we have the same pool and balls form ELC - i keep meaning to get it out now that it has warmed up here. it has been in our laundry since last summer. where are you going on holiday?
Tammy - i agree with Hazel that overtiredness (and overstimulation) woudl be causing the multiple screams in the night. it's like they get so wired they can't get into nice deep sleep. If it was just one waking i would think it could be something else but with multiples i am guessing he is just winding down from all that excitement.
ugh - it took Liv a half hour to get tto sleep tonight and she has just woken crying after 45 min - gotta go :cry:
-
Hello everyone. First off, the storm missed us. We had some wind and rain, but nothing major and no power loss. Yay! My back is not at 100% today but getting through it.
On another note, I want to start by thanking you for all your advice, laughs, support and stories, but I think it's time for me to sign off for a while. I feel that I've started to doubt my parenting skills again and need to stop reading what is "supposed" to be happening and just focus on what "is" happening. Naps have been an issue lately and I just want to start reading Kinlagh instead of reading books/websites. As we all know, no two babies are alike and I feel like I may be expecting perfection out of her. So much pressure for such a little baby. I'm just going to start going with the flow and see if we can't get things back on track. I'll probably still post questions on other boards, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by everyday messages on this one.
So feel free to PM/email me anytime. I'll probably even stop by now and then to read up on how you are all doing.
Take care and have fun!!!
-
I couldn't reply the other day, the post reply wouldn't work. Eeesh.
Deb, about 2 months ago Emily started weaning herself from the df (ie she woke up crying earlier and drinking less) so that we've been at 8:30pm and 3oz for several weeks. I don't have plans to wean further because the time is easy (like your dh says) for me to give it and Emily doesn't like a late evening bottle cause she's too tired to drink properly. As it is, she only drinks about 2oz after dinner. She's drinking only about 20oz a day and seems quite happy with that.
Deb, I feel so bad for Olivia, I hope she gets over her cold quickly. It must be draining for all of you. Hang in there:) Also she's proved again that she drinks when she really needs to...12oz!
Schae, I also do the same thing. If I can't get Emily to nap, I just get us out of her room and move on with the day. Otherwise if we do 20 mins of pu/pd and get nowhere I'm crusty for the rest of the day and so is Emily. So far this tactic works well because only occasionaly she doesn't nap at least a little bit.
Tammy, could it be nightmares or night terrors? There's a section in the book about it. Maybe have a look and see if that's the problem.
Hazel, that's great that Daniel can play on his own like that. And Emily isn't crawling yet either. She's not even close. I'm not worried cause my mom said that I didn't crawl till 10 months. But I think she is gaining leg muscle strength cause I lean her up standing against the couch a lot and she loves that:) Have fun with your new car:)
JulieB, I hope the jusspress site is up again soon, I can't wait to see new vids of Asher walking! I've got a couple more to add, one is of Emily almost standing and another of her eating puffs.
Us, we're now shifted 30mins later!!! Yeah! She seems to need about 3 days to get used to each 15mins shift.
Also I wanted to share that Emily often wakes early, and her naps are not always consistent but I find that watching the clock for feedings and the next sleep time keeps us on track and fairly happy. At least that's how we survive from day to day. And thank goodness for our little dog, she's worth endless amounts of entertainment. I've started getting them to play together. Emily holds one end of the dog toy and the dog pulls the other. This afternoon Emily held on sooo good that she toppled over onto her tummy from a sitting position and then did a huge giggle. very cute stuff!
Tarri
-
Just a quick moment to respond...
Thanks to all who offered advice. I think I may know the problem now... he has a terrible cold! He is alternating being runny-nosed, or stuffy. Poor guy, looks so sad. Keeps rubbing his nose and eyes all day long.
He woke up again last night at 3 am screaming. I think it may be a combination of him not being able to breath well, coupled with the fact that he can't suck his paci when he's not able to breath through his nose!
Anyway, so today his naps were amazing. 1.5 hours this morning, and nearly 3 hours this afternoon. He must have been tuckered out (of course he did get up at 6 this morning!)
Anyway, he's off in bed right now, having been given Motrin and Pediacare. Let's hope tonight is better, but at least I have some semblance of what the issue is. It's a lot easier to NOT get frustrated when you figure out that your lo is sick, you know? Otherwise, the not knowing what the deal is... that's so irritating to me!
Well, night everyone!
-
Tammy- Have you tried putting saline nose drops into his nose? This works well for Leah. I put them in before bed and don't suck them out. This helps loosen up the stuff and I think she swallows it. I read to do this in a book - Baby 411 - Very good book! Great reference for sicknessess and such. Plus it's safe - just saline water, you can use as much and as often as you like. Just a thought!
-
My Ds is 9 months next week born 1st Feb 05 been NG fed (tube fed) silent refluxer till 6 months with an intolerance to cows milk, he's doing very well now crawling walking with reins, teething like mad. Can anyone help with a schedule of what thier up to we wake anytime between 7-8am but have early wakings from 3/4/5 with teething I just add bonjela to his dummy and he goes back to sleep again for a while.
Thanks
-
Christine and Hazel, I think you both mentioned that your lo's like to play by themselves a lot. What toys do they like best? Emily seems bored with most of her toys.
Debonair, I have Emily's schedule posted in the 'routine 6-12month' post in the EASY forum.
Tarri
-
Well, it's been a few pages since I have posted so I thought it was about time. There is not much going on with us. Jordan's schedule has been thrown off a little since I have been sleeping a little later in the morning :oops: because Jordan is sleeping later :D but it still works well, I just shift our day a bit and we catch up by bedtime. He is down to 2 naps a day now for the last week or so. He seems to go 2.5 hours between naps during the day and after his last nap until bedtime he will go a little longer. Maybe because dh is around later in the day and is a different face to look at :) . We are getting ready for Halloween - LOVE all the pumpkin pics. We have no patch around here to get some pictures and we haven't bought one for ourselves yet. Just finished Jordan's costume last night - he will be a puppy dog. I will post pics when we have our dress rehearsal.
Hazel: Jordan will not crawl either although he will cruise if we stand him up. He will not pull up either. I know that he will eventually learn but it is a little frustrating.
JulieB: I am with you on feeling sad about the passing milestones. With my first I was able to enjoy every stage but I know we are only having two so this is my last of every stage. Kind of makes me teary at times.
Everyone else: I hope all of the illnesses and teething pass soon so you all get a little more sleep. Love all of the pictures of the lo's.
Here's a recent picture of Jordan trying to walk. Will check back soon with Halloween pics.
Joanne
-
Quick response to Jaime-
I just wanted to tell you that my SIL is has been going through a salary thing for a long time. She finally got a 10K raise from her employer but it is still WAY less than her peers. She is in private industry in NM. However, she is still thinking of pursuing a case against them through the state department of equal opportunity employment. I guess there are some employment laws and she can sue for back pay and benefits. She is a woman too and I guess she has been also invesitaging what the company pays women v. men in her same position and it is VERY imbalanced. You might want to look at this angle. I guess the state is the one who would take on the company on her behalf? I can find out more for you if you want.
I know you love teaching and your job but with the penny pinching have you done the math if you were to stay home? I know you may not want to be a SAHM full time but it might be worth it. This was the main reason I didn't go back to my PT job...I would have been paying to work :?
-
Tarri - I don't think I'll really be much help as Daniel will play happily with just about anything! Anything from a sock :oops: to a bottle filled with dry pasta. Having siad that his favourites seem to be feely books, plastic things that he can bite and chew on, an old remote and a soft toy that makes music. Anything new does keep him occupied for some time. Sometimes I just find something plastic from the kitchen and he plays with that on and off all day. He also loves magazines (pulling them apart) but he does tend to try to eat them as well!
He does have days when he seems a little bored with his toys and then the next day he's fine again. As I'm sure you'll agree, the answer is not to buy more baby toys! He gets more enjoyment from household things now really and they are a LOT cheaper :D
-
Tarri - Leah loves most of her toys, especially the basic blocks from fisher price. The one where you can take the shapes out and put them back in the top - star, square, circle, triangle. The best part is the blocks are only like $7. BUT, her favorite toy is her "Treasure Box".
Everyone: I made Leah up a "Treasure Box". It's just a small bin filled with treasures: old phone, old calculator, spatula, measuring spoons and cups, chip bag clips, small plastic bowls, cellophane tissue paper (the kind that just crunches), vitamin jar filled with beans that she can shake, refrigerator magnets, hmmm that’s all I can remember. Anyway, she just LOVES this box. She will pull everything out and put it all back in again. She will play for ever with it. It is the first thing she goes for now. Just and idea!!!!
Debonair - There are some great schedules posted on top of the EASY board. Some of ours are there.
-
Christine, thanks for the idea. I'm going to go make up a treasure box right now :D Tarri
-
Good Tarri! Let me know if you can think of any other "treasures" to put in!
-
Hi all. Update on us: Ethan has a full blown nasty nasty cold. I think those nights he woke up screaming was because his throat was hurting. I say this now, because mine is killing me! Yes - he gave me his cold - I mean, how could he not? I'm only with him all day long! :evil: :evil: :evil: Oh well.
Anyway, poor guy is so sad looking, but honestly, he's not a total nightmare or anything. His nose is running, running, running, but I'd rather that than him be congested. I have a humidifier running in his room as well. He is started to cough a bit more, so I think it's heading that direction. Why is it that colds go sore throat, nose, then cough? I'm sure there's some sort of scientific explanation, I just think it's interesting.
Anyway, poor guy has been waking through the night, but always goes right back to sleep himself. I haven't had to get up with him since Tuesday at 3 am. Knock on wood.
I'm hoping he'll feel somewhat better in time for Halloween on Monday! Not that we have big plans, but all us with the little kiddos (which is everyone with kids on my cul-de-sac) kind of get together very early to see all the costumes, and then that's about it.
Well, have a great weekend everyone!
-
Hey, gals! Thought I'd pop in and say hello. I can't wait to see everyone's Halloween pics. Kelsey is going to be a butterfly.
Kelsey has started saying da-da, and clapping. She's still attemping to crawl, I think, and really prefers to grab someone's fingers and "walk". She call pull herself up from sitting, given the right circumstances (meaning that she's sitted in the correct way to reach). On a pillow on the floor she'll push up onto her feet, but of course can't raise up, so she just has her bum in the air.
I really think her teeth are coming through this time. I'm one of those that has said that forever, but I feel sharpness, and I think I saw it when she was crying today. She's obviously in a lot of pain, too.
Christine-I'm going to copy you and find some "toys" around the house. Kelsey is definitely bored with her usualls.
I love everyone's recent posts on jusspress, but my computer wasn't allowing me to post comments.
Trick or Treat!
-
Christine, I made a treasure basket. One thing she kind of likes is a pez dispenser. How did you teach Leah to stick the toys back in the basket?
Us, Emily had brocolli for the first time. I mixed it with yams and she didn't seem to mind it at all:) As for the time change, we're about 45minutes shifted. I took her to Walmart to keep her occupied and then snuck in a 20mins catnap on the ride back home around 5:30. For the first time I just stuck her in the seat at the front of the shopping cart and put the strap around. She loved being able to sit upright and wiggle her legs around. I've got to go finish Emily's halloween costume....
Tarri
-
Hi everyone:
Just got back online and have been reading through all the posts. It really touched me that you all thought about me during the storm, thank you.
Well we did get it BAD, it was a level 3 which is very weird as usually when it goes across the state it diminishes. We had no power or water for the first three days and then the water returned in dribbles and we STILL have no power and are not expected to get it anytime soon. The area looks like a disaster zone and the lines were miles long at the few gas stations open. grocery stores were either not open or the ones that were had no food. It was very disconcerting getting out of the area when we drove over. Fortunately, our house did very well. we lost a lot of trees and foliage, so did everyone, and that isnt too great.
I am in sanibel, Fl now (about 2.5 hourse west) where they have power and we are renting a condo. I hear from friends in fort lauderdale that half the city still doesnt have power (including us) and that most traffic lights are still not up. Gas stations are coming back online and some of the grocery stores. It has not been fun.
I only had to deal with three days of no power and my dh hooked up the generator so we could at least heat food for Matty and even hooked up the dvd player (what a help!!!) here and there to play the dvd's I had gotten in preparation for the trip, that was a huge help.
anyway, my sitter is missing in action (she is fine, her and her family are actually in fort myers too and safe and she was supposed to call me!!!! and has dissapeared) and between that, not being able to go home and work expecting me in (even though they dont have power, we dont have power and i dont have a sitter!!!) Is just stressing me out. I mean, dont get me wrong, we are fine and its beautiful here - we are staying in the condo we had rented for our vacation (ha ha) last week, but wihtout a sitter, ross working, and all thats going on, im just stressed.
sorry to vent. i missed you guys and am glad to be back online.
i'll let you know what work says and the sitter if she ever reappears.
Now matty is crying, i guess he is up from his nap.
Julie
ps - daylight savings is kicking my ass too, he is now up at 6am, how is it affecting everyone else?
-
Julie: Glad to hear that you are doing ok even though you are having a rough time of it.
I don't know about anyone else but daylight savings is just wreaking havoc on our schedule. Jordan is up at 6:30, down for a nap by 8 (because we just can't stand the fussing anymore) and then the rest of the day is messed up. He is asleep right now so I am hoping to get another hour out of it and then maybe we will be back on schedule for tomorrow. The last two days all of his naps were one sleep cycle so that didn't help either. On top of that he had his third tooth break through and there are 3 more I can see waiting in the wings on the top. I hope he gets them one after the other so we can get back to normal. If that wasn't enough, today is Halloween and I just have to take him to a few houses for his first and get some pictures. It will be a busy day but I'm sure I will forget the crankiness in a couple of days.
Hope the rest of you are doing better with the time change.
Joanne
-
Julie- I am SO glad that you are okay! That sounds so stressful and overwhelming. I'm just thankful that you three are well and that your house survived!
Daylight savings I thought would be a breeze since she had been sleeping until 8am on her own!!! the past week. I thought in my infinite wisdom that she was auto-adjusting...so she'd be getting up at 7am. But, OF COURSE, that is not what happened. She woke at 5:45 today and first nap at 7 :( and our naps are all over today...I can hear her humming upstairs so this one isn't lasting long :roll:
-
Finally, it really was a tooth! I'm not sure if it has been teething all these months b/c this came through without hardly any incident. I gave the teething tablets and motrin, and she's done great.
Daylight savings time...well, the first day I held her off to within 30 minutes of normal wake up time. She's very happy to roll around and babble in her crib in the morning; rarely cries. So, her whole day was shifted up 30 minutes, but bedtime at usuall time. However, today, the 2nd day after, she still woke early. I'm wondering if it's the terribly bright light. There is a blackout shade over her window, but light still comes through the side. I might have to do some creative reconstructing of this shade. Or else, I'll have to adjust to an earlier waking.
She's almost crawling. She gets one knee pushed forward, then turns back to sitting. She's also making an arch by pushing to stand but hands still on the ground. This is so fun, but now I see why many of you have mentioned it being emotional to watch your lo learn these things.
-
Julie - glad that you guys are okay, even though the aftermath is horrible. At least you guys have a place to stay with power and water!
So far we haven't had any problems with the daylight savings time. I kept Ethan up until 8 pm Saturday night, and then put him to bed. Sunday morning he woke at 5 am, babbled for about 15 minutes, then fell back asleep until 7! (these are the new times - not the old!). So, Sunday we were on schedule. This morning he woke up about 6:30 or 6:45 babbling to himself. So, I got up him at 7 as usual. So, so far so good!
Of course, Ethan still has a cold. The runny nose and congestion seem to be getting better, but he decided to vomit all over me twice today, right after his bottles. He keeps his solid food down though. I think what is happening is that he is eating his bottle, then he either needs to burp, or chokes a little bit on the phlegm, and up it comes.
Anyway, at this afternoon's feed, I'm going to try and do 1/2 a bottle at a time and see if it won't stay down. Other than that, he is acting completely normal! Which is why I haven't taken him to the doc - he has no fever anymore, and is just still a bit congested with a bit of a cough. I think the vomiting has more to do with that than anything else.
Well, I still have to jump in the shower so have a great rest of the day ladies! And for those of you dressing up the kiddos - have a fun Halloween!
-
Julie - glad you are ok - my mom is in Florida and they just got power back yesterday - not fun when you have a 93 year old with you (my mom had to buy her a portable colour TV and a miner's lamp so she could still keep her occupied :roll: ) They are in West Palm Beach from Oct/Nov through to May (i keep telling her to go down later in the year afetr all the hurricanes :roll: )
Heather - i am so happy you have a tooth and crawling etc wow what a week. we still have absolutely no sign of any teeth coming!!!
JulieB - you will laugh - i looked at my TBS measures and both are american made and one even says on the underside "15ml" so i have been all over theplace wih my quantities - anyway - she eats what she wants so i guess it is just life taking the pi@s out of me for checking up on how much she eats :lol: she is a fat and generally happy kid :D
Us - the past week things just were too hard - Olivia is crawling properly now and between that and the fevers i was exhausted - the crawling is totally ruining her ability to settle down to naps and she is all over the place. i have had to do pat/shh a lot and this morning was the worst - woke at 445am to practice crawling - I tried Shh/Pat until 0530 when i gave up out of exhaustion and went back to bed - she was not back to sleep until almost 6am (see post in the getting back on track forum) she wakes form naps midway crying... moving all over the cot and so upset - she just wants to sleep but her body seems to have a mind of its own - any ideas??
supposed to be going out to see Pride and Prejudice tonight but friends rescheduled for 9:15 start time which gets out at 11:20pm - how does everyone else have that much energy - and some of these people are PG or have 2-3 kids at home :shock: must be just me. Dh is telling me to go anyway as i will feel better for having been "out" - not sure.
-
Tammy - when DD had a cold she threw up after her bottles. I was told when their noses are stuffy they breath through their mouths which causes them to to take in too much air. I found burping DD more frequently until her nose cleared up seemed to do the trick.
Hope this info helps?
Sandie :D
-
Hello everyone!
We got capped so couldn't access the site for a week and a half, I've been thinking about you all. JulieG I'm so glad to see that you're alright, despite how bad the storm turned out.
Deb, I know exactly what you're going through wrt crawling all over the place and not sleeping. Luka now goes down on his back, otherwise he's up on all fours rocking. I'm sorry to hear that Liv was ill, how is she today? And how are YOU?
Tammy: I hope Ethan is feeling better and you too.
Tarri: your dog sounds very cute! free entertainment is nice hey?
Jaime: how goes the job and salary situation?
US: Thank you for the tips on Luka's sleeping. Yesterday we managed 2 naps at least, and today he's already had one nap for the day. We're still really struggling with nightwakings, but he goes down for the night much easier than before.
I just cannot figure out why he wakes. We thought it was the temperature in the bedroom, so we've sorted it out as best we can by using a fan and him sleeping in just a vest. But it makes no difference. Last night was a good night and he woke 5 times :shock: :?
Pat/shh doesn't work, he just screams till I pick him up. And then screams till I give in and feed him. I'm really at my wits end. :(
Thanks for letting me moan.
Everyone else: hope you're doing well!
-
Hello all,
Emily and I are having a rough time with the time change too. She keeps waking at 5:30am.
We had a nice halloween though.
-
Hi all,
New to this post I have been on the boards for a while but tend to just have aread of them rather than post too much. It's nice to find a post of people with babies around the same age. At least now I have asounding board !!!!
My name is Nicol I am 28 and live with my boyfriend of 11 years. We live in Basingstoke, UK. I am now back at work and really enjoying it. It's nice to have some time on my own and with adult conversation.
My little boy Connor is nearly 10 months old. He is a very spirited little one and knows his own mind. Didn't think that happened until they were much older !!!!! Connor goes to Nursery while I am at work and he loves it. He spends his days flirting with all the girls !!!!!
Will hopefully catch up with you all again soon.
Nic x
-
hi everyone,
JulieG - glad you're doing well. how can your work even THINK about working when they have no power! :evil: hope it all gets sorted out.
Heather - yay! a tooth!!!
Branwen - yes, i have to keep my job. a few too many things have happened that have made my income necessary. unfortuately dh's salary can't pay them all. :( he got a new job right before jaina was born (after having been out for about a year! due to layoffs) but it was at a pay cut compared to his last job.
Us - well the salary thing is moving slowly. part of the problem is that private schools do not have to publish or release any information to the public about their salary schedules. but we're a non-profit school that has to (in theory) show it to anyone who asks.
But! i have found out that the superintendent has asked our guidance secretary (who is also underpaid :wink: ) to be getting this type of information. guess the finance department ratted me out. he wants to go to the Board with it... to do what i don't know. not quite sure what to make of this yet.
anyhow, we're doing well. overall, daylight savings seems to be making cr@p out of luke's afternoon nap. soooo short lately! but i think the sitter has been letting him sleep longer than he should in the morning too, so i don't know.
here's some recent pix - we went to the pumpkin patch saturday & there's a couple of luke's costume too. :D
-
Asher had his 9 month check up today. 29.5 inches and 23 lbs 1 oz. :shock: I swear that must be wrong. He doesn't seem like 23 lbs. And I have a couple friends with babies that weight (maybe slightly shorter though), and Asher seems so skinny compared to them. Not that I mind, I'm just surprised. :wink:
The doctor had no comment on the spit up volume :? , though it's been surprisingly less frequent the past couple days. :D She said the stuffiness at night is because of the high pollen count here. I guess everyone has it like that and we just have to deal with it. Poor guy wakes with a heart-breaking squealing cry at least once every night before 10 pm. She also said the "flea bites" were normal and some kids have them until they're two. I talked to her about starting dairy, wheat, and eggs and she recommended waiting until 1 year for especially wheat and egg yolks (since a bit of white could remain). I'm kind of bummed, but not surprised.
We've been having awful problems with early morning wakings. I could just cry most mornings. :roll: Can't figure it out at all because it's pitch black outside. I'm ready to just give in for a while, then see if I can start working it back slowly. Kinda a "restart"?
He's also working on his 8th tooth, and hopefully last for a while! :shock: This has been one nonstop teething marathon month!
Deb: Your tablespoon saga gave me a big ole laugh!! :lol: :lol: I think you hit the nail on the head by saying:
she eats what she wants so i guess it is just life taking the pi@s out of me for checking up on how much she eats she is a fat and generally happy kid
I've pretty much came to the same conclusion myself. It's been too hard to keep track of the volume since I make his food, so I just eyeball it. If he wolfs it down, I give him a bit more the next time, if not, oh well! :wink:
Hope the crawling thing sorts itself in a bit. Not much to suggest since it seemed like Asher dealt with it pretty well. I think I just let him do his thing, then when he started yelling to me when he was finally ready to go to sleep, I'd go back in and put him "back together" and off he'd go. Transitions have always been much worse for us than the beginnings though. Sometimes the routine just has to go out the window. Hard when you have another little one though, I can imagine. I totally know what you mean about their little bodies just have to GO! I seriously wonder about "restless leg syndrome"! :shock: :wink:
And I'm with you, I'd be SO tired for anything past 10 pm! Especially since Asher starts hootin & hollerin at 5 am! But it sounds like a fun, once in a while treat, so maybe you can have a cup of coffee? :wink: I LOVE P&P! Especially with Colin Firth! Woo woo!
JulieB: Relieved to hear from you!! Glad your family is safe.
Schae: I feel your pain! I've been there myself! Hugs to you!
Hope everyone can get the daylight savings time sorted out with your little ones!! Loving all the photos! Keep them coming! I got prof photos of Asher's costume, so cute! I'll post when I get them back in another week or so.
-
I LOVE everyone's Halloween costumes!!!!! We posted our picture in the photo gallery. Leah was a skunk. She was pretty cute!!!
JulieG - Glad to hear you are OK. What a terrible ordeal.
Heather- Congrats on the tooth. I see Leah's left eye tooth is coming through now too. That would make three for us!
JulieG - We have Leah's 9 month check up on Monday. I'm guessing she'll be right around the same measurments. Will let you know. :wink:
Daylight savings time actually wasn't too bad for us. We are having early wake ups too. But I found if I feed her as soon as I hear her, I will get another hour and a half out of her. We are struggling to drop a bottle and struggling with feeding purreed foods too. Ahhh!!! That's life with a baby right?
Well, work is VERY busy so I haven't had time to check in much. November is crazy - Parent/Teacher Conferences, report cards, on and on....... SO, I may be missing for awhile. but know that I'm checking in on you and keeping up!! :D I LOVE reading everyone's posts!
-
Just real quick, time for mommy to hit the sack.
Kelsey's 9 month checkup: 19 lbs, 6.5 oz, 27 inches
She will have to have an echocardiogram because dr detected a heart murmur that had disappeared since age 4 months (?). I'm scared. :cry:
He said to keep her at 24 oz of formula, so I either need to continue with 4 6 oz bottles, or drop to 3 8 oz bottles.
Everything else okay. I found her kneeling in her crib holding onto the rails this morning. I just had to laugh. Still trying to crawl, but getting closer every day.
-
Heather, I hope Kelsey's heart check up goes okay. Is it soon? She certainly is very healthy and happy in her videos:)
JulieB, Emily woke at 5:30am. I felt like throttling her (just kidding of course) when I went into her room this morning but as soon as I turned on the light she started laughing. Eeesh...she's acting just like a baby! I have zero luck with getting her back to sleep in the early morning or after a short nap, so I just get her up slowly and start the day, otherwise I get too grumpy! I managed to hold her off till 8:45 for her morning nap so hopefully we can make it to a slightly later bedtime.
Schae, did you hear anything about your job interview?
Us, dh started a new job on Monday. So we're getting into a new routine here. It's such a relief when he gets home and plays with Emily for awhile, it perks her up just when she needs it most:)
Tarri
-
Hello everyone, we've slowed down a lot.. how come? I miss the updates from Luka's birthmonth buddies :D
I thought I'd just update you on us:
Luka is sleeping so much better. Tonight we had one (yep, ONE) nightwaking and that was due to him being hot. We still don't have a/c, but are using a good old fashioned fan. The electricity bill is going to exciting :lol: It is HOT HOT HOT here, was 36 degrees celcius (96.8 ) today, I'm very afraid of December.
On the job front... got turned down today because apparently I'm too expensive :? And this is when I ask for the bare minimum that we need in order to survive. And they wanted me to run an entire department for the salary of someone just out of highschool. So I guess it's their loss.
I'm still feeling positive though, something good HAS to happen.
I hope everyone else is doing well, please don't be so scarce. :)
Here's a pic of Luka and his latest crawling style :lol:
-
Hi everyone!
Still so jealous of everyones crawling babies!!! Eirwen is just content to roll over now. I had the ped check her "standing" at her 9 month check because she still does not stand when I hold her. She holds her hips/legs out like a L she is really strong!!! He thought it was so funny but eventually she did drop to her feet and then after a bit of crying finally put weight on her feet. He says I have to make her do it! :? I feel so mean....
Anyway she was 19lbs and 3 oz and is 30.5 inches tall :shock: :shock: Ped was stunned about her height but at least I have an explaination about why the 12 month pants I have are suddenly too short. She really hasn't gained that much weight....her buddha belly is thinning out...I think it is the height. I hope that is ok.
Ped gave horrid advice/comments about breastfeeding. I wanted to kill him. He actually stated in distain "you've never offered her formula" as if there is something wrong with me. Then he asked "well, how long do you plan to continue with that" meaning breastfeeding. Then when I questioned about the flu vacinne he started in about daycare and blah blah...I had to interrupt him and remind him that Eirwen is not in daycare. I think this guy was high or something...or he had me confused with someone else which I find really hard to believe since I've now known him for 4 years. I know that working mom's are pretty standard these days and all but I felt like such a freak...
Heather- about heart murmur. Don't worry. I had one at birth and until I was a teenager they could still hear it and then puberty hit and it went away. I was fine..I'm sure Kelsey will be too! I feel for you though I'd be a wreck, just try not to think about it too much!
Schae- you will find something! And good for you for not settling for peanuts :wink: I think you have separatio anxiety issues???
Deb & JulieB- ohhhh I have a secret lust for Colin Firth. Is that out in the states yet?
Welcome Nic!
Where is Hazel these days?
-
Yeah, I miss the updates as well! Guess everyone's staying on their toes with their busy babies! :wink:
Speaking of busy, Asher is SO busy! It's tiring at times! And he still isn't back on good naps. The afternoon nap was 45 minutes again today, after two days of 1.5 hrs. :roll: He was making great strides in his walking practice today. It's so funny! He walks like a sissy! :lol: He kind of prances and takes all of these dainty little steps, holding his hands out in front of him. I know he'll get better, but it's hilarious right now. He's walking across the room now whereas yesterday he was still only going 3-5 ft at most! And he seemed to have better control of where he wants to go today, turning and walking around objects as opposed to just going in a straight line.
I've started moving Asher's bedtime back gradually. He "slept" in longer the last two mornings, though he still woke and cried out at 5 am (then 5:20, 6:00, 6:40, and 7:15). But he quickly snoozed back to sleep as opposed to the party he has most mornings. There's hope maybe afterall!
DH has a job interview on Wed. for a job he doesn't want, but would hopefully pay better. He's also going out of town all weekend. My little sister is going to spend the night since I get nervous. :oops: I'm going to a parenting seminar by an author of a book I'm reading on Sunday. MIL is going to watch Asher for the afternoon. Should be okay...
Schae: That is hot (and I know hot!)! And no A/C?! How can you stand it?! That's worth buying a window unit or something! :wink: Luka's crawling is funny! Asher doesn't crawl much anymore and when he does, it's on one foot and one knee, like he's getting ready to pull him self up whenever he reaches his destination. Too busy for proper crawling now, I guess!!
Branwen: Can't believe your pediatrician!!! :x I would have been SO annoyed! Asher's never had formula either. Thankfully my doc fully supports me. (and you're not a freak!!) Also can't believe how tall Eirwen is!! :shock: Super model on your hands, huh? :wink: Is that measurement straight from head to heel or do they wrap it around her head to the top of her crown? Just curious since I hear doctors all do it differently (ours does straight with Asher laying down, head against wall, heel against measuring board). So did he say you should be practicing the standing with her? Or is it still early and not something to worry about?
-
Branwen, forgot to say, I'm not sure about the P&P with Kira Knightly (??) in it, but you can rent the Colin Firth P&P miniseries on DVD (netflix)!
-
hi all - olivia is sick :cry: she vomited twice (1 huge one all over living room floor and 1 follow up watery one in her exersaucer) in 30 min this afetrnoon after she got up from her 2nd nap. i took her to the docs and then realized she had been at daycare yesterday morning and they mentioned gastro was going through staff and kids and were taking precautions... obviously not enough :evil: she is not to have solids for 24 hrs and we have to see how she tolerates formula - i just gave her a bottle at 5 instead of dinner and she took 130ml (about 4 oz) and pooped within 20 min. will see how the night goes and hopefully with lots of handwashing the rest of us won't get it (i remember when alex was 9 mo and we got it from her - poor Dh was way worse than me :oops: )
we were just getting over the whole crawling messing up sleep thing and now this. today was the first day in 2 weeks that i have not had to use pat/shh at all :D yippee!!
Branwen - the P & P we saw was with Keira Knightly - i liked it but it was too late a show for me (i got to bed at 12 and then was too wired to sleep :roll: and was up for ages tossing and turning). what a tall girl you have!! olivia is a tad on the short side, especially for her tubby belly and thighs - :oops:
Schae - i hear you on the heat and no a/c. yesterday it was 33C (91F) by us - today was a little better but so muggy and then of course it poured! this time of year is so up and down we never know what we will get from day to day.
Heather - i hope everythikng is OK with the heart murmur - i know nothing about it but it sounds like it will be ok...so think positively
Julieb - i cannot believe that asher is walking. since alex crawled at 5 mo and did not walk until 14 mo it is beyond my comprehension to have a 9 mo old baby walking around the house. WOW!
at 8 mo check olivia weighed 9.5 kg (20.9 pounds) and her height is 67cm (26.37 inches) she is 90% for weight but only average for height - oops :oops:
-
Schae, that's too bad about the job. It's definately their loss. I love the picture of luka standing/crawling also his video of going up the step:) When it was hot here, I gave emily a cheesecloth blanket so that she still felt cuddled but not hot.
Branwen, your doc sounds odd to me. Everyone else is encouraging breastfeeding. Emily still only rolls from tummy to back a couple times a day and doesn't crawl. But she loves me walking her around the room, kills my back though.
Debra, hope your gastro bug ends quickly. It sounds like you have a lot of work on your hands with the pat/sh and the sickness. Hang in there:)
Us, Emily survived her first trip to the grocery store, just barely. She seems like she adjusted to the time change. We've had a 6:30 wake up two days in a row, which is my goal cause that's when dh gets up for work. She loves her toys that make sounds right now. Dh bought her a little keyboard and she always looks up and smiles at me after she hits a note.
Have a good day/night everyone:) Tarri
-
Tarri- I just have to ask- why has Emily not been to the store before? Eirwen LOVES the grocery store- all the colors and lights! I saw your video with the keyboard so fun!
JulieB- I hope you don't mind me sharing this thought but after watching some of Asher's videos I am wondering if he is a gifted child. I mean I know you won't really be able to tell too much until age 2 or such but have you thought of it? I mean I know all babies are special but some children are just truly gifted. you should watch for the signs :wink:
Deb- I'm so sorry Olivia is sick and throwing up and not sleeping. Oh gosh, in my current mental state I'm not sure I could handle it!
Today we have constipation and gas problems. Ugh...very grumpy baby and just when I need to get so much done...yes, poor poor me :lol:
-
Thanks, everyone, for the well wishes. That is very interesting to know about your heart murmur, Branwen. Kelsey's echo won't be until Dec. 9, the first available appointment.
She's crawling "properly" now, but doesn't seem concerned to do it all the time. I thought she'd be off exploring the whole house by now, but it's like she forgets that she can move now. Well, maybe that's good for me. Turns out that both bottom teeth are through, and now she has a cold. Gosh, I hope she doesn't get as sick as Olivia. Deb, I hope she gets better soon.
Happy 9 months to Leah & Kelsey!
-
hi ladies,
thank goodness it's the weekend!!! :D this week has just seemed sooo long!
branwen - :shock: your doctor actually SAID that! what a jerk! i think you're doing a fantastic job for sticking with bf for so long. we can be no-crawling buddies - luke's still sitting in one place. though he is just starting to wiggle his bum a lot - gets him about an inch ahead! :lol:
schae - too bad about the job. but that must mean there's something even better waiting for you. hope you find it soon! love the pic of luka - that is too funny! :D
heather - hope everything works out okay.... i think the waiting is the worst part.
debra - yikes! hope the rest of you stay healthy.
us - had luke's check up yesterday - 29.5 inches, 20 lbs, 14 inches. (julieb - he definitely feels that heavy!!! :wink: )
i'm not looking forward to next week. dh leaves for a trip to san francisco early sunday morning and won't be back till late friday night. 2 kids by myself all week! :shock: i don't know how some moms do it even more often... oh well, we shall survive on popcorn for dinner and the house will just have to stay messy! :lol:
-
Oh- question-
:?: which of you, and why and how are you, if you are, :lol: doing the whole beginning potty training thing for 9 monhts?
-
:?: which of you, and why and how are you, if you are, :lol: doing the whole beginning potty training thing for 9 monhts?
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
not us. i'm trying to get my 2.5 yr old potty trained!!! and as nice as it would be to not have to buy any more diapers, i just don't see it happening here. :wink:
hats off and good luck to you if you are trying! *personally*, i just don't think it's possible - i think the parents are more trained, kwim? and yes, i suppose you can help them make the association, but... well, i guess that's a whole other debate!!! :D
-
ditto - we are trying to gear up to train alex as the weather warms up. i too think early training is a bit out there.... even at 2 alex does not "get" the whole "i have to pee" thing. her awareness is just starting to pick up.
-
Branwen: Thanks for the thought and the compliment! But I really don't think Asher is gifted. :wink: Though he may seem advanced in gross motor skills, he's very average (or even a bit behind) in other skills. I know Einstein didn't talk until he was 3, so who knows, but I'm not holding my breath! :lol: I really think it is his personality (the spirited in him!). He's SO much like my DH! I call him "wiggly giggly." I honestly think that's why he was so ornry the first few months, he was so frustrated with being stationary! :lol:
Re: Potty-training...I honestly thought we'd do the training around 2-3 years until I read that section of the book. It sounds logical in theory. My mother (and grandmother) trained me & my brother early. That's what they did back then. Other countries still do it early as well. I do notice Asher has a somewhat predictable schedule, so I think it's possible. DH is intrigued as well. But we both think it would be much easier after the craziness of the holidays and his first birthday, and if he were walking and communicating better. So we may try after he turns 1. I also hope to teach him the sign for potty (and that he learns to sign back). Right now the signing isn't going as well as I had hoped.
Heather: Asher had a slight murmur at birth. They made such a big deal out of it at the hospital. But after a couple days, you could barely hear it. I thought they said it can take up to two years for those newborn spots to close and it's still considered normal. I hope it turns out to be something minimal!
:?: For those going into winter (or those who came out of winter), what are dressing your babies in at night and during naps? I'm having a hard time. It was 70 last night and Asher was in thin cotton long-sleeved PJs with socks and the thin cotton sleep sack (no sleeves on that). His arms seemed cold this morning. At naps, I just put the sleep sack on over his clothes, but he's often wearing short sleeves. He won't leave a blanket on. Do you change your babies for naps? ARGH! I hate changing clothes all the time! I'm not sure if I should have him in something long-sleeved and warmer.
-
Hi all!
Julieb - well, it's been relatively cool here at night for the past few weeks. I've been dressing Ethan in long-sleeve footed pajamas at night, and he's been totally fine. I forget what we have the thermostat set for at night, but I think it's around 66 degrees (that would be the setting for the heat to come on - if it gets colder than that). For naps, yes, I've sort of been changing him, even though it's a total pain. Basically, I leave him in his pj's until after his morning nap. We usually don't go anywhere before that, so I just let him crawl around in his pj's. Then after his am nap, I'll change him into something temp. appropriate. Lately, for naps, I've been taking off whatever pants he has on, and putting him in little sweats or sweat-like pants. Or he wears the sweats during the day, and then I don't have to change him. I can't put him down wearing his corduroys or whatever. I mean, I wouldn't be comfortable trying to sleep in them! :) Of course, dh got up with Ethan this morning, so I got to sleep in, and when I went to get him up from his am nap, he had his overalls on! I couldn't believe he put him down in that. Men. :? :roll:
Branwen - I totally don't get the early potty training thing. I just think 9 months is too young. I can't even imagine trying to do that with Ethan. I think it's training yourself more than anything. I mean, you can train early, but 9 months? No way in my book. I also heard a medical doctor they interviewed on tv about it say that it's actually physically hard on them to try and sit on a potty, something about their pelvic bones. I forget what he said exactly, so I may be completely wrong. Anyway, I do remember all of the moms that I saw on this special about it saying that their kids weren't completely trained until around 2 or so. So, I really don't want to be potty training for over a year! If you're going to go for it though - good luck! I seriously wish you the best in trying!
Oh yeah, and your ped questioning you about breastfeeding? What's the deal with that? :? I personally had issues breastfeeding, so had to go to formula, and I was so paranoid that my ped was going to come down on me for doing that, cause everyone is so pro-b/f. But she is pretty ok with whatever your choice as a mom is (I know that now). Anyway, bizarre reaction. Is it a male thing? Or just a stupid thing? :roll: :wink:
Schae - I'm sorry it's been so hot there lately! I could not deal without a/c. I mean, we're in texas, and have 100 degree days here all summer long, but I have a/c! I couldn't live without it! Although I did do my share of sweating this summer walking Ethan around in the late afternoon because he was so cranky! Sorry about the job - let's hope that there is something so great just around the corner, and you can't see it yet!
Heather - I am praying that everything is okay with the heart murmur thing. I know a lot of people that had one, so let's hope that it's no big deal. I know it's super stressful to worry about your kiddo's health though, especially when there's nothing you can do about it.
Deb - sorry that you guys are having a round of a bug. That really stinks, and I hope no one else catches it in your house!
Us - well, Ethan STILL has this stinking cold. We're in the coughing stage now, but he still has a runny nose at times. It's been a solid week and a half, and I'm ready for it to be gone already! Ethan gave it to me, so I've been battling with it, and am to the coughing and almost completely hoarse stage. I sound like a serial smoker! :shock: :wink: Nothing new with Ethan right now. His favorite thing is to pull up onto stuff, but he has to have a toy in his hand, so he can chew on it while he's standing against something. And if the toy falls, or falls to the back of the couch where he can't get it, he starts crying. So I have to get it for him. He's very cranky between 6 and 7 now. That was when we used to go for an evening walk, but now it gets dark at 5:45 or so, so we have to go earlier, which means we're back in the house at the dreaded hour. I'm sure we'll get a new routine going somewhere, but right now, it's hard!
Well, hope everyone has a fun weekend!
-
Totally had a bad mommy moment tonight. :oops: :cry:
Asher wakes crying at least once, often more, before 10 or 11 pm every night. It's kinda how Tammy describes with Ethan. Usually we can settle him down within a few minutes and he's back to sleep as if nothing happened. We've never been able to figure out why or how??
Well, tonight it was bad and I couldn't get Asher to settle down. It's probably because of my stress lately. I've had a bad week, fought with DH earlier, and have been bearing the brunt of EVERYTHING this past week. My doing, I know, I got an "I don't need you and I'll just do it myself" attitude every since the fight. To top it off, I'm by myself for the weekend while DH is out of town. So I got increasingly frustrated (mainly at myself and my inability to solve the problem), started patting him harder than usual and just couldn't keep myself calm. So I just turned on the light, put him in the crib (practically tossed him in the crib) and left the room. :oops: I returned within a couple minutes, but he was just sitting in the middle of the crib, screaming still, all red and blotchy, nose running, puffy eyes. Poor guy, he's so tired and he doesn't know why he keeps waking up either.
Well, I got him all calmed down and back to bed, though he woke a few more times since. I was much more patient though, just looking at him falling asleep in my arms as I rocked and sang. Poor guy.
I think I need to go to counseling. I don't want to feel like this anymore.
Thanks for letting me vent. Going to bed now! Tomorrow will be better!
-
julieb - (((((HUGS)))))
i know that feeling all too well :oops: :cry: probably a good thing that you did leave the room for a couple minutes, before you did anything too crazy.
hope you feel lots better today.
branwen - forgot to mention before - there's a sticky in the potty training forum for an early potty training support group - there are lots of moms who are currently giving it a go
-
Julie- we are here for you! Your message made me so weepy. You are a wonderful mother. It sounds like you're under a lot of stress- dh no job, gone, etc. I'm all for counselling...just to bounce stuff off of someone else. Did you bring up the night wakings to Asher's ped? Any ideas there? Do they just think it is developmental? Let us know what we can do for you! HUGS!
-
Thought I would quickly post just to let you know we survived our week away with parents and inlaws! In fact we had lots of fun too. I haven't really got time to write much here but I will find time hopefully tomorrow. I have just about caught up with everyone. Daylight savings hit us BAD. He decided to continue waking up at about 4.30am the first few nights :shock: But he is back to about 6am now which is just fine.
Somone asked where we were going on holiday before I went away and I never got round to replying. We stayed in a tiny village called Littlebeck near Whitby (on the North East coast of UK) Considering it was Nov we had great weather. Couple of wet days but mostly dry and fine.
Will write more later
Julieb - You are a fantastic mum. Don't let yourself think anything else! You are an inspiration to many people. Praying for you.
-
Oh Julie. {{{{HUGS}}}} to you. I've had those moments too, and it's best to just put them down and leave for a couple of minutes. We love our guys, but everything together can sometimes be a tad too much to deal with! Especially with adding dh to the mix. I have those moments too - dh works out of town most of the week, and is home Fri - Sun. So I suppose I may expect a little too much "help" on those days, and when I don't get it, I get irritated. That would be a long rant to get into! :roll: :wink:
I got irritated at Ethan yesterday because I was feeding him dinner, and he somehow managed to kick the jar of baby food (luckily none came out), and throw the spoon with food on it on the floor, hitting me, him, his chair, my chair... I had to take a deep breath, cause I was seriously annoyed to say the least.
So, you're not a bad mom, you're just having a moment...
Counseling might be good for you though, just to have someone to talk to and listen to you!
Chin up! :)
-
Branwen: I cannot believe your paed! :evil: You'd think that doctors keep up to date with the latest in medical information, for instance what the WHO says???So what is 30.5inches in centimetres? :oops: I'm guessing Eirwen is really tall though, gorgeous too so I must agree with the 'supermodel' comment :wink:
Julieb: I LOVE the way Asher walks. It's sooo cute! I'm not too sure whether to say 'good luck' on the interview for your dh.. I hope you guys get what you want :) BIG HUGS about the bad day you had. We aren't saints and certainly don't always have the patience of them. It is VERY frustrating when our bubs are unsettled. I SO understand the frustration at the nightwakings. We have the same thing, also about an hour after he's been put down for the night and every hour after that. This too shall pass it's my mantra :lol:
Deb: Poor Olivia! Gastro sucks big time, I really hope it doesn't spread and she gets better soon. Did she eat at all today?
The weather is the same here (no wonder there are so many South African's in Aus!). It was so hot this morning then it poured, then hail and now it's hot again.
Tarri: So, do YOU like the toys that make a noise? :lol: Luka has one toy that 'sings' and I must say it has reached and passed it's expiry date. I've had more than enough of it!
Jaime: Good luck for next week all by your lonesome.
Early Potty Training: Isn't that just 'elimination communication'? Personally, I won't be starting full on PT at 9 months, but from around January I'll intro Luka to the potty. I'm hoping to begin 'real' PT from around 18 months in the view of having him fully PT by the age of 2. That's how my mom did it with my sister and I, and I'm going to see if I can do the same. It's also quite prevalent in the rural areas of South Africa to PT very early.
When it was winter here, I dressed Luka in a long sleeved onsie vest and a babygrow with long sleeves and feet. But we don't have central heating here either. :?
Tammy: I hope Ethan feels better soon! That's a long time to be ill, poor munchkin. What meds are you using? As soon as I feel a cold coming on (in me though) I dose myself up with Tissue Salts and that normally heads the cold off. Apparently you can use them with babies too...
Us: Nothing much, just wanted to respond to you ladies :D
-
Branwen - I was re-reading the post where I responded to you about early potty training, and I totally didn't mean to come across so down on it and mean. I totally apologize if you and anyone else read my message that way, that really wasn't my intention! :oops: And it's totally your prerogative to try it early! And I promise I'm not thinking bad things about you if you do!
Anyway, that's all I wanted to add. Have a good weekend ladies!
-
Branwen, Emily's been to lots of stores, just not the grocery store because she gets overstimulated and overtired and it takes me a long time to do the groceries, dh usually baby sits. Oh, and Emily kind of starting to do the bum lift thing like in Eirwen's video. As for potty training, I'm going to start once I think Emily can sit on her own on a potty chair. It's going to be a few more months for her, I think.
JulieB, At night I put emily in a diaper shirt, pj's, thin flannel sleep sack and throw a double layer flannel blanket over top. Then after the df I add a fleece blanket over that. I've got the thermostat programmed for 23C at night and one hour of 24C in the early morning and that seems to keep her toasty. For naps, I just put her down in what she's wearing and the double flannel blanket. She's always wearing long sleeves though otherwise she'd scratch her arms to bits cause of the eczema.
JulieB, you're a great mom cause you did exactly what you should do, by putting him down and leaving the room for a few minutes! I hope your dh hurries up and makes ammends. I hate it when dh has to leave when a disagreement hasn't been settled. Why don't you get one of those family members near by to babysit and you go see a movie? Also, I think counseling is always a good idea, sometimes it's just a relief to have someone to talk to and have them listen. As for the waking, Emily also wakes around 10:00 but never cries out, could you try to leave Ethan a little bit longer before going into his room? Or maybe he's cold? (add a layer of clothing) Stuffy nose? (add saline drops before bed) Constipation? (more prunes) Just trying to help brainstorm a solution:)
Schae, so far so good with the musical toys. I think cause she doesn't have the attention span to play with them continuously, she always flip flops between the music ones and one she can chew:) What are Tissue salts?
Deb, is Olivia any better? I hope no one else got it.
Us, not too much new. I bought some more clothes for Emily since dh is getting in his first pay check next week. Also, I think me walking Emily around the room is strengthening her back cause she seems to wiggle around a bit more during tummy time. Her excema on her hands and face is getting pretty bad. She scratches her hands/wrists in her sleep and she has all these little scabs on them. She doesn't scratch her face, but she's got a real red spot on one cheek, the same side as she sucks her thumb. I tried the prescription cortisone cream and it helps for like 2 days then it's just as bad as before. So I stopped using it and keep putting vaseline and calendula cream on all day. But I'm starting to wonder if she'll get a scar or something their if I can't get rid of the redness. Hmmm. Maybe we need another visit to the dermatologist.
Good night/day everyone?
-
ok - as my mom said to me this morning "it's a shi@ty job" ugh! as is normal with gastro, after the first stage of vomiting, we had diarreah 5 times yesterday and then after having had no food from Fri lunch time until this mornign (Sunday) we gave her 3 spoons of apple and a few bits of bread and diluted formula for feeds = had the worst bout of diarreah yet - it was insane!! she is so clingy at times although that is improving a little- i think it is great that she is in good spirits but most of the time if we leave her sight the sep anxiety is hard and she screams and cries for us to return (EVEN IF WE ARE JUST GRABBING SOMETHING 2 FT AWAY). so far no one else is ill, but olivia is not supposed to be around others until no diar. for 24 hrs :roll:
Julieb - hugs to you - you had a bad MOMENT but did the right thing. as you said, you were stressed and sometimes all it takes is bad timing and you just cannot take that little bit more pressure - the pressure is too much and pow - explosion! leaving the room and deep breaths are the safe and correct response so that is a good mommy moment!!! feel free to PM me anytime, but a counselor woudl be a good help i bet.
Schae - i forgot to tell you sorry about the job, but you were right to stick by your worth. it is terrible what some people think you will work for these days.
Tarri - Emily's eczema sounds painful - i hope she is not suffering. both of my girls have inherited extremely dry skin from my grandmother and mother (i got dad's oilier skin) and are covered on extremities (not chest and minimal on face) with a rash that does not go away no matter how much cream i put on - alex started it at 5 mo and Liv around the same. people comment on it but i just hope it gets better - my mom had it until she was around 7 :shock: and kids can be so mean these days i worry about their self esteem.
-
Sorry for my delay in posting, but big HUGS to you, Julieb! You are not alone in this. We are here for support and listening, but a couselor is a great idea. Sometimes it's just so great to verbalize your feelings to a neutral party. You did the right thing. As I've said before, this is the toughest job on earth. God gives us children to make us stonger. The kiddos aren't the only ones learning and developing, we are, too.
Definitely call in some help and get out of the house for a few hours.
-
Thanks everyone for all of your kind words! You fellow BW mommies are just wonderful to have around! :D
Today went better, emotionally, at least. Despite the rough night, Asher still made his 5:00 am wake up call, but fell back asleep till 5:40, then 6:00, 6:40, and 7:20. That's okay. Tried a new experiement on his naps today. I put him down for the morning nap 15 minutes later and only let him sleep for 1:15 hr. Then I gave him a bath before the afternoon nap to make him all warm, cozy, and SLEEPY, and crossed my fingers! He cried out at 1 hour, but went right back to sleep until I woke him up after 1:40 hrs! Woohoo! Could be because of the rough night, but I'm optimistic. My mom came over and hung out with us this evening so that was a nice distraction since we had to miss my friend's 1 yo's birthday party (the birthday girl had a recent stomach bug and I didn't want to risk it). Tomorrow I'm going to a parenting seminar ( :lol: ironic, I know), so that will be a nice break for me.
I had an ephipany last night. I really need to loose weight. All of these issues and stress all go back to the root of being overweight (overweight=low self-esteem=don't love myself so how can I properly love DH or let him love me, etc, etc). The motivation to start is SO hard for me. And what's even harder, ever since I gave birth, I have the worst sweet tooth I have ever known! And it just hasn't stopped (and has now turned into emotional eating). Oi! :roll:
Eczema/rashes: I'm sure you all have already tried all of this, but do you think it's related to any allergies? From soaps to clothes to foods? Tarri, have you seen any different calendula creams/ointments/gels/lotions? I swear the gel works better than the lotion. I keep putting it to the test and the gel works better on Asher's diaper rashes. The dosages are different on the labels. Oh, and what about dietary supplements? Omega 3 fatty acids I think are supposed to help? I'll have to look in my book again.
-
just a quick one to say "it got me" - after suffering for 5 hours with an insane level of nausea :evil: i finally vomited and accept that i have got her gastro bug (it is very hard not to with such a highly contagious bug and being the primary person changing all the nappies and vomit clean up - and i was being so careful about washing thoroughly...)
Dh has said he will sleep in spare room tonight and take the monitor with him. i will just have to trust that he will hear the girls if needed. I have told him that if i am feeling bad in the morning he has got to call in and take the day off as i cannot take care of sick me, sick olivia and keep "healthy alex" healthy and happy :!:
feels like it has been a very hard few weeks and i am ready for an upswing!!
-
Julieb, I hear ya on the lose weight thing. But I too have little will power to stick it out on a diet. One thing I've been trying to do is drink water instead of juice. It certainly doesn't help having all those halloween candies around... I haven't tried the gel yet, I'm going to have to order it over the internet.
-
Us - The last couple of days Daniel has started doing this body rocking thing which is soooo funny. He does it mostly when he's sitting and it basically just consists of him rocking around on his hips. Looks so cute. Not sure what he's doing. I guess it could just be that he's realising he can move his body as well as arms and legs! He squirms around a whole lot more now when he's on his tummy as well. Maybe crawling isn't too far off now. I'd better prepare myself.
Sleeping is going well again. I have no idea what all the nightwakings were for a couple of weeks back. He just gradually stopped it and now occasionally wakes once or maybe twice with a cry but nothing much more. I think it's a case of just enjoy it whilst it lasts. His next tooth will not be far away I don't think :?
Julieb - I'm so glad you had a better day yesterday. I can so sympathise with you on the whole 'I don't need you I'll just do it myself' thing with dh! Since having Daniel I've realised just how much of a control freak I am :oops: I'm really having to learn to let dh do things his own way with daniel. He doesn't always have to just do it the way I tell him. He is as much Daniel's parent as me. But it is so hard to let go of stuff. I hope the parenting seminar was good. Who was it run by? We are hoping to find a good one to go to. I think it'd be really useful. Let us know what 'gems' they shared with you!
As for the losing weight thing goes, well today was the first day of my new diet!! And actually it's gone ok. This past week I've been feeling really fat and horrible. None of my clothes are comfy anymore and I just decided enough is enough. So I'm dieting. I lost most of my pregnancy weight quite quickly but over the last few months it's just all gone back on again :x So it's time to take action. Maybe we can all encourage each other in this.
Debra - I really hope you feel better soon. You poor thing. I hope dh does take the day off to help you out. And I hope Alex does manage to stay 'happy and healthy'.
-
alex is sick too - found her covered in vomit in her cot this morning - whole family off to the doctor at 11am. Dh taking day off but he needs a note from the doctor to get sick leave to care for us all :roll: at least he got a solid night sleep in the spare room. i slept 930 - 1:30 and then off and on until morning :evil:
-
Debra - yuck!! hope you all get well really quickly. and that your dh doesn't get it too.
I am definitely needing to be part of the lose weight club! got about 25lbs (a little over 11kg) to go myself!!
-
HI all:
first, hugs to Julie, and glad you are feeling abit better. thanks for support to all. and feel better to those Mommys who are sick and have sick lo's.
We got back from the west coast of florida on Saturday to NO POWER. we are part of 140,000 left without. to top it off, it got warm here - it wasnt so bad right after the storm cause it was in the 60's and 70's. but now its hot, mid 80s in the day :cry:
I was going to stay on the west coast but my agency decided to schedule a double training for tomorrow and tuesday because we missed one day last week. I was so upset we had to come back as its very tough to stay in a hot house and take care of a baby without electricity.
we have a generator and that is how Im writing to you guys. Fortunately you can get gas now. But we have no hot water. A neighbor filled up some gallon jugs for us with very hot water so I was able to give Matty a bath tonight by mixing this with our cold water. I on the other hand am bracing myself for my cold shower when I get done with this post.
we still have poles down in our neighborhood and so much of the foliage from Fort Lauderdale is gone. They are finally opening school after two weeks of no school and they cancelled halloween this year for all of fort lauderdale because it was too dangerous with so much power still out. We were all so dissapointed. its a big deal in my neighborhood and our first year with our child so we were really looking forward to it. I didnt get a chance to dress Matty up in the Tigger costume I had for him.
Anyway, I am so hoping power goes up soon! I was sooooooooo bummed out yesterday and this morning to be home, wishing we could have stayed where we were, but Im better now.
I just dont get these agencies scheduling trainings within two weeks of a level 3 hurricane, when so many people still dont have power.
okay, done venting.
sorry I cant give more feedback to everyone, just trying to get through right now.
Julie
-
Julie - I'm so sorry you guys are having to go through all of that! It's bad enough to have to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane, with no water, electricity, etc. But then to have to try to juggle work in with all that? I know it's work, but how do they expect their employees to cope when their basic needs aren't even functioning yet? Geez. I'm so sorry you guys had to miss Halloween. Maybe in a week or two (after some of the craziness dies down), someone on your block could host a late halloween costume party, and all the kids could wear their costumes and get candy and such. At least it would make it up to them a little bit - and they could wear their costumes!
Debra - I'm so sorry you guys all have the same bug! That really stinks big time. Here's hoping your dh can take a couple of days off to help you with the girls (and so you can get some rest too!).
Us - Can I join the "I need to lose weight" club? If I'm really truthful with myself, I need to lose about 15 lbs. That doesn't sound like much, but why is it so completely hard? I have about zero willpower to stick to a diet. My whole life I never had to deal with weight issues. Then right after I got married I started some meds that made me gain weight - like 20 lbs! I've never been able to work it off. I got off those meds, and gained a normal 35 lbs. during pregnancy. Most of that came off, but now I need to get those stubborn 15 lbs. remaining from before! With dh traveling during the week, I need to just start eating cereal or something for dinner every night.
Ethan is still sick. Driving me crazy that he's still coughing and a bit congested. If this doesn't clear up by mid-week, I'm taking him to the doctor. By that point, it will have been over 2 weeks since he got sick. That's crazy. And he's decided to get up at 6 am now. I don't know why, but I wish he would go back to his 7 am wake up! Usually I'll just let him talk to himself for a while, but this morning he woke up crying. I think because he was congested. :(
Hang in there everyone!
-
Hi Everyone! :D
Deb- SO sorry to hear about everyone being sick. :( Take it easy and try to let DH take care of everything!
Branwen- Do you like your doctor? If not, I would consider going elsewhere. Your post made me fume!!!!!
Tarri- Leah has a rock and play piano by Fisher price. We took the seat off and she can play it sitting on the floor. She loves to pound on it too!
Jaime- How's it going with DH being gone?
Julieb - Leah wears fuzzy jamies and a cotton halo sleep sack to bed. Our house is 68-69 degrees F at night. Hugs to you! You are a wonderful mommy!!!! I have had momments like that too. Good luck with the weight loss. You're right, that should make you feel better.
Tammy - Leah had the same cold for three weeks!!!!! :shock: We are finally getting over it. I thought he nose was going to run forever!
Julie - HUGS to you!!!!!!! What a horrible ordeal to go through. Amazing the things Hurricanes can do. I hope things start to shape up. Vent all you need. We're here for you! :D
US: Leah has her 9 month check up tonight. Will let you know her stats. My guess? 22 pounds and 30 inches long. This is going to be fun to see how correct I am!!!! BTW, I have not measured or weighed her since her 6 month check up. Things are going well here. Very busy at school. I have three evening meetings/events this week. So for three days I will not see Leah before she goes to bed. :cry: That makes me sad....
-
Well, we've suffered our first major injury. Kelsey fell face first into a toy and split her lip, requiring 3 stiches. Bless her heart, she was so good at the ER considering she had been up since noon (didn't take her afternoon nap), and we were there until 11:30 pm. Oh, Branwen, I was thinking of you and what you went through with Eirwen hitting her face. It was such a terrible experience. I just wanted to erase the day and start over. It just goes to show us what can happen even with both parents right at her side. We were putting together a new toy table and she was right in the mix with us, eager to play.
Luckily, she's doing well today. Her cold bothers her more I think. But just how am I supposed to keep stiches on the mouth dry? The doc had a since of "I know, I know, impossible," but said to do the best I can.
Everyone stay safe!
-
Oh you poor thing. I am so sorry to hear about Kelsey's accident. Glad that she's doing ok though. Lets hope the cold goes very soon. And all the best on trying to keep her lip dry :? .
Take care.
-
Deb, hope your family is feeling better by now. How's Liv?
JulieG, hope you're hanging in there!
Tammy, I keep hearing about these super-viruses we have now and that colds now last longer than they have in years past! :shock:
Heather, :shock: :shock: how scarey! What a long day! How long do the stitches need to stay in??
Hazel, the seminar was by an author, Tim Kimmel. He's a born-again christian. I'm reading one of his books, Grace-Based Parenting, in my bible study right now (such a good book, I SO wish my parents had read it). The seminar was great, though it was largely focused on christian parenting, here's one non-religious nugget that made an impression on me that I'll share here: He was talking about our hurried lives and kids growing up so fast (cites teens are often rebellious because they didn't have a proper childhood). Mentioned the whole pre-school phenomenon and pressure our society places on education. He said the brain releases an enzyme that gives it the ability to learn to read and do math, but this doesn't happen until 5-7 years old. It's possible to learn these things early, but not without placing stress on the brain. And studies show that by 4th grade, all these kids are even again (both those who learned early and those who learned later). He said these first 5 years we should be concentrating on building a strong foundation and bond with them (both emotional and spiritual), stressing imagination and play, letting kids be kids and not have to worry about the grown up stuff yet. I've always thought this myself (never understood the point of preschool except when needed as daycare for working parents), but never had anyone validate it before. Very interesting to me.
Me, DH is back and we talked, which is good. Not so sure how to go about the weight loss just yet. :roll:
-
Heather I am glad Kelsey is allright - how scary!! shows that they can be "troopers" when necessary and can get through a hard time.
Julieb - thanks for sharing that info. everyone here has asked me a million times what schools i have alex down for and to be honest i have not doen it yet. partly - i cannot belive how much preschool costs and when i am not adding any income it looks like it will be a bit of a financial burden so not sure if shoudl do it at 3 or wait til 4 years old. also, we don't know wheere we will be in a year and a bit so i could put her name down here and then we move :roll: I have said that if it comes down to it i will homeschool for preschool as i can do activities for alex that Liv can benefit from but without any stress... we will see - still not sure. i see the social benefits though as alex loves when she goes to care 1-2 mornings a week (the structire, other kids, activities, etc excite her)
us - Dh is now succumbing to the illness. i am in the achey muscles and joints phase, Dh and Alex have low fever and Dh has aches and pains and upset stomach. Liv is taking bottles but whenever we try to reintroduce solids (some toast/banana/apple BRAT diet) she ends up with diarreah or small vomit :cry: she is at least sleeping ok. we are just chilling out with DVDs and resting and trying to get everyone to drink water when we remember.
-
Sounds like a lot of rough times on this thread.
I'd like to jump in on the preschool/home foundation conversation. I liked what you shared, Julie. I might check out that book. I've always thought preschool would be good, but not necessarily necessary. I do feel, though, that some sort of structured child care or educational center will benefit Kelsey in preparing for the socialization skills needed when she enters school. I worry that by me being a SAHM, and her world revolving around me, that she won't get the benefit of playing with children/sharing/finding independence outside of mom. It's just a factor of our situation, neither good nor bad. Therefore, I will probably look into a Mother's Day Out program as it is called her, when she's around 2-3 yrs old. Yet I totally agree that a good moral and social foundation comes from home, and I don't want to push my child past her childhood either. She's got a whole life ahead of her to learn and work, so I'll let my child be a child while she can.
Get well wishes to all that are ill.
-
Tarri: I hope you find something for Emily's ecxema. Poor baby.
Tissue salts - Dr Schuessler identified 12 vital mineral - or tissue - salts essential for normal body function at a cellular level. He determined that imbalance in one or more of these salts led to specific health problems and diseases, but that balance could be restored by taking the necessary mineral element. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/complementary_medicine/remedies_tissue.shtml
I use them whenever I feel a cold or cough coming on and I've been sick once this entire year. Also safe for use on babies.
Deb: I hope that today you are all feeling better. How did the doctor's appointment go?
Heather: I'm sorry! Poor Kelsey! It must've been very scary.
JulieG: How long do they think you'll be out of power? I can't imagine how hard it must be to be in that kind of a situation. And I hope that you can have a belated Halloween party, then please share pics of Matty in his costume.
-
So being a teacher of 5-8 year olds I guess I better put in my few words about early learning. There are children that benefit from preschool, but these are usually children who don't get the strong foundation and bond (both emotional and spiritual) at home. In the United States there has been a HUGE change in what Kindergarteners (5-6 year olds) are suppose to know when they get to school. We used to learn our letters and sounds in Kindergarten and now when a child comes to school they are expected to know these things and it isn't that odd if the child knows how to read. If they don't, they receive special services in reading (me!). I'm not saying I agree with this, becuase I don't. I think society is putting too much pressure on young children.
OK, OK I could go on and on, but who wants to listen!?!?! :D
Heather - SO SORRY about Kelsey. How scary!?!?!! I hope she is doing better.
Will post more later!
-
I almost forgot! We had Leah's nine month check up last night. She is 21.3 pounds and 31 inches long. :shock: She is in the 90th percentile for weight and off the charts for height. :shock:
-
Daniel slept until 6.45 this morning :D :shock: It was the first night that we put him in a vest first underneath his pyjamas. So now I'm convinced that that is what made him sleep in :lol: I'm sure it's just coincidence but I can assure I'll definitely put him in a vest again tonight!
Juieb - thanks for sharing that little nugget from the seminar. Sounds like it was useful. I may well buy that book on amazon. I recently read a parenting book by a Christian author called Rob Parsons. The book is called 'The sixty minute mother' and is a short book (did take me slightly longer than 60 mins though!). Is well worth a read though. Made me cry in places and also inspired me in manyways. He's also written a number of other parenting books (60 minute father is one of them - also good).
I started my diet on Sunday. It's still going ok. I'm somehow finding the ability to be quite self controlled so far :shock: Not sure how long it'll last but here's hoping!
Debra - you poor things :( :( Get well soon.
Christine - wow- 31 inches?!? Another supermodel in the making, along with Eirwen! Makes Daniel seem like a short dumpy thing :lol:
-
Hi everyone!
Tarri- Poor Emily. Here's my thoughts because of Eirwen:
Have you tried any of the Gentle Naturals products for Eczema. AFter trying Mustela, California Baby, Aquafor (so allergic to this stuff), Johnson's, Aveeno, etc it seems the Gentle Naturals work for Eirwen. They have Calendula in them but also other ingredients.
Have you tried a humidifier? That is getting hooked up probably next week for Eirwen. Last Jan it really helped with Eirwen's problems.
I have read bad bad things about the coritzone thinning the skin so I've stopped using it on Eirwen. I know you might have no choice if it is so bad. Do you bathe everyday? Cutting down might be good. Eirwen gets a bath every day but its only every other day that we use soaps on her.
The other thing is dairy. Does Emily eat any dairy yet?
Deb- oh that bug you all have sounds like a nightmare! Truly sorry...I hope you all get better...hang in there!
Christine- our tall girls! So cute! Everyone thinks Eirwen is 18 months...it's starting to embarrass me slightly but then I get happy- she is healthy!!!
Preschool Topic- I am struggling with this. I have read that kids who do not attend preschool are behind going into kindergarten- socially and academically. But I COMPLETELY AGREE with the amount of pressure put on kids these days and how insane it is. I heard something that the amount of homework has doubled since I was in school for elementary. years ago I think I also saw some Dateline special about the backpacks...and the heavy books they have to carry around destroying those little vertebre :cry: It is so sad... I just don't know how I can "compromise". One thought was to join a preschool homeschooling group or mommy group so Eirwen gets the social stuff and learning stuff, learns to share and play with other children but not have to be in the preschool environment. I don't know...AHHHH!!!
Weight Topic- I am in the opposite position as my doc is concerned that I can't stop loosing. He says there's not much we can do unless I quit breastfeeding. :( More of this guys odd advice. Anyway, my SIL had a lot of success with LA Weightloss and also joined Ediets.com. You guys should check it out! When I was larger in the past I switched to eating small meals all day long instead of 3 main meals. That seemed to help me loose it.
Hazel- Eirwen does the bum rocking thing too while sitting. It is really cute- and she does it esp to music.
Heather- Poor Kelsey! Oh my gosh! I so know how that is! They just go and you can't stop them! She sounds like a trooper though! You too! I'd be such a wreck.
US- We're doing pretty good. I can see the white spot for her upper tooth :shock: We're off to Colorado here pretty soon. We found a place there. We're just going for it...the house in under contract but it is an odd situation. It's just I'm honestly too depressed. I'm in freindship hell...and I just want to breathe the clean CO air in time for Christmas!
:D
-
Tim Kimmel's website is http://www.familymatters.net if you're interested. Grace-Based Parenting is just one of his many parenting books. The seminar skimmed over all of them. But Grace-Based focuses on building the strong foundation, moral values as well as a trusting relationship. On his website, he has a "daycare calculator" in which you can input your financial information to determine if it's really cost effective for your family. He mentioned how we actually work for free Jan-May because all of that money goes to the governement (taxes, etc). Very eye-opening to me. I realize many moms work by choice and like the intellectual and social stimulation, but for me, it was validating.
On the preschool thing, he cited some books by David Elkind that I may also check out (The Hurried Child, Miseducation, All Grown Up & No Place to Go). He talked about the money poured into the early education industry and pressure placed on parents, making them feel they are doing a dis-service to their children if they don't buy into all these things. He showed a preschool center ad from Texas called Creme de la Creme that advertised your child would be the Creme de la Creme for attending there, as they noted all of their award-winning educational programs. Everyone one places a huge importance on getting into the right school (with wating lists years long) so they can get into a prestegious college so they can get a successful job that pays a lot of money. But there are plenty of successful people that went to the community college making lots of money. And there are wonderful, noble professions that do not make a lot of money, like social workers, police, and teachers. Parents want their children to be successful but define that by money, beauty, power and fame. (Warning: religious comments to follow) As Christians, none of these goals are Biblical, yet we still pursue them. Instead, true greatness should be defined by humility, gratefulness, generosity, and a servant's spirit, according to the Bible. I felt like he hit it right on the head!
Anyway, many of you noted concerns about the social aspects of preschool and I'm right there with you. But I figure we have other avenues available (and I will make sure we do) for Asher such as family friends, church, and playgroups. I plan to homeschool someday, so I'll have to have alternatives in place for him anyway.
On the weight loss front, I ordered a bunch of supplements last night that are supposed to help with cravings and emotional eating. I got it out of a book of alternative cures from my Mom. It cited a lot of this stuff comes from our bodies lacking essential amino and fatty acids, hence the cravings of sugar and carbs. Made a lot of sense. This is my first step to get my eating habits under control again since that's half my battle.
Asher slept well this morning. Woke at 4:30 crying but I resettled him quickly. I heard him start singing at the usual 5 AM, but then he went back to sleep till 7:00! :D But now he's awake after just a 45 min morning nap! :shock:
-
Christine- our tall girls! So cute! Everyone thinks Eirwen is 18 months...it's starting to embarrass me slightly but then I get happy- she is healthy!!!
Oh yes, Leah is now wearing 18 month pants! :lol: Glad I didn't buy many winter clothes last winter because I was buying 12 month clothes. [/quote]
-
Heather, you're poor baby :( ! Thank goodness your dh was there to help. And 3 stitches...in a little tiny baby lip? I hope she's managing okay. Does it interfere with drinking her bottle?
Branwen, thanks for the tip, I haven't tried gentle naturals, but I'll look for it next time. Also, I've only been bathing Emily once a week :oops: because the whole time she's in the water she just scratches and scratches her tummy and legs. Although she does still LOVE bath time.
Schae, thanks for the link on tissue salts. It sounds interesting. Just one question, are all those different compounds in one pill?
Christine, I think you mentioned awhile ago that you got an elliptical bike? All this weight talk has inspired me and dh to use ours again. I'm forcing myself to do one 5mins program if I have a bad snack (like buttery popcorn) after dinner.
Us, has everyone given their lo's meat? I haven't yet, and was wondering if I should get moving on this or not. It seems like a lot of work to prepare.
-
Thank you for all your thoughts and concern. The stiches will come out on Thursday. I don't think she even knows they are there as they haven't interfered with eating, and she hasn't touched them. I'm trying so hard to keep them clean, and keep neosporin on them. Luckily, the doc said the first 24 hours were the most vital for the wound to heal, so we've passed that.
I'm enjoying the discussion on early education. And I agree with Julieb, there are many opportunities for child involvement outside of pre-school is it is not an avenue for your family to take. Who knows what the future will hold, though.
Meats: Kelsey loves apples and ham and apples and chicken and sweet potatos and turkey. I don't make my own, though.
Good news: She finally ate the yobaby yogurt today. I don't know if her cold has hampered her taste buds because she hated it before, but I've just kept trying and today she ate about 2 oz before I stopped her to have the bottle. I was concerned about getting enough calcium in her once we're off the formula, but now I know she'll take yogurt if she doesn't like milk.
:?: Are any of you bottle feeders offering the formula in the sippy cup yet? Kelsey's ped said to keep trying so that I can wean from the bottle as soon after a year as possible. I've read in BW though that some babies take a morning and night bottle up to 18 months. Does this mean that they take the sippy during the day, but real milk in the bottle in the am and pm? She won't drink the formula from the sippy.
Also, what are your kiddos eating these days? Kelsey is still on pureed foods. I considered moving to stage 3 which has more lumps and textures, but I doubt she'll eat "lasagna" or "chicken and dumplings", for example, and that's what seems to be offered in stage 3. I realize that I just have to try, try, try again, but I don't want her taking baby food jars to kindergarten if you KWIM!
And yet another question: Is anyone down to 3 liquid feeds? I think Daniel is if I remember correctly, but any others? How much are they taking? I thought I needed to be moving that way as we approach 12 months, so should we start now?
Sorry for the long post, just a lot on my mind.
-
Well, if you're still welcoming newbies, I'm Deborah. My daughter, Maya, will be ten months old on Saturday. I have been trying to follow along since the thread started, but things have been crazy for us, and I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed. However, there have been many times when I have felt like I had something to add, just not the time to type it out, so here goes...
Meat - Not that we are vegetarian, but there are many good sources of protein other than meat. Lentils are an excellent choice to branch out from cereals and fruit/veg puree. Simmer them in water until super soft, and puree them. Maya loves them mixed with carrots. That said, we started meats at 9mos per the rec of our pediatrician. We have offered pureed poached chicken and food-mill ground (it has a little more texture) baked chicken, both plain and mixed with veg. She didn't really like either one. She does, however, like little (very little) bits of cut up chicken and pork.
Branwen - Have you had a complete physical recently? I don't think your weight loss should be simply chalked up to nursing. It would be worthwhile to get some basic bloodwork done to rule out thyroid problems, etc.
-
hi ladies,
Heather - oh my goodness how scary! glad you all seem to be doing well.
JulieG - hope the power comes on soon for you! it is way too hot for november! it is supposed to be fall now, isn't it???
branwen - good luck with the move. hope it goes smoothly & you're breathing that magnificent air soon!
Meats - i haven't served them yet, but i think luke is old enough, but it's such a pain to make them that i'm kinda waiting until he's better with finger food - and then i'll just buy the little jarred cubed ones. if i do end up doing purees, i'll just buy them, but those are kinda expensive too. :?
Preschool - i used to think i would send my kids. no sooner than 3yo. but now that i look at how much it costs - :shock: more for 2 days a week than what i currently pay in daycare!! and my sitter is teaching jaina her shapes & numbers & colors - well, as much as a 2yo can learn that stuff! :lol: one thing i have found, though, is that the larger local high schools offer a "preschool" of sorts through the childcare classes. those students need kids to practice on. just a couple hours, a few days a week - for maybe $25/week. we might do that next year.
totally agree that these kids are way too rushed. julieb - haven't thought about david elkind in years - you are bringing back many memories! :wink:
Us - i have a meeting with the principal on Thursday. Praying it goes well. :wink:
-
Meats- Haven't given Eirwen "whole" meats just yet but Eirwen now has bites of everything that I eat if she will eat it. She LOVES chicken korma. Yes spicy I know :shock: She loved it so much she didn't want to stop eating it. I can't believe she loves spicy things but I guess it's a good thing. She will now pretty much eat whatever. She has also had ham. But I don't give her the pieces it is just cooked with the sauce or soup that she is eating...so a little bit of strings and flavor I guess.
Jaime- Good luck with your meeting! Keep us posted!
Tammy- oh forgot about the potty training thing. You didn't sound harsh or anything. I was so confused about it too. I think we will try as Eirwen is so regular. My friend got us the Baby Bjorn potty so I'm excited about that. i am waiting until we are moved though. I guess we will just work on building the association but you can't really hope for anything more. It's just I have seen some parents really struggle into the 3rd and 4th year and end up using embarrassment and bribes to finally get the job done- it ends up being a negative instead of a positive... I don't really want to do that...so we'll see. Then again I have read/heard lit. that says it is purely biological when it kicks in. Some babes just aren't ready I guess...so I won't push Eirwen- if it works it works and if not we'll start again later :D
Deborah- hi there! good to hear from you again...I just "came back" as well. I have had a physical. My SIL thought it was my thyroid too but my doc said it is ok. :?
Weightloss & Julie B- There is a book called the Post-Pregnancy Handbook. It is my "bible" sort of in terms of postpartum health. It talks about all the stuff going on after you have a baby and the hormones etc. esp if you are breastfeeding...and dieting, etc. I'm sure you know this but you are still "eating for two" while breastfeeding and you must be careful when dieting. Actually that could be what is dragging you down if you are eating lots of carbs/sugars. The body uses all the good stuff for the milk and we get what is left over. :roll:
Us again- no napping today. Must be teeth. She is highly amusing though WAY overtired. She just laughs and laughs...when did that happen? It is kind of scary though because her eyes look like they are going to pop out of her head! I'm like Eirwen calm down!
-
Branwen- :lol: Leah giggles like crazy when she is overtired too. She gets a little wacko!
Food - Leah will not eat pureed meats or the stage three foods with chunks. She gags and spits them back out at me. :roll: So we are still doing pureed veges and fruits and cereal. She loves pear, peach, and bannana chunks too. She threw up after eating yougurt, so we haven't tried it again yet.
Formula - We are down to 4 bottles a day. There is no way we will get down to three anytime soon. She just won't eat enough solids to satify her. Leah will not take formula in the sippy either. Heather - my doc said wean from bottles at 12months, but there is no reason she shoulnd't be aloud to have a nightime bottle past 12 months. He said take it slow or we'll have a very unhappy baby. NOt sure what my "plan" of attack is quite yet.....
Jaime - Good luck with your meeting - go get 'em!
Deborah - You are so not a newbie!!! :wink: Great to hear from you again.
Tarri - I have an elliptical cross trainer machine. I try to use it everyday. But since the weather has been nice Leah and I have been walking instead. Soon enough winter will hit us and there will be no more walks. :(
Well I'm off to bed. Hope everyone has a great night or day!
-
BTW, anyone heard from Nikki - Lise's Mom? Haven't seen her around in awhile.
-
Meats - Daniel loves meat. I make him a form of shepherds pie and also a form of spaghetti bolognaise (just mash it slightly now instead of pureeing). Funnily enough he seems to LOVE the texture of lumpy foods. He's also had chicken and pork and ham. I usually do chicken by boiling it up in formula with lots of other veggies etc thrown in. Usually tastes good :)
Milk in sippy cup - tried it a few times but he won't really have it! Strange but he seems to just think milk should only come from a bottle. If it comes from a cup it must not be right.
liquid feeds - Yep we have been on 3 feeds for about a month now. Daniel takes 7oz at 7am, 4oz at 1pm and then 7oz again at about 6pm. We are currently weaning him off the lunch time feed. He now has 2 oz at 1pm. He eats so much solids wise now that I'm sure the milk can decrease. In fact he seems less interested now anyway, especially in the 1pm bottle. Our plan by next month is to have him taking a good 7 or 8oz bottle first thing, lots of water / juice throughout the day and then a good 7 or 8oz bottle again before bed. My only concern is the water/juice intake through the day. He doesn't seem to want much. I keep offering it to him but he only takes a sip or two before he shoves it away again. If he's thirsty will he drink? If he doesn't drink does it just mean he's not thirsty? Should I worry or not? Any advice? :?
Deborah - great to hear from you again. I was thinking about you a lot recently wondering where you were! Hope the crazyness settles down soon.
Branwen - wow, chicken korma :shock: I am impressed! Daniel too would probably jump at the chance. I've not really tried him with any spicey foods yet. Maybe I'll be brave enough soon.
Here are 2 photos from our holiday last week.
-
A quick recap on what's been going on with us...
When I last posted on the old thread, we had just gotten back from Maya's 9mos checkup where we found out she had actually lost weight since her 6mos checkup. Of course the next day, my good eater decided to stop taking solids. We had mealtime battles for two weeks, and now, thankfully, she is starting to eat again.
However, now it seems she has some sort of gastro bug (though not as bad as what Debra and her family have) or so the doctor thinks. I think it is something more as this has been going on for too long and it is not your normal gastro diarreah. TMI warning. Food is passing through her pretty much untouched. I can tell exactly what she ate and in what order.
On top of that, she got her DOC band last week, and to say she does not like wearing it would be an understatement. We were finally making some progress when I discovered that she was developing a skin irritation on one side of her head. So we've had to take it off until that heals.
And if that just weren't enough, dh has a nasty cold, I haven't gotten any work done in weeks, and MIL is coming week after next for I don't know how long, but prob at least 10-12 days.
-
Oh yeah, and I can count on one hand all of the decent naps we've had since we got back from our trip in September.
-
Hi there - I am new to this thread and I hope you don't mind if I join you....? I haven't read the whole thing (yet!) - it looks like you all know each other really well by now! I have been in touch with some of you on other forums; I have found this site invaluable since I found out about BW when dd was 5 mo. And it's so nice to have a place where everyone's babies are the same age.
Dh and I moved to Amsterdam from Colorado 6 wks before dd's due date and we are hoping to move back in the next few months although we are originally from UK.
In fact, Hazel, I saw your holiday pictures - dh is from near there, I have great memories of those places!
Deb I hope your family is doing ok with that nasty bug.
And Deborah, that sounds like a yucky thing Maya has too, I wish her get well soon and that you survive everything too!
Hope to get to know you all a bit before long!
~Kate
-
Deborah, can you cook lentils and then freeze them in ice cube trays? Do you puree them? Also, what's your routine supposed to look like? Maybe you could post some details and us jan/feb mom's can see if we can help :) . And it sounds like you should follow up on the digestion issues.
Hazel, I find that if Emily is thirsty, she drinks. Also, I would say if Daniel isn't constipated then he's getting enough to drink. That's a good idea about boiling the meat in formula. I think I might give that a try with chicken, I heard that milk is supposed to act as a tenderizer.
Us, I gave Emily a tiny piece of tuna from a can. She ate it without making a funny face, but she didn't want to eat anymore. I guess I'll wait till she's 9mos to start meat seriously, mostly cause I'm too lazy. :oops: Does anyone know if this is the age where they start to cry to get their way? I'm sure Emily started a crying fit cause I wouldn't hold her so she could walk around the room. She's got to start to learn to crawl, cause she's getting really frustrated with sitting still! I definately see she's gaining strength from all the practice walking so that should help I hope.
Happy Emily news, I got a few giggles when I put a container of candies on her head and she moved her head so they fell off. Very cute.
-
Does anyone know if this is the age where they start to cry to get their way?
Oh my, we're in to this big time. Kelsey is really starting to show her temper, and it really frustrates me. I guess I've had to eat my words about not letting my child throw a fit and get her way. I've learned to pick my battles for sure, and she's only 9 months old! What in the world am I in for?? I really have to watch her, too, because she arches her back and throws herself backwards. That's a potentially dangerous situation for sure. But, yeah, it's usually if I'm not right there to get her or go where she wants to go. She also goes crazy if I try to sit her up in the highchair. like if she slides down, or situate her on the changing table better. I don't know if she's expecting to be picked up and then gets mad that I don't, but it's driving me crazy.
-
Tarri: each tissue salt comes in it's own pill, and there are some pills that are combinations, like for 'coughs and colds'. They really work wonders on me, and I like the fact that they are natural and you cannot overdose on them (excess is just flushed out of your system).
Meat/Food: We started meat I think at 7.5 months with chicken. I make the chicken casserole that is in Annabel Karmel's book. Carrots, potatoes and chicken mince. Luka loves loves loves lentils. We started beef at 8 months. And this week we're moving onto fish. I choose one day of the week and go wild cooking, then into little containers and into the freezer. Lentils can be frozen.
I don't puree anymore, I just mash. I like the fact that Luka can almost eat what we eat, it will make life a tad easier.
Milk feeds: We're still on 4. Sometimes we are on 3. But I'm not too worried for some reason. We'll drop down to 3 once I (hopefully) start working.
Deborah: Welcome back! You sound like you're having a hard time, I hope you all feel better soon. What does the paed say about Maya's eating and the fact that the food is just passing through her? To me it sounds like her body isn't absorbing the food (but I'm no doctor)
Hazel: lovely pics! Daniel is such a doll!
Jaime: GOOD LUCK!! Please kup?
Kate: Welcome! :) What is your lo's name?
Heather: I hear you on the tantrums! Funny how someone so little knows EXACTLY what they want! lol! I've also learnt to pick my battles. I wonder what the toddler and teen years are going to bring us? :shock: Today we were playing in the bucket as it was hot, and when it was time to go inside, boy did we have the biggest tantrum ever! Sheesh!
Us: Naps are hard again, I think it's because we've been running errands all day for 4 days. So now we're just settling in again. We had sleeping through again for about a week (once we got the temperature thing sorted), but now we have nightwakings again. Not sure why. We've now resorted to co-sleeping, as I'm just too tired to fight. :oops:
Will have to start again when we move.
I still haven't heard anything on the job front, and swing between depressed and confident.
-
Tarri - I puree them, but only because Maya won't eat puree with texture, and then freeze them in cubes like anything else. Any soft-skinned bean will work. Black beans are next, but not until we get the gastro issues sorted out. I usually buy dried because the canned ones have sodium and preservatives (and dried beans are way cheaper).
Hazel - I was discussing fluid intake and dehydration with the nurse last week. Provided he's wetting several diapers a day and producing tears, you should be good. You can also check the inside of his mouth. If it feels at all dry, he needs more fluid.
I have an appt with the ped for next week to discuss weight gain and digestion issues. I do think it sounds like she has some sort of digestive enzyme problem, but they keep telling me it's just the gastro bug that's going around.
I've tried everything I can think of to resolve her nap issues from varying awake times to wake-to-sleep. We've temporarily reinstituted the catnap because she's been so exhausted. Having to get used to sleeping in the helmet surely isn't helping, though the problem existed before she got it.
I've posted on the Getting Back on Track and Nap boards, but I think I need to reassess, observe for a few days, and go back to basics. However, with MIL coming, I may just wait until after she leaves to make any big schedule changes. Maya's routine comes crashing to a halt whenever she comes, and I'd hate to make progress only to have to start over yet again. It's pessimistic, I know, but optimism takes energy.
-
Deborah - you and Maya are having such a rough go of it! I hope that whatever is going on with her digestive track is something that either goes away on it's own (such as a bug), or is something that is easily remedied. Good luck on the dr. appt. next week, and definitely keep us posted!
Kate - welcome! I haven't been on this thread that long either, so jump right in!
Hazel - great pics!
Christine - I am with you on the purees.
Jaime - good luck on your meeting - you have to let us know how it goes!
Food - for us, we are still at stage 2 type foods. I try occasionally to give Ethan something, but so far, no success. For example, today I tried some soft pear chunks. He gagged and threw up a bit. Lovely. He's a big pro with the puffs now, and chews them on his gums. So, not quite sure when he'll get the connection that he can do that with all the food? I haven't tried meats at all with him. He just doesn't seem to be at that stage yet where I can give him chunks or whatever of food. So, that would mean I would have to puree the meat, and well, it just doesn't seem to be worth it for the little he might eat. And trust me, he eats well! He takes 4 oz. of fruit plus cereal in the am, 4 ozs. of fruit (and sometimes some more cereal at lunch), and 4 ozs of veggie plus 2 oz of fruit at dinner. Plus puffs with all meals. If anyone has any suggestions on what I should try to give him next, please feel free! I just don't know what to try him on that he will "chew". I've tried banana, pears, etc.
Formula - Ethan is currently taking about 20 oz a day, in 4 bottles. I offer 28! He is just not that into the formula anymore. It's a struggle to get the 20 sometimes. But I can't see us going to 3 bottles a day anytime soon, cause the one to give up would be the afternoon one (I'm guessing), and that's the one where he takes the most! So, I'm sticking with what we have so far.
Us - nothing much new. Ethan seems to finally be getting over his cough. Although he did wake up at 4:45 this morning :shock: having a coughing fit. He quit, but never really went back to sleep. Nothing much else new to report. Other than he has to have a toy in BOTH hands now when trying to pull up on everything. Makes it a little difficult. Plus, does anyone else's child just stop holding on? And therefore fall down? Sometimes I think he forgets that he's supposed to hang on! I usually just let him fall (he won't hurt himself on anything), and he'll just plop down on his bottom. And up he comes again.
We don't have our 9 month check up for another two weeks. I'm quite anxious to see what his height and weight are. Not anxious, just curious. I am going to guess about 22 or so pounds, but no idea on the height. He is definitely a big boy! Although probably not as tall as the supermodels! :wink: He way outgrew his 6 to 9 month clothes in length a long time ago. Right now we're in 9 to 12, but some of those pants are getting a tad short too!
Well, have a great evening girls! My plan - feed ds, bath, put to bed, then me eat dinner, and go to bed about 8 pm! :oops: Dh is traveling, so I can do that and not feel like an old housewife! :wink: :oops: :lol:
-
Tammy, Kelsey and Ethan are exactly the same about eating. Even foods she loves in the jar she will not tolerate as a piece. But she goes nuts over the veggie puffs and would eat the whole can if I let her. I tried cutting little pieces of toast and throwing them on the tray with the puffs, and she wouldn't even touch them. She gagged when I put it in her mouth. So, every now and then I'll throw it on there and not make a deal of it, and it's still there when she's done. We've also tried pear pieces, she gagged; bannana, she gagged then got that terrible diaper rash; a sliver of chicken, she gagged; a mashed up bite of chicken and veggie casserole, she gagged; you get the point. But the thing is that I'm trying, and I think that's all we can do. Just put things in front of him over and over and maybe one day it will click. Actually, I'm letting myself feel better about it now because at least with jar food I know exactly how much she's consuming.
And yet another similarity. Yes, Kelsey just lets go and turns like she's gonna just walk off, not realizing she can't. I let her go if she's just going straight down on her bum so she'll learn, but if she's going sideways or forward I catch her and just repeat "hold on" and place her hands on something.
Deborah-definitely sounds like a digestive problem to me. And I hope the helmet situation improves. I can't imagine what that feels like to her. But you worked so hard to get that, and I really hope it helps.
Kate, welcome!
Jaime-can't wait to hear about your meeting.
:arrow: Let's have a tooth count from everyone. Kelsey got the 2 bottom together, and they are oddly cute, what little she's let me see of them.
-
Whew! You've been busy little posters! :wink:
So while the supermodel babies are into 18 mth pants, I've discovered Asher has short little legs and a long torso. :? His belly needs the 12 mth pants, but I have to roll them up twice! :shock: He hardly seems chubby, so why do they make the waists on baby pants so tight? So they don't crawl out of them? It's forever pulling down his diaper though. I feel like I'm always trying to fix his plumber's crack! :lol: What to do??
Schae, I'm so fasicinated by the tissue salts! I'm going to have to look for them at the store! Glad you mentioned them!
Meat, I want to try soon, just a hassle to make. I'd need left overs since I feed new foods in the morning, but I don't feel like cooking a chicken dinner at 8 am! :lol: Tried tofu this morning and I thought for sure he'd hate it (didn't do anything to it and I thought it tasted nasty), but he liked it! :shock:
Heather, when I taught Asher to use a sippy, I put EBM in it. Then I switched to water since it's hard for me to pump enough. The few times I've had extra, he gets weirded out since he's expecting water! I've kept trying though, and it seems I can get him used to the EBM again if I just kept offering in the sippy. Could you offer two sippies and call them by name so she recognizes and knows what to expect (milk, water, juice, etc)? I always name the foods as he's eating them. He seems to react better to what I may offer on the spoon if he knows what's coming.
Finger foods, Asher is a pro and prefers them to spoon-feeding. But he'll tolerate my spoon-feeding if I alternate with finger foods. Some foods just don't make good finger foods, like squash. When we started out, I just slowly upped the texture in the puree. We had lots of gagging, but I just kept at it each day for the first few bites (then might blend/mash more for the rest of the meal). I figured the only way he was going to learn to chew and manuever textures in his mouth was with practice. Once I knew he liked a food pureed (like pears), I tried it as a finger food. It took a couple weeks before he even understood the concept, and even then, there was lots of gagging. I knew he liked the taste of pears, so I figured it was just a matter of getting used to the new texture and shape. Just kept offering and eventually he was a pro. He still gags each time he tries a new food though, whether he likes the taste or not. It's just another new texture he has to get used to. Other things we tried in the beginning besides ripe banana and pear were cooked sweet potato chunks kinda cold, peas (though the shells are a challege for them to get used to at first), green bean halves, and over-cooked spiral pasta.
3 liquid feeds, we're technically down to three, though I break up one into two halves to use in place of a solid food snack (only offer one side for those). He was already trying to drop the bedtime feed because he wasn't hungry, so I switched the two mid day feeds to halves in order to preserve the bedtime feed. Works most of the time (sometimes he's still not hungry enough). I still think he's prolly getting a good 24 oz though. Any less and I'd worry and start trying to give it in place of water at meals. I didn't think they were supposed to drop to 16 oz until age 2? I can't remember. My ped. seemed to want him to be at 24 or more still right now. Personally, I wouldn't drop until it seemed neccesary.
Jaime, this is the first I've heard of David Elkind. Any thoughts/opinions on his books?
Deborah, how very frustrating!! :shock: I really hope you can get to the bottom of it!
Temper tantrums, yes, we've been dealing with this for a month or two. It's become even more imperative that Asher gets good naps or he becomes an emotional time bomb. :shock: I've seen him cry simply because he dropped a toy! I think a good part of this is his high needs personality so I'm pretty laid back about it. I now give him 5 minute warnings before I pick him up for anything. As he's playing, I'll just casually start talking about taking a nap soon. Sometimes he comes to me first and we can just go, other times I pick him up when it's time and he's relatively okay. I also tell him before I'm going to interrupt him to check his diaper, nurse, eat, etc. This has helped avoid a lot of meltdowns we used to have. I also pick my battles. Some things just aren't worth it! :wink:
Tammy, the letting go was the precursor to standing alone and then walking for Asher. It was also just a few seconds before he'd plop down.
Teeth Count -- Asher has 8 now (4 top/bottom). 6 of which came within 1 month of each other! :shock: Let's hope he's done for a while! And that lonely pair of 2 bottom teeth does make for some adorable smiles!! :D
-
ok - you are all getting too prolific for me again so forgive me if i don't reply to people specifically - i am thinking of you all and it is great to see you back Deborah - i really hope things for you and maya get better :D
still ZERO teeth here. and since alex started getting teeth at 7mo and very frequently after the first one appeared, it is strange that at almost 9 mo olivia shows absolutely no signs of teeth - no white dots, red gums, nada!!
food - after a rough start with finger foods olivia now hates the spoon so we have to offer something for her to eat by hand at every meal - usually turkish bread, cruskits or toast, but also doing well with peas, melon and cheerios now. have got to start offering more things. still have not got my butt in gear about the meat/protein since the gastro interrupted my flow :lol: still refusing breakfast most mornings :evil: and i am still stressing about it. i cannot let it go.
kate - welcome - you know a lot of my recnt dramas from the other threads :wink: how is your dishwasher - that was you right??
the girls are so cute together now - really playing together and fighting over toys, etc and now that olivia can crawl everywhere i will leave her playing in her room sometimes and then find her in alex's room playing in alex's tent or with her toys :D I can also say to alex, why don't you go play with Liv, she's in her room and sometimes off she goes (i can hear them on the monitor and it is too cute)
we are all better now thanks - Dh is almost 100% and finally went back to the office today. i am on my own tonight as he has a work function. the weather is crazy and has been 90s past 2 days - last night was so hot!!
-
Well having started to worry yesterday about Daniel not getting enough fluids, he certainly showed me this morning. When I went in to get him up he was drenched!!! Through his vest, through his sleepsuit, through his sleeping bag and onto his cot sheet! I don't think there's any problems with dehydration :lol: Maybe I'll stop worrying.
Julieb - Daniel is just like Asher - long body and short legs. He too needs 12mth trousers to fit at the waist but then we have to roll them over. Actually he almost always wears dungarees now so that he doesn't have problems with tight waist bands.
teeth count - 8 teeth (4 top/bottom). He got the last 3 through all together and then we've had nothing for the last 2 months. I guess the next one will be coming soon (start bracing myself as I think the next ones to come are the molars and I don't think they're too noce :evil: )
Still no crawling here. I'm starting to wonder if he'll just miss it out and walk. Though having said that he never steps with his feet. His favourite position is being up on his feet but he will NOT step, ever. He just stands there holding on. If he wants to turn he just throws himself round :shock: As a result he can never be left standing up against anything as he would hurt himself. (Personally I think he's just lazy - takes after his dad! If I can be carried to where I want to be why should I bother to try doing it myself?!)
Tantrums - yes they've been happening for a month or two. They def get worse if he's tired. In fact that's the only time he moves his feet when he's standing :lol: He stamps them around screaming.
Deborah - excuse my ignorance but what exactly is a DOC band? How does it work? Does she wear it a certain times through the day? Does she have to wear it at night?
Have a fun day everyone.
-
Thanks for the welcomes!
Deb, yes that was me with the dishwasher - rather embarrassingly it turned out to be something stinky in the cupboard rather than the pipes - all fixed now, anyway! Glad to hear you are all recovering, it is so awful when you get ill with los to look after, let alone all of you having it!
Teeth: Ciara (pronounced 'Keera') has two bottom teeth only; one came one month after the other, we were on tenterhooks waiting for it.... but no sign of any more for a few weeks now (she'll be 9 mo on Saturday)
Protein: we started on lentils but she hated them and still does, then tofu, went down reluctantly, then fish, her absolute favourite! - then chicken which she will eat and this week little bits of beef in mushy rice which she really seems to like. Not what I was expecting at all. But she is another finger food fan. She won't succumb to a spoon unless she has something to feed herself, unless it's a snack (ie out of the highchair). She is quite a fan of chomping on things with her two teeth, even when she gags, she still stuffs another bit in! :lol: Tammy: the first thing she had to 'chew' on was rice crackers which she still loves, and also bits of bread which she grabs at every chance she can get. Also avocado cut in a slice so she can hold it. Her proper meals I mash up so the bits of meat are only teeny.
We don't have a health check here between 6 mo to 11 mo so I have lost track of her height/weight in the past 3 months! But I agree about the waistbands being tight for the length of the trousers. I should try and attach a picture next time....
-
Teeth Count - Three bottom ones. I thought they got the top two after the bottom two? :? I guess my DD just wants to be different. :D
Food - So nice to hear that others have issues offering table foods. We have been trying stage three foods with lumps. But she puts her hands up and won't have any. She'll eat cherrios and graham crackers forever though. Truthfully, I think that's all she ate yesterday. :shock:
-
Christine, Asher got all four on the bottom before anything on the top. Though I SAW the top two coming long before any of the others. I guess they just took much longer because they're so much bigger? I swear I was waiting for a month straight on those top! :shock:
-
A tooth came through today! :D
It's the first one, the right bottom one.
Can you tell that I'm chuffed? :lol:
-
wow you all have been busy!!!
teeth - luke has 4; 2 on top & 2 on the bottom. i think he's working on 2 more on top
schae - yay! a tooth!
deborah - good to see you again!
kate - welcome!!
julieb - i've only read parts of the hurried child - and i agreed with most of it. the preschool & kindergarden standards (& 1st grade!) keep changing, to the point where they're ridiculous. i don't think we're doing any great service to our kids that way. but there was something i remember reading that i completely disagreed with - and now i can't remember what it was... :oops: read the books before babies when i didn't have post-baby brain...
us - well, yesterday i got an email from the finance dept; the finance head & superintendant reviewed my salary and decided that i needed an extra $300 - ANNUALLY so i would fall within the right bracket. this translated to mean i would receive an extra $15/paycheck. what are they thinking? yeah, i'm only several thousand short but a couple hundred will be just fine! :evil: :roll:
so, i had my meeting today with the principal. i went in all prepared - even typed a little chart where i showed what i've earned the last few years, and another one that showed what i'm making at our school compared to 5 others. also told him that i'm working 2/3 time, not half time..... and HE AGREED! now, he can't do anything about it himself, but he's going to try & work things out with the higher ups. he also didn't understand why i can't see a salary schedule, and will try to get one for me.
fingers crossed!!!! as stupid as that email was, they've now admitted that there is a salary chart - and that if my salary is wrong they will fix it this year - retroactive too.
-
Schae-I can't believe he lets you see his tooth! I can't even look at Kelsey's, let alone get a pic. Great news.
Jaime-Don't mean to be the pessimist (spelling?), but are you sure your principal wasn't just saying that to apease you? I hope you don't take that wrong, but I had a boss that swore for 2 years he was "working" on getting us raises. I can't believe they thought $300 was an improvement.
And more about the standards of early education changes: My mom teaches kindergarten and says that very soon she'll be forced to learn and teach Spanish!
-
Don't mean to be the pessimist (spelling?), but are you sure your principal wasn't just saying that to apease you? I hope you don't take that wrong, but I had a boss that swore for 2 years he was "working" on getting us raises. I can't believe they thought $300 was an improvement.
too true, Heather!
but, this principal is new to our school (he's been a principal for 15 years i think) this year, so i think a lot of things are surprising him. so far, he has been very good at cleaing up a few other "messes." quite frankly, i need him on my side if i'm going to get through to the superintendent (who doesn't think much of women :roll: )
letters of intent for next year will be coming out before long - we have to say whether we will, won't, or might return next year - and why (if we want to include that). usually they are due in mid-january. i may end up forcing the issue if it hasn't been resolved by then. i am trying to avoid ultimatiums, but will use them if i have to. am still holding onto the fact that good science teachers are hard to hold onto anywhere - especially in christian schools - and they do not want to lose me.
at that point, though, if it comes to that my dh will be having an appointment with the superintendent. and john is very good at seeing through BS and shooting it down. :wink:
boy this got long winded! :oops: :lol:
-
Hello all. I really have tried to post again before now but by the time I catch up on the reading I get pulled away from the computer. But this is me time now. Kids are asleep, DH is out and IL's are visiting but out also. Ahh, silence! Anyway, naps have been touch and go here for the last few days. We've had appointments so I've had to wake him a couple of times to get ready and we found mould (ugh) in his bedroom closet so we had our landlord and some repairmen in and out over the last 3 days. And wouldn't you know, as soon as Jordan settled, one of them would show up and have to get in his room. But, all is cleaned and repaired and hopefully will stay away. Jordan has been fighting a nasty cough and runny nose, which the dr said was probably aggravated by the mould, but it finally seems to be improving. All in all he is pretty happy and gets a little cranky when he is tired. Oh, but if he gets his hands on something he shouldn't have and I take it from him, look out!
teeth 2 on top, 2 on bottom and 2 more showing through on top. I check several times a day for those 2 :)
Us: Jordan has tried to crawl a couple of times and then gave up but he can cruise like a trooper. He did let go of my hand one day this week to hold a toy but it only lasted a split second. Then he realized he was standing on his own and grabbed my hand again.
I know that Branwen has had issues with her doctor but has anyone else? I had both kids in for checkups on Wednesday and I always come away from them feeling irritated. Don't get me wrong, I love my doctor. He has been great to us when either of the kids were sick, while I was pregnant , and just absolutely loves kids and is very caring with his patients. But I feel like he rushes us. I know that he is busy, works Mon-Fri in his clinic and then some evenings and weekends in the ER, and maybe he has trained himself to move quickly so he doesn't get too far behind. But several times I have had to say 'one more question' when he is already headed toward the door. Maybe I have too many issues when I go there? I don't know. I do feel comfortable with him so I won't be looking for a new doc any time soon but I was just wondering if anyone else feels this way.
Hope everyone is keeping healthy and happy. I want to write more but it is amazing how long it takes to write something so short. :o
Joanne
-
Joanne - I try to make my appointments either for the very end of the day or the very begninning and on Tue, Wed, or Thur. I find Mondays and Fridays are always the busiest. Anyone else?
-
I often feel rushed at the doctor, but I keep probing until I get my answers. Fortunately, after 2 doctors in the group that I didn't "bond" with, the third seems to be "the one." Like you said, I like the group, but found it important to find a matching personality.
Kelsey got her stiches out today and all is well. Now all we have is the echo in Dec., but thanks to your reassurances I feel much better about that.
I'm working a few hours on Saturday at my old workplace and my mom will be keeping Kelsey. She'll be napping half of the time (hopefully), but my mom is so good with her I'm sometimes jealous :oops: of their bond. But it will be good to do something productive outside of the house, and have a bit of extra spending money :wink: .
I have a friend with a 9 month old, and she just cracked me up with a thought I had to share. She says she has visions of her daughter at 18 years old still lying on the floor, being spoonfed, and having everything still brought to her. We were griping over our picky babies. :P
-
my mom is so good with her I'm sometimes jealous :oops: of their bond.
Me too!!!! My mom is great with Leah. Leah just loves going to her house.
:lol: :lol: :lol: Your friends quote make me laugh!!! Now I can go to bed smiling!!! Speaking of which, I should go to bed..... :D
-
Joanne, I have experienced this with various doctors. My ped is fairly good, but I'm the one who actually feels bad if I'm taking too long. For this reason, I always try to get in the morning or their first few appts of the day. I figure they can't be behind yet!
I used to see my midwife at her last appt of the day and it was terrible! I almost switched midwives until I got her first thing one time. Like a totally different person! :lol: I requested that appt time ever since! :wink:
-
well we had 2 days here of 90sF / 33C weather and had olivia waking on and off through the night - hot then cold as it cooled down suddenly last night :roll: so i am so tired from not sleeping more than 2 hrs at a time without an interruption for 2 nights. She ate really well today though so we have decided to bite the bullet and go cold turkey on the dream feed (we halted the weaning plan when we saw that she was not incraesing day feeds at all and actually cutting back on solids... so were afraid of night wakings) we figure it is the weekend, she was already sleeping badly past 2 nights and she ate well today so let's just see what happens. she cried out for a sec at 10pm but literally a second so must have been asleep. FINGERS CROSSED EVERYONE - i feel so stupid with an almost 9 mo old who gets a dream feed (by 3 mo alex was down from 7p - 6/6:30am so who knows what olivia can do on her own since we have been artificially supplementing her this long :oops: )
anyway it is 10:30 and i shoudl be going to bed!
night all!
-
Hi Everyone!
Oh, I had so much to say but now I have forgotten it all!
Welcome Kate! My husband and I are moving back to Colorado in Dec! We are originally from there and are so excited to go back home. That being said my husband's family is also Dutch and we have also spent extended time in Holland as his entire family (minus his sister) is there. What brought you to The Netherlands? Where are you from in CO?
Joanne- I am so getting us a new doc. I just can't handle mine anymore. :x I too walk away feeling miserable and rushed...and only getting half of the answers to my questions. I think it is the results of managed healthcare personally. I want to try to find an osteopath that is a family practitioner. The other thing that I am endlessly frustrated with is the separation between mommy's health and baby's health. For example when I want to deal with ANY postpartum issues, nursing, mental, sleep, etc. I am constantly told to make another apt for myself. I know that osteopaths have a more holistic philosophy and HOPEFULLY will see that my health and well being is going to be tied directly to my childs. :roll: AHHHHH!!! :!: :!:
Deborah- I just want to remind you to trust your mommy-intuition. If you feel something is not right with Maya go with your gut. Can you look into second opinions? I am very worried about her with the food issue and the lack of weight gain, esp since you are breastfeeding. I am not pro forumla when bf'ing but maybe you could gauge her intake better? I have read a lot about "milk quality". I personally have a low hind to fore milk ratio...and adjusting this in the early months (via pumping) got Eirwen gaining. Could it be that she is just not ready for solids? I was reading something from the UN about how spoon-feeding and introducing solids in Western culture is just that- cultural and that the introduction of solids in other cultures happens when the baby descides to just eat it...and this if naturally let go happens around 9 to 10 months or later...I guess it also corresponds to when babies can digest appropriately the solids. I thought it was really interesting. Maybe Maya's system is just more sensitive to solid foods. Hey-you must also take care of yourself okay :wink:
US- I need reassurances about Eirwen. She does not stand at all! Am I the only one??? :( She does not try to pull up either. I have a little ledge or use the couch and place toys up above her but she does not try to reach for them. When I support her standing I am truly supporting ALL of her weight and when she barely pushes on her feet it is only with the right leg. I don't know what to do to try to encourage her because it is killing my back to support her like this. She is also not pushing up to all fours either and hates it when I try to get her to her knees. That being said, she DOES roll all over the place now- can get across the room this way, sit for well over an hr and even go from sitting to tummy to back.
Moving- We are moving! Our house has an accepted offer. Closing Dec 9th. I'll be going before that though! YAY!!! We have a townhome in Boulder. I am SO EXCITED!!!
:?: Could you guys please describe more specifically the tantrum behavior. I'm trying to decide if that is what Eirwen is doing in her high chair?
-
Branwen- Leah does not pull up or crawl on all fours. When I hold her in a standing position she wobbles back and forth. If I have her hold onto something she will stand for a few seconds then topple sideways. BUT, Eirwen not putting any pressure on her left leg is a little weird. I would get it checked out. I know how you feel. Leah has a cousin who is a month younger than her. They were here the other day and he was walking along the couch to the wall etc. Leah just sat in the middle of the floor and looked at him, like she was saying: What the #%&? Why can't I do that!?!?! :? They all develop differently, but I would get it checked out. I know this has been going on for awhile. I remember you saying she woulnd't put any pressure on the leg in her jumperoo either.
-
Tooth count - two on top, two on bottom
Hazel - DOC stands for Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty. It's the only treatment at this time for plagiocephaly (which basically means flat headedness). It's a helmet of sorts that puts pressure on the part of her skull that are bulging out while allowing room for growth in the flat areas. She will ultimately be wearing it 23 hours a day for 3-4mos. However, we had just gotten through the break-in period, and she had been wearing it full-time for three days when I discovered a skin irritation on her scalp. So we had to take it off until that heals.
Branwen - Maya stands, but she is very wobbly unless I stabilize her hips (we call them her Elvis hips). She does not pull up, either to sitting or standing, and she does not crawl. However, if you're concerned about Eirwen's development, why don't you ask your doc for a referral to a pediatric PT? They can do a complete assessment. Even if they think she is ok, they'll show you exercises you can do with her at home.
That's where we are. I still think Maya is in the range or normal with regard to her lack of development, but I did notice she was getting less active in the last month or so (but with all her digestive and sleep probs, who could blame her). Since we had already been referred to PT for the torticollis (and the neuro and orthotist wanted us to keep going anyway), I made another appt for this week. The PT agreed that she seemed less mobile since the last time she saw her, so we are going to go once a week for awhile. Of course, we are very fortunate that our insurance covers it 100%.
We have an appt with the ped on Thurs to discuss the gastro issues. She ate solids really well in the past with no trouble digesting the purees. I have made some changes in her diet this week which seem to be making an improvement, but we'll see. I am supplementing with formula, but I am mixing the powder into her solids so I don't inadvertantly decrease my supply by offering bottle instead of breast. I also started taking supplements to increase my supply. All of this will hopefully help us to narrow the focus on what might be wrong. Who would they refer us to next? a pediatric gastroenterologist? is there such a thing?
This got to be really long. Sorry for rambling. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I have caught dh's cold, but he has promised to try and come home from work early today and take care of me over the weekend. I am going to go look at yummy soup recipes and try and get motivated to go to the store when Maya gets up.
Debra - Let us know how dropping the df went.
-
Hi Everyone,
I jumped on to the end of thread #2 right before I went away for two weeks. We're back now, and back into our routine.
Hannah is 10 mos old, (born Jan 3rd). I'm Joanne, (28) married to DH Benjamin for 4 years. We live in Charlotte, NC, but are trying to relocate to Washington state. Our house in on the market, but hasn't sold yet.
I have spent the past week reading the 22 pages of thread #3 and have some thoughts to share with you all, so here goes :)
Julieb - Back to the shoe thing......Both Burlington Coat Factory and Target have Robeez-like suede shoes for $12.99 (they are $9.99 at BCF). Different designs for boys and girls in a variety of sizes. They are in the aisle with the booties, socks, etc. Also, Marshall's has Robeez for $12.99 too, limited sizes and colors though.
Kiwi - Crystal was born on Jan 2 - Hannah was born Jan 3rd. How cool!!
Leah's Mom - ...for the treasure box........a turkey baster, toothbrush, and an old phone or remote, these are all Hannah's favorites.
branwen - I am doing the potty training with Hannah and it's going well BUT I have been doing the potty thing with her since she has been 2.5 mos. After I nurse her in the am and after a nap, I sit her on the pot, and she pees within about 2 min, often less. She almost always poops right after eating solids. As soon as I hear her toot pick her up and say " I think you need to go poo-poo, lets go sit on the toliet". Sometimes she wants a toy or book and other times she will just sit there and do her business :) It's amazing that they can learn at an early age BUT when they are so little they pee almost every 15 min so you are constanty taking them pee. With the next baby I'll start at 9 mos, instead of so early. Anyway, JMTCW. Everyone has to do what works best for their family.
Us:
Naps are actually Ok right now. 1.5 hrs in the am and 1.5 in the pm. It's night time that is rough. Hannah has started waking up twice in the night now, random times. She has been doing it for awhile now, also while on our trip. I REALLY want to get her back to sleeping from 7-7, which she was doing from 3 mos. on! I have to admit that I have been nursing her when she wakes up in the night, which I'm sure is a BIG no-no. I suppose I'll have to stop that.......any thoughts on the night waking? I don't know that it's hunger since she eats 3 8oz meals a day plus BM, so I'm kind of stumped, maybe she just needs more?
Well I should go now and get things done while she naps. Hugs to all :)
Joanne
-
Branwen-if it's any reassurance, everything came together for Kelsey after she started the rolling thing. It was a month after that that she would tolerate being on her knees, and at first it was only one knee with the other leg dragging behind. I don't know if it made a difference, but I just kept pushing her knees under her, just to see if she'd get the hang of it, but she wouldn't stay that way for long.
Kelsey's tantrum in the highchair is throwing her head back, arching her back, kicking, turning her head from side to side, and whining/crying. I've now stopped feeding if it last longer than a few minutes. It's pretty much the same outside of the highchair, and very dangerous if she throws herself backwards. Yet the new thing that proves to me it's a tantrum is burrowing her head on the ground or on the backrest pillow.
-
Joanne - hi there and welcome!
Branwen - so glad you guys have a contract on your house! That's so great! I know you are excited to move back to CO, and I'm excited for you!
Doctors - I always have a lot of questions at my dr. appts! Especially at the 6 month one, since we were going to start solids then. Am I the only one who asks their nurse a lot of questions too? I almost trust her as much as the doc!
Tooth count - 2 bottom teeth. That's it. I have no idea if he's teething right now or not.
Yesterday was such a nightmare. Regardless of how long Ethan was up between naps, he slept for 30 minutes each time. So, that would be about 1 hour of nap time all day long! He wouldn't take a catnap either. And he seems more fussy than normal, and keeps sticking his fingers all the way into his mouth on the sides and chewing on them. Maybe teething? Who knows. Then I had to go pick up dh from the airport - at least his flight was early. So, Ethan got to bed late - about 8 pm. Then he wakes up screaming at 1:45 am, and it takes me until 3 am to get him back to sleep. Every time I would go to put him down, he would start screaming again. I had to just keep at it. Eventually, I got him to lay in the crib, and he would lay there, I would pat him on the back, then he would try to crawl over to the side, I would put him back, repeat, repeat, repeat. He finally fell asleep, but then woke up at 6:30! I was hoping that since he was up in the middle of the night, he might sleep longer. Nope. So, I got about 5 hours of sleep. Joys of motherhood. I was so frustrated yesterday and early this morning I can't even tell you.
But - dh gave me my birthday present a few days early, and he gave me the Apple ipod nano that I wanted! So, I downloaded some stuff on there this morning, and Ethan and I went for a walk around the neighborhood, while I listened to some nice calm music. Made me feel better - it's funny how music and being outside can do that, huh?
Well, better run. Ethan has decided to actually HAVE a morning nap today, thank goodness. He's been sleeping for about 2 hours! This kid - never anything in the middle, I swear!
-
Oh Tammy, I'm right there with you. Last night Leah was up every half an hour from 7:00 till 2 am when I brought her into bed with me. She has a slight fever, a cough, runny nose and is cutting her upper left tooth. :evil: So I don't know if she is not feeling well, or it it's teeth. I'm very tired today and I did go to work. She is at the sitter's house. I was torn whether or not to take her, but my sitter said to bring her. She would give her lots of cuddles and the other few kids there are sick already anyway. I haven't called her yet. It's my lunch right now, so maybe I will. Not so sure I want to know.....
-
Tammy - your day and night yesterday sounded uncannily like mine! She is also chewing on her fingers a lot so maybe they are both due for their third/fourth teeth.....
Debra - good luck with no df - I feel that I could well be in the same situation with Ciara as it turned out to be a nightmare dropping the df when we did (at 7 mo) even though we were down to under a minute of bf at 8.30pm.
Branwen - congrats on your move! I also can't wait to get back there. We are both English but we were living in Denver for 2 yrs before lo was born and we loved it. It's really a long story :) but we came here b/c of dh's work. It's been pretty hard here though all in all and we've finally decided (hearts have overruled heads!) to move back across the pond (we'll be on visas again). We would love to live in Boulder, esp dh, (big cycling fan) but he works in DTC so it's a little far. Would love to talk to you more about it all! Keep us updated on the osteopath idea, I can really see where you're coming from on that.
About the crawling, my niece is 13 mo and she has only ever done the commando crawl thing, dragging one leg also. Now she is just about standing and trying to cruise but I think she is just more of a laidback baby when it comes to trying out the new skills.
Joanne - interesting about the potty training. I was thinking about it as I don't have my hands full with another lo and Ciara is pretty regular with her bms. No pressure, just to give her a chance to get used to it.
Joanne (E&J) - I think Ciara and Jordan may be the same age - Feb 12th? And happy birthday to your dd! :D
It's so sweet to hear about Debra's two playing together. I feel bad that Ciara doesn't see enough other los. We went to an international playgroup this week but it was way too manic. The other kids were older and crashing all around her, she got a ball bounced off her head! But she enjoyed it - she is a spirited one! My nerves were frazzled and then we waited 30 mins for the tram home so she got overtired. :(
:?: How much do your 8/9 mos socialize with other los?
-
Branwen - we are in the same boat here. Daniel is not yet crawling or pulling up. He loves standing (us holding him) but NEVER takes a step. Even when I put him in the door bouncer thing he just stands there looking at all the toys that are now out of his reach and gets annoyed :lol: (And for what it's worth he does sometimes just tuck his right leg up under him and just let his left foot touch the floor!) The last couple of days I've started to 'make' :oops: him kneel for short periods of time just to show him that it's allowed :) But as soon as I put him forward onto his hands he just belly dives back down onto his tummy, rolls over onto his back and sighs a big sigh of relief that he can get back to his playing :o :o I am going to keep on doing the knee thing though as I think it's good for his development. Even after a few days he seems a little happier to kneel and play with something. I know that I know that I know that we shouldn't hurry our los along but it is so difficult when you just want them to master something. I just have to keep on reminding myself of all the things he recently learnt to do. They learn new tricks so quickly that after a day or 2 you forget that actually they only just learned how to do that and it's still a big deal to them :D Like rolling. Daniel just loves rolling. A month ago that was my big thing that I wanted him to learn how to roll backwardsand forwards. Now that he does it I'm onto the next thing... :? And 'clap hands' is just soooo cute. I said it to him first thing this morning. A HUGE smile spread across his face and he plonked his chubby little hands together with the proudest hugest grin ever.
dh and I are off to the cinema tonight as my parents are baby sitting. All I can think about though is what food I CAN'T have when we're there now that I'm on this diet! Chocolate, hotdogs, popcorn, nachos, ice cream :evil: :evil: :evil: The film had better be good to take my mind off it.
Debra - hope the 'no dreamfeed' went well.
-
branwen - luke does not roll, crawl, or pull up. you are definitely not alone! :D if i stand him up he is very happy, but he can't do much of anything with it yet!
-
ok - no DF went OK - she slept through until 0545 and by 615 i knew she was not resettling and offered the bottle - she took 170ml (6 oz) in 1 go so that is big for us - usually around 7-7:30 she will take between 90-130 in her first attempt at the bottle. still hard to get bkfst solids in - have to do all finger food now - she ate some cheerios and 2 bits of toast and some banana chunks. tried putting her down at 0830 and she cried fo rmore food and took another 130ml = 10 1/2 oz in total We really need to figure out how to get her to eat breakfast solids - any suggestions (have tried cereals, toast, various fruits, porridge/oatmeal, veggies)
anyway she took a longer morning nap (1hr 30 instead of 45) so we were right back on track for the day :D
hoping that the extra morning food will add in for the day and that tonight she might go longer than 545!!! puhleeease :D even ifit is only 6-6:15 i will trust that by monday we will heading for our old wake time of at least 640 - again puhleeease :lol:
Branwen - so happy for you about the move - i sent you a PM before i saw this post. also, olivia has not even remotely tried to pull up. she does like to stand though and will "walk" all over if we hold her hands, but no attempt to pull up or stand (except form sitting/crawling position which is too hard to do)
Kate - olivia interacts with alex mostly and occassionally sees other kids when we visit friends but apart from our playgroup on Fridays where she is currently the youngest child and only non-walker, se gets minimal interaction with "friends" (with alex i had a mothers group so she was around them every week and at the playground lots, whereas with 2 we stick to home a lot and our backyard). ~ so did you go back to givong Ciara a DF or are you still doing it at 830???
Hazel - how was your film,? what did you see - i am so jealous of all of you with family nearby who can actually have a life :D
christine and Tammy - i hope Leah and Daniel are better and "back on track" soon
-
We went to watch 'Wallace and Grommit in the curse of the were rabbit'. Was fun though I nearly fell asleep a couple of times :oops: No reflection on teh film, just that I'm tired.
When babies 'pull up' what position is that from. I've been expecting Daniel to start doing that from a sitting position, but then something Debra said made me wonder if they do it from other positions. Do they go onto knees first? It's fun learning all this fo the first time.
baby interaction - we occasionally visit friends with babies. We had started going to a baby and mums group but can't make it anymore due to dh needing car for work. He LOVES being around other babies so I'm going to try to get to another group each week. My neighbour has a 6month old dd but it's amazing how difficult it is to even see much of them when they live just next door. She pops in and Dan's asleep. I pop round and her dd is sleeping. You know how tricky it can be to coincide wakes and sleeps!
-
Deb - I cannot get Leah to eat breakfast either. I have tried everything, she just does NOT want it. So I've settled for the fact that she will just eat a few cheerios! Not sure what else to do~
-
Deb-at least she's taking a good amount of formula as that is the most important right now. She may just be like some adults (me included) who don't like breakfast-it makes me gag to eat early in the morning. Have you tried a "snack" before 1st nap instead?
Hazel-before Kelsey crawled she would pull up from sitting if something (usually my leg) was right next to her. Then when she could scoot to something and now crawl, it's actually kind of funny. She never really gets close enough to what she wants to pull up onto, but she uses all her might to pull herself up with her arms because her legs aren't close enough to push up with. If she gets close enough, she has her knees for support while pulling with her arms. She hasn't mastered getting her feet flat while going up and alot of times is pushing up from the side of her foot. She'll also get on her feet on the floor with her hands also on the floor and make like an arch, but of course she can't go anywhere with that, but I'm assuming that's how she'll stand to walk once she can.
-
Deb/Christine re: breakfast- I always feed Eirwen her breakfast right before her first nap...so it is a bit later and gives her enough to make it through the first am nap without waking from hunger. It took me some playing around with it but it really works for us now. Have either of you tried the yobaby yogurt yet? Eirwen really loves this for breakfast- esp the blueberry and pear kind. What also works for us is mixing fruit with the cereal and lots of bm- so you guys could try forumla?
Eirwen generally has a poor appetite in the am but I think that is because she wakes up and guzzles her bm. When I was gone 3 weeks ago on a trip in IA and my dh took care of her full time!! I pumped over 8 oz out during what would have been the wake up feed. :shock:
Also- I'm not sure how much time you are taking or can take really, but Eirwen and I go sometimes 1/2 hr for the feeding part of the process. It is a long time but I have found that if I am paitent she will eat, especially if I play airplane or peek-a-boo with food...if that makes any sense???
-
I got crazy today and gave Asher two tiny bits of turkey bacon this morning and a few tiny bits of chicken from my lunch. :lol: He liked them both so maybe I'll actually prepare some of his own. He's been surprisingly good at eating lately -- liking a wide variety of tastes and textures now it seems. Doesn't care for kiwi though. Too sour, I guess!
And the spit up, or lack there of, has been going really well. He still spits up, but nothing like it was. It's pretty limited to just two periods a day, mornings after BF/before breakfast and afternoons after BF/before dinner. I guess he doesn't have enough solids in his tummy to keep the liquid down during those times. :?: Does anyone feed breakfast before BF or a bottle? How does that work? I'm thought about switching those around, but I wonder if I could prepare breakfast fast enough for him. I've tried giving him a "snack" right after BF in the morning, but that didn't stop the spit up until I actually fed him breakfast.
Deb, don't feel silly about the dream feed! For goodness sake, you were certainly not the only one! Asher still woke once for a full feed until he was over 7 months old! In retrospect, I SHOULD have done a dreamfeed and maybe I would have gotten more sleep in those first 7 months! :lol: As you know, every baby's different so I think it was good you went with your gut and kept it as long as you did. Glad to hear dropping it is going well so far. Lord knows we all need the sleep! :wink: Sometimes you just do what you gotta do!
Branwen, I was reading an article by Dr. Sears in one of my parenting magazines the other day. He was going over the popular questions parents ask him and one was about helping their child to walk sooner. He basically said there's a wide time frame for milestones, each baby is different, and there wasn't too much we should or could do. He said the more important measurement is if your baby is doing more this month than last. If not, then there is cause to concern. I think Deborah echoed this in the PT's concern about Maya slowing down this month instead of moving more. You mention that Eirwen is rolling all over, so she's gaining mobility and that IS big improvement! :D However, I would have a bit of concern about her not wanting to put pressure on her legs because I believe that IS a milestone that should have hit by now if I remember right. So I'd get it checked out to see if she's okay (not in pain, etc) and if there's something you should do to help her gain leg strength (like the jumper or walker??).
Asher's tantrum behavior varies, but it's often yelling/grunting and tighting up all his muscles. Sometimes he throws himself back, breaks into a cry, bites, or hits.
Joanne, could Hannah be cold? Hot? Seperation anxiety? Does she have a luvie? Teething? I'd be surprised if she were hungry.
Kate, Asher doesn't play a whole lot with other babies right now. We occasionally make it to playgroups. But I don't sweat it right now because I read that children don't really learn to share and make friends before 2 or 3 years old. Before then, they're just playing side by side really, not "together." I read (and personally believe), the time and bond with their parents is most important at this age. Asher sure does love to watch other children though, even if he doesn't know what to do! :lol:
Hazel, when Asher learned to pull up, it was from a crawling position. At first he pulled up to his knees, then a couple weeks later, he stood. First he goes to his knees, then to one knee with one foot flat on the ground, then pulls/pushes up from there.
-
christine - i know it is stupid that i cannot let go of the breakfast thing and now just knowing it is not just her (and is more "normal" i guess) i feel better. i am not the only one sittig there praying their lo will eat something.
branwen - we spend at leats a 1/2 hr at meals. because she also does not guzzle her bottle she already has it split so some on waking or 1/2 hr later and the rest as a top up before nap (if she wants it). we don't have yobaby here. i have tried several yogurts with fruit and she makes such a drama queen face :roll:
Heather - i have been told to consider that she just mightbe like adults who don't want breakfast. she was drinking at least 20-24 oz per day but now that we took out the Df i worry (yesterday she took more at other feeds and her total at 4 feeds was probably 24oz, but today so far is touch and go :cry: ) she is increasing her solids though as long as we offer lots of finger foods (yesterday she had quite a few FF - sweet potato, zucchini, watermelon, cheerios)
DF dropping not getting better, but worse :cry: last night she woke 3 times (but resettled herself within 15 min thankfully) and then was up from 6:15 (and not very hungry) she drank only 100ml (3 oz) and ate some pear pieces and cheerios. i feel like a chicken and want to just go back to Df before bed but i feel ridiculous DF a 9 mo old. what do you think? i am so tired from not getting GOOD sleep. i am thinking of asking for sleeping pills at my next checkup later this month.
-
julieb - we obviously were posting at the same time :D thanks for the support - that is what i have been thinking - i don't think with the PPD and taking alex's needs into consideration, that Dh/I could have handled any nightwakings or really early starts. even tonight i am tempted to do a small Df because mondays i take alex to occassional care at 9am which means the earlliest Olivia can have her nap is 9:15 - 9:30 which is fine when she wakes around 6:45 but if she wakes at 6 +/- 15 min what will i do?? trying not to stress about what has not happened yet, but i don't like being back on unfamiliar territory :oops:
Okay i finally took some time to go to juss press and check out some of your kids- i saw asher, kelsey and luka - did i miss anyone else. christine you did a website too - what was it again so i don't have to go back through these pages...
:arrow: Schae - ok your funniest moment had to be Luka as a girl - OMG i almost peed in my pants!
:arrow: julieb - i am seriously stunned watching asher - he is amazing. it is not just that he is walking - he just seems so much further along than Liv (and don't worry i am not feeling bad about it - just in awe. i thought alex was a clever kiddo crawling at 5 mo and all, but wowwee!)
:arrow: Heather - OMG the video of Kelsey with the dog where she is shaking her head so much she falls over - again i almost peed (yes - i have no bladder control after 2 kids :oops: ) Hysterical!
we had a nice morning at the beach today - we had beautiful days this weekend and cool nights PERFECTION. paid for it though cause Dh insisted on staying at the beach longer than i wanted and of course Olivia slept on the way home and owuld not go down for any more sleep so was up all afternoon - even with putting the girls down 1/2 hr early Olivia was too tired to have her bottle (so Dh went back in after she fell asleep and was more chilled out and she woke and drank and went back to sleep :D ) funny how 2 people can see things differently - he said "see i think she can increase her A time fine" :shock: whereas i was saying - "next time we leave the beach in time to get home for naps" MEN!
-
Debra - that is like a man to think that her being awake and then falling asleep in the car is fine! We went shopping yesterday afternoon, and were gone too long - Ethan fell asleep in the car on the way home. Slept about 20 minutes before we got home. Then would NOT go down for a nap the rest of the afternoon. So, he was up from 2:30 until 7! And he was not happy about it around 6! :?
Julie - Ethan was the same with the spit-up - EVERYWHERE! Now if he does spit up, it's just a little bit. I personally think that it is the formula for him - it's just so rich. I think when we make the switch to whole milk at a year, it'll be better. Or hopefully gone before then! Anyway, I feed solids before bottle at every meal. For breakfast, I prepare his cereal before I even go get him in the morning. That way he doesn't have to sit in his highchair while I fix his breakfast.
Food - well, let's see, we tried toast yesterday and today, and he seems to like to pick that up and eat it. He still occasionally gags on it, but that's normal, I think. Cut up peaches he won't pick up. He will eat them sometimes, if you give them to him on a spoon, but not too many. Still loves his puffs though. I am going to go to the store this week and get some baby carrots, sweet potatoes, and maybe some little mini bagels for him. Do you guys steam your vegetables as finger foods?
Teeth - I am sure that Ethan is teething now. I see no teeth, but he has woken the past two nights, plus he is gnawing on his fingers right in the front now (where the two top front teeth would be). I'm convinced. I hope this doesn't take as long as the bottom two - those felt like they took months!
-
Deb/Tammy, I've had the same issue with outings and the afternoon naps. Even if he doesn't sleep in the car and I get home in plenty of time, it seems like the extra stimulation just throws him off. I end up either rocking him to sleep or giving up. Asher went 2:30-7 the other day as well, though some of that was "quiet time" in his crib as I was TRYING to convince him to sleep. :roll:
Tammy, re: the finger food veggies, yes, I steam everything till it's practically mushy. I use my veggie steamer a few times a day now! You can make sweet potato fries or just steam the potato chunks (or microwave the whole potato), then cut them into smaller bite size pieces and let it cool. You can grate raw veggies, but I haven't tried it with Asher. Raw veggies aren't very gummable, so I don't know if he'd like them as much as the cooked. Asher also likes califlower and brocolli (tried those after Vidya suggested), and peeled yellow summer squash. You can also try overcooked spiral pasta.
Here's Asher's portrait of his Halloween costume, taken at Target. Isn't he just the cutest frog ever? Maybe I'm biased. :wink:
-
Hello All,
Just wanted to pass on Hannah's new favorite food - Barley Teething Biscuts, they are the Earth's Best brand. I found them at Earthfare, our local health food store. The great thing about them is that it keeps her busy for a while so I can do other things in the kitchen.
julieb, you're right, Hannah's not hungry in the midde of the night, I'm being lazy and nursing her is the quickest way to get her back to sleep. Well actually it started when we were away and DH didn't want her to cry in the hotel and disturb the other guests, SO that's how it started. BUT last night when she woke I picked her up, held her and tried talking to her in a soft voice and she fell back to sleep within 15 min. So, no more nursing in the middle of the night for her. I know it will take a bit, but hopefully she will be sleeping through the night again soon.
Will type more later since it's pm nap time now :)
Joanne
-
Julie - thanks for the tips re: steaming the veggies. I may be asking you more questions this week! :roll: :D I don't think Ethan would like the raw grated veggies - he's not THAT into the texture yet!
I don't remember if I told you, but we had the same Halloween frog costume for Ethan! Here's a couple of pics!
-
Tammy, you never told me!! He's darling!! Don't you just want to snuggle them!! :lol: We've got some darn cute frogs here!
-
Hi Everyone, keep sharing your stories. I LOVE reading your everday triumphs :D and challenges :wink: .
Deb, I'm slowly dropping the df again now that I'm sure she's fully adjusted to the time change. We're at 3 oz and 8:30pm. My goal is to have it dropped in a couple weeks cause I want to get a babysitter for dh's christmas party on Dec.9th and it would be really nice if she'd just sleep thru. What time were you giving Olivia the df? If you give it early then it shouldn't interfere with yours or Olivia's sleep. For breakfast, emily has about a 5-6oz bottle then an hour later she'll eat 1tbsp of rice cereal mixed with 1tbsp of prunes and that lasts her till the next bottle at 11am. She's not very hungry in the morning. Also, she's still drinking between 20-25oz a day. Oh, and we're on Jusspress too, Julie has a link to us off of her site.
Branwen, Yeeeaaah, I'm so glad you've sold your house and are moving soon!!!! :D :D Emily still doesn't roll over much but she does lots of walking while I hold her and bouncing in the jumper. I wonder if a walker would encourage Eirwen? :?
Kate, Emily's only baby interactions have been with herself in the mirror :oops: . But I'm planning on going to our first playgroup at the end of the month. Though I'm a bit worried of her catching a cold.
TammyJulieB, I find that on weekends we run errands so that she ends up falling asleep in the car around 1:30pm for about 20 mins so I keep her up till about 3:00, feed her next bottle early and then put her down for nap. Seems to work really well! If I wait till 4:00, she won't go down cause she thinks it might be bedtime.
JulieB, keep those Asher videos coming! They entertain emily for a good 10mins everyday. I tried your cup/noise thing but no luck with that.
Hazel, how did you teach Daniel to clap his hands?
Us, Busy few days here. My mom and dad were up visiting, then we went to pick up our car and then the inlaws for lunch today.
I have the opposite problem with my doc, she talks and talks and I'm always trying to hurry her up so we can go before Emily gets too cranky.
I felt really grumbly and depressed on Saturday. We had to drive about 1 hr to pick up our new (used) car that needed repairs and I was stuck in the back of our little old car with Emily and she moaned and groaned forever. When we stopped for gas, I told dh I had to get out and raced out of the car crying my eyes out and started speed walking around the block. I couldn't hack it anymore. Anyways, dh gave me the new car to drive home and he drove Emily back in the old car. And after a few minutes I could breathe again...the new car is so spacious! It's amazing how just one day of constant moaning can turn me into a VERY miserable person. Today though she was an Angel and I feel like myself again!
Does anyone know how to teach baby to put something into a box?
Good day/night everyone, Love Tarri
-
Tarri-the only thing I can say about teaching them anything is repetition. Just do it over and over and over, and verbalize what you are doing. That's how Kelsey learned to clap. She claps at everything-when she recognizes a show, or a song, or when she sees someone she knows. It used to be one open hand against one fist, but now it's both hands open so it makes the clapping noise.
-
Tarri, like Heather said, it's all repetition. Sometimes I do something, then take Asher's hands and do it for him. Then I do it again and see if he copies. The hand clapping came suddenly after me doing it A LOT. I noticed he'd clank two toys together, but I guess he didn't get the same immediate sound gratification when he was trying to learn with his hands. For the cup on the mouth game, I waited until Asher was naturally just making any old noise and then I did it over his mouth. At first, he was confused and would immediatly stop making noise when the cup was over his mouth, but I just kept it up (with me imitating inbetween). Now he understands the game and knows what to do when I do it. He's also learned to take his hand and move it over his mouth to make the same noise (this after watching me do the "indian noise" with my hand and mouth).
If you all figure out a trick to putting stuff in a box, let me know. I've been trying to do this with Asher for months, but haven't been very successful yet. Loves to take things out though! :lol:
I also noticed him starting to do his version of "meow" and "ruff." He has a favorite dog stuffed animal and our cats are always outside the window, so I talk about them all day long. I just noticed him recently copying my voice influctuations. It's pretty funny that he decided to make those sounds, but not Dada! :lol: His other favorite toy is Bedtime Bear. I tease that DH is going to be really sad if Asher tries to say "Bedtime Bear" before Dada! :lol:
-
We had the best day ever yesterday! Actually it was very off routine but Daniel coped like a dream. First of all he slept in til 7.15 which has to be first I think. Great but then that throws the rest of the day off doesn't it? We leave for church at about 9.45 and usually Daniel can get an hour in from 8.30 - 9.30 but because he woke up later yesterday he didn't want to go down for a nap.
Well we tried not to worry and just took the pram into church to let him sleep in that. No such luck. He just wanted to play all morning!! Got home at about 12.05 and got him his lunch. He's still smiling at this point (having been awake since 7.15am). Put him down for a nap at 12.45. He fell asleep immediately and had an hour 45mins.
Then we were off out again to some friends for dinner. Arrived for about 4pm. They have a 15 month old dd. Daniel LOVES playing with her. Fed him and then we ate whilst he just played on the floor. We left at about 6.45pm to get him back for bed. I gave him his bottle and by this point he was nice and sleepy. Brought him upstairs and realised I'd have to change his nappy before bed. To his annoyance I began changing him. Just after I'd taken his nappy off he started to poo :x :x Tried to catch it with wet wipes etc (come on surely you've all had to do this too :oops: ) I was so intent on him not getting poo everywhere that I failed to notice he was peeing EVERYWHERE (oh the joys of having a boy :lol: ) When I finally did notice I realised it was over his head, over his face, over his clothes - everywhere. So the sleepy baby had now dissappeared and I had to do a full outfit change :evil:
Eventually he was tucked up in bed asleep and dreaming of ... (probably milk, or food or pee I should think :lol: )
Then my sister phoned me to see if I wanted to go round to hers to watch a dvd. Was so nice to be able to do something spontaneously for a change.
So all in all yesterday was a great day. Daniel woke up at 6am again today though. I knew it wouldn't last.
What cute frogs we have on this thread. So sweet.
Tarri - for a long time Daniel has loved bashing things together and just recently this changed to him clapping. We did it lots for him and he just copied. It's so sweet now though coz we just say 'clap hands' to him and he does the hugest, widest claps for you. In fact at church yesterday when people started to clap during the singing he seemed to think it was all for his benefit. So funny.
I'm the same about wanting to know how to teach them to put stuff back in a box. He loves to empty his toy box but doesn't get tidying away yet!
Julieb - Daniel and Asher sound so similar it's scarey (apart from mobility!!!) Daniel also does the hand over mouth noise and the woof and meow. The meow is so sweet. It's just this high pitched kind of squeal.
Right I must go and do something useful now. It's too easy to spend too long at this computer. Will everyone please stop writing so many interesting posts (only joking, please don't stop!)
Have a great day everyone.
-
Just a quick piccie. Daniel this morning clapping in between each mouthful of apple. I could just eat him up... :wink:
-
JulieB and Tammy - OMG - Love the froggy outfit pics!!!
JulieB- Too funny because all Leah will say is dada. She even looks at me and says dada? :roll:
Tarri- Same as my doc, he talks too much. Actually the annoying thing is that he spends too much time asking me how work is blah, blah, blah that by the time we get to talking about Leah she is VERY crabby becuase it's like 90 degrees in there, she's naked and can't crawl around!
Hazel - :lol: :lol: :lol: Your nightime ordeal made me laugh!!!! What a good boy though for adapting to the change so well.
Happy Leah news! She is clapping now too. :D She LOVES dogs, so on our daily walk whenever she sees one, she sits up and claps. It's especially funny now becuase she is in a snow suit so she is clapping thru the mittens!
Sad Leah news - She is sick AGAIN! :evil: We just got over it and now the cough and runny nose is back. Yesterday she screamed everytime I tried to put her down for a nap. I even tried to rock her and that didn't work. I'm a little worried her ears are hurting, but she doesn't seem to be pulling on them. Ahhh, and LOTS of night wakings for cuddles. So tired!
-
We just had such fun going to the park on the bicycle to walk the dog like real Amsterdammers. It's the first time I have taken Ciara out on it (in the kiddy seat) without dh so was a little scared but we did great! :D
Have been looking at the jusspress videos - they are soooo cute. I can't believe Asher can walk already! I wonder if he will be a famous athlete one day.... we will all say we saw him first! :D Luka is gorgeous as a girl isn't he? (and a boy too of course!) I'm going to check out some more after Ciara's bedtime....
Deb - how is it going w/o df? We had a good first night but from the second night the wakings started.... I did reinstigate the df on day 3 or 4 but by then it didn't help :( so I just stopped it again after about a week or so :? It was so frustrating b/c she had slept 12 hrs from 2.5 months with a df but looking back it was right before crawling and all the rest of it, so maybe it was just bad timing :roll: not sure....
Talk later :D
~Kate
-
Well, we made it through the weekend. I am still sick, but Maya has not come down with it yet. Dh was great, He took care of Maya all weekend, and I got to take a nap both Saturday and Sunday.
Joanne - I have no idea what started the night wakings, but if you have been feeding her at night for a while now, I would guess she has come to expect it. Tracy outlines several techniques for weaning night feeds in her problem solver book.
Kate- Maya doesn't socialize much with other babies at all. In fact, many seem to scare her. We go to playgroup once a week, but she sticks to our corner of the blanket. It's more for me than for her at this point.
Breakfast - I also feed Maya her solid breakfast right before her first nap. She always takes a good bf when she wakes up, so I can understand why she's not as hungry an hour later. At least for right now, that's her best solid meal of the day.
:?: Speaking of which, approximately how many ounces of solids do your lo's eat at each meal?
Finger food - I do steam most of her veggies because they are too hard raw. However, she loves to teethe on raw carrot sticks. She uses her little stubs of teeth to whittle the ends into points. I also give her raw cucumber sticks (peeled and deseeded). She kind of mashed those to a pulp with her gums.
Clapping - I started by clapping when I would go in to get her up from her nap. I always say, "Oh goody, you're up. Now I have someone to play with!"
Also, I am going to post on the EASY board, but I am trying to come up with a plan to rework Maya's routine, and I want to get an idea of A times for a 10mos old.
-
I guess Emily's not ready to clap yet. She won't let me bring her hands together so I can't show her. The only thing she copies is banging her hands twice on the table. :?
Emily eats about 10oz of solids a day. Not sure exactly cause I don't measure the cereal anymore.
Today I put a flier in the mailboxes on our street looking for a babysitter. I didn't put our names or address, just our unlisted phone number so I think it should be okay. I hardly know anyone around with kids so I thought the recommendation of someone from a half-stranger is just as bad as a stranger anyways. I've got to find someone so we can go to dh's Christmas party. It's dinner and drinks and Yuk Yuk's comedian. I really really want to go!
-
Solids - I never measure out his solids. I think he has about 4 oz of a meal that I've made up and frozen previously (like spaghetti bolognaise, chicken and rice and veg, cheesy pasta...) He also has some steamed veg or some other finger food with it and then some fruit for dessert, or a small yogurt. I'm guessing all that comes to about 6 or 7 oz per meal.
New word - had to post this - his new word (started today) is 'wow'. He has being saying it all day. It is so cute watching him play with his toys and he keeps on just saying 'wow, wow, wow...' I know I say it a lot to him so I don't know if he's copied or if it's just another sound that he's found. Either way it's cute.
Christine - Hope Leah gets better very soon. Me and dh feel very lucky as Daniel has not been sick once yet. Not even a cold or a sniffle. We're trying out a new mother and babies group tomorrow, so maybe I shouldn't speak too soon :?
Deborah - get well soon. Thinking of you.
-
Tarri-Kelsey doesn't like for me to hold her arms or hands (unless I'm "walking" her around). It's impossible for me to roll her sleeves up because she hates her arms being restricted. Anyway, have you tried banging 2 cups or something together, then offering the cups to her to try? Kelsey picked this up very quickly in the bathtub (a game I got from Branwen and Eirwen), then she learned to clap from just watching me.
Just a thought.
Okay, gals! I need your input. I have 2 dresses to choose from and I want your opinion. My sister is getting married this weekend, so Kelsey needs a dress of course. Buuuuuut, I need to use the same dress for Christmas as to not going spending crazy. Each is suitable for both occasions, but I can't decide which to choose. Only problem with the one is the short-sleeves, and I can't bring myself to spend more money for a matching sweater, so she'd have to wear a regular jacket, and it's in the 50's (F) here, and Christmas will be even colder.
The left is black velvety on top, with black, cream, and reddish plaid on bottom, and a somewhat poofy skirt. The right is red velvety (like velour or something) with a ruffled bottom, and matching bloomers. I have cream tights and black shoes to go with either.
-
Hi everyone!
Thanks for the support and ideas for Eirwen. I wrote the doc and he said to try a couple of things. First he said to buy an exersaucer so she gets used to playing vertical and hopefully learns to push with her legs. This was somewhat problematic because she is so tall but I managed to find one (The Baby Einstien one) that goes to 32 inches. She seems to enjoy it but still bends her legs holding them up- not touching down :? I have it on the medium setting so if she would correctly extend her legs it would be perfect...what to do???
Eirwen seems to forget how to do things. She was clapping last month but then it has now gone away. Same with bye-bye? Is it my fault? Is it because we work on it and then she gets it and we stop doing it as much?
Also- she doesn't seem to enjoy her play time as much when I try to play with her and show her things- does anyone else have this?? I guess she is just a very independent girl? :( I wish I could play with her more and sing songs and such but she seems so unhappy with this?
Solids- Eirwen eats about 4 to 6 oz at every solid meal- so we're about at 12oz but she also has finger foods too. It is a lot but she really enjoys them!! Baby food is getting too expensive for us so we're going to real (unsweetended) fruit sauces and I'm going to start making more of my own stuff. I've just been so depressed/busy/stressed these last months that I haven't been wanting to cook for her in advance.
Christine- poor sick Leah! I'm sending you both HUGS! Do you have video of the snowsuit clapping on your site?
Hazel- Daniel is a doll! I love that photo. Your pooping/peeing story is too funny. You are such a good mommy to tell that all with a happy tone :wink: Jealous of your new word. Eirwen says "mamama" over and over and also "ah" or "ahk" for kitty. I also think she tried to sound like the cat and that is really funny. She recognizes words mostly. I say "where is kitty" and she spins around looking. Where is mama? She will touch my face. And so on...but nothing coming out yet!!!
:?: I feel embarrassed asking this but do all of your babies know their names? Eirwen does most of the time...is she just ignoring me when she doesn't look or react to her name?
Okay I must share Eirwen's Halloween costume :D
Oh- Heather- I love the plaid one! Something about the plaid and bow really says Christmas to me :D
-
LOL - i think we're all on at the same time!!!
hope all of you who are sick start to feel better soon!
Deborah - i think luke eats about 4-5 oz of food at a meal?? i don't premeasure either, but that's what it looks like. though he usually eats more at dinner & less at lunch.
Tarri - hope you find a sitter!!!!
Heather - i vote for the red one. it looks more christmassy to me. but, don't you already have both if you're taking pictures? or are you returning one to the store?
Branwen - i think it's totally normal that they forget stuff. i think because once they master something, then it loses its novelty so they move on. i've noticed that they eventually those skills pop up again later. as for his name... i think luke usually knows it but there are other times when he has no clue. i think that happens cause he just is too busy thinking about whatever mischief he's getting into.
gorgeous pix everyone! :D
-
Branwen-Kelsey seems to only practice one "skill" at a time. It was waving, then saying bye-bye, then da-da, now clapping. She rarely does more than 2 things together. And some days she's very quiet, and others, like today, she babbles on and on. Keep using the exersaucer, it may take some time for her to get used to. Does the seat turn around or move back and forth? That costume pic is absolutely adorable, certainly one of the cutest.
Solids-Kelsey has a 4 oz jar at each meal. I'm not doing well on the finger foods, but she's not doing well on eating them, either. I know I have to keep offering for her to learn, but I get so lazy, and meal times are battles more often than not, especially if I dare give her something she doesn't like.
And, Jaime, yes I have to return one probably.
-
Thanks for all the well wishes for Leah to get better. The one other little girl at day care and her keep passing illness's between each other. Grrr... The joys of child care.
Tarri - Let us know how the babysitter searching goes. I'm interested to see what kind of a response you get.
Heather - We are really going to confuse you even more! I kind of like the plaid one. I just think it looks so dressy. BUT, the red one is adorable too. I wish we lived closer. I have the perfect cardigan to go over the plaid dress. Ohh, if we all lived closer, think of all the sharing that could go on! :wink:
Branwen - Leah prefers to play by herself too. She is not much of a cuddler. So she prefers to sit on the floor and play. Somedays I feel bad becuase I will sit by her, but read a book. But, that's what she wants, so be it! Leah will turn to her name, but there are times where she doesn't and I believe she is ignorning me. :wink: I LOVE the Halloween costume! Such a doll!
EVERYONE - I am working on a jusspress site! It will be up and going, hopefully tomorrow. I will let you know the site name soon! We do still have our family webpage too. http://ebner.gotfamiliesonline.com/website
-
Branwen - it is normal for babies to switch between developmental focuses... they often need to foicus all their attention on the new thing so drop old skills in the meantime, and then revert to them later. for example - olivia had finally started babbling, but when she started crawling it stopped almost completely. now that she has "mastered" crawling enough to satisfy her, she has started with the babbling again. this big break has meant we are still at the bababa stage - she says dada rarely and yesterday was the first "mama" since those first 2 times. ~ i am with you on the making baby food front - i have been going through jars a lot because the thought of cooking is too much for me - i finally made some last night but a small batch just for dinner and then lunch today must do more later today as i am down to 4 cubes of fruit n the freezer and have been using more jars then i woudl llike to remember and they are so expensive here!! ~ also found your jus press site and very cute! it looks to me like you do a lot of "playing" with eirwen in nature and during meals so don't worry - it does not have to be playing wth toys - it is just about interacting with them and chatting etc :D
christine - i saw your site (i had gone thorough the old pages and found it) very cute photos.
Kate - the no Df is CR@P. I AM SO TIRED. yesterday was 6am start, today she woke at 5:30 :evil: and that is after yesterday getting quite a good amount of formula into her all day (total 930ml = 32oz) so i think she just needs more at late evening to make it through past 6/6:30am I am really tempted to go back to topping her up at 9:30 just for my own sake - woudl that be terrible? also- the earlier starts are affectiong alex who is right next door to liv - alex has been sensitive, ccrying, tired... since the drop of DF ~ that is so great about the bicycle ride. Dh rides and won't get a seat even to take alex along as he is fearful of an accident. but i guess since amsterdam is geared towards cyclists they are more aware of all the people on bikes...
Heather - i like both dresses so if the plaid one with a regular jacket does not impress you, i woudl then go for the red long sleeve so the "look" is better.
Tarri - do you have a daycare centre near you ? a lot of people oi know here have used their daycare centre staff/directors who moonlight for cash - they then have a babaysitter who knows CPR and first aid and obviously can handle the lo. just an idea. they also might have knowledge of some good babysitters in the area - or do they have a noticeboard so you could ask other moms? as long as you don't fully poach their babysitter they might give you a lead?
-
Hazel, I'm just amazed at Daniel in the high chair all clean! No bib, no sleeves rolled up! Asher is so messy. I wish they made a "full body bib"! And does he leave that plate there or is it suctioned down?
Had to laugh at your diaper caper! Asher hasn't pooped on us since he was an infant (when it used to come shooting out from his bottom! :shock: :lol: ). We've been peed on numerous occasions as has Asher (in his face/mouth :oops: ). But it's been a while. We've gotten quick. I think it was Tracy who suggested a box of kleenexes on the changing table with a boy. Those tissues have saved us countless other times! :lol:
Deborah, I haven't been measuring Asher's food for a while, but I decided to weigh the plate before and after on my kitchen scale today -- 9-10 oz! :shock: I thought it may be about 6 oz. Doesn't look like that much, half pear, half banana, some pasta, califlower, and a spinach/yam mixture. I put a photo below. I guess that's why he's 23 lbs. :oops: Everyone always told me he eats like a horse, but I didn't realize it was this bad. Makes me wonder if I should cut back a bit in hopes he BFs better. :oops: :shock:
And FWIW, Asher's awake times are 2:45 hr in the morning, then 1:15 hr nap (from which I wake him), 3:30 hr at lunch, 0:45~1:30 hr nap, then up until 7:00 bedtime.
Heather, I like the red one, but that's just more my style. :wink:
Branwen, Asher forgot bye-bye for a while as well. It's recently back with more practice. I thought it was you who once mentioned that babies often learn new things and then forget? I just figured it was that and we weren't using it every day to reinforce it.
I THINK Asher knows his name, but if he's really into something, nothing will tear him away! He's also very independent, especially since he started standing. He comes over periodically, but for the most part it's "things to do, places to go, and people to see!"
Eirwen's the sweetest flower I've ever seen!
Deb, if you want to go back to the DF, I really don't think it hurts to try. Maybe she eats like a bird and her tummy can't hold enough at one time to last through the night? Maybe she has a faster metabolism? What are you feeding for dinner? I notice if I just give veggies/fruit, Asher seems starved by morning. I always feed him the homemade rice or millet cereal along with dinner. Seems to last longer.
-
We have a site!!!!!
http://jusspress.com/crebner
Enjoy! The videos are not that great. Of course I tried really hard to get some good ones, but we'll work on it!
-
Julie-I can't believe he eats that well. I'm jealous in a way!!! :oops: :wink: How neat!
-
Well, so many new pages over the weekend. You ladies have been busy. I have tried to catch up but I will finish my reading later. I think a bubble bath is calling me so I am just going to post something quick. This morning Jordan said 'mama' for the first time :D Well, he has been saying some things for a while - baba, mama, nana, dada - but this morning when I got up he was already in his highchair (MIL was visiting and I got to sleep in a little :D :D ) and when I came around the corner he smiled and said 'mama'. Oh I was so excited! It was one of those moments that makes you forget all of the frustrations.
klt: Jordan was born Feb 15 but they are close. Actually went into labour on Valentine's Day (my due date) but he kept us waiting :)
Us: Jordan's naps haven't been too bad. He still has a cold, dr told us it could be weeks or months :o before it clears up but it is viral and there is nothing he can take for it. He doesn't seem to be too bad, just a runny nose and a cough every now and then. Though the runny nose could be a 6th tooth coming through, we got number 5 on Friday. He is walking all around holding on and will probably start going any time now.
Anyone else getting excited for Christmas !! I guess for all of you in the U.S. pre-Christmas doesn't start until after Thanksgiving??
Joanne F
-
Joanne - Yes, no pre-Christmas till after Thanksgiving here in the US. I can't wait! It will be so much fun to see Leah at Christmas. She loves paper!
JulieB- The plate! I am jealous!!!!!! I don't think you need to cut back, it's great that he eats so well! I only wish! Does Asher have a problem with the fruit cut into long strips like that? Does he choke? I always cut Leah's up into small chunks, but maybe I should try the long strips?
-
Busy little posters today! :wink:
Ethan eats about 5 to 6 ozs at breakfast, plus puffs; 4 ozs at lunch plus puffs; and 6 ozs at dinner plus puffs. Can you tell he loves puffs? I'm trying to introduce more finger foods, but so far he's not having it.
I tried out a baby food dinner tonight of sweet potatoes and turkey. He ate the whole thing! I didn't know if he would eat it or not. He loves sweet potatoes, but the turkey thing I wasn't sure about.
Julie - I can't believe how much food Asher eats! I know it looks like way more than it is, simply because it's finger food, but still! And you know what, I think Ethan is probably around 22 lbs, so you're not the only one with a chub chub chub on your hands. (that's what I call him - he thinks it's funny).
Debra - I think you could try to top Olivia off with a small df early, maybe around 9 or 9:30 before you go to bed. Perhaps she's just not ready to drop that bit yet. Maybe when she starts eating more and more solids then she'll show you she's ready. Has to be worth a try at this point, eh?
Branwen - I love Eirwen's costume - it's so adorable! Ethan knows his name, but when he's playing, forget it. He will not pay any attention to you. It's usually when he's crawling or pulling up or something that he shouldn't be! And Ethan doesn't really like me to play with him. He's much more content to play with his stuff, crawl around, and pull up on everything in site. I notice that he will try and pull up on me (when I'm sitting on the floor) when he starts getting a bit tired and ready for a nap. For the most part, though, he is a solo player. I think that may be typical for this age. Also, we have the Baby Einstein saucer for Ethan. It took him a bit to understand that he could set both feet down. He had been in his jumperoo before that, so he thought he could bounce! Anyway, he loves it now, although he doesn't spend much time in it anymore. He'd much rather pull up on it from the outside! Ethan's is also on the medium height, although he'll soon be ready for the 3rd.
Heather - I personally love the plaid one with the bow. It's so cute!
Hazel - your story made me laugh! I've actually never been pooped on yet! A few pee incidents when Ethan was little. Nothing lately though!
Us - Ethan is till getting up about 6:30 the past few days. I guess that's better than the odd 5 or 6 am wakeup. Any why is it that when dh is home on the weekend, Ethan takes perfect naps, 1.5 hours or longer both am and pm! And then today, when dh is gone, he takes one 30 minute nap in the am, and 1 hour in the pm? It's so frustrating!
Ethan has not said any "words". Is anyone else's lo not "talking"? He babbles plenty, and says baba, yaya, etc. Just no dada or mama yet. He is just starting to figure out that mmm sound. It's funny cause he'll smack his lips together sometimes without speaking! I'm not worried about it or anything - he is plenty vocal - just no words yet. I read a poll somewhere that asked when your child said their first word, and most moms polled in at 4 or 5 months. I thought, no way! Maybe Ethan is just slow, but 4 months? Maybe those moms are a bit competitive? :wink:
-
julieb - i am in awe of that plate of food - Liv is nowhere near that much.
as far as dinner goes she hates cereal but i will often add some to mashed veg + formula and did this last night so she got about 2 TBS cereal and still only made it to 5:30. i think she just needs something at 9:30 to make it later. maybe by 1 year old she will eat enough :roll: she does take after me in so many ways and i have a fast metabolism (based on how much i eat i should weigh about 200 lbs :shock: i eat more than Dh easily) also, whereas Dh seems to be affected by how much he eats from meal to meal so if eats a hge lunch he eats toast for dinner etc, i have to eat all meals i burn them off. so if i eat a huge roast lunch i will still want something for dinner - Dh could live off the meal until the following day :lol: so maybe that is the same for her - it does not matter what she eats overall, just what she eats at the end of the day (because the rest is already used up :?: )
-
I forgot that I was going to add Ethan's A times currently. From wakeup to am nap is about 3 hours; wakeup to pm nap is about 3 to 3.25; then awake until bedtime at 7 (sometimes that can be as long as 4 hours if nap #2 is crap!)
-
Julieb - Daniel is actually wearing a bib in that photo. It's a long sleeved bib - our life saver! The reason he's looking so clean in that shot is because he was just eating chunks of stewed apple. The plate is not a suctioned one and it has taken a few goes to get him to just leave it on the tray and not pick it up. But now he's quite good. He taps it but rarely grabs it. If he went to grab it we would just say 'no' and move it away. He soon learned what to do. If I could have got a photo from his dinner yesterday you'd have seen him wearing most of the food! So much more fun that way though isn't it? I have to stop myself from cleaning him up all the time and just let him be messy.
The amount Asher eats - WOW :shock: It is so good to see the amount though. Daniel eats about the same (maybe not quite as much) and I am always sooooo worried that he eats too much. All the advice is to let them have what they want quantity wise isn't it, but to be honest there have been times when I've wondered if he'll ever stop. I think he'd be quite hapy if one meal just rolled right on into the next. He eats so much fruit and veg though that I figure that can't really do any harm (Can it?) I'm wondering if he'll want to eat even more once he starts crawling around. Help, our food bill is gonna be huge :lol:
Heather - I think I like the red one best. But both are cute. (Oooh I hope we have a girl next so I can get to buy some cute little dresses.)
Branwen - Daniel does know his name (in fact other people commented on that before I had even realised it :oops: ) but he definitely has moments where he ignores us (if he's busy). I LOVE the photo of your little flower. What a cutie.
Also, Daniel much prefers to play on his own. In fact sometimes when I try to join in with him he starts throwing a tantrum! I end up feeling like the naughty one. He's never been a cuddly baby but just recently he's started being a little more generous with his cuddling. I just love bedtime cuddles now.
Christine - Leah looks so sweet doing the army crawl. There'll be no stopping her now.
-
Hi Everyone,
I'm having a rough start today. Emily was awake at 5:30am. I tried to get her to sleep but gave up a 6:00. Then she was super cranky so I thought I'd put her down for a catnap at 7:00...well that was a big NO- NO. She went into hysterics almost. So I put her down at 8:45 (our usually nap time) and she put up hysterics again for 10mins but has now gone to sleep. It seems whenever I try to get her to sleep and she doesn't want to it REALLY backfires on me, it's like she doesn't trust me somehow that she can wake up when she wants to. Hmmm.
Deb, definately give the top up at 9:30. This is way better than you getting woken at 5:30 and it's similar to what I do. And normally it works quite well. This morning was an exception.
Heather, I like the red one.
Branwen, Eirwen is a super cutie in her flower costume!
Can't write anymore, I'm still fuming from this morning :evil: . Talk to you later.
Tarri
-
Tarri........HUGS to you. I just read your post. Hannah and I had a rough start to our day too, so I know exactly how you are feeling. Hang in there :)
Joanne
-
What a night! :shock: :roll: I went out with some friends to celebrate a birthday but had to come home early. Asher woke 45 minutes after going tobed (as usual lately), but DH couldn't get him to stop crying. After 45 minutes, he called me all upset and said Asher kept saying mama. So I told him to just get him up until I got home. Big mistake! I was 45 minutes away. By time I put him to bed the second time, he was SO tired and having a hard time getting past the stage two jolt. Finally got him down at 10:45 (up for 3 hours by that time), but he only slept for 35 minutes. I couldn't get him to stop crying and fianlly walking into our room to wake DH, "What should I do?!" Asher stopped since being distracted by our room. So DH took him, rocked, and was able to put him down. I heard him cry out at 4:30 am, then up for the day at 6:00. I left him in bed until almost 7:00 so we could try to keep our naps around the same times (so hopefully he'd sleep better). He's currently down for his morning nap 15 min early, and I'm hoping for 2 hours. He was SO sleepy and mellow this morning, tired, half-closed eyes. Don't know what it was. Seperation anxiety? Makes me nervous for our Disneyland trip if that's how he is when he gets that tired. I kept hoping he'd just crash, but he was fighting it so much.
I was gonna take a nap, but I drank too much coffee this morning! :shock: Today is PJ/sweats day. I'll nap during his afternoon nap.
Re: Asher's food, well, I guess he really does eat a lot then. :roll: Costs a small fortune since we're mainly buying organic. Before solids, he ate a lot then too, 50~60 oz a day. So maybe it's just his particular activity level and metabolism?
Christine, I love your videos!! I love watching everyone's LOs, makes me feel like we're not all so far apart! Asher still gags on the strips as much as the chunks. It's just because he stuffs his mouth. I read about them starting to do strips once they mastered chunks, so that's why I started. They're easier to pick up as well. He's pretty good about biting off half. They're still very ripe and cut thin.
Joanne, the mama moment is so sweet! I always thought I'd have a tearful first mama moment, but no, he started saying it when he was crying (his tears, not mine!)! :lol: Not as magical as I pictured! :wink: Oh, and Christmas around here usually starts the day after Halloween. :lol: I think the stores often forget Thanksgiving a bit. I don't mind though cuz we've christmas nuts. We've been listening to christmas music already!
Deb, Asher hates cereal alone as well, so fruit is always added to it. From what you say about your metabolism, I'm definitely thinking she needs that DF, it makes so much sense now!
Hazel, :lol: I need to find one of those bibs!! That would be so much easier!! We jokingly call Asher, "White Trash Baby" at the end of the day because of all the crusted dried food on his clothes! :lol: DH gets so embarrased still when we go to the store! :wink: Asher also seems like a bottomless pit. Makes me wonder too. He has no clear end. That's why I keep hoping he'll learn to sign "all done" back to me. I can never tell! So I usually just end dinner once he's slowing down and we're nearing the end, not picking up his food as fast. :roll:
Tarri, hope your day gets better. Sending good thoughts your way!!
-
I've always said life never gives us more than we can handle, but this is getting ridiculous. On top of EVERYTHING else, it looks like I have a nursing strike on my hands. She hasn't nursed since yesterday morning.
Will post more later, but I must get offline as I am waiting for the doctor's office to call.
-
Deborah, yikes! That's probably the last thing you and Maya need. Good idea to call the doctor! I hope she starts gaining weight soon.
Joanne, thanks for the hugs. I really needed them earlier, but I'm back to my old self again. :D I hope your day is going better too :)
Christine, so far I've got one response from a 12 yr old girl for babysitting. I'm pretty sure I'm going to tell her she can sit for us in a couple of years. Also, Emily lost interest in her treasure box so I put all new stuff in it and it kept her busy for another 15mins!
Branwen, I was thinking....Could Eirwen not putting weight on her legs be related to the accident when she fell on her face :?: I read somewhere that if they hurt themselves doing something that it can take a long time before they try it again. Food for thought.
Julie, sounds like last night was a nightmare for all of you. I hope something like that doesn't happen to us when we go to dh's Christmas party.
Us, Luckily, Emily had a SUPER DUPER 2 hr nap this morning, so she has redemmed herself. And it looks like her afternoon nap should be okay too. Today we had chicken at lunch. I just cut it into tiny pieces and mixed it in her cereal. And she didn't seem to mind.
-
Tarri - glad things are mellowing out for you. btw - was it you who was asking about the eczema? a friend of mine recommended Eucerin intensive care lotion to me... and luke looks amazing!!! his cheeks almost look normal now, and we're working on his arms.
Julieb - :shock: that plate of food - wow! bet you can't wait for the teenage years! :wink: good for him.
Deborah - (((((HUGS)))) it's got to get better.
rhetorical question (maybe!) - why does he sleep 1.5 hrs when i put him down for a nap, but 2.5 hrs when dh does? :evil: :roll: :lol:
-
Tammy-Kelsey eats the sweet potatoes and turkey, and she also likes the apples/chicken and apples/ham.
Pasta-I know to overcook it, but what size do I give her? Will she mush it between her gums or swallow it? Knowing her she'll touch it and throw it overboard! :x
-
Deborah, hang in there!! I'm sure you've been trying everything, but have you ruled out teething? Orajel, teething tablets, motrin? Not hungry or taking solids okay? Change the location of nursing in a quiet, dark, non-stimulating place? What about when she's sleepy or before the nap?
Heather, I like the spiral pasta best. Seems to mush better and I'm not paranoid if he tries to swallow it whole. Also pretty easy to pick up. I usually have to demonstate eating a new food off his tray before he tries it himself. Sometimes I even have to feed him the first bite. I guess if you look at it through their eyes, they don't know if you're handing them a new food or a new toy! They've never seen it before! :lol: Asher seems to copy me fairly well. Good luck! Let us know what she thinks!
-
Tarri - sorry about your rought start. well last night i decided we would give her 4 oz at 9:30 and of course Dh got sidetracked by the news... and at 9:45 she woke crying for food :shock: and drained the 4+ oz bottle. wish we had prepared a full bottle now as she still woke early - i woke at 5:45 (i guess after 4 mornings my body now can't relax - i also woke up with a stiff neck and shoulder - tense much ???) she was up by 6 and for a change Dh went to her and tried to resettle which worked and she slept until 6:20 and then woke again. she drank 150ml (5oz). i am getting so frustrated and not sure what else to do - don't want to risk WTS since julieb had it backfire some of the time. can't get any more food into her ... and her formula intake is good. i really cannot get by with the hour - hour and a half less sleep and the past 2 or 3 days i have fallen asleep mid-task/activity (monday i fell asleep watchign oprah during their naptime and yesterday mid story with alex and then in my bed while olivia played on the floor - i woke up and she was holding the plug from Dh's bedside lamp - it was not in the wall anymore :shock: )
julieb - i always add fruit to her cereal - woudl never dream of plain cereal :D last 2 mornings she has eaten about 2-4 TBS cereal/fruit/formula mixture along with her cheerios and banana pieces. i might try to add more cereal into her veggies tonight.
Deborah - i am sorry you and Maya seem to be having a rough time ever since your trip. i hope the Dr is able to help you out.
Heather - we are just starting pasta here (9 mo recommendation here) and i give small spirals. alex always ate spirals and penne whole! she woudl inhale them and friends woudl watch in horror - and she had teeth!
i also used to toss in risoni into dishes for alex when she was little (risoni is that pasta that looks like riceif you don't know what i am talking about. you can just toss in a handful into a dish of veggies and cheese...)
tonight i am making fish for the girls - will be olivia's first time - hope she likes it (will poach it in milk and butter like i usually do for alex)
-
Deb, I was just thinking, could it be a growth spurt? Do they have 9 month spurts? Seems like Asher went through one a bit ago because he surprised me on the height & weight at his check up. Be patient and try the DF again tonight. Several people kept telling me to try longer with Asher on moving the bedtime around (and the mornings), things take longer to reset with older babies. I've managed to move the bedtime to 7 pm for 1.5 weeks now and haven't had him wake before 6 am most days. And often he goes back to sleep himself until 6:30 ish. He's always been an early bird, so I think 6:30 is the best I can hope for. Try to be hopeful and maybe she'll come back around. :D
-
thank you jlie - had not thought of that - i think they GS at 3,6,9 and 12 months right??? maybe we should go back to the Df for another week if she cannot increase daytime any more. she has been taking her bedtime bottle BEFORE bath again for the past few nights and drowning about 150-180ml (6oz) and then taking another few oz before bed. and wakng hungry last night really threw us for a loop!!
i bet you are right!!! thanks - also all of her GS have occurred the week -10 days prior to the month birthday - this started a week or so before 9 mo (what a stupid idea to drop DF just as GS starting :roll: )
-
Hi all
It's been very crazy for us for sometime now! I have been very busy but I am trying to catch up with all of your news. Just thought that I'll post a little bit atleast
Deb: Diya ate so much too for her 9 month growth spurt and stopped eating almost everything after the spurt! So don't worry abt Liv's eating pattern now and try to give her as much formula and solids during the day so that she won't wake up early!
US: Diya is becoming very good in expressing her needs by just saying hey and hmm. She almost yells everytime we do something she doesn't like! She is enjoying other babies company very much now and is becoming very independent(makes me feel sappy)
Branwen: Glad that you are able to sell your house
Deborah: I have read somewhere that babies go on a nursing strike at around 10 months. I believe that you have to just keep offering her every now and then. I am sure that you will be able to find much more help in the BF forum. Hugs to you
Julieb: I can't wait to see Asher's videos after reading so much about it. I keep telling myself that I 'll try to see atleast for a few mins but have been a little busy!
-
These babies certainly seem to try to coincide with their 'loopy' times don't they. Daniel has had a very strange 24 hours to say the least. (It's my own fault - Monday eve I decided to change my signature thing from 'our textbook/angel baby' to just 'our angel baby'. It was like he knew I had fiddled with it and decided to teach me a leson :shock: :lol:
Yesterday we had planned to go to a mother and baby group for the first time with my next door neighbour and her baby. Wouldn't you just know it Daniel refused to take any kind of morning nap so when we left at 10am he was already tired. He grabbed about 15 mins in the car on the way there. The group was VERY loud and VERY busy. By 11.30am Daniel was not impressed. Once we got home though he was fine. I'm like panicking thinking this kid has barely slept since 7am :shock: But he was all smile and laughs etc... (seem to remember others saying their los behave like this when overtired) Gave him his dinner and put him down at 1pm. Again he refused to sleep :evil: So by about 3pm I decided to take him out for a walk coz that would surely get him to sleep. After an hour and half in pram he was still wide awake :? The bizarre thing was though he seemed really happy.
Anyway, long story short, he had 15 mins sleep from 7am til 6.30pm :shock: :roll: Please let this never happen again (at least not til he's 3!) I was shattered by the end of the day. The nap times become precious don't they in reviving yourself before it starts all over again.
He woke at 7am (2nd day in a row :) ) and has just gone back down to sleep now. He was really tired again, but thankfully he's gone straight off to sleep this time. I'm just praying he does the same this afternoon.
Frustration - Daniel seems to be getting really frustrated now that he can't get around. He just doesn't seem to try though. Actually maybe it's me getting more frustrated. He lies on his tummy stretching for something but just won't do anything to try to move. It's like he just doesn't 'get it' that he can actually wiggle and squirm his way there.Instead he just whines and then screams. I know I should just leave him to figure it out but after a bit I just give in and pass the toy to him. He seems to be throwing more mini tantrums now too. Kicking and throwing his head back :shock: and again I don't know if this is just because he's frustrated. I hope it sorts itself out soon though.
HUGS to everyone who needs them (there seem to be a lot at the moment). Have a good day / night.
PS Where is Nikki?
-
ugh - we had a rainstorm today with extreme winds and our street lost power for a few hours (unfortunately was during entire naptime so no Oprah or computer for me :evil: )
good to see you Vidya - it sounds like you and Diya are doing wel! i cannot believe it did not occur to me that we were in a growth spurt :oops: she has been feeding better in the day the past 3 days (whereas she had been refusing her 3-4pm bottle she was now draining the 7oz i was offering :oops: i was so happy with that it did not occur to me to offer 8-9oz)
so today i offered full bottle (8 1/2 + oz) and she took and average of 7 1/2 - 8 oz per feed (except 3:30pm which was more like 5 oz :roll: buit i snuck extra in her dinner to make up for it :lol: ) and at bedtime bottle she took some before bath and more after = took 300ml = 10+ oz!!! :shock: so i say we are defnitely in a GS. i focused on cereal at dinner and she at about 4TBS of cereal/prunes/formula and a little fish and crackers and lots of watermelon. we are going to offer DF tonight and see if that helps until the GS passes.
PROBLEM: our sound machine died at the end of her nap this afternoon so we have had to go cold turkey without it tonight. i am so scared!!! Dh thinks it died because alex plays with it turning it on and off all the time :roll: so he is going to try to take it apart and fix it :lol: :shock: we'll see In the meantime i am pretty sure i have never seen them here (mine is one i bought in the states that i had been using for me to sleep through Dh's breathing/snoring even before the kids joined us and took my noise machine away) I knew i shoul dhave had my mom bring another one out :evil: wish us luck!
Hazel - at least he was in a good mood - imagine if he was crying or needed to be held the entire day!! sounds like you held it together well though - i woudl have been crying and a basketcase :oops:
also - frustration is what forces them to start crawling etc to finally go get what they want so let him struggle for at least a few minutes - maybe move the item closer before actually giving in and handing it to him. Liv never seemed to have the instinct to try to get toys until recently - i was really worried about this as she woudl reach once and give up, whereas alex woudl spend ages trying to get things (and subsequently crawled from 5 mo). when Liv started crawling but not forwards what finally got her to make the move was her favourite doll - i saw her trying to get it and i just moved it a little bit from her and she crawled forward a tiny bit, so i praised her but moved it further - she did this for 3 paces and then i gave it to her and clapped lots etc. that was her turning point. ~ if you don't think he "gets it" about moving have you tried showing him by physically moving him along, also try putting your hands behind his feet so he has something to push off against... just a few ideas. he will get there in the end - trust me when they are frustrated enough, if they are physically capable of it, they will move. It has not occurred to Liv to try to stand or pull up and i think i might try putting her doll on the sofa and see if she even tries to move towards it :D
-
Oh Deb, it does make sense now doesn't it? Ciara's GS have all been like clockwork and I never spotted them for what they were at the time :roll: - it's hard to think straight when you are in the midst of it.
Deborah - sending my best thoughts for some good news soon... you could do with it I'm sure. I have also heard that around this age they start to refuse bf - Ciara is very reluctant these days, I think she thinks she is too grown up for that now....
Christine- Leah is hilarious with those crackers! She must be a generous spirit! Ciara won't even give the dog his own biscuit, let alone any of her food! I love seeing the videos, it does make it seem like I know your los. (I should do one too...)
Pasta - she has mini macaroni which I also mash up by hand, I don't see much chewing going on with it, she just sucks on them and then down they go....
She is another reluctant cuddler though sometimes she comes over and gives me a kiss - touches her mouth to my face - it's very cute! Also she won't let me clap her hands together - and as for cutting nails these days, forget it! She has a fit! Does anyone have any tips on that?
-
Deb - Do you have a humidifier? Leah's sound machine broke once and I used the humidifier to make noise until we could get a new one. What kind do you have? Leah is very dependent on hers. She was still sleeping this morning at 7 and I needed her to get up, had to leave for work!!! So I shut off the sound machine and bing! Her eyes opened right up!
-
Jamie, yes it's Emily with eczema. I think I've heard of Eurcerin before but I haven't tried it. But I will, cause the store doesn't stock the kind I used to use. Thanks for the tip :D ! Emily's cheek is the worst part of her!
Debra, definately sounds like a growth spurt. I think Emily's starting one too. Try to stuff her up with solids as best you can at night. I give Emily all the oats with apple she'll eat. And stick with your early df, that's what I'm doing. I'm also sick of getting woken early. This morning she was sleeping and dh had to go to the bathroom at 5:30am and woke me and her up, boy was I mad :evil: :evil: ! So that's 2 days in a row with a 5:30wake up. She had a really good day but I had to put her to bed at 6:00 cause she just crashed and couldn't cope anymore.
Hazel, good for you on making it thru a 15min nap day 8) . It's amazing what you can do when you have too! I hope Daniel naps for you today :) .
Us, I can see Emily's gaining some strength. She now slowly turns in circle when on her tummy or sitting while she plays (but she doesn't realize what she's doing). Also she's doing the odd mini bum lift while on her tummy, but still her first reaction is to cry when I put her on her tummy :? .
Have a good day/night everyone! :D :D Lots of HUGS :D :D
-
It's me again! Just wanted to share my good news...I have a lead on a babysitter :D :D . She's 14, taken the babysitter course and has looked after a 10 month old. She's coming over Saturday to meet us! I hope she's good!
Goodnight again, Tarri
-
ok here is our update - thanks everyone
NOISE MACHINE - amazingly she slept fine without it :D it is creepy though because i am used to hearing it through the monitor all day and night except when she is awake - so it is eerie how quiet it is without it. and now i can actually know that if i don't hear anything on the monitor and the lights are not blinking it means it is silent in there :lol: Christine - i will look into humidifiers as we need one anyway for her - not sure what to get thoug has things like that are expensive here :roll: but it is less likely that i will find a noise machine...
i just put her down for nap and i think she is having to adjust to no noise machine still - she is tired but making noises.. and i do worry about days when it is noisy outside, etc
GS - last night she woke at 9:40 making sucking noises but resettled so i thought we would leave her a bit so it woudl be a true DF. Dh was watching Australia play world cup soccer :roll: and i was on here so i left him unil he was going to do it - she woke looking for food at 10:40 before he could get in there anyway and she took almost 7 oz. i heard her wake at 5:50am and was about to get upset, but then i heard her babbling "bababa" so i thought - hey if you are just chatty you can justgo back to sleep and i think she did (i know i did) until almost 7 :D she was at daycare this mornign and woudl not settle for her nap - they finally rocked her in pram and she slept from 10:10-11am (i had put her down there at 9:10 and gave up and left at 9:30) and she has not eaten solids well today - all about finger foods now :roll:
good news - i forgot to say that olivia said dada the other day (not repeated since but said it 3 times on the weekend) and last nigth and today she used "mama" discriminitely - she called for me when Dh had her gettig ready for bed and then today for comfort when i was trying to get her ready for nap. she has been so vocal this past week it is obviously her current focus - giving me a bloody headache actually :lol: 2 kids makng noise is hard on the head
tarri - sorry about your early starts too - and i really hope the babysitter works out!
-
Well, I was gonna get on this morning and say we had the best 24 hours ever and was hoping to repeat it! :lol: So much for that! :roll:
Anyway, despite Asher's awful night and early morning yesterday, he took a good 1.5 hr morning nap and was back in swing. Then he followed it with a 2 hour afternoon nap! Still put him to bed at 7 pm and not a peep out of him until he woke at 6:30 happy! :D That was seriously the best night he's had in more that two months!! :shock: Don't know what the trick was though. Took a normal morning nap (1.25 hr) this morning, then went grocery shopping and he was pooped when we got home. It wasn't quite nap time, but I SHOULD have put him down anyway. I unloaded the car first. It took him 30 minutes to fall asleep (talking to himself), slept 1.25 hr. Not the best, but better than the usual 45 minute naps. Put him to bed at 7:00 and he woke crying one sleep cycle later (as usual). Usually we pick him up and try to settle and often end up rocking lately. I wondered if this was making it all worse. So since I had nothing to watch on TV tonight, decided to stand my ground and do some variatins on PU/PD. Cried for a good hour and he's been asleep for about 45 min. We'll see.
Vidya, good to hear from you!!
Hazel, I agree with Deb and I think it's okay (and good) to let Daniel get a bit frustrated. If he really starts to yell, help him out, but sometimes a little anger gives them just the strength to do it!
Deb, so are you gonna give up on the sound machine? :shock: It would scare me too!! I know what you mean about the monitor sound/lights/etc. :lol: It's the same here!! What about a white noise CD on repeat (ocean waves, babbling brook, etc). That's what we did until we found a sound machine we liked better. Got mine at Target (homedics sound spa). Do they have those there? Can you order online? Can your mom mail you one? Oh, and the first time Asher pulled up was on me while I was laying on the floor. He always thinks it's funny when I lay on the floor with him (especially when doing pilates! :lol: )
Kate: I trim Asher's nails while BFing. Not sure what I'm gonna do when I wean! :lol: The toenails are the hardest. Sometimes I do them while he's in the high chair.
-
julieb - the one i have is homedics - it has 6 soinds including the creepy tell-tale heart :lol: I will have a look around and see if i can find one in Sydney otherwise will see how it goes. to send form US would be a bit of money (although am sure my mom woudl do it as she sends me tings fo rthe girls semi-regularly). we have friends visiting form UK later in the month so i am oging to see how much they are there as they will be with us on the 28th/30th Nov so quicker than buying and mailing out.
hope your night was ok!
-
Debra - sounds like Olivia is definitely in a growth spurt! And sounds like dh needs to pull himself away from the soccer at the appropriate time to beat Olivia waking up! :lol: At least you know what the deal is though - that's always a relief to me. Hang in there! We don't have a sound machine for Ethan, but we do have a humidifier. I bought it a few weeks ago with the onset of his cold. I just bought the Vicks Humidifier from Target. I think it was $20 or so, works great! He's not dependent on it for sleep, but when we travel in a couple of weeks, I'm going to bring it with us for background noise. I figure it can't hurt in a hotel!
Julie - sounds like you had a great nap day, followed by a tough hour of pu/pd. That always stinks. Don't you wish they could wake up and tell us what they are thinking? Like, mom, I'm cold, I'm hungry, my gums hurt, or whatever? :roll: :)
Tarri - good luck on the sitter! I have never even looked at one, cause grandma and grandpa are about 5 minutes away (my parents)! My mom looks after Ethan (while asleep) one night a month while I go to dinner with some neighbor friends. And she's willing any other time too, which is nice for things like dentist appts, haircut appts, etc. So good luck - hope you find someone you like, and seems capable!
Hazel - I agree with everyone else to let Daniel get a bit frustrated when trying to get to something. That is initially what got Ethan crawling, although his legs and feet are nonstop since conception! BTW, like the new avatar! His cheeks, I just want to squeeze them! :lol:
Vidya - good to hear from you!
Us - well, like Julie, we had such a super duper day yesterday, it's what you think mommy-hood will be like! :wink: Ethan woke up early, about 6, but went back to sleep until after 7! I was sooo happy! He took a 2 hour morning nap! Miracle. Had a good afternoon, and then put him down for his pm nap - took 1.75 hours! That truly is a miracle - lately the pm naps are getting very short, one sleep cycle at 30 minutes! Then we ran errands to Target and Kohl's. Total angel! Sat in his stroller and played with his toy, looked at other kids and laughed, etc. We came home, and went for our evening walk, had dinner, and played a bit before bathtime. And no meltdowns (due to the lovely pm nap, I'm sure). So, everything is good right? Wakes up at 11 crying. No idea why. I go in, rock him for about 3 minutes, he keeps touching my face, so I put him back in his crib and leave. This is usually where the crying starts again. Nope - went right back to sleep. Weird huh? And I waited before going in the first time to see if he would resettle, but he kept crying, so up I go! Anyway, then he slept until about 6:30 this morning, but I dozed while he babbled until around 7. So, let's hope today is like yesterday (minus the 11 pm wakeup call!).
Oh, yeah, Ethan is 9 months old today! I can't believe how fast time flies. I never though I'd make it this far! :oops: :D
-
Happy 9 months Ethan!!!! :D :D :D
We are teething like mad and having horrible, naps, night sleep and not eating well! I totally understand though. She cut her lower right eye tooth and her upper left central tooth on the same day! And now she is getting the other lower eye tooth and the other upper tooth. :shock: Poor kid! Didn't someone else get all of their teeth closer together too?
John and Zoe's Mom emailed me this wonderful list of foods that she offered her daughter Zoe at 9 months. Zoe would not touch the purrees, and I'm beginning to think that Leah only wants finger foods too. :roll: Hope the list helps you all out!
Scrambled eggs (we do use the whites)
Waffles
Wheat Bread
Pasta
Ham
Salmon
Cottage Cheese
Regular Cheese
Beans (green and brown)
Peas
Carrots
Broccoli
Spinach
Kiwi
Canteloupe
Peaches
Banana
Blueberries
Cheerios
-
Christine, Poor Leah. Maybe it's good to get them all at once, so you get thru all the bad sleeping. Hmmm...not sure if I'd be saying that if it was happening to Emily. :wink: I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't give salmon, but I think canned tuna is okay.
Tammy, Happy 9 months to Ethan!!! I WISH my mom lived close. I don't know how I'm going to ever see the dentist! I figure I can sit her on my lap for eye appointments though.
Deb, our furnace fan makes great white noise. We have it on continuous mode in the summer for the a/c and in winter to distribute heat from our woodstove.
JulieB, I didn't realize Asher was waking one sleep cycle after going to bed. Emily does too and again at 10:00 but she doesn't cry out. I think I'd be very careful with rocking him to sleep. Stick with your pu/pd and hopefully he'll stop calling out eventually.
Us, I think I just have to except a 5:30am start to the day. She seems to be an early to rise and early to bed girl. The good thing though is I still hit her regular eat and nap times and lengths. She's in good spirits until about 4:00pm, even if she wakes from her afternoon nap at 3:30pm. Not sure what to do with her, she's not happy sitting with her toys, me walking her around, the exersaucer, playing in high chair nada! I soooo wish I could bath her every day but I can't cause of her eczema. Any suggestions for evening activities :?: Is two strolls a day too much?
Good day/night everyone! Tarri
-
Tammy-what a wonderful day you had!!! Happy 9 months to Ethan!!!
Christine-gosh, makes me worry what Kelsey's teeth will do. Her bottom 2 came in together 2 weeks ago, but I haven't seen any others yet.
Tarri-Is Emily teething? I went through such a terrible time with Kelsey when she was. She wasn't happy with anything, and we were both miserable. I did bathe her every night just to pass the time and make her happy for a little while.
Good news on the finger/table food front--she ate all around the edge of a apple/cinnamon cereal bar. I didn't give her the gooy (how do you spell that?) middle part, but she ate the rest and I was soooooooo proud. Now she loves them. She also ate tiny pieces of pasta and chicken from a chicken lasgna, and she's pretty much taking bites of anything I'm eating that is safe for her. I'm such a proud mama. I guess she just needed time. She's even taking a few sips of her formula from the sippy cup, but I've decided to buy the Nuby to make her "milk cup" because they are suppose to have a spout similar to a bottle nipple.
Not much else new, that's why I haven't posted much lately. Dh's work (my former company) is having their Thanksgiving lunch tomorrow, so Kelsey and I are going to visit, and EAT, of course! I always stuff myself silly, but I love it!!!! Then my sister is getting married on Saturday; I'm matron of honor!! We'll be travelling out of town for Thanksgiving. I'm nervous because the previous 2 out-of-town trips with Kelsey have not gone well. Hopefully she'll adapt better being older this time. I even plan to spend the night, so she'll be adjusting to a different bed.
-
Thanks for all the input on food quantities and A times. Most meals, I am lucky to get her to eat 4oz. We went to the ped today. She's gained 10oz since last month, but she's still on the bottom on the growth chart. He said it was the minimum acceptable weight gain.
Also, after almost 48 hours of no nursing, she took a few feedings before boycotting again. It's exhausting. She takes almost an hour to finish a 4oz bottle, then I have to pump as well. By the time we get through solids, it's time for her next nap.
Pasta - we have given her all shapes, just cut up to an appropriate size. I have also given her ditalini, and I bought orzo (I think it's the same as what Debra was talking about, rice-shaped), pasta stars, and couscous to mix in her purees as we are trying to get her used to different textures. Right now she eats puree and she eats finger food, but nothing in between.
For those who are still trying to get their lo's to crawl, I got some good tips from the pt the other day. There is one posture in particular that is supposed to make it easier to go from a sit to a crawl. I'll try to snap a picture of it later today.
White noise - We use a nature CD on shuffle-repeat for white noise during the day. It blends in with the birds outside her window. At night, it's new age music.
Nail clipping - I also used to clip while bfing, but I dare not now. Someone told me that they keep the clippers in the car and clip fingers and toes when they fall asleep in the carseat.
Tarri - What time does Emily go to bed?
-
Heather - Have fun at the wedding!!!!! What will you do with Kelsey? My sister's wedding was the first time we had a "real" baby sitter. We took her to the wedding, then our fifteen year old neighbor watched her during the reception and dance. What kind of cereal bar did you give Kelsey? I'm always looking for ideas. Leah's two bottom teeth came thru at the same time too - 6 months. And now at nine months, ba boom!!!!!!! Teeth all over! :D
Tarri - When I wasn't working this summer, I would go for two walks everyday. It's great exersize and Leah loved being outdoors.
-
Christine-It was a generic Kroger brand of cereal breakfast bar, kind of like Fruit & Grain.
Dh will be bringing Kelsey to the wedding and she'll be with us for the dinner as it is not a huge affair. We'll feed her and leave around bedtime so that she'll hopefully fall asleep in the car (just over an hour drive!).
-
I am FINALLY attaching pics of Hannah, so you can see what she looks like :)
Joanne
-
Joanne, she's beautiful!
-
Joanne - such a cutie you have! :)
Nail clipping - I clip nails before Ethan's naptime, before we read a story. For some reason, lately, he thinks it's funny. He giggles every time I do it. Weird, but better than screaming! :wink:
Tarri - you asked if 2 strolls a day is too much? Are you kidding me?!? I don't know what I would do if I couldn't take Ethan for a walk! I usually go in the mornings (although the past few mornings it's been quite cold - about 32 degrees, so we haven't gone until later), and then we take our evening walk EVERY night at 5. Ethan will crawl around and pull up on everything in site for a good long while, but eventually, he gets cry-y and upset. Usually takes at least 1.5 hours to get to that point, but a walk breaks up that! So, take as many walks as you need! They helped me keep my sanity when Ethan was teething his 2 bottom teeth. Now he's teething on the top - my neighborhood may see more of me hoofing it soon! :roll: :wink:
Christine - wow, that is a big list of finger foods. We are still SO not there yet. He's good with the puffs and cheerios. I gave him some bits of teddy grahams this week, and he ate those as well. It's hard crunchy stuff like that. But banana or peaches or apples, nothing doing. He won't pick them up and put them in his mouth. I'm just trying to hang back a bit and watch for him when he's ready, and occasionally try to offer them again, and again, and again...
Us - well, wonderful day yesterday, ok day today. Ethan was a bit more whiny, I'm sure from the teething. He woke up from his am nap after 30 min., but eventually fell back asleep for another hour. His afternoon nap was about 1 hr 15, so not too bad. Dh's plane was delayed tonight, so I had to call my mom to come over and stay with ethan while I ran to the airport to pick him up. He usually comes with me, but it was too late, so I went ahead and put him to bed.
Tarri - I don't know what I would do without my parents here. My mom is so great at watching him for me when I have appointments. She works, but she'll take an early lunch or whatever, if I have a dr or dentist appt that I need to get to. And she comes and watches him when I have a haircut, or during my once a month night out with the neighbor gals. SO GREAT! My ILs live about 2 minutes away as well, but just don't see Ethan that much. I'm not sure why that is - they just don't ever seem to come over. I guess we need to specifically invite them over if they're going to see Ethan. I'm sad that I feel like they don't know him and vice versa.
Heather - We are also going out of town in 2 weeks to Austin, so I can host my SIL's baby shower. This will be Ethan's first road trip. I'm VERY nervous about him sleeping. He can pretty much handle everything else, but sleeping has me concerned. He hasn't slept in his pack n play since he was probably 3 weeks old. We did get a hotel room suite, so he will be in his own "area", and we'll be in the bedroom portion. I think that will help that we're not in the same exact room, so he doesn't see us or hear us and wake up. I'm definitely bringing his humidifier though, cause I think it will help with any hotel noises. So, here's hoping that both our trips go well!
Oh yeah, I was going to post this picture of Ethan at his attempt to eat banana, peaches, etc... what a mess!
-
Phew!! Just got through nearly 10 pages of posts! Luka managed to pull a key off of our laptop and it went in for repairs for an entire week. I've had major withdrawal from the internet and am very chuffed we're back online.
There is just too much to catch up on. It sounds like everyone is doing fairly well.
Christine, I hope Leah is feeling much better.
Branwen: Congrats on the selling of your house!
Deborah: How is Maya doing with the nursing strike? You must be so frustrated.
Solid food: I have no clue how much Luka eats. I make almost all his food, and he's started eating pretty much what we have. I introduced him to fish on Monday, and he loved it. Made a fishpie (using potato). The jarred food is for fruit (coz my blender broke), and I don't think Luka like pureed stuff anymore. He blows bubbles with pureed stuff.
Us: I've just reconciled that naps won't be good. We've been having 40 minute naps for ages, but since he isn't miserable when he's awake, I've assumed that he's getting enough sleep. Yesterday he took a 3 hour morning nap :shock: and a half hour afternoon nap. So I just take each day as it comes. I've found that he sleeps better at night if we've been out during the day, maybe I'm not doing enough to exhaust him during the day?
:?: How do you entertain your lo's during the day?
A time, varies from 2 hours to 3 hours. I just watch him for his tired cues and put him down for a nap when he's tired.
Hope to hear from eveyone soon!
-
We had a fairly good day yesterday. Good naps and we got out twice which was nice. It is getting really cold here now so we're having to wrap up very warm. But at least the sun is shining still.
Christine - Daniel got 2 teeth together, then one, then 2 and then 3 :shock: :x The 3 together was horrid. He's not had any teeth through now for over 2 months which has been great. He does have teething episodes every now and again, but nothing is coming through (that I can see anyway). Here's hoping those teeth pop out soon and she (and you) can have a break.
Tarri - not sure what we would do if we couldn't bath Daniel every day! It really does make that hour pass so quickly. He usually has his tea and then has a bath. Then has his bottle and before you know it it's bed time. In terms of evening activities, we always find if we have friends round to visit that helps Daniel make it through til bedtime. But you can't do that every night can you!?! I guess it's just a distraction really.Sorry I can't come up with any better ideas.
Heather - glad Kelsey is becoming happier with finger foods. Daniel definitely seems to go through phases. Some days he wants all finger foods, and other days I put it all there for him but end up haing to feed him the finger foods myself anyway. I guess I have lazy days too though so I'll let him off!
Deborah - glad to hear Maya has put some weight on. 10 oz is still 10 oz isn't it. Well done Maya. Daniel is getting less and less interested in his bottles now too. It used to take him about 5 mins to drink 9oz but now it takes about half an hour. He is just up and down, up and down, up and down... There's just so much to be interested in. But seeing as he already is down to just a bottle in the morning and one before bed I am not gonna let him drop any more yet! I just try not to worry and just do it slowly, bit by bit. Sometimes he has a few ounces, then a quick play then a few more and so on.
Joanne - Hannah is beautiful. Daniel was gonna be a Hannah had he been a girl. Love the name. Maybe next time.
Tammy - that picture of Ethan eating is adorable. He has such lovely big blue eyes.
Activity time for us seems to be 2.5 hours, 3.5 hours and then 4 hours.
-
Christine, I don't think she's teething cause she's normally impossible in the evenings. That's awesome that's Kelsey's eating bits of chicken and pasta :) . That reminds me I bought some pasta that I need to cook emily for lunch.
Deborah, Emily goes to bed between 6:00 and 6:45 depending on her wake up. Last night cause she was up at 5:30 she was wiped by 6:00 and for some reason slept till 6:15!! Yeahh :D ! I thought for sure she'd be up earlier cause of the early bedtime :? .
Nail Clipping, this might sound bad but I found it impossible to cut Emily's finger nails short enough so she couldn't hurt herself with scratching so I bite them off :oops: . This way I can get them nice and short without nipping her fingers.
Joanne, gosh I just want to squeeze that CUTIE bum of Hannahs!
Tammy, thanks for writing back that you do 2 walks. I feel better now, I'm definately going to take her twice a day now! How long was dh away for? My dh has a business trip in January and he'll be away for a week. How do you survive not having dh's help? My dh can postpone his trip by a few months but I want him to go cause it'll be good for his resume and for him to get a break from the normal daily grind.
Schae, I think your nap attitude is perfect. I think the more flexible we are, the easier it is on us and the baby. Like this morning I was all prepared to get up at 5:30 because I just accepted that she's going thru this phase.
Hazel, love the new avatar. He looks like a bundle of fun:)
Us, Emily went from sitting to tummy(on purpose) for the first time :D . She was reaching for a toy that was slightly out of reach and she tucked one leg in under her bum and leaned very very slowly forward with weight on her hands and ended up gently on her tummy. She's definately showing signs of gaining strength!
-
Ok, now that someone else admitted to it, I will to: I bite Kelsey's nails rather than using the clippers. She's just soooo squirmy I can't cut them. I do it while she's drinking her bottle, but sometimes she won't let me. I can occasionally get the toenails with the clippers, but as you may recall, I have a Riverdance baby on the changing table!
-
Just real quick, then I'll write more later...
Nails: don't be embarrassed about biting them! Many moms do! :lol: My best friend did all her LOs this way while nursing because they're just so nice and thin. I tried with Asher, but the clippers seemed faster and easier for me right now.
Christine, Asher had a month long teething marathon (just finshed). He got 6 new teeth, two by two. It was crazy!! Naps and night were all over the place, but he was generally in good spirits during the day.
Hilarious photos, Tammy! And Joanne, that photo of Hannah outside belongs on the front of a Hallmark card! Just darling!
Schae, I was wondering where you were! Thought it was too early in the month to get your internet capped! :lol: We've just recently been getting bored during A time, after lunch mainly. The mornings and evenings are busy enough with nursing, meals, playing, dressing, etc. I think I'm more bored than Asher! :lol: I've been trying to clean to prepare for the holidays at my house, but I'm not motivated! Asher seems satisfied enough just walking back and forth exploring various corners of the family room. :lol: He just never stops! I need to finish babyproofing the rest of the house. I feel bad keeping him confined.
Asher slept well last night! :D No wake ups (well, no wake ups that I had to rescue!). Woke a bit earlier than I'd like this morning, but I can't complain since he did so well the rest of the night!
-
Thought it was too early in the month to get your internet capped! :lol:
:oops: :oops:
:lol:
Just wanted to add that the photos are really lovely! South Africa isn't big on halloween, so I especially enjoyed looking at the pics of the babies in their costumes. Too cute!
-
Schae, I forgot to mention what we do during A time. Also I hope everyone else shares cause I can always use new ideas.
- sitting and playing with toys, dog, books, kids keyboard, guitar, treasure basket, magazine etc.
- jolly jumper, exersaucer while watching TV for 15mins, listening to kids music, stroll
-eating puffs while I make her dinner and playing with kitchen stuff in highchair
- tummy time on our bed and looking in closet mirror while I get dressed
-and I just made her a toy house out of a big cardboard box, I cut a window in the side and we play peek-a-boo
-pounding on computer keyboard, chewing on calculator, post-it notes etc.
-
Tarri - my dh travels every week Monday morning thru Thursday evenings. So, he's only home Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. And last week he had to leave Sunday afternoon due to a meeting first thing Monday morning.
Coping with it - it's hard sometimes. There's no one around to give you a break, so that can be hard. On Ethan's bad days, when he's grumpy or whatever, I tend to find an errand to run, simply to get us both out of the house. That's just distraction, so it tends to work for a while. And, like I said, we take walks! Honestly, it was harder being alone when he was younger, because he was up later at night. So, there was no one to hand him off to so I could have a sanity break. But now that bedtime is 7 pm, it's not so bad. Then I can eat dinner, watch tv, read a book, or just go to bed whenever I want to. It can get a bit lonely :( , but then I go around to my parents for some company :)
-
A time here consists of:
playing with basket of toys
exploring the house (she opens cupboards now :o )
playing in her ball pit
outside time
reading books
playing with mini plastic animals (cats, dogs, and birds. I put these in little baskets and she loves to dump them out and pick each one up and examine it)
potty time (before and after nap time)
We just packed away her Exersaucer since she won't go in it anymore, I guess she finds it too restricting now that she is so mobile.
Sometimes if she's clingy and I need to get things done around the house I pop her in the backpack carrier - she loves it. I think she likes seeing everything at a different angle.
Favorite snacks these days: 1. mixed peach and apple chunks in fruit juice. White House is the only brand that makes fruit cups w/o sugar, they are fruit juice sweetened. 2. Veggie Booty - this is a puffed corn snack coated with dehydrated spinach and other veggies. I don't care for it but Hannah eats it like I eat chocolate :lol:
Gotta run. Time to put my little munchkin to bed. Have a great weekend everyone :)
Joanne
-
Hi everyone!!! Guess what? My sister is pregnant!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D Yes, my sister that just got married a month ago. :shock: My mother always said we were a fertile family. It took us only once to conceive Leah and I guess the same for my sister! They are happy. She is nearing thiry and he is in his early thirties, so they were ready to start right away. I am so excited. I had to tell someone. We're not suppose to tell anyone becuase she is only 6 weeks along, but I had to tell!!!!!!!!!!! Alright, I feel better now. :D
-
Congrats, Christine. I know she'll lean on you for tons of support, and you'll be a wonderful auntie!!!! Prayers for a wonderful, safe, healthy pregnancy for your sister.
-
Congrats to your sister, Christine!
-
Hi everyone!
Christine- congrats to you and your sister! That will be so much fun having babies together!
A time- I am so jealous of everyone's A time. I still feel a little embarrassed :oops: about Eirwen's lack of A time but she isn't happy without her naps. :oops: I feel silly saying I am finally excited that we have a 6:30 bedtime but it is such an accomplishment for her!!!
Nail clipping- I used to chew them off while she breastfed or tear when she was a newborn after the bath. But then switched to clipping while sleeping, but ever since 6 months it is impossible, she will wake- so I sit her inside my legs crossed legged on the floor facing out and try to do it holding her hands. She hated it at first and she still tries to take the clipper but we get the job done.
Joanne- I love your little bum picture! I need to get one of Eirwen. :mrgreen:
Deborah- what is the prognosis? Are you going to wean? What did the ped advise you to do?
US- teething day today. Christine I think Eirwen might be getting all of those teeth too. Possibly 3 on the bottom and the 2 front top-these definitely as they are like two large swollen squishy bumps! My poor baby! She cried so much in the afternoon today that I finally put the TV on cartoons to distract her for a bit. We're back to our love affair with infants advil. :wink:
She is babbling a lot! It sounds like whole conversations- it is too funny. I love it! I need to tape record her. I thought it would be a fun keepsake to have.
Slowly adjusting to her exersaucer. I caught her "standing" with her feet actually flat yesterday! YAY! Does anyone know if it is better for it to be too high than too low?
-
Oh, Branwen, how wonderful! Maybe this will be the reassurance you needed. Don't you just love the babbling conversations? It brings tears to my eyes. But whenever I get the camera out, she stops! We are also back to teething. Love her little heart, I drug her all over town today, then wondered why she was so miserable. Duh!!!
Ok-does anyone else have a hard time changing their lo in public? It's a total nightmare for us. I'm sure being on a hard, cold surface is a shock compared to the soft, cushioning pad at home. But, what else can you do? I can't let her sit in poop till we get home. She breaks out with diaper rash after a few minutes as it is (another tell-tale of teething for her).
-
Joanne - i love the last photo with the toothy smile - we have some like that of alex (liv still has no teeth)
Schae - our Activities include
:arrow: the girls playing together - :D :D yeah!!
:arrow: watching DVDs - unfortunately olivia LOVES alex's DVDs and gets excited when i turn it on :oops: i usually let her "watch" but also have her sitting with her own toys in the same area
:arrow: i have a basket full of stuffed toys that also jingle, cars, a bunch of little toys... and she will pull out what she wants
:arrow: blocks and stacking rings - just dumping out and banging - no attempts yet to put together (alex was almost 11 mo when she did the stacker correctly so i know it is a while off)
:arrow: we have an enormous collection of kids musical instruments so we will get them all out and the 3 of us have a little music party
:arrow: swing in our backyard, looking at the leaves and grass - she adores outdoor time and i definitely don't do it enough
:arrow: playing with balls - we have an enormous collection of these too (different sizes, fabric ones, stress balls, plastic balls from ball pit, squishy ball, bumpy one) so she bangs them, bites them, squeezes... and recently i started helping her play "catch" with alex by rolling rather than throwing.
Tarri - that is great Emily news!!
Christine - congrats to your family - that is awesome that Leah will have a little cousin close in age!!
Branwen - i am so happy for you about the babbling!! with the exersaucer if the aim was for her to build strength in her legs and bear weight then i woudl bet lower is better than too high because at the higher setting she will just dangle her legs...
US - so much news:
:arrow: for the past 2 days it has been all about "mamama" and calling me - it sounds nice but already it is the double edge sword as i know she is calling to me when Dh is getting her ready for bed and i can't go to her so i feel pulled KWIM?
:arrow: olivia started trying to pull up yesterday and is getting frustrated but gets halfway there or crashes her face into the coffee table etc (since alex started this at 7 mo i can't help always feeling that soem things are "late" even though i know 9 mo is exactly average)
:arrow: if you did not see my post in great news - i passed my next driving test!! it takes 4 tests and 3-4 years to get a full driving license (only 1 test and 2 years to go :roll: ) i feel proud! i have passed each test on first try.
:arrow: happy 9 mo birthday today to Liv - it is flying by so fast
still dealing with breakfast issues but Dh is waiting for me to eat dinner and watch a show we taped :D so will write a separate post tomorrow
-
Christine - Congrats to your sis! I remember what it was like when I got pregnant. We didn't want to tell anyone until I was 3 months along but I was just bursting to tell someone. Will this be your first niece or nephew?
Deb - great idea about the musical instruments, I didn't even think of those. Now I have to go shopping :)
Branwen - Yay that Eirwen is using her Exersaucer, before long she'll be bouncing so wild and carzy in that thing. Hannah used to go nuts in there :) I think the lower is better to start out with.
Us - Has anyone else here had trouble introducing dairy? When I give Hannah yogurt or cottage cheese she gets little red hives around her mouth. I have stopped giving her any dairy for fear that she is allergic, or maybe I just need to hold off until we hit the 12 month mark. Any thoughts?
Joanne
-
hi ladies - it's been a busy week - though a great week for all of you!
christine - congrats on the new baby!! how neat that the cousins will be close in age :D
heather - i put down paper towels & maybe a crib pad down on changing tables; they seem to help. i like the pads cause they're very thin, so they fold flat in the diaper bag, and waterproof.
Joanne- those pix are too cute. what a fantastic smile! :D i haven't given luke any dairy yet. he's had such skin issues i haven't even done yogurt yet! that said, that (yogurt) is about the only dairy i gave jaina until she was a year old. can't hurt to wait, IMHO.
Schae - what does it mean to be capped?
A time - luke likes things with sparkly pictures or things that make noise when he plays with them. so lots of books with sparklies & shinies, and toys like cups & blocks that he can bang together. he also likes his little toy piano - he can bang on it & it sings!
Us - we've had early 6am wakings all week now. totally developmental related - he's trying to crawl more than ever. i wish it would just click in his head cause he'd be so much happier that way! now watch, in another couple of months i'll wish he was immobile! :oops: :lol:
Me - the entire staff was gathered together for a meeting on wed. the superintendent was there, which ordinarily means nothing good - even he said that. then he told us that everyone was getting a 10% raise, retroactive to the beginning of the school year. :D
it is very good news... but it still means my salary is low, but i'm not sure if i should bring it up to the principal again - like i will seem ungrateful. i'm not, but i still don't think it's being calculated correctly. guess i'll probably go with that.
anyhow - i have to go in 2 days next week, but the kids are off from school all week! thank goodness! love this time of year! :D even the weather is participating - we're finally down to the 70s (21-26 C) in the day & 60s (15-20 C) at night. *ducks to avoid rotten fruit thrown by folks in much colder weather!* :lol:
-
Christine: Congratulations to your sister! :D
Branwen: I clip Luka's nails in the same way. He used to tolerate it, but hates it now. I'd just leave his nails, except that he uses them to pinch me while bf. Maybe Eirwen is just not used to standing, and isn't quite sure what to think of the sensation? Hopefully she'll be doing it more and more often.
Heather: my changing bag comes with a foldable pad that I use when changing Luka in public. That's the extent of my suggestion though.
Deb: It so cute that the girls entertain each other. Imagine how close they'll be as teenagers.. lucky girls. Well done on passing the test! It's very strict there huh? Happy Monthday Olivia!
Joanne: It does sound like she's allergic. Has she had normal cheese?
Jaime: We have a 3gig limit for internet usage for the month, and we seem to use up this limit a week or so before the end of the month (every month :oops: ) Once we've reached the limit, then we're 'capped' and can only access local south african sites (no BW for me :()
You are so brave! Yay on the increase, but if you feel that you deserve more, then go for it.
Us: I think I may have become a prop. And we are going through separation anxiety. No one else may hold him, change him, bath him... only mama. He's even taken to clinging to my legs lol! And with the nightwakings (yes, we have those again), he screams if anyone else goes into the room. I go in and say "Shhhhh" or "Heyyyy" and he immediately stops crying and goes straight back to sleep. Sometimes I have to lie next to him though. I'm not sure how to stop this.
Job Front: I've been offerred a job! :D Going in for salary/contract negotiations on Monday.
If I take this job, we'll be moving out of my parents house end of Dec. I'm hoping to put Luka into his own room, get him sleeping through etc and need a real plan to get that started. I hope you ladies don't mind helping me out in that respect. I think we may have to start right at the beginning. But more on that closer to the time.
Sorry that was so long.
-
Jamie, I bought the eucerin cream and started using it yesterday.
Deb, what are you doing for a df right now? I'm at 2 oz and 8:15pm. I sooo want to have her weaned by Dec.9th so the babysitter won't need to do it. Congrats on your driving test. Now you need a car for Christmas!
And Happy 9 month Birthday to Olivia and Emily!!!!
Schae, that's awesome about the job offer! I bet you can't wait to get Luka in his own room. I think how you just say a word to get him back to sleep at night is okay. I imagine it's a phase that he's just got to go thru. I'd really hold back on the sleeping with him though.
Us, the babysitter came over yesterday and I think she'll be good. Emily got frightened a few times and turned into me but I distracted her out of it. I booked her for the christmas party night. I plan on doing another session with me here still so Emily can get more used to her. And she's only $5/hr.
-
I'm a day late, but happy 9 month b-day to Olivia and Emily!
-
Tarri - we are not doing the DF again - we did it during the GS, but Dh really does not want to do it any more - of course he is not the one who keeps getting woken up early - yesterday she cried out at 5:30 and i rushed to her to find her asleep :evil: of course i never got back to bed and she woke at 6:15 for the day (seems to not be able to get that last cycle in some days)
we already have a car (we got it when i was PG with alex) and i have it 99% of the time - Dh takes it when i don't need it and he has to drive to a meeting (he does nothave a parking space at work so only takes it to work occassionally)
glad to hear the babysitter will work out and happy monthday to emily as well (forgot it was her who shared Liv's bday :oops: )
Us - it always seems to be something... yesterday was my first day ever of staying out with the girls all day - we went to the zoo and instead of rushing home for afternoon nap we put Liv down in the pram (slept 1hr 30 - but only slept 15 min in the morning as she fell asleep just before arriving at the zoo and woke on arrival :evil: ) and let alex skip her nap (she slept on way home at 4pm) ANYWAY for dinner i included some beans for finger food for Liv. turns out they create an insane level of gas for her and she was waking on and off from 7-10pm screaming and crying in pain, we would rub her back and she would finally fart a little, but not enough relief... this was so awful!! plus she has a cold so is stuffy one minute and streaming snot the next - she woke at 3:15am and twice more before getting up at 6:40 this mornign (i feel like a tired wreck)
have spoken with Michelle B by email and she says hi! Kinlagh stands independently now and took her first step yesterday!!!! they had a great vacation away from her and all went well, they are now 2 weeks away form trying daycare so are trying to be positive about that experience.
Schae - good luck on the negotiations!!
about activities - i forgot to mention Peek-a-blocks - do any of you have them? we have 6 sets that my sister got alex (she loved them form 6-7 months old) and we play with them at least every 2 days or so. i know they have rond ones now, but these are great because they have the things iin them and can be stacked later on.
-
Tarri - The reason I asked is that Maya's bedtime slowly crept earlier when we were having the napping problems as she was just completely wiped out by 6pm, and I couldn't take it anymore. It went from 7:30pm to closer to 6:30pm. Over time, it led to earlier and earlier wake-ups. I was starting to stress about the early AM wake-ups until I thought about and realized that Maya needs 11-12 hours of sleep at night, so if I put her to bed at 6:30pm, I was asking to get woken up at 5:30-6am. We slowly eased her bedtime back out again. We still do the last feed between 6:30-7pm most nights so I can get a good feed in her before she's too tired, but then dh sits and cuddles with her in the chair a bit and reads a book.
Also, I survive when dh travels by going somewhere to visit someone or inviting someone to visit us. We've only been home alone once (for 3-1/2 days), and I thought I was going to go nuts! Maya was a terror, and our computer (my only lifeline) went on the fritz while he was gone.
And yeah on the babysitter. I am nervous about leaving Maya with a stranger, but at least I hope they would handle things as we ask given that we'd be paying for the service. MIL has offered to babysit when she's here next week, but to be honest, I don't feel comfortable leaving Maya with her. She doesn't respect our wishes with regard to Maya, and I'm not sure it's worth an afternoon's freedom to have to deal with the aftermath. Last time she rocked her to sleep for naps, and for the next three weeks, Maya would cry herself to sleep on my shoulder for every single nap!
Christine - Congratulations! I suppose for every couple who tries for years to have a baby there are those who get pregnant just thinking about it. Twice now, we've gotten preg on the first try, so we know now to hold off until we're really ready.
Branwen - I agree it's better to have it too low - that way she can push down with her feet and support her own weight.
Debra - Congrats on the driving test. A trip to the zoo sounds great. I've been wanting to go, but have been too afraid of attempting to nap in the stroller. I glad it went ok save the gas episode.
Joanne - What a cutie! We've introduced yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and cheese slices, all without any trouble. If you're seeing a reaction, I would wait for a while and reintroduce it under controlled circumstances. Either way, I'd hold off until you've had a chance to talk to her doc about it.
Jaime - Congrats on the raise. 10% is better than nothing. Can you try to renegotiate for next year?
-
Wow, that was long, and I forgot about us.
Maya has come down with our cold. She's miserable. Dh and I are still sick too. She's still fighting nursing (who can blame her with the cold), but she has nursed all weekend. The last time she outright refused was Friday afternoon.
We're still having problems with the helmet - the irritation came back the first day she wore it again. I am going to try to line it with moleskin and see if that helps.
Branwen - The ped said to just keep doing what we're doing with regard to the eating. We're trying to offer more meat and dairy, but so far the only thing she really likes is cheese slices (which is good because they're easy) and banana bread with cream cheese (which is bad because I make it myself and free time is hard to come by, but also good as I can substitute some soy flour to up the protein content). I also started taking fenugreek and blessed thistle supplements to address the supply issues.
We've been cleaning like mad all weekend as MIL is coming tomorrow (and staying until Dec 1!!!). SILs arrive on Tuesday. MIL has rented a house on Amelia Island (on the Atlantic coast about 1 hours from here) for Thanksgiving. It'll be nice to see everyone, but we're not looking forward to dragging a sick kid out on holiday (or having to share a room with her while we're there - none of us sleep well that way). We'd like to drive up for the day each day, but I don't think that's going to be an option.
-
Well, we've had some ups and downs lately. On the UP, after doing that hour of PU/PD last week, we've had two nights with no wakings and 2 nights with only 1 (that were quickly resolved). I guess we had gotten him into a bad habit with the seperation anxiety? But on the DOWN, he's had really early mornings this weekend, despite sleeping in fairly well all week. :roll: Figures! Just when we can sleep in! :? And he only took two 45 minute naps today! :shock: He was a wreck at lunch and I pretty much had to carry him around in the sling most of the time. I thought surely he'd conpensate with a longer afternoon nap as he has in the past, but no! We'll see how tonight goes.
Hazel, what's the name of your long-sleeved bib? Where'd you find it? I tried to find one on Saturday. I swear, I have largest bib collection of anyone I know. I have 5 different kinds and I'm not completely happy with any. I should become a bib designer! :lol:
Heather, my diaper bags also come with thin foam changing pads. But I usually change him in the car (my passager seat folds flat) because it's cleaner. The one time I couldn't, I changed him in the stroller, laid the back flat, and went in the womens bathroom. Seemed okay. I'm pretty fortunate, Asher usually won't poo in public and waits till we're home. Too distracted, I guess! :lol:
Joanne, sounds like Hannah is allergic to dairy right now. I'd hold off for a while. I'm holding off on all dairy, eggs, and wheat until Asher is at least a year (per my ped's recommendation as well). Since he's still BF, I don't really worry about the calcium intake right now. Have you tried dairy alternatives? There's a lot of stuff made with rice and tofu that tastes pretty good! I'm just not bothering with any of it since it's expensive, not crutial right now, and we've only got 2 months left anyway! :lol:
Schae, your avatar is darling! You should post a bigger one for us all to admire!
Deborah, I can totally sympathize on not wanting MIL to babysit -- and having to deal with the aftermath! I've often felt the same way! I just pick and choose when I really need it and try to do it at times that are hard to mess up! :lol: Hope you all feel better soon.
-
Julieb - I got the coverall bibs from 'toys r us' and 'mothercare'. I'm assuming these are only UK stores? Anyway the websites are toysrus.co.uk (follow links to babiesrus) and mothercare.com. Follow links for bibs. I'm sure they must be available elsewhere. If not they should be! They are great. Daniel is so messy but just loves to eat most stuff himself. Having his sleeves covered just means he can make a mess and it's not a problem. They're particularly great when out and about and you want to try to keep their outfit as clean as possible. Hope you find some anyway.
Us - reality check last night :shock: . DH and I sat down and went through our finances. Seems we are starting to overspend each month. So we worked out a few places we can save some and we worked out a tighter budget that we're gonna try to stick to. So I now have an amount for 'me' each month and Daniel has an amount (clothes etc) and dh has an amount. Whatever we don't spend of 'our' money each month we get to carry over to the next month. We figured this gives me money to be able to go out for coffees and still get out and about during the days without feeling guilty. (Dh joked about wanting to see receipts for Daniel's spending as he thinks I'll just spend it all on myself!!!) We're also gonna try to stick to a tighter food bill each week. Having recently started dieting though this could be tough (diets always seem to cost that little bit more don't they?) BTW I have lost 5 lb over last 2 weeks so I'm happy :D
Daniel came down with a horrible cold over the weekend. So much snot :shock: :x :shock: Poor thing. It's now turning into a real chesty, rattly cough which is just so sad to listen to. But the good thing (and I hardly dare write this :? ) is that it's not affected his night sleep. He's still slept though and woken up happy (just covered in snot!)
Branwen - Daniel loves being on his feet these days (supported) but he still hates being in his jumper (door bouncer thing). I wouldn't worry too much if Eirwen doesn't bounce around in the exersaucer. Just try to do lots of standing in your lap etc... My sister is a physio and when Daniel used to hate standing she said just to get him used to the sensation of pressure on his feet. Sometimes that was just me sitting on the floor and Daniel sitting on my lap with his legs hanging over touching the floor. Gradually he started pushing up onto his feet a bit when we held him and now he is fine standing. But he still NEVER steps. Weird, but I'm not worried. And he's still not crawling :wink:
Must go and do some housework now while Daniel naps.
-
Hazel, I think you mentioned about taking Daniel to a new playgroup last week, is that where he caught his cold? I think I'm getting paranoid about Emily getting a cold, this week is the first playgroup we were planning on attending, but I think we'll skip it again if she gets shots at her doctor's appointment the day before. And I know about the budget thing...dh did our finances when he started his job 3 weeks ago and he also gave all of us a set allowance. We've got to recover from his being out of work for 8 months :wink: .
Julie and Deb, if it makes you feel any better, Emily still wakes between 5:30 and 6:30, so we're all in the same boat :wink:
Deborah, I think you are right about early to bed means early to rise. I just haven't been able to shift her anymore especially after all that shifting with the time change. I think I'll leave her be for awhile, since she's napping and nighttime sleep is sooo good right now :D .
Us, Emily's starting to try and clap :D . I'm amazed because I've only been doing it a few days!
-
Tarri - I took Ethan to ONE playgroup when he was 6 months old. It was the first one we ever went to (and the last one so far...), and he got sick a few days later. I am convinced it was because of that. Don't worry about being paranoid, we just don't want the kids to be sick! But that's not a reason to not take your kids to playgroup either. Anyway, just my thought. Oh, and that wasn't the reason I didn't go back to the playgroup, the moms weren't very friendly, so I just didn't feel like dealing with that every week!
Also, about your df, when we finally kicked the habit with Ethan, we had gotten down to 2 oz at 8:30. Then I quit cold turkey from there. And he actually slept better without me coming in at that time. I was so afraid he would wake up in the night without anything! Those first few nights we had a couple of wakeups, but he just settled himself, no need for me! Anyway, if you want to drop it soon, I wouldn't do anything less than the 2 ozs. you're already doing. You may just try to drop it one night and see what happens, she may surprise you!
Good news about your babysitter. I'm so thankful that my parents live close by, and I don't have to worry about it at all. I still call and check in, but at least I know that he's in good hands!
Julie - sounds like you had a great week with night sleeping! Sorry your weekend wasn't so hot, but maybe that will change. Ethan had a couple of days this week with short naps, but then the next day, it will be back to normal. I can't ever figure it out - so I just gave up trying!
Deborah - isn't it miserable with they have a cold? Ethan has had one very mild cold, and then a lousy one about a month ago. I answered your post about what we used for medication, which was Infant's Pediacare. Helped with the congestion a bit, although the nose sucker was used A LOT! Now he hates the changing table, cause that's where I did it all. :?
Debra - we have a set of Peekablocks, but Ethan doesn't play with them much. I guess they're not interesting enough for him! We were over at my parents yesterday, and my mom has bought a Elmo for my nephew who will be just shy of 2 at Christmas. It's the one where he goes in for a checkup or whatever. So, we showed it to Ethan in the box, and pressed all the stuff, and he was so enthralled! He just stared at it like, wow, it's talking to me! So funny.
Schae - love your new avatar, I noticed that this weekend! Good luck on your job negotiations! Hoping a big salary for you! :D And then to be in your own house by Christmas, so great!
Jaime - good news on the first raise! Now you have to decide if you want to go for more. I was thinking when I read your post, well, if everyone gets a 10% raise, that doesn't mean that her salary is more equal to her peers, since they all got a 10% raise too... I don't think you would seem ungrateful for the 10% just because you are still asking them to fix the original problem. But you're more gutsy than I am, because when it comes to asking for raises or discussing career, I was always a total chicken!
Us - we had a pretty good weekend, low key. Dh didn't get to go camping (oh, darn :oops: :wink: ), so we had a date night on Saturday! Went to dinner with my parents and Ethan as a belated birthday, and then my parents came over to watch Ethan while we went to see Harry Potter (not dh's choice, but it was supposed to be for MY birthday! :D ). So that was nice. We haven't done that since before Ethan was born.
We have Ethan's checkup today at 4, so I'll have to report back on height and weight. All I know is that the 9 to 12 pants are getting too short, and he's just now 9 months. I asked everyone for 12 to 18 month clothes for him for christmas!
Oh - I almost forgot. We were talking about tantrums earlier. Ethan has started arching his back and crying EVERY time we put him in his highchair. He used to love it, then he was tolerating it, but now he hates it when we put him in it. But once the food is going, he's fine. It's so bizarre. But that arching back and screaming wail - I swear you'd think we were trying to kill him, not feed him lunch! :roll: He also cries when we go into his room at naptime. Once I get him in the armchair with me, and he has his paci, and we're reading a story, he's totally calm. And he goes to sleep easily too - so I guess he just thinks he doesn't want to take a nap anymore! Too bad! :D
-
JulieB - I hope things got better. Last time MIL was here, I tried to put Maya down for a nap and then go out, but according to MIL she woke up just a few minutes after I left. Despite my instructions regarding her mantra cry, pat/shh, not taking her out of the nursery during naptime, and naptime becoming quiet time if she refuses to sleep, I came home to find she had rocked her to sleep in the living room. At the time, I said to myself you weren't here, you don't know what happened, maybe MIL felt overwhelmed, but three weeks later as Maya was yet again crying herself to sleep on my shoulder, I was pretty furious.
Hazel - I am with you on the cold. Maya has had a few very mild colds before (in comparison to this one, however dreadful they seemed at the time), but she's never been streaming snot like this. And the cough is horrible. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Tarri - I agree, don't mess with a good thing. If all else were good, I could deal with early mornings. You just have to try to get yourself to bed earlier, though that never seems to work for me.
Tammy - Thanks for the input. I just grabbed some Benadryl per the pharmacist's recommendation, but I need to back tonight without a cranky, sick baby on my hip. There were so many choices, and Maya wasn't real cooperative about letting me read labels. I'll look for the Pediacare. The Benadryl seems to be helping, but it didn't come in an infant drops formula, which I prefer.
If I am a bit scarce in the next week or two, it's just because MIL is in town. Between her and Maya, I think I'll have my hands full.
-
Heya! :D
Tarri: Good news about the babysitter! Emily sounds so cute.
Deborah: How is Maya today? Poor little munchkin. I hope Thanksgiving went okay. And good luck with having MIL so near by for so long! :shock:
Hazel: WELL DONE on the weightloss! I have my first meeting at Weighchers tomorrow. I hope Daniel feels better soon.
Tammy: Is Ethan ill too? Must be the change in season for you guys? I hope he recovers soon.
Us: Thank you for the avatar compliments, we went for a Xmas themed photoshoot. Luka was very well behaved (although a bit bemused having just woken up from a nap).
I'm going to add some of the pics (there were 91 :shock: ) to the gallery, please have a look :)
Below is a teaser :lol:
-
Very quickly - had Ethan's 9 month checkup today. He was 22 lbs, 8 ozs, and 30 inches tall! That's 80% for weight, and 90% for height. Big boy!
-
So many tall babies around here!
Daniel is on the mend. Runny nose is getting much better (don't think there's any snot left after he sneezed over me this morning :lol: :shock: There was about a week's worth all in one go!!!) but he's still coughing quite a bit. He seems remarkably not bothered by it all though. He's still sleeping through and is taking good naps. I raised his mattress the night the cold was coming on so I don't know if that's helped to keep him decongested. But I'm happy.
More later.
-
Hi Everyone!
Eirwen is 10 months today! :D YAY!
I'm not sure if it is the arrival of her little 10mon bday but she's gotten to all fours five times in the last couple of days...and will do this leap frog push forward attempt but go splat on her belly. It is pretty funny and cute! She is trying to get everywhere now and does this crazy one legged arch spinning thing from lying on her side...hard to explain. :o Yesterday she tried to climb onto me for the first time and I felt so loved. (they need a heart-melting emoticon)
Other crazy things that she's done over the weekend is that she apparently likes her exersaucer and has "asked" to play in it a couple of times. I have this acitivity cube that is so cool, wood, and tons of stuff on it and it is for a 12mon range but yesterday she decided she loved it. She's even tried to pull up on it to reach the spirals and suddenly everything about it has become interesting. :wink:
I must just use a moment here to plug BW and express my thanks for Tracy's methods. Over the weekend a friend of mine visited with her 5 month old. It was very difficult for me, it always is because they do not use BW. The baby was obviously tired, rubbing her eyes, etc. Crying a lot. It was so clear to me, and my husband!, that the baby needed a nap. They were frantic with bf feeding, then bottles, fumbling around and really stressed. The dad even was holding her upside down by her feet to get her to stop crying. :shock: Finally the mother rocked her in her arms exclaiming "what is wrong with you," and such, until poor little one passed out cold on her. It just broke my heart. I had true empathy for her though because I was where she was at at 3-4 months and finally did what I had to do to get us on EASY. I guess I am just so happy I found this way of doing things. BUT it did mean a lot of sacrifices in the beginning, like not taking Eirwen out during nap time, because well, mom had to stick to nap times too :wink: Now that Eirwen is older I can flex her pretty easy. I am just so glad that I have you guys too because everyone around me thinks I'm nuts- even my mom :( HUGS FOR ALL OF YOU!
Colds- Eirwen has been coughing a lot but I can't tell if she is playing with me because she smiles afterward. She does have mouth sores though on the corner creases. I cannot tell what kind they are. Should I have it checked out? I will be so sad if she somehow got the cold sore virus :(
Tammy- Ethan is big and beautiful! Happy belated 9 months to him!
Hazel- I love your new avatar. How cool that Daniel is standing! Still not having too much luck on that with Eirwen. Congrats on the 5 lbs- that is GREAT. About $$$- I so relate. I wish my dh would sit down with me though but he just gets upset about the whole thing. This move to CO is costing us a fortune (debt debt debt and more debt :wink: ) but we figure it is worth it in the long run--my friend says that when you are unhappy you can't get out of debt- I wonder??? I am going to try to get a financial "helper" person to get us going on a more restricted budget once in CO. I too have been overspending. I think it's a result of being depressed combined with hating where I live, combined with the fact that there is just too cute baby clothes out there, and going to malls so we have some place to go :oops: Are you a SAHM?
Deb- We have the peek-a-balls. They ROCK! Eirwen LOVES LOVES LOVES THEM! I want to get her the blocks too. She will play with them for well over 30 min. She picks up each one and studies it, shakes it to see it's sound and then taps them together.
Tarri- yay on clapping! Emily was just finally ready I bet. It's amazing what they pick up now so quickly.
MIL- I don't think I could ever let mine babysit, but she is in The Netherlands far far away...so I am SAVED! :lol:
-
Teeth!!!! I just nursed Eirwen and her two top front teeth are poking through now! :D
-
I'm kinda embarrassed to say, but I've pretty much kept Asher limited to the family room for most of his life with gates. I know I need to let him free! :lol: Now that he's upright and not body-surfing the kitchen floor, I figure he wouldn't get so dirty. So I washed my kitchen floor on my hands and knees yesterday. With our indoor dog, it was so much dirtier than I imagined! Not only was there plenty of dog hair on the floor (despite vacuuming and swiffering just before), but it was also stuck to the walls and corners, etc!!!! EWWWW! So I washed everything I noticed and let him loose. And OF COURSE, he immediately finds the ickiest corners of the kitchen that I didn't notice (like the dusty water heater vent on the cabinet, the dirty hinges on the bathroom door, the crack between the oven door/pan drawer). He's also fascinated by the garbage and already figured out how to open all the cabinets and drawers. What do you all do? How can I possibly stay on top of all this with the dog?! What do I do about the garbage?
And I posted in the EASY forum, but Asher's eating all the furniture! :shock: He had a mouth full of plaster from a pillar this morning. I replaced it with a box and he started eating the box! I can't possibly remove all the furniture from my house. The end tables block off the vertical blinds. How do you keep your babies from the vertical blinds? How do I keep him from eating the furniture?!
Hazel, still looking into the bibs, don't seem to have the same bibs available? We have BRU here, but the actual store didn't carry any, just online. I'll have to call around, don't really want to pay for shipping just yet.
Tammy, Asher starts to fuss/cry at the beginning of a nap as well when we're changing his diaper. It's like he's impatient and wants to get down to business and start sleeping! :lol: If I give him his luvie on the table, he'll usaully pop his thumb in and settle down. For the high chair, maybe Ethan needs more of a warning that it's time to eat so he can transition easier? Just an idea.
Schae, just LOVE the christmas photoshoot!! :D
Christmas Down Under: So me & DH were thinking about those of you in the southern hemi last night. If it's hot and you don't have snow, what are your Christmas songs about? Do you have american christmas songs, or just your own? Instead of "I'm dreaming of a white christmas," are you singing, "I'm dreaming of a hot christmas?" :lol: We don't get snow here, but it gets cold, so we still appreciate the songs like "Let It Snow." Hmmmm, maybe you sing, "Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine..." :wink:
-
EEK!!!!!!! Pertusis - whooping cough. :shock: Ever heard of it? WELL, one of my darling students has it. Very contagious and quite dangerous if not treated. So I got a call from my doc today with an earful of info on what to look for and to bring Leah in immediately if she shows any signs. Just another think to worry about! :?
Christmas Down Under: So me & DH were thinking about those of you in the southern hemi last night. If it's hot and you don't have snow, what are your Christmas songs about? Do you have american christmas songs, or just your own? Instead of "I'm dreaming of a white christmas," are you singing, "I'm dreaming of a hot christmas?" :lol: We don't get snow here, but it gets cold, so we still appreciate the songs like "Let It Snow." Hmmmm, maybe you sing, "Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine..." :wink:
Julie you are such a hoot!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Happy 10 months Eirwen and 9 months to Luka!!!
Schae - I am off to look at your pics right now!
Branwen - Leah's top two teeth are poking thru too. Those will sure change their appearance, huh? Yes, I am glad to have everyone too. :D People think I am nuts. My MIL asked if we were bringing Leah to church Christmas Eve for the 10:00 (night!) service. I was like, ummm that is like 3 hours past her bedtime.
Deborah - Good luck with the MIL! :wink:
Heather - Beautiful pictures of your sister's wedding on your jusspress site. You all look stunning and Kelsey looks like a doll - literally!!!!
Not much time to post. I will be able to chat more soon. After today I have five days off for Thanksgiving break! :D
-
I forgot to post this yesterday, but wanted to just as info to all you other moms with the sickies...
Ethan had a cold about a month ago, but still has a bit of a cough. It's not terrible, and it's not constant, but it's VERY slowly going away. When we went to the doc, I told her about it, and she did listen to his lungs, which sounded fine. She said she would bet money that he had bronchitis, and if I brought him in a couple of weeks ago, she probably would've heard it in his lungs then. But it's viral, so nothing can be done for it - no antibiotics, etc. It's just a wait it out kind of thing. She said she has seen a ton of cases of it so far this fall. And some kids are getting it bad, and others just a tad. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you guys that have ones with the colds about that. Not that there's anything we can do, but just as info!
Christine - yikes! pertussis! This is why I'm glad I get Ethan immunized (that's not a slight to anyone out there who doesn't, just me being glad). Here's hoping no symptoms on anyone else you know! And have a good holiday and days off! I know you're ready for them!
Julie - Ethan is pretty confined to the upstairs. :oops: Our downstairs is mostly wood floors, so when he was learning to crawl, I was afraid he'd bonk his head on the wood, whereas carpet is softer (which is what is upstairs). We have a gameroom where all his toys are, so I just let him crawl around and explore the upstairs of the house. We pretty much only come downstairs for feeding times. Lately I've been letting him explore downstairs a bit more, but not too much. Now that he's trying to pull up on everything, the wood floors are slippery in socks! So, don't feel too bad about keeping him penned up. And yes, they always go for the area you didn't get to clean (or didn't even think of!). We have a beagle, and there is dog hair EVERYWHERE. It's impossible to keep up with, although I try my hardest. So, his pants are always covered in dog hair by the end of the day, there's just nothing I can do about it! But I'm SO right there with you!
Branwen - happy 10 months! :D And way to go on Eirwen getting on all fours! Exciting! I too have those "I love BW" moments when you see another mom trying so hard to cope. It's so difficult because, at least I don't feel like I can say anything. I remember being in that space, and if someone had said something to me, regardless of how nice, I would've felt like they were criticizing me as a mother. As it is, I sometimes feel like other people are criticizing me anyway (I'm sure they aren't, but you just feel that way sometimes). And good luck on the move to CO - when are you guys moving - do you know yet?
Hazel - here's hoping that Daniel is getting over that nasty cold!
Schae - I LOVE all your pics, so cute!
Us - nothing much new to report. Ethan woke up at 5 am crying, but went back to sleep on his own by the time I got upstairs. I was so afraid he would decide he'd had enough sleep, but he went back to sleep until 7! Figures it was dh's day to get up with him. (Dh and I trade off days to sleep in when he's in town and working from home. I LOVE those days! :D )
Oh, and because we're hosting Thanksgiving here for my parents and in-laws, I got someone to come super duper clean the house for me today. When I was working, we used to have someone come every few weeks, but without my income, it's definitely an expense that's gone by the wayside. But just this once, I told myself... and the house is so clean and lovely right now. I just want to lock the dog outside and keep it super clean at least until Thursday! :roll: :wink:
That's it for us for right now. Have a nice evening / day ladies! :D
-
Hi Everyone, I really like the VIBE of our chat group these days:)
Tammy, I think last night was the last df, she had 3oz at 8:00. I've decided I'm only going to give it if she cries out by 10:30. Wish me luck!
Christine, that's scary about the whooping cough, Leah better not catch it!
Deborah, is there a creative way you can get MIL to leave earlier? You know, like a creative excuse :wink:
Branwen, Happy 10 months to Eirwen. That's sooo good that she likes her exersaucer. And I totally hear ya on the BW stuff. I've decided I'm only giving BW books for babyshower gifts.
JulieB, I'm just the opposite, I've got Emily playing in just about every room in the house. So we've got baby toys everywhere. She needs a change of seen every 1/2 hour or she's a crankball. I might regret it once she's mobile though. I don't have to worry about her getting into dirty corners yet. Don't worry too much about dirt, I read that you should just watch that they don't eat any rotting food as that can make them really ill, but that dust and dirt won't do them much harm.
Us, we had our doctor's appointment today. Everything went well and Emily weighs 22lbs. I hope dropping the df tonight goes okay. Goodnight/day everyone. Tarri
-
Tammy - Leah has had the pertussis shot, so that makes it a bit better. But doc said there is still the possibility of catching it. I could just kick myself though - the little girl who had it had been coughing horribly all last week. Whooping cough never even crossed my mind. Poor kid.
Tarri - Good luck dropping the dream feed. My fingers are crossed for you!!!!! I also like the group vibe!!!!!
-
Tarri - we have gone back to the Df :oops: I was just so tired - i was falling asleep while the kids played around me (literally fell asleep on their little kiddie sofa and olivia woke me up by grabbing my eyeballs :evil: , then fell asleep next day reading to alex after her nap and again yesterday on the playmat in our living room while olivia crawled around) last 2 nights we gave it at 10:30 and she took 4 oz 1st night and slept to 6:20 or so and 2nd night took only 2 oz but slept closer to 6:45 or so
julie - they play all the same songs here and same decorations including wintery themed things - so people get he true xmas experience they do a lot of "Christmas in July" parties/celebrations here in the mountains where it is cold - Dh's company organizes a dinner for it each year but i find the concept bizarre and don't go (it is July so pretend all you want it is strange). Xmastime in sydney can vary each year - some years we are in bathing suits atthe beach and other years it is cool enough for a light sweater - but we still go to the beach :D
Branwen - glad she likes the exersaucer. olivia is the same with the peek-a-blocks - i have to laugh though b/c sometimes she is banging and shaking and there is no sound - she expects them all to have bells/beads etc and is confused by the quiet ones.
Us - apart form the Df issue Olivia is pulling up every day - not sure if i posted that she started doing it without helop as of Saturday (pulled up on alex's ride on toy). i found out yesterday though that she actually pulled up on the sofa on Friday in front of the mother's helper - so she was the 1st to see it :lol:
-
Branwen: Way to go, Eirwen! Sounds like she's starting to explode in the milestone department! Asher had a month like that! I was freaking out because it was all happening so fast, I barely had time to catch my breath! :lol:
I also appreciate my BW buddies so much! I belong to another birth month group, been with them since I was 8 weeks PG, but I don't post so much anymore. I just don't have much in common with any of them and often feel like the BW outsider. It's sad. I'm also on the outside among my friends. My heart just breaks when they tell me they're starting to wean, stop co-sleeping, and letting their LOs CIO for a few days. And I swear, every time I see one friend's DD, her eyes look so red and tired. I just want to take her in my arms and put her down for a nap! Her mom just trapses all over town with her. When I asked one day, long ago, how many naps she had a day, she said it depends on what she has planned for the day! :shock: Sometimes several, sometimes none! Ironically, she ended up with an angel/spirited baby who adapts well. I secretly hope her next (due in march) is touchy!! :lol: I'm so bad! I originally heard about the book from her. She was one of those who read the book but hated it. :lol:
On the cough and sores, Asher learned how to cough on command and does it all the time. So maybe she's just learned a new trick? Do you or your DH get cold sores? Isn't it genetic? If they don't seem to get better soon, maybe it wouldn't hurt to get it checked out.
Christine, there's a whooping cough outbreak/warning here (all year actually). Has Leah been vaccinated? If she's up to date on the popular schedules, she should be fine. But you should have your tiers checked to see if you need a booster yourself. The chance of catching it is very minor. We don't vaccinate, but we don't have the exposure potential as you do. We're just very meticulous about keeping things cleaned and hands washed when we're out. I can't BELIEVE that mother would send her profusely coughing child to school! When I used to work, I hated it when coworkers wouldn't have the decency to stay home when sick. I realize they need the money, but hey, have some courtesy to the rest of us!
Tammy, you should buy some non-skid socks for those wood floors! I've seen them at Old Navy. I still have Asher in bare feet, since he's still a new walker, though his little toes get cold! :oops: I'm feeling better about the dog now! :lol: I tell myself when DH gets a better job, the first thing I'm gonna get is a MAID!!
Here's hoping all the sick LOs get better quickly and the rest of you stay healthy!! Take your vitamins! Drink your OJ! Get good rest! (take it from Deb!) :wink:
-
Just a quick hello... Maya is still sleeping! This cold has her worn out.
I don't have much time, but I wanted to add that Hanes makes non-skid socks too. I saw them in WalMart. I'm not sure how small they come (I was buying 18mos-3T for Maya's freakishly large feet which is really odd when you consider she was wearing 3-6mos onesies the other day), but they do make them.
Got to go. Maya's up, but 7:30am, WOW!
-
Just time for a quick post.
Daniel is still under the weather. His cough seems to be getting worse and now he's starting to sound wheezy. I was going to go to the baby clinic tomorrow to get him weighed so if I can get a dr appointment that fits around his nap time ( :lol: ) then I'll get him seen. I'm guessing there's not much that can be done for him. But still, I feel better if he gets checked out.
This 'not crawling' thing is just getting funny now! I keep putting all his toys out of reach lying him down on his tummy and then leaving him to it. Every time he just looks around at the toys, has a stretch for them and then just rolls over onto his back and amuses himself with fingers, toes, voice etc... It's like he's saying 'oh well, I can't reach them so I'l just entertain myself thank you very much. I am trying to see the positive side to this. He is just so contented even to be on his own with no toy for like 20 mins! :oops: I guess I should hope that this part of his personality remains so when he's a toddler he'll still be hapy to amuse himself. At times I do find it hard though - it feels a little bit like he doesn't need me. He just gets on regardless of whether I'm there or not :( I know that's silly and course he needs me but I just get sad sometimes. But then I see babies where the poor mum can't leave them for even a second and I feel happy again :wink:
Deborah - you said something about posting a picture of a position that the pt told you was good to encourage crawling. I'm interested!
Branwen - yeah I am a SAHM and that seems to be why I need a little bit of cash to get out and about in the days to amuse myself. Like you said sometimes that means shopping and spending but I'm trying to be more strict with myself. My SIL is due her baby in about 1 week. So in a month or so I should hopefully be able to hook up with her a bit more which will be nice. (I gave her the BW book and I keep pestering her to read it! She keeps saying she's not had chance :shock: Let's hope she reads it soon!) Great news about the 2 teeth. Yay.
Must dash now.
-
Well, the dreamfeed continues. She woke at 8:30 crying hard enough that she had tears, I gave her 2oz and then not a peep all night. But I'm going to keep up my policy of only giving it if she wakes before 10:30.
-
hi ladies! long time no post, but i've been reading along!
Christine - :shock: hope Leah stays healthy. i don't think whooping cough would have occured to me either. especially during cold/flu season.
Hazel - i think it's great that Daniel can amuse himself. i was always so surprised/impressed when jaina could play by herself - sometimes it seemed like hours that she could amuse herself! as a toddler, that's been very helpful - especially while i was sleep-training luke :wink:
Deb - pulling up?! :shock: better watch out! she'll be chasing alex before long. :lol: btw - love peek a blocks too. a friend has the peek a balls - they are pretty cool, but i like the blocks better.
Deborah - good luck with your MIL. if it's any consolation, i won't leave her totally alone with my kids either. but that's a whole other ball o wax. stick to your guns & just keep reminding yourself that she will be leaving eventually.
Branwen - teeth! yay!
Julieb - i have strategically placed gates, so i can block off as much (or as little) as i want.
I also appreciate my BW buddies so much!
i feel the same way. i love 'chatting' with you all - even more so cause we share such similar parenting philosophies. i also think it's really cool how we're scattered all over the place. not just in the US, but all over the globe. kinda connects everyone a little bit more. i better stop before i sound too much like a hippie flower child! :lol:
ps - i did go ask for more $$$. they're looking into it.
hope you all have a happy thanksgiving. for those out of the US, happy Thursday - it's almost the weekend!
-
Hello, all. I don't really have much to say, but I wanted to check in with you guys. Sounds like most are getting along pretty well. Kelsey has her monthly runny/stuffy nose again, and as someone else said she, too, is wiped out from it. Yesterday she had 2x 2 hr naps that I had to wake her from. She's been happy enough, but I can tell she doesn't feel well.
Unfortunately, our Thanksgiving travel plans may be scrapped due to illnesses in my cousin's family-3 of her boys are throwing up, etc. So, my mom and I are scurring around to make a backup plan.
Happy monthdays to those that have come around. 1 yr is fast approaching for us all. :cry:
Branwen-so glad to hear of Eirwen's progress.
Hazel-Kelsey would roll onto her back like that for the longest time, then slowly progressed to her crawl. It was real slow I'm telling you, like 2 months.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
-
Branwen-just found this thread as I was poking around. Didn't know if it would help you at all, but as much as I know you, you've probably already researched the mouth sores :D .
http://babywhisperer.com/forum/can-babies-get-cold-sores-vt46024.html
-
Hi everyone!
Just wanted to share that I'm also enjoying our chat! And I love that we chat with people from all over the world. Love it!
I hope the ill babies get well soon. Poor little munchkins. :(
-
Sorry about that - I took the photo, but never got it downloaded to the computer. The idea is that with one leg tucked behind, they can naturally go up on that knee when leaning forward from a sitting position.
-
Maya is so cute!!
JulieB: I was giggling about your questions about Xmas. We pretty much sing the same carols as the Northern hemisphere. lol!
Daniel makes me laugh too. I think it's great the he entertains himself, even if it means he isn't crawling. Too cute!
-
Hazel, I almost had tears in my eyes the way you were describing Daniel's lack of crawling! :lol: :lol: :lol: It's amazing, isn't it? My mom always feels sorry for Asher because I keep his room pitch black with no toys in bed. She thinks he gets lonely and bored. I tell her to come by my house at 5:30 am and she can listen to the monitor and hear the one-man-party he's having in his crib, complete with dancing and a DJ (courtesy of Asher's "singing"). :lol:
I'm busy preparing for turkey day!! Decided to give three feeds a whirl today since I can't seem to get Asher to nurse before bed. We'll see! Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
-
JulieB- I cannot get Leah to take a bottle before bed anymore either. My problem though is then she wakes at 9:30-10 and wants the bottle then. :roll: I have no idea why she won't drink before bed. She just wants to go to sleep I guess.
Leah and I went shopping today in a town about 45 mintues away. She did very well. We left at 8:00 and arrived just before her morning nap. My thought was she could sleep in the stroller at Target. BUT, she thought Target was way to exciting of a place to sleep at. :lol: So she didnt't take her morning nap till 10:00, then it was only a half an hour. We left at 1:30 and she slept on the way home and I was able to take her out of the car and she finished her nap in the crib - 2 hours. :D Julie B - This made me think of your friend you just talked about. I schedule my events around Leah's naps, not the other way. As I am sure everyone else here does too!!! Some people just have different views I guess. I too hope her next child is touchy or grumpy! :wink:
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!! I'll be filling my face at my mother's tomorrow. :lol: Hope everyone has a wonderful day!
-
I wish we had Thanksgiving! I just fancy a feast :lol: Happy Thanksgiving to all of you celebrating. (Heather, hope you get to celebrate still)
Definitley gonna get Daniel to see a dr today. His cough is no beter and now he's really wheezing as he breathes. He is completely off his food (first time ever in his whole life!!!) Last night we made up an 8oz bottle before bed but he barely even drank an ounce. Still, he made it through the night and then took 6 oz this morning. But then didn't want any breakfast. I am determined not to worry though. He is usually such a good eater that a lapse like this is not gonna starve him (all 25lb of him :) )
Deborah - thanks for the photo. I can see how that is a good position. Tried it with Daniel this morning but wouldn't you just know it he just pulled his leg back round so he was sitting up normally :lol: :lol:
I can hardly believe my little boy is nearly 10 months old. Where did all that time just go? Maybe I'm kind of glad he's not yet mobile. Somehow it makes them still feel like babies doesn't it? I laugh sometimes imagining him as a 3 year old still lyng there on the floor just playing with his toes (yeah I know - not likely).
Have a great day everyone. I am enjoying this thread too. Thanks everyone.
-
ok - how badly can a cold affect eating??? i know Hazel is saying Daniel is also off his food....
this is the past 24 hours for Liv's solids and i cannot tell if she is just being stubborn (she only wants food she can control these days :roll: )or it is related to her cold (insane amounts of mucos streaming and atch out if she sneezes - doubles the amount!!)
Wed dinner - refused all finger foods offered (pasta, carrots, zucchini, little bit of beef mince) and spoon food offered (avocado - mashed; pumpkin and zucchini puree) finally ate 4 pieces of pear before i gave up
Thurs breakfast - refused solids
Thurs lunch at daycare - ate some cheerios and pears but refused the spoon food (mixed veggies)
Thurs dinner - ate pear pieces and 2 bies of avocado that i snuck in :oops: , ate 1-2 pieces zucchini and 1 small piece of oven baked french fry / chip, would not let a spoon near her
i have been begging her and she is laughing at me - why woudl she be happy to eat pears and cheerios and nothing else???
we are sticking with the DF until this subsides too - last night she took 4 oz (120ml) and slept until 7-7:15 am :shock: will i ever get her to eat enough during the day? will i be DF my 1 year old ??? it is driving me insane (i lost it yesterday at dinner and was yelling at her to open her mouth and when she grumbled at me i told her to shut up already :oops: - needless to say it was a very bad day) i am not sure of it was related to my period - i hate usng that and PPD as "excuses" but i can tell certain days that my blood is boiling...
so i am not all negative - positives: she took her first 2 hour nap today in i don't know how long (has to be 2 months at least) and is pullng up on loads of things - so proud of herself!
-
Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the US :)
Debra, I can't help much on the cold front. I'd say as long as she's eating or drinking something each feed time not to worry. Just think of all that fat she's got on her :D
Hazel, I hope the doc can pinpoint Daniel's coughing. Hope he gets better soon. Emily started sitting with one leg bent backward about 2 weeks ago on her own. And twice now she's gone to her tummy in a controlled way from this position. It started when she was trying to turn in a sitting position to reach toys.
Christine, it's wonderful when they cooperate on an outing!
Heather, good naps are awesome, arent't they?!
Us, last night was our first missed dreamfeed :D :D :D She woke crying several times but only for a few seconds and I didn't have to go in her room. And she started waking this morning at 5:30am (her usual time). At her dinner I put 3oz of formula in her porridge instead of water so I think that helped.
This morning my poor baby was hurting from constipation. I picked her up cause she started crying hard and was dancing to the music with her in the living room and she fell asleep on me! She hasn't done that since 2 months old. So I put her to bed 1/2 hour early. Hope she's better when she wakes.
-
why would she be happy to eat pears and cheerios and nothing else?
cause she's a toddler in training, and alex is secretly giving her lessons. :wink:
remember, until she's a year, the bulk of her nutrition is coming from the formula. she's mainly learning how to eat food, and what the stuff tastes like. as for quantity, many times when your nose is stuffed up, you can't taste things as well. if she can't taste it, she may see no point in eating it.
and in the meantime, i think the babies think it's fun to drive us nuts!
Happy turkey day! we're at my parents for the holiday. all 4 of us in 1 bedroom... well, 3 of us - luke's in the bathroom (no windows - it's dark!) :lol:
-
Christine, interesting about Leah's bedtime feed refusals as well! Though the REALLY strange thing with Asher is, he'll happily take a 8 oz bottle of EBM even though he can get it from me faster. So go figure! I posted on the BF board again and the two who replied said I should just go ahead and drop that feed, concentrating on the others. :roll: I don't know what I'm gonna do yet.
Hazel, hope you got Daniel in to the doc, the wheezing concerns me as well. That sounds like it's getting worse instead of better, as it should. Do you have a humidifier going for him? May help the breathing.
Deb, hang in there! Deep breaths, big hugs!! I definately think food can be affected by colds, it always happens to me! I also wonder if Olivia just has a picky palate right now. She's not eating because she doesn't see anything she likes? I know when Asher started out, there were far more foods he DIDN'T like than those he did. I felt like he'd be eating pears for every meal! :roll: Still eats one a day. :lol: In the beginning, he only liked the sweet things (and bonus if they were finger food), pears, bananas, sweet potatoes, and peas. New foods always took at least a few tries. Still doesn't like avocado or kiwi though. I always read about offering 15-20 times before they develop a taste for a food. One trick I learned with Asher is to offer the new food alone at the beginning of the meal. If I offer it with familiar items, he turns his nose up. It's like he needs to have a "clean palate." :lol: Try to relax, offer a variety of foods (in hopes of nailing 1 or 2) at each meal, and then try again at the next meal. I think you're right that Olivia does pick up on your stress and may think of it as a game. I promise she won't be like this forever! :D
Asher had a fun day today being the social butterfly. Takes him a bit to warm up, then it's party, party, party! I don't know who entertained who more, the family or Asher? :lol: He also had turkey and liked it (just like me! yum!). We've been giving him bits of chicken this week as well (liked that as well). Amazingly took GREAT naps, pretty tuckered out from all the people, I guess. Had to wake him from both! :shock:
I fed him part of our "dinner" for the first time last night -- chicken stir fry. It was all things he's eaten before, but it was mixed together like ours is. He didn't know what to think. I gave it in a bowl on his tray, but he doesn't know how to use a spoon and the rice, small bits of chicken and veggies were hard to pick up. Occasionaly he'd just pick out something he recognized. Ended up spoon feeding most of it to him. When should I start letting him practice eating with a spoon? What age is normal for them to be able to do that?
-
thanks julie - she is still not eating but at least is taking good amount of bottle and today slept til 7:30am and had a 2hr 15 min afternon nap for the 2nd day in a row (the positive side to a very bad cold/cough i guess)
with the self-feeding - alex started trying to do it more herself after a year and got the real hang of a spoon around 14-16 months (was good with porridge first and then graduated to other foods and a fork)
glad you had a good time with your family.
Happy Thanksgiving americans - i miss that holiday a lot - was one of my faves.
-
Well, we did get to see the doc on Thurs. Daniel barely ate all day - milk or solids (the first time since he was born! He has never even once turned down solids before so I knew something was def wrong.) The doc said he has an inflamed eardrum (part of the same chesty infection) and prescribed some meds. Must say they seem to be working already. Yesterday he mostly got his appetite back. This mornng though he just screamed each time we put the bottle to his mouth. Ended up taking about an ounce of his usual 8oz:shock: Did eat a little breakfast though. He's back to sleep. Still wheezing a litte but the dr said his lungs and breathing sounded fine :? Just said to keep an eye (or and ear!) on it. I'll try feeding him the bottle again when he wakes up.
It's strange really how much we've got used to Daniel being in an EASY routine. Now that the routine is all kind of out the window I feel slightly lost! When he wakes it's no longer so easy to work out if he's hungry, thirsty, still tired etc... To think some mums do it this way every day! At least I know that once he's better he should go back to the old routine (here's hoping!)
And Daniel is defintiely anther one who just does not want his bedtime bottle! I don't know if this is just coz of his cold (it seemed to be getting more and more difficult for a couple of weeks though even before his cold came on) but I'm trying so hard not to worry. I know he has PLENTY of reserves :lol: My hv also said the same about dropping this one and doing one in the afternoon instead. I just always thought the bedtime one was the last one to go (the one I enjoy the most!)
Debra - glad Olivia is taking good naps. I keep expecting Daniel to as he is really tired but he still wakes up after about 1.25 hours. But for the most part he's happy so I can't complain.
Jaime - how did Luke go sleeping in the bathroom?! :lol:
One quick question - when is it ok to feed Daniel tinned tuna?
-
Hi Group:
Havent had much time to write since the hurricane. We wound up being without electricity for 15 days. I know people who were without for about three weeks.
Anyway, missed you all. I'm trying to catch up on all the posts so gimme some time and I'll get there.
We went to my brothers for Thanksgiving and Matty cried the whole time! He was scared the second my brother opened the door (with a video camera to his own face). We took him into a quiet bedroom and he would calm down a little and the minute anyone entered he would freak out again. I mean he was really upset. Even if I left and returned he would wail when I walked in before he realized it was me. I held him and fed him (can you believe he still drank most of a bottle?) while dh ate and then I never got a chance to eat. Neither one of us got to socialize wiht anyone there, dh ate with me in the family room while everyone was at the dinner table. We didnt go for the dinner until 5:30 so I'm sure that had something to do with it - but that's when my brother was having the dinner, so I didnt really have a choice. I had brought Matty's pak n play hoping we could put him down to sleep and drive him home sleeping. Yeah, that didnt happen :roll:
I was dissapointed because I wanted everyone to see my adorable baby (and they wanted to see him too!) but the poor little guy couldnt handle it. We left after only 2 hours and he fell asleep in the car seat on the way home. When he woke up I was walking him into his room and as soon as he saw his stuff he broke out into a huge grin and he was so happy. Like we had kept him away from his room for months!
Today we took him to the pet supply store and he immediately became very upset but we kept him there a bit and he calmed down after about 15 minutes of walking him around. I have never seen these reactions with him in public before. True we dont get Matty out a lot, but during the hurricane while we were out of town, he was in at least one restaurant with us every day (some very crowded) and he was fine! We even met relatives in a busy restaurant over there and he handled it really well! that was only three weeks ago.
Any input on this? could this be a new stranger anxiety thing kicking in? Or are we not getting him out enough perhaps?
Nice to see everyone.
Julie
By the way, Matty was 26 lbs and 30.5 inches at his last checkup two weeks ago!!!
-
Just a quick note to say hi. We just got back from Thanksgiving at the beach. It didn't go so well. Maya was cranky almost the whole time. She's been almost inconsolable today. We even called our ped - which we almost never do after hours. Poor thing - she's tired, she's got two teeth coming, I think her cold has resulted in an ear infection, and she's constipated. She gnawed on her pacifier so hard this morning, she bit it in half. And she's taking her third nap of the day - on dh's chest - she hasn't done that in ages.
Must go, sounds like she's up.
-
Poor Maya and Matty!!! It doesn't sound like either of them had very Happy Thanksgivings. :(
Julie- Leah has never had stranger anxiety or seperation anxiety much. But the last few days she will crawl over to me and want up. She NEVER used to do this. She is very independent and loves new people. Could be sep anxiety or an illness or teeth? Funny about him laughing as he entered his room!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Leah had turkey also and loved it. We have basically given up spoon feeding. She is only happy to eat finger foods. I took some chicken noodle soup and drained off the broth the other day. She ate it all! :shock: She loved the chicken chunks, noodles, and carrots. So we just eat finger foods now. Lots of bannanas (sliced the long way like Julie B - way better that way!), beans, cooked carrots, cooked sweet potatoes, chicken noodle soup, munster cheese, toast with applesauce, cheerios, pear and peaches chunks, and our new thing - chicken! I bought the kind that comes in the container like tuna - very moist and easy to chew and swallow.
Hazel - We have done tuna. Not sure if we were supposed too or not, but we did and she liked it!
-
I hope Maya is doing better, she has been through such a rough time lately.
Just a quick update, we took Matty to the grocery store today and it was very crowded and he was fine. The guys at the deli were giving him samples, (stuffing and sweet potato) and he was eating away having a great time, totally unphased by the crowds and people coming up to him.
So go figure.
Anyway, Matty gets a tummy ache if he eats banana, I tried a little bit last week and he did okay. Im going to try again this week.
Julie
-
Julie - nice to hear from you again. Glad you are getting back on your feet after the hurricane. 15 days without power? Sheesh! Must have been soooo hard.
Deborah - poor little Maya. I really hope she gets well soon.
Separation anxiety - we are wondering if we are starting to experience this now. Daniel goes down to sleep fine. He just wakes up a couple of times most nights. He cries and then as soon as we walk in the room he stops. We do nothing other than touch his head and give him his lovey, say goodnight and leave. It is very weird. It's almost like he just wants to be reassured that we're still around.
Our other thought was that he's maybe cold and it's that that's waking him up. He has so many layers on but when I feel his chest he still seems quite cool :? Who knows?! I know there's another thread going at the moment about sep.anxiety and all the babies discussed there seem to be around 9 or 10 months so I guess Daniel fits the bill. The funny thing is he shows none of this during the day. He will happily be held by anyone, we can leave the room, he doesn't seem phased at all. Is it common that it only affects them at night?
Weightloss - I lost 2 lb last week so that's a total of 7 lb in 3 weeks! :D I am so chuffed. Dh said he'll take me out for a meal when I get down to 9st 7lb (and I'm 3lb off that right now!) Or at least I told dh that he could take me out for a meal when I reach 9st 7lb :lol: :lol:
I made up a meal with tuna in it but Daniel didn't seem too keen. I'm not sure if it had more to do with his cold though, so I'll try it again tonight I think.
Crawling - Daniel is well on the way now. To us it looks like he'll be crawling quite soon, but then who can be sure. He is happy now to wriggle around on his tummy for ages. He still doesn't go up on his knees but he scoots around and around in circles just pushing with his arms. It's so sweet to watch. It seems like he's just beginning to realise that he can actually move if he wants to.
SIL is due today. It's her first baby so we're guessing she's gonna go over. I am so excited though. She lives quite close so hopefully we can hang out together a bit which will be great. It's so funny because by about 38 weeks I could barely walk with Daniel. Just so much pulling and discomfort. But my SIL is LOVING it. All this last week apparentlyshe has been shopping and running around (not literally!) doing last minute jobs. She said she's gonna try and relax this week!
I'm off to have my hair cut today. My mum is baby sitting so that will be nice. (My mum and dad live and work in Zambia, Africa but they have been home for the last 5months. They return to Zambia on Jan 4th so I'm already starting to dread saying goodbye to them. Won't see them then til Sept. Just glad that they are around for Daniel's first Christmas. They're spending it here with us. Yay.)
Right I'll stop feeling sorry for myself and go and get on with my day. Look forward to hearing how everyone is getting on. The thread has been very quiet recently. (I blame thanksgiving :lol: )
-
Hi all
Long time no write as I went to London to see my mum's new house and we had a very hectic time with Ciara being very unsettled :( So many things I want to reply to ut now I am writing no doubt I will forget most of them -Hazel - Hope Daniel gets be
-
had a little help there from Ciara on the keyboard! -
Hazel - hope Daniel gets better soon, poor little mite, Ciara also has had a cold. She was doing the waking at night thing before that though and also would go back to sleep with just a touch or word from me (had to be me though :? )but while we were away it went to record breaking lengths - waking every 45 mins I tell you - all my plans for visitng friends, shoping etc, went out the window as I tried to catch up on sleep in the daytime. And my mum wasn't too helpful - she's all about take her into your bed, rock her to sleep, feed her at night etc (the opposite extreme to my MIL!) I do think she was cold for some of the time as well as being v unsettled by the whole journey, even though during the flight etc she was chirpy as ever, chatting everyone up! She also refused her bedtime fed a couple of times so I then feed her at her first awakening an hour or so later, so it all ties in....
We;re having a meltdown so gotta go for now...
-
just a quick one as Hazel mentioned it's been quiet... i thought i'd say hi
glad to hear from you Julie - my mom was without power for quite a while too and it sounded terrible (she looks after my 93 yr old G'ma who is a pain in the a@s under normal circumstances, but sheesh not a good time IYKWIM :D ) glad that Matty seems back on track...
Hazel - congrats on the weight loss! i have 10 pounds to lose and so far keep losing and regaining the same 2 lbs (1 kg) :roll: It would probably help to stop eating tons of yummy food but i have zero self control :lol:
i have caught olivia's cold and am miserable alternating between stuffed up and sneezy/runny nose OH THE JOY! it has also been raining here on and off for about 4 days with no end in sight so not a good combo (ill and horrible weather)
food issues still driving me bonkers - i swear i am days away from going insane. i dread each and every mealtime :cry: we are averaging 1 good solids meal per day although there have been days where all 3 meals have been a bust. the cold is still here so there is no way for me to know if it is/isn't responsible until it goes away and we see if she eats better. right now she is taking more milk at her feeds (cries for at least 1 top up and sometimes her total for a feed can be 8 1/2 -10 oz :shock: especialy 1st and last feeds) her pattern seems to be refuse 1-2 feeds and then get so hungry that she will chow down at a solids feed and then reject a couple more :roll: VERY FRUSTRATING- i need it to end!
does anyone know how much - if any - nutritional value there is to watermelon?? Dh bought a whole one and it is sweet and yummy and i know Liv loves it, but i worry there is nothing really to it so don't want to give her too much (she loves melons and pears)
-
Hi everyone! I hope Thankgivings were fun for those that celebrated :D
Deb, Julie, Hazel etc- re: Bedtime Feeds- I am not sure I have suggestions for you but I can tell you what Eirwen is doing on her own now, which I am not sure is good??? :? Instead of refusing the last feed of the day she has dropped to only eating from one side per feed...so half of what she normal takes. She does this at almost every bf feed now and when my dh gives her a bottle at any of her regular times she only takes 4-5 oz. I have been thinking of reorganizing her feeds so she only has 3 but after reading your posts I am wondering if it is not better to just have her doing what she is doing?
Julie- I guess if Asher doesn't want the feed at all anymore I too would drop it. I thought it was always best to go with the baby on that?? It is rather odd that it is that one, normal one of the last to go I thought? Have you tried just not offering it for a day or two? What does he do?
:?: about the spoon thing- i too am wondering this? when do you give them their spoon- also when do you drop purees completely, I know some of you already have but what is the standard? anyone know?
Watermelon- I thoght it was loaded with vit C and water so that is good right? :wink:
Hazel- congrats on the weight! You must be feeling so good! I think Daniel and Eirwen must be in sink because she too is now "crawling" but she is not up on her knees, it is more of army crawling and pulling herself forward....kind of looks like a frog leap without the leap. It's too funny and she can get all across the room. It's crazy! She just goes...I think she will be up on her knees well before Christmas! I am so proud really...I have been waiting and now I am more relaxed about her development. I wish secretly she would have waited until this Friday when we get to our new place in CO but I can't have everything I want :lol:
Julie- I am happy to hear from you! I don't know how you survived without power for even that long :wink: We had a going away gathering last night and Eirwen was the same way, my dh ended up taking her into the kitchen and feeding her dinner away from everyone. She is just very sensitive to some people. I have also discovered that she needs her space (unless it is me or dh) but at LEAST a 3 ft radius. :lol: As long as she has that she is ok, but when people get to close, laugh to loud at her or approach her really fast she is TERRIFIED! Last night even I had problems settling her.
US- Eirwen's top teeth are coming down really fast- so cute! But now she's getting the next two on the bottom and she woke up screaming today at 6am. I finally got her down a little bit ago but she was just miserable this morning. I thought I saw some white on the sides of her bottom teeth and then I felt and it is all quishy so they are on their way :roll: I must say I don't like the teeth business :lol: It is my least favorite issue.
We leave for Colorado this Friday! I am SO excited! I am feeling very emotional lately because of it though so that has been interesting for me. I did not expect to feel sad too :?
-
Branwen I will be thinking of you this Friday! Hopefully we will be leaving for CO in the next couple of months too - I can't wait 8) . In fact in the airport back from London (wet and grey) returning to Amsterdam (wet and grey) I bought a pair of sunglasses to remind myself that we will be back in that sunshine again soon!
So, anyway, if anyone was following my ramble, our trip to London was not much of a vacation after all although on the good front, she started shooting up stairs (actually is that so good? :? ) and cruising a little bit and at least I didn't have to contend with 4 flights of stairs in and out every day which did my back some good :) . Came home to dh having cooked and done his version of tidying - a pigsty but at least he tried :lol: She also has been refusing breakfast now but not sure if that is linked to having her last milk feed later than usual... sounds like a few of us are having similar problems right now
Last night we had a very unsettled night - I think she was cold on top of all the excitement of travelling and she is being very clingy. This apartment is so draughty it was cold even with the heating on max - I hate it :evil: and I was so tired that I ended up just taking her to bed with us - first time since she was about 8 wks old and not something I want to start up again! but at least we all got some sleep.... Please cross fingers for tonight....!
I love coming on this thread too - I was even showing my mum he jusspress vids proudly! I have some cute pics to attach when I upload them.
-
Oh and I forgot - spoons: my cousin, a Montessori enthusiast, got Ciara to use a spoon on this trip - she put a little bit of yogurt in a bowl and put her spoon in there and she knew what to do with it, some patience needed, obviously! Same with a piece of pear on a fork. Not sure if I could be doing that every day though, it was very time consuming :roll:
Watermelon - I would go easy on for the bellyaches :?
-
Ahhh...so glad I can get on the computer. Dh won't let me near it when he's home on the weekend.
Jamie, Emily started having a reaction to the eucerin cream, so I stopped it and went back to our old cream from glaxal/base. Also I'm starting to give Emily a few drops of flaxseed oil in her food cause I read it might help with eczema and also constipation. No difference yet.
Branwen, so glad that you're moving Friday! You're going to be busy! Also good stuff that Eirwen's moving around.
Hazel, that's awesome that you've lost so much weight. I'm kind of like Deb, I have no will power. I'm hoping Emily starts moving more like Daniel. She did go from sitting to tummy twice this morning and turns in circles slowly.
Julie, I'm fearing that what happened at your thanksgiving is going to happen to Emily at our boxing day celebration. We have about 20 people over and it ends with everyone throwing wrapping paper at each other and shouting (in a happy way of course)!
Us, I got us all dressed up for Christmas pictures and got to Walmart and I got the date wrong :evil: :x :cry: ! I was soooo mad and upset. I couldn't stop crying for hours. I was so upset cause I messed up and I had spent all morning ironing clothes, getting emily lunch ready to take, and putting cortisone cream on Emily's cheek all week so she would look good. Anyways, I rescheduled it for next Sunday.
Deborah, hope Maya starts feeling better soon.
Christine, good idea about the canned chicken. I used canned tuna but never thought of the chicken.
Debra, I'd say just go with Olivia's flow till her colds over. And then maybe don't let her have more than 6oz of milk at a time. Maybe then her feeds will even out better.
JulieB, Emily is also refusing her last feed. So I've been mixing half into her dinner porridge and I get about 2oz into her at bedtime. I think cause she's stuffed from her bottle at 3:30pm, her dinner at 5:00 and then her bedtime bottle's at 6:15pm.
Gotta go, Emily's waking early from her morning nap....Tarri
-
Hi! Just thought I'd pop in for a second. Not much going on here except that we are dropping to 3 bottles. 2-3 of her bottles were going unfinished, so I've consolidated them and she's doing fine with that. Our schedule still needs some tweeking, but I think I'm headed toward the right direction. I'm sure she's teething again, and that's been rough, but I know we'll get through just as we did before. It can't last forever, right?
Thanksgiving was a bust for us. Kelsey wouldn't nap in a different bed, so over-exhaustion led to a grumpy night, and I hardly got to visit with my family. My whole body hurt the next day from carrying her around all day, and I was quite frustrated. I threw myself a little pity party, but I'm better now.
Well, that was quick, she's up so I better go.
-
We're trying a new routine tonight. Daniel was down to 2 bottles already (morning and bedtime) and he's recently started to not want the bedtime one. So what I tried today was to make up a full bottle at 4pm which he took most of quite happily (about 6oz). Dinner at 6pm and then we'll try to get him to finish off the last few ounces at bedtime. It'll be interesting to see how this works over the next few days.
Heather, sorry Kelsey had a hard time over thanksgiving. I often throw pity parties :oops: Don't worry about it. In fact I've decided that mums have every right to! Hope the routine is tweaked soon.
Tarri - don't get me wrong, Daniel is not crawling yet, but I think he's 'moving in the right direction'. He's just about mastered crawling, or at least pushing himself, backwards. I'm loving watching him learn each day.
-
It's me again:)
I can feel the sharp edge of Emily's top tooth coming thru. So far we haven't had any teething troubles though :o .
Also we're on the sixth night with no dreamfeed. So I guess that's finished.
Yesterday we dropped by a playgroup for 5 minutes. I left cause there weren't any babies her age and all the kids were running around with snot running out of their noses and coughing :roll: . Eeeks. I hope she didn't catch anything.
Have a good day everyone, Tarri
-
We have poo! I know it's silly to get so excited, but after four days of cranky constipated baby, it is nice to be able to rule this out as a cause of her fussiness.
Tuna - tuna is fine at this age, but you want the regular canned stuff packed in water, not albacore. We tried it with Maya but she didn't seem to like it much. We'll try again in another week or so. She did like grouper, though.
Debra - Sorry to hear mealtime is such a hassle. I can definitely relate. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Branwen - We are going to stick with purees for a while yet. Maya's doing really well with the finger foods, but I need to make sure she's getting enough calories with every meal. It's easier to do that with puree, and since she still eats it, we're ok. I do offer puree first, and before we bring our food to the table. Also, we've been giving Maya her spoon from time to time, whenever her puree is something that sticks to the spoon well (like pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving). It takes a but of contriving on her part, but she usually gets it in, albeit upside down.
There was one bright spot to Thanksgiving - Maya responded really well to one of dh's sisters. She is also Maya's godmother, so it made us feel like we had definitely made the right choice.
-
Helloooo! :D
I got a job! I start work 3rd January 2006. AND we've found a place of our own. We're moving out of my parents house 15 December. I'm very happy! :D :D
The above is why I have been so scarce, been running around doing all sorts of things. hehehe!
JulieG: I've been thinking about you. Don't know how you managed without electricity for so long. Are things any better?
Hazel: WELL DONE ON THE WEIGHTLOSS! I've just joined Weighchers and have lost 1.7kg in a week lol! I feel so good. Can't imagine how chuffed you are with yourself. And yay on Daniel doing his own version of crawling. Too cute.
Deb: Are you feeling any better? Recovered from the cold?
We are in such a dilemma, I can't decide whether to put Luka in creche/daycare or get a nanny. Sometimes I lean towards a nanny because of the one on one stimulation but then I think how close Luka will be to another person and I get jealous :oops:
But the idea of putting him in creche and him getting ill and not 100% attention. Yah. Dilemma.
Can't really stay on for long. Have started packing and have lots of loose ends to tie up.
Hope everyone is doing well.
-
Schae - CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW JOB!!!!!!!!! :D How exciting for you! I had considered a nanny also, but couldn't really afford one - they are very expensive here in the US. I have Leah in an in-home day care setting. She is with a stay at home mother who takes in a few other children. I like this idea better than a group day care. It’s a personal decision though. This way she gets the stimulation of other children, but also gets more attention than in a group center.
YAY FOR BRANWEN ALSO ON YOUR MOVE! :D Good luck, keep us posted. We can't wait to hear about your move, your new town, and your new house! :D
-
CONGRATS, SCHAE!!! I hope everything falls into place for you. Keep us posted on your child care decision.
Us-the move to 3 bottles didn't work so well. I'm going to hold off for another 1-2 weeks, refigured, and try again.
I have another nephew, born today. Mom and baby are healthy. Hard to get too excited, though, since SIL doesn't include me in her life. :(
-
CONGRATS SCHAE!!! how exciting!!! :D
Congrats to Branwen on your move too!
and Heather, congrats to the new Auntie... i guess?? too bad about your SIL, although since you are a recently very experienced mommy, maybe the 2 of you will start to form a relationship?
Tarri - too bad about the cream. we also discovered that if we don't let him scratch his skin, it got better. since it had spread to the crooks of his arms, we covered them with wristbands - the kind tennis players wear! :lol: poor kid, he looks like a burn victim, but his skin is getting better by the day. been covering his hands at night. we were using burp cloths in the beginning, but are using little baby mittins now.
We survived Thanksgiving, and truthfully had lots of fun. both kids seem to have the sniffles now, but oh well. that's the price you pay to visit loved ones! :D
-
Been busy preparing for Christmas!! DH spent hours and hours trying to get these stupid special icicle lights to work. :roll: So we are still trying to finish the rest of the house.
:oops: This weekend we were some of those annoying people we made fun of a week or two ago! :lol: We dragged poor Asher all over town not one, but TWO days, with no regard for his naps. We kept looking at his sleepy little face and telling him, "Mama & Daddy are crazy!" :oops: :lol: Friday was all in the name of shopping and 50% off toys! Got good deals and MEANT to be back by the morning nap, but didn't work out that well. He fell asleep in the stroller at the mall, 45 minutes past nap time, and only slept for 30 minutes. :shock: Got home, ate, and put him down for a good afternoon nap. Poor guy was stumbling all over the family room. Then Saturday we headed out to get photos taken and meant to be back by afternoon nap time, but the studio was running behind. At that point, I knew he'd fall asleep in the car on the way home, so I felt like it didn't matter much if we just stopped at the second hand store real quick since we were on that side of town. :oops: Yeah, realllll quick! An HOUR later we were heading home, slept in the car, but woke shortly. We decided to stop at a Christmas tree lot to pick out our trees so DH could come back for them himself while I tried to get Asher to catnap (didn't happen). :oops: He's still kinda recovering. He was an emotional wreck yesterday, but he's better today. It's times like these I wish he wasn't a screamer. But would a high needs baby have any other cry?? :wink:
Anyway, we moved to three full feeds and it's working well so far. He nurses when he wakes, around 2 pm before the afternoon nap, and at bedtime. Just gotta remember the new routine! Went out this afternoon and totally forgot the 2 pm feeding! :oops: Had to feed him when I got home which delayed his nap.
Tried ham on Sunday and he chowed it down. He's quite the meat-eater! :shock: Also started steamed carrots and likes those. He has a diaper rash right now but I don't know why. Gonna wait on any other new foods until that clears.
JulieG, glad to hear things are getting better. Sorry Matty had such a hard Thanksgiving. Not really sure what it could be either. Asher has good and bad days. Takes him about 30 minutes to warm up to new people (meaning: everyone but mama & daddy), but seems fine in stores and restauarants (as long as no one talks to him! :lol: ). He does have an easier time if the new people are at our house on familiar turf and/or smaller groups of people.
Deborah, glad Maya may be starting to find relief! Poor girl!
Hazel, I wonder about the nighttime separation anxiety vs. being cold as well! I've been doing experiements with turning up the heat, putting him in thicker PJs, blankets, and just bought special overnight diapers (thinking making the wet diaper gets cold??). Not getting consistent results yet. These early mornings are killing me! Hope Daniel is improving and congrats on your weight loss!
Deb, so sorry you have the cold now too! Just seems like you all just finished being sick!! Strange about Olivia's eating patterns. Really sounds like she's got the same metabolism you have as you described. Not sure about the watermelon, my mom always said it was just water. But if she's taking enough formula throughout the day, I wouldn't sweat her choice of solids at this age. I remember reading about a pediatrician who said their bodies will crave whatever food they need so current cravings (like toddlers have with cereal) won't last. Not sure I completely agree, but interesting concept.
Asher is up, must go.
-
Yay Schae!! I am sooooo happy for you guys - i can't wait until you are in your own place - i can imagine that must be exciting finally! good luck with the new job and the daycare decision - apparently nannies in Australia are more affordabl than people think (in light of how expensive and hard to find reagular daycare is it is probably better stress-wise as here if you are even 15 min late picking up lo they start charging you astronomical penalty fees in 15 min increments :evil: )
Branwen - Good luck with the move - let us know when you are settled and that you arrived safe and sound and sane :lol:
I have decided (after seeing my Dr and thinking things through) to relax about the food issues and things are getting better for me at least. my Dr said that if she cuts back on the milk or really stops eating a variety of foods then i should just give her a multi vitamin for peace of mind, but otherwise don't sweat it :roll: she reminded me that there are cases of 1-2 year olds who survive on peanut butter sandwiches, etc + vitamins and that you just have to ride out fussiness... I think it is just a control thing for Liv - she is not going to eat what i say just because i am the mommy - she really asserts her independence (i can already see her at 14 :shock: ) now for breakfast i am offering cheerios and 1 variety of fruit in pieces and she is happier. as of Monday i stopped offering any more than 8 1/2 oz per milk feed and she was fine at all naps without the extra (her napping is actually been going really well), she woke both weekend nights around 10 looking for food and drank about 4 oz/ 120ml and we have yet to get rid of the Df agaiin - i don't really know when we will :oops: (since we started it up again she takes between 2-4oz and sleeps til 6:45 - 7:20am :D ) WHAT DO YOU THINK? also at Lunch and dinner she eats 90% finger foods and a few spoonfuls of food i can get in her - it takes forever but i can nolonger force her to eat according to my preferences - just have to keep trying new foods and hope i get lucky with some explansion of the menu (very limited right now -Dh even made a huge batch of meatballs for the girls - both rejected them!! they were yummy and i have a huge batch in the freezer to keep trying without much effort...)
Julie- you are a braver woman than me - i still can't do that too often and certainly not 2 days in a row
Deborah - yay for the poo! i cabn totally relate as we had so much constipation in the first 6 months - one positive effect of the solids is all the poo now
-
Julie-that is the 3 bottle feed I was trying with Kelsey-upon waking, 2 pm before nap, and then bedtime. However, she was miserable waiting until 2 for that bottle and it wasn't worth it. I gave it 4 days and went back to 4 bottles. Now, I'm thinking of dropping the 4 pm bottle and giving a snack instead; which would leave her with a bottle in the morning, with lunch, and before bed. I have a feeling this will work as she almost always leaves the 4 pm bottle unfinished.
-
I can't believe my baby is turning 10 months! :shock: :cry: It suddenly sounds so grown up! Like going to double digits suddenly makes it go by so much faster!
We had such a whiney evening. I think because of the poor afternoon nap and he's still recovering with all our routine messing over the holiday. :? It wouldn't be so bad as he's decided that high-pitched screaming is now the new "whining." I swear I hear it in my sleep!
DH is home sick. :? I haven't been sick since Asher was a week old. DH & I have never passed illnesses between us, but I think I got that last one from DH (through Asher??). Here's hoping neither of us get it! We're going to Disneyland next week and I'd hate to be sick!!
Branwen, congrats on the crawling and the move! I'm so excited for you! Not sure what you mean about stopping the purees. I mean, some things have to be eaten that way (squash, sweet potato, etc), even for grown ups. So even with the conversion to grown up table food, we still have to figure out how to help them eat the runny stuff, right? Or do people just forego the mooshy stuff until they're coordinated with the spoon?
Tarri, sorry about the wrong photo appointment! They couldn't get you in anyway? I got my date wrong as well! Luckily, I called to check the time since I had forgot and they told me I wasn't scheduled -- but they were able to get me in that day since I was already prepared to go! :lol: Oh, our mommy brains!!
Yay Schae!! Congratulations on the new job and home!! Personally, I'd very much prefer a nanny, despite the jealousy issue (me too! :oops: ). You can have so much more say in how you want Luka raised if you're just dealing with one individual. And with the high turn over in day care centers (at least, it seems like that here), I think it would be easier on Luka to have a consistent person he can depend on. Change is so hard on little ones, and even more so when they're away from their parents. And I'm with you on the sickness concerns. My close friend's baby always seems to be sick. Not only is it hard on the baby, but she has to miss many days of work to take care of the baby when she's sick.
Deb, your attitude about the eating sounds so greatly improved and encouraging! I'm so relieved!! The new plan you explained sounds manageable and makes sense. Even the dreamfeed! Heck, I'd gladly be giving Asher a DF if it'd make him sleep till 7:00!! :lol: After a week or so of consistency (and now that she's feeling better?), if you're really concerned, you could try phasing it out again slowly, right?
Heather, when you said Kelsey was miserable waiting, was she still hungry from lunch? Or a comfort thing? I don't think Asher notices, but he gets his panties in a bunch as soon as I sit in my nursing chair! :lol: Big change from his previous indifference! I give a small snack (rice puffs and sippy cup) when he gets up from his naps while I'm getting his meals ready. I just let him eat them off the end table and he seems interested enough. He's still ravished as soon as he spots the high chair! :lol:
-
Time for a very quick post.
We are off to another playgroup this morning. Daniel is nearly 100% now so we're gonna venture out and have some fun (he'll probably go and catch another cold now :x )
I actually had to wake him up this morning!!! How things have changed. It was only a fortnight ago that he was waking at 6am, but now it's anytime from 7 - 7.30 :D I've been trying to work out why and all I can think is it may be that his afternoon nap is a bit earlier. His naps are usually about 9-10.30 or 9.30 - 11 (depending on when he wakes) and then 1.30 - 2.45 and then he's awake till about 7pm. His afternoon nap did used to be more like 2.30 - 4pm. I guess this may have made a difference to his night time sleep but I wouldn't be sure.
Our new routine seems to be working well. I now give daniel a bottle when he wakes. Then another full one at 4pm and then he just has a couple of ounces (sometimes only 1) before bed. At least I know he's getting around 20oz of milk and usually another couple or so in his food). Makes me a bit happier.
Had him weighed yesterday - 25lb 10oz :shock: The sooner he gets crawling the better really I think :) Speaking of which he is having so much fun wriggling all over the floor now. It's so much fun to watch as well. It just seemed to be overnight really. I knew it would just click one day when he realised he could actually move around. He's not 'crawling' as such. more rolling, squirming, rolling, squirming etc... But he gets where he wants to be so that's good. I think what made the difference was if ever I put him down before I'd put him on his back (because when I put him on his tummy he would always just roll over), but now I always put him down on his tummy. I guess it's just got him more used to it. More often than not now he stays on his tummy.
Congratulations Schae on the job and the house. Exciting times ahead. And good luck to you Branwen with the move. Hope it all goes smoothly.
Must run now, so much to do while Daniel sleeps.
-
We had a great time at playgroup this morning. Was a small group of very friendly mums. Lots of babies and not so many loud and scarey older kids! Will def be going again next week.
Just wanted to share that happy news :)
-
Julie-I'm not completely sure if the wait for the bottle was a hunger or a comfort problem. I would tend to say hunger because lunch can usually be a problem with her; fusses and doesn't want to eat. Also, she never seems to notice a schedule change with bottles, and only cries for it when I say "are you ready for your bottle?". Then she starts "ba ba ba ba ba" with a sense of urgency. Even still, she is only taking about 4-5 oz these days. In the morning, when she pushes it away, I save the rest for about 30 minutes and she'll usually finish it. But the rest of the day she won't do that.
-
Heather - Does Kelsey want a bottle immediatley upon waking? With Leah, we have gone to three bottles, but offer at 9,1:30 and bedtime.
6:30 - wake and breakfast
9 - Bottle and Nap
11:30 - Lunch
1:30 or 2 - Bottle and nap
3:30 or 4 - Snack with sippy cup
5 or 5:30 - Supper
6:30 - Bottle
6:30 or 7 - Bedtime
She doesn't seem to really want the bottle as soon as she gets up, so I offer breakfast first.
-
Well, now that you mention it, I have had to re-offer the rest of her morning bottle b/c she won't finish but half of it. So, maybe I can move it to before nap, and then the second one before the second nap. I might just try it. Thanks!
Had Kelsey's Christmas photos done today. Just a few weeks until I get them, but they looked great!
-
Can't wait to see Kelsey's Christmas pictures, and everyone else's. We are going to try and take our own Christmas photos. :shock: I am pretty good with the digital camera and I have an awesome photo program on my computer. We'll see... maybe I'll be running to Target yet!
-
Okay-I've vowed to try a new finger/table food with Kelsey at least once a day every day for a week. So, I'm cooking some pasta right now. Here's my :?: : Do I serve it cold or warm it up? Is there any certain type of pasta or ingredient in pasta she shouldn't have?
-
heather - with the pasta - try it both ways and see if she has a preference- alex will eat it either way to this day (which is nice and easy) but sometimes if it is in a container in the fridege what i do is pour some boiled water from the kettle on it for a second and then drain it off - just takes that cold-fridge - edge off of the pasta so it is soft again.
will write more later - need to check a few things on the site as i have been sick/tired/busy last 24 hours ...
-
7.30am we had to wake Daniel this morning :shock: :shock: What is going on?!! Not that I'm complaining but this is just so weird.
The last couple of days he's just started moving a lot more so maybe this is tiring him out more. He's sleeping about 12.5 hours at night and at least 2 hours in day. GREAT.
Crawling - aaahhhwwww so cute :lol: He is just loving squirming around on the floor. This morning he properly started pushing himself forwards - kind of rolls slightly to one side pushes with his right leg and then rolls back. Trust him to do it differently :) We're gonna have to go out today or tomorrow and buy some safety gates. I think it's incredible how quickly they master something when they start out.
My SIL was due on 29th Nov. She is gonna be induced on Sun (term +6) as drs are slightly concerned that the baby is very small. She is obviously quite apprehensive. Still, at least they know they'll have met their lo by early next week. Yay
Heather - Daniel eats the pasta hot or cold too. Having said that he's not a massive fan of it anyway. His favourite at the moment is sultanas. I'm not sure how he chews them but they always go down ok.
Christine - good luck with the photos. It's amazing what you can do yourself with a digital camera. I'm sure you'll get some great ones. I think we're gonna have a go ourselves. In fact I'm wanting to take inspiration from Luka's photo and get some of Daniel in just nappy and Santa hat.
-
Hi everyone!
Thanks for all your well wishes! I will be out of contact for a week or so waiting for my beloved computer to get shipped out to me next week. I just wanted to say "hey" and that I look forward to catching up with everyone soon!!!
HUGS!
:D
(so excited I can't STAND IT!!!)
-
Good luck Branwen!!!! Are you driving? If so, drive safely. We'll be waiting to hear from you!
-
Congrats Schae - you must be so excited!
Good luck Branwen and let us know how Eirwen adapts to the altitude 8)
Debra - hope you are feeling better - so many colds going round :(
Hazel - that is great news about the playgroup; it makes such a difference if people are welcoming and you can both enjoy being there! Glad to hear Daniel seems to be recovering well. Do you put a hot water bottle in his bed? Ciara I think has been waking from the cold and so we started using hers again - here they use metal cylindrical ones and the first night I think it got a bit hot under the sheets :oops: and she woke up crying but I think we have it sussed now and hopefully, she is back on track.....
Did anyone notice I finally figured out the avatar business? And here are some pics too. Can't wait to see everyone's holiday pics, so far they have been so cute!
Kate
-
Thank you for all the well wishes! :D
CONGRATS BRANWEN! I know EXACTLY how excited you are! hehehehe!
Klt: I love the 'catch me' pic! And the kissing one. Too cute.
Hazel: Daniel sounds so cute with his own version of crawling. Very sweet.
Us: As I mentioned on another board, we're still experiencing nightwakings (tonight was worse than usual, not sure why :? ) I'm hoping that things will get sorted once we move out, I'll have about 2 weeks till I start work and cannot deal with nightwakings AND work outside the home full time too. Don't know how dh does it.
We have minimal nightwakings when he's VERY tired at night. i.e after he has only had one nap for the day, but he still needs two naps or he's super grumpy. Hopefully things will be sorted out soon.
-
Schae - What does Luka do when he wakes up? We have also been battling nightwakings, but I think we have finally conquered them!!!!! :D :D :D Leah wanted to eat in the middle of the night. :roll: Because of this she then wouldn’t eat well during the day. I made a plan and stuck to it and this week she has gone from 6:30/7 till 5:30/6. I am actually thinking about posting our success story on the nightwakings board. Let me know if feeding is your problem, or if it is something else.
-
Hi girls!
Sorry for not posting for such a long time! I have been trying to search for jobs to work from home and Diya was doing great so far until we went on a trip(yes, again)!
Now she wakes up exactly at 12 and nurses for 15-30 mins. Her bedtime has been varying every day too. Tonight she went to bed at a good time without any struggle. Anyhow, the problem is habitual I think because she doesn't wake up at different times and she ate pretty decently yesterday. She has been doing this from last saturday. How do I nip it in the bud. Christine, how did you tackle Leah's night wakings for feeds? She gets mad at me when I don't feed her then.
Deb, good for you that you are not getting stressed about Liv's solid feedings. If it makes you feel any better, Diya started it when she was about 7 months old too. She is not a good eater even now. I stopped putting her in a high chair and let her get messy with a spoon and try everything. IT helps a little bit and I take her to her favorite toy.Seems like she would not like the same thing which she liked yesterday:(. But I keep giving her pretty much what we eat and it was working until last week.
All of you have been talking about cutting to 3 Bottle/Breast feedings. Has Tracy mentioned about it in her book. Are we supposed to take the initiative or the baby takes the lead? I am wondering if that is the reason why Diya doesn't eat her solids well.
Klt, awesome pics of Ciara
Julieb, I saw Asher's sleeping video and thought that was the most touching thing. He looks so tired and sweet:)
Vidya
-
Christine!
I just read your post on the nightwakings board. Seems like such a neat idea! I'll try that tonight!
I hope that she won't wake though :roll:
Vidya
-
Leah pulled herself up! :D Granted it was at 3 am in her crib and I had to go and rescue her, but still! :D When I walked in and saw her I wanted to clap and smile, but I had to keep a straight face, lay her down and say night night, since it was 3 am!!!!! Have a great weekend everyone!
-
Christine - that is awesome! now you can join me in my mixed feelings about pulling up as the games begin :lol: olivia will pull up on things and then i hear the cries for rescuing and i keep teaching her to sit down herself (happens 1 in 4 times maybe). yesterday it took 1hr 20 to get her down for afetrnoon nap because she was too revved up from all the movement (just like when crawling started) i hope your transition goes smoothly - watch out now she is growing up fast!
-
Christine, he also wants to eat. And today I figured maybe he is actually hungry. Which made me look at his daytime eating, and he doesn't eat too well during the day, in fact, he almost outright rejects breakfast.
Will go have a look at your post on the nightwaking board.
Edited to add: The first nightwaking, he just needs to hear my voice and he'll go straight back to sleep. It's the middle of the night waking (as in 3am) that he wants food and cries if he doesn't get any. I had a look at your post, but I won't be able to add water to my bm :lol: So I think we'll go cold turkey (which is what I've been doing for the last week, and we're on 2 nightwakings a night). I'm sure once we move out, I'll be able to sort this out properly.
-
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?
-
why does life always get so crazy around the holidays? even worse, why do i seem to like it that way? 8)
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! :D
-
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! :D 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! :D Much to do while Asher is napping this morning! Hope everyone is staying happy and healthy!
-
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! :D :D :D
Kate
-
Kate: Just wanted to say that your avatar is lovely! Well done on figuring out how to get it to show. :D
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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:
-
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 :D 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 :D )
-
I have a neice! :D 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.
-
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:
-
Congrats Hazel!
Deb, I'm glad you are doing well.
Christine-Happy 10 months to Leah, and I'll be looking for your pics!
-
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!
-
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
-
It's me again :D
Emily took two steps without me holding a hand :!:
-
Ohh, Tarri!!!!!!!!! How exciting! :D Watch out now!
-
So me & Asher are still recovering from being sick. :( It's been very challenging. He is such a pistol these days! And his poor nose! :( :oops: It's just terrible. I can't tell you how many times we've poked him with the bulb and saline spray. Think he even got a bit of a bloody nose from shoving it up there as he's thrashing his head around. And it's raw from all the wiping and running. Not sure what's better? Just let it run? I only suction now when I absolutely have to if he can't breathe and sleep or eat. I just pray he doesn't develop a sinus or ear infection from my lack of suctioning! :shock:
We leave for Disneyland tomorrow, so I'll be offline until Sunday, maybe later.
Heather, does the pedialite clear a stuffed nose as well? The benedryl dries his nose when it's runny, but doesn't seem to decongest it. It really is getting better though, even though it sounds bad. :oops: :lol:
Julie, yes, we have some family coming. It will be interesting! Anyway, about the finger foods, Asher still shoves the entire slice in his mouth after all this time. If I give him pieces, he shoves so many in until his mouth is full. It's the same result regardless. He seems to manage though. I don't give Asher any dairy, eggs, or wheat yet, so he has brown rice pasta, rice bread toast with applesauce on top, steamed califlower, brocoli, peas, green beans, yams, squash, plain tofu, chicken, turkey, ham, ripe pears...in addition to some of the things you mentioned. Everything's well steamed until it's well gummable.
Glad to hear things are going well with so many of you! Keep it up, ladies! :D
-
WELL DONE EMILY!!! :D :D
-
Wow Tarri that is great news, so exciting!
Schae - that would be a perfect arrangement I can imagine, hope you get it worked out
Julie - poor Asher! I hope you can still all enjoy Disneyland.
Hazel - congrats on your niece! Nice to have cousins close in age. Ciara has 7 now with another on the way!
We are kind of stranded at home at the moment as although my back is pretty good right now, both my wrists have given out more or less. We are up on the 4th floor and to get in and out of the building when dh is at work I have to carry Ciara in one arm and the stroller in the other and I just can't do it anymore. :( Dutch staircases are steeep and I don't know how much she weighs now but it is too much for me! I'm feeling kind of fed up and bad for her and the dog for not going out. Boohoo!
-
Tarri - well done Emily! it is all or nothing with that girl eh? :lol: bshe is doing awesome!
Congrats auntie Hazel!
Kate - sorry to hear you are stranded - how terrible to have to deal with a 4 story walk up :cry: i hope you sort something out and your wrists improve.
Us - today was hard because the bloody standing/mobility issue still interfering with sleep - she sleeps ok but getting her down some days is hard and tonight was the first time she had trouble going down for bed (took from 7-8pm)
on the positive side the 3 bottles is going really well and last night we did not even have a stir or peep from 7:30pm until 6:55am :D first night no waking between 10-11pm so i assume we are done with it - hope we continue to have good luck with this.
on another note - i know we are here to talk about the little ones but i have exciting alex news - she peed on the big toilet for the first time today and also went on the potty after dinner of her own choosing - we went out aftre the first one and bought undies!! i am officially on the potty train! i am so proud of her - no one told me i would feel so proud (i looked at it as a stresssful TASK, when really having experienced her first "wee" it felt like such a rite of passage i almost cried! we did high fives and she wanted a cuddle (she was a bit scared at first) and we called daddy and grandma in america!! she said to my mom " i weed potty. i go to shops" (to get undies :lol: ) my big girl is really getting to be a big girl :cry: :D
-
Julieb-yes, the Pediacare is a decongestant.
-
Debra, YEAH for Alex!!
JulieB, hope you guys feel better soon. Maybe all the Disney excitement will take Asher's mind off being sick:) I usually do some suctioning every day. Sometimes I saline spray both sides then just kind of squeeze her nose and slide my fingers down the length and that usually gets the real big boogers out without suctioning.
Us, I got the convertible car seat in the middle back seat. It juts out between the front seats so there's enough room. Now we just need a test drive...
-
Please could people say a prayer for my SIL. As you all know she had her baby on Monday morning. She has since developed Hellp syndrome (I had never heard of it but apparently it's a version of pre-eclampsia) and she has been quite poorly. Last night she was actually moved to intensive care so that she could be better monitored. As far as I'm aware she is doing much better and is gonna be fine but it can't be easy for her being parted from her dd. Please pray that she will be back on the maternity ward soon with her dd and there will be no problems breastfeeding etc... Please also pray for her dh (my brother) in all of this. It can't be easy for him either. He is so tired :cry:
Thanks guys.
Will let you know how she goes.
PS Christine I pm'd you.
-
Well, I was trying to find my last post, and it's been a week! Time flies. Sadly, I can't say we were having fun. But MIL left at the end of last week, and on Saturday, we had our post-Thankgiving turkey dinner. (Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant just isn't the same.) We invited another couple with a baby, so they were completely understanding of working dinner around naptimes, etc.
I took Maya in yesterday to get her helmet adjusted again. Hopefully, we have resolved the irritation issue. Cross your fingers for us.
However, in not so great news, we have a termite infestation in our house. I suppose it definitely could be worse - they seem to be confined to one corner of the house, but the timing couldn't be worse. The first estimate came in at $1500-2000. :shock:
Schae - Congrats on the job and the nanny, and good luck with the move.
Branwen - I hope the move goes well. I don't envy you the travelling cross-country bit, but how exciting!
Deb - I am so happy for you that things are going well. I've been thinking of you alot in the last few days as I have been going insane with all the stress. Little things I could normally shrug off have been setting me into horrible moods. But I read your PPD post, and I have been trying remember all that and keep perspective.
Hazel - Glad you found a playgroup. It's so nice to have a weekly outing to look forward to! We haven't been in a month due to our revolving cold, but I am excited to get back to it this week.
On dropping to three feeds - due to the weight gain issues, we won't be dropping the fourth feed until the ped oks it, but I always thought the late afternoon one would be the next to go. Like Heather, I don't think I could hold Maya off until 2pm. I think a late afternoon snack would do it (if only I could get Maya to drink from a sippy :roll:) , and I could use the time to start prepping dinner.
To all those who are sick, I extend my sympathy. Between dh, Maya, and myself, I single cold lasted one solid month! And we shared with MIL and SIL.
Still catching up, but Maya is up, and not so happy. However, we have had two hour+ naps today, so I am ecstatic.
-
Julie - I found my playgroup through church. There is a women's group specifically for moms with kids under 5yrs, and they organize playgroups according to age. There is also a group called MOMS. I don't remember what it stands for, but try an internet search. They have chapters all over the place, and they organize playgroups.
As for finger foods, Maya now gets everything from our plates that's appropriate for her. She eats all manner of steamed vegetables, some ripe fruit, cut up meat, bread or toast cut into sticks (she loves homemade banana bread with cream cheese), soft cheese, and other stuff I am sure I'm forgetting. My trouble is finding things I can prep fast when I'm not sitting down to eat with her. I posted about this on the solid food board and got some good suggestions. Take a look there.
On the cold front - I talked to the pharmacist when Maya got sick. He said to use to Benadryl for clear runny noses and decongestant for snotty congested noses. For those concerned about your lo's getting hyped up on pseudoephedrine, there is a new decongestant out that uses something else. I don't remember what it is called, but you can ask at your local pharmacy. Maya won't let you anywhere near her with an aspirator or drops, so I found that just squeezing her nose from the top down like someone else mentioned did the best job. Also, it may sound gross, but her nose was getting so chapped and sore, I stopped wiping every drip and would wait until it reached her lip. Finally the pharmacist also said not to give her anything for the cough. Cough medicine for a dry cough is fine, but with a runny nose, coughing is the only way to clear the airway.
-
Hazel - sorry to hear about your SIL; I have a friend who had HELLP when she was starting her 3rd trimester and had to have an emergency Csection. They were fine (still are) but it is a scary thing. Sending my thoughts for a quick recovery.
Kate
-
Hazel, I'm sending good thoughts to your brother and SIL and new baby.
-
Walking/crawling: I've got to get Emily moving on her own or my back is going to collapse!
Emily loves it when I hold her hands so she can walk all around the house. But my back is going to fall of soon. I've started getting her to take some steps with me holding just one hand and she's improved a lot and I've started putting her leaning with her back against the couch and having her take a couple steps into my arms. JulieB, is this how Asher started out?
She has tons of leg strength but she just can seem to push up onto all fours. She done a few little bum lifts on her tummy and can turn in circles using her hands, and can go from sitting to tummy...but that's it. Any tips on how to get her on all fours or gain arm strength? I think once this improves she might crawl.
Thanks, Tarri
-
I went to see my SIL today. She's back on the maternity ward with her dd next to her. Yay! She seems to be doing really well. They're gonna be monitoring her for a few more days I think but she is definitely on the mend.
And my neice is just soooooo cute! She is so small :shock: 6lb 1oz which is not that tiny but compared to what my 9lb 2oz ds was she just seems miniature!
Thanks for all your well wishes, prayers and positive thoughts :)
Will post more soon.
-
Debra, so glad you are feeling so well! and that is awesome about Alex, so cute.
Tarri: Hurray for Emily
Christine: that xmas pic is so cute. and Im the one who asked what photo program you use, mine is just too difficult.
congrats Aunt Hazel, hope your SIL is doing much better
Deborah, that sucks about the infestation. Thanks for the suggestions about play groups.
US: Matty is 26 lbs 31 oz. Do we win the big baby prize? :lol:
Julie
-
Hazel - Glad to hear your SIL is doing better.
Julie - Maya poses no competition. Last time we weighed her in, she was 15lb, 10oz. She has a weight check next Friday, though, and we are hoping for at least 16lb, 8oz.
I found the link for the MOMS clubs - http://www.momsclub.org/links.html
Tarri - Maya has an exercise from the PT for that as she too tends to balance all her weight on her legs when on all fours. Get her on all fours, and with your fingers wrapped around the front of her thighs and your thumbs on the back of her thighs just below her bum, gently rock her weight forward onto her arms.
-
Quick question. I am off to buy more diapers tonight and I'm just wondering what size everyone is in? We are in size 3, but have been there since 6 months old. Just wonerding if anyone has branched into size 4. I don't want to buy stock in size 3 if she will soon be outgrowing. Remember - Leah is quite big! Hazel? JulieB?
-
Hi everyone! I can't keep up with the posts since my last visit, so I'm just going to jump in again.
We went on our first trip last weekend for my SIL's shower. I was hosting it, in her home, since we don't live there. Anyway, Ethan surprised me and did pretty well, considering. He took short naps in his carseat on the way there (about a 3 to 3.5 hour drive), maybe 1 hour in total. But he kind of played with his toys and looked out the window the rest of the time. No big complaints from the car seat! :lol: And although he didn't nap well at my SIL's house (typical 30 minutes), he wasn't terribly cranky. I suppose with all the different people and different toys! Plus his 2 year old cousin kept him going - he liked to follow her around (crawling of course).
We got him to bed too late both nights, but he fell asleep and slept all night long both nights! I was so paranoid that he would wake up a bunch because he was in a different place, sleeping in his pack n play, etc. We brought his humidifier and had it on high, so that it would block out any hotel noise (people going up the hallways, etc.). And the Sat. morning we were there - while I was doing the baby shower thing, dh stayed with Ethan at the hotel for his am nap, and he slept 1.5 hours! So he had a pretty good day the rest of that day (although he still only took a 30 min. afternoon nap at SIL's, but that's typical anyway).
Anyway, so it was a very busy weekend, and it's like you're moving your entire house with all their stuff, but it was fun, and Ethan did great!
Other than that, things are pretty much the same for us. Ethan's woken up once a night for the past few nights, I believe it's his top teeth bothering him. I've seen specks, but nothing coming through yet.
Oh, and I steamed some sliced carrots and lima beans yesterday for Ethan, and he ate them! Yeah! I also cooked up some spiral pasta for him the other day, but he only eats a few pieces and that's it. He doesn't seem all that jazzed about the pasta! I also brought cauliflower and broccoli to steam for him to try. I need to try green beans and peas as well, but forgot to get them. Any other finger food suggestions? He's getting very mad at me with the spoon sometimes! Oh, and we also give him anything from our plates that we can. And he LOVES chicken! And since I'm not making chicken for him everyday, I bought the pieces of grilled chicken in the deli section, you know, like the pre-packaged lunchmeats? He definitely likes it! I haven't try ham yet though. He loved the turkey from Thanksgiving.
Christine - Ethan is in a size 4, just this past time that I bought diapers. His size 3's were barely containing the entire night's sleep, so I switched him to 4's just for overnights. Then we ran out of 3's, and I just moved him to the 4's. They are too big right now, but not majorly. I remember when I moved from 2's to 3's, it was the same. I just really didn't want to buy more 3's and then not use them because they were too small. Ethan was 22.5 lbs at his 9 month check, I can't remember what you said Leah was...
Hazel - congrats on being an auntie, and good news about your SIL!
Tarri - Ethan doesn't like me holding his hands to walk at all! He crawls EVERYWHERE, and pulls up on EVERYTHING, and cruises around the furniture. He pulls up on me too, but doesn't like me holding his hands to walk. I suppose he wants to be on the move himself, although he's no where near walking by himself yet - way too unsteady!
Oh - and question about dropping to 3 bottles. I may do that around 10 months for Ethan. So, my question is, during the afternoon snack (instead of bottle), what do you give them in their sippy? Water, juice? Ethan takes water from his Nuby sippy cup (the kind with a soft spout like a bottle), but not a ton. Just sips during his meals. And what kind of snack do you give them? Just trying to think ahead a bit.
-
Christine - We use Pampers and Daniel is actually in size 4+. We changed to those quite a while ago actually. I'm guessing the sizing is the same worldwide? Size 4+ are for 22-40lb I think, but we've always found that the bigger the better (within reason obviously!). We actually tried him in a no 5 a couple of days ago as he was starting to leak a lot at night and we wondered if the next size up would be ok. But they were too big :lol:
Julie - Daniel is no competition for Matthew! I thought Daniel was a big baby but Matthew beats us all :D Last week at 10 months Daniel weighed 25lb 10oz. I'm interetsed to see what his weight will be next month as he's now crawling. Up til now he's basically always put on about a pound each month. He is getting so much more exercise now though I'm sure it will make a difference.
Tarri - this is so funny coz Daniel is the opposite to Emily. He pushes up so well on his arms but not his legs and she pushes up on legs and not arms! I guess that's why the army crawl suits him. At the moment he basically just drags his legs around using his arms. It is so funny to watch. In terms of advice for getting Emily on to all fours I am no help at all. I spent hours trying to encourage Daniel to do this :oops: , but he decided to ditch all that and just go about getting about his own way using his strong arms.
-
Deborah, thanks for the arm exercise tip. I'm going to try that out...
Tammy, we're in size 3's, emily weighs 22lbs. I think she could move bigger but you get more diapers for the same price with the smaller size. Emily likes the plain rice cakes. I just give her the whole thing and she nibbles off pieces also I give her a whole slice of whole wheat toast. Keeps her nice and occupied while I make her meal :)
-
Christine-Kelsey is in size 4 of the Pampers Cruisers and they fit nicely. They go up the back a bit, but that's where her poops tend to go :oops: so the diaper contains it well.
Tammy-Kelsey finally got to 3 bottles when her pm nap moved to a later time and she started sleeping past the #3 bottle time. It used to be at 4, but her nap is now around 3:15-4:45, so I just give her some half water/half applejuice in her sippy and maybe some veggie puffs or an arrowroot cookie, then feed her dinner between 5-5:30. She also drinks from her sippy at dinner and during play time. For dinner, she's now having about 6 oz of food and she takes her last bottle around 7:15.
Keeping her contained to one area has been such a battle. She wants to go everywhere and pull up on everything, and gets mad when I put her down. But what she wants to pull up on is dangerous, I'm not just being overprotective. I tried to give her some space last night and let her get down on her own from something, but she fell and bumped her head. And on hardwood floors it could be really bad if she falls. It just seems like she gets so mad at me and pushes away from me all the time. Is anyone else experiencing this?
-
Anyway, so it was a very busy weekend, and it's like you're moving your entire house with all their stuff, but it was fun, and Ethan did great!
We are going away for the weekend also. My sisters and my parents are getting a hotel with a big indoor water park for the weekend. I am excited but a little worried how it will all go. :roll: I think I just need to relax and not worry about naps and bedtime as much as usual! :D We were going to ride with my parents (about a 3 hour trip) until we realized how much stuff we had to bring. There was no way it would all fit in my mom's vehicle and she actually drives a SUV. We have too much stuff!!!!!
Tammy - We dropped the afternoon bottle. Leah gets water in her cup and cheese and crackers for a snack.
Heather - We use pampers cruisers too. If Kelsey is in size 4, Leah definitley could be! She was 21 pounds at 9 months and I'm guessing her to be 22-23 now. Nothing like Matty though!!!!!!!!! :D Although I was that big at 10 months! :shock:
Hazel - Glad to hear your SIL is doing better. Tell her to enjoy her little bundle, it's hard to believe that ours were ever that small. :cry:
Everyone: I had a hard time finding a sippy that Leah would actually drink out of. The nubby top ones she would just chew on and water would trinkle out. We went to a straw cup and have had awesome success with it. She drinks like a pro. We use the nubby straw cup from Walmart.
-
Christine - I forgot to tell you that Ethan is in Pampers Cruisers as well, size 4. Again, a bit big, but I just put them up further on his back, which works well, as he was getting an irritation from the #3's at that spot on his back, so I've been slathering lotion on him (yeah - he just LOVES that! :? )
Also, we drove down last weekend for our trip, and dh's mother came with us (FIL was driving down later - as he had to work that day), and I told her she could only come if it was just her body! We had that much stuff. It will be easier when they're not on bottles though, and when he's completely off of baby food. I had a bag of just food and formula and bottles (not a big bag, but still). Good luck on your trip! I was so worried about sleep, but just went with it, and he did so well, I was so proud! I would also try to stick to your routine as much as possible, so Leah is as happy as possible!
Thanks for the suggestions for the afternoon snacks. I figure by about 10 months, Ethan's afternoon nap will be later in the day. Right now it's usually about 2 pm, but he wakes up after 30 minutes usually! I'm going to start extending that awake time again and see if that will get him to sleep longer. It's that phase where he's cranky, acting tired, but if he goes down, it's only for 30 minutes. So I get to play the "I'm cranky, but mommy is going to try and distract me for another 15 or 30 minutes" game. We did that a while ago when going to 2 naps from 3. Fun times, NOT!!!! :oops: :lol:
-
Hi Everyone!
I'm here in Boulder! YAY! I've been skimming but I have so much catching up to do!
We're doing good. I didn't want to post until we had adjusted to the time change (2 hr difference) but today we're on 7pm to 7am!! YAY!
It is a little rough here right now with no dh, he comes next week, and my parents haven't been able to come down (go figure!) and so it's been a bit hectic. It's so hard not having my things and Eirwen's things. :cry: Some of the things I ordered for her to make do while we wait for our stuff didn't work out, so I ended up buying duplicates of some of her things- like her PRIMO tub. I tried for three days to get her to take a bath in the tub, even with me, and she would cry. But now that I have her tub she is a happy bather again. I guess I didn't realize how attached she would be to certain things. The high chair as well. I have the Eddie Bauer wooden one which we both love. I had got her this cheap inflatable booster but it was awful and she would also cry when I put her in that. I think she felt very insecure. So I picked up the Eddie Bauer booster that is very similiar to the high chair and we LOVE that too.
Eirwen travelled ok. I am SO GLAD WE GOT HER A SEAT! I broke down from anxiety two nights before we left and ordered her a seat and I am SO glad I did. I would have died without...(I was also transporting my cat). She didn't sleep, so she was up from 6:00am Boston time to 6pm Boulder time so she was up with no nap 14 hrs- so I think she cried for about an hr going to bed that night. I rocked her, nursed her but when she is that overtired she just needs to pass out really.
She LOVED the plane, and this was part of why we didn't have a nap. If you can believe it she started hysterically laughing when the plane was taking off!! She thought it was the best thing ever! we were all the way in the last row so right by the engines and she love it!
Boulder is great, very pretty and although colder than MA I am not feeling it at all because it is so dry here. I can see the mountains wherever I am, I didn't realize how much I missed them! I am a bit overwhelmed and I think I am experiencing culture shock. Everywhere I go both young and old, male and female speak to me and Eirwen. In MA I was invisible, people hardly looked at me, let alone said anything nice to us. Here I feel a bit vunerable if that makes sense because I am not used to all the attention...and I almost died when I went to get groceries and the checker actually opened my eggs to see if they were cracked and placed a rubberband around the carton! :shock: :shock: Where am I!!!!??? :lol:
Tarri- I have the opposite problem. How do I get Eirwen to stand!!! Help! She won't press down at all, and my back too is killing me from trying to support her collapsing mass. I am terrified that she won't even be standing by a year :oops:
Julie- yahoo groups is a great place to look for mommy groups in your area. I found a bunch in Boulder there that I plan to contact once we get more settled. They talk online but also post play group locations, times, etc.
Hazel- so glad your SIL is doing better! That is so scary. Also- is Daniel standing at all. Can you get him to support his weight?
Christine- Eirwen is just over 22lbs and the size 3 Pamper's cruisers fit her really well.
For breastfeeding mom's here- how long do you intend to go? If you are going to end at a year how are you planning to wean? I thought Eirwen might have been going to 3 feeds around the 9 month mark, but now I think that we experienced the common lull that usually happens at that time. She again loves her 4 feeds and will usually eat well, and is again eating from both breasts?
Oh, posted new stuff on jusspress.
-
Welcome back Branwen!!!! We missed you. :D Don't feel the need to read previous posts, just jump back in. Glad to hear you like your new town and that Eirwen has adjusted well. What a sport - a plane ride, time change and new home! Makes my weekend trip seem like a breeze! :lol: We're here for you if you need some support as you adjust. So nice to have you back!
-
Branwen - I was thinking about you just tonight wondering when we'd hear from you. We all missed you. So glad you are settling. I had one day a while back where Daniel did the whole day without a nap thing :shock: I don't know about you but I think I was more bothered than he was. He just got on with it and I just panicked :lol: :lol: It's so good to hear Eirwen is happy and she's not been thrown off routine etc...
Daniel loves to stand - he puts all his weight on his legs but just won't balance or take any steps. And I mean NO steps. It's like his feet are stuck to the floor!
Haven't time for any more.
-
Branwen, so glad you both survived your trip. Sounds like colorado is going to be perfect for you guys :D :D As for standing, I think Emily first got used to it when she was in the papoose on dh. When dh would sit, her feet would just touch his legs and she started to press up and down when she got hungry.
-
Good to hear from you, Branwen! Glad you both are well. I'm going to check out jusspress and see what's new.
-
Welcome back Branwen!
Some good news - Maya napped with her helmet on today. I was wholly prepared for two short 45min naps, but instead she napped 1hr, 15min in the AM and 1hr, 45min in the PM. I hope it goes as well tomorrow night when she has to sleep with it.
-
So happy for you Deborah. Hope it's as good tomorrow night.
-
Deborah, please remind me about the helmet. Has she not slept in it yet? Have you been working up her time in it? How is the irritated spot? What did they do to correct that? Glad she napped in it well. I'm sure it's a relief for you.
Prayers please...Kelsey's echo for the heart murmur is tomorrow. I'm praying that it's either gone, or nothing serious. TIA
-
She got it on Halloween. She wore it for about a week (we gradually worked up to 23 hours a day over five days) when she developed a skin irritation on the side of her head. The irritation took 10 days to heal. Then I took her back to the orthotist to get it refitted. She wore it for two days, but the skin got irritated again. Then she got sick, and I couldn't get her back to the orthotist until she was well enough to make the drive (2 hours each way) to his office. Meanwhile, she developed a nasty cradle cap type rash on the spot, and the skin and her hair fell off. We tried numerous things to figure out what was causing the irritation and fix it and finally made it back to the orthotist last Monday.
And I wonder why I've been exhausted of late.
A couple questions though... this week, Maya has been fussing about going to bed. This is new, usually putting her down is no trouble at all. It started Monday. Monday afternoon her nap was way later than normal due to our being at the orthotist. Normally she's up by 3:30pm, but Monday, she napped in the car from 3:30-5pm on the way home. I was actually really excited about it at the time as she has never napped more than 45min at a stretch in the car no matter how tired she is.
At any rate, she didn't want to go down, and we weren't sure why (she is also currently cutting some new teeth). We had to go in and resettle her. Tuesday's PM nap was back to our normal time, but the same thing happened at bedtime. Wednesday, she fussed about taking an afternoon nap and slept only 20-30min, so I thought for sure she'd go to bed... no such luck. She fussed, but we left her a few minutes and she went to sleep. It had dawned on us that we were creating a bad habit by going in for extra cuddles and another story the first two nights. We tried the same thing tonight, but she was getting really upset. She dh went back in, and suspecting perhaps her teeth were bothering her, we gave her a dose of ibuprofen, some orajel, and a cold washcloth to chew on. He got her all calmed down, but she started up again when he put her in the crib. Then I went back in (several times). She was fine when I was standing next to the crib, but as soon as I started walking toward the door, she'd start crying. In the end, it took an hour and fifteen minutes.
So I'm thinking perhaps separation anxiety? But she's not showing any signs of it during the day. Except for that one nap on Weds, she's been going down for naps fine. Thoughts?
-
Heather - sending best wishes that it goes well tomorrow for Kelsey
Branwen - I am so happy for you :D I actually got butterflies reading your post and thinking about CO! Did Eirwen feel any effects of the altitude at all? I am so excited to get back there and see some smiley faces again too! (grey skies affects the psyche, doesn't it? :wink: ) We have another 3months to go here max :D
Yesterday I got stir crazy so decided to try out my wrists again only to skid on the wet stairs and bump/slide down on my spine :shock:. I was so scared, THANK GOD I was empty handed as I have to make a first trip up and down to unlock the doors. Can't tell dh as it would freak him out so luckily it's no worse than just aching all over :?
Oh about the bf - we are doing 3 a day - morning both, post-afternoon nap one, bedtime both. We were starting to wind down before our trip to England and I had started giving her the odd bottle of formula but since our trip she has been back into nursing so it's all kicked in again. I'm just kind of following her lead with it.
Deborah - we are having night wakings again so I think I am not somebody to give any advice on sleeping right now! I am so over these restless nights - seems like since she turned 7 mo we haven't had 3 unbroken nights in a row.
:?: Is there anyone who has good nighttime sleep? I would really like to know!
Kate
-
welcome back branwen - i am glad you are settling in and i hope the time without Dh goes smoothly. isn't it nice living somewhere with riendly people...
Heather - i will have you in my thoughts and i hope Kelsey's murmur is gone or no big deal.
Kate - i have to admit (and hope it does not jinx me) that overnight is Liv's best time. since 4 mo she has beena great night time sleeper and now that she has settled into life without the Df she is doing great again - our issues are related to food and (previously) naps. i do think there are very few babies with no "issues" but they vary from person to person... some people who deal with night wakings have lovely days with little stress and others of us get a break at night but deal with little dramas everyday (got to love the spirited babies and those touchy ones too :wink: ) god willing they all grow out of their "quirks" by 1 year (she says with breath held) :lol:
Deborah - I did not realize the extent of Maya's issues with the helmet - i hope she is OK and not too bothered by it any more. not sure about your night issues, but with sep anxiety it is quite common for the biggest issue to be sep. at night time (i think they know instinctively that you are there in the daytinme because they get reassured when they wake form their naps, but maybe at night they get nervous abou the long stretch of time without sdeeing you and need the extra reassurance) have you thought of putting something of yours in her cot so she has your smell with her for comfort. subconsciously she might think you are there and be more settled.
about diaper/nappy sizes: we use Huggies and a couple of weeks ago i moved olivia into the same size as alex (toddler 11-15kg = 24-33lbs :shock: ) I have not weighed her in a month and a half, but she was suddenly starting to have leaks and was getting a sore at her back from the nappy rubbing her skin. A funny thing is they are currently hugely on sale so i stocked up with 6 boxes (=432 nappies)b/c both girls are in the same size and then started potty training so only need 2 nappies a day for alex's nap and bedtime (which are wasted when she wakes up dry or near enough) :lol: at least i know Liv will be in this size for another year or so.
we are suffering still with the standing - it has been really bad last 3 days - she stands in the coty and calls me, she sits up and claps and gets giddy INSTEAD OF NAPPING! today it took ages to get her down for both naps and then she did 1hr 10 in the morning and only 1 hr in the afternoon and of course Dh has his work Xmas party tonight so i was on my own from 7am straight through with no help - did their bedtime routines back to back (Liv 6:30-7:10 and alex 7:10 - 7:40) was wiped out but so was liv and thankfully tonight she went straight to sleep :D i ate pzza and watched a favourite DVD for the millionth time
-
Hello Everyone. I haven't posted here for while, things have been kind of crazy here with the house being on the market.
We are NOT getting much sleep right now at all and I'd love some suggestions or ideas from you all. Here's the scoop:
Hannah is now 11 months old and is not sleeping through the night. She typically wakes about three times between 7pm and 7am. She is cutting another tooth and is on the cusp of walking. I think the night waking is related to the tooth pain, although even when I give her Baby Advil she still wakes, so I'm not really sure of the cause. During the day she naps twice. Her am nap is always 1.5 - 2hrs in length, but for the pm nap she has been consistently waking after 45 min. I started doing wake to sleep to lengthen it. I went in after 1/2 hour and moved her a little, she sighed and went back to sleep. I was able to get her to sleep for 1hr 5min, which is better than 45 min.
Question #1 - For the pm nap, should I go back in at the hour mark and try to stir her again to get her to sleep for 1.5 hrs?
Question #2 - What should I do for nighttime, any suggestions, or do we just have to ride it out?
Gotta run my little monkey is calling :)
Joanne
-
Deborah, you've been busy! I'm not sure what the fussing at nap/bedtime is about, but I'm guessing teething/seperation anxiety like you said. I would just try to make sure you don't stay in her room till she falls asleep. I would just keep going in and out of her room as she cries and I would think this would build the trust. Also, like you did, if Emily keeps fussing we give her Advil as she's usually pretty good and she's very pain sensitive. Oh...and I sneaked in a couple of those arm exercises on Emily but she sure didn't like it. She just doesn't like being on all fours. I'm sure she'll be walking before crawling but she needs some arm strength to help her fall properly and pull up. I'm going to try to sneak in some exercise every day though.
Heather, good luck with Kelsey's doctors appointment:)
Kate, Emily started sleeping most nights thru the night at 6 months. We have the occasional waking but usually just a quick reposition and quick tuck in. She's in bed by 6:45pm and wakes anywhere from 5:30-6:30am.
Debra, yikes I hope Emily doesn't start doing the standing thing.
Joanne, since your lo is older, I wonder if you should shorten the am nap in order to lengthen the pm nap. I think that's the way the naps are supposed to go so that in the end the am nap gets shorter and shorter until it's gone and you just have one long pm nap.
JulieB, Emily's walking is progressing a lot. She's taken a few steps on her own but I've got to follow her around be there to catch her when she falls. Is this what you did? What's a good way for them to fall down?
Us, dh's xmas party is tonight. I've got the babysitter booked. I PRAY she doesn't wake cause if she does there's no way that the babysitter will be able to get her down again. I was thinking of giving her Advil before bed to help make sure she sleeps...but that's not exactly good parenting...but on the other hand she is teething....Hmmm.
-
Heather - Please let us know how things go today. We're praying for you and Kelsey.
Debra - What are you doing about the standing thing?!?!?!?! Ours doesn't happen so much a naps. BUT, it does happen at about two or three in the morning. :evil: Last night I went in a laid her back down three different times. Then she started crying again, well actually yelling for me. So I left her for about 5 minutes to see if she'd try and get back down herself. Well.... the yelling turned to screaming. I rushed in and she must have just let go and fell and hit her head on the back of the crib. :( So I sat with her in the chair till she calmed down, well basically till she fell asleep. :?: Hopefully she'll soon outgrow, or learn to get back down! :D
Joanne - I agree with Tarri. Try and shorten the AM nap. We usually shoot for 1 hour in the morning, then get 1 1/2-2 in the afternoon. But if the morning nap was 2 hours. We will only get 45 min in the afternoon. Do you feed her at night?
Deborah - If our PM nap ends too late (for us even past 4 is too late) she will not go to sleep at night well.
We leave tonight for our mini vacation! This is where we are going http://www.lodgeatcedarcreek.com
Should be alot of fun!!!!
-
Oh my :D Emily's practically walking. She can take 3-4 steps no problem. I started holding on to the back of her shirt instead of her hands and I let go for a couple seconds here and there. But she has no clue how to stand up on her own or how to fall properly :? . She's going to be one of those no crawling but early walking babies :shock:
Tarri
-
Heather - How'd the appt go? I hope everything is ok.
Joanne - Maya is almost 11mos, and we are at the point where I have to limit the AM nap when she's had a good night's sleep. She's definitely not ready for one nap yet, but two long naps are a bit much, and I'd rather the long nap be in the afternoon. I've also found it interesting that this week when she's gotten less sleep at night, she's napped better than she has in weeks. I think we need to find a new balance.
Regarding the night wakings, what do you do when she wakes? Do you have to go in and resettle? Do you feed her?
Tarri - Have fun at the Christmas party. I wish dh's office had one. I'd like to go out and socialize with adults in a place that is NOT childproofed.
Kate - Except for the recent fussing about going to bed and a couple rough spots during illness, growth spurts, and travel, Maya has always been pretty good at night. Dh has been incredible in that respect. When I would go in and try to resettle her early on, she always wanted to be fed, so he started taking responsibility for all night wakings. As a result, she has been sleeping through (no feedings) since 3.5mos. Tonight, however, she has to sleep in the helmet, so I don't really have high hopes. Like Debra, usually our issues are daytime ones.
Maya has at least 1-2 med appts per week (PT, orthotist, ped, neuro, take your pick), though some weeks we've had an appt every day. When I'm scarce, that's usually why.
-
Deborah-the very few times I've had to go in to Kelsey at night, I made it worse I'm sure by picking her up and rocking her, etc. It would go on for hours until I finally just left her and she was asleep in just minutes.
Kate-what a terrible fall. I hope you are alright. What problem are you having with your wrists? And I do have a good night time sleeper, but some rough days.
Deb-I have to say that Kelsey will do the same sitting up or standing in her crib at some nap times. I have finally (at 10 months) gotten to the point of putting her in her crib awake for naps (have always done it at night) and leaving her to it. She will generally play for up to 20 minutes and go to sleep. Yay for me and her! Anyway, are you staying in there with Olivia and trying to get her down or is it just the frustration of her not going to sleep (which is totally understandable)? Kelsey will more often not ever settle for the second nap when she is usually more tired. But if she's not crying I don't get her. I consider it rest time regardless.
Joanne-what is Hannah's A time length before second nap? Kelsey's pm nap is usually shorter if she is overtired and I missed the mark, or if she slept too long in the morning and is not tired enough but it's getting late and I'm trying to squeeze that second nap in anyway. You might have to back off that 2 hr nap in the morning to get a longer pm nap.
:arrow: Something else for the standers-it really seemed to help Kelsey when I put a small, soft babydoll in her crib. If she's not sleeping, it keeps her occupied enough to stay seated, and she often falls asleep with it under her arm (quite sweet actually). I was so nervous about leaving a toy in the crib, but I figured she is big and strong enough to move around as much as she does that she could keep a toy off her face.
Tarri-Kelsey and Emily are two peas in a pod on the steps. Kelsey has gotten up to about 5 real good steps before she falls forward. She just takes off like she can do it, and it happens so quick, too. However, she has to really be paying attention or she just leans and falls. But when she's playing, she can stand on her own for quite awhile. It's so fun, isn't it?
The echo was thankfully short b/c Kelsey was of course not happy with being held down. The tech couldn't read the results, so we have to wait about 5 days to hear from the ped. My poor baby cried so hard one time that her lips turned blue from not breathing. Terrible!!!!! My mom and I both freaked out. Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. They are greatly appreciated.
-
Does anyone else find this - when I read through the different posts I have so much to reply with, but when I actually come to write I can't think of what to put :?
Furst of all, Christine, the place you are going looks fabulous. Have a grat time. My advice would be to just realx and enjoy yourself. When we have an outing or a short trip planned if I get anxious and worried you can bet things will always go wrong! But when I just take it easy and try to enjoy myself and not worry about naps, bottles, eating, crawling, teeth, poo :shock: etc, etc, things always go better. I guess our kids just know don't they? They are happy when we are happy and probably stressed when we are stressed.
Tarri - that is amazing how Emily has started taking steps. From what I've seen in other kids once they take a few steps the rest just seems to happen quite quickly and with little effort on your part. Daniel is no where near walking. As I've said before he just will not step. His feet are suctioned to the floor I think! But I must say I am dreading the walking thing with Daniel falling and bumping himself. I know it has to happen for them to learn but it's just so scarey.
:oops: Am I the only one who still puts a big cushion behind my lo when he sits and plays because I'm worried about him falling back and hurting himself?! He does still occasionally fall when he's playing. He doesn't sit up himself from lying down (I guess he'll start to do that when he starts hands and knees crawling). I am determined that once he can sit up and lie down on his own accord then I'll give up with the cushion :roll: :oops:
Heather - praying the results are good and that Kelsey has no problems. What did the echo involve?
We have been having really happy days recently. Daniel is so happy crawling around and playing. He is sleeping LOADS (7-7 and then 3+ hours each day :shock: His appetite seems to have decreased a bit which is strange. I would have thought the increase in exercise would have meant an increase in his appetite. To be honest I think he had a 9 month growth spurt!!! Seriously, I'm always amazed when others say their lo had a growth spurt that started on this day and finished say 8 days later. Up til about 3 weeks ago Daniel would just eat until the food stopped coming. He always seemed to be in a groth spurt :wink: But about 3 weeks ago his milk intake dropped (by changing the times of his 2 bottles we're now managing to keep it up at about 16-20oz) and he cut his solids intake by about a quarter each meal at least. I'm really not worried though as he is such a good weight (nearly but not quite on a par with Matthew :lol: ) He still LOVES his food just less of it which is actually possibly a good thing.
Have you all been able to track your lo's growth spurts?
Finger foods - Daniel seems to be getting lazy. He seems to prefer to just play with the foods we put down on his tray (kind of sweeps them around a lot). He'll happily eat it if we put it in his mouth, but doesn't do it so much himself. Is this just a passing phase? I'm just not making a big deal of it at the mo. Leave him to it and then feed him the finger foods at the end. Any advice?
This post is getting rather long so I think I'll call it a day now.
Daniel and I are off to my nephew's 2nd birthday party tomorrow. I couldn't have asked them to time it better really (11am - 12.30). Fits just nicely between his naps and he can have his lunch while we're there. I love outings like this that fall nicely into our routine :D
Bye for now.
-
Thanks for your replies. How exciting that we have a few walkers already:) Hannah stands, then crouches with her arms out like she is on a surfboard, it's really cute. Do any of you have the Little Tikes push walker thingy? I'm not sure what it's called, but it is a little toy that has wheels and baby can pull up on it then push it around. Hannah likes it and does quite well with it.
About the napping....Hannah's am nap is 9-10:30 or 11am and then she goes back down 3hrs after waking from the am nap. I try to keep the A time before both naps mellow. Our wind down is usually 1/2 hr. We sit and read a TON of books then I turn out the light and cuddle her and sing a few lullabyes. I'm wondering if I should push the pm nap later or just go ahead and start phasing out the am nap. I really think she still needs the am nap though she is really wiped by 9/9:30. Boy I sure miss those days when all she did was sleep, though she is so much fun these days.
Anyone else thinking about baby #2 yet? Sometimes I think I want another then I think about what it would be like to have 2 under 2. I think I'd like Hannah to be 3 when baby #2 is born. What do you all think is a good space between kids. Deb, you have 2, how far apart are they in age?
Gotta go now. Thanks for your responses to the nap dilemma
Joanne
-
joanne my 2 are 19 mo apart and i know Jaime has a similar gap. as most of the people on this thread know the first 6 mo were hellish fo rme but i moved to a new area and have no family here so that really impacted on my sitution. it is great now though so i am thinking of it as paying a hefty price int he beginning for a big payoff for the rest of their lives.
-
Joanne, at first you couldn't have paid me to say I would have another baby. Now, I surely will. However, I think I'd like Kelsey to be
2 1/2 -3 when #2 is born. I'd ideally like her to be fully potty-trained, but at least start on training if we decide to have the next one sooner.
-
yup, mine are 20 months apart! :wink: as Deb said, the beginning is absolutely insane. The duration of insanity i think depends on the temperment of your kids. For me it was the first 4-5 months. after 4 months of sleep training luke finally started to get the picture. but looking at them now, with jaina at 31 months and luke at 10 months, they are getting along better & better. it's so much fun to watch them interact. and further on down the road i hope they are closer than my sister & i were when we were younger (we were 4 years apart).
Does anyone else find this - when I read through the different posts I have so much to reply with, but when I actually come to write I can't think of what to put
yes :oops: should probably go back to taking notes, but i tend to read the posts at school & reply at home.
Heather - thanks for the update. hope the visits eventually turn out a more informative prognosis.
Kate - i have a good sleeper. (finally!!!) i think it just needed to click on in his head. that, and finding the right balance of white noise, darkness, and socks over his hands so he can't scratch anymore.
Tarri - walking?!?! yay Emily!!!
Christine - am envious of your minivacation. hope you have lots of fun! that looks like a great place
Branwen - glad to hear that the flight went well. also, thanks for posting about your hair in the lounge - got some great ideas for me too.
Deborah - i forget... why are you driving 2 hours to get to the doctor? was he just the closest after your fiasco with the first one?
Us - got dh's christmas party tonight. yay - date night! am looking forward to it since my school decided no staff party for us this year! and his office goes all out - hotel ballroom, great dinner & dessert buffet. am tempted to skip lunch so i can have more dessert tonight! :oops: :lol:
have a great weekend everyone! :D
-
Oh gosh...so much to say, respond too, where to begin. :D
Tarri- that is so great! Go Emily!!! woo hoo!
Joanne- Baby #2 is a hard topic for me for some reason. My bro and I were 11 months apart :shock: and my husband and his sister were 1.5 years apart. We both grew up insanely close to our siblings and then of course hated each other for awhile, and now are close again. It's just both my husband and I have those "special' memories of growing up with a sister/brother. For that reason I think I would love to begin trying soon but financially and logistically it sounds like a nightmare to me. I am also getting really selfish and wanting things for me. :oops: In some ways it makes sense for me to do it now, so baby is here, and then I can look forward to many years without breastfeeding, pregnancy, etc. I mean just when Eirwen goes off to school then to have another baby at that time, makes child rearing a lot longer. The other thing about closer together though is that I feel like just when Eirwen's toddler world will be opening up to her my time and attention will be consumed by baby #2, so that would make me sad. At the airport when my dh and I and Eirwen were sitting together I felt a moment of completeness with the three of us. Oh, these dilemmas!!! Maybe I will just have an "accident". :lol: Then I won't be able to think about it so much!!!!
I second Heather's idea about missing the mark in the pm. When I miss her cue she will only nap in the afternoon maybe one cycle, sometimes even less. :(
Kate- when you get back here in CO we should get together! Eirwen needs way more sleep that most babies at 11 months but when I looked at the routines posted on the EASY forum, some babies at 11 months were going to 1 long nap a day. Some babies have this long nap in the am, some in the pm. Eirwen is at 2 naps. The am one has lengthened to 2.5 hrs and the pm one is much shorter. Also it says the night time sleep also can decrease to 10 or 11 hrs. You might try a later bedtime and move the pm nap later as well. You could also try lengthening the intervals between naps.
Heather- keep us posted on the echo!!! Oh And great idea on the babydoll/toy in crib for sanding! I am so going to keep this in my back pocket when we get there!
Jaime- re: hair. No problem! I just got so frustrated one day. It is finally considered long, almost to breast length. I am so excited because it was so hard to grow out. It is also, for the first time in years, my natural color. :shock: I will let you know how all the tips work out! :D
Hazel- re: cushion- your plan of attack was my plan so don't be embarrassed!!! We only abandoned the cushion about 2 weeks ago. I stopped doing it when Eirwen ccould go from sitting to laying down (she still can't pull to sitting from laying though :oops: ) but because I know she can lay herself down safely, and rolls and arches and crawls (pulls) herself in all directions I feel better about it. I think I could have ended sooner but I wasn't comfortable with the wood floors in our house. Now that we have carpet in the condo I am more relaxed too.
Christine- have fun on your vacation!!! Cool place!
JulieB- how are you and Asher???
:?: who of you are on jusspress? now dropshots? I feel as if I am missing people???? I want to add you all as friends! I posted more stuff today- pictures of Pearl Street, etc.!!!!
US- No standing for us just yet but I've been reading more and apparently some babies are very particular about the sequence of events. rolling to crawling to pulling up to standing to walking...and also that some babies cannot be rushed no matter how much you practice. I also read that some babies are just working on other less obvious skills and that if you try to make them do stuff you're actually interrupting the way they are choosing to take in the world. hmmmmm...why doesn't this make me feel better!!! :lol: I am trying to remind myself of these things- over and over and over again :oops: :roll: :oops: :roll:
Boulder is going great- although I have never seen so many men under the age of 30 with overgrown facial hair and women with dreads! HA! Gosh I love this place. I am already meeting people- how psycho is that?!!! Today Eirwen and I met Dennis, a nice 50 something gentlemen and Mark, a student. Don't worry, they were smitten with my dd not with me :wink: :P
-
Hello ladies!
I started a response last night, but got caught up by events at home.
Everyone sounds really well, and I'm determined to write a proper reply, so please bear with me as I'm planning on this being a longgg reply :)
Kate: How is your back now? That must've been very scary.
Deb: Well done on the potty training. I love hearing about Alex too, lets me know what I have to look forward to. :)
Tarri: that's such a cute pic of Emily! And she sounds like she's doing really well... walking! Wow! How did the Xmas dinner go?
Hazel: How is your SIL doing? Being separated from your newborn must be so hard! Daniel sounds like a real character. Luka also plays with his 'finger food' and prefers to be fed... typical man :lol:
Deborah: I hope the helmut issues are sorted now, I also didn't realise exactly how difficult it's been for you.
Branwen: Yay on the move!! You sound so happy.
Christine: Hope you enjoyed your mini-break, the place looks lovely.
Heather: Hoping for a good response from the paed.
Nappy Size: We use Pampers, and Luka is on size 4+ (9kg - 20kg/ 19lb - 44lb). We just recently changed because I found the size 4 was a bit restrictive despite claiming to go from 7kg to 18kg (15lb - 39lb). Luka weighs 9kg (19lb) on the dot, he sounds so small in comparison to the babies on this thread :oops: But everyone who sees me says he's 'fat' :roll:
Breastfeeding: I was planning on bf till Luka was a year old, but with that being 2 months away, I've changed my mind. Will probably continue till he's 2? Not sure. I don't know how I feel about child led weaning for us(I'm having visions of stopping by at first break/recess at school and bf Luka :lol: ) We're on 3 and sometimes 4 feeds a day. But will have to drop to a definite 3 when I go back to work (will express that midday feed). He still feeds at night (genuine hunger) because we are struggling to get him to eat solids during the day - don't know where my good eater vanished to.
Baby #2: No plans here. Maybe we'll start trying when Luka is 2 or 2.5. Sometimes I'm not even sure if I want another child. A friend of mine is staying with us (long story) and she has a 3 month old and it's made me so NOT broody. Cute as she is, little as she is, adorable as she is, I much prefer my 9.5month old with established naps and nearly sleeping through the night.
US: We had bad news, a friend of ours lost her husband last week, very sad. :( Makes me realise how short life is, and how many things there are to be thankful for. Especially at this time of the year.
Good news: Luka is standing on his own.... for a whole minute :lol: He's growing so quickly it's scary. When I read about your naps, I'm jealous. On a good day Luka will nap for an hour and 15 minutes, if he naps for an hour I'm happy. And we're still dealing with nightwakings, and this worries me because I have a feeling he will have a difficult time adjusting to the move. Branwen, how are you dealing with the adjustment?
We moved some of our stuff today, we're basically moving a couple of things at a time, but the big move is on Friday this week. Hope to be online soon after that.
-
I've snuck onto the computer while dh is upstairs....uh, oh he's coming back (he's such a computer hog on weekends). Talk to ya'll tomorrow :D Tarri
-
Just a real quick post to let you all know that my SIL is going home today! :D She has made a great recovery so thatnks for all your thoughts, prayers and well-wishes.
Also, I just have to mention that I have now lost a total of 9lb :D :D :D As you can tell I am happy about that. I'm hoping to lose another lb at least this week and DH is taking me out for that celebratory meal on Saturday. Yippee. Only another 8lb to go until I'm happy.
Will write more later.
-
Congrats on the weight loss Hazel!!!!!!!! Am so happy for your SIL too.
Baby #2 will come for us when Leah is 2 1/2 or 3. It is such a hard decision though. I like everyone's opinions.
Thanks for posting diaper sizes everyone. I bought Pampers Cruisers size 4. They are a little big, but fit better than the size 3.
Schae - Good luck with your move. Such an exciting time of year!
Our vacation was a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll post some pictures on our family website when I have a chance. First I need to finish Christmas cards. :roll: Leah thought the place was just a HUGE bathtub and had an awesome time. As did DH and I. We loved the waterslides! :wink: I felt like a kid again!
Will post more later. Just wanted to pop in and say hello!
-
Hazel, I still put a pillow behind Emily when I first put her down to sit. But it doesn't take long for her to squirm away from the pillow. And awesome stuff with the weight loss :D I've lost 1lb in the last month and it's made such a difference in my clothes :) :) I'm having a hard time getting Emily to eat finger foods other than bread like stuff, she'll easily eat puffs, toast, cookies and rice cakes but won't touch veggies, fruit, meat or cheese finger foods. :?
Heather, your doctors visit sounded like a nightmare, at least it's over. That's awesome that Kelsey's taking some steps too. Do you race after her, like I do? I've got bruises on my knees from me following her around :oops: . She falls constantly.
Julieb, I guess you're in Disneyland? Emily has started clapping when I play Asher's clapping video for her :) .
Joanne, I'm going to look for that little tykes toy you mentioned. It would be a perfect present for Christmas 8) .
Branwen, we're on jusspress. http://www.jusspress.com/ER. The ER stands for Emily Robin. And I love all your pictures. It looks absolutely beautiful there 8) .
Schae, my cousin in England breastfed till her baby was almost 2, she started to wean when she was planning to have baby#2. It must be EXCITING moving into your own house :D What is Luka's mood like when he has short naps all day? I wonder if he could be ready to move to just one good nap in the afternoon? Emily's not even close to that yet because she usually has two good 1.5hr naps.
Us, dh's xmas part was fun. Emily woke once and the babysitter gave her medicine (that I had premeasured) cause she was biting her fingers off and then she didn't wake till morning:) So I'd say it was a HUGE success!
I'm starting to think about baby #2 and I'm getting more vigilent about taking my multi vitamin every day again so that I build up that folic acid. Sometimes I feel like we should go for it and others I think I couldn't possible handle two babies :roll: . Because realistically, it's me who'll be responsible for them 99% of the time :!: .
Have a good day/night everyone. Tarri
-
We've had another good day here. 1hour and 45 mins nap this morning and then 1 hour 35 mins this afternoon :shock: This crawling thing is brill. He is just tiring himself out sooo much.
Finger foods - I think Daniel is just bored with the food I'm giving him (pear and banana are the usual desserts). He is just not interested in picking it up from off his tray. DH put 3 tiny pieces of chocolate on his tray and... whoosh, they were picked up and eaten in a flash :lol: He just knows what he wants. When I go food shopping tomorrow I'll try getting a few different things that I can offer him. As I said in a previous post though, his appetite has decreased significantly. Let's hope he's not trying to diet along with mummy!
Baby no. 2 - I am soooo broody (I think it's coz of my new little neice). We are probably going to start trying around April/May time. I'm guessing it'll be around about when I've just got down to my ideal weight again :x I had such a sicky horrible pregnancy last time though I am DREADING the next. I know a lot of people say they are not all the same so I'm hoping for a different one this time :D One with NO pregnancy symptoms would be just fine.
Tarri - glad to hear you had a nice time at DH's Xmas party. Good little Emily for sleeping so well.
Christine - so glad you had a great holiday. Can't wait to see piccies.
:?: What, if any, special things have you guys got planned this Christmas? Are you starting or continuing any special traditions etc? I read something on another post about someone who is gonna start taking a photo of 'present opening' each Christmas and then making it into a tree decoration. I LOVE the idea so we are gonna start the same thing. How lovely will it be to have a photo of our family each year? We'll have fun laughing at the photos in 25 + years...
Does anyone do anything special on Christmas eve? We never have really but I would like to start doing something special. Any ideas would be welcome :?
Must go now and do some ironing :cry: We are just about all out of ironed clothes.
-
JulieB - Are you back from Disneyland yet? Can't wait to hear about it!
-
In good news, whatever was bothering Maya at bedtime seems to have resolved itself. We would go back in if she got really upset, but would not pick her up if we could calm her down while still in the crib. However, she has developed another irritation spot from the helmet, so she never wore it overnight, and we're going back to the orthotist today.
Tarri - Glad to hear the Christmas party outing went well. And yeah for Emily on the walking.
Heather - Keep us posted on the results of the echo. A friend on mine went through this with her lo, so I know how scary it is.
Jaime - We drive 2 hours to the orthotist (his main office is actually in Winter Park, but we usually go to the one in Deland). The neurosurgeon we didn't like referred us to this guy. There is just no one in Jacksonville who is qualified to do the helmet fittings, which is kind of amazing considering all the medical facilities in Jacksonville.
Branwen - Glad to hear you are settling in.
Schae - Maya still bfs 4 times a day. I am thinking about weaning her, but she gets so much enjoyment out of it. Her face lights up when I sit in "our chair". However, we are thinking about #2, and I don't want to be pregnant and nursing.
Hazel - Congrats on the weight loss! I think I am down to about 5lbs above my pre-preg weight, but it takes up so much more space! I still don't fit in my pre-preg jeans. As for Christmas traditions, we are staying home this year, and none of our family is coming to visit, so we are going to start our own traditions. We used to go to Christmas Eve carol mass, but it is at 9pm, and that's too late for Maya. I think we are going to check out the Christmas Eve children's mass instead. They do it around 4 or 5pm, so the timing is perfect.
Christine - Glad to hear you had a great weekend. I think Maya would really enjoy playing in a pool. We have been thinking of joining the Y, so I could swim with Maya, and dh and I could tackle our thickening waistlines.
Well, my 1/2 hour of reprieve is over. Dh took Maya to PT this morning so he could observe. I can't remember the last time I was home alone.
-
For Christmas in my family as children, we always got to open one present on Christmas Eve before bed. That was always so fun to hold us over until the next morning! I got an ornament that holds a picture for "Baby's First Christmas" this year. Other than that, I plan to take lots of pictures and use some for my scrapbook. We visit dh's mom around lunch time, and my mom and family for dinner time. Two big meals! My mom always has lots of people because my brother invites his friends that don't have family nearby and those that just love to visit with our family.
-
Our Christmas is changing a bit as I insisted that dd is not traveling on Christmas Day. My mom cried and cried when I told her this because it will be the first Christmas I won't spend at my parents :( . So, my parents decided to come up and stay a couple days before and then leave Christmas afternoon cause they are hosting a Boxing Day party for their side of the family at their house 4 hours away. We'll be going to the party but traveling on Boxing Day (I'm seriously not looking forward to the travel :( ). Also, since my parents and dh's parents don't get along (LONG story) we'll be going to their house for Christmas Eve lunch, only 40mins drive. This also severely upset dh cause he hates that they don't get along and he wants to have Christmas eve just the 3 of us : :( x . So it's impossible to please everyone, but Christmas is about Emily now so I think it's important that she's home for Christmas :D
Emily will get presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It's too much, I think, but it's the only way to at least half-please all the family.
Whew...that was a long story :!: Tarri
-
We're staying home for Christmas too. i never wanted to travel on Christmas day, and when jaina was born it made it easy to say we were staying home. my parents & ILs come here too. also nice cause we have the most space. my parents get a hotel room & ILs stay here :evil: (even though they don't like what we have for them to sleep on :roll: )
2 years ago we went to Sea World on Christmas eve & had a ball. would've gone back last year but i was 8 months preggo! we're going again this year and i can't wait. love it cause teachers can go for free. and it's so relaxed, we can see everything, leave mid-afternoon, and still make the evening church service. we'll have a later dinner after the kids are in bed.
the one tradition i want to start for the kids is giving them 1 present to open on christmas eve and it's new pajamas for them to wear that night.
and.... to show my total ignorance... just what is Boxing Day? always heard of it but don't know what it is. :oops:
-
Tarri - You're not the only one whose parents and ILs don't get along. Our parents have seen one another exactly twice since our wedding. Among other things, I think my folks are still offended that MIL offered to pay for our wedding since she felt my parents could not afford to give us a
"proper" wedding, a proper wedding being one with 400 guests and all the pomp and circumstance. Dh and I wanted immediate family only. It really had nothing to do with my parents.
As far as Christmas goes, we will miss our families, but we are very excited to be spending it in our own home. This is a really busy time for my dad at work, and he can't get away, but my parents are coming in Jan for Maya's birthday. Dh's family doesn't really travel for Christmas, all their extended family is in San Salvador. If we don't go see them, we don't see them. I'd like to change that, but I don't know if that's going to happen anytime soon.
So yesterday I had to go downtown to pick up something MIL ordered for Maya. I figured if I was going to drive all the way down there, I might as well go the extra 10 minutes and meet dh for lunch. It was going great. Maya was extremely well-behaved. You never would have known there was a baby in the lunchroom. Alot of his coworkers came over to introduce themselves. But one of them managed to spill a huge cup of Pepsi all over Maya and her stroller. She got soaked, and after the initial shock wore off, she just wailed. Needless to say, we created quite the spectacle. By the time I got her calmed down, we were both covered in soda.
-
Deborah - Poor Maya! I bet she was a sticky mess!
Christmas for us: Both sets of parents live within 20 mintues - mine live next door. :D (I get along wonderfully with my mother) This sounds great but it can actually be a bigger hassle. Since we are so close everyone thinks we should go everywhere. Which would mean two places Christmas Eve and three places Christmas Day. I don't think so!!!!!!!! So we offend someone by skipping out of their Christmas. But, we try to keep it fair. One Christmas for DH's family, one for mine. We will spend Christmas morning just DH, me, and DD. Although I don't know what we will do. We decided not to do gifts between DH and I. And we already gave Leah her Christmas present. :roll: We bought her the Leap Frog Learn Around Table. Oh well, just a good family time anyway!
???? What are you buying your LO's for Christmas? We bought Leah a Leap Frog Learn Around Table. I think that's all we'll get her. I'm pretty sure she will get a lot from other people. I want to start right by not buying her a TON of gifts. I want her to think that one gift is fine to get at Christmas. You woulnd't believe the kids at my school who complain about the number of gifts they get at Christmas time. :?
-
I'm so excited. I wasn't looking forward to this evening as dh has a business dinner and will be home late, and it's just been a long day in general. But I took Maya to the library to distract her through her evening fussies. They had a copy of the first season of Desperate Housewives on DVD. Now I am looking forward to an dh-free evening of popcorn and brain candy. I get to catch up on the month or so I missed last year after Maya was born. I just need to get Maya to bed first.
-
Deborah - How exciting!!!!!!!! I didn't get into Desperate Housewives until late last season (was that the first season?) Now I am an avid watcher. Ohhh, I may have to go to the library soon.
Praying for a snow day from school tomorrow! :lol: We're supposed to get up to a 12 inches of snow here thru the early morning and day tomorrow. :shock: I could use a day off! :D
-
Christine-you're funny! I remember praying for snow days. Hardly ever got them though. Around here, it's usually icy roads that shut down school.
For Christmas, we have gotten Kelsey FP Learning Pots and Pans, Peek-a-Blocks, an Elmo puppet book, and a giggly baby doll. I also have one of those things where you press a key or turn a knob and something pops up, and a little keyboard type thing, but I'm reconsidered those. She really just likes blocks and things she can bang together. I also have a block bucket that you sort the shapes through, but I want to wait and see what the grandmothers give her. I might hold some things back for her birthday, too. Either way, all older toys are being put up as she seems board with them.
I'm going to try to post her Christmas pictures in the Photo Gallery tonight, but don't hold me to that.
-
Hi Everyone!
Well, if you all saw my post in the couch you know I've been pretty frustrated...but dh is here now so things are getting a little better. ugh...little is putting it midly. But after some posts I learned that Eirwen could actually be getting her molars, and that sounds right because she keeps jamming her fingers way back into her mouth.
Christmas Traditions- from my family we always opened 1 Christmas present on Christmas Eve. That was always very special for us, and my mom would make a favorite family meal. The presnet was usually something small but fun. My dh's family is Dutch so they have what is called Santa Clause Day, which I don't think we will celebrate. In their family Christmas Eve was the bigger celebration as Christmas Day was spent low key with family and church. Although I agree with not going too overboard my family was kind of on the low income side of things, and Christmas was the one time in the year we got "stuff" esp new stuff :D . Plus I think there is something totally fun about opening lots of gifts, all the paper around you. My parents always surprised us with "Santa gifts" and it was fun to have them make a pile around my brother and I as kids. So she's getting lots of stuff this year :wink: I couldn't help myself. :oops: Also- as she gets older I think we will do charity like a giving tree, and she will get to pick out the present for the other child, which will be her age. I want her to learn that Christmas is for giving as well as getting. :D Since her bday is so close she probably won't be getting too much stuff then :wink: Oh, and we also do the ornament thing (we actually started it when dh and I had our first Christmas together), it will be so fun to pick an ornament for Eirwen's first Christmas!!!!
-
Branwen-I second the Angel Tree gift giving. I plan to do that and serve at a shelter or somewhere similar when our children are older. Hope you are OK. I'm going to go read your other post.
-
Branwen - I just read your post on the couch. It made me cry, literally. It's also my time of month, so I cry easily! :wink: You are such a caring mother. Wow!!! You got a lot of GREAT advice and please know that we are here for you! Thru the good times and the bad. I love your ideas on giving at Christmas time when Eirwen gets older. I too didn't get alot when I was younger for Christmas. But it was so much fun to get that one special gift!!!!! Of course I may not be buying Leah much for Christmas this year, but that is also becuase she already has it all. :oops: I buy WAY too much for her!
Heather - I bought Leah the roll-arounds from fisher price the other day (see! why do I buy so much before Christmas?!?!?! :oops: ) She loves them. We roll them around the house and she chases them. The pots and pans sound cool. I may have to check them out.
Ahhhh!!!!!!!!!! I have to get off here. I have loads of lesson plans to prepare and papers to go through for school. I better have a snow day tomorrow or I'm screwed!!!!!!!!!! :shock:
-
Hi everyone,
I have been having a really hard time last 4 days or so - i guess i am coming down off of doing so well for a week or 2 and now i am a bit low :evil: I was stressing out, crying, frustrated with olivia's needing help to get to sleep again (we are now past 3 weeks i think - she still needs help at least 1 x day and yesterday refused to nap at all after she took 1st nap so was up from 11am - 7:15 pm!!) i had a better day finally today (still nowhere near last week) but was still really short with the girls and stressing out. i hate the fact that i saw what it could be like if i was "normal" and now i am back to my stupid PPD ways :evil: i cannot believe Olivia will be 10 months old in 5 days i am still dealing with this battle! i am missing/ruining her whole first year and i will regret it for the rest of my life (i am sitting here in tears now... so will come back later to talk ablout the holidays :D ) i am on my own tonight and after managing to get both girls bathed and in bed olivia is still struggling to get to sleep after 45 min :shock: and my lovely emotional eating self is taking over and i hear chocolate calling my name :cry:
-
Aaah, I just wrote a huge post and lost it all!
Deb - I am so sorry you are having a hard time. We all have ups and downs and we are here to support each other. You are a great mom - first and second children always have different babyhoods (as well as different personalities :wink: ) and there is still so much to look forward to. There are loads of things I wanted to do with Ciara that I haven't, but hey, we do our best.
I posted in nightwakings but no insights yet... Branwen thanks so much for your suggestions, I am trying to make naps later as they have crept forward. We have had 2 nights of 12 hrs straight but not getting my hopes up yet.... I also posted to you in the Couch. I hope things are getting better for you. What a big upheaval you have all undergone. Will be great to meet up next year - and start our own CO fan club :wink:
I like the Dutch Sinterklaas/Santa Claus tradition of Dec 6 for kids gifts etc and then actual Christmas itself separate. We didn't do it though! Dh wants Christmas to be all about excitement and lots of presents and I think it shoudln't be too much about 'things', especially as my mum goes way overboard with presents for Ciara all year round! So far we are getting her a drum like this one: http://plantoys.com/products.asp?parentid=3 and a coat for when she starts toddling. I love the idea of choosing a gift for another child, we'll definitely look into that. My mum and grandmother are coming to Holland for Christmas, as my aunt, uncle, cousins live here too. I'm getting them this kind of thing: http://www.oxfam.org.uk./shop/christmas.htm
I started a jusspress site: http://www.dropshots.com/KMC but some of the dates are wrong b/c they weren't all from a digital camera. Anyway you can picture us now!
Take care all, Kate
-
PS Deb, I am in awe of you putting two los to bed on your own when I can be wiped out by just one! Please don't be hard on yourself
-
Christine - Good luck with the snow day. Is it the Leap Frog table with all the musical instrument type things? Maya has one with different stuff on each side, a few piano keys, a trumpety thing, buttons and levers, etc. It is her absolute favorite toy right now. And last season was the first season of DH. Turns out I only missed one episode - I must have caught the the others in reruns. I spent the rest of the evening curled up with a book someone here recommended - The Post-Pregnancy Handbook. I so wish I had had it right after Maya was born!
To answer your other question, between Christmas and her birthday, Maya is getting a stacker toy, some peekaboo blocks, several books, and a small stuffed Elmo if I can find one. However, though she'll get to open everything on Christmas or her birthday, we are going to ration out the new stuff one toy at a time so at least for a while I'll have new stuff in reserve for the days when nothing seems to make her happy.
Branwen - I read your post. You are such a good mom! You are in tune to what your baby needs, and we all have those moments. Regarding the molars, someone the other day told me that the long skinny teething biscuits are good when they're cutting molars as they can jam them way back and rub them against their gums. I have been giving Maya pretzel rods with no salt.
In my family, we also do the ornament a year thing. I have a collection with at least one for every Christmas. My mom even kept a list. I am looking forward to picking one out for Maya. I made the mistake, though, of telling MIL about it, and she bought out the Hallmark store. Maya will have 10 or 12 for her first Christmas.
Debra - You are not ruining Olivia's first year - all she will remember is having a mom who took care of all of her needs. Hang in there.
Finally, I have a question. It occurred to me last night that I know all of your names and all of your kids' names, but I do not know all of your husbands' names. They are uniformly dh. My husband's name is Andres, and here is a photo of us at the beach at Thanksgiving.
-
Branwen and Deb, HUUUUUGGGGSSSS! You are both awesome moms! :D :D
Tarri
-
Hi everyone!
Thanks for all your support posting to me on the other thread!
Deb- I just sent you an email at babywhisperer address
Here are pictures of my dh- Everard otherwise known as Emon to me or muffin. :wink:
-
Debra, please don't cry. It must be really hard looking after two lo's :( :( .
Why don't you post us Olivia's current routine? It seems odd that she needs sooo much help getting to sleep sometimes. Maybe a little tweaking would make a difference :D .
And, gosh, if chocolate makes you feel better once in awhile, go for it! :D
And you are so not ruining Olivia's first year. It's just the depression talking.
Has your support group ended? Could that be the cause of the downturn? Maybe your doctor could help you find an ongoing group.
Also, are you going thru a repeating pattern of a period of depression followed by a period of happiness? If so, I'd talk to your doctor about it cause there's different treatments for these kind of symptoms that is important.
Hope I haven't overstepped, just trying to help, Tarri
-
thanks Tarri and Branwen (i replied to your email)
Tarri - it is not her routine it is her mobility - same as when she was rollin over and then crawling, except those times it took about 2 weeks of messing up her naps. this time it is taking longer (the more active she gets the worse it is) she is standing in the cot, calling out, moving around, sitting up and clapping... she just cannot relax and be immobile. she moves all day long pulling up on things and moving from toy to toy... some days are fine and others worse. yesterday she put herself down for both naps no problem and then bedtime (maybe because i put her down early so could do alex next) took her 2 PDs and 45 min of self settling (chatter, babbling...) so maybe she was not tired yet as it was 30-40 min early :roll:
she is doing so well though- she is waving hello and goodbye, she actually says "uh-oh" when she drops things from high chair (because alex was always saying oops - uh oh) or hums it.; stood unaided and clapped today... so she is just developig before my eyes and it intereferes with her naps (just the getting down - once she is settled she is fine) no nightwakings (except the other night at 10:30 woke screaming and we gave her teething relief as this is another issue)
my group ended last thursday and the crash started by Saturday mornign so who knows... i am waiting until our residency is finallized and hoping to find someone i can afford for therapy but around here they cost $90-150 per hour :shock: with little to no rebates. and as much as i woudl love to see someone it is too costly right now.
-
Boy, I've missed you all! :D
We're back from disneyland and I've been so very sick. I was getting over my cold, but started a bad cough and fever on the way home. Still had both 3 days later! The fever just broke yesterday. :?
Disneyland was interesting. Asher's favorite part was the ground -- all the various textures to walk on. He also enjoyed the masked characters, carousel and Haunted Mansion Holiday. Otherwise, Disneyland seemed to be a cruel form of torture of sleep deprivation and confinement in the eyes of a baby who just doesn't understand the concept of lines and isn't big enough to walk by himself. :roll: I felt so guilty most of the time. :oops:
It could have been much worse though and Asher did amazingly well considering. He slept really well in the hotel room. We made a cozy little tent around his pack n play and put him in the closet area by taking the sliding doors off (maid service prolly thought we were nuts). I giggled to myself and thought of Jaime and Luke in the bathroom! :lol:
But if nothing else, it was worth getting Asher on to California time, which means he's still on it here! He's slept in the past four days! Woohoo!! :D And his night wakings have seemed to disappear. Maybe he's still recovering, but I'll take it!! :D :D :D
:?: But now that he's sleeping until 8, not sure what to do with the naps. They seem so late. For those with late-sleeping babies, what time are your naps at?
Anyway, we're told he'll like it much better next year when he's 22 months.
He's turned into a picky eater since the trip though. Maybe it's his stuffy nose. Things he used to like he suddenly doesn't anymore. It leaves me at a loss at what to feed him. And whatever he decides he doesn't like, he tosses off the high chair. He won't even just leave it be, he has to have it GONE! It's driving me a little nuts (Deb, I think I feel some of your pain now! :lol: ). Not sure how to handle this behavior because he's only 10.5 months, but he's clearly not experiementing, he's defiantly launching his food despite being told "no."
Tarri, maybe you could help Emily's arm strength by letting her pull herself up on your hands or sit up from a laying position, again holding your hands? Honestly, we didn't really practice the walking with Asher since he was still so young. And a friend of mine had the same problem with her DD wanting to walk all over the house with help and it was breaking her back. So I made it a point NOT to start that with Asher. :wink: He just started letting go between the furniture sooner and sooner as he was cruising around the room. Then I put a couple things in the middle of the room to encourage him to go across and take longer strides. He never seemed very interested in walking to me or DH! :lol: :roll: And for the falling, I guess I just let him fall! :lol: :oops: We have carpet and it never seemed to phase him. Ever since he started scooting, he's been bumping him head, landing head first, taking dives, etc, like the BOY he is!
Christine, we're using the last of the #3 diapers this week (bought way too many). We've been in #4 at night for a while because Asher started to leak.
Tammy, I just tried black beans with Asher this morning and he liked them. Good source of iron and very gummable.
For snacks, I just give rice puffs or rice cakes and water right now (minimal mess). By time he wakes, it's meal time again anyway, so I just give him those to hold him off while I prepare the meal.
Branwen, we're BFing till 1 year and then introducing whole milk. Once I'm confident in the milk and his intake, I'll start dropping one feed a week, I guess. Though it's weird, Asher suddenly seems so aware of BFing lately and seems to really like it now that we're down to 3 full feeds. Makes me wonder if he'll have a hard time now?
Oi, this is going to be a long, ongoing post, so maybe I'll break it up....
-
Whew! #2 post. I attached a photo of Asher's "pack n play tent" for your amusement!
Baby #2, we want them 3-4 years apart. We're only having 2. I want to minimize the time I'm PG during the summer so we will start trying in July after Asher's 2nd bday and hope to have baby by the following May. Our main motivations for 3-4 years is the many many friends we have living in chaos! :lol: Plus, I really want to have the time to enjoy Asher right now, just like I want to enjoy #2 as well. I think the three of us will be better equipped for that if Asher is older. It goes by too fast as it is, I don't want it to be a complete blur. :wink:
Tarri, Fisher Price also makes a walk behind toy in their brilliant basics line. Asher STILL loves to push his around.
We have many Christmas traditions since me & DH are Christmas freaks. Disneyland each December is one of them. We always buy a photo ornament and put one of the trip's photos in there for the tree. Then we host a White Elephant Christmas Party (this Sunday) for our family and close friends. Christmas Eve is spent with DH's family opening presents (their tradition, now ours). We host Christmas Day dinner (lunch this year, for Asher) for both sides of the family (they all get along great). We will also go to ZooLights this year (christmas light display at the zoo). We also do little things like get a chocolate advent calendar, special ornaments, decorate everything in sight... :lol:
We've bought some various things for Asher but we're not sure what's gonna be for his bday yet. A few things we got at the second hand store as well. FP Stand Up Ball Blast, FP peekablock hippo, FP peekablock wagon (we have no peekablocks, but we're now obsessed after hearing all of you talk about them!), little tykes my first truck, playskool ball popper thingy. There are still more things we'd like to get him (or hope the family does, like the FP Incrediblock). He's in great need of new age-appropriate toys for 1-2 years.
Deb, hugs to you. Liv sounds like Asher in the moving, moving, moving department! The big key seems to let him get the ants out of his pants during A time so he'll settle down to sleep. Could she need longer A times? What about longer wind downs to help her make that transition to nap time?
-
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)
-
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! :D 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 :D
-
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.
-
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:
-
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 :D Emily claps even before Asher does when I play your Christmas song clapping video :o 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:
-
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.
-
Julieb - welcome back!! I am amazed that you took asher there so young so well done for being brave :D 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 :D 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
-
: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.
-
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 :D
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)
-
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.
-
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...... :D
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. :D What do you do?
-
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
-
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: )
-
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. :(
-
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 :D 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
-
Tarri, yes, the picture was taken at a studio. And, yes, I kept both dresses! :oops: I really shouldn't have as it's silly to have too many things she'll only wear once, but my mom is a bad influence and talked me into it.
As for wind down, I still rock Kelsey for 10 minutes. I finally realized she doesn't need me to any more, but I do it for me, too. It's the only time she lets me hold her and I just love it. I realized once she started the crawling around business that she can put herself to sleep. As I go to lay her down, she could be sawing logs dead asleep, but she immediately twists to get on her belly, crawls to her baby doll, grabs it and sits there. I don't know what she does from there cause I walk away without making eye contact. But I do know that she goes to sleep and that's all that matters. There are times I wish I could just plop her down in the crib, but I think she still needs that transition time. At night, though, I'm usually ready for my time, and I only rock her for about 5 minutes unless she's just so sleepy that it's too cute and I can't seem to let go.
-
Heather I love that avatar - she is truly beautiful and looks so grown up! Ciara still has only baby hair with bald patches, just like my dad! :o She is still a little flat on the diagonal back/side of her head from where she got in the habit on laying.
She is also a squirmer, won't sit on your lap to read a story unless it has things in the book she can grab and touch. Julie, she sounds like Asher as she is a real tough nut, tumbling around all day and taking knocks and bruises quite merrily - bit of a tomboy perhaps!? After whisking through her bedtime story I always try and do lullaby and cuddles but she pushes out of my arms so I just lay her down and do it while I am tucking her in. Christine, I also know she can get down from standing as she does it all day but it didn't stop her from calling me for help in the night! maybe they do it sometimes when we're not there and we only know about the times they get us for help? :wink:
I am feeling sooo good as we have had 6 nights in a row of sleeping through - hurrah! And this morning we all slept in till 8 :shock: I guess we needed it. Don't really know what happened, maybe she just got it out of her system. BUT the afternoon nap has been wrong all week - connection? Dare I wish for perfection?! :) She hasn't slept more than an hour at the most in the pm. I tried waking her from the morning one earlier but still no good. I've tried pd for an hour but no good. She just wants up. Then she seems ok but a couple of times has needed a catnap when we go out to walk the dog. Maybe I could use some tweaking? :)
7: wake and bf
7.45ish: solids
9.30: sleep
10.30ish: wake, juice, snack
11.45: solids
1: sleep - this week waking up after 45 mins
2.45: bf
3.30: go for a walk, rest in stroller
5: solids
6: bath
6.30: bf/bottle (she only wants bottle here lately)
before 7: bed
thanks everyone!
Kate
-
kate do you think she could go down later for the second nap - at least another half hour A time? she might not be tired enough to sleep more than 45min (meaning she is tired but thinks she just needs a little recharge, rather than being tired enough to do more like 1.5hrs+)
just a thought.
she defnitely sounds like one of the club though. amazing how many of these lo are alike! Congrats on the sleeping through! i have not once had either girl sleep until 8am I think Dh would die from happiness if that ever happened- i am guessing that soon enough i will have to wake them for school and they will groan and complain abbout having to get up early- and i will laugh and tell them - you don't know what early is :D
-
Hanna is waking anywhere from 2-4 times a night. I'm not sure if it's from teething or the fact that she's almost walking, or maybe a bit of both. I'm trying to be a good Babywhisperer and figure out how to help her sleep through the night, but I'm getting kind of frustrated.
What kind of pain killers are you all giving your LO's to help with teething pain? I prefer to stay away from drugs, but I am so tired now and would love a good nights sleep. I have only tried Infant Advil and homeopathic Chamomilla balls, neither of them seem to help.
Here's Hannah's routine
6:30-7am wake up - breastfeed
8am - breakfast
9:30 or 10am - nap
11-11:30 - wake up breastfeed (I should drop this feed since she really doesn't need it)
12-lunch
2-nap
2:45-wake up- breastfeed
4-snack
5:30-dinner
6:30-bath and breastfeed
7pm-bed
Our winddown routine is rather long. We sit and read a TON of books, then I turn out the light and sing her a few songs, she gets squirmy and doesn't really want to snuggle :( then I lay her in bed and she drops off pretty quickly.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Joanne
-
Glad to hear everyone is doing well. We are in the Christmas frantic stage as I realize this is my last weekend to do the shopping! :shock: For those of you who's LO's don't pull themselves up, watch out!!!! Leah is now pulling herslef up and she didn't show any signs before. Yesterday she just started doing it and now today she is pulling up on EVERYTHING!!!!!!! I was looking out the patio door and she crawled over and pulled herself up, there isn't even anything to hold onto!!!!!!! :shock: Well, must run. I'm going to wrap presents while Leah naps and then we are going to finish our shopping.
-
Hi all. This thread moves sooo fast :lol:
We're having a good day here. Daniel slept in til 7.10 this morning :D Was VERY nice. The last few nights he's been waking up at about 5am and chatting for a bit. We decided he was possibly getting too much daytime sleep (at least 3.5 hours!) so yesterday and the day before I started waking him up after an hour in am and hour and half in pm. Could this have done the trick? Maybe.
Christine - have fun now with the pulling up. I am not looking forward to that bit, or at least not the falling downs! Daniel is no where near pulling up (I don't think :? ) as he still can't go from tummy to sitting. He reaches up for stuff when on his tummy, squirms all over the place but can't pull up. Do I need to 'teach' him how to go from tummy to sitting? He can do sitting to tummy but just not the other way.
Tantrums - boy can this kid throw a tantrum!!! Already we have mini melt downs when he doesn't get his own way. He throws himself around and squeals. I actually find it quite cute when he does it. He sudden;y seems to find all this strength from somewhere :shock: Anyone else having this?
We don't really have a wind down anymore. Sometimes I sit with him in the nursery for a few seconds and we talk (mainly for my benefit :D :wink: ) but other than that he just gets put in his cot and that's it. He LOVES bed though so that helps. I've been expecting sleeping to get difficult with him getting mobile but as yet he's not been affected at all. Once he's laid down he doesn't really move. Other than flap his arms with excitement when he gets his lovie - soooo sweet.
Speaking of lovies - he has a sheep which he sleeps with. I put him down for his nap a couple of mins ago and he just managed to chew the tail off the sheep :shock: It's like a ball stitched on to the sheeps bum! Did freak me out a bit because it was IN his mouth (and EXACTLY the right size to choke on) I'm just glad he did it when I was there and not when he was on his own. If anyone else's lo has a teddy/doll etc just check that nothing could come off. This tail looked so well attached but obviously not. Be ware.
Flat head issues - Daniel has a slightly flat head on one side. He has loads of hair now though so it's not very noticeable. I didn't realise it was so common but so many of you have said that your lo has it too. He used to always sleep facing the right but now always sleeps to the left. We keep joking that he'll get a pointy triangular shaped head :lol: if the other side goes flat. Are their heads a lot stronger and harder now though or will it still flatten?
Someone else was talking about how they can't have their lo in bed with them (Debra and Christine?) Us too. Daniel goes wild - clapping waving, hitting, slapping, rolling...) Not helpful when DH is trying to sleep.
Julieb- Daniel and I were watching some of Asher's video clips this morning. Daniel was laughing his head off at the ones of Asher laughing. Then when we watched the one where Asher is saying mamamama Daniel looked at me and started saying it too.
And finally - we had a funny moment last night when Daniel pooed (!) in the bath. Unfortunately we hadn't finished washing him so we had to finish him off with the shower. Was very funny watching DH fish it out :shock: :lol: The photo was taken just after the offending incident. Daniel seemed quite pleased with himself really.
-
Hazel-we are right in the middle of tantrums gone wild here, too. I can find a tad of humor in it, but usually I get ticked. I try not to as I realize she doesn't understand why I'm pulling her away from what is so interesting to her. But in the store the other day she wanted to hold the baby food jars I was getting off the shelf. Obviously not something for a baby to hold and potentially drop, so I wouldn't give in. She just cried and cried big 'ol tears. Luckily it wasn't too big of a scene, and she wasn't the only kiddo in there throwing a fit. At home is worse because she wants to go everywhere I don't want her to. However, I was reminded of what a sweet girl she is when someone asked, "Does she always smile that much?" She really has been an angel lately.
Christine-I just had to laugh at you and Leah. There is no stopping them once they pull up. Everything is fair game. What's hard for Kelsey is things in the kitchen b/c it's a hardwood floor and as she's pulling up her feet are sliding out from under her. This is one room I really have to watch her.
We haven't installed cabinet locks yet b/c we plan to move early in the next year (fingers crossed), so I'm just on guard all the time. There's really only one cabinet she's interested in, and it's only when she's in her walker and strolls over to it (more like races over to it). So, I rigged it shut with a shoestring for now. Have you all installed these locks yet?
Is anyone bathing their lo in the big bath tub and no other baby tub yet? I've considered doing this with a mat under her, but still a bit timid.
-
Thanks Deb for taking a look at our routine, I will try the later pm nap and see if that works....
Heather, can you get the socks with the nonskid soles, like Totes? We also have hardwood floors and those socks are invaluable. Ciara's been pulling up for 6-7 wks and before we found them it was really dangerous with her slipping around down here. We haven't used the baby tub since she was 4mo - the other one just got too small for her to splash around in (she is fearless I tell you! :shock: ). I always put a nonslip mat in there, also a godsend as she will not sit still for an instant in there. I actually never realised just how spirited she was until I recently spent time with my niece and nephew, both v close in age, and saw how laidback and placid they are! :roll:
Tantrums aren't too bad though (yet?!) - she does fight me to get to the dog and cat bowls several times a day but I always go over, hold her hands still and tell her she can't go there and then try and distract her. She does this little frustrated jig up and down and kicks out and complains a lot, and usually crawls straight back as fast as she can. I have to try and keep a straight face or try and keep cool, depending on how much patience I have at that particular moment! Good practice for those twos, I guess....
-
Kate, thanks for the info about the socks. I didn't know they made non-slip socks which is odd considering how much time I spend in the baby department. I know the 12 mo and up sleepers have the skid-proof feet, but she doesn't fit in those sized sleepers yet. I'll definitely get those socks.
Kelsey's really doing well taking steps, but she has to be real concentrated or she just wobbles. It's making me weepy to watch her grow up!
-
whew - i know it's been forever since i've posted here but now it's CHRISTMAS VACATION!!!!!! :D :D :D 2 whole weeks of staying home with the kiddos, and preparing for the insanity that is the christmas holiday. :D
so, just to hit on some of the hot topics that i've read about in this thread ately....
diapers - luke's been in size 4 since he was about 5 months old. thankfully, he & jaina have been the same size forever now :oops: but i've been buying his (generic) diapers at bj's since i can get more for the money.
naps - luke goes down about 2-2.5 hrs after he wakes up in the morning, and i've been trying to limit him to no more than 1:15. usually he goes down about 9-9:30. then he goes down for his afternoon nap anywhere between 2-3pm, depending on when he got up from his morning nap. this nap runs closer to 2 hours.
tantrums - luke yells when people walk away from him. he hates that he can't follow yet. crazy boy is getting closer everyday, but still can't exactly crawl, so he takes it personally when he can't keep up.
dh - his name is John. i realize we're giving luke a complex (john, jaime, jaina...) but there were no boy "J" names that we could agree on. hadn't really planned on giving the kids J names, but when we found out jaina was a girl, it was the only name we had (since i was sure she was a boy!).
winddown - don't really have much of one anymore. diaper change if needed, and then dim the lights, turn on the white noise, a quick hug, and into bed.
flat head - well, i can still see it :oops: but i think his head is rounding out more and more, and john says he can't tell. and his hair mostly covers it.
bottles - all of a sudden luke seems to have gone to 3/day :shock: . started friday night when the sitter never gave him his before bed bottle & he slept all night anyway. then yesterday he skipped his before lunch bottle and seemed okay with it. i'm going to see if he'll keep rolling with it.
finger foods - luke is fantastic with them, and now it's just a matter of convincing him that he likes to eat veggies, and not just cereal all the time :lol:
happy jaime news - posted on the news board but i have almost completely dropped to my pre-jaina size! i actually bought a pair of size 12 jeans and they look great. a few of my old pairs of pants fit, but i still have too much saggy skin around my tummy for most of them to be comfy. :oops: but i'm so happy - it's been 3 years since i've seen that corner of my closet! :D :D :D
have a great week everyone!
-
Heather - luke has been in the big tub since he could sit up on his own - about 6-7 months. i might have procrastinated longer, but once they're in there, dh does baths :wink:
-
Joanne, your routine looks great to me. I think maybe you just need to ride it thru without resorting to accidental parenting. What do you do when you go into her room at night? Oh, and we use baby advil and it works really well with Emily (takes about 20mins to kick in), we had no luck with tylenol.
Heather, we went straight from infant tub to the big bath, but I sit in the tub with her cause she's very tippy.
Jamie, congrats on the new jeans! I've lost 3 lbs somehow since summer and it's giving me such a big confidence boost. I can't fit into my pre-preg pants but the ones I wore in early pregnancy are getting lose :)
Us, I posted two videos on jusspress of Emily walking a few steps. She's pretty good but cries hard if I don't catch her for a fall.
We had loud dinner guests last night for fondue and I was soooo impressed with Emily, she didn't cry out at all and I had a really nice time:) 8)
I finished my christmas shopping today, I hope everyone likes their gifts, we tried not to go overboard cause we're still recovering from no income for 8 months. I feel a bit guilty about not spending as much as usual but it can't be helped :oops: .
Have a good day/night everyone, Tarri
-
I'm sad. California time seems to be wearing off, despite my tremendous efforts. :( He's woken earlier the last 4 days. I wondered if it was the short afternoon naps he took the first two days, but then I got good ones the last two and I still have early wake ups. I even put a favorite stuffed animal in his bed on a whim per Heather's suggestion.
Tarri, I really don't think they need the arm strength to pull up. Watching Asher, it seems like it's all in his legs. The hands are just there to steady and hang on. Here's a link to a video where he learned to stand.
http://jusspress.com/day.php?userid=7422¤tDate=20050901
Kate, like Deb, I also think your afternoon A time seems on the short side (2.5 hrs?).
Joanne, you can also try coffea cruda homeopathic pellets for the teething. But really, if the pain relievers aren't even working, I don't think it's teething. That's a long haul from her afternoon nap till bedtime. Maybe she's overtired? Have you tried extending afternoon A time to get a longer nap? Or put her to bed earlier and cut down some of your wind down time.
Hazel, we've had tantrums for a while when he doesn't get his way as well. Glad you found the bath time pooping so funny! I wouldn't have felt quite the same! :wink:
Heather, I just installed the locks on most of the kitchen cabinets today. :oops: They were so hard and I had to pre-drill. :? Why can't they make it easy on us and provide self-tapping screws?! Oh, if I made baby products, what I would do.... :roll: Asher's been in the big tub since he could sit well on his own (about 7-7.5 months). He didn't bat an eyelash when we switched over. I just put an inch or two of water in there and he crawls all over and stands up. A few times he got a shock when he tried to lay down and put his face in the water, but no big deal. Oh, and Old Navy sells non-skid socks. Though I still have Asher barefoot when he's not sleeping. His toes don't seem to get cold.
-
Oh, if I made baby products, what I would do....
a budding entrepreneur, perhaps???
btw, LOVED the photo of Asher's bed tent - too funny! :D
-
Jaime – Christmas vacation already!?!?!?!?!? Grr…… We’re not off until Thursday. Then we go back on the 3rd of January. So our break is about a week and a half. I can’t wait!!! Congrats of the weight loss!
Finally got around to posting some pictures of our Water Park Trip on our jusspress site: http://www.dropshots.com/crebner I also posted a video of Leah pulling up now.
Heather – We also have wood floors in our kitchen/dining room. I bought Leah these awesome shoes. They are called Robeez – they are a bit on the expensive side, but totally comfortable and they have a great grip for our kitchen/dining room. http://www.robeez.com/EN-US/default.htm?lang=EN-US&PriceCat=2&refid=5008 Check then out. I found them at a local shoe store. I bought the booties, very fashionable! We haven’t gone to the big tub yet because I don’t want to wait to run all that water. We did buy a blow up one instead that fits inside the big tub. She can move around in it AND pull herself up. We haven’t installed locks yet. I also have been using rubber bands! :wink:
Tarri – I am off to check your videos of Emily. I bet she looks so big! :D
Hazel – Leah also pooped in the tub the other night, but for my mother who was babysitting. She said the water looked a funny color and then she said Leah picked up some of the poop and handed it to her! :lol: I found the story quite funny.
-
My cousin gave Kelsey a pair of Robeez at Thanksgiving, but they are way to big and she trips over the excess. I'm going to get the non-skid socks and look for the Robeez in a smaller size. Julie, didn't you find a generic brand at Target?
-
A generic brand of Robeez? I must have missed that conversation. :oops: If there is one, let us know Julie. :D I'm all for the generic brands, especially this close to Christmas. :wink:
-
Kate - I was trying to add you as a friend on my dropshots site and somehow I added myself as your friend. Hope you don't care! :D
-
Target has a generic brand of Robeez. They are not with the shoes though, they are on the baby aisle with the onesies and such. It took me forever to find them!
-
Julie - Sorry to hear you got sick on your trip, but it sounds like you guys had a good time.
On throwing food from the high chair - Maya does this too, and it drives me nuts. I actually got upset with dh because he was making light of it. We sternly tell her no, that we do not throw food on the floor. After the third time, we take her tray away which is very stressful for me given her weight gain issues. I don't want to take away her food if I think I can get her to eat more, but at the same time, I think we ought to be setting ground rules now.
Christine - Maya cannot sleep with us either. Sometimes we try to bring her into our bed on the weekends to geta few extra minutes of snuggle time, but she just wants to stick her fingers up dh's nose and pull my hair.
Kate - I am going to check out your solids post.
Tarri - I got Maya started on pulling up by sitting her on a short stool so she didn't have as far to pull up. First she pulled up on me, then on her activity table.
Heather - Don't you hate that baby stuff (activity centers, tables, etc) are so lightweight that they can knock them down trying to pull up on them? We have some stuff like that, and it drives me nuts. Maya has a little music table she has pulled down on herself several times.
She has also been in the big tub since about 9mos, but inside an inflatable duck. Someone gave it to us, and I didn't think much of it at first, but Maya loves it. And dh said it makes bathing her easier as there is not as much danger of her slipping and hitting her head. I think her first real word is going to be duck.
And Hanes makes non-skid socks too. I've seen them at WalMart.
Deb - I think some people have already suggested this, but I would try to extend the 2nd A time a bit, esp if she sleeps 1.5hr in the AM. Maya goes down for her AM nap about 9:15-9:30am, sleeps about an hour, then goes down for her PM nap at 2pm. And we had the same experience as Christine - if she goes to bed at 8pm, she is up at 6am. If she goes down at 7:30pm, she is up around 7am. When I get 11.5 hours at night, naps aren't so good. When she sleeps only 10 hours at night, the naps are great the next day. I'm trying to decide which is more important to me. And we have next to no winddown now.
Flat head - Maya is showing some improvement, though it's hard to say whether any of it is due to the helmet or not, since she has rarely worn it due to all the fit issues.
Kate - I would try to extend the 2nd A time as well.
Joanne - We give Advil at night and Tylenol during the day as necessary. We have also tried Orajel while waiting for the painkillers to kick in. During the day, I try to distract her with teethers before giving her any medication.
Hazel - Maya recently bit a pacifier in two while teething. About 10min into her nap, she started screaming hysterically. Dh brought her out and I noticed something in her mouth. When I fished it out, it was the latex part of the pacifier! She swallowed a small piece of it, but luckily we got to her before she choked on the larger part. And Maya has pooed in the tub too, but sadly for dh, it was kind of "loose".
Jaime - Congrats on the weight loss.
Ahh, the nap is over... I'll be back.
-
And Hanes makes non-skid socks too. I've seen them at WalMart.
I have them and really like them. They stay on well. Leah can somehow get the Old Navy 12-24 month ones off her feet.
-
I saw the Robeez-like shoes at Target, and am hoping brother will get them for her for Christmas. Target did not seem to have any non-skid socks, so I will check at Wal-mart. Kelsey has tiny feet. She wears 0-6 in most socks or they come right off.
Deborah-that is so scary about the paci! I'm so paranoid about every little thing (literally :wink: ). I constantly check her clothes for anything hazardous, and all toys (especially since Hazel's story I think) for loose parts. But the paci just goes in the mouth without a second thought. I'll be sure to check them carefully now and keep buying new ones every so often.
-
hi all - i won't have the computer today as Dh is taking it to work... but want to get on quickly and say hi.
Christine - have fun with the pulling up - it is certainly an adventure!
Heather - Olivia has always been in the big bath from day 1 - we used a reclining plastic seat insert for the first 6 mo or so but since she was sittig well (by 7 mo) she is just in the bath with alex - these days she stands up endlessly ("olivia - SIT DOWN" is a constant refrain in bath time now) and even dive bombs for toys and does not mind that she has gone face first into the water ...~ and wanted to say good job chiming in on EASY board threads I think you shoudl consider becoming a moderator next go-around which i think is in the new year. we could use another hand on this board at times.
better get off now.
-
Deb, that is so kind of you to say. I really enjoy "problem-solving" for others even though I don't feel quite that adequate most of the time.
Anyway, since you mentioned it, I went to bed thinking of you last night!! Nooooo, not like that. After looking over some of those posts in the EASY forum, I thought about how much effort you are putting into helping these moms and I thought YOU should be thanked. On top of all else that you have to contend with you are doing such a great service to moms in need. I was going to send you a PM, but thought I'd share with everyone. This goes for all you moderators-great job and thanks!!!
-
I really enjoy "problem-solving" for others even though I don't feel quite that adequate most of the time.
i wouldn't worry about being an "expert" - i'd wager that most of us aren't :wink: at least, i know i'm not!! :lol: but i know that if someone can benefit from what i went through, it's worth it. you never know if you'll like it - and if not, Laura lets you quit after 3 months!
gee, i think that sounded a little too "used-car salesman" like. :oops: :lol:
btw, Deb, i agree with Heather - i think your answers are amazing. course, i am always thankful when you grab those questions about spirited babies on the sleep boards!!! :D
-
Flippin' eck, the tantrums are getting worse! Honestly he had one today that lasted for about 5 mins. In the end I had to just lay him on the floor and leave him to it. When I tried to hold him he just went wild :shock: He is over tired it seems. Once I got him into bed for his afternoon nap he was fine (that was after only 2hours of activity!)
He has also decided to start spitting food back out again when he doesn't want it. He has NEVER refused food before. So we don't know what to do with him now! He seems to only want to eat pureed food today (or at least really mushy). I made him a pasta dish for tea and he kept sucking each mouthful and then spitting out the pasta :? I know I shouldn't panic but seriously what should I do? Should I just offer him the mushy food and nothing else or should I see if he wants something pureed style. I don't want him to get used to only eating pureed food. Then again he's only 10.5 months. But then I guess this is where feeding probs start (is it?) Any advice?
Happy Daniel news - Yesterday he finally started walking with us holding his hands. I've said before that he has always been happy to stand but it's like his feet are glued to the floor. Yesterday and today though he has started stepping. Soo cute to see his little feet going for it!
We also decorated a T shirt for dh's Christmas pressie tonight. My sis and mum helped. We painted Daniel's feet and he made a footprints on a white t shirt. Then I wrote "My daddy's a walk-over" on it. It really looks soooo sweet.
Must go to bed now. I am so tired.
-
Christine/Heather: Yes, what Tammy said, generic Roobez at Target in the baby onesie isle. $13, take your baby with you to try on. The sizing on the back runs small, I had to return the first pair I got. But they've been great for us.
but she just wants to stick her fingers up dh's nose and pull my hair
:lol: :lol: :lol: Same with Asher, Deborah!
Re: Duck tub...I have several friends with the blow up Duck tub from Target and they all rave about it. $10 in the baby bath isle by munchkin, I believe. They don't have to be sitting up yet, they can lean against the back and the bottom is non-skid so they don't slide down.
-
Hazel-I, too, have to just leave Kelsey on the floor sometimes if she's throwing a fit. Oh, and what a cute idea for the t-shirt. He ought to just love it!
I can't help you with the food problem as Kelsey still doesn't eat many textured foods. However, tonight I put my chicken/veggie/rice meal I made in the crock pot in the blender and she actually ate some of it. She didn't seem to love it, but didn't hate it either. Of course, she had already eaten dinner, so she may have been too full. I actually froze some and will try again tomorrow. It made me feel so good to do that for her!
-
Hazel - could Daniel be getting more teeth perhaps? I wouldn't panic and just let him have the pureed food for now, I'm sure he'll come round again. Sounds like he is gaining a lot of new skills at the moment, which may explain his frustration levels going up...? I love the sound of the T-shirt btw!
I see a top tooth about to emerge for us which is, I guess, the reason for a miserable day yesterday, a relapse into multiple waking last night and no going down for morning nap (that's a first). Standing up to hurl her lovey across the room while bawling at the top of her lungs is the new trick. For some reason, she can crash and bash around all day without batting an eyelid but she's made a real meal of every tooth so far - and we haven't even started on the molars yet! :roll: No luck with extending the 2nd nap yet but I'll persist and I'm sure it will come...
Kate
-
Kate - Guess it could be some more teeth coming. We've had no teeth now for nearly 4 months which has been WONDERFUL.
I think Daniel is just too busy these days to want to eat! He has started to do so many new things, plus my parents are now with us (for him to play with :D ), there are Christmas decorations all over the place and so much more to take in. I am guessing this is what is making him play up a bit. We've also had a few really busy days and he is still catching up on his sleep.
The T-shirt printing last night was soooo funny. I will try to post some pictures of the finished t shirt - I can't believe it worked so well actually. I was expecting him to just scrunch his feet up and make a blob on the fabric, but he played along really well. :) I know dh will love it.
Jusspress - I just love all the clips of all your lo's. They are all so amazing. I am just facinated at how much they all pull up and move about. Daniel moves but not like most of your lot :shock: :D
-
Here are the pictures.
-
One more...
-
Hazel - love the shirt!! very cute. ~ about the feeding - i woudl just give him what he will eat and not worry too much about it causing feeding problems. olivia eats either puree or finger foods and very little in between. the speech pathologist we had seen had warned us that this coudl happen and it did. as long as he is continuing to be offered a variety of foods and textures he will probably go back to eating that variety in time. in the meantime he is learning to exert his independence and taste preferences... Olivia throws food overboard all the time and if she does not like the looks of something she will point blank refuse to even try it - if it manages to get in her mouth she will expel it on reflex immediately - barely time fo rit to hit her tastebuds. she has a limited diet but is eating well from that so i am trying to be happy and trust that by 1 yr we will catch up with other kids... i am ensuring she does not eat all puree by making finger foods a part of every meal(i don't worry that she will be eating purees at 15 mo because she still eats chunks of fruit and whole pieces of pasta...)
-
Hazel - the T-shirt is amazing! It looks so professional I would think you could start a business there!
-
Hazel - LOVE the shirt!
I think all of our LO's are into throwing temper tantrums. Must be the age? What's going to happen when they turn 2? :roll: Leah gets very upset when I take something away from her that she wants (mind you that she is NOT suppose to have - pens, christmas lights etc. :wink: )
Does anyone have any good ideas on what to get Leah's sitter for Christmas? I got her a gift card to Walmart, but I want to get her something personal too, but I just can't think of anything cute. Any ideas you creative mommies? :wink:
-
christine - have you seen the crafty christmas thread? there are some intersting things in there
http://www.babywhisperer.com/forum/list-your-crafty-christmas-gift-ideas-here-vt43376.html
i've usually gotten a restaurant giftcard - so she can go out alone with her dh - and then some kind of bath item that i let jaina pick out. the first year i just held a couple of bubble baths by her & watched to see which color made her smile more. :D
-
Heather - Maya has huge feet. I just bought her 18mos-3T size socks. It doesn't matter though - she removes the first before I can get the second on. I put shoes or slippers on her simply to keep the socks on. As for the paci, we check them once day for weak spots and rotate them out. I just bought some silicone ones hoping they'd be more difficult to bite through. Makes me nervous though.
Hazel - I wouldn't worry about, he's probably just teething. Maya eats puree and finger food, but nothing in between. She hates texture in her puree. We just keep offering and figure some day she'll take it. I have had some luck with regular oatmeal. I cook it with formula and cut it with baby oatmeal. And she's going to get beans and rice in the food mill tonight.
Also, the t-shirt was supercute.
Christine - Bath stuff is a good idea, or maybe a nice Christmas ornament?
Us - I can't remember what I posted last, but I think it's been a while. We went to the orthotist last Thursday. Maya is getting a new helmet. We'll have to go back this week to get it. We had a ped appt on Friday. She is up to 16lbs, 7oz, which is pretty good considering she was sick two of the four weeks since her last weight check and she has gotten more mobile.
-
Thanks Jaime - I did check out that thread. Great ideas! :D Now just to find the time.... :roll:
I didn't realize so many of you use pacifiers. We use ours for sleep only. I'm just curious... When do you plan on taking it away? I keep thinking it will be easier when I can just tell her I'm taking it away and she will understand (maybe when she's 10 :lol: J/K - maybe 2?)
-
:?: I need to do a poll, how much total sleep are your LOs getting?
Asher currently gets:
11 hrs night time
min 2 hrs, sometimes up to 3 hrs day time
13~14 hrs total sleep
I'm trying to find the right balance of day and night sleep and I'm making myself crazy. Maybe I'm not being realistic and I'd like to compare to the averages among his age group here.
Hazel, I also think you shouldn't sweat the purees vs. finger foods. I think it's just a phase.
Kate, I had to laugh at the luvie-hurling! :lol: Asher does this too. I can actually tell on the monitor at what point he chucks the luvie because he promptly screams with regret! :lol: :roll: Silly babies!
-
JulieB, Emily sleeps 11-11.5hrs night and about 3 hours day, total about 14 hours.
Us, just got back from the doctor's. I got referal to a different dermatologist and an allergist both at the children's hospital in Ottawa, so hopefully they'll be good. Apparently it'll take a year to see the dermatologist though, but just two months for the allergist.
-
Julieb - Daniel gets about 11.5 hours at night and about 2.5 - 3 hours in day. Totals about 14 hours.
We too are trying to find the right balance of day and night time sleep. It's NOT easy. If I wake him early from his naps he is then tired and more prone to tantrums in the day :? but if I leave him to have his desired 2 hours + 2 hours in the day then we have him waking at about 5am :shock: It's just a case of which is the better of 2 evils I reckon.
We've actually had quite a good day regards eating today. Not much has been spat back out again.
-
christine - i got our sitter a gift card to Borders but she is almost 14 and i figure CDs and DVDs will please her.
Julieb - olivia currently gets 11hrs overnight + 2hr 15 - 3+ hrs naps = generally 13-14hrs total
Tarri - we finaly got a referral to a dermatologist and yesterday they gave us a slot in end january (had been March but they got a cancellation :D ) It is harder to get into an allergust here so this is the best the GP was willing to give me - i have been asking about allergies since olivia was 6 mo old and my GP blew it off, but her skin is so bad now and seems to worsen every week so while my GP is on Xmas leave i made an appointment with the resident (it is hospital affiliated) and got the referral :lol: to start the ball rolling (this was on the advice of the nurses at daycare who think she definitely has some allergy)
-
Hazel, re: Daniel's eating, once you mentioned that you have guests at home it clicked for me. Kelsey can never eat if others are in our home or she's at their's. She's too eager to get down and play with them. Somehow, though, she can eat at a restaurant.
Soooo excited...I found the leather shoes in a Carter's brand at Kohl's for $9!!!!! Then I got another discount on my whole purchase which made them even cheaper. I love Kohl's...it should be called discount city.
Julie-I'd have to say that Kelsey averages 3 hours of day sleep and 11.5 of night. Of course, lately she's been playing more than usuall when being put in her crib, but after a few days of doing that she makes up for it for a few days by going straight to sleep (like today :D ).
-
Leah sleeps 12 hours at night and Naps are - 1 hr 15 min each total = 14.5 hours.
-
luke's doing 11 at night and about 3 during the day (when it's a good day :wink: ) = 14 hrs.
-
I had to trim Kelsey's hair for the 4th time tonight. It grows so quickly, but I'm hoping if I trim it that it will come in thicker.
As for the paci, I'm hoping that after 1yr it will be for sleep only. I actually found it on the floor when I went to get her for a nap one day, so that proves she can sleep without it. Right now she also has it about 30 minutes before a nap, and I use the paci keeper to have it with her while we're out to calm her if she gets fussy. She usually keeps it in while in the car. I hope it totally gone by 2 yrs.
-
I had to trim Kelsey's hair for the 4th time tonight. It grows so quickly, but I'm hoping if I trim it that it will come in thicker.
:shock: :shock: You do realize you are making me totally jealous!?!?! :wink:
-
I am only home for 3 more weeks before a return to work - on my DS's birthday none the less. I am trying to absorb as much baby time and info as possible.
Hazel - awesome shirt.
JulieB - My DS sleeps 11 hours at night and from 3 to 4 hours during the day.
Thanks for letting me put in my 2 cents.
Terri
-
Keep the sleep times coming!
So far, I've concluded Asher is on the short end of the sleep spectrum. But I don't know if that's just the high needs aspect of his personality, or I'm hindering his sleep in some way. I just don't get it. I have days where he sleeps 11 hours that night, then takes a 1:15 hr morning nap and 45 minute afternoon. But I can't get him back to sleep for the life of me. So I think I need to limit the morning nap more or that he's getting too much night time sleep. Then TODAY, after sleeping in, 11.5 hours of night sleep, he proceeds to take a 1:30 morning nap (didn't wake him in time) and a 2+ hr afternoon nap!! :shock: :? So it's completely possible!! Is it that he's not getting enough night sleep (11 hrs) and so he's over tired for longer naps?! We'll see what time he wakes in the morning. Funny thing is, he still happily goes to bed at 8:00 despite getting up from his nap at 5:30! :roll:
He slept SO well at the hotel. Could have been how tired he was. But like I said before, that trip solved his night wakings. Makes me wonder if there's something to that cozy little pack n play tent. No slats to hit your head on, much darker, smaller cozy nest.... Today I shut the blinds more for his afternoon nap. I usually have them cracked during the day to differinciate day/night. It's still quite dark, but he sleeps toward the window, and I've been doing this since he was 3-4 months old. But since the pack n play tent was so dark, I decided to give it a try today. I wonder if that's why the nap was longer.
-
Ciara does 12-12.5 hrs at night, (with or without wakings!) and then lately can't seem to get more than 2hrs during the day. It was 3hrs in the day until the past couple of weeks, but maybe that's because she was waking up more at night before. She does seem to either have good nighttime sleep or good daytime sleep.
And Julie, Ciara definitely sleeps better when it's dark in her room. We have very light curtains in her room and on a sunny day, nice though it is and a rarity here, she struggles to nap well. When we move I am going to get dark shades!
-
julieb - once luke could tell between night & day (around 7-8 weeks?), i covered his window in aluminum foil (hey, cheaper than blackout curtains :wink: ), making his room pitch black. he never has a problem with sleeping too long during the day, but it definitely helped his naps to extend. it's still up - i might take it down when he's 18! :lol:
also, it sounds kinda folklore-ish, but when you were at disney, you were outside a LOT. seems to me that outside air makes them more tired. since you're maybe as cold as we are now, maybe getting asher outside at least once a day will help?
christine - jaina's pacifier "vanished" one day a few months ago - she was a little over 2 at the time. :oops: she'd only been using it for sleep times. i might've gone longer, but i'd accidentally dropped the thing behind her desk & couldn't reach it! but once she saw it wasn't in the normal spot, she understood it was gone. she was a little restless that first day & night, but has never looked for it since. probably should have done it a lot sooner! :oops: :lol:
Heather - what do you use to cut Kelsey's hair? john wants to cut luke's, but i'm to scared to let him!!!
us - i think luke's working on something BIG. his afternoon naps have gone to pot. he sleeps for about an hour, i spend an hour convincing him he needs to sleep more, and then he sleeps for another hour. :roll: he's started butt-scooting this week. it's too funny to watch - i wish i had a video camera! but while he's sitting, he can manuver his arms & legs so he drags himself along. he also is trying to pull up on my leg & a couple other things! we may be on to something here... :D
-
Hi ladies. I only have a few moments to myself, so I only have time to ask for any insight into my current situation!
Ethan was sleeping great until about a month ago. He was going down about 7 pm, and waking about 6:30 am = 11.5 hours nighttime sleep. He was then taking anywhere from 2 to 3 hours naptime total during the day (2 naps).
The past few weeks, he has started waking around 5:15 or 5:30 every day. Sometimes he babbles for a while, and will fall back asleep eventually until around 7 am. Other times, he is up, and will not go back to sleep, and I have to get him finally (I try to wait as long as possible since it's so early!).
I have tried moving bedtime back a little bit (7:15, 7:30, and on a couple of occasions 8 ), and it doesn't seem to matter. He still wakes at 5 something.
I KNOW he is not getting too much daytime sleep, cause he is not the best daytime napper in the world. If I get one 1.5 hour nap out of him a day, that's a good thing. Plus, seems like half the time, he's taking two 30 minute naps all day, which is definitely not enough.
Anyway, does anyone have any insight? It's weird to me that he just suddenly dropped from 11.5 hours at night to 10.
Plus, nothing is waking him up (e.g. newspaper delivery, furnace coming on, etc.) externally, it's just him!
Mommy is getting very tired at getting woken up at 5 every morning! :roll: :(
Thanks for listening!
-
Julie-when Asher sleeps 11 hrs as opposed to 11.5, do you put him down for his first nap earlier? Would that possibly help combat the overtiredness? I think at this age he has night and day figured out, and I would darken his room if it helps. Kelsey also naps as late at 5:30 some days and still goes back to bed at 8. I just figured it's the same amount of day sleep regardless of when she got it.
If it's any consolation, my cousin has 4 children, and at 1 yr they each hit a growth spurt that lasted a month or more and made them extremely sleepy. They would get up to 16 hours of sleep.
Jaime-I just use small scissors. I get her extremely distracted and have someone else with me, and keep my whole hand between her and the scissors. Last night I did it when she was in the tub, but I've done it on the changing table just after a bath before. When I cut the front, I lay her on the changing table and give her something out of the ordinary to play with that completely intrigues her.
-
Tammy - Leah will sometimes wake that early and I give her a bottle. I know that ruins the whole "3 bottles a day" that I say I'm on...but four a day every now and then doesn't hurt. :wink: I don't know why it works, but I don't care at 5 am I just feed her and she goes back to sleep till 7. SO, I just keep doing it. I think I read somewhere in Tracy's book that this was alright to do.
BOOTS! For those of you in cooler climates (we are sitting at below zero degrees many mornings! :shock: ) Where did you find boots for your LO? All of the boots I have found are size 5 and up. Leah wears size 3 or 4.
-
Christine-Target, my dear, Target! My mom has some for Kelsey for Christmas.
-
Of course I should have known. Target is one of my favorite stores (along with Kohls :wink: ) Now I just need to get there. The closest Target is 40 miles away. :( I hate that!
Edited to add: Heather - I totally agree with Deb. You NEED to become a moderator in the new year. You have such awesome advice and it is always in such a friendly straight forward way. I'm keeping my eye out for a board for you. :wink:
-
Thanks, I probably would like to try it. I'm on the computer so much that I ought to do something good with it!
Kohls has the boots, too. I saw them yesterday in the baby department with the socks and bibs, etc.
-
Tammy - I don't know if you can remember but about a month or so ago (I notice Ethan is about a month younger than D) Daniel was doing just the same thing - waking up every morning at about 5am, sometimes eventually going back to sleep but other times being up for the day at that time. I would try to leave him as long as poss but sometimes that would still mean starting the day at 6am :shock: We tried playing with bedtime, but it made no difference. I have no idea really what changed, but now he sleeps til closer to 6.30 / 7.00. I'm sure it's just something they go through. I thought maybe Daniel was gonna start crawling or some new trick around that time but he didn't. Milk never did the trick either. He just thought he was getting his breakfast next!
I wish I had some great advice on what worked for us but I never did figure it out. The only advice I have is to go to bed earlier :wink:
Jaime - Luke's bum shuffling sounds cute. I used to think Daniel would move this way but not yet. He prefers to dirty all his tops by dragging himself along the floor on his tummy :lol:
Julieb - Daniel's room is almost pitch black for naps as well as at night. I try every now and then to leave it slightly lighter but he often wakes earlier from his nap (may just be coincidence but I'd rather not try!)
Haircuts - I've cut Daniel's hair twice (mainly just around his ears) but his hair is looking now like it needs a proper cut. What shall I do? I am scared to go at the whole lot :? :) It's nearly in his eyes at the front. Heather I could do with you around to trim it for us. With all your practice on Kelsey you must be quite the expert!
Having advised Tammy to go to bed earlier I should take heed myself and get to bed. I am sooo tired for some reason these days.
Take care everyone.
PS Just another thankyou to everyone again - I LOVE this thread.
-
I am sooo tired for some reason these days.
Hazel, could you be PG????
-
Heather - Great minds think alike!!!!!!!!! That was my exact thought when I read Hazel's post! :wink: So Hazel.....is there something you're not sharing with your online family!? :wink:
-
Well, Asher woke early this morning. I left him for an hour but he never went back to sleep. :roll: Tomorrow I'm going to try leaving the blinds closed all day (already have foil on the window!! :lol: ).
Heather, I do put him down earlier if he wakes early.
Hazel, I'm also wondering if you're PG???
Tammy, I went through this with Asher and then we got on CA time during the trip. I was trying everything. Some people suggested moving bedtime back or forward in short increments for a long time (like give a 15 minute switch two weeks!) to let his body get accustomed to it. Last thing I was messing with was making the house/him warmer in the mornings and using big night time diapers so maybe he wouldn't feel as much of the wetness? I also tried putting a stuffed bear in there for him to play with (though this hasn't worked yet). Maybe you could try some of those.
We're not cutting Asher's hair. At least, not for a long while, even though it's over his ears and stuff. We just tuck it behind his ears. We don't know what we want to do with it yet.
-
just a quick post as i am exhausted and have to get dinner ready for the girls!
Hazel - i don't know if you are or want to be PG but good luck and let us know if anythign is there...
I took olivia in to get weighed and measured for the first time in 2 months and she is so huge (i knew that but now itis so real) she is 10 mo and weighs 10.5 kg (23 pounds) which is like 95% still and still only 50% for height which is 70.5cm (almost 28 in.)
-
Oh good grief, you lot are sooo funny :lol: If I'm PG it's a miracle! We're not gonna start trying til at least April I don't think. So no, I must just be tired for no particular reason. I reread my post though and I don't blame you all for thinking I might be - it does read a bit like I'm trying to hint at something :D This does make me excited though about when I can actually tell you that I am. NOT FOR A WHILE YET THOUGH.
Deb - I read your post about the poopiest day ever. So funny. You sound like you coped well. Good on ya.
Tammy - don't know if this will help, but it's worth mentioning. For a while now Daniel had started waking at about 5am, chatting but then going back to sleep. When I went to get him up at 7am he was usually wet (leaked). We recently changed from Pampers 'baby dry' to Pampers 'active fit' nappies (better absorbency and stretch apparently) and he has since not woken up at 5am :D He always lies on his left side and it was always his left side where his nappy leaked. Could it be like Julie suggested that the overful nappy is waking him? We too have made Daniel warmer (put a long sleeved bodysuit on under his jammies) and this seems to help as well. Just some thoughts.
Julie - I am hesitant to give daniel a hair cut as well. It looks a bit of a mess but in some ways I quite like it. When he wakes up it sticks up all over the place. Just so adorable, I don't think I want to chop it all off just yet :D
-
So my baby is basically bald, so all of you talking about haircuts.... making me jealous! :wink: I bet we won't have to cut Leah's hair till she's two! I did hear the same thing as Heather - if you cut it, it will grow back in thicker.
-
Tammy, I agree, Ethan's definately not getting enough sleep. I'm thinking the bad daytime sleep is leading to early wakings. I can't help too much as my munchkin started the day at 4:45am today, but usually she's up around 6:00am. I find I just go with the flow and keep her naptimes at the same time so they day gets back on track. I wonder if Ethan could be ready to move to one long afternoon nap? Also, I wonder if he's teething? I know if Emily's teething it doesn't matter how perfect her routine is...she just sleeps less. Also, I go to bed at 9:30pm.
Hair cutting, dh has trimmed Emily's hair 3 times already. She was born with lots of hair and it never fell out! We find the best way is to put her on her tummy on our bed and then dh just uses his finger width between her head and scissors and cuts it all the same length. (the same way he trims the dog :oops: :D )
JulieB, we have a pull down blind and black out curtains on her windows. Its weird but even if it's a really cloudy day and her room is extremely dark during naps she still somehow knows that it's just a nap and not nighttime. Do you have any videos that you took at Disney?
Deb, somehow we were lucky and Emilys allergist and dermatologist appointment are in January :D :D . Yesterday I tried Oilatum bath additive for the first time, not sure if it helped but she didn't react to it either.
Us, Emily's walking is improving but still no progress on falling properly, crawling or pulling up :? :? . In fact she's spends barely anytime on her tummy anymore cause she's so good at sitting and leaning forward without falling. We're also into early wakings...can you believe we started the day at 4:45am!!! :twisted: :x I went in four times from then till 5:30 and she wouldn't stop crying/groaning. I really don't know how she stays awake till nap time at 9:00am. But the best is to go with the flow cause she has no night wakings and still usually takes a good 3hrs of day naps.
Schae, I guess your still moving into your new house?
-
Tarri here is a pic of Hannah's Little Tykes walker. I got it at TRU when there was a buy $20 worth of LT stuff get the wlker free. I bet it's cheapest at good 'ol Walmart though.
Gotta run..... it's almost naptime :)
-
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions regarding the super early 5 am wakeups! And because I posted that yesterday, he slept straight thru until 7 am this morning! :D
As for his diaper - it has never leaked, and while it is full, it's no more full than it was before the wakeups started.
Playthings in his crib - he already has Teddy (self-explanatory) and George (a stuffed monkey), and an extra pacifier. His favorite game once he is awake (and after naps too) is to throw everything over the side and stare at it. :roll:
Naptimes - well, the naptimes have gotten better this past week. He has been taking 1.5 hour nap in the am, and about a 1 hour nap in the pm. So I can't *currently* complain about that! I don't think he's ready for one nap yet, as he gets very cranky in the morning for his nap.
So, I'm just going to try and stick with our routine as best I can. I know there's no *magical* solution, and I do appreciate all your comments. Helps me think of things I may or may not have tried. I've had some people tell me that their lo's did this around this age for no apparent reason, and then after a month or so, went back to sleeping in later. Since this has been happening for at least 2 to 3 weeks now, I'm hoping maybe the end is in site! :wink: I can hope right?!?
Hair cutting - Ethan has hair, but not enough to even remotely warrant a haircut! I'm glad for that though, cause he's in constant motion, so I don't know how a haircut would even work right now!
Tarri - I think before you know it, Emily will be crawling and falling all over the place! Ethan just lets go of stuff and plunk, down on his butt. He's getting better at learning how to fall instead of just plunking down on his head or something. He's trying to let go of stuff and get his balance now, it's so cute to watch him rock back and forth before falling!
Hazel - I knew when you mentioned that you were tired, everyone was going to immediately thing "SHE'S PREGNANT!" But I've been tired too, I think it's just the running around with the holidays, etc. And I'm DEFINITELY not PG!
Julieb - I'm glad you had a good time at Disneyland. You're much braver than I - I would simply DREAD taking Ethan there at his age. When he's older, that's another story! :)
Well, I know I won't have time to post again before Christmas, so I want to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy Holidays! :D
-
His favorite game once he is awake (and after naps too) is to throw everything over the side and stare at it. :roll:
:lol: :lol: :lol: Leah too! Must be the age. Except she does this with her pacifiers when I first put her down for a nap. Then she will call for me and look at them on the floor and point and smile. :roll: They are so funny at this age! :D
-
Hi everyone,
I'm sorry I've been quiet lately. Things haven't been so good and I didn't want to whine endlessly. We have all been sick which was pretty scary. 103 temps for all of us last week. It was awful. I wasn't doing well, my dh finally shows up, gets us all sick and then I'm taking care of two babies while trying to survive myself. Was up with Eirwen until 1am some nights but she is doing much better now. We are trying to get all unpacked because our Christmas gathering is here. I don't want to take Eirwen on the drive up to my parents house as much fun as that would be I think she is still recovering (chest rattles poor baby must watch closely).
Having lots o' family problems :roll: Maybe this is why I left :wink: I think I will post something on the couch board later about everything. I could use some perspective and also support of course! I seem to need a lot of that lately.
:arrow: Eirwen's awake time is still on the short side. She sleeps 12 to 13 hrs at night and takes 2, 2 hr naps. So total is 16-17 hrs.
:arrow: Eirwen has beautiful hair but it is so light that she looks bald from a distance. There isn't much to trim and besides it is all curling up like mine in the back. They are adorable little ringlets.
:arrow: I have been reading up on all your many pages. I still feel like Eirwen is very "slow" for some things. In some ways all of your little ones sound so much older than her. She is just starting to place weight on her feet. She still does not crawl "properly" but can get around the room quite quickly, sometimes she gets to all 4's but then goes splat on the belly :wink: Still no pulling up or anything. She babbles a lot but doesn't call for me or dh specifically. I do hope these things will come in time. I am expecting her at this point to walk very late.
:arrow: For Eirwen's slowness in gross motor she seems quite talented in fine skills. She impressed me by taking the mallet on the xylophone yesterday and hitting the notes with it. I was very shocked. We also have this activity block that has a magnetic circle that eventually they are supposed to spin it around with it's little stick. Well, she figured this out on her own as well yesterday and this morning she went over to it as was trying to spin the circle with the stick again. Crazy girl! Also she now loves her finger foods but how she eats them is so crazy cute- she loves a half of piece of wheat bread and she takes it and breaks off tiny little pieces and then places them in her mouth. She also does this with the little puffs too, she breaks off the corners and places the pieces in her mouth. I am very impressed by these things. She also seems to know words very well. She knows "boobie" "kitty" "papa" "diaper" and "ducky". Her recognition is kind of astounding to me.
Well, I miss you guys!
HUGS!
-
Branwen, Eirwen sounds very similar to Daniel with regards mobility etc... Try not to worry about it. I have little worries every now and then but I know it will all come together in time. I took Daniel to be weighed and measured today (26lb 13oz (are we catching up with Matty yet?) and 75 cm) All the health visitor could go on about was whether or not he could crawl 'properly', walk, pull up etc.. She kept telling me not to worry at which point I felt like saying 'well I wasn't until you made me feel like he's backward :? !!!' Daniel, too is very good at fine motor stuff and astounds me with how long he spends sometimes just investigating different objects. I guess this just means they're not so interested yet in getting about. All they need to keep them happy is a new and interesting object to explore.
So sorry to hear yo've all been so ill. You poor things. Let's hope you all recover fully and can now enjoy being a family in your new home. Yay.
Happy Daniel news - he is now learning to put his toys away. He has always loved emptying the toybox but never been able to let go of things to put them back again. This morning he did it for the first time. (Just in time to put all his new Christmas toys away each time he finishes with them :D ) So sweet because he claps after each toy has been put away.
Must dash. Dinner is on the table :D
-
Hazel- that is so adorable about putting the toys away. How have you been teaching him that? Eirwen too loves pulling everything out, and especially enjoys watching me put it away!
-
Branwen - I haven't really been teaching him at all. I read somewhere that they have to actually learn how to let go of an object voluntarily. I guess I just noticed this morning that he was dropping toys in to the basket, so I cheered and clapped. He did it again and I cheered and clapped (Bet we all know this routine so well :lol: ) It definitely coincides with him learning to throw. He only started that in the last few days. Picks something up and then flings it across the room. Oh to be a child again and find so much enjoyment in simple things like this...
We just got our 2nd safety gate up this evening. The house is starting to feel more and more like a prison :wink: But as long as it keeps the little man safe.
Sleep well everyone (actually you're probably all waking up). Which reminds me, what is the time difference between where you are and the UK? I often wonder but never get round to finding out!
-
Which reminds me, what is the time difference between where you are and the UK? I often wonder but never get round to finding out!
well, here on the East Coast we're about 5 hours behind you. so if it's 10pm where you are, it's 5pm where i (and Deborah) am.
Heather is one hour behind us, and Tammy too i think (not sure about Christine), and Branwen is 1 hour behind them. julieb i'm not sure about, cause her state's on its own time :wink: and i know nothing about canadian time (sorry tarri! :lol: )
branwen, good to see you! although sorry you've been having such a rotten week. i think you're right about Eirwen - she's taking her time on her gross motor skills, but she's fantastic with her fine motor skills. jaina was like that - i am still amazed at the dexterity she has with her fingers.
happy luke thing - this week, he's started "sharing" his toys. now, one of his favorites is to toss/hand you a toy & have you throw it back to him too cute!!!
have a great night everyone, and if i don't make it back again, merry christmas! all of our parents are descending on us tomorrow. :shock: making lasagna tonight.... mmmm.... 8)
-
I should know better by now that just because I don't get an email, it doesn't mean no one is posting.
Christine - We never thought we'd still be using the pacifier now. Our plan was to wean her off of it when she got used to sleeping with the helmet. With all the helmet probs, that has not happened. And it seems every time we make some progress in her not needing at all the time to go to sleep, we go somewhere for the weekend or family visits, we have a dreadful time, and she is more dependent upon it than ever. That said, it stays in the crib, and we're trying to get away from popping it in her mouth. We try to set it within her reach, so she can get it is she wants it. If she's is a good mood and not overtired, sometimes we don't offer it to her at all.
JulieB - Maya gets ~11.5hrs at night, and 2-2.5hrs during the day. I actually just posted about the balance of daytime and nighttime sleep on the general sleep board. In the last two months her sleep needs have dropped dramatically. We haven't had great naps of late, though, so I don't know that I can offer any advice.
Tammy - It definitely sounds like he's not getting enough sleep. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but have you tried putting him down a little earlier? That said, Maya went through a phase of 5am wake-ups at around 8mos. What finally broke the cycle was a night of really screwed up sleep when we stayed at my aunt's for the night (without having planned to stay, so we had nothing with us, and she slept on the floor).
Maya has an extra pacifier in the crib too. She alternates testing them out until she decides which one she wants for that nap. It's too funny. I think I threw her for a loop tonight when I gave her one silicone and one latex.
Branwen - I don't think Eirwen is slow. Maya finally just started crawling today, and she doesn't pull up on anything. She is just starting to take steps when holding our hands, but not very well. It will be awhile before she walks.
Happy Maya news - She's crawling! And she said duck. Dh has been practicing that with her forever. She's said it a couple times now, and Monday when we were shopping for Christmas ornaments she saw a little rubber duck ornament, pointed, and said duck. I was so proud. I bought it, and it is her official first Christmas ornament.
-
Hazel-it appears I started something for you :oops: . Sorry, but it was all in fun. So neat that Daniel can put toys away. Kelsey's still just pulling them out as fast as possible and throwing them over her shoulder. At least I can keep her put for awhile by throwing them back in for her to continue pulling them out!
Tarri-your haircutting story had me laughing. Too funny.
Joanne-is that push behind walker stable enough so that it doesn't roll forward and pull baby down? I know that MIL is getting one for Kelsey, but that worries me; that she'll lean and it will go flying and she'll be down on her face. Very cute pics, btw!
Branwen-so sorry to hear of the illness. High temps are a scary thing. Please find comfort in our support and HUGS to you. I know that deep down you know this, but Eirwen is fine. She is a brilliant little girl and she's beautiful and healthy.
Jaime-I thought TN was in the same time zone as you? Shows how much I know. That's cute about Luke sharing. Only time Kelsey "shares" is when she crams her paci up my nose :roll: .
Deborah-congrats to Maya on the crawling! You'll both be getting your exercise now! I had the same thought about not getting the emails for new posts.
-
Well Asher slept in again, if you can believe it! The stinker. And his naps were on the short side. I think the pm nap would have been long but he woke and couldn't breathe (and couldn't suck the thumb). :roll: So who knows anymore!
Tarri, I have over two hours of DL video, but alas, none was on my little digital camera (the one I use for dropshots). I haven't figured out how to capture the digital video from the camcorder yet. I'll have to ask DH. Really, it wasn't very entertaining. Most of it was Asher's blank stare of amazement/confusion/indifference. :lol:
Branwen, sorry about the sickness! It sounds terrible! We were battling that all month as well. No fun when you're sick too!! Eirwen's fine motor skills sound incredible! Especially the eating! I also saw the video of her cleaning her tray. She's so smart for such a young age.
AZ vs. UK time: Well, I think I'm about 8-10 hours behind. I remember one of my old clients in the UK would call me around 8-9 in the morning and he was just getting ready to head home. Always loved talking to him cuz he called me "mu Luv." And that accent...swoon! :oops: :wink:
Heather, the push walkers do take a bit for them to get used to, so she may take a couple falls. But I'm sure she'll get the hang of it quickly. They're usually so entranced by the new toy that they don't care if they take a couple spills while learning. And the big smiles you'll get! They're SO proud once they figure out how to walk along with it. It's a new found freedom and mobility of walking like a "big kid." :D
-
Deborah - woo hoo!!! yay Maya!!! that's awesome! and i love the story about the duck - what a great thing to tell her about how she got her first ornament! :D
Heather - wouldn't have known otherwise, except i've driven to TN a bunch of times. the easternmost parts are in the Eastern time zone, but the line is around the mountains in Knoxville. seems to me you were closer to Nashville, which is definately Central.
-
Heather - The front wheels of the walker have brakes on them so that when they push it they don't go flying. When Hannah first got it she would pull it over on herself, now she has a lot more strength in her legs so she can pull up on it easily. She really likes it and gets very excited when she walking with it.
Joanne
-
So I'm an hour ahead of Julieb and Branwen and I think an hour behind Jaime? Would that make me the same as Heather and Tammy? Not sure! How about this: Right now it is 10:26 am my time! :D And Leah is taking her morning nap. :D :D And I am off of school for a week and a half! :D :D :D (that one deserves three smiles! :wink: )
Jaime - Leah has decided she wants to share her food! :lol: She will put a peach chunk in her mouth, then take it out and try and give it to me! :lol: I'll try to get a video of that sometime for dropshots.
-
Jaime, I am in Knoxville, Eastern time, and Central time does cut over around Nashville. So I think Christine is 2 hours behind me (your post said 12:26 on the screen and you said it was 10:26). I think this is too much for our mommy brains!
Dh is cooking a meal tonight and we're having a few friends over. Hopefully Kelsey will be good rather than the pill she's been the past few evenings. Oh, by the way, I nevered answered the "what's your dh's name" question. Mine is Kevin.
We actually had my mom watch Kelsey for a bit this morning and we went and shopped together. Haven't done that in AGES! It wasn't terribly exciting, but I love to shop regardless :wink: . He insisted on getting Kelsey a few more things, and the dog something.
Gotta run and help prepare the feast!
-
A funny Hannah story quickly before I head to bed.........Hannah still has a mobile hanging over her crib, though we don't wind it up anymore at nap time. I decided to leave it there since we are selling our house and it looks so cute hanging there......anyway. I hear her awake over the monitor so I go in to her room to pick her up and what do you suppose??She was hanging from the mobile like a monkey on a chandelier!! It was so funny. I put 2 and 2 together and figured that was the reason that the mobile was tipped over every time I looked at it.
Also, her new thing this week is to sign more :) I was so excited to see her do it, but she has caught on that I get a kick out of it and will sign more when she wants to get my attention. She's such a hoot.
-
Merry Christmas to everyone tomorrow! I can't wait to see pictures of the LO's as they open their gifts. Here's hoping for a wonderful Christmas time - and hoping that our LO's are well behaved! :wink:
-
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!
-
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-
Merry christmas for tomorrow. Have fun. Just think how things have changed from this time last year...
Take care one and all.
-
Merry Christmas to you all and happy Chanukah if anyone besides me celebrates it - we hav just had christmas morning and tonight have Xmas dinner (and overnight stay) at our best friends' house (with their 3 little boys) and then Chanukah starts tonight too. as it lasts 8 nights and i put aside 8 presents for each of the girls i think our house is insane with wrapping paper :lol:
before you think i am insane we have pressies from friends and family too and i bought some second hand books and puzzles for the girsl too since i knew it was going to be 8 days + Xmas (last year alex did not know too much so we did not do the full holiday..) This is the first time in over 50 years that mas and Chanukah have fallen on the same day :D
-
Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope everyone has a wonderful day :D
From Tarri, Peter and Emily
-
Christmas was insane. :shock:
Things I learned this Christmas:
1. Everything takes much longer with a baby.
2. Only open presents when baby is in a good mood (preferably after a nap and after eating).
3. Only open a few presents at a time, wait, then open a few more later.
4. Open all boxes, assemble all toys, insert all batteries, THEN wrap presents so toys are ready to go immediately.
5. Always have wire cutters handy.
6. Caffine Free Pepsi still appears to have some caffine. I'm wired.
I will do things differently for Asher's birthday. He was mildly interested in opening presents, but was quickly bored when he realized the pretty shiney play thing was behind plastic and it's gonna take a stick of dynamite to get it out. :roll: He was more interested in eating the paper and bows (note photo). We will put away most of the new toys tomorrow and start the rotation with just a few so its not so overwhelming. The FP Drop N Roar Dinosaur was a big hit though, even though I was a afraid it might be too young for him. He's just starting to get into cause/effect stuff and shape sorters/ball droppers. He never sat still longer enough before!
Overall, it was good. He got some good stuff and some not so good stuff (some people just have NO clue about buying toys! :lol: ). And he got several long sleeved shirts and sweaters -- even though it was 80 degrees today! :lol: :roll: And these people have lived here for 20+ years! :shock:
-
Well, Christmas was great! We had such a great day. Reading Julie's post made me smile. I definitely agree with your first point learnt - things take longer with a baby! Daniel enjoyed all the present opening but he did get a little overwhelmed towards the end and started making a new whinge noise we'd not heard before.
He did so well though and surprisingly followed my plan / timetable for the day :shock: :lol: He stayed awake from 7am til 11.30am. Then had a good nap. Then ate Christmas dinner with us (he loves turkey!). Then played happily. Then slept for about 1.25 hours til about 5.30pm. Then we all went to my SIL (not the one with the newborn :!: ) for the evening (15 of us altogether). Daniel stayed up (happily) til 9pm playing. Then he slept on the floor between 2 pillows ( :shock: :shock: ) straight through til we went home at about 12.30. Talk about angel baby. He made us soooo proud. His cousin was using his travel cot so Daniel got the floor (well on a sleeping bag to add a bit of comfort). But he didn't seem to mind at all.
Christmas dinner was a laugh. Having recently had all these problems with daniel not wanting to eat any finger foods he decided turkey was not worth wasting. Oh and daddy's chocolate mouse was worth eating too. After the meal we let Daniel get really messy. We squirted cream on to his tray and let him explore (see photo attached). Needless to say we had to bath him straight after!
We're off out for a brisk walk now to burn off all the extra calories. (Diet will have to start again in the new year :oops: )
Hope everyone survived the day well. Look forward to hearing all the fun stories soon.
-
Hope everyone had a great Christmas/Chanukah. We too learned many things like Julieb. Although I have to admit that Leah did great! Our festivities started Friday night and we still have another one this afternoon. :roll: Somehow Leah managed to get herself on a 8 to 8 schedule, which has helped us greatly. Now I have to move it back to a 7 to 7 when I go back to school (I may just enjoy it for a few days more! :D ) Sat night and last night she went to sleep at different peoples houses and we picked her up and took her home around 11, then she went right back to sleep at home. I was amazed at how adaptable she was. She got WAY too many toys and was a bit overwhelmed. She did get her push walker though and boy she really moves! I have vidoes and pics I will post on dropshots sometime this week. Will post more later. Love the pictures and stories ladies! Keep them coming!
-
Yes, I must add that Asher did quite well considering. But, like Disneyland, I think it was a bit disappointing for me & DH. No big hoopla or reactions. Oh well, next year! He is only 10.5 months after all!! I have to keep reminding myself of that.
Oh, one of the most surprising things was he received a toy telephone (though it resembles nothing like a real phone) and as we were dialing and saying hello, he lifted the reciever up to his ear to listen with no prompting from us! I thought, "What a clever boy!!" I can still hardly believe it. It's amazing the little things they catch on to us and copy, like simply talking on the phone!
-
Hello all! Christmas was a bit crazy around here, but not too bad. We had Christmas with dh's family at our house (which was nice to be at home) on Friday. Ethan did pretty well, but doesn't care much for opening the presents. We did give him one that made noise and music, so he was interested in that for a good little while, while daddy opened the rest of Ethan's presents! Ethan went down for his pm nap while we were still opening presents, so once he was down, dh and I were able to unwrap and oogle a bit ourselves.
We had Christmas with my family yesterday (on Christmas). Ethan was a bit overwhelmed, and not terribly happy yesterday. It wasn't the activity, I think he was just a tad cranky yesterday. :? Oh well. Was able to put him down for his pm nap in his pack n play in my parents bedroom, and he at least took his usual 1 hour pm nap, so it could've been worse! It was fun watching my nephew open his presents - he's so one-track minded (he's 2 weeks shy of turning 2), you can't get him to even look at the next item, cause he's still playing with the first thing he opened! Cute.
So, I'm trying to bury this question in a post where my SIL won't read it...
She is probably going to have a scheduled c-section on Jan. 9. I'd like to make her a "mommy" gift basket, stuff just for her, not for the baby. It can be bath things, slippers, snacks, etc. So, I was wanting to get some ideas from you guys as what you would have loved to receive after your delivery. She is also planning to breastfeed this time around (didn't work out well with her first), so anything in that arena that I could put in would work too.
Thanks!
-
Tammy I gave my SIL thiings like that when she had her 1st and included bath bombs, an eye mask from Body Shop that you chill in the fridge (the kind that you wear to ease tension headaches, relax etc NOT the kind to clean your face KWIM), nice smelling soaps and hand lotion. I also threw in a bottle of wine for BIL (and her when she was drinking)
-
I will post about Christmas later, but thought I'd chime in to Tammy for a sec. For bfing, you could give her the nipple cream (lansinoh I think or something similar), nursing pads, definitely hand lotion, a comfy cotton shirt, breath mints or some other hard candy, packs of peanut butter crackers, extra soft socks. HTH
-
Deborah: I am in awe that Maya said duck AND pointed at the object. That is wonderful.
Christine, Heather, love the Christmas avatars. Heather, how did you just get her to sit there AND smile???
Branwen, how are you and Eirwen doing in your new home?
Hazel, Daniel's pics made me laugh out loud, what a character.
Tammy, I agree with what Heather listed for your gift to your SIL. I too had a C-section and all I could think of is Motrin, I would have wanted that right away, and maybe some tylenol :D I lived in my nightgown after mine so that would be another suggestion from me.
Matty is trying to walk and so far is able to go about ten steps before falling. Its exciting and a bit nerve wracking. He was not in the greatest mood this weekend so we only got a few pics. Even so, we had a great time this Christmas and are still celebrating Chanukah.
Happy Holidays everyone
Julie
-
Tammy - I'll give some thought to what I needed/wanted after my section. The only thing that springs to mind at the moment though is breast pads for breast feeding. (I used so much that I went through 300 in less than 5 days :shock: :shock: :shock: ) I'm not suggesting you should buy her that many though - could be a little over-facing :lol:
-
2 more piccies to make you laugh :lol:
-
Hazel, he is too cute. How many teeth does he have?
Matty weighed 26 lbs at his 9 month checkup. I'm afraid to weigh him again, as I know he is bigger now!
Julie
-
Recent Matty pic:
-
Julie, I just LOVE that photo of Matty! Darling!
Tammy, are you giving it after she gets home or at the hospital? For BF, a purple tube of lansinoh cream (kind that you don't have to wash off before BFing), and Soothies gel pads (helps with the soreness and such). For hospital, antibacterial hand gel (too hard to get up all the time) and brush ups (? those disposable finger toothbrushes). Also some peppermint essential oil to help go pee afterward (put some on a cottonball in a cup and hold it under you for a few minutes, the fumes help those muscles relax and open up). For home, various quick, easy, and healthy snacks that she can grab in a pinch while sitting to BF or on the go.
Poor naps today. Asher is officially teething again. I can see the start of 4 more teeth. :shock: And I FINALLY added a few new videos to dropshots.
-
Tammy - I thought of something useful (at least I could have done with some!). When I was breast feeding I got TERRIBLY constipated. So a pack of senokot (or some other laxative) could be useful :lol: Hopefully she won't need it but better safe than sorry I say!
We're off to my ILs tomorrow for 5 days :shock: It's a 4 hour journey so I'm praying Daniel does well. Packing up is always such a HUGE task these days. Better get on with it.
Also think Daniel is teething again. (Julie - he has 8 teeth) He has been chomping so hard on everything in sight today. Hardly took any milk today - just won't tolerate the bottle in his mouth. Hopefully he'll have a good night sleep though to set him up for the next few days.
Julieb - how can you tell Asher is working on 4 more teeth? Can you see them coming through? I can never seem to tell in advance with Daniel. They just seem to suddenly appear (after lots of unsettled days and nights). I forgot to say, I ordered that book, 'Grace-based parenting' from Amazon for Christmas. I've only read the first chapter but it is brilliant. So much to think about and talk about with dh. Thanks for mentioning it.
-
Hazel -- Glad to hear you're getting the book! I'm gonna make DH read it after we're finished in my bible study with it. Re: teething, I have a hard time telling as well, especially since you can't see them so well anymore in the back of his mouth. I've noticed him chewing more, drooling more, and gnawing on his index finger on one side of his mouth a lot lately. I suspected, so when I had him up on the changing table (it's on a really high dresser, so I'm really close up), I started looking as he was opening his mouth to laugh. His gums are puffy and you can see the shape of a tooth pushing through. When I checked a few weeks ago, his gums were still round and hard. I'm sure it will be a couple more weeks before a tip actually breaks through though. Seems like they take forever these days. It's also about time because it's been two months. It seems like he gets a bunch, skips a couple months, then gets a bunch more, etc. He currently has 8 teeth as well. Good luck packing! I couldn't believe how much we filled the SUV! And we ran about 2 hours late setting out! :lol: Pack some benedryl in case you need to sedate him! :wink:
Well Asher slept in longer than he ever has this morning! He was going on 13 hours and I had to wake him! I don't know what it was. I put him to bed 30 minutes earlier last night because of his two short naps. I also gave him advil at 1:30 am because he keep waking every two hours from teething pain, I think. Could it be the bad naps, the earlier bedtime, or the advil? Who knows! :roll: He keeps me guessing.
We went to the zoo this afternoon since we have a membership. He is such a hoot. I'm amazed at how much he's picking up. I let him walk some and he's starting to understand the concept of "Follow Mama." And when he takes off the other way, I often call out, "Okay, bye! See you later!" and he'll start waving bye-bye (as he's walking away from me!)! :lol: Last night we were playing with his new peek-a-blocks and one has a little dial on the end you turn with your finger. I showed him how I was turning it and then he tried to copy. He couldn't do it very well, then he grabbed my finger and pulled it to the peek-a-block because he wanted me to to turn the dial again. We repeated this a few times even. I moved my hand away and he got up and put the peek-a-block on my hand because he wanted me to keep turning. That's just amazing to me. Sometimes I just can't believe how much these babies understand already. I've always heard "they understand more than you think," etc, but to witness this learning and growing take place just puts me in awe of these little miracles! :D
-
Julie-that's so cute about Asher. It is amazing to watch them learn right before our eyes. To see a neice or nephew every now and then and think "wow, look what they've learned," is one thing, but to watch it actually happen is another.
Just for my information, and this may be stupid, but what causes teeth to come in? I just wonder why it happens so fast for some, and not for others, like Kelsey. She still just has the bottom two, and no more in sight any time soon. She is gnawing on her index finger a lot. Is this a sign? Shouldn't she get the top two before any in the back? I guess it's just different for each child, like everything else.
I tried a stage 3 jar of vegetable, chicken dinner with Kelsey. She gagged and carried on. She was a tad distracted by my sister and took a few bites, but once she realized it, she was mad. I know she's not the only child with texture adversion, and I know it won't go on forever, but good golly. And she's still only eating a 4 oz jar at each meal, and doesn't want snacks. She has sips of watered-down juice before each nap and with dinner, totally 4-6 oz a day. Do we replace the formula with milk and larger food servings? I'm getting nervous about that. :oops:
-
Okay you silly people. Seeing as this thread is nearly a year old, any thoughts of starting a new one? 7500 replies must be a record around here!
Heheheeeeeeeeee...............
-
Well, I'm sure something needs to be done, but what? Prune the old ones and start a new one, again?
-
Laura, are you sure you have the right thread? The 2004 club has way more replies. And 7500 is just the views on this thread. We've started a new thread a few times now, this one is only a couple months old. Honestly, it doesn't matter to me since the notices take me right to the newest message.
Heather, like you said, no two babies are alike when it comes to teeth. But there are similar patterns that many take such as the order they get them in, when they get them, how many at a time, etc. Dr Sears talks about the rule of 4, 4 teeth every 4 months and they come in pairs. Most get bottom 2 first, then top two, then the 2 outers, and so on. But I know plenty that have gotten a single top tooth first, followed by a bottom! :lol: Asher got his bottom two first, then 2 months later he cut 6 teeth in one month! Though I saw the top two long coming, he had all four on the bottom completely in before those top two broke through the gums. I've also heard teeth are largely hereditary. I got my teeth early and had a full set by time I was 1 so I'm not surprised at Asher's full mouth!
-
Thanks for the suggestions ladies! So far I have picked up a few breastfeeding type items, and some different lotions. I want to add some bath products, cause I know I was living in the bathtub for the first couple of months it seemed. It just felt really good to my sore body, and I got about 15 to 30 minutes peace when I got to take a bath! :lol:
Heather - you're not the only one... Ethan only has his two bottom teeth still! He has "seemed" to be teething for a while now, he drools, chomps on his fingers ALL the time, etc., but I still don't see anything. And this has been going on for probably 3 weeks or more. I just give up trying to figure it out, I assume he'll get them all eventually! :roll:
-
HI all
I am so glad everyone seems to have had a pretty good Christmas holiday (and Julie nice to see someone else celebrating both holidays although as it does not get dark here until well after girls bedtime alex only lights her toy menorah :lol: and i do candles later)
i am not having the best holiday so hope it is ok to vent a little (please skip to the end if you want - i will not be offended) ... it is making me a little sad reading lots of posts on the site (not just here) and seeing all these great photos - they SOOO don't reflect our holidays and somehow this year itis hitting me more than ever before.
we are always alone on the holidays because amazingly in all these years of having visitors no one has ever stumped up the extra cash and come during Xmas...even with the glorious sunny beach to tempt them. anyway - we always spend Xmas day at our best friends' place - the Dh and my Dh have worked together in 4 countries and he was the best man at our wedding...have been friends for 10 years. this is the first year they don't have family visiting from the Uk and invited along another couple (the guy works with both Dh's) who have no children. this woman drove me nuts - so loud and "full-on" and what bugged me the most was i felt replaced by this couple. they were playing with our friends' 3 boys, exchanging gifts, making themselves at home etc like they were the BF and we were the outsiders :evil: it made me so sad.
then my BF's 3 1/2yr old has a hacking cough all over the house and within a few hours of getting there i started to suffer and my glands started swelling etc. by nightime i was miserable and by morning alex and i both had developed this horrible cough (and for me it has turned intop green crud being coughed up) we spent this morning at the Dr office - yipee! thanks for the Xmas pressie! great to be ill in the stinking humidity and heat!
dinner got delayed and we kept the girls "up" and were spending the night so had a bedroom set up for them... olivia finally had to be put down during dinner (no one waited for our return :evil: ) so Dh and i ended up eating with only the annoying chick while others got dessert ready. relaxed...
after all kids finally in bed (9-9:30pm :shock: ) i finally got a chance to unwind with a drink and we hung out playing games, eating and drinking. my friend and I (knowing we woudl be the ones to deal with all5 children if required) were getting ready for bed around 12 or so. the "couple" were like - it's not even 2am yet and i half laughed about there being 5 kids here who wake anywhere from 6am onwards...anyway - they kept blaring music and shouting across rooms etc and basdically kept me awake until almost 2am and then friend's sick one woke coughing from 5am so i was EXHAUSTED (for 2 days mind you). i was crying myself to sleep at 2am after having called a cab company to be told the average wait was 1-2hrs :shock: (i was going to leave Dh with the kids to make his own way home next day :lol: ) How can people without kids be that insensitive to the rest of the world I actually laughed when the little boy was coughing all morning as they were trying to have a late sleep in while all the kids were up and playing X Box, having breakfast and running around (sweet revenge)
last whinge - the friends got Dh and me a subscription to a magazine we don't even read while they got "the couple" each a game and a book selected with their interests in mind - HAVE WE BEEN REPLACED? i felt like i was in a parallel universe.
i understand if you skipped all that cr!p i think i just needed somewhere safe to vent as Dh thinks i was overreacting and should have just stayed up and had fun with them. meanwhile olivia is teething (still not a single tooth though) and going through major sep. anxiety and the temp here is mid 30s C/ 90sF so her eating and napping is horribel as it is so uncomfortable!
i am done! will be back later happier and more refreshed (i hope)
Love to you all!! :D
-
We are about to go off to ILs now so I won't log on for maybe a day or two (I think).
Debra - I just wanted to send you some big hugs. You poor thing. I don't think you over-reacted at all. I would have been just the same. I wish we all lived closer then we could all help each other out at times like this.
Having said I thought Daniel was teething he didn't wake up once last night and then slept in til 7.30 :D :shock: Who knows whether he has teeth coming or not. His gums are definitely swollen and puffy but they seem to have been like that for months! Maybe they'll just all appear all of a sudden one day (after no night wakings or day tantrums :wink: ) Yeah, yeah I wish.
Take care everyone.
-
Oh Debra! I did read your whole post. I actually like it when people vent around here. It makes me realize that I am not insane for the things that I do - everyone else does them too! I know where you're coming from, sort of. My family does live around here so that makes it easier. BUT, we are the only ones with a child in all of my sisters/cousins. So, when we were all playing games Christmas evening they were SO loud! You would think they would be a little more sensitive. But, no. Grrr....
Heather - Leah never did do the stage three foods. She would gag also. Have you tried finer foods? Does she gag on those? Leah LOVES the peach/pear chunks that come in those little containers. Mac and cheese is also a new favorite! :wink:
-
Deb - I pm'd you.
-
I try pieces of what I'm eating at every lunch and dinner. Yesterday, I had mac and cheese, and I'd slip a piece in with her veggie puree. She seemed to notice, but didn't gag. So this is a major improvement. I'm having more today (still finishing leftovers), so I'll try again. Am I rushing her to want her off jarred foods at least by next summer? I'm not trying to do it now, but I want her to have a try at things so it won't be so difficult the older she gets. She won't even eat a piece of cheese or mashed potatoes. Granted, jarred foods are so much easier-little to think about and nothing to prepare. I guess I just get myself worked up too much.
So, what's going to happen to our thread? I see now that the site admin. did seem to get the # of visits and posts mixed up, but I'm sure our group could produce 7500 replies :D .
-
Just a quick hello to let you know that we've survived christmas! Hoping to get a chance to read tonight:)
Tarri
-
Hi everyone!
It's been nice to catch up on everyone's good and not so good Christmas'. It was bittersweet for us.
I've been skimming, but did read your whole post Deb. :wink:
Tammy- SOCKS SOCKS AND MORE SOCKS :D . Drinks- like juice, caffiene free sodas (the nurses were always so slow at bringing drinks for me). Also- with the breast feeding- some of the cold/hot packs from Gerber were awesome, and the nipple cream other people mentioned. Does she have a boppy? If not that might be really great if you want to indulge her...esp with the C-section, I've heard traditional positions are painful and the pillow really helps.
Deb- people are very inconsiderate. I consider it to be a result of "modern" life and the lack of obligations people in general feel towards others. That being said I am also very sensitive myself. I have this problem with others and their unawareness. For example my SIL is here with her son this whole week. It's good to see them but at the same time VERY bad timing. When she called to say she was coming she didn't ask, as I would have "is this a good time for a visit" instead she called to ask if she could stop by to use my kitchen so she didn't have to pay to eat out all the time. :roll: :x Some days I pray to be less aware, but I am cursed.
Our Christmas- Watch out- it's long...soul searching....My parents came down to Boulder for Christmas. I didn't really want to have it here as we are still unpacking to say the least! I also didn't want to make all the food. But when I approached my mom about having it at her place she didn't even want a tree, she didn't want to cook, etc. For all the "special moments" she made for me and my bro as a kid she doesn't have any interest in making things special for her first grand daughter. I kind of realized it is now up to me to create traditions for my family if I want them. I want to have things that we do every year and places and people we see every year. I want those "special meals" that are only cooked on occassion. I want Eirwen to know that I have taken the time to create these memories for her. When things go bad in families sometimes it is only those moments that you have, and when you are a child you are unware (thankfully) of the larger family dynamics. I am just very frustrated. The help I was expecting here, or even the interest from my mother esp in Eirwen, is not what I expected. In some ways I still feel like I live in MA, far away from them. Perhaps it is the endless result of my childhood that we all cannot forgot (I left home very young at 16). But I have put many things behind me and I am a believer in second chances. I do not know how to make my parents feel less guilty. It is just hard...Basically I love my daughter so much, she is magic, her Christmas was magic. It is happy for me and Everard that she had her first Christmas with yummy food, a big tree and bunches of presents. I guess it is something I am realizing having my first baby...I do things now, even if I don't want to, to create realities for her rather than myself. It is amazing to be that "unselfish" but it is so important for me. :?: How do you plan, if you need to, to protect your baby from family drama?? I also invited my Aunt and Uncle who hadn't seen my parents in 2 years because of stupid crap...it is a strange position that we are all in...yikes...
Eirwen is doing well. She eats everything!!! I ordered chicken tacos the other night at Chili's and she started just eating the rice and beans off my plate. I didn't even offer it. She didn't even grab the plate, just started eating the food! So cute! She didn't really get the whole presents thing and a couple of the toys people got her scare dh and me so we put them away, but she was left with a bunch of really cool stuff!! Including a monster sized bath ducky!! Her new favorite game is to "crawl" on the floor and when she gets far enough of way from me I say "I'm going to get you" and I start to chase her and she giggles and wiggles and crawls even faster away from me until I smother her with kisses! So much fun!
-
whew! finally have some time to check in on this thread! :D
overall, christmas went really well. only thing i can complain about is ILs (doesn't everyone? :wink: ) they stay with us, even though they don't like sleeping on our couches. whatever. they also didn't do much to help prepare for... well, anything. my parents know better - they get a hotel room, and my sister & BIL are local.
christmas eve was lots of fun. we all went to sea world for the day. luke was a star - i was so proud of him! he had a normal morning nap, but not so good in the afternoon and he was fine! made it through church that night too.
both kids ended up going down late - 9:30pm - so we figured that christmas day would start a little later. figured the kids would be up around 8am, so told my parents to come on over around 9am. however, ILs woke at 6:30 - and managed to wake everyone else in the house before 7am!!! :twisted: :twisted: yeah, try & keep the 2.5 year old away from the presents for a few hours. oh well, it is their last christmas in FL; they are moving to tennessee next year so they won't be here.
other than that, we had a fantastic time. i'm attaching a couple shots of luke that i thought were adorable.
-
Tammy - a big plastic jug w/ a straw for water. i was always sooo thirsty when i was bf. also, i got hooked on a nipple cream from mother love. i could only get it online (motherlove.com). it is really expensive, but it was the one thing i indulged in. also, reading material - i did so much reading while bf - even with #2. at the very least, trashy magazines (or something that will appeal to her)
Deb - no, i don't think you were overreacting either. it stinks to be sick, especially on a holiday. though i would venture to guess that you have not been replaced?? i've noticed that it's always weird when friends from different circles get together; it's like people are afraid to cross over, so to speak. at least, i know that's how i am, but i am also very anti-social and afraid of rejection. :wink:
Branwen - teared up at your post. i agree with what you said about creating your own traditions - i am loving what we've been trying to do with our kids too. as for the family drama... i dunno. now that i'm older i realize how much my mom did not get along with her MIL (my grandma), but i was pretty clueless until close to the end.
Heather - luke seems to go back & forth between purees & finger foods. seems like one day he wants all finger foods; the next only purees. :roll: i don't get it either. and then there are days when i can only get veggies into him by putting a piece of cereal at the tip of the spoon!
Hazel - those pics of Daniel are sooo cute! i just want to grab his cheeks everytime! good luke at your ILs
and i love reading about what your lo's are up to - just cracks me up! i can hardly believe that they are almost a YEAR old! where did the time go? though one thing i'm very happy about - i think i just made my last formula purchase yesterday. the countdown is on!!!!! :lol:
-
Well after 13 hours of night sleep and two good naps yesterday, I fully expected Asher to wake at the crack of dawn this morning, but no! He slept in, 11.5 hours! Woot woot! DH even forgot to give him teething tablets before bed but I never heard a peep out of him ALL night (and started to fear the worst until I heard the bed rustle in the monitor :oops: ). Don't know what it is but I hope it lasts!! :D Do they go through an 11 month GS?
:?: Did anyone start the early potty-training or still considering it? We're still deciding if we want to start at 12 months.
Deb, big hugs to you! My brother runs into the same problem with family since they're the only ones in CA. They want to stay home, but no one comes to them (guess everyone else wants to be home for Christmas too?). So they end up traveling nearly every Christmas. I feel so bad for them, but it seems like one of those sad realities of life. We lived in CA for 2 years and then moved back here. I hated the idea of never being at home for Christmas, but didn't want to be away from my family either. Frustrating situation!
And I must admit, I was one of those childless, obnoxious, clueless people a year ago! :oops: Oh, I THOUGHT I knew about child-rearing and what-not. I THOUGHT I was very sensitive to my parent friends and families' needs, but I literally had NO CLUE AT ALL! :lol: I was one of those annoying people who look at your screaming child in the restarant and ponder to myself, "I'll never let my child behave like that." I tried to be quiet when visiting their houses, but alas, I constantly forgot about "the baby is sleeping." I also thought to myself all the while, "I thought you shouldn't make the house quiet, they'll learn to sleep through it." I also always wondered why my best friends always declined going out to a restaurant with us even though we said they could bring the kids. I always wondered why they seemed to fall asleep at 9 pm like clockwork. Oh, the things I did and thought! :lol: I will never ever question another parents' kids out in public. After my sleep-sensitive DS, I will never balk at walking tiptoe around another's sleeping baby! I am a reformed clueless childless person! And I don't know what happens to make old people forget all these things either. My parents and grandparents are just as terrible as a childless person these days! I vow I will never forget! :lol: :lol:
Like Branwen said, I also think I'm a bit on the sensitive side when it comes to friends. I would feel a bit replaced as well. Do you feel comfortable enough with your BF that you can sit and have a heart to heart to clear the air? As a mother, I'm shocked that she didn't warn you about her DS's cough, but maybe she thought it was the tail end of a cold and he was already past the 5 day contageous period? Honestly, I don't think anything has an incubation period that short. I believe the shortest I've heard about is 24-48 hours. So it may just be a coincidence? Hope you're all feeling better quickly though!!
Branwen, my family belongs on Jerry Springer. After having no relationship with my mom for 7 years, we finally started making up a few months before I became PG. Things have greatly improved since. We have all finally figured out how to love them past the drama. When it starts (my mom is a drama queen at heart and LOVES to start it up), I quickly shut it down by either changing subjects, walking away, hanging up, or just flat out telling whoever "let's not go there." I hope to keep Asher out of the way of it and not to discuss it with him. Children have enough to deal with without having the burden of adult relationship trouble in their lives. If he wants to get in the middle of it when he's all grown up, fine. But in the meantime, we'll do our best to teach him that everyone's not perfect, even parents, and we love them despite their actions.
I can sympathize with you wanting your mom to get more involved in the holiday festivities. It seems like all the older folks around here have decided to opt out as well. It's as if they've "paid their dues" and now it's the "kids'" turns to host, cook, etc. I guess that comes with age? We've happily taken over though, to minimize the family drama that ensued when our parents were all responsbile for the holidays and to start new (and better!) traditions. And without knowing the background of your mom, I'm sensing hesitation on her part regarding Eirwen. Perhaps, since the relationship is still healing (?), she wants to make sure she doesn't step on any toes. And since you lived so far away before, perhaps she felt disconnected, as you said, and she needs a bit to get to know Eirwen and find her new place in your lives now that you're closer. I must admit, my parents are much closer and more comfortable with Asher that they are with my brother's DDs, though they wish it wasn't that way. It's just the proximity issue since he's in a different state. They see the girls 3x a year and they see Asher every two weeks! And my brother doesn't even have Drop Shots! :wink:
Whew! I talk too much! :oops: :lol:
-
3 things I'm thankful for today:
:arrow: Kelsey ate mac and cheese and loved it. She smacked her lips and clapped. :D
:arrow: I bought a new pair of jeans a size smaller!!! :D
:arrow: AND KELSEY'S ECHO WAS NORMAL!!!! :D :D :D
Edited to add:
Julie, I'm going to introduce the potty after her 1st birthday. I just want her to see and us talk about it for awhile. Then, I hope to actually get into PT this summer, unless she takes a keen interest sooner. What are your plans, and everyone else?
Jaime-can you be a support person for dropping the formula? :oops:
-
Heather, that's great! I'm sure it's a huge relief.
-
YAY for Kelsey!!! YAY!!!
-
Yay for Kelsey!! Heather, I guess you just haven't fed her anything she liked before! :wink: :lol:
Oh, for those interested in our Disneyland trip photos, my MIL put this little photo story together...
http://www.fotoflix.com/handler/flix/decd37e97f5fe759704cd186dec0707e/
-
Tammy, I would have liked a basketful of snacks, box of nursing pads and a crossword book. I used to sit for 45mins breastfeeding and doing crosswords and nibbling. I too got constipated, maybe add in a bottle of prune juice.
Heather, I don't notice she's getting theeth till one pops thru and then I look and feel that the matching one is puffy and it pops out in the next day or so. Emily just recently got her top two teeth and the two beside those started about a week ago. Also she has two eye teeth that came thru at 4 months, so that's 6 teeth now! And Yeeeeahhh about Kelsely's ECHO:) That's the most improtant thing:)
Hazel, that's so awesome that Daniel did so well during visiting. It just makes you love them that tiny bit more;)
Debra, eesh, sounds like a horrible time at your friends house. I too would be crying. We were at my parents the day after christmas for a big family party and everyone was screaming (and I mean I had to plug my ears) the answers to Pictionary and thank god Emily slept thru the whole thing. I was shocked. But they all left by 10:00 and I was in bed in a quiet house by 11:00pm.
JulieB, your reply to Deb made me think about one morning when Emily woke at 5:30 and I had fed her and put her down to play and my grandma (visiting) comes out of her room and says 'oohh, what are you going to do (in a worried voice)? She's up so early!' And I'm thinking, gosh this woman has had three children and she thinks it's the end of the world if they're up by 5:30am? About potty training, I'm waiting till Emily can sit really stable and then we'll try. I'm hoping soon after her first birthday.
Us, Christmas had it's ups and downs. I loved Christmas day cause we just stayed home and my parents visited. We started presents at 8:00am and though it was overwhelming for Emily she loved all the excitement and attention. And it was really special to see her walking by herself in front of the Christmas tree. The day before we visited the inlaws (45mins drive) for lunch and Emily wouldn't sleep in her pack'n'play. It didn't help that I asked for a dark room and although it has only one window it was super bright and the cuckoo clock around the corner rang and I wanted to throw it across the room. So I told dh we were leaving and he kept wanting to stay cause his mom made him feel bad and kept hanging on to him and I just grabbed the baby, the keys and went out to the car. Dh came out about 10mins later, oooohhh I was fuming. I called later to apologize that we couldn't stay to make dh feel better but I mean I really think she should have apologized to us! But thank goodness emily slept perfect in the car. Then MIL calls today and asks can we come for dinner this Sunday, and I said no because dh hasn't had hardly any days at home to relax and is at work today. And she says 'well I already thawed the duck', and I'm thinking well I guess you'll have a lot of duck to eat! She's such a guilt tripper and gets this tone in her voice to manipulate/guilt you into doing something you don't want. Anyways we have some bad history with them and so I have no patience for playing 'games' with them.
Happy Emily news, she went from tummy to sitting once! She can easily walk across the room and turn around. But still no crawling and can't fall properly! Very strange but exciting!
Phew, I'm so glad I had a chance to post and read about everyone's holiday! Now off to make bottles...
-
So happy for you Heather. What a wonderful day! :D
I just bought formula today - I forgot that we won't need it anymore in another month! :shock:
Anyone else feel sad that their baby is turning one? :cry: Now that we are getting closer, I keep thinking about the things I was doing last year at this time. All the preperations etc. Then yesterday I was cleaning out Leah's closet and putting away her receiving blankets and I smelled one and it totally brought back memories of when she was little. :( OK, I'm done now. Just had to have my own little pity party. Maybe I should think about those nights when she was awake for hours upon end, then I won't be so sad! :D
-
Just wanted to quickly check in. We've been dealing with all sorts of Maya drama this week. She got her new helmet on Tuesday. She seems to be doing ok with it, but the drive down and back was an ordeal! And if that wasn't enough, it seems she has impetigo on her face (a bacterial staph skin infection). Hope all is well and everyone is enjoying the holidays!
-
Deborah-I was just going to post and ask how Maya is doing. I'm so sorry for the rough times.
Christine-I'm an emotional wreck about the whole 1st b-day! It has gone completely too fast! :cry:
-
I'm with you on the first birthday pity party! :cry: Well, I'm actually handling it better than I was. I was SO sappy when he started walking. I kinda felt like that was the last "baby" milestone. It seemed to suddenly propel him into toddlerhood because he looked so much more grown up. :( I also get sappy when I think about weaning him in a month! That REALLY seems like the end all! So I've been pondering the idea of nursing a bit longer. It's been so much better this last month since I dropped to 3 feeds. He is so much more aware of it now and he really seems to enjoy the comfort part of it now, whereas it always just seemed like a food source to him before. I'll still introduce milk after his birthday so I don't have to pump if I want to go out, but otherwise I'll just see how it goes.
-
Just quick to say yay to kelsey that all is normal! what a relief for you Heather.
deborah - i hope maya is ok! not been an easy run lately has it?
Tarri - yay Emily!!
Julieb - i must say that from your videos i have thought for ages that Asher seems so much older. i have to really remind myself that all babies are different so i don't feel like we are "behind" (not that i am worried - he just seems so advanced and i have to remember that he is advanced the others are not behind...)
Dh is on me about how much time i have been spending on BW lately and moderating etc and now i have to go clear up the kids dinner dishes... :roll: we had a whole chat last night as he thinks i am on here avoiding my own problems... (to which i said - what's wrong if that is true? :lol: ) he thinks i should put more effot into my RL relationships and my home stuff.
BTW - i was crying at my friends house not because they woudl wake the girls (who were sleeping fine in a bedroom) but because i was exhausted and I could not get to sleep since i was in an open space on a futon outside the girls room (the "other couple" had a bedroom around the hall from us) Thanks for the support though and the PMs - have not had time to write back yet
-
Happy holidays everyone! :D Hope everyone has just about recovered from all the upheaval that Christms inevitably brings.... What are people's New Year's plans??! We still have my mum staying with us (tight squeeze :? ) but we are just going to stay in and have a quiet one - we had Christmas with 11 relatives at my aunt's. Ciara has coped great despite teething - seem to be 3 or 4 coming through up top. She still gobbled up some turkey and even snatched a mince pie for herself - you would have thought she hadn't been fed in three days!
Heather - that is great news!! What a relief that must be for you!
julieb - I was the same as you before becoming a mom! :oops: I have to remember to cut my single friends some slack when they're being thoughtless as dh and I cringe at our pre-2005 baby comments/attitudes!
Tammy - I'll put in a vote for pajamas/slippers, ones that she won't mind being seen in but that are practical too. I found the 'nipple hats' (they are called that in Dutch anyway!) really useful for bf.
2005 has been an eventful whirlwind of a year for us - this time last year I was just arriving in Holland at 35 wks pg while dh spent the New Year with the dog, packing up in Denver. All about to happen again too..... :roll:
All the best for 2006 - may all your wishes come true.....
Kate
http://www.dropshots.com/KMC
-
Every time I think about Eirwen turning 1 I start tearing up. I don't want her to grow up! Whaaaaaa :cry: And at the same time I do. I guess whenever I see 2 to 3 year olds I am excited though...they are still babies...more active, but still babies. :D
Potty- My plans are the same. Introducing potty in the new year. We will start with getting up from naps (right away) and after meals (not right away I guess it takes aprox 20 min) She is so regular that I figure it can't hurt. She always has her poopy at the same time every day if she has one. I'm also going to start taking her with me every time I go too when she is awake.
-
Hi Everyone,
Deborah, I hope Maya's skin infection clears soon. And I too don't like long road trips with dd. We have the best luck with leaving at just past nap time, but I guess that's probably impossible to plan with specialist appointments.
Debra, I sometimes go on a BW binge and spend way too much time here, it's kind of addictive cause it's nice to get replies and to help other people. I force myself to do the housework or other me stuff before I BW cause I know I won't do it otherwise :oops:
JulieB, I can't believe how 'old' our babies look in the videos/pictures. They are growing up. But I can't wait to do colouring, crafts and baking together.
Happy Emily news, she walked right across the rec room into the office and back about 10 times tonight. And she was laughing while walking and chasing the dog at the same time. Kind of a laugh like when you're on a scarey roller coaster:)
Goodnight everyone, Tarri
-
Debra, I would have been upset too about your visit to your friend's home.
US:
Does anyone here not have a huge family, dysfunctional or not? Both my parents are deceased (we were VERY close) and my DH's parents are old and have been estranged for two full years. They have never seen their grandson. Its a long story that I wont go into but basically they are very senile and dh's sister, who is truly horrible, has moved them and wont tell us where. Its so very sad, especially since my DH is an awesome person and has only been wonderful to his family.
We had a good first Christmas/Chanukah because we made it that way with us, but I have to be honest, it's painful to read everyone's comments about MIL's and parents and all. Sometimes I feel so badly that we dont have that.
I have a brother and SIL that I am close to. My own sister is mentally ill and we havent spoken since my mother died because she (my sister) is very abusive (I am happier that way and am the one who cut her off).
I do have some wonderful aunts and uncles, but they live too far away, so only one of them has even seen Matthew.
Wow, when I see all this in print, it sounds really awful. the fact is I grew up with a good strong family base, yes with lots of drama like us all, but since my parents died, it is totally different. I'm usually okay with all this, but with all the talk about family and the holidays, its just sort of depressing.
I do wish I had more close relatives (and not crazy sister's) for Matthew!
Hope it's okay to share this here, I consider you all to be my support team too.
Julie
-
Oh Julie- you make me weep, you are not alone, and I am so sorry for your loss. My dh's father passed away when he was 27 and all of his family, sister excepted is in The Netherlands and none have seen Eirwen. It has been so hard for him with Eirwen. His own mother has not seen the baby. On my side, the family is rather large, but you wouldn't know it because no one talks to anyone, everyone is so bitter and as the generations have progressed there is less and less interaction- for example because of my parents fueds my brother and I do not know any of our cousins or aunts and uncles. It's terrible. I am the odd one because I am the "peace maker" it is in my nature :? It makes me sad too all the talk of family...some days I feel my friends are my family...they are the only ones left sometimes...in fact I have just been talking to my best friend (Eirwen's godparents) about maybe doing some holidays with them every year so Eirwen can have more "family".
Regardless, Matthew is very lucky to have you as his mommy to care so much!!! He will grow up surrounded with your love :) HUGS!
-
Hello everyone! Happy Holidays! :D
Hope you have a great new year.
We moved into our new place 2 weeks ago, and I've been on the phone with the internet people trying to get connected. Hopefully I'll be back next week sometime.
In the meantime, I'm on page 59 catching up with you ladies! :D
My dh's name is Tebogo, it means 'thank you' in Sotho.
Luka sleeps around 11 hours at night, and has 2 one hour naps during the day, so 13 hours in total. Sometimes (on really good days) he has two 1.5 hour naps. But those are far and few between.
We are nicely settled in, and enjoying the new place. Had a good Xmas, I hope everyone else did too.
Off to catch up on the rest of the pages :lol:
-
Tarri - Good for Emily. Walking. :shock: Kind of scares me! :wink:
Julie - I don't have any advice for you. But know that you always have us to vent too! Matty is one lucky little boy.
Welcome back Schae! I was just thinking of you the other day. Hope you are enjoying your new house! Look forward to hearing more about it from you!
-
Schae, sounds like your move went well, it must have been quite a bit of work! Have you started your new job too?
Julie, feel free to share your feelings with us:)
Tarri
-
Well, we just arrived home this evening after a very nice but very tiring 5 days away. Daniel has had a whale of a time - MORE new toys :shock: and lots of fun. He is certainly happy to be home - started to become quite unsettled yesterday. Think he was just missing the old routine that we're all used to now!
Will catch up properly tomorrow.
-
Debra, Santa loves chocolate milk.
Us, We were out till midnight last night. Got together with a bunch of friends our age and another couple had a 7 month old. Emily behaved perfectly and we put her to sleep in her packnplay and later transfered her to the car with no problems!! It was really nice to enjoy a night out with everyone as a family:)
-
Well, girls, we're way down at the bottom of the board, so I thought I'd boost us up again.
I think Kelsey's is teething again. Funny thing is that it looks like teeth are coming in on each side of the 2 bottoms ones rather than her 2 top teeth. Either way, she was grumpy and crying at the drop of a hat all day, then chomping down like mad on her soft rubber toys and other toys.
She's really doing well on walking. She can go short distances on her own just fine, but I tend to stay with her for longer goes at it. Then, she thinks she supposed to hold my hand since she always has, even though she can do it on her own. It's quite cute. She's barely holding on to me, and it's more like we're just walking hand in hand. I've been letting her walk to her room for diaper changes and naps thinking this will make her feel she has a part in things. Does that make since?
I'm also going to be looking for a music class in her age range. She has really been dancing up a storm to any song she hears, and I think she'd enjoy going. Her favorite is the theme song to COPS if any of you see that show (probably US only). Then she was dancing away in a mexican restaurant today when we went in to pick up lunch!
Here's a fun tidbit. HGTV is giving away a $2 million dream house. Log onto to hgtv.com to view it and register. I'll be submitting the allowed one entry a day until Feb. 17!!!!! But if one of you win, I get to visit all the time!!!! :lol:
-
Hi everyone,
Slow these days I think because of the holidays. My obligations are fading I am happy to say and I hope to be online more.
Heather- that is amazing about Kelsey walking. How wonderful!
US- We're trucking along on our routine. It's quite good. I think Eirwen might be having a growth spurt as she is wolfing down her food. She no longer eats one at a time. She shoves cheese crackers, pears and avos in all at the same time until her cheeks are puffing out!!! :shock: :oops: :lol: How do I get her to slow down??? She is doing much better on standing but as soon as her feet are planted she falls over in a triangle.
Me- struggling with depression again :roll: Somedays I have really irrational feelings as if no one cares about me. No one sees the work I do. Because I am a SAHM I am somehow just watching soaps or playing happily with my child, that somehow I am not as busy or working. GRRRRRRRRR :evil: At least that is my latest pity party.
Happy Eirwen News- :D Yesterday she went from tummy/crawling to sitting. Today she was practicing up a storm. She did it over 10 times. Every time she sat up from crawling dh and I clapped and cheered. She's too precious for words.
-
I'm excited to report that Asher likes avocados now! :D I've tried them SO SO SO many times, both pureed and finger foods, taken breaks, etc, and he always hated them. But I wanted him to like them so much because they're so good for you! :lol: Haven't tried them in 2 months and bought a few on a whim because they were such a good price. And he's been eating them just fine! :shock: :D
We've been having some night wakings. I THINK it's teething related, but I'm so tired. Once he turns 1 and we introduce the cow's milk, I'm handing the monitor over to DH on the weekends and I'm sleeping in!! :wink:
We've started taking Asher to the potty with us in preparation. He's quite fasicinated. He especially loves to flush and we somehow have to teach him that we only flush AFTER we go potty. I really hope this stuff works. I'm so tired of changing 6-7 poops a day! Especially after I read about other babies' once a day schedules!! :shock:
DH taught Asher how to turn the light switch on yesterday (he already knew how to turn it off). It's become a new bedroom ritual. :roll: And we took Asher to the park yesterday. He LOVED the slides and did so well on them. He went down belly first and even went on the big one a few times. I think we'll get one of those small toddler slides for his birthday. He won't be able to climb up it yet, but I'll just have to help him until he's big enough.
I've been fretting about a first birthday cake for Asher. He hasn't had wheat, eggs, or dairy yet and I wasn't sure about introducing all three in the next month. I also wanted something low sugar as to not to make him sick to his stomach. So I though of doing cheese cake! I'll introduce cheese and yogurt a week or so before to make sure he'll be okay and make it with no crust. I'm also gonna look into using alternatives to white sugar, like maybe fruit juice, though it doesn't call for much sugar anyway. I can make it with fruit and put fresh fruit topping on it to balance it out. I'll just make a normal cake for the adults. :D
Deb, I've been feeling the same way about the PC and my lists. :oops: I have WAY too much stuff I should be doing at home. I'm such a procrastinator and I feel so over-whelmed, it's just easier to avoid. :oops: :roll:
Heather, I let Asher walk to and from his room for diapers and naps too at times. It helps with the transition between activites. I also talk to him about it "Let's go change your poopy diaper," etc before we head off. It seems to reduce the number of tantrums. He's getting pretty good at following me and understanding what I mean when I say time for the nap or diaper change. Sometimes for the naps, he'll go grab his luvie and go stand by the gate, waiting for me to take him to his room! :lol: I hope he'll always be this willing to go to sleep! :lol: Try checking your library for a baby music class. A few of them offer them here. They're during morning naps though. :(
-
Forgot to mention, Asher had steak tonight and loved it! He is SUCH a meat eater!! :shock: There is no meat he has refused yet. He goes for the meat before any other thing on his tray -- even his favorite, pears! Too bad I have to limit it since it binds him up. :roll:
Branwen, hugs!! No helpful words except I sometimes feel the same way -- or that I don't seem to get anything done, but I seem to stay so busy?? :oops: This SAHM stuff is a lot harder than I thought it'd be. And Asher stuffs his mouth as well. Always has. Unless I give him one piece at a time, I figure he can only learn by experience and practice?? He gags on a regular basis and I watch him like a hawk. I even taught him the "chew" word because I have to remind him so much (he tries to swallow things whole :shock: ). I chomp my teeth together and say, "Chew, chew, chew" and he copies me. :roll:
-
Branwen, I just watched your video clips - Eirwen is so similar to Daniel in terms of movement! Their crawling techniques are so similar :D And Daniel has just recently been practising the tummy to sitting trick. He is getting very confident now but it has taken a while.
I too have days when I feel so sad about my life :? Dh gets to go out and have real conversations all day at work whilst I stay at home doing washing, cleaning and dealing with ds and all his ways... But then again, I wouldn't have it any other way :) I reckon it's normal to feel down about this sometimes. I too get the feeling that noone sees the work I do all day. But the truth is Eirwen sees. She will grow up knowing that her mum loves her and looks after her so well. She will love the fact that you are busy making her life happy :D Being a SAHM mum is definitely harder than I ever expected. I try to be really careful and make time for myself each day. I spend a lot of time (too much? :wink: ) cross stitching and often feel bad that I am wasting time but it is so important to take time for you or else you feel like you stop existing. I read a great quote in a book recently. It said something along the lines of 'Have a life apart from your child. If you don't you'll have nothing left to give' them. I reckon there's a lot of wisdom in that. Take time for you whilst Eirwen sleeps. Leave the cleaning, the dishes, the ironing and whatever else you feel compelled to do and just do something fun and relaxing for you. Don't feel guilty about it either. You NEED to look after you or else you can't look after Eirwen or your dh.
Please know that you are not on your own. I reckon every mum feels like this at times. I know I certainly do.
-
Branwen - sending you some hugs - i am also struggling with my PPD these days. i just wish it woudl go away already (wishful thinking or what?) i hate the 2 steps forward 1 step back as it feels like at that rate the kids will be in college and i will still be suffering
Heather - i can't believe Kelsey is also walking - how many kids is that now? i feel like olivia wil be the last one - she is only just starting to test the standing on her own thing - she lets go and can stand for various lengths of time and is getting better every day this week but that is it.
Us - we finally had 2 1/2 days of no standing in the cot and no shh/pat needed this came about after i realized she was actually overtired and i pushed her naps back to 9am and 1pm for windown, etc and for 5 naps and 2 bedtimes she was good as gold, but she has caught my cough (Alex and I are still suffering ourselves and Dh woke with a scratchy throat today) and today she barely ate any solids and refused her afternoon nap (i lost track of time and did it at 1:10pm) - i finally gave up as she was hysterical and then tried again at 3:30 with success :D she took a while to go down for bed but at least without any help from us. so - so much for extending A time it was the opposite... i think she is so hyper-active in her A time these days that she is wearing herself out!! she races around, climbs on alex, even left the house today on her own (climbed down the back step to the deck and was off and running :lol: she is exhausting ME)
exciting news - well we have booked a real family holiday for Oct 06 for 10 days at the beach on Rarotonga, the Cook Islands. this is where Dh and i had our last couples holiday (i found out i was PG upon our return home back in Oct 02) we are convincing my mom to come along with us so we can rent a 3-4BR house and Dh and I can really relax as we will outnumber the kids then :D the girls will be 20 months and 3yrs 3mo so i am optimistic that i will be all better and will be living it up in a relaxed state of mind (i can dream can't i?)
also - Dh and i are discussing taking a year to travel with the girls around australia for 2007 and hold alex back from preschool for a year - she can start in 2008 and then go to kindergarten in 09. Dh gets long service leave (in Oz if you work for 1 company for 10 yrs you get 2 months paid leave, 15 years gets you 3 mo) so if he takes 2 mo + accumulated annual leave... he should have 4 mo income from work, if we let go of ourt rental at that time and put stuff in storage we have no overheads, and if we work at various towns here and there to supplement $$ we shoudl be fine (and we still have our money we have been saving to buy a home SOMEDAY if we get stuck...) are we crazy??? it woudl be our last chance because then alex will be in school and only get little holidays until she is an adult KWIM
-
Debra: No you are not crazy, that sounds like an awesome plan! After the kids are school age, you wont be able to do that, so definitely go for it. Not only that, it sounds like financially its quite doable.
Julie: I am amazed that Asher poops 6 or 7 times a day! On another note, Matty has always loved avocados, but for some reason lately, i can only give them to him once a week because he gets a stomach ache from them. It bums me out because they are his favorite food and he would eat them all the time, but he can't.
Branwen, thanks for you words of support, it meant a lot to me.
Matthew has been walking for three weeks now. I keep forgetting to post it. He is now able to walk across the room without falling. He is so funny cause his favorite thing now is practice practice practice. We will be trying to play with him and he keeps picking up my hand or daddy's hand and then he just holds on and walks, usually in a circle which is quite hard on the grown ups knees.
He is also doing the ball throwing over the gate thing some of you have posted about. That and the walking are his favorites.
We have had some trouble with getting him to sleep lately. He has a slight cold so Im not sure if that's it, but we havent had this problem in ages. Three nights in a row now its taken over an hour to get him in, sometimes longer. And he cries so hard when we try to leave him in his crib, it reminds me of how hard it used to be when he was younger.
Everyone: Would you all mind posting what you are planning for your first birthdays? I'm thinking of just having a few close friends and his aunt and uncle over, nothing big. I also like Julie am not crazy about introducing a cake, wheat, eggs, milk, sugar, so I am trying to figure out what to do. I was thinking of getting a cake for the grownups and maybe making him a special cake made with spelt or other flour than wheat. Any ideas?
Julie
-
First birthday cake - I think there are some healthy recipes in the Super Baby Food Book. Does anyone have it? I will check when I am at home later and see.
SAHM's - I understand how you feel. When I stayed at home this summer I felt the same way. Just remember how important it is for your LO's! Yes, I do enjoy working and have adult conversations, but if I had the choice I would stay home. Unfortunatley I carry the awesome insurance, so my staying at home is not poosible. :( Remember - Your job is VERY important!
Walking - WOW! All the toddling babies! :D In the last week Leah has made leaps and bounds herself. She has decided climbing is fun. I posted videos of her climbing the stairs on our dropshots site - http://www.dropshots.com/crebner. I am also posting a picture of what she decided to do the other day. We have an open kitchen/diningroom/livingroom. I went into the kitchen to make her bottle. I turned my head for 30 seconds and when I turned back, this is where she was. At first I freaked out, then I had to laugh! (The fireplace is never hot, we hardly ever turn it on.) I guess she wanted to play on the other side of her learning table. I put it there to keep her off the hearth....
BTW, yes she is still in her jammies at 10:00 in the morning. :oops:
-
Debra, that's so neat about Olivia going down the deck steps and running into the yard:) Alex must like it that Olivia can do stuff now and play with her. And very understandable that she might need earlier naps with all that activity! 8)
JulieB, I think I'm going to buy a real birthday cake (but not chocolate) and just give Emily a tiny taste and scrape off the icing.
Branwen, I'm always telling dh all the housework I do so that I feel like at least he's aware of it. And dh always thanks me for cooking dinner at night which makes me feel good:)
Heather, I think Emily and Kelsey are at similar walking stages. And Emily is finally starting to get better at falling properly. Although last night she did a total face plant and went hysterical :oops: . I pretty sure they'll be walking pro's by their first birthdays. And it was so neat to show off Emily's walking to everyone at christmas cause for so long she didn't do anything, since she still hasn't learnt to crawl or pull up :?
Us, we've had a night waking here and there but I'm sure it's due to teething (she's got at least 3 coming in). Luckily a quick pat and a shot of advil is doing the trick.
-
Ok, vacation is over. Not that we had a real vacation, but with dh home (and sleeping in), Maya started sleeping in too. Most days she went until 7:30 or 8am. How awesome is that! But alas, all good things must come to an end. It was also very nice to have dh around. He didn't take off the entire holiday, but the days he did work, he went in late and came home early.
Julie - We do have a large extended family, but we don't live near most of them. Even our immediate family is 500 miles away. At the holidays we have to go to them if we want to see them. Maybe it's selfish, but Maya doesn't travel well, and dh and I didn't want to deal with a cranky baby the entire time, so we stayed home. No one came. Our solution has always been to find friends to celebrate holidays with. We call them friends we wish were family.
Branwen - I am with you. Despite having some extra help the past few weeks, I have been having a really rough time lately. With all of Maya's medical dramas and appts, I haven't had time to work (my mental outlet), and we haven't made it to playgroup (my social outlet). And she has been so cranky, I can't take it anymore. I had a little meltdown last Thursday. Maya was screaming in her high chair, and I just lost it. I started bawling. Not that I would EVER leave my family, but I sat there thinking that I understand why women do. It sounds horrible to say, but right now I just do not enjoy spending time with her.
Maya just learned how to go from crawling to sitting too. She practices all the time! If only she could sit up from laying down. She still cannot sit up from either her back or her tummy. And she can't pull into a crawling posture from her tummy either. And she too shoves ridiculous quantities of food in at one time she'll try to cram half a slice of cheese in all at once, smushing it in with the back of her hand.
Debra - Do it! Dh and I took several months to travel a few years ago when we were moving from FL to NC. We put all of our stuff in storage to minimize our expenses, and took off on a 13,000-mile roadtrip. We visited 27 or 28 national parks across the US. We camped and cooked for ourselves (ate lots of PB sandwiches) to save money so we could travel longer.
Birthday and Birthday cake - My parents are coming for a visit, so we will just have a quiet family dinner. Due to her high fat, high protein diet, Maya has had dairy and eggs. We have also given her wheat products, though we try to stick to whole grain stuff. That said, she is getting cheesecake for her birthday. She's had it before, and she loved it. And she's stopped gaining weight again, so maybe it will put some meat on her bones!
Christine - Maya is ALWAYS in her jammies until after her AM nap (11am) unless we have an early AM doctor or PT appt.
-
Deb- ohhhh Eirwen isn't even close to walking. She might be the last. But I read a thread about when little one's started walking. I was shocked to see that most were around 14 to 15 months. I expect Eirwen to match with them.
I think your travel plans sound wonderful. I want to do similar things with Eirwen. I want to take her with me to Paris for a summer when she is about 4 and travel around Europe. I figure it will be my last chance.
:arrow: I feel better today about my pity party. The husband was just driving me nuts. Oh, and I have an appointment with a nanny agency tomorrow. I plan to go back to grad school so I want someone about 15 hrs a week- that can do like 2 to 6 or something a few days a week. I'm excited. I hope we can afford it but I think I really need the help. :oops:
-
Hello again! Finally connected at home, on dial up and it is terribly slow.
Well done to Emily and Matty! Can't believe that this time last year our little ones were newborns or still waiting to be born! :shock: How time flies.
Debra: DO IT! What a great plan! We are planning on doing something similar before we turn 30 (kids only start school here at age 7). Awesome idea!
SAHM: I've had similar feelings to the ones you ladies mentioned, in fact there was a point where I was really looking forward to going back to work. But now that is literally around the corner, I find myself hating the idea. Our nanny arrived today for training, and that hit me so hard. :( I'll be leaving my little boy with someone else the entire day. And I have to explain the whole idea of EASY to her. Luka goes down for naps fairly well, and eats quite well too. But I have to explain things like: tell him before you do something. Don't just pick him up and change his nappy, explain to him what you're going to do (she looked at me like I was nuts :? :lol: ) Anyway, we've got about 10 days of training, and then I start work (12 Jan)
Christine: Luka is also in his pj's till after his first nap (9am/10am), they don't know the difference and it cuts down on washing :lol:
Vaccinations: When is the measles vacc done where you live? It's done at 9 months here, and you need to have exposed your child to egg before the vacc in order to make sure they're not allergic as the vacc is cultured (or whatever) in egg. Luka has had egg yolk, but not the white.
First Birthday: Having a small party at a kiddies venue. I decided long ago that I would not be holding parties at home (especially after all the dishes I had to do over Xmas :lol: ) We have already introduced dairy and egg and wheat (since 9 months) and he hasn't had a reaction. And since he was fed all kinds of rubbish by well meaning relatives over Xmas, I figure he'll be okay. I'll probably bake his cake though, or do little cupcakes?
Branwen: Well done Eirwen! Sounds like she's rushing to do all her milestones now. :D
Julieb: Luka also just luurrrves meat. He used to be the biggest fan of lentils, but not anymore. Meat meat meat. Also does the stuffing entire pieces into his mouth thing.
Will catch up with you ladies again later on...
-
Branwen-I'm so sorry you are feeling down. It is normal to feel in a rut, especially when you are home all day. So many people do not realize what a strenous job it is to take care of children. But it's the most important job in the world! You're doing great! And that's very exciting about grad school. What will you be studying?
Deb-Wow! A chance to travel? Go for it. It's so rare for someone to get that opportunity, and if you can give that to yourselves, and you children, you should. I hope the plans work out.
Julieb-Kelsey has about 3 poops a day, and they are all usually after she wakes from naps. She used to always have one in the car, but hasn't been doing it then as much lately which is a relief. Anyway, she has them as she's waking before I can get to her so I don't know how to work that into potty training except to hope that her schedule might change by then.
Julie G-we are planning a simple afternoon with immediate family at our house for Kelsey's b-day. I will get her a small cake to smash into, but not eat alot of it. We'll just have some snack foods for the grown ups.
Tarri-Kelsey is also better about catching her falls. It's so interesting to watch her get her balance with her tiny feet. She has learned to back up if she feels she's going backwards, and she can side step. But she hasn't maneuvered around things well yet, she just runs into whatever and falls forward (usually me!). Does Emily stand up just from the floor? Kelsey crawls over to something and pulls up, then goes.
Deborah-I've been there about not being able to take it. We'll get through this!!! I get that feeling when Kelsey is teething and I just want to scream.
In addition to the mac and cheese Kelsey loves, she's now also eating pieces of turkey lunch meat and a noodle/chicken lunch bowl. I have been so relieved to find that she will eat textures now and I don't have to fret when it comes time to do away with the baby food.
-
But I have to explain things like: tell him before you do something. Don't just pick him up and change his nappy, explain to him what you're going to do (she looked at me like I was nuts :? :lol: )
:lol: I was at the grocery store the other day and I picked up a box of cheerios. I held then up to Leah and said. Look honey, mommy is going to buy you some cheerios. Do you want to look at the box? Then I kept talking about what we were doing and going to get. This lady next to me kept staring at me like I was nuts. :P She's nuts if she never talked to her kids! :wink:
-
Christine-you crack me up. I talk to Kelsey all day, everywhere, all the time. Today at Kohl's (surprise, I live there :wink: ), I was telling her how we were going to look for a tie for daddy, but first mommy needs to try the pants on her big butt! I talked to her in the dressing room, ask her how I look. Oh, it's quite silly, but she's my best friend!!!! I talk to her just as I do an adult sometimes.
-
Heather, Emily starts walking when I pull her up (cause she can't crawl to anything and also can't pull up). Otherwise she's stuck! Tonight she was walking all around the rec room turning around by herself and walking in circles :D
Schae, You'll probably find that going to work and the nanny will work out just fine. But there'll be a transition period for all of you.
-
hi ladies!
Birthdays & cake - well, luke's had some pizza crusts & yogurt, so i'll probably make a cake, and give him a cupcake to play with. if he's anything like jaina, he won't eat it anyway... though he does seem to have quite the sweet tooth, so i don't know.... :wink: as far as a party, i think my parents will be here and my sister & BIL, and perhaps a few friends, but we're definitely not throwing a big shindig. (i feel so guilty for giving birth so close to christmas :oops: )
walking - ha! not a chance. though in a major development, luke is butt-scooting much more. still, if he has too far to go, he'll cry to be carried. but we're getting there.
meat - luke's favorite is ham. can't stop shoveling it in!
happy luke news - he's started clapping his hands and shaking his head "NO" this past week. i think i'm in for it now!!! :lol:
-
Deb - i would totally travel!!! that would be so much fun!
Schae - good luck with the nanny; that's awesome that someone will come to your house.
-
JulieG, I did a search on this board for cake recipes (especially in the food allergies forum). I found a few dairy free cakes, but most used eggs and wheat flour. And some seemed like A LOT of eggs! I also checked http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com (has a healthy carrot cake). My Super Baby Food book didn't seem to offer much. And her recipe for cheesecake had all kinds of stuff in it! :shock: My recipe I've used for cheescake cupcakes for years is just 16 oz of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sugar. I've thought about the flour alternatives, and I know Bob's Red Mill (?) makes a wheat/gluten free baking flour. I believe they have recipes on their website and on the packages (again with eggs and milk though). But I haven't tried spelt and I'm not sure if I want to mess around that much and experiement. I think I'll just stick with my fruit cheesecake for now.
Birthday Celebration: After talking to many of my friends about their LOs first birthdays, we've decided to keep it to just family because it is already so large. My friends mentioned doing low stress because the party is more a celebration of you surviving the first year than it is for the child because they won't remember anything. And they said to save the fancy kid parties for when they're older and remember. If you have older kids at the party, often the 1 yo gets lost in the mayhem and the older children are right there "helping" to open gifts, blow out candles, eat cake, etc. So they suggested keeping it to adults if we want most of the spotlight to be on Asher. Plus, I think the more familiar people we have around him, the more he'll enjoy it and not get overwhelmed. He does really well with our family, even if they are several, but not so good with my friends at the playgroup right now.
That said, we'll have a laid-back lunch on the Saturday after his birthday at our house with all the family. I'd rather not have to serve a meal, but that is Asher's longest A time so I don't have much of a choice. DH's birthday is 10 days before Asher's (and our 9th wedding anniversary is 10 days before that :shock: ), so that's why we're not doing the weekend before -- trying not to have everything back to back.
Deb, once Asher started standing alone for a few seconds, he took his first steps shortly after. I don't think it'll be long by the sound of it! Your year of travel sounds like a wonderful plan! We'd love to do that, but I doubt we'd ever have the means. So do it while you can!! :D
PJs: I change Asher into his clothes first thing. Otherwise, the PJs seem to get very dirty and I don't have enough to have a new set every night. At least if he gets his clothes dirty (spitup, breakfast, etc), I know they're going into the hamper that night! :lol: Also, if I don't put him in them till after the AM nap, I won't feel like he's worn them long enough to get dirty, KWIM? Oh, who knew there was so much thought process behind the time to get dressed! :lol:
Speaking of PJs, anyone else notice that they don't seem to make all cotton PJs? Especially sleepers?! I managed to find a couple thin sets, but once I needed something warmer, it was all polyester!! I resorted to sweats (80 cotton/20 polyester :?). Anyone else so passionate about 100% cotton clothes and bedding? :lol:
Schae: 7 years for school?? Wow!! And I thought I was being a rebel wanting to start Asher at 5, or even 6, for homeschool! :lol: And I think the measles (part of MMR) is at 18 months here?? It's the one that seems to get the most bad reactions.
Speaking of vaccines, my best friend's 3 & 5 yos got chicken pox from Disneyland, just mild cases. Neither had been vaccinated. Their 8 yo was vaccinated and just came down with it. :lol: Didn't hear if it was a bad case though. Ironic.
Heather, Asher didn't learn to stand up from the middle of the floor until he was walking for a good month, month & a half. I think it's a skill that typically comes after the walking from what my mom was telling me.
Christine, I laughed at your message on my dropshots site. "You're enjoying warm weather fun while we're enjoying cold weather fun." That IS our cold weather fun here in AZ!! :lol: :lol: The playground is far too hot during the "warm weather". :wink: You could fry an egg on some of that play equipment! :shock: I also have running conversations in the grocery store. I used to get embarrased when Asher was really young, but I have no shame now. :lol: I get going with the weird faces, sounds, and so on. Half the store is laughing at me by the end, including Asher! Whatever I have to do to keep him in that seat! :roll:
I get to watch my friend's 13 mo tomorrow morning for a few hours. :shock: She's going on a job interview and doesn't have anyone else. Wish me luck with TWO babies! I'm gonna have to feed them both breakfast somehow. Her LO doesn't take morning naps (She's very AP and has no clue of BW). Whee! :lol:
-
Hi Ladies,
I am reasonably new to this website and am really interested in joining a chat (my bub David was born Feb 05) - is it encouraged to start new threads - or am I welcome to chat with you.
I have not met many people with bubs around my age and am located in a rural community. Luckily though there is a playgroup starting up in one month which I am really looking forward to taking David.
Thank you for letting me know.
-
Hi there Melissa - I would think you are more than welcome to join us (I haven't been on that long)
I just have to say that I just LOVE all our avatars at the moment; so many gorgeous happy babes all in one place!
Ciara has started letting go of holding on to things and balancing alone for a second or two then lowering herself carefully down to sit. It's so sweet to see her look of concentration! She seems to want to master that before she even thinks about taking a step, although she did love the pushcart we tried at my mum's. At home we just push a chair around but not much space to go far!
Branwen - I think your plans sound great. Having someone to help and you getting back to school will really be something to look forward to. I also had no idea how hard this SAHM thing was going to be. Some days I feel like I am just here as Ciara's appendage, rather than myself. But I think the first year must be the hardest (hoping anyway :roll:) At least until the twos I guess :lol: . As we learn to communicate with each other more every day it does feel better and better.
Vaccinations - Schae I was going to ask a similar thing. Nice to have you back again! On Monday we went for our 4th DKTP/Hib shot, (might have different name where you are but it is diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and Hib) all in one. She was so brave but when we got home she was starving and ate like two adult size meals for lunch, then slept two hours (already had one hour that morning) and then woke for another huge meal and slept 13 hrs that night. I woke her at 8am - got a shock as she was motionless on her front - my heart almost stopped! but she was just fast asleep.
Anyone know if this exhaustion might have been a reaction to the shot? She is eating like a horse these days. And sleeping well too :D . She is 21.5 lbs and about 29in. I was a bit annoyed cos we only got to see a nurse and this is our first checkup since 6 mo. She hardly asked us anything and didn't look at her ears, teeth, etc and then I was mad at myself for not saying anything at the time. I just always feel grateful that they are talking English to me and then when I leave I am like - hey, she hardly checked anything! :( :x :oops: The MMR here is given at 14 mo by which time we hope to be back in the US so I guess it won't happen then till 18 mo?
Kate
-
Melissa, feel free to join in :D
Everyone, who brushes their LO's teeth? So far we've played a little bit with the toothbrush but no paste yet. And do you just let them swallow the paste? I bought baby toothpaste and two toothbrushes but Emily ends up dropping them on the floor and I forget to pick them up and then the dog destroys them :x I've got to buy another one.
Jamie, how do you prepare the ham? Is it little chunks or pureed?
Us, we're meeting dh for lunch today. We both look forward to it every Wednesday. So I just spent 1/2 hour cleaning the ice/snow off the car and reinstalling the carseat. I haven't driven my car since before Xmas :!: . Have a great day everyone! Tarri
-
Just a quick post before we take off for the orthotist again.
Tarri - Ice and snow, what I wouldn't give for some! It's 70 here. We have been brushing Maya's teeth since the first four came in (about three months). Dh does it in the bath, and he uses the edible paste.
Screaming baby - got to go.
-
Hi, Melissa. Glad to have you join us. Please feel free to share about yourself and little David. We'd love to know what he's up to.
-
Some days I feel like I am just here as Ciara's appendage, rather than myself.
Kate- you are too funny! This is sooo how I have been feeling lately. It's just so crazy somedays when what I am worrying about is the fact that my dishwasher is broken or that there are laundry piles in 5 places around the condo. :oops: and that Eirwen needs new clothes again :shock: It's just such a contrast to the things I was worrying about a year and a half ago...somedays I feel as if I will loose myself in all of the household logistics, but then I come out of my fog and I wouldn't change a thing.
Eirwen was like that after that shot as well, minus the eating, but the sleeping definitely!!! She was soooo still in her sleep I too freaked out! A couple days after she was better.
Julie- you write so much I can't keep up! :D I'm not giving Eirwen meat- I hope that isn't bad. I mean I don't eat much of it except chicken. I probably need to be better about introducing it. I can't handle how many poops Asher has! I think I would die! :lol: Is it because you're not feeding him things like wheat and dairy that would be more constipating?? That might change when he gets more of that stuff into his diet? Maybe? :wink:
Deborah- I can't imagine what you have been through with Maya, but I hope we all have been somewhat of a support for you. I think you must be beyond exhausted with it all, esp docs so far away. Sending you good vibes and lots of strength!
Heather- you are too funny too! Living at Kohls! I love Kohls...none really around here but I am on their email list- and definitely enjoy their website lol: 8)
Happy Eirwen News- she has started giving me things. Yesterday we played "giving mama the block" game over and over and over again :lol: . She also tries to feed me her crackers and puffs in the high chair. It is too cute! She also put the lid on her shape sorter. I think she might be learning the "letting go" part.
-
Oh forgot- Eirwen's b-day. Godparents might be coming into town. Big cake with a 1 on it so she can get messy :wink: I'm also going to get photos!!!
Welcome Melissa! Please tell us all about yourself and your ds!
-
Vaccines: The schedule in SA is 6 wks, 10wks, 14wks for the hib/polio/diptheria etc. After I did some research (after the vaccs :oops: ) I so regretted doing it so young. There is a separate measles vacc at 9 months, then the MMR at 15 months (but we're doing it at 18 mo after some extensive research)
Walking: Did I congratulate all the walkers? If not: CONGRATS! Everyone who sees Luka tells me he'll be walking soon, but I think he'll wait till after his first birthday. He can stand for long periods, and stand up without holding onto anything, but walking... nope! He won't even walk if I hold one hand :lol:
Melissa: Hi and WELCOME!! Please feel free to join in and tell us a bit more about yourself and David. :D
Kate: When will you leave the Netherlands? It must be so hard to not be able to speak the language properly..
Teeth Brushing: Haven't done it yet - there's only one tooth :lol: Dh keeps asking, so maybe when at least one more tooth pops through?
Branwen: what do you give as an alternative to meat? Luka used to love lentils. Not since he's tasted meat though.
What do you ladies think of the following shirt on this pic? My mom HATES the shirt
-
Schae- I think that is really funny :lol:
-
Schae-ROFLMBO!!!! And I like it as your avatar, too.
Branwen, I like you're new avator, too.
-
can you be a support person for dropping the formula?
Heather, you're gonig to think i'm a total loon (i mean for besides going back cause i just remembered this :wink: :oops: ), but when we were out of formula with jaina, i just switched cold turkey.
we did have some problems at first, and then realized that she was used to room-temperature bottles (i would never warm them for her), so we would microwave the milk (& then shake it) to take the edge off.
it was around then that we were also able to make the transition to sippy cups. she seemed to think 'new stuff, new cups to drink out of'
Schae - :lol: :lol: :lol:
-
Kate, that certainly is odd! :? They usually do a thorough check at the nine month appt here. Maybe the sleeping/eating is a random GS (was she born early??)? But really, I think the sleeping can be a very typical reaction to such a large combo shot. Her body had a lot to take in at once! :wink:
Speaking of eating like a horse, Asher has actually slowed down the last few days. I've been reading about their appetites slowing dramatically down after the 12 month GS (due to the slower rate of weight gain as a toddler), but this seems early! He's been eating 1/2 to 3/4 of his usual portions. Is this happening to anyone else?
Melissa, welcome!! Jump right in and tell us some about yourself and your LO! Nice to see another Aussie (Deb will pop in soon, I'm sure).
Tarri, I've brushed Asher's teeth twice, just playing after I brush my own. I told myself I'd start when his front two came in, but haven't. :oops: I really need to. If you have the baby toothpaste, it's okay to swallow. And the ham I give are small pieces, usually just the deli slices, cut into 1/4-1/2 squares.
Branwen, yeah, I can get a bit talkative. :oops: :lol: It's just I have so much more in common with you ladies than my non-BW friends. :oops: I think it's fine that you're not giving meat. There are plenty of protien alternatives. My Super Baby Food book is based on a no-meat diet and lists foods and food combos that make up complete protiens. We're very pro-meat here so that's why Asher's eating it (and loving it :lol: ). Not sure why he poos so much. DH poos 2-3x a day, so maybe he gets it from him? :roll: And I am quite proactive on the constipation issue. I always make sure 50% of the meal is fruit/veggie, 25% is carbs, 25% is protien.
Schae: That shirt is HILARIOUS! :lol: Though a bit on the crude side for my own purchase. But I have seen "Boob Man" shirts that I wanted to buy! :lol:
I survived the baby-sitting!! :shock: It was hard. Her DD is weird! Well, just way different than my spirited Asher! She has an angel baby and I just didn't know what to do with her sometimes! :lol: Well, that was just the thing, I didn't have to do anything! But she's a picky eater, and I'm used to Asher, so that was a bit frustrating trying to find something she'd eat. She wouldn't even open her mouth to try anything.
-
JulieB - If you don't mind tops and bottoms, Carter's makes all cotton pj's. They're kind of like thermals. If you're looking for sleepers, Children's Place has them through 4T, I think, but they are kind of thin. Surprisingly, though, on sale, they're not too expensive.
Kate - Maya went through an 11mos GS (followed by a period or great naps) and is now eating less than ever. And our 9mos check-up was pretty thorough too, but to be honest, it seems like we're there every two weeks anyway with all of her other issues, so I kind of lose track. Speaking of which, I have since discovered that IMPETIGO is very contagious. The doctor didn't mention that. I am laundering linens and towels as I type.
Schae - Luka looks so cute. I love the shirt!
Anyone having sippy troubles - Maya would not drink from a sippy. She knew how to get water out, but she wouldn't drink. I was getting very frustrated especially as I am about ready to start weaning. However, I bought some of the disposable sippys (I think they're called take and toss), and she does great with them. It's wonderful. They're dirt cheap ($2.50 for 6), and now I always have a clean one. The only downside is that they do leak a little so I don't let her carry them around the house.
-
Thank you all for your welcomes :D
I love the idea of chatting to lots of people about babies - I am already starting to get clucky again!
David is just past 10 months, and boy is he out and about. He has been standing up for a while now and cruising around the furniture but about 2 weeks ago he stood up by himself without holding onto anything and was just standing there. I was so excited and clapping - he tried to clap (still learning that one). I think he will be walking may be by 1 year but not sure yet - just taking things day at a time.
David is a very happy child - we had a difficult start (numerous things - started with emergency c-section, difficulties BF, not putting on weight, not interested in solids and to top off - not sleeping more than 2-4 hours at a time) I had a lot to learn :shock: I did not even realise babies needed to sleep at least every 2 hours after being awake - I was very naive.
But now VERY HAPPY and loving it. I think I finally am managing to be a 'real' mum. I love staying at home with David as a full time mum and my husband and I are starting up a business at home so I can stay with David until he is old enough for school. Hopefully we are successful.
I hope I am not going on too much - I love reading about everyones babies - David LOVES water (sprinklers and swimming), loves his giraffe and riding ducky. I have attached a photo of him christmas morning(could'nt resist).
Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Thanks again,
Melissa
-
Ugh, bad nap day. Asher went to bed early! :shock: I tried pineapple this morning and we've had a few spit ups throughout the day. This hasn't happen in two months. It smelled of pineapple each time. :? One of which woke him from his pm nap. Makes me worried for his reaction to tomatoes and oranges. This really seems to verify my reflux theory. :roll: Julie, didn't you say Matty has reflux? Has he tried any of those food yet?
Deborah, thanks for the PJ tips. I have some thin carters, but I don't think I've seen the cotton thermals. And when I checked TCP, they were either too thin or polyester. :? No matter anyway. I've settled on the nothing fancy Target sweats -- cheaper than PJs anyway! :lol: Your 11 GS mention makes me wonder!! Maybe that's what Asher's been going through!! Hope the good naps stay though!! :shock: So then do they have a 12-13 mth one too??
Melissa, David is beautiful! Love his hair! He looks like a regular little boy now! Where's the baby?! :wink:
-
Hi Everyone,
I hope you all don't mind if I join in? I have read quite a few of your posts and think it is a brilliant way to talk about our gorgeous little ones and ask for advise. Unfortunately I never joined a Mother's group as I was quite ill after my daugther's birth and only came around to rejoining the world when she was about 6 months old.
My little girl Bianca is just over the 11 month old mark, boy has this first year gone so quickly. I can't believe this little bundle of joy can go from being so helpless to walking in a year it is amazing. I have been blessed with a very happy child, who started walking on Christmas Day! (Great Xmas present for me.)
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Janelle
-
Welcome to Melissa and Janelle. Nice to have you join us.
:cry: :cry: :cry: My mum and dad returned to Zambia yesterday where they are working. They'll not be home again until September when they return for just 3 weeks. I am gonna miss them so much. We had planned a big farewell breakfast for them yesterday, but dh and I both woke up in the night starting to feel sick and by morning it had well and truely kicked in :( We couldn't even drive them to the station, they had to get a taxi as we could barely move without puking!! I guess it made saying goodbye slightly easier though (all I could focus on was stopping myself throwing up :shock: ) I don't know what caused the sickness. It seems like something we ate but can't think what it could have been. Dh is back at work today and I am starting to feel a bit better so I won't complain any more now.
Before I forget (this seems like ages back!) Deb, the travelling sounds like a fantastic idea. Go for it.
First birthday - we had planned to have family and close friends round (or maybe use the church hall as it has a kitchen and is well equipped for this kind of thing). Some have kids so there will be a few kids but we're not gonna do the whole big party thing this year. Really more of a get-together for us adults.
Walking - I cannot believe how many of the los on this thread are walking already :shock: Daniel is no where near walking yet. I don't reckon he'll walk til closer to 14 / 15 months. My back is certainly starting to take its toll. Now that he weighs close to 27lb, carrying him around is just so difficult. And because he tummy crawls I can't really let him do that many places as the floors are so dirty! He still doesn't stand up in his cot so I have to lift him out from lying down which is quite a job too.
Teeth - we brush Daniel's teeth before his morning nap and then again before bedtime. We started doing this when he had about 4 teeth I think (8 now). I don't know how important it is but we figure it's good to get him used to doing it as part of a routine. Most days he tolerates it :wink:
Daniel seems to have gone through an 11month GS. Actually he still is. His appetite really decreased for about a month and then when he hit 11 months he suddenly just wouldn't stop eating :lol: His meals are getting HUGE again. And he's sleeping really well which is a bonus.
-
welcome Melissa and Janelle - happy to have you aboard!
Schae - LOVE your new avatar and think the Tshirt is funny.
1st birthday - we have not planned anythign yet but will probably be a BBQ with friends and hopefully Dh's parents who we are convincing to come in Feb (Liv's bday) instead of July (alex's bday - they have celebrated her 1st and 2nd i think it is Livs turn!)
although we have introduced milk, eggs and wheat i will do the dsame as i did at alex's first birthday (she had 3 parties and never tasted any cake). i get dessert/cake for us all to eat and she just gets the photo o[p and candle blowing moment - no cake for my lo unfortunately. alex did not try chocolate until her 2nd birthday. it might seem mean but it worked for us - alex truly understands that cake and cookies are "special treats" and she is not that fussed about icecream and has never had candy of any kind. i am a total sugar fiend so i have been careful with the girls.
teeth brushing - we are still waiting for the first one but when liv was laughing today i am sure i saw something white on her bottom gum - won't let me finger in there to confoirm it though so stay tuned - i am waiting to see if she gets her 1st tooth or walks 1st :lol:
did not open a new window and that is all i remember and am in the middle of aussie chat night so better duck back there too :D
-
Welcome to Melissa and Janelle!
Well, it seems the cold fairy has visited our house again. Dh started coming down with ANOTHER one (#3) earlier this week, and this morning I woke up with the same scratchy throat. We're wondering if our New Year's houseguests didn't bring a little something extra. The wife is an ER resident, and she's spent the last few weeks in the pediatrics dept, so she's been exposed to everything. Maya's nose started running yesterday with what I presume is the cold dh and I had over Christmas. This is getting insane.
Walking - Maya's not walking and is nowhere near even trying. I'm guessing maybe Feb/Mar?
Where is everybody today? I'm home for once!
-
Melissa, that sounds exciting about starting a home business :)
Sippy cups, I had bought some disposable ones at 6 months but there was no suction vent hole and Emily had a hard time sucking the water out without choking. So now we're on regular plastic cups. But I just bought a real sippy cup today so we'll see how that goes.
I also bought birthday invitations. I plan on inviting pretty much everyone we know in the area and our parents. That all totals of to about 10 couples :oops:
For those brushing teeth, do you hold them up to the bathroom sink? Do you try and teach them to spit the toothpaste out?
Tarri
-
grrrr.... Deborah i think the cold fairly must have come here after it left you. luke started getting sick new year's eve; he was up most of the night, and then had a fever & slept the next 2 days/nights. he seems to be getting much better but now i feel like cr@p. oh well.....
Welcome Melissa & Janelle! good to see you!
-
Toothbrushing - we just do it after the bath and don't do any spitting out yet. She loves it, but mostly chews the toothpaste off the brush. Since she got her top teeth (but one front one and next-to-front one :? (what's it called?!) she has done a bit of teeth grinding - it's horrible! I'm hoping the novelty wears off since she didn't do it today.....
Janelle - welcome to you too! where are you? I love that we are all spread across the globe!
Melissa - cute picture. You and David look lovely!
Birthday plans - not sure where we'll be yet! We might still be here packing, or in England at my mum's or with inlaws (she has a cousin 3 days younger) or back in CO (though this is unlikely :( )
11 mo growth spurt - that makes sense - thanks Deborah!
Julieb - you cracked me up about the poops running in the family! Ciara is also a big meat fan.
-
Tarri - Dh does it while she's still in the tub. And you use so little toothpaste, I don't know that there's much to spit out.
-
Heather, I just noticed you're a moderator now! Good Luck :D
-
Thank you all so much for your welcomes.
You have another Aussie in your ranks, we live in sunny Brisbane, Queensland Australia. And boy is it hot here today, Bianca had her first swim at 7:30am in the morning!
Brushing Teeth - I have been giving Bianca a toothbrush with a little bit of toothpaste on it when she has her bath each night. She just chews on it and actually as she has got older is starting to rub the brush along her teeth and gums.
1st Birthday - I have no idea, but better start working it out quick, my little girl turns one on the 21st. Probably a BBQ with the family and the next door neighbours, they have 3 boys, one of which is a month older than Bianca.
Can I ask anyone if or how they intend to put their little one's across to cow's milk? Do I have to wait until Bianca is 1 (She is only two weeks off.) or is it worthwhile to introduce one of her feeds each day now with cow's milk and slowly increase it over the next couple of weeks?
-
Janelle - I think the general advice is to wait to 1 year before introducing cow's milk. Having said that we have already started Daniel on cow's milk once or twice. He doesn't seem to mind the difference in taste too much. What we have done a few times is mixed the 2 together - half formula and half cow's milk.
-
Janelle - My doctor told me to introduce cow's milk at bit before her first b-day. (He wanted her to be introduced to it before her one year check-up, that way we can discuss any problems there may me.) I've heard conflicing info, but we plan to go cold turkey with the cow's milk. This way you will be able to tell if they have any reactions to it. So, cow's milk day for us will be Saturday, Jan 28th - the weekend works best for us because that is when I am home. OMG, that's only three weeks away! :shock:
-
Janelle, I'm holding out on milk till we have our allergist appointment this month. If they test milk and she's fine I think I'll start switching her over one bottle at time.
Us, well the sippy cup I bought didn't go so well. You have to really suck hard on the hard spout and she didn't like it. So I'll be returning that! I think we'll try the soft spout cups. Does anyone use the straw cups? Do you still tilt these ones back?
-
I heard also that you can start mixing it in food/cooking before giving it straight. Here they told me that since she eats so much of everything that I should give her semi skimmed. Apparently they used to say full fat but recently changed to recommend it only if your lo is not eating all food groups well at 1yo since they started having obesity issues. Do they say that in other countries too?
Kate
-
Tarri - Yes, we use a straw cup. I bought it at Walmart and it has the nuby straw. We also use the nuby sippy cups. (Nuby makes the soft spout.) No, she doesn't need to tip back the straw cup.
Are all of you planning on turning you LO around in their car seat at exactly a year? I'm getting anxious to put Leah forward facing, she just hates facing backwards. I'm actually thinking she should be forward facing, she is so long that she has to bend her knees because her feet hit seat.
-
Christine - Daniel has been forward facing for a couple of months now. Here in the UK they suggest changing them anytime from around 9months once they reach a certain weight. He was too big for his rear facing one (his head reached over the top) by about 9 months so we switched then. He LOVES the new seat as he can see so much more. The only thing is he definitely doesn't sleep so long in the forward facing as he used to in the rearward one. Maybe it's because he can see more or it could simply be because he's older and more into everything.
We are getting desperate here - Daniel REFUSES to take milk from anything but the bottle. This afternoon I put a couple of ounces of milk in his sippy cup. He would not have any of it. So I went and tipped it into his bottle and he polished the lot off in about 30 secs flat. Do all of your los take milk from sippy cups or just juice/water? He will happily drink juice with his meals from the cup but nothing else. Any advice?
My poor SIL - she was in hospital for 7 days after her dd was born (she got HELLP syndrome). She's since had really bad mastitis, which has just turned into abscesses both sides :cry: Tuesday she ended up in hospital getting them drained. Today she's back in again coz they've got bad again. And to top it all off they think her lo has it too. I didn't even know it was possible for the baby to get mastitis, but apparently so. She is soooo positive through it all it puts me to shame. Makes me feel bad for all the times I complained about little things. She is going through all this with a smile on her face and I've not really heard her complain once :shock: Hopefully she'll be on the mend soon now.
-
Just a quick note, gotta prepare for errands while Asher sleeps...
Kate, they're quite vocal about whole milk until age two here in the US. But they also are very vocal about cutting down the fast foods and unhealthy snacks for children in order to stop childhood obesity. Even though Asher eats a lot, he's in no danger of being obsese, so he'll get whole milk since it's much better for babies.
Whole Milk Day -- not sure what day we'll do it, but I plan on introducing wheat, eggs, and dairy before I schedule his 1 year check up in case we have any problems.
Car seat -- we were going to leave Asher RF until he hit the limit (33 lbs) or his legs couldn't fit anymore. But lately with REAL shoes on, he's quite cramped. I figure he's only 26-27 lbs though. So I think we'll end up turning him around his birthday anyway.
Speaking of REAL shoes -- I made the mistake of getting shoes with laces. He loves to untie them. Will get velcro next time. :roll:
Sippy -- When I taught Asher how to use a sippy, he had EBM. But I got lazy and only give him water now (has never had juice). I gave him some extra EBM couple times since and he wouldn't take it. When I introduce milk, I'll only give it to him in the sippy, but I may have to buy a new sippy so he doesn't get put off (seeing a familiar sippy but unfamiliar taste).
Hope all the sickies are feeling better quickly!! :D
-
Whole milk - we're going cold turkey once the formula's gone - sometime in the next month!
Car seat - i cannot wait to turn luke around. i think he'll be much happier on longer car trips when he can see all of us. thankfully, the seat we have is great for rear-facing, so he's not cramped at all - even as big as he is! but it does seem to bug him that he has no idea where we are sometimes.
Cups - for a while, luke was drinking water out of a straw cup, but since this cold he's lost interest, which i guess makes sense. i think we'll just play with sippy cups when it comes time to drink milk out of them. haven't decided yet; i may do milk out of a bottle for a little while until he doesn't mind the taste, and then switch.
Kate - i've heard that whole milk is great until they were age 2, when you are supposed to switch to skim milk. my ped had never heard of that though, so i just went to 2% when jaina turned 2, cause that's what we drink. who knows?!
anyhow, luke is getting better - just in time for the rest of us to get sick! :roll: oh well. cute luke thing - he is "scootching" so much faster now, and boy does he know where he wants to go to get into trouble! :lol: and he has the cutest grin when i catch him...
-
Janelle - We're going to wait until our 1yr ped visit to introduce whole milk, and Maya has weight gain issues (only 16lb, 6oz as of our sick visit last week), so we'll definitely be doing whole milk when the time comes. We have already used it in cooking for her.
Christine - Again, since Maya is so scrawny, she will be rear-facing for quite a while yet. The minimum requirement here is 20lb AND 1yr, but they do recommend leaving them rear-facing as long as they fit comfortably.
JulieB - I have to laugh. Maya can undo velcro, so I bought lace-up shoes, and I double-knot them. Her feet are so narrow, though, it's very difficult to find ones that fit. Of course, last time MIL was here, she spent 1/2hr teaching Maya how to untie and remove her shoes. This is after spending 1-1/2wks with us and knowing that the only to keep socks on her feet is to put shoes on her.
Tarri - We have two different Nuby soft spout ones, but the handled one she didn't like, and the one without handles was a bit awkward (not the lack of handles, but the height of it). I was looking for the Nuby straw one (never found it) when I found the disposables. We also have two Tommee Tippee ones, but she didn't do well with either. When we introduce milk, I think I'll put it in the no-handle Nuby cup.
-
Christine, that's good that you don't have to tip up a straw cup, cause I think what happens is emily sucks on the spouts of the sippy's but nothing comes out so she gives up. So my next purchase will be a straw cup!
Car seat, we bought a convertible car seat a couple months ago with the idea that we'd like to keep her rear facing as far past her first birthday as possible. I've read so much stuff that babies are way safer in the rear facing position, and I'd hate to take a chance I could regret.
Kate, that's interesting about the view of obesity linked to whole milk. In canada they recommend whole milk. I think we'll try whole milk cause I'm worried that she's going to need the calories cause she'll probably drink less out of a cup than a bottle.
Jamie, that's awesome that Luke is scooting so much. He must be thrilled to go places 8)
Hazel, I remember that Tracy talks about the milk in sippy cup problem in the book. I believe she says to offer a cup with what they're used to and a cup with milk at the same time. Can't remember the rest of the details but it's in there somewhere :wink:
Us, I can't believe how far Emily's come in the last two months :lol: . She's fully walking now, is nesting plastic cups together, passing me toys, bringing a toy from one location and putting it in a box somewhere else 8) . It's wonderful! I'm very proud of her. (still no pulling up or crawling :wink: ) Have a good night everyone, Tarri
-
Tarri and anyone else! :wink:
This is the straw cup we use. The Nuby one. I love it. Plus it is insulated. I bought mine at Walmart. But this is the site I found with a picture!
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/thebabybungalow/nunosp9ozins.html
-
car seats - olivia has been front facing for months now (can't remember when but definitely around 9 mo)
milk - already in food and then we do whole milk for 1st 2 yrs here. i agree with tarri that since they tend to drink less milk than formula or BM it is good to have the concentrated fat source. recently learnd that low fat milk apparently has more calcium so i guess it depend on what you are trying to achieve
Tarri - i am so amazed at emily - i almost choked on my coffee when i read that she is doing al that stuff since she and liv are the same age (then told myself just to be happy for Emily, etc and let go of my guilt that i don't do enough with liv to encourage these things)
Jaime - glad to hear luke is better, sorry for the rest of the family. i am just gettting to the end of my cough finally and alex is still struggling slightly but now Liv and Dh are the worst - Dh actually took thurs and fri off sick :roll: and slept loads (lucky him)
our update- not sure what the root cause/change is of our success now (we have simultaneously moved to earlier nap times, had a cold front/rain move in = darker and cooler, and liv is ill) but the results are 1) no shh/pat required for sleeps as she is not standing up in cot 2)her naps have been great with some days of 1hr 30 in the am and still 1hr 30-2hrs in pm and 3) wake up has been between 7-7:30 this week :shock: of course i wake up coughing at 4-5am or think i hear liv at6am and have to sit up and listen closely - all for nothing :roll:
-
I have been trying to get Kelsey to drink formula from a sippy for months now. I had heard that babies often refuse it, so I've been trying to prepare her for the big switch. I offer it at breakfast and lunch. You will laugh, or might be the same way, but I have 10 different sippy cups!!!! She takes her watered-down juice extremely well from one cup, so I tried others for the formula/eventually milk. She just won't even try a different cup. So we're back to her usuall cup. The most formula she's ever taken from it is 3 oz, which was wonderful, but it must have been a mistake that she was very thirsty and wouldn't take anymore once she realized what it was. I still try everyday, though, and today she did 1 oz. Maybe when I give cold milk (since her juice is cold) she'll be more accepting. I think I'm going to start mixing her formula with whole milk and wean the formula down. She hasn't had any food troubles other than the banannas, so I think she'll be fine. My friends did that and it worked well.
As for the carseat, I know Kelsey is over 20 lbs, but I think RF is easier right now and she doesn't complain. It will take some getting used to to strap her in the other way. Her feet don't hit the seat, plus the seat helps keep her toys from falling too far.
Tarri-sounds like alot is going on at your house. It really is amazing all the developments they make all of the sudden, isn't it. I meant to tell Julie B that Kelsey also got the drop-n-roar dinosaur and dh taught how to put the balls in. Funny thing is that now she likes to put them back in where they come out and try to get them out herself. And I love to watch her try to figure out her shape sorter, or hand me something but take it back real quick. It's been fun!
As for shoes, how long does she need to be in the soft, flexible leather ones? Her's have gotten so dirty already that it's embarassing.
Can anyone remind me why I was complaining about Kelsey not eating finger/table foods? I've created a monster!!! I can't keep her hands off my plate and she's stuffing herself. I see know how it's possible for them to decrease their milk intake once they eat more solids. I thought Kelsey would never fall into that catergory. She's taking about 5-6 oz after lunch and before bed, when she used to take 8. Is that okay now since she's close to 12 months? I guess if she takes awhile to accept milk that she'll get full enough on food and water/juice and I'll just make sure she has enough calcium from other sources.
-
I scored at the second hand store this afternoon! :D I found the FP Incrediblock! Looks new, half the price, with all of the original blocks plus extras! I was SO hoping someone would get it for Christmas or his birthday, but it's pricey, so we'll just give it ourselves. Also saw a Leapfrog activity table for $20, but I'm not so sure about it. People rave about it, but Asher seems too "busy" for it. He seems to need more physical toys. I also picked up one of those old-fashioned corn poppers for playing outside.
Also went to Wal-Mart (I only go when I'm desperate) looking for playground stuff (like a toddler slide) but they don't have their displays up yet. :? Hopefully they'll have stuff before his birthday. It's Arizona! They should have this stuff displayed year round!! I'd like to get him a slide (or set) from his great aunt who sent some money.
Oh, I wanted to say earlier, Asher's cognitive skills have seemed to take a leap lately. If I tell him we're gonna take a nap, he'll grab his luvie and go stand by the gate waiting. I brought out a new stuffed animal I had been saving for him and started calling it "Lambie" and within two days, he already knew it by name. Then yesterday, we were playing outside and I was showing him leaves and grass. By the end of our conversation, he pointed to the grass or a leaf if I asked him! I'm so shocked! I never never babies could understand so much so young! Oh, and he's now OBSESSED with putting things in holes! Driving me a little nuts because he's putting toys in other toys that aren't supposed to go together and things are getting stuck! Oh well, at least he's learning what fits. I think he's been inspired by all these new sorting toys he got for Christmas.
Deborah -- :lol: I figure he'll be able to undo the velcro as well, but at least I can re-velcro faster than re-tie! I thought of double knotting, but I think the untieing will just annoy me more than having to do velcro. We'll see! :roll: He's good at leaving his shoes on, at least, because he knows it means we're either going for a car ride or outside to play. And I never put socks on him except for sleeping. Though I finally got some non-skid ones today, so we'll see. His feet never seem to get cold though. And while you can't find shoes thin enough, I can't find them thick enough! :lol: Asher has a somewhat wide foot, but that's not the problem! It's really thick and tall! Pudgy little feet that are hard to get into these tiny shoes!! :shock:
Straw cups -- I saw some clever spill proof straw cups by Nuby today at Wal-Mart. They have slits in the straw! (Christine, that's the one I saw too)
Heather, those shoes are washable, you know. :wink: We just put real shoes on Asher last week and he's been walking for over 2 months. But that was because I lost his shoes for about a month! :oops: Otherwise, we would have just kept the robeez about a month -- until they seem to walk well and stable, and might start walking on new surfaces that need more sole protection.
-
Julie-my mom told me they were washable, but I didn't believe her :oops: . Guess I owe her an apology and now I'll get them in the wash.
Do you lo's eat their shoes and socks? Gag, I'm constantly reaching around in the car and taking them out of her mouth. She's like a billy-goat!!! Eats everything. Sometimes I'll look back and her sock is hanging out of her mouth, she's sucking on it, but playing with something else.
-
Driving me a little nuts because he's putting toys in other toys that aren't supposed to go together and things are getting stuck!
How about in his crazy ball popper? Leah has that toy too and the other day I pushed it and it started, but nothing came out. I looked in and there were a few balls, a pacifier and some of her fisher price shapes in there! :lol:
-
We posted together Heather! :wink: Leah also eats her shoes! Funny story - the other night she took her shoe off while eating supper and I looked over and she was filling it up with mac-n-cheese. :lol:
-
Pretty soon we'll be finding stuff in the toilet :shock: !
I'm going to get one of those ball poppers for birthday.
-
Heather & Christine, you two are cracking me up!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
I'm relieved to hear Asher isn't the only billy goat on this list! I keep wondering when this oral fixation stage ends! :shock:
I find FP balls stuck in the small stacking cup (that I pry out with the pliers), little people in the ball blast and ball popper, the toy cell phone sitting in the top of the popper, the list goes on.... :roll:
-
Hi to one and all, and welcome to the new additions! I can't seem to find the time to keep up and write on this thread as much as I used to. :oops:
First I have to say that I am so surprised at all the stuff your kiddos can do! Congrats to all the walkers! Ethan is cruising around the furniture, and trying to occasionally stand on his own, but that's it. We'll see how long the walking takes to start!
And wow on all the stuff that you kids understand! I feel like they are leaps and bounds ahead of my ds! Ethan doesn't really get the sorting toys yet. He just loves to pull everything out, but he hasn't gotten the part where you sort the toys to put them back in! Honestly, his favorite activity is to take out toys or parts of toys, crawl around with them, and then pull up on something (anything!!) and bang on it with the toys, or eat the toys while standing there, etc.
Ethan is definitely a billy goat too! He is constantly pulling on his socks or robeez and trying to get them in his mouth when he's in his carseat. And he eats every single toy that we have. Oh, and did I mention he also loves to go over to our bookcases and pull all our books off (these are mommy's books!)? I call him mr. destructo.
Ethan got an outdoor climb castle thing for christmas, but we have it up in the playroom. Looks like this: http://www.littletikes.com/Toys/Toys-Detail.aspx?Product_ID=2362&Description=SwingAlong%e2%84%a2+Castle. I made dh take off the swing though, cause he's not into sitting in the swing, and just kept hitting his head on it trying to crawl under it. Does anyone else's lo love to crawl under and over stuff like chair rungs, etc.? Ethan loves that! Anyway, so he's been infatuated with the rungs and slide lately. He can't climb up it, but we help him and help him slide down too. Otherwise he likes to climb over and under it, and stand on the side and throw his toys down the slide! :lol:
julieb - I wanted to say that Ethan also has many, many poopy diapers a day. It's a tad ridiculous, I think! I woud say some days it's 4 diapers! Other days it's just 1 or 2, those are good days for mommy! :wink:
switching to milk - is anyone else nervous about this? I definitely am. Ethan currently takes 4 bottles a day. I have only given him water in his Nuby sippy, which he literally sips with his meals, but no real "drinking" yet, which is fine, I suppose. But I'm afraid that he won't want to give up the bottle. Do any of you have plans to switch to milk first in the bottles, and then work on bottles to sippys? I guess I just don't know how to go about starting the process. I have tried 3 other sippy cups before using the soft-spout Nuby one with no handles. All the other ones he would just gnaw on the spout, but not drink. Not until the soft spout did he try to suck out of it. And he doesn't get the concept of the straw cups, again, he just tries to chew on the straw, not suck from it!
car seats - I can't wait to turn Ethan around at one year. I am hoping he'll be happier when he can see more around him. He occasionally gets quite vocal back there! He too has his feet touching the back of the seat, but he's not cramped yet.
We've been dealing with nightwakings again. Usually just once a night, but last night it was twice. He is teething his top front teeth, so I'm hoping that's the issue. Some nights he'll sleep all night, but lately it's been once a night.
I also think Ethan may be going thru a growth spurt. He's been downing his entire bottles, which he doesn't usually do, and he's eating way more solids lately. Oh, and ladies, be proud, he has taken to eating a lot more finger foods! I was beginning to think I'd be buying baby food forever! I still use the baby food fruit to use in his cereal in the mornings, but I'm trying to cut back on the purees and give more finger foods at his meals. Which reminds me - how long do you guys plan to give them the baby cereals? I currently use the rice cereal and the oatmeal cereal mixed with fruit in the mornings. He loves it, but I wasn't sure when I should stop that, or if I even should! I feel like his finger foods are limited during mealtimes (not necessarily breakfast) because he only has two teeth!
first birthday - we don't have plans yet, but probably will just have my parents and dh's parents over. We don't have any super close friends that we would invite, and I figure it's more for us anyway. Ethan doesn't know what's going on! I would invite my sil's family, but she is scheduled for a c-section this coming tuesday!
which reminds me, thanks for all the suggestions for the care basket for her. I bought some nice body lotion, hand lotion, a couple of bath products, some lanolin cream for breastfeeding, breastfeeding pads, and some snacks. I want to go get some fun slipper socks too, and then I'll be done. Please pray for her on the tuesday, the 10th, that everything goes well! she was the one who got me onto this site in the first place!
well, hopefully I didn't go on too terribly long. have a nice night / day!
-
You ladies are having too much fun! :wink: I'm not getting my notifications :cry: boo hoo
Anyway, Julie- Asher's cognitive skills are so impressive. Eirwen isn't even close to all of that :oops: WOW! That is great! My gosh!!
Sippy cup- I use the avent sippy inserts in the bottles and we also have the soft spout Nuby ones. She does well with the avent insert but the Nuby ones are very tall so she has problems lifting them, but today she did okay. They also backwash really bad GROSS, so I'm not sure what we will do. I think I am still searching for that perfect one you know??
Weaning- Julie and Deborah and those of you still nursing. Are you going to start weaning at 12 months? How are you planning to drop feeds? Will you just give whole milk in a cup at the previous nursing times. I also feel so emotional about this. I start crying every time I think of. Am I crazy? :cry: Tomorrow we start. I'm going to pump for her two daytime feeds and start giving them to her in a cup. I will do this for two weeks and the replace with whole milk, and try to get the morning and night ones worked out by 14 months. My ped told me not to give whole milk until after the first birthday, but I'm sure she would be fine with it as she has had dairy since 7 months (yogurt, cheese, etc).
Well, got to go, dh is being a pain tonight. :x
-
Tammy, that's the same set I have my eye on for Asher. Haven't seen it in person though. I'm concerned that he'll be too tall for the slide (feet touch the bottom before he even slides down much?) and wonder how the swing really "swings." It just seems so short online. What do you think of it's size in relation to Ethan? BTW, Ethan's activities sound exactly how Asher was until recently. It's like they're too focused on mobility to work on anything else. :roll: I don't use infant cereal, just plain oatmeal and millet, but I plan to continue the cereal (until he can take over himself) because it's a good source of whole grains.
Branwen, I think you short-change Eirwen!! :wink: She has amazed me in her videos! Feeding herself with the spoon, wiping the tray, are just a few that come to mind. And I'm always so intrigued with how she examines her toys and surroundings (even eating her finger foods). She's so precise and deliberate. I can literally see the wheels turning. She is one clever girl and I think she probably understands much more than we think! :lol:
And I'm with you on searching for the "perfect sippy." I have 5-6 different ones and just bought a new style today. Though Asher drinks out of all just fine (except Nuby, and backwash, ewww!), I'm not satisfied. I'm adding that to the list of baby items I should invent. :lol:
Weaning: BIG HUGS! I'm kinda in denial. I get very emotional sometimes, but then I think it's still so far away. I know it will make me sad as it's his last "baby" thing. You could always just start with one day session, so you have a little time to "break in" to the idea.
I had thought about continueing, but I feel really chewed on lately with all these teeth, so we're gonna start around 12 mths. Haven't decided on "Whole Milk Day" yet, but I will introduce milk first, wait for a reaction, then try a whole serving in a sippy. If he takes the serving fine, I'll cut one nursing session a week. I'm not sure if I'll give the milk at meals or nursing sessions yet. I don't think he'll notice the dropping because they aren't part of any wind down routine. And he rarely asks, only if he sees me sit in "the chair" at "that time." I may try a sippy first thing in the morning since it takes me a bit to prepare breakfast. But if he spits up (as he currently does between nursing and breakfast), I'll just have to go straight to breakfast. And I figure I'll give a sippy before bed to help that long haul through the night. Whew, that said, I think bedtime nursing will be the first to go, then afternoon, then morning (in order of his least interested). Good luck tomorrow, let us know how it goes!
-
First I have to say that I am so surprised at all the stuff your kiddos can do! Congrats to all the walkers! Ethan is cruising around the furniture, and trying to occasionally stand on his own, but that's it. We'll see how long the walking takes to start!
And wow on all the stuff that you kids understand! I feel like they are leaps and bounds ahead of my ds! Ethan doesn't really get the sorting toys yet. He just loves to pull everything out, but he hasn't gotten the part where you sort the toys to put them back in! Honestly, his favorite activity is to take out toys or parts of toys, crawl around with them, and then pull up on something (anything!!) and bang on it with the toys, or eat the toys while standing there, etc.
Tammy - i think Ethan and Olivia are twins separated by many miles and 2 days :wink: these are exact descriptions of her and thanks for sharing. not that anyone else should feel "bad" because their kiddos are doing well, but for me, with the PPD, i suffer extreme guilt because i feel i have slighted olivia this past year and worry with every thing she doesn't do that alex did do... that it is a direct result of some failing on my part. alex had not only figured out her shape sorter by 10 months but had it mastered by 10 1/2 mo old :shock: she was also playing with the blocks from it - setting herself challenges trying to hold as many in one hand as possible (4 was her best effort) and starting to try to stack things. but i look at alex now at 2 1/2 yo and she has always excelled at puzzles and logic type stuff - she figures things out! Olivia just bashes, crashes, crawls etc she is much more PHYSICAL (although she has been saying "bird" for a few weeks both in sign language and word) and because we have so many toys and things around i think she flits about and gets so sidetracked etc WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH OF THIS STUFF IS INGRAINED IN THEM FROM THE START AND HOW MUCH IS DOWN TO WHAT EXPOSURE THEY HAVE my early childhood nurse told me many many months ago (when she was trying to get me help) that all i really need to provoide are food, shelter and love and the rest will happen on its own. she reminded me that 30-40 years ago people did not raise their kids with so much stuff and with an agenda... and they all walked, talked, etc fine
-
I'm also amazed at how well all the babies are doing. They're so grown up it's amazing!
Weaning: I've decided that we will bf till Luka is between 18 months and 2 years old. He only has one tooth and a second top one coming through (causing nightwakings) so maybe I'll change my mind once he has more? We'll see. I was going to replace the daytime BF with a sippy cup of milk (we have the Nuby and he loves it. The Avent one is hard and he isn't keen on it.)
We'd dropped to one daytime BF, but he began waking at night, so last night we tried a second daytime BF and he only woke at midnight due to his teeth. So, I guess it'll be 2 sippy cups of whole milk during the day and a morning bf and a nighttime bf. We're going cold turkey with the cow's milk in the cups when he turns one. Since he turned 10 months I've been putting cow's milk in his cereal. I boil it first and then add it to the cereal, apparently the boiling makes the enzymes easier to digest.
Car Seat: there are no laws here about rearfacing etc. The reccomendation is 9months/9kg. But from what I've read, the later the better. That said, Luka has reached the very top of his rearfacing one, and we're going to buy a forward facing car seat next month and he'll probably be forward facing from his first birthday.
must go, Luka is 'shouting' at me.
-
WE DEFINITELY HAVE A FIRST TOOTH POKING THROUGH ON THE BOTTOM!! we are so excited for Olivia - 10 1/2 months old - i never woudl have guessed it woudl be this late!! so far it is just the white of the tooth that has broken the surface (not a whole tooth yet!) Yay Livvy! :D
-
oh yeah - and i am never again writing about things going well on this site ... soon after posting that she has been nappng well etc she refused to go down for 2nd nap - took until 3:30 or so to get a nap out of her :roll:
-
Tammy and Deb - Ciara sounds just the same developmentally too! She still doesn't clap hands palms together, she does one on the back of the other. But she has recently doscovered that she can get attention from anybody by waving at them.
Branwen - I agree that Eirwen looks super smart on the videos - so meticulous and careful. She looks like she is really thinking about everything she does - it's all going in!
Weaning - I am feeling really confused about it, I guess it's pretty normal. On the one hand I am looking forward to buying some new underwear :D but then I think we'll be moving and it will be a big upheaval for her to deal with so maybe she will need to continue a while longer? Sippy cups - she uses Avent but only for water or juice, she has had formula or EBM in a bottle but wouldn't accept it out of the sippy. I might give it in a normal (small) cup, she likes to drink out of a cup at mealtimes.
Am confused about the whole vs semi skimmed milk issue now too! Not sure what to do.....!
-
Tammy-I'm totally nervous of getting rid of the bottle. I posted a thread under either bottle feeding or weaning. My plan based on all the advice I've gotten is to first offer the milk in the sippy at each meal, and depending on how much she takes, give the rest in a bottle. However, I will still probably only give a bottle in the morning and before bed, and hopefully only the bedtime one if still necessary after 13 months, but not much longer. She's good to take 4-6 oz of watered down juice in her sippy throughout the day. All I can say is offer the sippy over and over. Kelsey likes the Gerber sippy best.
Debra-I totally agree with the nurse. Rather than toys many years ago, kids had to work! Well, I know not under the age of 1, but still. Even our parents are shocked by the toys offered these days. Kelsey still prefers to bang things together, and she flits around, too. She'd rather practice pulling up, squatting, and walking than play with mama :( . Congrats on the tooth! Doesn't it just add to the "more grown-up look"?
-
alex had not only figured out her shape sorter by 10 months but had it mastered by 10 1/2 mo old :shock: she was also playing with the blocks from it - setting herself challenges trying to hold as many in one hand as possible (4 was her best effort) and starting to try to stack things. but i look at alex now at 2 1/2 yo and she has always excelled at puzzles and logic type stuff - she figures things out! Olivia just bashes, crashes, crawls etc she is much more PHYSICAL (although she has been saying "bird" for a few weeks both in sign language and word) and because we have so many toys and things around i think she flits about and gets so sidetracked etc WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH OF THIS STUFF IS INGRAINED IN THEM FROM THE START AND HOW MUCH IS DOWN TO WHAT EXPOSURE THEY HAVE my early childhood nurse told me many many months ago (when she was trying to get me help) that all i really need to provoide are food, shelter and love and the rest will happen on its own. she reminded me that 30-40 years ago people did not raise their kids with so much stuff and with an agenda... and they all walked, talked, etc fine
I couldn't agree with your nurse more! Keep in mind most of these babies are our firsts. I'm sure we'll all be experiencing similar time contraints (and guilt) with our seconds. Me & my DH are second born though, and we turned out just fine, if not better than our first born siblings (we're both more well-rounded)! :lol: And though Asher has begun shape-sorting, he was exactly like Ethan, Liv, and Ciara a few weeks ago! He's a few weeks older than them though. It sounds like everyone is right "on target" with each other. I'm amazed at Alex though! Mastered the sorter by 10.5 mths?! Wow!! I think it was all these ball/hole toys Asher got from Christmas that inspired the latest. He has by no means come close to mastering any other shapes besides the balls and circles. And really, I don't even think he understands that yet from all the little people we find stuck in everything! :lol: :wink:
-
Oh my gosh...lots of of new stuff to read. And I love it. But for now just posting a pic.
Christine, the straw sippy cup is a success so far. Yeeeaahh!
-
Tarri - love Emily's pic, so cute, those cheeks! :D
Heather - your bottle / sippy plan sounds good to me! I'm going to wait until 12 months to offer the milk, and I haven't decided yet whether to first offer it in the sippy, or get him used to it in the bottle, and then switch. Cold turkey may be the best way to go, but I guess it depends on him, and whether he'll drink it out of the sippy from the get go. I was nervous about finger foods too, so I'm sure I'll get over it! We've had our first few meals lately with no purees, so I'm excited about that. He's been eating a lot more veggies and other finger food lately, so that's why. I didn't want him to be hungry when he wasn't all that interested in the finger foods, apart from the puffs or cheerios! :oops: So, I'd been giving him the purees still. But we're on the road to getting rid of them, yeah!
Deb - yeah on the first tooth! We have the two top teeth all puffy and the right one was poking thru a bit, but seems to have receeded with all the puffy gums right now. When those come thru that will make 4 for Ethan. I thought he was only going to have 2 teeth forever!
And thanks for your thoughts about Liv's development as well. You know (I think) that I am a PPD sufferer too, so I can kind of stress about his development at times, when I hear others that are so far ahead of him! But you know you are exactly right about Liv and Ethan being separate continent twins... he is SO physical, he just doesn't seem to have time for the toys most of the time. He just wants to crawl and pull up and bang on things. And I've just decided that it's all okay... that's him, and he'll figure out the other more mental stuff in his own time too. I have a feeling I will have a rambunctious active little boy on my hands once he's walking!
Julieb - well, regarding the slide and swing... I had dh take off the swing because Ethan doesn't want to sit still in it and swing. And honestly, it doesn't swing very much forward or back. I thought it was kind of stupid, but I suppose if you have kids that like to sit and swing, it would work! Ethan is just not a sit still kind of guy! As far as the slide goes, he can slide a good ways down before hitting the bottom - meaning it's not that little. He was 30" at his 9 month check (have no idea what he is now), so he is fairly tall for the age. The ladder part is really like rock climbing steps, so it's way hard for him to climb up, he comes no where close! We have to "help" him (which equals basically climbing it for him), and then turning him around to slide down the slide with my hands on him at all times. He likes the slide though, and he crawls under all of the stuff, so it's cute. Honestly, if I had know in laws were going to buy it, I would have told them to get just the ladder and slide part, and not get the one with the swing. That might be an idea for you Julie - http://www.littletikes.com/Toys/Toys-Detail.aspx?Product_ID=2366&Description=Climb+n+Slide%e2%84%a2+Castle&ProductCategory=CASTLE . I think the slide looks little in the pics because they have 3 years olds or something using it!
Oh, and thanks for the reassurance regarding Ethan's development - I in no way wanted to make anyone feel bad about posting what their kids can do - that's so great for them, and you! I just am astounded sometimes at the different development rates! And like deb said, sometimes it's hard not to feel like your kid is "behind", but that's just something I have to deal with!
Branwen - I'm glad to see you on the posts again, I love hearing about you and your family and Eirwen. And I just love all the pics of her, she is too adorable for words.
:?: what program do you guys use to resize your pics for the avatars? We don't have a good pic program, and since the full-blown Adobe Photoshop is sooo expensive, like $700, I was thinking about Adobe Photoshop Elements. I'd really like to get the photoshop type software, so I can do more than just view my pics! Our pc came with some lousy pic software.
and that said, does anyone have photoshop that can resize a christmas pic for a new avatar for me? when I try to resize my pics down to avatar size, it just doesn't like that, and then they're blurry on top of it too!
-
Congrats Liv on the toofer!! That's so cool.
I cannot believe how much our babies have grown. Can you believe it's been almost a year?! Our lives have changed tremendously and our babies have grown in leaps and bounds. Amazing!
Emily looks so EDIBLE in that pic!
-
just wanted to share a quick story about my SNEAKY little boy...
since he's discovered his scootching, he's exploring more & more on his own. lately, he's been making a beeline for the fireplace and touching the grate on the outside. i've been saying "luke, no!" and moving him, but before i do he's just been turning around and giving me this huge grin. (between that & his blue eyes, this kid is gonna break hearts someday! :lol: )
anyhow, i'd walked out of the room & left him playing. when i returned, he looked up & beelined to the fireplace. i got distracted blowing my nose (dratted cold!) and didn't pay much attention. and wouldn't you know? he LOOKED at me, pretended he was going to grab it, and then turned to look at me to see if i would say anything. when i didn't, he tried again, and then he lost interest and went back to his toys.
what a sneaky little stinker! :D
HOLY COW! he just grabbed jaina's sippy cup of milk & tried to drink it! i hope this is a good sign of things to come (fingers crossed!)
-
Debra, now you're just being silly :wink: Olivia does tons of stuff Emily can't do like stairs and crawling and pulling up 8) ! Remember I've only got one lo and you've got two. When I've got two (one day hopefully) they're going to have to split the attention.
-
WOW - everyone is doing so well!
Weaning - I have been thinking of how/when etc - still BF about 3 or 4 times in a 24 hr period - he has been on and off - last night only BF him at midnight when he woke and 6am this morning (but the night before 4 times in the night - when he woke.
I think it was because I only BF him once that day but he was not interested at all in the breast all day. I was planning on BF up until around the 12mth mark but havent put any definant times on it.
He is teething as well - currently got 7 and half teeth so that may be why he is also waking this week.
Drinking cups - David currently drinks water or pretty much anything out of his straw cup - only thing is he does not drink much - usually about 100mls by end of day (he still BF about 2 x per day). How much should they be drinking through the day?- I would like to cut BF down to once at night before bed and once in the morning when he wakes and thats it.
Shape Sorters - WOW I cant believe some bubs are working these out - I will have to get one for David - at the moment we have several other toys he pulls apart and tries to put back together (tuppaware animals) he also empties his toybox and carries toys around - I find them in the oddest places sometimes :lol: - so he still doesnt pick them up and put them back - might have to look at teaching him.
TALKING - David is 10.5mths and I am not sure if it is him talking but he keeps saying mum mum mum and da da da - is anyone having the same thing - I like to think they are his first words but not sure if he just says to copy or he knows. Very exciting!!!! :D
Wow I did not realise such a long reply - cant wait to read everyone elses news - and LOVE the photos - so many cute ones!!!!!
Melissa
-
I hope I didn't make it sound like Kelsey has figured out the shape sorter. She just trys to jam the pieces through the lid, but doesn't know how to do it. The only thing she can put balls into is the dinosaur, which has the roll-a-blocks and she puts them through the holes. She also got a FP bus with the blocks shaped in oval, square, and triangle, but they all fit through the large square hole. She has been dropping things into a bucket, which I think is a new skill.
Good news: We are meeting with a realtor and will be putting our house up for sale and looking for a bigger home. We've been cleaning and de-cluttering like mad. I'm very excited!!!
Melissa-Kelsey makes the mmm sound, but says dada alot. She knows dada specifically, but also calls everyone else dada. Sometimes I think she can say "hi", but it's hit or miss. She babbles alot while she plays.
Tammy-I still give Kelsey pureed jar foods until I'm certain enough she'll eat table foods well enough to fill her up. Lately, she's been eating everything offered to her, but I'm still scared of choking, so I give her tiny pieces. But after eating her jar of food and having pieces of other things, she's been getting pretty full. Her new foods now include: mac and cheese, pieces of cheese, hash browns, chicken, ham, turkey, sweet pot. fries, biscuts, noodles. Now I just have to start buying more things to have at home b/c I don't eat well myself-no breakfast, occassional lunch. I don't have much opportunity to cook b/c dh is only home for dinner 2 nights a week.
-
Heather - congratulations on getting ready for a big move - I wish you all the best and hope you get a great price for your property - we only moved in our house Nov 04 - it was very exciting selling our old house (first time we have sold a property) and buying a bigger property.
Anyway - I couldnt resist putting a photo of David on here.
Everyone have a GREAT YEAR.
Melissa
-
Welcome Melissa and Janelle
Deborah and Jaime, hope Maya and Luke are feeling okay (and you too Jaime!). We have been struggling with a cold all week. Yesterday I was at work and my sitter called because Matty had thrown up twice. He's okay today, I think he had to throw up all the phlegm. Poor little guy. He got his cold on new years! Ross had it, then Matty and I'm holding out. Using a lot of homeopathy which is helping so far.
Tarri, love Emily's picture!!!
Heather, that's great about looking for a new home. good luck.
Melissa, Matty is saying mamamama and dadadada, but he doesnt know what he's saying yet! :lol: David is a cutie!
Julie, I havent tried pineapple yet. I am definitely holding off on citrus because of the reflux.
Kit, Matty doesnt have a clue how to clap hands yet. And by the way, I love Ciara's name.
Hazel, Matty is a whopping 28 lbs!!! I think he is 32 inches, but its so hard to tell because he is such a wiggler. I will find out officially when I bring him in for his one year check up.
Christine and Heather, I was laughing out loud when I read your posts about eating shoes and filling them with mac and cheese. That is too funny.
Branwen, I havent seen the videos of Eirwen but from what you have posted all along, I think she is developing at a perfect pace and you dont gotta worry!
'What are the "ball poppers"? I want to get one for Matty's birthday too. Like he needs more toys!
Tammy, I like the Mr. Destructo title, that is too funny. Matthew is "Mr. Grabby Hands" lol.
Debra, YAY LIVVY ON THE NEW TOOTH!!! and I totally understand what you mean about worrying about if you do enough for your lo regarding all the developmental growth we read about on here. Im glad you know that the PPD really does mess make things so much harder to see clearly. Im reading about all the lo's sorting shapes and your daughter alex, doing this by 10 months, and HELLO, that is so not where Matty is! lol, but I'm not going to worry YET.
Milk: I am not sure what to do. Milk intolerance runs in my family and I'm not crazy about giving Matthew dairy on a regular basis. some cheese is fine, but whole milk scares me. He is on the Good Start which is milk based, however the proteins are broken down and they have removed the cassein ( a milk protein that can be hard for allergic kids) so he has done fine on it. While he has his cold he has been getting rice milk, but im just not sure what to do. Good Start has a #2 formula for ages 1 year to 2, so I'm thinking of doing that. Its just sooooo expensive.
I need your input ladies. Matty is getting very scared when people come over. My dh pointed out that it is mainly with males. I had the Direct TV guys come over a few different times (boy did they mess up my installation, but that's a whole other story) and the second he sees one, he gets so upset. I've had a number of women friends come over and he is very tentative at first and may whimper, but he guardedly accepts them and then even relaxes and plays with them. He is also good at the stores and people there dont seem to bother him. But if we go to someones house (like at thanksgiving) or if males come over, he jsut has a fit. Im actually worried about it and am not sure if it's normal. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry I went on for so long, just had so many posts to respond to. I will post a picture of my little (big) guy soon.
-
Tarri - i LOVE that photo of emily! OMG those cheeks gotta eat em up! that is the same straw cup i bought alex to get her to drink milk form her "special" cup after Liv was born - no luck. i think i will try it on Liv so she has a separate MILK cup and one for water and the straw shoud mean she woudl get more of a flow happening than with the sippy we use (which she already does great on for water but i have been lax about offering formula in it) I figure we will start with her lunchtime feed and work from there I am not in a rush about getting rid fo the bottle, will do lunch, then breakfast and leave bedtime for last.
Julieb and others who commented on Alex and the shape sorter - i am glad that everyone is amazed at her skill because although i thought it was advanced at the time i cannot help but compare the girls since they are both from the same gene pool :oops: alex had nearly mastered the FP simple 4 pieces shape sorter before our trip overseas at 10.5 mo and while at my mom's at 11mo she got the more advanced Playskool one with shapes on all sides of the cube and included crescent, diamond etc and she amazed the gift giver because straight away she was sussing it out :shock: I have trid to relax and not expect the same from Liv, but like i said i worry that anything she does later than alex is my "fault" silly i know!! would i take credit if she walked at 9 mo NO ... so why should i think i "fail: if she does not do something - oh this mother guilt sucks the big one :P
Tammy - i did know that you suffer from PPD too, i often wonder how you are doing with it - i hope you are coping as you always sound positive and happy :D
I have a feeling I will have a rambunctious active little boy on my hands once he's walking!
this is how i feel about Liv and she is a girl - not dainty by any means- if she did not love her dolly so much i woudl be envisioning a tomboy already - i think she will just b very physical and also musical - one thing she is doing well with is music stuff like the xylephone/piano, shaker music things etc (GETS IT FROM DH AS I AM TONE DEAF AND HAVE NO RHYTHM)
jaime - that is such a funny Luke story.
he LOOKED at me, pretended he was going to grab it, and then turned to look at me to see if i would say anything.
Liv does this too when she is doing something she shouldn't - we have a hanging screen off the back door to the deck and both girls know they are not supposed to play with it (but they and every kid that enters our house try anyway) and i can hear her touching the dangling bits and i will say "LIV, Noooo" and she will stop, but then look at me and slowly reach for it and slyly smile as she starts to touch them knowing that before she gets too far she will hear "LIV, Noooo" and we both end up laughing - i cannot help it.
Melissa - good to hear from you - nice to have more australian representation :wink:
Heather - good luck with the sale of your house. and i just want to say publicly what a great job you are doing moderating on the EASY board - in case no one had noticed - claps for Heather :D
Julie - so good to see you here! about the milk - if you have issues i woudl hold off longer and either try high calciium full fat soy milk (not sure if rice milk has enough calcium or fat) or go for the follow on formukla for a while. what has your Dr said?
about the man thing - at 2.5 yo alex still is more comfortable most of the time with meeting new women and this is my theory - women tend to be more relaxed and open with kids and put them at ease. the few men i have seen alex respond to immediately have always been those that were either kid-like (goofy, fun people) or at least not imposing figures. we went thorugh a period just before Liv was born where the dishwasher was leaking and there were all these problems in the kitchen (we had just moved in) and the electrician guy was practically becoming family he was here so often :roll: right from visit one alex responded to him (was 17 mo old)and wanted to check out his work and laughed with him - i had never seen her so comfortable with a stranger - bottom line was he was a nice easy going guy who was friendly from minute one but in a non threatening way. does that make any sense (sorry if it is a useless ramble :lol: )
Us - i was going to come on today and whinge about feeding liv solids which is still a PIMA (and Dh's) but i will forget about the whinge and instead focus on the positive - at dinner tonight i served both girls the same - pasta with bolognaise (meat) sauce and veg and ricotta all mixed together (i alweays serve this to alex as "creamy pasta") anyway although alex rejected it tonight :roll: olivia ate the bits of beef from it- 1st time offered and without a hesitation she just kept picking up the pieces and shoveling them in :D and she ate the zucchini pieces (left over the pasta which was strange :roll: ) and even bigger news was she ate 2 small pots of yogurt - she has rejected yogurt everytime i even got it near her and i tried a new kind tonight and she was reaching for it and eager and in the end we let her feed herself with the spoon and she loved it - very messy (will post photo when Dh downloads it) but she actually did well spooning it into her mouth :lol: it was her only good meal today and although the quantity of food was low (2 x 60g pots of yogurt, small bits of beef, several bits of veg and few bits of melon) it was stress free !
i have written a novel :lol: must dash off now - hugs and kisses to all and to all a goodnight :D
-
Tammy - we have Microsoft Office Picture Manager that resizes things ok. If you want to send me your Christmas pic I could see if I can do it for you (I'll try, anyway! :) )
Julie - could it be stranger anxiety for Matty? I hear that it often peaks at some point round the 1st birthday. Ciara spends so much more time with me (and lots of female relatives over Christmas) than dh that she usually takes to women quicker than to men, especially if she is not expecting to see them, like if they show up here and if I am not acting really friendly to them myself (eg a cable guy :wink: ). My brother frightened her to tears when we were at my mum's and he was saying hello to her right after she had woken up (he has a really booming voice and dh is softspoken!) I can't wait to see more pics of Matty - he is just adorable in your avatar!
Heather - exciting about your move. DH has to go to Romania for 2 wks end of the month so we have decided I will go with Ciara and pets to London to stay with my mum in preparation for our move back to CO. So I better get packing - only 2 more weeks left in Holland! Yay! ( :oops: no offence to the Dutch of course! )
Kate
-
PS Melissa - Ciara also says 'mumum' and 'dadad' and 'yaya!' Not entirely sure if they are what she means all the time except the last one is like yay! or hiya! (I think!)
Deb we were posting at the same time - I swear if Liv and Ethan are twins then Ciara makes triplets as she sounds so like Liv. Rambunctious - a good description! The yogurt thing - she loves all kinds of yogurt BUT most days she has to at least start off eating it by herself with a spoon (I have to guide it in sneakily b/c if she feels me helping she refuses to eat it :( ) It is very mesy and timeconsuming but once she is happy that she is doing it herself then I can chip in and feed her the rest and other foods. She also picks bits of beef out of food to eat!
Supposed to be researching car hire to England - must stop coming on here!
Kate
-
Julie - along with what Debra said about strangers, Jaina also was scared of guys who had ANY facial hair. neither john, sitters' dh, nor john's dad or most of our friends have any at all. my dad has a moustache, but she saw him so many times that she was comfortable. i also think because she doesn't see many guys in general - think about it, a woman watches her most of the time, and playdates & activities & storytimes are mostly mommies & kids.
she definitely warmed up quicker to any guy that acted goofy or at ease with kids, but i found that if i let her take the lead in that, she was much better about it. if she wanted to sit in our laps the whole time, that was okay too.
Tammy - we have Microsoft Photo Editor, but i think it came automatically on one of my old computers & we just keep recopying the program onto any new computers we get.
Heather & Kate- yay on the moving! hope it all goes smoothly for you! Heather, are you staying in the same general area, or are you doing a far away move too?
Melissa - that's an adorable photo!
Have a great rest of your weekend everyone (and a great week for those of you where it's monday already! :wink: )
-
Whew! Busy, busy!
I bought a toothbrush, baby toothpaste, and a potty ring (for big potty) for Asher. Now to start! :lol:
Me & DH went out on a date last night and my mom came to babysit. This is the first time she saw Asher since Christmas and commented a lot on how Asher has changed and learned. So it's not my imagination, it's like a recent milestone explosion in cognitive and fine motor skills. Crazy! :shock: It seemed to come on the heels of this 11 mth GS he experienced as well.
Tammy, thanks for the info about the set. I figured the swing would be too short by the photo. I think I'll just get a toddler slide and a separate playhouse (DH wants the pirate ship! :lol: ).
I use photoshop for my photos, but I was a graphic designer in my previous life. :wink: I think PS elements would work fine for you. I also find PS limited edition comes free with a lot of scanners. That would work too, I'm sure. I can resize any photos for you. Just PM them or direct me to a link where they are online. I think my Dad has used a lot of the Ulead software and likes it a lot.
Melissa, Asher has said mama specifically for a while and just started dada 2 weeks ago. He also does his version of barking like a dog or meowing like a cat, but besides those four, we don't think he does anything else specifically. Other sounds are "bababa", and this week's "bot" and "dat." Do you refer to yourself in the 3rd person and say mama/dada a lot when refering to each other? I read that it helps them connect the name with the person faster.
Asher's up a bit early. Will return later...
-
I kept forgetting to scan and post Asher's 10 month and our family portraits. They're in the photo gallery: http://www.babywhisperer.com/forum/ashers-10-mth-amp-family-portraits-vt49612.html. We used these as Christmas gifts and our cards.
JulieG, the ball popper is by Playskool. You can see it in action with Asher here: http://dropshots.com/day.php?userid=7422¤tDate=20051228¤tTime=095602
On the milk issue, what's the worse that can happen? Can you try a small amount when you're home for a day or two? Maybe work up to it by doing cheeses and such? A friend of mine just found out her DS is MSPI (well, not the S) and put him on soy milk. She said he's a completely different baby! She said this explained a lot of his first year problems. Have you thought about goat's milk? We're just going to try a small amount of organic (after introducing cheese and yogurt first), then wait a few days. If Asher has no reaction, then I'll give him an entire serving and see. Really, there's no reason you HAVE to give whole milk. You could always do soy or rice whether you think he has an intolerance or not!
Re: Strangers, I can't offer help, but one strange thing I've noticed...I think Asher can tell the difference between mothers and non-mothers. Maybe it's the comfortability issue than Deb mentioned. Mothers are more confident and relaxed around other peoples' children. Asher warms right up to mothers, but often hangs back from the non.
-
I have so many jobs to do today that I really can't spend long on here. I have to iron just about every item of clothing that me, dh and Daniel own. I just haven't done any in soooo long :oops:
Cute daniel news - I went in last night to check on Daniel before coming to bed myself. When I went in he was sitting up in the middle of his cot playing with his lovie (this is the first time I've known him to sit up himself in his cot :shock: Up til now once he's laid down that's it he's down for the night!) When he saw me walk in he pointed at me and said 'look'. My heart melted.
Tiredness - Daniel is so tired these days. I don't know if it's a growth spurt or what but he just wants to sleep, sleep, sleep. He was asleep by 7pm and didn't wake up til 8.10 this morning. 2 hours later and he's asleep again. I LOVE it. Maybe he's laying down energy for some huge developmental milestone coming up :D I'll let you know.
My SIL is STILL in hospital. The poor thing. Long story short, her mastitis turned into an abscess both sides. Both have had to be drained (by syringe) and on one side she's had to have it operated on to remove all the gunk :? To top it all off though her lo has mastitis too and she had to have her right breast drained :shock: I just never knew this was possible but there you go. So SIL is in one ward and her lo is a couple wards down. Both are definitely on the mend now though so that is good. She just can't wait to get home again and start family life. Poor thing.
Tammy - when was your SIL due her section? (Actually I just looked back and saw it's Tuesday). Wishing her all the best. Hope she likes her pressies.
Julieb - your family pictures are adorable. Asher looks sooooo happy. He looks like he's about to explode :D Thanks for sharing them.
Straw cups - are these any easier to suck from than the ones with the valves. Daniel seems to nnot like the valve ones as he can't get anything out. I'm not sure whether to try a straw one as I don't really want another one to sit in the back of the cupboard with all the other outcast sippy cups :? But then again, I need to find something. He doesn't even really want to drink from his bottle anymore now. This morning he took 2 oz and that was the lot. So he just had VERY soggy weetabix as I put all the rest of the milk with that :wink:
-
Hazel - i am impressed that you iron at all!!! i can count on 1 hand the times i have ironed since liv was born :lol: but i have never been a fan of the iron (funny side story - when i met Dh's family when we were dating, his mom said 1 negative thing about me was that i did not iron and i said if he needs a shirt he can iron it and if i need something done i will do it..." In the end she liked me enough to OVERLOOK the ironing thing (after offering to teach me how to do it and my declining :roll: )
I am so sorry about your SIL and little bub - that sounds so terrible. having suffered with mastitis i cannot imagine absesses or how the lo is dealing with it - i was a wreck for 48 hours until i went to the doctor- and needing surgery :shock: I hope she is well soon and all is ok from here on out
Interesting that you say about daniel's tiredness as Liv is also sleeping more these days (most of the time anyway) she has started sleeping until at least 7am (insert anti-jinxing prayer here :D ) and these days is back in bed for first nap within 2 hours (used to be 2 1/2+) and no matter what time she sleeps until she goes down for 2nd nap around 1pm now. today se only did a 30 min 1st nap (1st time in many months) but did a 2 1/2 hr 2nd nap waking at 3:30+ but was overtired by her usual bedtime :shock: maybe like you said it is part of the development stage they are in. it is so weird though as it is like she is going backwards in A time suddenly.
on that note it is definite now that all those weeks when Liv kept standing in the cot it was overtiredness. i wish i had realized long ago (and instituted the earlier nap times - could have avoided a lot of stress and tears) . the way i know for sure is that tonight when she was overtired before bedtime we had our first standing up routine since i started the earlier naps. she had been tired since dinnertime and i regret not putting her down early, but in the end after a top up bottle :oops: she went to sleep.
Liv has done her second "sign" today - rain. it has been raining here on and off since we had the heatwave (so i think we areon day 6 of rain :( ) and i have been showing her the rain and doing the sign for it and she started doing it today so now we have rain and bird - very cute! i will have to start being more consistent as some days i sign with her and others very little. this was the age when alex started catching on to signs to and she started doing lots of them between 10-14 mo along with spoken words.
-
Just wanted to share these 2 photos. He had been sitting 'reading' his books for about 20 mins when I took this photo. Sometimes his attention span is better than mine :oops: :lol:
-
I only have a minute as I have a very cranky baby in my arms, but on the sleeping thing, Maya went through it a few weeks ago. It was great while it lasted.
-
Hazel, Daniel has big cheeks just like Emily :D Cutie pie! Hope your SIL feels better soon.
Debra, all babies seem to be different. With Emily I get much better naps when she's slightly overtired.
Us, Emily is starting to like whole peas (canned) and bits of zuchini :D . But mostly she still likes the purees. I tried the sippy straw cup with formula yesterday for her second feeding. She took about 4 sips by herself and put it aside. So then I gave her the bottle. I think I'll wait till one year and put milk in. I did read somewhere that they should also learn to drink from a regular cup. I hold a regular cup for her during mealtime so will stick with that for now.
It's snowing and snowing and snowing here. I think we'll be going for a sled ride instead of a stroll later 8) Have a good day everyone, Tarri
-
I love the chubby cheeked babies. Great pics everyone. Julie, I loved your's in the galary. So nice that you got family photos done. I'll have to get on that.
My cousin's lo went through piles of sleeping around 12 months. One day he sleep from 9:30 am-3:00 pm and went back to bed at 7 pm. This is her 4th, so she's a little more lax about schedules, and just let him sleep whenever he needed to. But, no, it didn't last.
On the stanger issue, Kelsey has days when she loves everyone, and days when she's scared of everyone. She tends to like boys (not so much grown men unless they are childlike as has been mentioned) more than women except the women in the family. Of course, she likes people from a distance, too, but has tendencies to freak out once they come too close. This is another of my stranger pet peeves. Just b/c she is smiling and waving at you is not an open invitation to touch her! I'll tell Kelsey she is too friendly for her own good sometimes.
Our move will be in the same part of town. I've lived in about a 20 min radius all my life, but that's fine by me. However, this move will hopefully put us in a bigger house, closer to the "good" shops, closer to the interstate, and closer to family. I couldn't imagine what it takes to make cross-country or international moves.
Kelsey is doing better about taking her formula in the sippy, so I have more hope now. The past 2 mornings, she's taken 3 oz. However, she'll take a big gulp right away before I serve her food, then it's hit or miss as to whether she'll take any more after that. So, I finish it with the bottle still.
With all the 25+ pound babies, Kelsey seems so little. She's probably only 22 lbs, and maybe 28-29 inches. I need to schedule her 1 yr appt.
-
Heather - funny about you thinking Kelsey is little - Ciara must be about the same size as her and I get wow she's a big girl! all the time (in my family everyone is kind of small though dh's is full of huge boys!)
Hazel - lovely pics, Daniel sounds such a sweetie! My niece also is like that, can entertain herself with her books for ages, unlike a certain someone I know (in bed right now). Wishing for your SIL and niece to make a recovery soon - she has really had it hard.
That was definitely a GS (11 mo one I guess) as we are back to normal appetite now. Hope the sleeping stays good though.... She showed me the other day anyway - after I wrote about her not clapping she started and did it all day long!
Kate
-
:?: Do you still use your monitor? I'm wondering if I'm the only one at this age! :oops:
Hazel, I don't think Asher's stayed in one place longer than 20 minutes except when sleeping! :lol: I just love when they look down and their little chubby cheeks hang like that. They're just so cute I can hardly stand it!! :wink:
Deb, do you know of any good online references for signing? I found an online video dictionary, but it's missing some words I'd like to teach Asher, like brocolli and cauliflower! :? Asher does two signs, but understands more. Not sure how to inspire him to use more signs. But when he wanted some of my burrito last night, he was very quick to do the "more" sign! :lol:
-
JulieB, I use my monitor all the time. I'm a bit high strung though when it comes to Emily :oops: . I think I'll keep using it till she's in a normal bed and can come and get me if she needs help :)
JulieB/Debra, I think the signing thing is really impressive 8) . I don't think Emily is anywhere near that amount of hand coordination but she got some signing flashcards at Christmas and I picked a few out to work on but I really don't think she'll catch on. What signs do you think were easiest for Asher/Olivia to learn?
Tarri
-
Usually baby signs look a lot different from adults because they lack the coordination. So it's hard to determine if your baby is actually signing because it sometimes resembles something completely different. For instance, I sometimes can't tell between Asher signing more and clapping! :lol: It's all context, I guess. He also signs "all done." It's evolved from waving his arms to twisting his wrists. Don't know why he picked those two signs to start with! Some of the others seem easier or would be more to his liking -- like banana and pear! :lol:
Deb, I also want the sign for tofu! :lol:
-
i still use a monitor. in fact, we have 2 monitors - one for each kid! though i only ever use jaina's at night. but the way our house is laid out, if either kid cried at night, we would never hear it otherwise.
-
stranger anxiety - Ethan has zero stranger anxiety. If people talk to him and make goofy baby noises, he just smiles and smiles. He doesn't seem to care that he doesn't know who they are! He has big grins for my parents though when he sees them. He's spent a lot of time with them though, which I just love. Heather - I'm with you on the stranger touching him thing. It drives me crazy.
Deb - thanks for saying that I sound positive! I try to keep an upbeat outlook on things. My PPD and anxiety are well under control with my meds, so I'm a happy camper. I was such a wreck after Ethan was born, I wish I could get those weeks back when he was a little baby. I just didn't enjoy it cause I was so nervous and anxious and depressed and sleep-deprived. Oh well.
babbling - Ethan has said dada dada dada, but that's about it. He came close to mama mama, but moved onto other consonent sounds. Oh well, my time will come I suppose! :roll: :wink: His newest sound to practice is ga ga ga and th th th. He definitely goes thru phases of what he likes to babble!
Hazel - pics of Daniel are so cute! I'm with Deb, Ethan won't sit still long enough to truly look at his books. Only time is before naps and bedtime when we read stories together. But that's part of our routine, so he's used to it. He won't sit still otherwise!
sippys - I still haven't put formula in a sippy for Ethan. I don't think I'm going to either. He drinks water out of his Nuby sippy at meals, and the past couple of weeks he's started actually drinking more from it, instead of just taking a tiny sip at one time. So that gives me hope for when the bottles are no more!
growth spurt - I think Ethan is in a growth spurt. He's been eating a lot lately, downing all of his bottles, etc. Oh, and we have had 3 or 4 days now with no pureed food. Yeah! At first I attributed his hunger to maybe getting accustomed to no purees, but he's certainly continued with the hunger. Unfortunately, no additional sleeping though! :wink:
Which reminds me, what time are your naps right now? I've had to move our bedtime back about 30 minutes or so due to his afternoon nap. If he's not awake about 3.75 or 4 hours between nap 1 and nap 2, he'll only sleep for 30 minutes.
Right now, our routine looks like:
6:30 / 7 - wake
9:30 / 10 - nap 1
10:30 / 11 / 11:30 - awake (can you tell this nap varies from 1 hr to 1.5??)
2:30 / 3 - nap 2
3:30 / 4 - awake
7:30 / 7:45 - bedtime
monitors - we have to use a monitor for Ethan. we just couldn't hear him without it, since our bedroom is downstairs, and his is upstairs.
-
I still use the monitor at night, and during the day to see if she's playing in her crib :roll: or napping.
This is mostly what our routine is like now:
8:00 up/change diaper/dress
8:15 start bfast
10:15 wind down few minutes then put down (but this is where she will sometimes play forever, after she falls asleep she'll sleep about 1 hr 20-30 mins unless I need to get her up earlier)
12:30 lunch
3:15 (or later if 1st nap went late) wind down then nap (she's gone down as late as 4; our days are just really varied and she's been an angel about it) she usually needs about 3.5 hrs of A time before 2nd nap, but again, she'll play in crib for a little while then fall aslepp
5:30 dinner
7:30 last bottle
8:00 bed
Kelsey is so much more flexible than she used to be. Sometimes, I have to go in and tell her to go to sleep at naptime. Before, this would have resulted in a major meltdown and ruin our day. Now, she'll cry for about 20 seconds then go to sleep. If she has days that she doesn't nap well, she's still in good spirits, and then she'll spend a few days playing catch up and take great naps. She's been so much easier to get out with, and if we're home late for pm nap, she's not fussy or grumpy and she goes right down. I'm sad, though, b/c I see signs of her not wanting me to rock her during winddown anymore. I have been cutting it down anyway (I was at 6 mins from 10), but this morning she went in with no cuddles at all, and this pm was only 3 minutes. I kind of miss the time I get to snuggle with her, but it's also reassuring that she can sleep so independently now. Our babies are growing up :cry: .
-
Oh, I forgot to ask earlier...
those with the ball popper (I think Julieb and maybe Christine?) - I was thinking of asking for this for Ethan's birthday, but I've read so many things online about them getting their arms stuck in the part where the ball pops out. And how it's taken a really long time to disassemble the entire toy to get them free. Have you had any issue with this? Maybe it just depends on if your lo is the kind of child to try this?
-
Don't know if I ever told you all how I bought Asher a pair of real shoes and then lost them for a month? :oops: Well I found them a week ago. He's been wearing them all week but they're tight. :roll: I just bought a new pair of size 6 shoes! :shock: Size SIX!! He measured 5-5.5. At least I got a good deal at payless, $17.99 on sale for $7. :roll:
Tammy, Asher's schedule varies on his wake up time ever since we got back from Disneyland. He's seemed okay with it though. Here's a rough schedule:
7:30~8:00 wake/BF
9ish breakfast
10:15~10:45 nap (always 2.75 hr from wake up, sleeps 1.25-1.5 hr, I won't let him sleep past noon or the afternoon nap is way to late for me)
12:30ish lunch
2:30ish BF
3:00~3:30 nap (always 3.5 hr from end of AM nap, sleeps 1.5-2 hr, I won't let him sleep past 5:30)
5:30ish dinner
7:15 BF
8:00 bed
I had to laugh about the ball popper!! :lol: :lol: I don't think Asher's clever enough to stick his arm down there yet. But I could see it being a problem with older kids. But Asher's arms seem too fat anyway. I actually think it comes apart too easily. When he picks it up from the rim to carry it around, it sometimes pops off. But he understands to tip it over to get the balls out. He's put other things down there and tried to get them out but he doesn't know how to put his hand very far down yet. You could always get it as a supervised toy? It takes D batteries, so I could see it getting expensive to leave it out and on all the time if they get obsessed with it!
Heather, Asher's also been trying to cut our wind down rocking. :cry: He's down to about 1-2 minutes. I'm hanging on as long as I can though! :lol:
-
Tammy - I think Leah's arm is too big to get stuck in the ball popper. :lol: It comes apart very easily, I've had to take it apart becuase Leah thinks her Leap Frog Balls will fit, but they get stuck. Leah likes it, but she LOVES balls, that's why.
Our schedule:
7 - Up/Bottle/Breakfast (I'm thinking of getting rid of this bottle soon. She doesn't seem interested.)
9:15-10:30 - Nap
11:30 - Lunch/Bottle
1:30-3 - Nap
5:30 - Supper
6:30 Bottle/Bath
7:00 - Sleeping
I agree Heather, Leah seems so much more flexible too. They are growing up!
Last night Leah got whole milk in her sippy. Not planned, but we went to her godfather's house and of course I thought we'd be home earlier, so I didn't bring a bottle. We were eating supper and I was drinking milk and she kept grabbing for it. So, I gave her a drink of mine and she went crazy, she wanted more. So we gave her some in her sippy and she downed it. :shock: I think I may start giving whole milk in her sippy for breakfast instead of a morning bottle, then lunch and by one be down to just the nightime bottle. I don't care if she has that past one year.
-
Christine - Did Leah sleep ok last night after full cream milk? I have given David sips here and there and he loves it. I have tried formula at night but find when he has this he always has a lovely surprise for me in the middle of the night. I was trying it for a while to see if he would sleep right through (long story). He is still BF as well.
Last night - he was in bed 6.30 (always around 6.30-7pm) up at 9.30 then 10.30 (I did not feed him just cuddled then put back to bed as we have noticed him doing this for the last 2 weeks) he is on solids and eating lots during day. He then slept through to 5am when I BF him then slept to 7.30. - This appears to be a regular routine - Is anyone else having this? This is actually a pretty good night.
JulieB - Yes I still use a moniter to.
Thanks,
-
Vidya - i have noticed you online again i hope you will update us with how you and Diya are doing - it has been a while.
this site is such a jinx (the prayer did not work and she woke at 6:30 today and is now refusing her secnd nap :evil: )
anyhoo - we still use a monitor for all sleeping but Liv's room is the farthest from ours and the living area so there is minimal chance i could hear her if needed.
signing - i forgot that olivia kind of does more and finished - Julie her more is also like clapping but she is vocal too so i know what she means - same with finsihed - a lot of vocal and flailing arms.
the system i use is "baby Signs" by Linda Acredolo. here is a link to their site - i have their original book and used this + video for Alex (just my memory and some of the book for Liv :oops: )
http://www.babysigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mall.ViewProductDetail&categoryid=39&itemid=150
i want to order this wall reference chart but keep forgettig to sort it out. Julie if thre are any signs you can't find these authors recommend making one up - as long as you are consistent that is your sign for the item - try to think of a logical one - so for brocolli you could do the sign for tree, etc it is bout context so in a few months if asher did the signs for eat + tree you woudl know he meant to eat some brocolli etc NOT SURE ABOUT TOFU though :lol:
Tarri - their coordination does not matter too much because they find their own iterpretation fo the sign sometimes anyway. also if you watch kids in the 10-15 mo age bracket sometimes they are doing their own signs (that is where this system began when this psychologist (?) observed her and other children using signs/actions for things)
anyway - i totally recommend this one as the signs are easy to learn yourself as they are logical and associated with what they represent.
-
Signing...
Asher started signing "water" tonight! :D I took his hand and made the sign for him, then he did it. I think this really made the difference. I remember doing those for "more" and "all done" as well. Maybe that's why he hasn't tried to do more. :?
I use the Joseph Garcia book based on ASL. My sister did her college term paper on signing with babies and recommended him. I'm familiar with Baby Signs and know I can make my own, but I feel unimaginative! :oops: Plus, I'd like them to be universal to others, in case the need arises. Now that Asher has added a third sign, I'm more inspired to dig deeper into the internet to find those signs! :lol:
On another note, Asher has diarreah! :( He has no other symptoms. It's caused a diaper rash. Only new thing he's had is asparagus. But who's allergic to that?! He's also had some of my burrito (but that was after), canteloupe (but he's had this once before), and granola (read the ingredients and I think I fed this after it started as well). Teething? It's never affected him like this before.
-
Deb: I can't believe that you even remember us after my long hiatus:) Thanks for thinking about us and being kind enough to let me drop a line/novel whenever I please. This is the only site I log onto with so much enthusiasm and I read it eagerly everyday. It is just that I have been really bad with managing my time and also that I want to write so much to catch up with all of you:( That reminds me about this question. How do all of you manage your Y time and how do you all get so many things done with your LOs and do such a good job in posting/moderating too. I feel so bad about not taking enough videos of Diya or not maintainng the CD recordings of the photos I shoot:( Please give me some tips when you can! Yay on Liv's tooth! I feel that you are not giving enough credit to yourself about bringing up two great kids. I am in awe of you really that you are patient enough to sign after doing so much with both Alex and Liv. I tried a lil bit with Diya and then stopped after a lil while because of my laziness.
Us: Dropped Diya's Bfs to 3 feeds and doing great on that front. Solids have become much better after I have tried to accept that she will eat what she likes and that she loves variety. So, I try to give her a lot of options for one feeding. She wakes up around 5a.m on days she doesn't eat solids well. She loves Broccoli:) She doesn't like rice/bread much.
She is babbling a lot. Says aight for light, da for daddy, pa for milk(indian word is pal), yaya for come(that's another indian word!), da for dog. She would not say mama though(except for the times she wants milk :lol: )! She loves her dad very much and will kiss his pics but not mine!
She has no stranger anxiety but went through major separation anxiety for the past 1.5 months. Made it really hard for me to get things done! She is getting better at that front. She can crawl very well in new places or if we leave the room without her. She will not crawl or move if she knows that one of us are around her. She asks the ball to come to her instead of going to it:( Makes me think that she has taken after me and DH in not moving much:) She cruises well. She can even stand for 30 seconds without holding on to anything. She gets scared when she realizes that she is not holding onto anything. I got her a wagon and she found it hard because it was moving too fast for her. I have weighed it down with some books and she is doing ok. It is still too fast for her and so she stops. Any suggestions from moms whose babies are walking now!
Re: Toilet training I started putting Diya on the baby bjorn little potty when she was 9.5 months once a day in the morning. She is pretty regular at that time of the day though I can't predict her 2 other BMs. She always found it easy when she was in a sitting position(I found that she always had a BM when I put her on the bumbo that I started putting her on the bumbo when she was constipated:) ). She was doing very good but started crying once she became aware of the process. I backed off that week and then restarted it. Now she is doing really well but I don't make a big deal if she does it in the diaper on the days I sleep in:) Also, I am lazy to do it for pee pee. I try once in a while for the other 2 BMs too. Sorry if this was too much information(I thought that this will be useful for others who want to start potty training). She also looks at me after has pooped in her diaper.
About Weaning: I feel very bad about it too though I feel that it will make me eat less. I feel very guilty about weaning because she really enjoys it so much that she gets excited when I say that I am going to BF her! I am thinking about weaning her to 2 feeds by her 1dt B'day and then replace it with whole milk according to Tracy's suggestion in the latest book. I am confused about reducing the 3 feeds to 2 feeds though because she really wants it! Have to see how it goes though!
Thanks to those of you who made it so far.
Will catch up more with you guys later!
Vidya
-
Melissa -
Leah did great after whole milk. Slept 7 to 7. What you are going through with sleep sounds exactly like what was happening to us a few weeks back. What worked? NOT picking her up! She was "shouting" for us rather than crying. This is what we did.... By NO means did we let her CIO. BUT she was yelling at us. So we let her yell for a few minutes, I went in said it's night night time and left. I kept going in and out until she fell asleep. Once she realized I was not going to pick her up, she went to sleep and we've had awesome nights ever since. (Had to do it twice that night - 10:30 and 5.) This is our modified version of PU/PD. Staying in her room didn't work, she'd just get more excited.
-
Hi Vidya, definately not too much info. It's good to know other mom's trials and tribulations. It makes me feel better when things don't go quite right for me:) As for my Y time, during her morning nap I spend 30mins cleaning the kitchen and prepping bottles, then I usually do some BW and then read a book with a snack. During her afternoon nap I do thinks like online banking, make appointments etc and then read a book with a snack. I'm very careful to make sure I have book reading time otherwise I feel sorry for myself cause I haven't had time to relax :wink: .
Emily's routine:
5:30-6:30 wakes up
6:00-6:30 Eat bottle
7:30 Eat solids breakfast
9:00 Nap 1 (1.5hrs)
11:00 Eat bottle
12:00 Eat solids lunch
2:00 Nap 2 (45mins-1.75hrs)
3:00-4:00 Eat bottle
5:00 Eat solids dinner
6:30 Eat bottle
6:30-7:00 bedtime
-
Sorry I have been scarce, but dh and I are trying to finish our guest room renovation before my parents get here on Thursday. I am also trying to plan a vacation with MIL, which let me just say was a stupid idea, even more so because it was my idea.
Heather - There are all kinds of different recommendations as to when to put them in real shoes. Our PT said it didn't make a difference one way or the other, but to provide plenty of opportunities to practice walking both with shoes and barefoot. And Maya does eat her footwear as well, which is why we put her in ties shoes with doubleknots so she can't take them off.
Branwen - We are planning to start weaning at 12mos, but I am planning to wait until after her 12mos check-up and then go slowly, dropping a feed every week or two. We will give whole milk in a sippy, and I need to figure out how to work it into her schedule which keeps changing anyway. I was going to ask our ped about it as everything we do revolves around maximizing her caloric intake. I am wondering if I can get more in her if I go back to offering it after naps or if that will just ruin her appetite for meals. We may hang onto the first am feed for a while though. And she will get a sippy of milk before bed.
However, if you're not ready and Eirwen is not ready, there's no reason you have to wean now. Part of my motivation is that I've had enough and the other part is that another bfing friend from home is getting ready to wean, and we are going to celebrate when we are done with a "weaning weekend". We are going to leave our dds with our dhs, and go for a spa weekend in Charleston or Savannah. We have invited another friend as well and we think we deserve a weekend of relaxation, good food, and a drink or two before one of us winds up pregnant again. And I am looking forward to wearing a real bra again!
Tammy - I use whatever came with our camera and Powerpoint. In Powerpoint, you have save a slide as a jpeg when you're done. And our routine is in a state of flux right now as Maya has been getting up at 6am for the last week or so which is shifting everything earlier. She's also been sick which screws us up. Before all this she had 2-2.5hrs of A time before her first nap (~10am) and 3-3.5hrs before her second nap (2-2:30pm).
Jaime - Maya does the same thing. She holds food over the edge of her tray and waits for us to tell her no before dropping it.
JulieB - We have small house so we only use the monitor when we are outside. If we are inside, we can hear if she needs anything.
Melissa - I'm with Christine on this one. We have had wakings like you describe, and we finally agreed that barring extreme circumstances (illness or injury) once she goes in the crib for the night she stays in. We do not pick her up for extra cuddles. I know that sounds harsh, but it was getting out of hand. We will go back in and comfort her and reassure her that we are still there, but we do not pick her up. She fussed a bit the first night, but now has settled back in.
Vidya - Good to hear from you!
Got to go as Maya is up. My parents are coming for Maya's birthday and staying for a week, so I will be a bit out of touch as we get the house ready and while they're here. My mom has made a bunch of snarky comments about the BW site, so I'd rather lay low and avoid the discussion while they're here.
-
I was just watching dropshots videos, and even though our LO's are all at different stages of development, they are all still so much alike! Everytime I see a facial expression or something I think, wow! That looks just like Leah! Tarri - the yogurt eating was priceless. Leah does the same thing, altough once she realizes how good it tastes, she throws the spoon down and sticks her hands in the container - much faster that way! :roll:
-
I just HAD to post this picture. This was how we found Daniel sleeping this evening. He had obviously sat himself up and then just fallen asleep :lol: He was in such a deep sleep as well.
-
Hazel, that's hilarious!! And precious! I love how his head is perfectly propped on the sheep! Asher does this too sometimes. I don't think they know how to go from a sit to a laying down position properly, so they just lean forward! :lol: Asher does this when he wants to cuddle on the floor with one of his stuffed animals.
-
Hazel, that's precious. I often find Kelsey like that and wonder how her hips are not just killing her. I guess it's those loose ligaments babies have. That's great that you got a snapshot of that to treasure.
-
Too cute Hazel! He is such a doll!
-
Hazel - Daniel is adorable! What a lovely picture!
We are having a lot of sleeping right now :D Maybe she needs to catch up as last week was pretty hectic out and about with family visiting. I am enjoying it while it lasts...
Melissa - we had night wakings from 7 mo till 10 mo. It was crawling, then separation anxiety, then pulling up, with a bit of teething thrown in. It ended up going on way too long! I realised I had to start waiting before I went in. I still went in to keep laying her down but just not straight away (I'm talking less than one minute - she gets worked up very quickly :( ) and after 2 days of this she started sleeping through again. I really wish you luck with this!
Vidya - Diya is so precious! What a clever girl with all that talking already. Ciara babbles loudly all day long but I can't really identify any words - she does go 'mmm!' when she's waiting for her dinner to be served, as in 'yum!'. I had to laugh this morning - I was offering her some pear and saying 'Would you like some pear? Pear. Pear.' thinking maybe she'll try and say it back. she was studying me really intently, I was on the edge of my seat... she opens her mouth... and triumphantly shouts out - DADA! :lol:
-
Oh and I also wanted to say that Deb and Julie and anyone else doing sign language, I think you are amazing! I wanted to do it but I never go very far. Is it too late now? Not sure that I would be able to be consistent about it :oops:
Ciara is really into putting things into things now, into boxes, plastic jugs in the bath etc. This can keep her entertained for longer than I have ever seen her sit still before! Yay!
Kate
-
Tammy - Congratulations on your new nephew - I saw the other post. That's great news.
My SIL is STILL in hospital. This saga is just going on and on. She has now had to have both breasts operated on to remove the abscesses. I feel so sorry for her. And her dd is still in being treated for it too. When will this all end for them? I can't wait til I can tell you all that they are both home and well again.
-
Kate, Christine and Deb - I will definately give it a go. I think because he has been waking up almost 9 or 10pm on the dot - I have been going in pretty much straight away and previously I was feeding him back to sleep which I wanted to stop.
So then I started going in there and giving him a cuddle and if I thought his teeth/gums were sore - some bonjella then put him back. He would cry for about 2 minutes then sleep.
We have just had DH family arrive tonight - for about 1 week - I am a little funny with them around and him crying (even for short bursts) so I think I will grin and bear it for the next week - THEN with CONFIDENCE! I will try your suggestions.
I will keep in touch and let you know how it goes - it really is getting silly as sometimes on a bad night he also wakes at 1am or 2am (as well as guaranteed 5am).
HAZEL - Oh my gosh !!!!!! beaut photo :D
Everyone else - HELLO :D
-
HAZEL - so sorry about your SIL - it must be so difficult knowing what she is going through - I have been in situation but find it hard to know what to say.
-
Hazel, very cute photo of Daniel sleeping. It made me smile:) Your sister in law must be getting quite tired with the long hospital stay, I hope she and her dd get out soon.
Branwen, I was thinking this morning, 'I wonder if Eirwen is sleeping better now that you don't have old creaky stairs anymore?'
Schae, I'm dying to see new videos of Luka...
-
Loving the new avatars! :D
Asher is sick! :cry: He's been having diarrhea/soft stools the past two days. The snot started this morning. Otherwise he's in good spirits and acting normal. I've been doing the BRAT diet and giving pulsatilla. Doesn't seem like a flu. Not sure what else to do. :? He's napping right now, but I can hear him restless and crying out periodically in his sleep. :(
-
Hazel, I'm so sorry for your sil and her baby. What awful circumstances.
Julie, so sorry for Asher's illness. Seems it's going through our thread quite often. Sounds like you're doing all you can.
Deb, are you all still sick? What about Luke, was he sick, too?
-
Ok, Kelsey's enthusiam for table foods is exploding. She's almost to the point of turning up her nose at purees. I never dreamed I'd be saying that. So, what are you all feeding your lo's these days for meals? Today, she had cheese, sliced up lunch meat, and toast. I figured it was a sandwiched served separately :) . Then I followed up with a jar of peaches and oatmeal, but she only took half. Am I to assume she was full just from that? I've now bought chicken (cooked pieces and breaded nuggets), noodle rings, some Gerber graduates meals (I'm hoping she'll like these to cut out my decision making and cooking), pasta and chicken meals, mac and cheese. Are these types of things suitable for meals? I'm guessing it doesn't really take much. Oh, and baked beans. They come in individual cup servings. Can she have these?
-
Heather - Leah LOVES the baked beans. She shoves them in her mouth! She didn't take to well to the Gerber Graduate meals, but she will not let me feed her. I found that soup is great! I drain off the broth and then she has the carrots, chicken and noodles. My favorite is Campbell’s select egg noodle with chicken. Things we have are (I admit I don’t cook much….lot’s of pre-packed stuff :roll: :oops: No time, no time)
Banana chunks, peach and pear chunks (my favorite is the Delmonte (sp?) mixed fruit cups - they seem to be softer than Dole) Canned Peas, Canned Carrots, Canned Sweet Potatoes, Canned Green Beans, Chicken Helper, Hamburger Helper, Soup, Ravioli, Cheese, Meatballs (she LOVES these!), lunch meat, baked beans, salmon, scrambled eggs (we do the whites now), Waffles, Pancakes, Ham, hmmmm… that’s all I can think of off the top of my head. Welcome to the world of uncertainty!
-
thanks for thinking of us - Luke is doing great health-wise. think it's almost out of me too finally, and jaina's cough seems to be non-existant. deb, is your cough gone yet?
luke can't quite decide if he's done with purees yet. keeps going back and forth on a day-to-day basis.
hazel - totally burst out laughing at that photo of daniel! and i hope your sil recovers soon
melissa - hope your family visit goes smoothly. do you normally get along with them?
vidya - glad to see you again! sounds like things are going very well.
LOVE all these new avatars. i need to change mine!
oh, oh oh! almost forgot! was peeking around in luke's mouth, and there's a MOLAR in there! :shock: when did he get old enough to have molars!!! :lol:
-
Jaime, MOLAR?! How many other teeth does he have? I never thought to look THAT far back! :oops: Maybe I should check with all the teething he's been doing...
-
i never would've looked either, except he was screaming at me that day... :oops: and lo & behold, i saw a big ol' tooth back there! looked like it had JUST broken through that day too. i'm wondering if another is on its way cause he's been chewing on his thumb again...
he has 7 teeth in front; 4 on top & 3 on the bottom.
-
I am so behind I know :( I will try to catch up on what I can! It's been a rough few days for me.
Eirwen's routine:
7:15-7:30 wake up (I wake her or is awake waiting- no crying! YAY!) & BF
8:15 breakfast
8:30 1st Nap
10:30 wake and play
11:00 bf
12:30 lunch
1:00 2nd Nap
3:00-3:00 wake and play
4:00-4:30 bf
5:30 dinner
6:00 bath
6:15 story
6:30 bf and bed
Weaning- not going so hot lately. Plan was to get rid of the 11am feed, so I would pump before she woke and then offer it to her in a sippy, but she absolutely refused to drink it, even from my dh over the weekend. So new plan was to go back to bf'ing if she asked (which she does!) I have never waited long enough but then she starts trying to crawl up to me, reaching and then sucking her thumb. I have been giving her whole milk with her meals instead of juice, but she does not like the taste and makes an "ick" face, and sometimes it dribbles out :roll: But I am determined. As some of you may have read on another thread I am now 20lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight and it is just not good. Not healthy at all. I just cannot keep producing milk like this, I think it is literally sucking my own body dry. :? Emotionally I do not believe I am ready to wean but I feel that my emotions are also tied to my body as well and if I can feel like I have more energy (from not having to produce the milk) I would feel more stable in my thoughts. We hope :wink: Oh, and Deborah I seriously just spent $200 at Victoria Secret's semi-annual sale- I am SO READY!
Hazel- That picture breaks my heart. You should frame it. As I say often, "You didn't have a bady you had a doll- a real live one!" Seriously, I got weepy. Eirwen won't cuddle with anything :( I got her a babydoll for Christmas- it is so sweet and cute, looks like her and she wants nothing to do with it, she literally tosses it to the side. :roll:
Melissa- re: night wakings. It is so unusual for Eirwen to have a waking or make any sounds that when she does call out I must always go in. She really needs that holding sometimes, esp when teething or sick, or even if she came out of a sleep cycle oddly (nightmare-ish like). I just usually take her in the rocker and I just watch until her arms fall and then I know I can put her back. She gest very mad if I won't pick her up. That being said I stopped nursing at night, and I think that really helped us. I just decided one day, no more nursing at night, and she got the idea. There have been a few desperate exceptions to this- but I think getting the flu and a 103 degree fever qualifies for extra boob-time :wink:
Tarri- you're so funny. :P And YES! It is amazing! I can go up and down as much as I like- they are carpet! HA! She still has her noise machine, but it is so much better. We get 13 hr nights lately :D
Molars- Congrats to Luke! Eirwen is getting hers I believe as well. 2 big bumps on the bottom. She is also a drooling machine lately, and every teether I give her she jams as far back as she can. I'm waiting in suspense.
:?: Please help me with activity time. I feel like all I do is set Eirwen on the floor in a pile of toys and go to the computer (I'm applying to graduate school so have an excuse- sort of :oops: ) How can I be more interactive with her? What are games and activities you are doing with your babies!? Thanks in advance!!!
-
Today is my 9th wedding anniversary! We both nearly forgot! :shock: :lol:
Branwen, for the activity time, I don't have a whole lot of structured stuff because I feel like I'm always either preparing his meal, feeding his meal, or cleaning up from his meal! :shock: So Asher dabbles around his toys and explores. I also let him in the kitchen now and he explores around in there. For a while he wouldn't play with me, but since his new found interest in fine motor skills, he finally is! When Asher was crawling like Eirwen, I used to lay on the floor and put him on my legs (and let him figure out how to get off), lay him across my belly or just put his torso on my belly (knees on the floor). I'd also lay on my tummy so I was face to face with him. Oh, and I'm crawl around next to him or over him. He always thinks it's SO funny when I'm down on the floor at his level. He loves to explore my face and such. I also lay him on my shins while on my back with my knees bent up and flip him up and down. We play peek a boo games with blankets and I hide behind things and peek out. We dance to music, I'd help him stand and I'd twist his body around or flap his arms to the music. We have a bean bag chair that we roll him around on. I also sit down with some of the more challenging toys he needs help to learn (for as long as he'll sit with me). We don't do all of this everyday, of course! Mama would be very tired! :wink:
-
Julieb - happy 9th wedding anniversary. Glad you didn't forget!
Branwen - Eirwen's routine looks great. She is one lucky girl to have opportunity to sleep so much. Honestly, a friend of mine has a baby 2 months younger than Daniel and most days she says that her dd doesn't want to sleep at all :shock: She visits and her lo's eyes are nearly falling out of her head she's sooo tired :( It makes me sad. I also think she thinks I'm mad as Daniel's naps do kind of rule my day! Can be quite annoying when I can't get out when I want to coz he's sleeping or due a sleep but it certainly makes for a happier child.
Activity time - Seriously Daniel spends a LOT of time amusing himself. I know what you mean about feeling sad when Eirwen doesn't want to play. Daniel is like that sometimes. He gets so engrossed in what he's doing that if I try to join in it just annoys him! But he does seem to play better if I'm sitting close by. I just talk to him and help him with the odd thing every now and then but he is happy to play by himself for big chunks of time. 'Games' we play together include throwing a ball to each other (well I throw it to him and he flings it somewhere across the room for me to fetch!), reading books together, crawling together, walking (he now holds on to my fingers and walks around - still needs a lot of support with this), tickling. He loves rough and tumble too so we do a lot of this.
I think because babies are so different their A time is going to be spent very differently. Another friend's baby does NOT like rough and tumble so a lot of the stuff Daniel enjoys he just would not like. Some kids are real cuddly things and others (like mine :? ) are NOT cuddly and prefer to be independent. Daniel has always preferred to be lying on his back on the floor than in someone's arms.
And now that Eirwen is mobile she will amuse herself better anyway as she can get to something she wants rather than needing you to bring it to her. But lots of the time just to know that you're there if she does need you is more than enough for her.
I also understand the whole wanting Eirwen to like her baby doll thing. We have bought Daniel countless cuddly animals but he is VERY selective in which ones he will snuggle. Up til this week that sheep has been the only one. We seem to have found another one though this week. He has just decided that he likes this spotty dog we call 'Sprinkles'. We're glad because he's been so attached to the sheep that if it ever got lost we were scared he'd never sleep again :lol:
Jaime - a molar :D Is he the first on this thread?! Daniel seems to have been teething on and off for nearly 5 months now and not a single tooth has come through since 7 months. He has the 8 front ones so we're waiting on a molar but nothing yet.
Thanks for all the well-wishes for my SIL. I may be visiting her later on today. My brother came round for dinner last night. Poor thing is so tired and fed up with the whole thing. He just wants them home. But she still has a drain in one breast and the wound on the other side is packed and needs changing every day so she won't be home in a hurry. And their dd is still not right yet. She too had an abscess that needed drainging. The drs told them that mastitis can't be passed through the mothers milk so apparently it was just a fluke that mum and daughter both got it at the same time and they both turned into abscesses at the same time :shock: She's not done so well really! As they say, 'It never rains, it poors'.
-
In case I am not around tomorrow (January 13th), I think Maya turns one? Oh my gosh! Our first baby to turn one!!!!! :cry:
Happy 1st Birthday tomorrow Maya!!!!!!!! :D
-
I just bought Daniel one of the NUby straw cups. He loves playing with it but he won't suck on it! What can I do to make him drink from it?! (Oh dear I see another cup making it's way to the back of the cupboard!)
-
She'll be 1 tomorrow. One year ago today I was in labor. Time flies! However, I must go clean as my parents will be here this afternoon.
-
Branwen, hope your weaning starts going well soon. I would think it will be a relief for your body physically and let you gain some weight back:) As for activity that we do together, she likes me to show her how to nest her cups together, she pulls these large plastic sign language cards from my hands and sorts thru them, she brings me a toy and I give it back. We used to do a lot more together but if I sit too close to her she wants me to pull her up so she can start walking. She still doesn't crawl yet or pull up by herself.
Heather, Emily likes canned kidney beans. She didn't digest the skin (can you guess how I know :wink: ) but otherwise they didn't give her any tummy aches.
Molars, I should check Emily too. She has 7 teeth right now and hasn't stopped drooling since forever. I go thru two bibs each A time :wink:
Us, went for lunch with dh yesterday and ran a few errands together so we headed home in the car for 20mins just at nap time. Well, I clapped, got the dog to bark, reached back and tapped my fingers on her head, pulled her ears, played with her fingers and she still fell asleep for like 5mins. So, when I put her in her crib, she basically played on and off for 30mins and then was up for the rest of the afternoon :o .
-
Oh my goodness, happy birthday to Maya tomorrow! Deborah, let us know how her b-day goes. Weep, weep.
A time is spent conviencing Kelsey to stay in the living room where we play. She'll flit around from toy to toy, but is always finding something to pull up on and walk away. And I don't want to hamper her walking practice, so I'll follow her around until my back just kills me. If she'd stay in the one room, I wouldn't have to follow her hunched over ready to catch her. But when she goes near the hardwood I freak out. The non-slip socks are great, but she still falls on any floor. She does like to "waller" on pillows on the floor and thinks it's funny if I do it to. She likes to bang things together. She'll sit momentarily and babble to her blocks, sort through her books then play with the basket. She loves for the dog to run circles around her like they are chasing, but I can't always talk the dog into that. She would gladly play with the dog's toys for hours, but ewwwh. I'm going to get her some rubber balls that look like the dog's and hope the dog doesn't get them.
-
Happy Birthday Maya!!!
Matty's is in two weeks. wow
Hazel, great picture. I cant believe how much your SIL is going through. Hope she feels better and gets home soon.
Vidya, nice to have you back.
Julie, thank you for the video clip. I loved it! great toy, and Asher is just so cute. I havent been to the web site to see all our babies, now I want to go, how do i do that?
Branwen: I usually just sit on the floor with Matty and he will come over to me when he wants to. He likes me nearby while he is playing and he alternates between "allowing" me to interact, and just wanting me to watch. Conversely, he is not okay for more then ten minutes (safely in pak and play) if Im not in the room. For example, I can leave him in the Pak and play while I am preparing meals and cleaning up and he is fine as long as I am in the kitchen with him. But if I leave the room he is only okay for about ten minutes and then cries for me to come. Should he be more independent than this?
I'm honestly wondering how some of the mom's here can get so much done,as when I dont have help, I am with him all the time, unless he napping, and my computer is in the office which is not a safe place for him.
Julie
-
My SIL and her lo have gone home :D :D :D I was due to go visit her this afternoon and she phoned to say they were being discharged. I burst into tears in the middle of the supermarket I was so happy :oops: I just hope and pray this is the last of her problems. Now she can start to properly enjoy her dd. Yay. Thanks for all of your well-wishes.
I bought Daniel his first pair of shoes today. They're really soft cruising ones and soooo cute. He even got a photo taken in the shop of him standing wearing them (part of the shop's incentive to get you to buy there :) ) He has a really serious look on his face - the assistant tried her best to get him to smile but no such luck. And yep, he's spent most of the afternoon chewing them :lol: He probably just thinks they're an expensive new teether!
-
Asher's still sick, though the fever is less today. He's still asleep for his morning nap, 2 hr 20 min and counting! :shock: I'm kinda in the mindset of letting him sleep as long as his body wants when he's sick because his body needs the sleep to heal itself. But he's sleeping through lunch and I wonder if this will just cancel the afternoon nap? :?: Should I wake him? Should I just let him go, try for a short afternoon nap later and/or put him to bed early? He went to bed early last night because he took short naps yesterday and was tired by 7 pm.
-
Happy Birthday for Maya tomorrow! Cannot believe how this year has flown past!
Hazel, great news on your SIL!!
I started back at work today, so dont really have much time to catch up yet. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things. Still a bit low, but will get over it.
Will post new vids of Luka soon lol!! :lol:
-
Heather, my back was killing me too for a month or two with following Emily around (you might remember all my complaints). But thankfully she's now really good and I just sit somewhere in the room and she walks all around while I watch. I think it's just a wait it out thing.
-
Well, nevermind, he's awake! :lol: Deb, I guess this site DOES jinx us!! :wink:
-
Hazel that's wonderful!!! oh how exciting for everyone. hope they are able to catch up on their rest at home.
Julie - happy anniversary!
when luke was sick, i did wake him up to eat, but other than that i let him sleep when he wanted. the whole time though, i was so paranoid that he'd wake up at night. :roll: :oops: couldn't just let myself enjoy the peace & quiet!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAYA!!!
Branwen - good luck with the weaning. you need to stay healthy too.
-
Well, I heard a peep, now he's quiet again. So who knows! :roll: I'm just gonna let him sleep.
JulieG, you can click on the dropshots link in my signature to view Asher's video site. On the right side of the main page under "friends," I think I have links to everyone else's video pages as well.
Cambell0520 is Heather & Kelsey
Choochieb is Michelle & Kinlagh
Crebner is Christine & Leah
Echohush is Branwen & Eirwen
ER is Tarri & Emily
KMC is Kate & Ciara
Schae is Schae & Luka
And speaking of videos, I'd LOVE to see some of these other babies in action! Especially Olivia with some of the stories we hear!! :lol: :lol:
Hazel, so glad to hear your SIL is going home. That sounded like a nightmare! :shock:
Oh, and I hear him again. I think he's really up now! Must go check on sleeping beauty... :wink:
-
So he slept 3 hours. God help us! :lol:
Have to share something cute and funny Asher started doing today....
When DH was teaching Asher to turn the light swtich on/off, he'd cheer and clap for him when he did it. Now when Asher turns the light of with me, he cheers and claps for himself! :lol: :lol: :lol: I've got to get it on video!
-
Mellissa, I forgot to reply to you. Your nights sound horrible :( And that's a good night :?: Eeeks. Emily hasn't done those games since 6 months. If it hasn't been going on too long I would guess teething. Have you tried Advil? If it is normal, I'm thinking maybe a change of your day routine is needed or maybe try and not pick up when you go in and no feeding till morning? Did you post your day routine? Hopefully someone in the group can help :!: Tarri
-
Happy Birthday to Maya!
Vidya
-
Happy Birthday Maya! fill us all in on the details!
-
did not want to put my story with the positive Happy birthday message.
things here are S-HIT with capital letters (hope i don't offend you lovely ladies). i have been close t a breakdown the past 4 days because olivia has gone crazy since Tuesday morning when she woke at 6:30. I've asked for some help in the moderator board and hope that someone can offer insight, but just wanted to say hi while i have 5 min of peace and quiet.
basically liv is suffering insanely from separation anxiety,teething (both bottom teeth), refusing anythign from a spoon, eating very little solids but gorging on formula to make up for it (anything from 9-11oz per feed), goes down early for 1st nap and sleeps 1-1hr45 but then i can't figure out 2nd nap, then she finally sleeps late in the afternoon and then even with the late wake up she is overtired (?) by bedtime and the last 3 nigts we have not been able to get her to sleep (first 2 nights took an hour or so and we finally patted her off by 8:10pm :shock: and the result was an ever earlier wakup, but last night from 8:50-9:45 Liv was hysterical - was loud enough to wake and upset alex, Liv almost vomited and was choking for air, sweating profusely form the effort, barely taking a breath. finally got her to sleep at 10pm (and that was after i climbed into the cot and yelled over her to calm down and that mommy was not leaving her etc - she fell asleep holding on to both my feet :shock: and woke after 5 min to check i was still there) alex was so upset - it was so loud jeff had taken her into our room to try to put her back to sleep in our bed :roll: which failed so after olivia was asleep and i stayed 20 min to make sure, then i leapt out of the cot :shock: alex did not get to sleep until 10:30- would not go back into her cot, etc This whole thing is taking all my energy and alex is getting upset at the lack of attention...
just needed to unload that for now! i am not sleeping well either and Dh and i are in separate bedrooms (have been for almost 2 weeks due to me being sick and then him being sick - too much coughing and tossing and turning etc)
-
Happy birthday Maya. One today. Yippee!
-
Happy Birthday to Maya :D - what a year eh?
Kate
-
Deb - I'm so sorry to hear about your rough time. I can't imagine how hard it is with two los upset at night time actually so I won't even presume to offer any advice! What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right....?
~HUGS~
Kate
-
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAYA !!! :D :D :D how exciting!
Where do I start - firstly FYI I have been on zoloft for PND/anxiety - you may have seen post in PND chat. It has been working fantastically and I have raved on about it for a while - but here is the big BUT.....I have been on it for over 2 months now and it was great - I felt calm, cruisy just generally enjoyed life. Nothing got to me.
Now I have started feeling really irritated/anxious again - (not with bub but usally with DH). I am not sure if it is the medication wearing off???? I have read that some people become used to it and it does not work any more. Or it could be lack of sleep. - Has anyone similar issues with Zoloft?
Tarri Yes for the last month I have been having bad nights (thank you for your concern - I have always had on and off problems with the sleeping thing. For a while DS slept through (prob about 2 months) in his 11 months of life. Here is my approx DTroutine you may be able to help.
5.30am WAKE - BREAST BACK TO SLEEP
7am WAKE
7.30-9.30 SOLIDS/ACTIVITY
9.30-11 SLEEP (may call out for bout 5 mins max then fall asleep)
11-2.30 SOLIDS/ACTIVITY
2.30-3.30 SLEEP (usually BF before sleep but not to sleep)
3.30-6.30 SOLIDS/PLAY ACTIVITY/BATH/SOLIDS/BOOK - breastfeed then bed. 95% goes to bed easily.
***I used to DF but have not for long time***
The fun then starts - for last month he is almost guaranteed to wake up at 9.30-10pm - I was picking him up some times BF and kept awake generally 30 minutes then put him back - he yells about 5 minutes then sleeps.
We have tried DH going in for a week but DS gets hysterical up to 30 minutes for me until I finally go in.
After he finally goes to sleep at around 10pm - he usally then wakes at 2am or 4-5am.
If he wakes at 2 - I generally leave him and he falls back to sleep after about 5 minutes but if not I get him up and cuddle then put back.
If he wakes at 4-5am - I BF him and he usually sleeps to 7am.
SORRY EVERYONE FOR WAFFLING ON....I FEEL A LITTLE BETTER GETTING THIS ALL OFF MY CHEST.
Jaime I do get along really well with DH family but I think I just feel the need to impress/please them with my 'great' mothering skills..... :shock: They love us all so much and are really happy relaxed people - I dont like to let them see DS crying to much as I hate to admit - I feel a little like failing.......Not heaps but a little.
Branwen After looking at what I have typed with my routine - you are right!!! I am going to go cold turkey with BFding at night after the 6.30pm feed - once the inlaws have left. I will go in and try saying time for bed and kiss - hopefully it will take effect after 2 or 3 days.
Debra I really really really sympathise for you !!!!!! Different issue but same result with the sleep deprivation - Huge Huge HUGS!!!!
Anyway better leave some room for everyone else :wink:
I feel better already just typing this all down
Melissa
-
Happy first brithday Maya!! :D
Deb, big hugs to you! I am praying for you and your family.
-
Melissa, I agree with Branwen too about not feeding till official wake up time. Other than that your routine looks really good to me. Also, does he have a lovie?
Debra, so sorry about your horrible days lately. I can't imagine how hard it must be with two lo's and you and dh getting sick. :shock: My best suggestion is to give Advil right away if she won't go down at nap or night (I think the teething pains affect them more when they are tired). Also, does Olivia have something to cuddle in the crib? Maybe when you comfort her you can stuff something into her hand to hold and it might help with the seperation anxiety eventually. Hope it gets better for you soon! I'm sending you a BIG hug :D
Debra/Jamie, I'm starting to bath Emily once a day without any soap in warm to cool water to rehydrate. Kayna (from the food allergy board) does it with her lo and she said it works well. I think my problem was I wasn't letting her soak long enough, apparently it needs to be for 15-20mins. I timed it last time and when I got her out her feet were all wrinkly which I haven't seen before so I know I've definately not had her in long enough before.
JulieB, How long do you let Asher sleep in the morning? I think I have to shorten the morning nap (which I hate to do) cause whenever she has a 2 hour morning nap she has a 45mins afternoon nap and then can't stay up till bedtime, which leads to an early waking usually.
Us, I think we're onto another teething bout. My strategy is to not mess about too much with pt/sh or pu/pd, I just give her the Advil. Usually ends up with about 3 advil doses total over 3 days and then she's good again for a couple weeks.
-
Happy Birthday Maya!! How exciting.
Deb, I am so so so sorry. I can't imagine how hard this is for you. You must have strong patience b/c you are handling it much better than i would be able to. I'm sorry that I can't offer any advice, but I send you lots of hugs and prayers.
Tarri, Kelsey has a soft babydoll that she has taken to extemely well for sleep. I've gone in to find her rubbing the baby's hand or foot while sleeping. She often sleeps right on top of it. It has no removable parts or pieces, it's totally cloth.
-
We are getting ready to leave to new hampshire for DH's family reunion. I wanted to just pop in and say hello to everyone!
Deb: If it is of any consolation, Diya was exactly the same last month. It almost lasted for a month I think. It was so bad that I used to cry often. She would not eat her solids and because of that, would wake up in the MOTN and I used to feed her. I didn't want her to cry much because she was anxious about leaving all of us. What helped us was(maybe she got over it by then) let her in a room for few mins alone and then run to her. Try increasing the time you leave her slowly.
Julieb: Hope Asher is feeling better now. Let us know
Melissa: Try feeding your DS more during the day. Does he wake up at the same time very night. If so, he is used to you feeding him. Try everything but not feeding him. Later try not going in much so that he will know that he has to sleep at that time.
Sorry if I didn't make any sense. I am in a hurry to pack while Diya is sleeping. Will catch up with you ladies after I get back on tuesday!
Vidya
Diya(1/25/05)
-
Asher's fever has gone down to almost nothing. The diarrhea and snot continues, though I'm keeping the diarrhea well at bay with the BRAT diet. He's getting mighty tired of the lack of variety though, even as much as he likes bananas. Every time I give him anything else though, I find it whole in his diaper 6 hours later. :lol: He's not absorbing much of it and I don't want him to fill up on stuff his body is discarding. :roll:
He's been in good spirits though, although we had a terrible time getting him to bed last night. It was DH's turn and he kept crying seconds after DH would leave the room. He was going in and out and didn't know what to do. Asher did this Tuesday night when it was DH's turn as well, but not during my turns. I tried to help settle him and Asher wouldn't let me leave either. All the while he was getting himself worked up, hot & sweaty with tons of snot. I had managed not to medicate him all day and he did great, now he was completely plugged up and couldn't suck his thumb. :? I ended up just getting him up so he could calm down, cool off and we could figure out what to do. Gave him meds and DH finally got him back to bed (made DH do it since I'm going out with my girlfriends tonight and don't want to be called back home in a panic!).
So come to find out after all of this, DH has been picking Asher up when he cries and goes back in! This led to a fight and built up of resentment on my part. I told him he's not supposed to pick up and that's probably creating this bad habit. DH said I told him to PU/PD, so why not PU! I said you don't physically PU anymore since he's been standing FOR MONTHS and he claimed I never told him. :evil: I know I did and I know DH just forgot like he does a lot. He got frustrated because I don't tell him what to do or when I switch things around, etc, etc. This brought up my underlying frustration of him never reading the BW book even though I've begged and pleaded all year. I have often felt so alone in deciding how to raise Asher, and felt like DH's mother as well. It ended up with him promising, yet again, to read the BW book. But I told him he might as well not bother at this age and just move on to the toddler book, which I'm reading next. :? :roll: I've read an article about men's lack of desire to read parenting books, but I still just don't get it. It annoys me to no end. This is his SON. You'd think he'd want to learn about his own SON.
Ugh, thanks for letting me rant.
Melissa, I also think you're perpetuating the habit by nursing or picking him up at this age. Asher often has night terrors, but he's rarely awake even though he's sitting up. I find if I can just get his luvie back in his hands and lay him down as quickly and smoothly as possible without waking him up more, he'll immediately stop. Within a minute, he's back to sawing logs on the monitor. For the early mornings though, I don't know if you'll be able to make it till 7:00. 6:30-7:00 is a long haul and some babies just wake early. If nursing him gets him and you an extra 1.5 hours of sleep, it just may be worth continueing. You can try it without and see how he does though. Nursing in the AM never worked on my DS. I usually just leave him and he ends up going back to sleep after a bit of playing.
Deb, I was re-reading your post and also wondered if you're medicating or not? I hate doing it, but sometimes I resort to it when Asher's miserable and making me miserable too! :lol: Have you tried offering very soft finger foods? Sounds like she's exerting her independence by refusing the spoon, but not eating solids because her gums hurt? And I'm sure you've thought of this possibility, but maybe it's too early, but do you think she could be trying to consolidate to one nap? I read they start refusing the pm nap when they're ready. Could be just a fluke though. Hope she throws you a bone soon!
Tarri, I was waking Asher after 1:15 hrs, but ever since our CA trip, his sleep sorted itself out quite nicely. I'm not sure how though. So now I let him sleep as long as he wants in the AM, as long as it's not past noon (otherwise it pushes everything back too late for my taste). He never seems to go more than 1.5 hrs in the am though. And he's been taking good 1.5-2 hour afternoon naps. I also take him outside to play for 20 min every afternoon, so I'm not sure if this helps at all?? It's not like it's very physical though.
Well, after Asher's 3 hour nap yesterday, he's take 30 minutes today. :? I think all the construction trucks outside have kept him awake.
-
Deb, I'm sure this is a phase, but I cant imagine how tough you are having it right now. I recommend putting something that smells like you in the crib with her. I also highly recommend homeopathy for her anxiety. Do you have a health food store nearby? I would go there and get a remedy for anxiety, and give her the pellets according to directions.
Homeopathy is safe, but you should get somebody who knows their stuff to let you know which is the best remedy. Chamomilla is a good one (I use it for teething and overall calm for Matty).
Good luck and I'm thinking of you!
Julie
-
HI all
Thank you SOOOOO much for all the support and ideas. here is our update:
feeding: last 48+ hrs have gone well, she has had almost no spoon food (just yogurt tonight and she did 80% of it herself) and has increased her eating enough to start pooping again (we noticed she was not pooping and thought it was due to lack of solids...). she is eating:lots of pieces of chicken, sausages, cheerios, pasta, crackers, toast, peas, a try at corn, carrots, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, granny smoth apples, nectarine, peaches (these 2 are new this weekend), grapes, yogurt all finger food. do you think this is good enough - her quantity has increased (not sure if due to limiting bottles to 8oz or due to no battle for spoon feeding etc)
sleeping: funny that you mentioned 1 nap julieb, before i saw your post we had day 1 of 1 nap!! yesterday i tried at 9am for first nap even though my gut told me she was not tired yet - no go - gave up and tried again at 9;45 (now pis$ed off) so said forget this - i am not going to battle her, got her up and told Dh to get ready we were taking the girls to the playground for the rest of the morning so we don't have to deal with trying to keep her happy at home. we had a picnic lunch and fresh air etc and put her down at 12:30 and she went to sleep without a peep and slept until 2:45! but that night it still took an hour to get her to sleep (i finally succeded with shh/pat but it was a tiring experience again); she slept until 7am and i tried 9:30 for 1st nap and she was having none of it so we decided to go 1 nap again and put her down at 12:30 again and she went down instantly and slept until 2:30 but unlike yesterday when she woke happy, today she woke screaming and crying still so tired (or teeth pain :? ) and i tried to resettle but gave up at 2:45 and got her up. we put her to bed at 7:10pm and Dh thought he had shh/patted her to sleep, but hedid not stay to get her through the 5 min hump and she woke right up - - - - -BUT she put herself back to sleep and before 8pm which is huge steps for us!!! we don't know where this is headed but we have to keep riding it out. i figure if she wakes before 7 i will offer the 9:30 nap but if she sleeps to 7 or later i will go for the 1 nap again. Dh and i discussed it and i cannot have her naps move to 10/10:30 and 3 because i would never get out of the house (she would nap 10-11, alex 1/1:30-3, olivia 3-4:30 :shock: me = hostage to the house)
this way if it works with 1 nap i don't have to stress about the mornings anymore and we can start going to gym class again (alex's class is at 10:20am) and i can start taking liv to swim class, they don't have to worry about getting her to nap at daycare on Mondays, etc WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?
Sep anxiety - still HUGE. she has cried so much this week that her voice is messed up - she almost sounds like a smoker - all raspy :cry: I think i might try sleeping with something for her cot and laying it under her sheet (maybe one of my pillow cases). also, she has this soft doll that she loves (she chews on her feet) and i was thinking of trying to put it in with her - the problem with my spirited lo is that everything is a game to her then (Dh tried a cold teething ring the other night and she played with it for ages instead of trying to go to sleep) do your lo not play with their lovies for ages???
teething: she has the bottom 2 teeth SLOWLY coming in (1 poked through a smidge, other one barely to the surface) she is chewing on everything. with all the issues we are/were having it is hard to break it down. i give a great natural teething remedy (posted about it months ago - by a co called Brauer) and also Nurofen (lasts 6-8 hours) or panadol (lasts 4-6 hours) sometimes Dh forgets to give her teething stuff (i try to remind him when i can)
i think it has just been so hard because with such a tangle of issues it is hard to tell what to tackle and what to ride out etc. I wonder if that week when she was sleeping loads was her way of storing up sleep to finally get those teeth to come in, or if she is about to walk, or the whole drop to 1 nap thing :? The sep anxiety is the worst of all the problems, but as i said to Dh, since it suddenly got terrible when he went back to work, i am hoping that is the peak and we will experience it taipering off (WHO KNOWS)
i hope everyone else is doing well - those with drop shots postings i have been catching up and all your kiddos look great and are still amazing me (especially watching the walkers)
-
Deb - if i could get luke to eat that variety of finger food, i could die happy now! :lol: especially the meat; he does not seem to want it unless it's pureed lately. :roll: that looks like a great variety of foods, and it sounds like she's much happier that way.
naps - sounds like she could be ready for one. only thing i might warn is i've seen some posts where during the transition they will do one nap for several days, and then throw in a day where they need 2. just something to keep in the back of your mind (like you need to remember more stuff!) also... just to play devil's advocate.... any chance alex can take her nap later in the day? jaina doesn't go down most days until 3 or 3:30 anymore, and i get her up at 5. although, as i type this, i'm remembering you like that earlier bedtime... so maybe scratch that (we do bedtime at 8pm). overall, i think if Liv will make the transition to 1 nap now, life seems like it would be much smoother for you.
loveys - yes, luke plays with his loveys when i put him in his crib, but i think it's part of his winddown. i think the most i've heard him play is still under 10 minutes and he's conked out - usually with one of them over his face! :lol:
-
I'm having a hard time with Kelsey playing rather than sleeping at nap time. At first, it was just a few minutes, but over time it has increased to up to 1 hr. Then, by the time she falls asleep and sleep for 1 hr 20-30 mins, she's been in there for 2.5 hrs. She's never upset, just playing or babbling. I almost want to take the doll out, but I think she'd find something else (her feet). For the past 3 days she's never fallen asleep for her pm nap, so I just get her up when it would be time if she had slept. Weird thing is that she's happy. Don't curse me with saying she's dropping a nap. I think she just goes through spells of good naps and not so good naps.
Feeding her has been tricky lately. I suppose she's refusing the jar foods now, but the finger foods can be a battle also. I've found several things to feed her, but it's like she gets tired of eating after a few bites. So after too many outbursts on her part, I just get her out of the highchair and move on. I'll over a snack later, which she'll take, so I guess she'll eat when she's hungry. But, of course I'm stressed over it.
-
Heather:
I really think these lo's follow their own schedules with their own ups and downs. I've heard from so many friends with babies that this is so normal. They wont eat, they stop napping, etc. The good thing is, she is having quiet time in her crib and getting up happy. Also, you are doing exactly right by following her cues for food. When she wont eat, you just let her out of the high chair and offer a snack later. I encourage you to stop stressing. You are doing a great job and following her lead. I know we all get nervous when our lo's arent going according to the set schedule, but I really think they all work it out if we just stand by and support them. Keep up the good work.
and no, I dont think she is dropping a nap yet!
Julie
-
Oh, and make sure to remind me of what I just wrote, when I next post about something he is doing that I'm worried about! :oops:
Julie
-
Deb, I know several babies that went to one nap by 12 months. If it's working, then go for it. On the bedtime battles, is she over tired by bedtime? Can you try putting her to bed 30 minutes early to get her through this nap transition and her body adjusting? Ironically, 2 out of the last four days, Asher has taken 3+ hour morning naps. He is sick and I give him a late afternoon catnap as well, but I was quite surprised at his ability. Makes me think 1 nap days are around the corner. :shock:
I also think the foods you listed sound quite well-rounded and should be just fine. You could always keep offering other foods to see if she tries them, but otherwise, don't sweat it. That's more well-rounded than most toddlers I see! :wink:
Asher's luvies are blankets and burp cloths. But somehow he still manages to have full conversations with the crib slats. I tried putting a stuffed animal in there a couple nights, but he woke early the next morning by DH's shower and never went back to sleep. I was convinced it was because of the the animal and took it out. I haven't re-tested my theory yet because he's been sleeping in better. Each time I had it in there though, it was in a corner of the crib he can't see when laying down because I didn't want him to be distracted going to sleep (just hoping he'd notice it if he woke and sat up).
Last thought: You've mentioned before that Liv went through her other GS's early. A few others of us recently experienced 11 month GS's. Could she be coming off the tail end (hence the good sleeping last week and the sudden appetite change this week)? Though Asher's sleep is still okay (knock on wood), his appetite has gone through dramatic changes since.
Heather, how do you feed the finger foods? How many and all at once, etc? I offer 4-5 different foods per meal. I put 2-3 chunks of each food on his tray and he eats them in the order he wants. Then I give him a swig of water and plop another 2-3 chucks of each, and so on... I find if I give him the same bites over and over with nothing in between, he's quickly bored of that food. Hope that gives you an idea.
DH thinks he's getting sick as well. :roll: He's a hypocondriac though and pops Airborn like candy. We'll see! Asher still has diarrhea and I think he got a yeast diaper rash overnight. It was patchy and raised. I've been able to avoid the diaper rash this whole time by applying lansinoh to his bottom. So I'm not sure how this happened since neither of us is taking antibiotics. I put lotrimin on it all day yesterday (with more lansinoh), but a good deal is still there today. I swear, this kid's bottom... If I had a nickel for every diaper rash he's had this past year... :roll:
-
Deb, sounds like your being really good with going with the flow! I have no resolve to stick with pu/pd or pt/sh anymore so if she wakes I usually give up, get her up and go out shopping somewhere.
JulieB, my dh won't read bW either but he will listen when I read it to him! Can't help with the diaper rash, thankfully Emily's bum is about the only place that doesn't have any rash (thanks to eczema).
In the crib, it's kind of funny reading about different lo's tossing toys out of cribs and sleeping sitting up and standing and stuff, cause all Emily does is turn around a bit on her back. I've got no toys in there just a blanky.
Naps, Emily's are going kind of funny too. Oh, dh is coming to get me for dinner bottle, gotta go!
Tarri
-
Oh, just wait, Tarri! Your time will come!! :twisted: :lol: **evil laughing** Muhahahaha! :wink:
-
Well, I put ridiculously tiny pieces in front of her. I used to lay the whole bit down, but since the choking I only put 2 at a time. She was liking chicken, but now is refusing it. So it's alot of cheese toast, shredded cheese, turkey lunch meat. I bought these other meals, but I think she doesn't want me serving her with the spoon, and they are bowl/soupish meals with pasta and meat in them, but not suitable for picking up with fingers. Not just messy, but too slippery for her to grasp. I've tried apple slices, but she doesn't like them, and she can't have bananna, and I'm holding off on other fruits. Can I try cut up grapes? Those would be easy to pick up.
-
We're up to 82 pages. Should we start fresh...again?
Deb-I also asked one of the other groups with 112 if they'd like a new thread. Was this okay?
-
Heather, grapes should be fine. She may not know what to do with the peels though. And don't be surprised if she re-gifts the peels to you in her morning diaper! :lol: :wink: I still find pea shells.
Bad mommy moment tonight! :oops: Asher slipped in the tub and fell on his back hitting his head. :cry: I haven't had him cry this hard before. I felt SO SO SO bad cuz I was being so careless. The water was gone, he was walking around the tub, and I was just about to grab him when he slipped. Our tub kinda has a non-skid bottom, but he still slips. I was even looking at the non-skid stickers and mats today at Wal-mart but talked myself out of getting any. :oops: :roll: Guess I'll be going back before our next bath.
-
Heather - Ciara will onyl eat grapes if they are peeled - then she loves em. What about slivers of avocado, very ripe so she can hold them and suck on them?
Deb - I also no longer battle Ciara with naps. It's just too much trauma all round - and it doesn't work! If she won't go down for a nap, which has only happened a couple of times lately as she is still sleeping well for now (at least we're all rested for the move...!) I just get her up till next nap, which is obviously a bit earlier. Then she generally sleeps well at that one.
Julie - you dh rant is sooo much how I feel at times. We could have the same dh in fact. Then he does something really sweet and I feel bad for having felt so mad at him and I think how infuriating I can be... :roll: What is the BRAt diet by the way?
Loveys - Ciara HAS to have her lovey to sleep - not sure if this is a prop now...? But it stays in bed, she can sleep fine in the car without it for example. She has a couple of other cuddly toys in there but this one pink bear is her must-have. Sometimes she strikes her little lamb too but the others are just there to toss out when she wakes up. They don't keep her awake for sure.
Must pack, must pack.........!!! moving on Thursday night!
-
Well, we are definitely into 'pulling up' mode here and boy does it scare me :shock: He keeps pulling up onto things and then letting go and just spinning round or something. Luckily I've always managed to catch him so far, but sooner or later he'll do this when I'm not in the room. He seems to have very little sense of danger! Like he just lets go and falls straight back.
Tarri - it's so funny that you said Emily barely moves in her cot. That is just what Daniel was like a few days ago! Yesterday I put him down for a nap and 5 mins later went back in as he was whining. He had thrown both his teddies on to the floor, was kneeling up, banging on the cot slats :lol: At the moment I find it cute and fun but I can imagine in a few days time it will drive me mad. We also found him asleep sitting up again last night. So sweet.
Heather - the way you describe Kelsey's eating sounds similar to Daniel in some ways. He will eat one food one day and then the next day (or even next meal) he acts like it's poison! I never thought he would become a picky eater, but he's certainly going that way now. On a couple of occasions I've kind of had to remind him that he likes it. I put a piece in his mouth and then make him keep it in (I know that does sound cruel when I write it down :oops: ) and he pulls a face and then suddenly starts clapping and loving it. I am going to try what Julie suggests and put a few different foods on teh tray at once. I usually just put one sort at a time and maybe he does just get bored.
Milk - we had a few really rough days when he wouldn't take hardly any (not in his bottle, not in a sippy, not any way!) We had switched to whole milk but he seems to not like the taste. He doesn't mind semi skimmed so I think we might just stick with that. His favourite is still the formula though :? So at the moment we're having success using the avent toddler teat inserts that Branwen mentioned. They have a valve that makes them non spill but they're still quite easy to suck from.
Grapes - Daniel has days when he LOVES these and then days when he won't touch them. But he does fine with them when he does eat them. I just cut them in half. I did used to take the skins off but I can't be bothered anymore :oops:
Melissa - how's things? Are the inlaws still with you? Hope you are well.
Deb - sounds interesting about Olivia's one nap days. Reading what you posted though makes it seem as though she is ready. I think I would carry on doing what you are doing. I can see why you don't just want her naps to move later. I already have days where I feel housebound and that's only with one morning nap and one afternoon nap. It would be hell with 2 kids napping at different times! Thanks also for your advice on the other thread about food throwing. I think you're probably right. I'll try to ignore it I think.
Loveys - Daniel rarely plays with his lovey for more than about 1 minute! He does the same as Luke and falls asleep with it on his face :)
-
Heather - when are kelsey's naps currently? could she be tellng you to move them later (like Liv wanted)? if she is playing for an hour it sounds like she is not tired yet. ~ ~ food: i cut grapes in half and de-skin them. she did not like them at first but now LOVES them. i am eating a mango right now so have put aside some pieces to try again at breakfast - i have offered it previously but just keep trying to expand the list so i have options... sometimes when liv isn't eating the pieces of food i have success putting them in her mouth (i guess she prefers that to me shoving a spoon in there) so maye try that to stimulate her to eat the foods - if you put a piece in and she likes it (or if you show her you are eating it too) she may be more interested
julieb - sorry asher is still feeling yucky and having such tushy problems and the bath tub slip - olivia walks around the bath all the time! Dh is having such a time with her in the bath these days - she is fearless and agressive - battling alex for the toys etc (and about Dh i think all men are slight hypochondriacs / bad patients). thanks for all the support
Hazel - good luck with the pulling up! things are always changing aren't they?
Kate - good luck with the move!!
us: today she woke at 7:30 - i looked at my watch and thought it was 6:30 and she did not make another peep so i thought she was going back to sleep but by 7:45 i heard her again and that time re-read my watch and checked my clock and then jumped out of bed yelling at Dh to get uyp as it was 7:45 (he had not even set his alarm for work :evil: ) it threw us for a loop and poor alex had probably been up for a while :oops: ANYWAY since it was after 8 by the time we had breakfast served I knew there was no way i woudl get her down for a morning nap. we drove Dh several train stations away so he could get a fast train to the office so she was in the car for 1/2hr round trip - spot on 10:40 she yawned in her carseat. did not fa;ll asleep though and went down again WITHOUT A PEEP at 12:30 and slept til about 3pm (not sure as i passed out on the sofa from 2/2:30 until i heard her at 3), she did not eat much of dinner (kept squishing all the foods between her fingers and not eating much so i ended it) put her down just about 7/7:10 and Dh had no success with shh/pat so i went in and she was blowing raspberries etc and that pis$ed me off (sep anxiety or overtiredness i can deal with but games rubbed me the wrong way) so i said goodnight and left again, she played for a while but eventually SHE PUT HERSELF TO SLEEP (again before 8pm, progress is slow but still PROGRESS) we will see how things carry on. she had zero food from a spoon today. the thing with the sleep though is that her 24 hour total is the same and her last A time is the same as before so i don't think she can be overtired at bedtime :? her totals are still around the 14 hrs / 24hr maybe even increasing some of these days since she is sleeping later in the morning. we will see what happens when/if she starts getting her butt asleep before 7:30 again!
-
Hi Everyone,
Wow we have had a really interesting day. Our township flooded and we are stuck here for the next 48 hours - VERY exciting. Our house has been sandbagged and the waters are on the same road we live in - but the council built up a special levy to protect our houses.
On a different note though we had a bad night last night. I have put into practice what I was talking about before. No BF in middle of night (unless sick). I went in there when DS cried and quickly picked up cuddled then said time for bed. He woke at 9.30, 10.30, 1am then I gave in and BF him at 3am and he slept to 7.30am.
But tonight it is now almost 11pm and I have not heard a peak out of him!!!!! :D may be this is working - it is the first time in about 1 month now he has not woken up.
Hazel inlaws are still visiting - they are stuck here because of the flooding - they have just purchased a house 400kms from us to be closer (they were originally 3000kms away). Everything is going well - they are supporting us with DS and understand we need some sleep (hence a little crying).
EATING - Because of this site - I thought to try grapes with DS (strange I didnt think of them before) but I am not creative with food. HE LOVED THEM!!! he kept biting into them then dropped them on the floor. We went through about 10 :lol:
I am still trying to be creative with food - he generally has similar things daily - weetbix, porridge, rice pudding, savoury mince, mashed potatoe, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoe, peas, yoghurt. Also some purchased baby food......He does not seem to chew on finger food for long - he still likes me to spoon feed him.
CUPS - He constantly climbs up me when I am having a cuppa - we finally put his water sippy inside a coffee cup - WHAT A HUGE SUCCESS! He loved it - I think he thought it was great having a grown up cup with mum!
Anyway - love hearing every ones news - still pressing on.
I think a new thread may be a good idea..... :?:
BYEEEEEEEE
-
trying to upload piccy of the flood but having problems with it - will try again later
8)
-
Dh is back at work...so I can get back on the computer :wink:
JulieB, HA, HA :D
Debra, your one nap days inspired me to read BW more and I started reading the chapter on sleeping in the second year for toddlers. And I'm SO glad I did cause I think Emily's moving in the one nap direction too but not quite ready to go all the way.
Melissa, Eeeks, a flood? And your stuck with the inlaws? Hope it dries up soon :!:
Heather, did Kelsey have a bad choking incident? Emily chokes a little bit all the time and I do happy coughing noises with her so she doesn't panic.
Everyone, just wanted to share what I plan on doing with Emily to move towards good naps again. I'm going to loosely follow the 2 to 1 nap plan in the BW book. The idea is that you just keep shifting the morning nap later and later and then I guess drop the afternoon when they won't sleep it anymore. So today I put her down for morning nap 30mins later, with a snack just before (awake from 6:15-9:30am) hoping she'll sleep at least 1.5hrs. Then as soon as I get the morning nap late enough we're going to skip her second bottle and just do lunch when she wakes. I hope it goes well:)
-
A couple nights now, Asher wakes in the middle of the night and plays for about 10 minutes, then goes back to sleep. It's at 1:00 am or something. Don't know what that's all about. He woke really early at 6:00 and pooped this morning (I believe) and never really went back to sleep so he's a cranky man this morning. STILL dealing with the diaper rash! I don't know what else to do. I let him run around naked for 20 min yesterday (boy, did I feel like I was living on the edge! :lol: ) and again this morning. Are baths more or less helpful, do you think? I may take him in the spa for a while today since the bath gets cold so quick.
Attempted to try soup last night after several people mentioned it. Not so good! :lol: I bought a can that looked like it had a lot of veggies in it, but after draining the broth, picking out all the noodles (no wheat/eggs yet), we were left with a measily bowl of carrots and chicken. I tried the chicken and decided the pieces were too big so I proceeded to tear them smaller. After the first two, I gave up, put all the parts back together, gave DH the soup, and made something else for Asher! :lol:
Kate, the BRAT (and sometimes BRATY) diet is good for diarrhea and stomach flu's. They're easy to digest foods that help bulk up the stools while they're getting better. Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and sometimes yogurt (to promote intestinal flora).
Hazel, when Asher learned to pull up, he didn't understand the concept of falling either. Don't worry, he'll catch on quickly. Work on helping him learn to plop back on his bottom in a sitting postion (put pressure on his hands until he's forced to sit back). Don't know if the solid food thing is a phase or a permanent thing though. Asher used to eat most everything until this 11 month GS. Now he's picky from one meal to the next. And some foods he LOVED before now he suddenly hates. :roll: I can't get him to eat any more green beans to save my soul!
Deb/Heather, I also show Asher I'm eating a food and he'll often start eating it too. We especially have success if we're just in the family room eating in front of him. He wants to try anything Mama & Daddy have! I'm going to have to start taking more advantage of this! :lol:
Deb, Asher is also fearless in the bath. I don't even bother to tell him to sit down because it's a loosing battle. :oops: More and more of the spirited side comes out in his personality every day it seems. :roll: Some days he just exhausts me. Is it bad that I pray my next is an angel baby? :oops: :wink: Sounds like those 1 naps are working out well!! :D
:?: How do you all keep your LOs out of the kitchen garbage? We don't have a cabinet we can keep it in. I've already gone through 3 and still searching high and low for a can that will work. Between the dog and the baby, someone is ALWAYS in the garbage! :evil:
-
All this talk of moving to one nap seems to have made Daniel feel like he wants the same :lol: Both naps and now bedtime he has fought the sleep. He never usually does this. Almost every time I put him down to sleep he 'talks' for 2 mins tops and is then asleep. But not today. Sheesh. I don't know if it's just a one off but it's annoying. But both naps he still took almost 2 hours :shock: Maybe I'm gonna have to start waking him after an hour in the morning to preserve his next sleep.
Picky eater - yesterday Daniel would not touch banana, today he can't get enough :shock: I can't keep up with him changing his mind. I prepare each meal now with trepidation wondering either if he'll eat any of it or whether I'll have to make the same up again coz he just gobbled it all down. The thing is this only happens with finger foods. Anything (within reason!) offered on a spoon he eats without worry. Must be something to do with ... oh I don't know ... just something to do with being a baby :lol:
Just out of interest, when are others planning on TTC again? My neighbour is preggo already and her dd is only 9 months old :shock: :shock: Makes me think I'm hanging about being slow or something.
-
i got pg with luke one WEEK after jaina's first birthday. it makes me very nervous that luke's first birthday is coming up next week.... :lol:
-
I know I’ve been MIA for quite some time….. I’ve been quite busy at school. Balancing work and home gets a little crazy sometimes!
We are down to two bottles a day. This is our day now:
5:30 – Bottle
7 – Wake and Breakfast
9:15 – 10:30 – Nap
11:30 – Lunch with cow’s milk in sippy
1:30-3 – Nap
3 – Snack
5:00 – Supper with cow’s milk in sippy
6:30 – Bottle, Bath, Bed by 7
She sleeps straight until 5:30, then wakes up screaming for the bottle. So I feed her and she goes back to bed till 7. Am I creating a problem by feeding her? I figure it has been 11 hours since a feed. ????? I started giving cow’s milk with lunch and supper. She still has formula in her AM and PM bottle until I run out.
I’ll put my two cents in where I can!
Hazel – I wake up Leah after 1 hour 15 min for her morning nap. One day I let her sleep and she slept for 2 and half hours, then refused an afternoon nap and wanted to go to sleep at like 5:00. It was bad, so now I wake her!
2 naps into 1 – I don’t think we’re there yet. My sitter though wants her to go to one nap. I understand. It would be nice for her if all the kids slept right after lunch. But we are not there yet, and I’m not pushing her. She took three naps till she was 9 months old! :shock:
Melissa – You need to stop the feeding. I was in the same boat. It just seemed easier to feed her because then she would sleep longer. It only took two nights though and she understood she wasn’t getting fed and didn’t wake up. If you want more info on how we stopped PM me! :D
JulieB – I think I can top that bad mommy moment….Leah literally fell out of the tub the other night. She threw something over the side and was standing hanging over the side looking at it. I was filling her humidifier in the bathroom sink. I thought nothing of it, she stands in the tub all the time. I said, Leah sit down. Then she leaned a little too far and did a sommersault right out of the tub onto the tile floor. Whoops. She’s fine though! Scary isn’t it? :shock:
-
Tarri-Yes, Kelsey tooked pretty bad the other day. Like you, if she just gets a little cough going on, I just cough back and make light of it so she won't be scared. But this time, I heard a sucking in of food into her throat, and I looked at her and her eyes were watering and I could hear weezing from her throat. I used my pinky finger to scoop out the food, then threw the tray across the room. Then I had to wrestle the straps off of her, and then her on her back until she threw up. It was sooo scary. This was on chicken nuggets. She loved them, but I didn't realize she was shoving all of it into her mouth without chewing. I just thought she really liked it and was going to town. That's why I only put 2 pieces at a time on her tray now.
Julie-so sorry about Asher's fall. I'm sure that was scary for you both, especially for him to cry so hard.
Hazel, the pulling up and falling certainly is scary. You're on constant guard now!!!
Eating: I tried the "mommy's eating it so you should too" trick today for pasta. Usually she's good to take whatever off my fork. It was really soft, but she hated it. I tried grated apple, she ate a few pieces I think. No go on the chicken today either. So, back to cheese toast.
As for her naps, the morning one is back on track with her falling asleep more quickly. This afternoon I put her down later (4 rather than 3:30), but it's now 4:40 and she's fussing/babbling. I can feel my blood pressure rising b/c she'll need to be up in 50 minutes.
Kate-I hope your move goes well. We have a contract on our house, so we're waiting to see if it goes through. We have to decide between 2 houses we really love and quickly. If ours' sells, we have only until the end of Jan or possibly the 1st week of Feb.
Deb-that's amazing about Liv's one nap. Sounds like it's what she wants.
Melissa-I hope you and your family are safe through the flooding. Glad to hear your IL's are being supportive.
Oh, and we're thinking of ttc around fall this year (which would be Sept here). I would like for Kelsey to be around 2.5, but one can never plan these things. It took us 18 months with Kelsey.
-
Heather, the choking sounds very scarey. My eyes are watering just thinking about it :( I hope it doesn't happen again.
Christine, the fall from the tub must of scared the bejeepers out of you. Luckily the worst Emily's done so far is lean far enough forward that she ended up on her tummy but the water level was so low her head stayed above water.
JulieB, isn't it terrible when they cry so bad. Our best remedy seems to be a cookie or a drink of water from a water bottle. Oh and I wouldn't soak Asher too long in the hot water cause it tends to really dry their skin out.
-
Hi everyone. I've been reading a lot, just not posting much lately!
Christine - wow, 2 bottles a day! Ethan is still on 4. I was going to drop the afternoon bottle, but he honestly hasn't lengthened his pm naptime enough for me to feel comfortable with him dropping it. It all depends on his naps, but he usually gets that bottle anywhere from 3 to 4 pm, then dinner around 6. I don't wait to give the bottle though, I give him breakfast, lunch, or dinner, then the bottle immediately afterwards. And he usually takes most of it.
Hazel - sometimes Ethan is a picky eater too. I feel like I'm not very varied in my choices, and maybe he's totally bored! I want him to eat veggies and fruit every day. His veggie choices right now are cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, lima beans, and carrots. Anyone have anything else I can easily steam to add to the menu? I do give him our dinner if it's appropriate, like chicken, etc. And he LOVED the pasta with marinara sauce I gave him last week. Oh, and the hamburger helper too!
Which reminds me of something I was going to ask about. Ethan just will not eat fruit as a finger food. Let me qualify this by saying, he LOVES fruit. Any puree he was downing it big time. So, I've tried grapes, bananas, apples, pears, peaches, all a no go. Most are hard for him to pick up cause they are slippery, you know? I just don't know how to get him to eat the fruit - cause he loves it! For a couple of days I was able to cut it up and feed it to him on a spoon, but he won't tolerate that anymore. Any ideas? I tried coating the fruit with cereal, but it just all gets wiped off on his hands when he's trying to pick it up, etc.
Julieb - sorry about Asher's spill! The scariest thing Ethan did was fall off the changing table at about 5 months. Scared me to death. I literally had one hand on him, was leaning over to grab some socks, and he tried to sit up (which he couldn't do at the time), and wound up rolling over and falling. Scared himself, and gave me a heart attack! Oh, and our garbage can is inside our pantry. My dearly departed dog LOVED the trash can, so it had to be out of sight behind closed door!
Tarri - your 2 to 1 nap plan looks good. Let us know how you get along!
Melissa - sorry about the flooding in your town, that's scary! Sounds like your not feeding is going well. It's going to take many days of the new routine for him to understand, I'm sure! So way to go you!
TTC - we're not there yet! I would really love to have mine maybe 2.5 or 3 years apart. I may change my mind before that point! But I'd like them to be a little bit separated in age, plus I want to really spent the first couple of years focusing on Ethan. Does that sound weird? I think about having another baby, and I just think, how could I love two as much as I love Ethan right now? But I know it's possible! Plus, as you guys know, my SIL had a baby last week. We are visiting them this coming weekend... so I may have a whole new outlook on Monday! :lol:
Naps - Ethan is no where near ready for 1 nap. I took a step back and watched him for sleepy signs in the morning, instead of trying to go by the clock. He usually needs a nap about 3 hours after he wakes up, so usually 9:30 or 10. And then 4 hours between am & pm nap. I envy some of your lengthy nap times! Ethan never sleeps longer than 1.5 hours it seems.
We had a horrible night on Friday night. It made me really anxious and not happy about things. Ethan took much longer to go down than usual, but he finally went to sleep. He's teething his two front teeth, so I gave him ibuprofen and teething gel before bedtime. Dh and I watch a movie, and go to bed about 11. At 1 am Ethan starts screaming bloody murder. I have to push dh out of the bed to go tend to him, and he comes back 30 minutes later after getting him back to sleep. I, of course, never could fall back asleep before dh got back in bed. Then, at 2:30, guess who's screaming again? My turn, and I was up with him until 4 am! I have no idea what his issue was. He finally goes back to sleep at 4, and wakes up at 7. I was hoping he would sleep in a little bit since he was up half the night, but nope. So, I'm dragging my butt out of bed at 7 exhausted. It was just one of those nights where you feel like you're doing everything wrong, and made me have a bad outlook the entire day on Saturday. Thankfully Ethan took a 2 hour morning nap (which is completely unheard of), and a 1.5 hour afternoon nap. And we haven't had a repeate episode of that night since. Knock on wood.
Dh has been home since right before Christmas. I think you guys know he travels Mon thru Thurs during the week. Well, when he's home, he works from home, so he is here with us (although not much help but that's another story :roll: ). Anyway, he just left today for his new project, so it's back to Ethan and I alone during the week. I feel like just when I get used to have dh here, it's time for him to leave again. It's a little bit lonely, but I get used to it.
Sorry for having a little pity party for myself - it just makes me feel a tad better to get it out there, you know?
Have a good evening everyone!
-
Tammy-glad to see your new avatar up. Although I don't know if I helped you or you got it better yourself. Either way, it's supper cute. Kelsey won't eat fruit pieces either. I swear I think it's the slimy feeling in her mouth. I tried coating with cereal, also, and like you said it all came off. Fruit is about all she'll take as a puree anymore. Veggies are slowly disappearing from her intake lately. I need to do the steaming thing.
We've only had about 2 of those rare unsettled nights, but like you said it makes your whole a tad crappy. I hope you get settled in while dh is off on work again. I slightly understand b/c mine is gone about 12-14 hrs a day, but at least he's home at night eventually.
-
Heather - :shock: :shock: :shock: I would have freaked out during the choking episode. So scary!!!!! Sound slike you handled it well.
Tammy - Let us know how your new nephew is doing. How fun! You may get the itch after holding the LO. :wink: We went from four bottles a day to two in two weeks. :shock: I knew I just had to take the plunge, so we got rid of the 9 am bottle first, no problem. I waited a week and then this past Saturday I got rid of the 2 pm bottle. No problem. I just started offering whole milk in her sippy and she drank it, so I figured she didn't need the bottles. We went cold turkey. She is doing awesome with whole milk. I think she really loves the taste. No reaction either! :D I still give her formula with her AM and PM bottle.
-
Oh ladies...I am so behind again. What is up with my notifications :x
Melissa-yes you need to go cold turkey at night with the feeding. I am so sorry that your little guy wakes so much. Eirwen has been waking around 9:30 or 10, just needs a hug or two and then back to sleep. I think she doesn't sleep as deeply when she is teething and that is definitely what is up. Piles of drool speak for themselves! :wink: I agree with Julie though- sometimes I have found Eirwen sitting up in her crib crying but with her eyes closed. It scares the CR*P out of me! But then I scared her because she was asleep still!!! :shock:
Deb- oh, I wish I had been here lately to support you more. :cry: I am so sorry about the separation anxiety and the eating and the sleeping. It seems that spirited babies go to 1 nap earlier on EASY that the non-spirited ones. Does she just cry when you are away from her? Eirwen cried today when I left the room but that is because she is teething, normally she doesn't need me that much :wink: I agree with Julie about the overtired bit- try putting to bed earlier.
Lovey- Eirwen is just too stimulated and touchy to have anything in her crib with her. I tried a few times and it is horrible. I think I will have to wait until she is 2 :( in order to get her to cuddle with something and take it to bed.
Heather- Finger foods- I do the same as Julie. But I still always give a puree. Now she gets it in a bowl and her own spoon, and I have my spoon too and she gets this inbetween bites of her finger foods. Lately she has been loving wheat crackers, she likes the crunching sound a lot! :lol: Latley I have tried grapes (cut in half) and blueberries and strawberries. She likes to feel the different textures of the different foods. But I do make sure she has something she likes so if she is struggling with a new food she can have some comfort from the familiar tastes.
Kate- ooohhhh you're packing! Yippie! Soon you will be here. It is beautiful here by the way. It's been a very SUNNY January! I giggle every time the East Coast gets slammed...I know not very generous of me, but I'm just so happy to be here! This morning it snowed soft fluffly big flakes and by noon the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Sigh...
US- Getting concerned. Eirwen still doesn't stand. I think we might need to go to therapy. I plan to discuss it with her ped on Feb 2. I also plan to discuss her awake time...she just seems lethargic or sleepy and wants to sleep a lot. I keep waiting for it to end but it doesn't. I so can't believe my baby will be 1 on Sunday. :cry: :cry: :cry:
Weaning- She HATES whole milk. So we are trying rice next and then goats. I am desperate to wean. I really just need that part of my life to be over. :oops: She is doing better with it today, but better means like 2 sips.
Nanny- We hired a nanny for about 10 hrs a week and 2 evenings a month! She is wonderful, is from South Africa and I swear a kindred spirit, we have so much in common. Eirwen took to her right away during the interview. I hope it helps me get back to myself. I can unpack a bit, and oh my god, take a bath- ALONE! Right now I will be home when she is here, which might sound odd to all of you, but it has really been impossible to unpack or even clean anything lately. I have been yelling a lot. :oops: I am so frustrated with my dh. He doesn't understand a lot of my life, in some ways I feel like Eirwen is my baby, alone, is that wrong to say? :oops: I love that I can be home with Eirwen but the isolation some days is too much too bare, and he literally doesn't do ANYTHING around the house. I'm tired of being a nag, and over the weekend I asked him to feed Eirwen breakfast and he didn't know what to do. :evil: Um...how many times have you watched me and we've gone over this :roll: :evil: :roll: :evil:
Happy News- I applied to grad school- officially. Eirwen now calls me "MA-MOM" it is too funny- especially the MOM part :lol: when she wants to nurse.
-
Well, I'm on my 4th garbage can, no, 5th technically (4th one was damaged out of the box and just exchanged it tonight :? ). We'll see what Asher thinks in the morning. I KNOW the dog won't be able to get in this one!
TTC -- We will start trying in July 2007. Asher came on the first try. I don't want to deliver right after any major holidays again, I want to minimize being PG during the summer, and we want our kids 3-4 years apart. So July 2007 it is! :wink: Like Tammy, I can't imagine being PG again anytime soon. I'm having way too much fun with Asher right now to be bothered with morning sickness or another newborn! If I could deliver a 6 month old, maybe I'd feel differently, but I'm in no hurry for those first 4 months of hell. :lol: We're only planning to have two children so we won't be out-numbered. :wink:
Christine, I kinda think you may be adding to the morning bottle habit, but if it doesn't bother you and gives you those extra zzz's, don't sweat it. We all pick and choose our battles, KWIM?
Heather, that choking story is scary!! Asher gags all the time, and I've been on the edge of my seat ready to fling that tray off, but haven't had to yet. :shock: I have horrible visions sometimes though and have a CPR/choking info sheet in my kitchen. I remember when I first got married, I had a horrible fear of DH dying. It took me years to let go of it. Now I feel that way all over again with Asher. Sometimes I wish I could keep him in a bubble! :roll:
Tarri, thanks for the info on the tub water. The spa is only at 99 from my PG days, but when I checked it this afternoon, the GFCI outlet tripped and the water hasn't been cycling. I have to drain it and re-heat it before we use it again. I also keep the bath water at 99 for Asher. Is this still considered too hot and drying do you think?
Tammy, have you tried peas, asparagus, sweet potatoes, and summer squash in the steamer? Weird about the fruits!! Makes me wonder if the jarred fruit is sweeter and less tart? Have you tried a side by side comparison yourself? Asher had a hard time learning to pick up the pieces, but with practice, he figured it out really well. Can you pick them up with your fingers and feed him if he's getting frustrated picking them up?
Branwen, sounds like you've really taken to your new home by the way you describe it! :wink: When you say Eirwen is lethargic and sleepy, do you mean lately, or since birth? My niece is a major sleeper. At 2.5 yo, she sleeps 12+ hours at night and a 3+ hour nap. She's always been like this, but it runs in my family. We all really love our sleep! Even Asher, who doesn't neccesarily sleep much more than average, is so seriously affected by his quality and quantity of sleep. His sleep is the touchy side of his personality. Sorry the weaning isn't going so well. :( I hope the rice goes over better. I wonder how Deborah and Maya are doing on the milk. Is this typical for BF babies maybe? The nanny sounds WONDERFUL! I'd LOVE to have a hand now and then. I'd love to get a maid even!! :lol: I understand what you said about your DH and Eirwen. I sometimes feel like the parent of two children myself. :roll: Hugs to you!
-
Hazel - i found out i was PG with Liv when Alex was almost 11 mo and by that time i must have been a month along :lol: i got PG the first "practice" TTC - Dh was quite taken aback (we were on 6 wks holidays visiting family etc and i was tired and ill the whole last 3-4 weeks of the trip)
julieb - More and more of the spirited side comes out in his personality every day it seems
this is how i feel about olivia some days and it worries me - i am reading the BW toddler book looking for any insights i can find about spiriteds - she is really showing her independent personality and i can hear in my head "me do it!!" as she currently says this by waving her arms frantically to get me to leave her / her things alone :roll:
Branwen - that is awesome about grad school and the nanny - am a bit jealous :oops: but wish you all the best. ~ have you tried soy for Eirwen - i think it might be better nutritionally (for lo) than rice milk
Melissa - i think i heard about your floods on the news last night (but since it was Dh who was watching it i wasn't really absorbing info) - i hope everything is allright and you have whatever you need in the house...
Christine - OMG that bath incident sounds scary! all these kids are daredevils :shock: about the need for sleep - alex did not move to 1 nap until 15-17 mo i cannot remember when exactly or how we did it :oops: i went to 1 nap at 12 mo and my mom says it was definitely because i was a 2nd child - so i do factor that in + olivia's always preferred to be awake more than asleep
Tammy - Hugs to you! ~ alsp about fruits - have you tried pices of melon - i do chunks of watermelon or canteloupe and even with no teeth liv manages small chunks of apple - i don't grate anything and since Dh has been giving her bigger pieces lately i realize she can handle it.
Us - olivia woke crying at 6:10am - i tried to resettle but no going. i think it was her teeth. the 1st one is now really sharp point and today she has decreased her eating (taking 7oz only whereas last week was taking as much as 10-11oz) and is using her teething rings etc. since she woke before 7 i figured 2 naps and she did 2 x 1hr30 today and put herself down for both afetr a llittle crying protest (last night same thing) qwe are getting a little tougher as she is showing that she is getting back to doing it herself and we are so tired from all the effort that has been required lately.
me - i am so exhausted oit is starting to worry me- i fall asleep sometimes during the day, just zoned out at a red light, and am lazy/lethargic - have to make a huge effort to get myself in gear. BUT then when i get ready for bed i cannot fall asleep until 11:30 or so (used to go to bed by 10-10:30 and now i am just wide awake suddenly before bed) what could cause that. oh and i have been nauseas for the last 3-4 days on and off. just finished a very light AF - don't know if my body is out of whack or what.
-
exciting news - kind of - although i am probably jumping the gun... olivia took 1 step to me (twice) and 1 step to Dh tonight. she has been standing alone a lot more today and i guess this is the very early stages of walking - i imagine unless she wants to practice it will be a while
-
Hallo ladies, I'm just popping in from work.
The choking incident sounds terrifying, very glad all worked out in the end.
Really don't have much time to say anything more, just wanted to let you know that I was still around. :)
-
JulieB, I'm not sure what water temperature is too hot, I think Emily's is around 80F or lower. I can tell if it's too hot with Emily cause she scratches herself like a crazy person when it's too hot. Usually I just keep the hot water on at a dribble so that the water doesn't get too cold by the end of the bath.
Food, Emily still eats 2-3cubes of veg puree, baby cereal and regular oats in formula with applesauce and bits of our dinner (if I get it made in time). I find I have more luck putting the food on the tray rather than putting it in her mouth, she likes to think it was her idea :wink: I've tried a couple pieces of tofu, but she just lets them dribble from her mouth. Still having good luck with kidney beans and chick peas(I bite them in half) from a can and grapes that I bite in half.
TTC, does this mean 'tying to conceive'? Anyways, were thinking early summer but I still honestly don't know if I can handle another baby. And I'm very scared about going thru another delivery.
Us, Well, Emily was crying at 2:00 and 4:00 (just needed a quick tuck in) and 5:00 then cried on and off till I got her up at 5:30am. There better be a tooth coming in somewhere. So she's down for nap1 at 8:30am. I guess we'll resume stretching morning A time tomorrow. :roll: Emily's latest trick is trying to put the batteries back into the remote control 8)
-
picture of the flooding near our house - amazing
-
Melissa, how scary!! Hope the sandbags and levy are holding okay!
Tarri, 80F is really cold! :shock: I do 99 since our bodies are 98.6, KWIM? Emily doesn't mind the cool water?
Deb, waving her arms frantically to get me to leave her / her things alone
Oh goodness, this sounds just like Asher! :shock: I'm waiting for the toddler book to get transferred to my library. Is it good reading or rehashing the other two BW books? I would think the exhaustion lately is due to all the mental stress you're going through right now. My dad once told me some percentages about energy needs in your body for physical and mental exertions. When under stress, the percentages go way out of whack, leaving almost nothing left for your physical needs, hence the unusual exhaustion. For your insomnia, have you tried a nice "wind down routine" on yourself? :lol: :wink: Bath, warm milk, book, bed? May work! Congrats on the first steps! There's no stopping her soon! :wink:
-
Hopefully, it worked this time. The first photo is Maya after eating her cheesecake and the second is me on my first birthday.
Things are crazy busy as usual. My parents are still here, Maya is being her normal cranky-pants self, and we are having helmet problems again.
Branwen - We introduced milk the other day, but Maya is not wild about it. She threw the cup back at me. We will keep trying.
-
Hi,
Is there any way we can all compare routines, food recipes, milestones, etc. Or has it already been done? I f it has can someone point out the page number please? Either way I'll start just in case:
My son will turn 1 year old Feb 1st.
He is currently teething and night sleep has been bad. He is learning to walk, the most he's done is about 10-15 steps.
His routine:
6:00 - 6:15 wake up.
6:30 6 oz formula
7:30 6-7 oz of fruit, yogurt, rice cereal
Finger food: raisins, cottage cheese, dry banana, cereal,
Awake time is usually 2.5 hours after wake up time.
8:30-9:00 Nap 1.15 -1.30 hours
11:00 6 oz formula
12:00 6-7 oz of any types of veggies,rice, chicken,pasta, beef, turkey
Finger food: raisins, cottage cheese, dry banana, cereal, rice
Awake time is usually 3.5 hours after wake up time.
1:30-2:00 nap 1.15 -1.30 hours
4:00 6 oz of formula
5:00 6-7 oz of any types of veggies,rice, chicken,pasta, beef, turkey
Awake time is usually 3 hours after wake up time.
6:00 jammies and bedtime.
He gets water in a sippy cup for all his meals. He gets his bath in the morning right before his first nap.
With the teething he is waking up constantly. But before the teething he will wake up after his bedtime 1-2 times (I assume it;s seperation anxiety)
Will wake up in the am for a bottle 2 -3 times out of the week, doesn't do it every day.
I was thinking od daycare when he started walking, but then thought also to wait unti he naps just once a day to make it easier. Not sure??
Any suggestions?
Thanks
PS
Do your lo's eat everything you eat already? Can he have a regular birthday cake? Not too heavy or sweet for him? I'm sooo confused on what I should feed him and not worry to upset his tummy.
When do they start eating what we eat?
Any ideas on birthday cake recipes? I
-
Hi, welcome to the thread. I looked back and several of us posted routines on pages 75, 76, and 78. I hope that will help you. Currently I'm trying all sort of finger foods with my dd. She will usually accept anything from my plate even if she ends up not liking it. She definitely prefers crackers and other crunchy foods, but also eats chicken, turkey, green beans, and cheese. I think you can try just about any food with him as long as he can gum it well enough to be swallowed. You can test this by pressing it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue and see if you can mash it up. HTH
-
Melissa - :shock: hope the water stays away from you!!!
Deborah - those pictures are too cute!! looks like Maya had fun.
Branwen - i think the nanny sounds fantastic!! what a wonderful help to you - even better that eirwen seems to take to her so well!
-
Deb - i admit i don't know much about it, but is there any chance all your stress lately is doing something to your thyroid meds?? i know my mom sometimes had that problem (she's been on them for a long time too).
-
Freezing rain here today :( . I'll have to warm up the car for 1/2 hour before we meet dh for lunch.
Well, the dog (ironically named 'Angel') got into the diaper bag last night and ate an entire bottle of baby advil and 3 arrowroot cookies :twisted: And then left a big pile of puke :twisted: Anyways, I guess it was good she was sick cause I'm sure that amount of advil can't be good for her :shock: .
Last night I gave Emily a pot of yogurt at 6:30pm with a couple sips of bottle thinking that maybe's it's hunger that's waking her up in the early morning. Cause I can barely get her to drink 1oz before bed and she has had her dinner at 5:00pm. She woke between 5:00 and 6:00am with some short crying but I didn't have to get her up till 6:00am so I was quite happy with that. And she was a much happier camper this morning :D
a_astorga, your routine looks very similar to my Emily's. Only difference is her naps are shifted about a 1/2hr later even though she wakes up at a similar time. Like heather mentioned, you should read back a few pages cause we just talked about a lot of the stuff your interested in and there's lots of good info there.
JulieB, yes Emily finds the water cool and she kind of braces herself as I put her in the tub but she gets used to it. I figure it's not any colder then when we swim in the lake. And I turn a space heater on to warm up the air. My only problem is trying to keep her happy in there for 15mins cause this is how long it takes to rehydrate the skin.
Deborah, that's so neat that you have a picture of your first birthday :) .
-
Welcome a_astorga!
Your routine looked like mine before we moved, with the bath exception and also a bit shorter awake time. Are you a stay at home mom? Do you want to do daycare for socialization? I have heard that babies on 1 nap do better depending on the daycare, just because it is often structured that way (with an afternoon nap).
I give Eirwen everything I eat now, with the exception of uncooked/raw vegtables. We tried a piece of lettuce and a cucumber once but the skins are hard to chew and she tends to gag because they just slink down the throat. Not to worry though, no choking or anything. I really have been on the liberal side of giving her everything to try, just because I feel that this is how she will learn to chew it up, and how to learn not to stuff her face, which she does regularly.
I give Eirwen infants Advil, it seems to be the one that works the best for her for teething.
Deborah- Happy belated B-Day to Maya! Oh, so sweet were those pictures! Secretly happy that Maya isn't a big whole milk fan either...and least I'm not the only one!
-
Julieb - since you're my resident food expert :wink: , how do you cook your sweet potatoes for Asher? Do you steam them? And if so, do you leave the skin on, or off, or what? Thanks!!
Tarri - if you ever need it, here's a tip... you can make dogs throw up! Give them one tablespoon of salt on the back of their tongue. And watch out! Best to do this outside... you can also use hydrogen peroxide, but I found the salt was easier. Don't know why it makes them throw up, but it does. I had to use that on two occasions for my dog that passed away, cause she got into stuff that she shouldn't have eaten (chocolate, etc.).
Food - well, Ethan seems to be having issues right now. He will eat whatever I give him for 5 minutes or so, then starts getting mad and cranky and throwing it on the floor. I can't decide if he's just getting mad, or if it's because he's teething. I have been giving him finger food meals entirely for a little while now, but since the finger food fruit is a no go, I've been giving him some puree once a day of fruit. He eats it all (sometimes protests with the spoon), so I know he likes it.
Milk - I put a little bit of whole milk in the Nuby sippy cup (that I usually use for water with his meals), and he drank it. He made a strange face at first, probably just wasn't what he was expecting. But he drank it! So that's good.
Speaking of sippy cups, I bought yet another one yesterday, it's an Avent something or other. Soft spout with handles. I've been trying to leave it in the playroom with him so that he might get used to it, but he doesn't even try to drink out of it. I think I've given up on the other one I had with the rubber spout but was still kind of hard. He just won't do anything but chew on it. It's really frustrating me. So far the only one he'll drink out of is the Nuby sippy. But he won't pick it up at all. It doesnt' have any handles or anything, and is a 10 oz, so it's kind of big for him.
Well, I'm taking Ethan in to my old workplace after lunchtime. They haven't seen him since he was 6 months old. I'm kind of excited about seeing everyone again.
Well, need to put Ethan down for a nap soon, so I'll sign off.
-
Tammy-that's what Kelsey was doing with foods. She was fine for the first little bit, then got grumpy and threw everything. She was also refusing her jar food, but now she's eating that again. So, I start with a jar of food just so I know she eats something, then follow up with a finger food. I know it's supposed to be the other way around, but she gets so fussy toward the end of meal time. Also, Kelsey likes the Gerber sippy cups best.
Julie-I love the videos of Asher playing with the dog. Kelsey always goes for the dog's feet, too. Wonder why? Your dog is really good with him. Our's likes Kelsey better now b/c she's learned to throw balls to her. Of course they go like 2 feet, but they both love it. And Kelsey is the only one the dog will give the ball back to. She never will turn it loose for me or dh.
Kelsey also learned to put the "phone" up to her ear when we say "hello!" I used "" b/c she'll put anything, even her empty hand, to her ear when we do this. She also lays her head on my shoulder when I say "love mommy," or she'll hold her doll to her cheek if I say "love the baby." She's also been really good to "give it to mommy", and the walking has just really exploded. She has no time to sit and play anymore. She just aimlessly wonders about the house checking everything out making a full circle and doing it all over again. I'm not too worried about her falling anymore as I've watched her either grab her balance really well or fall properly. But now there's no time for me anymore while she's playing b/c I can't let her out of my sight.
We've made an offer on a house, and ours' also has a contract on it. We are very excited. This new house has a family room that I will be able to block off with a gate. Right now our house is very open with no walls to attach gates to.
-
Ohh Heather! I hope you get your new house! And good luck to everyone else who is moving.
Sippy Cups - Does anyone else have a stock sitting in thier cupboards? :oops: I think I've tried basically all of them out there. :roll:
Leah loves our dog too. The dog tolerates Leah. Last night Leah crawled over to her and climbed on her while she (the dog) was laying down. The dog decided to get up and Leah went head over heals. She bit her tounge and cried forever. When she finished crying, guess where she went? Right back over to the dog to try it again! :roll: kids...
Tammy - When we tried whole milk for the first time, Leah made a face too. I just smiled and said yummy, yummy! Then I pretended to drink it too. I kept playing it up like it was delicious. She thinks it is now!
-
Hi,
Branwen: I am a stay at home mom but since I have no friends that have kids, it's really hard to sacialize. I basically spend the whole day by myself and just wait for my husband to do something. When I keep the car I take my lo to the park or the mall. It is very lonely to be a stay at home mom. I was hoping to get a part time job while Georgie is at daycare.
However, not too sure when he should go to daycare. Right now he is learning how to walk and won't stay still anywhere. So I'm thinking once he gets the walking 100% he'll be ready. But then there's the nap issue, he naps twice a day and I think it'll be better he went to daycare once he naps once a day. If not he'll be there for about 3 hours, which is ok to start off.
I went to one place that's just like 5 blocks from where I'm living now. They have swimming lessons 3 times a week and then paint and other stuff 2 times a week. It would be nice if he went there once he starts walking. But when do they start talking more? And when do they have just one nap? And how long should this nap be?
So as you can see I'm still clueless to what I will do. That daycare will be nice, but we are planning to move in about 5-6 months and then I will have to look into a daycare around my area. So maybe I should just wait until I move so I won't screw him up?
-
I forgot something I wanted to ask everyone whose lo's eat yogurt... what kind do you give them? Does everyone use the yo-baby yogurt? Or do any of you use the regular (adult) kind? I tried the yo-baby with Ethan a while ago, and he didn't like it at all. I may try again, but I just was wondering what the rest of you buy. Thanks!
-
Hi Tammy"
I buy the adult Yoplait plain yogurt. He loooooves it!
-
It took Asher about 45 minutes to fall asleep last night. He didn't call out for us, so I just left him, but I could hear him chatting to himself and rolling around. I didn't give him any night time cold medicine for the first time in almost a week since he's been fine without during naps. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.
He's woken early the past two mornings, probably because of DH's shower, but when I get him up, his hands and feet have been really cold. :?: Could it be because of his cold? He doesn't have a temperature anymore and we're keeping the house at the same temp, same PJ's, etc. He has socks on. How do you keep your LO's feet warm at night?
I thought I was so clever when I found removable tub decals the other day. Well, I turned on the water for a bath this morning and they floated away! :? :roll: Back to the store! I just kept a good hand on him this morning. He seemed a bit more cautious himself. Maybe he remembers?
a_astorga, sounds like your DS is right on track. For the night waking, are you picking him up? This may be adding to the habit already. Can you comfort in the crib instead? Are you giving any remedies for teething? On the food, now that they're almost a year, they can try most anything they can gum up (since most don't have molars yet), except peanut butter maybe. Just take it slow, watch for reactions, and keep the pieces on the small side. Have you given him other sweets yet? If not, try keeping the birthday cake to minimum so he doesn't have a tummy ache. Or, you could make a separate little cake for him that's low sugar and healthier, like a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting? Do a search for "cake recipes" in the food forums. I found a few a while back.
Tarri, I think you may be on to something with the early waking. An evening snack may be just the thing!
Secretly happy that Maya isn't a big whole milk fan either...and least I'm not the only one!
Branwen, :lol: you two are making me nervous! I wonder if milk isn't as sweet as BM?
Tammy, I peel them and cut into large chunks/slices. I have to steam them for about 45 minutes until they are quite soft through the center with a fork. I cube up whatever I'm going to feed him and refridgerate the rest. If already cold, I cube a slice or two, then nuke for about 15-20 seconds. You can also microwave with the skin on (pierce with fork), but it seemed to take 10-20 minutes for a large potato and I had a hard time "seeing" when it was actually done. I like the steamer better because I can check and pierce any time.
Heather, I've always gotten a kick out of Kelsey's dog videos as well! Asher hasn't had much interest in Xander (and vice versa) so yesterday was quite a surprise! Xander has been terribly neglected this past year :oops: , so I hope they continue to be friends. It will help Xander a lot. Sounds like she's just busy, busy, busy now! :lol: Gotta get more baby-proofed so you can get things done again! :wink: Asher does pretty well when we're in the same room. I close off doors to corrale him in a particular area.
-
a_astorga, have you looked into Mommy's Groups in your area? You can check churches, baby stores, or online. Also check your local library for activities. When you see other mom's at these places, don't be afraid to ask if they know of any play groups in your area!
Talking can vary largely from baby to baby. Mine only says two words. Boys are usually later talkers though. And the one nap varies greatly as well, 12-18 months, I'd say. You really just have to watch their cues when they're ready for just one. I think most of these single naps go 2-3 hours, ideally.
Since you're moving and concerned about putting Georgie in daycare at this age, why don't you check into some playgroups in the meantime so you can make some friends?
-
Julieb- Love your new vidoes! :D In your one dog video I see you have this ball thing I was looking at getting Leah. It's by Fisher price and the balls circle around and come out the bottom. Does Asher like it? Leah has a huge fascination for balls - Wow that sounds really bad! :lol:
-
Leah has a huge fascination for balls - Wow that sounds really bad! :lol:
:lol: :lol: He does like it. Balls only seem to come out one end though. We got it at the second hand store though, so I'm not sure if this is why it's a bit quirky. He doesn't love it as much as I thought he would though. The balls all interchange with our FP "sit and slide arcade", so that's why I got it. Other balls don't fit. I swear, we have three different set of ball toys! :roll: I can get a video of him using it so you can see it in action before you decide...
-
Tammy, I give Emily minigo or the little yoplait's. I think she likes it so much cause it's so sweet like a desert. Yobaby is not available around here.
Emily fell asleep for like 5mins on the way home from lunch, even though I kept sticking my finger in her ear, squeezing her nose, putting my finger in my mouth (this is hard to do with a rear facing seat). So now she won't sleep for the afternoon nap :x
Gotta go....Tarri
-
Hi Julieb
For the nightwakings it's really strange, he starts crying loudly so I go and comfort him but when you pick him up he starts yelling even more, it's hard to calm him down and he's soooo heavy, he's like 30 pounds and I;m 95 pds. So he starts moving around and crying so I show him a light switch and he begins to da da here mama there and then gets sleepy. Sometimes I just put him down and he stays some other times as soon as Im putting him on the crib he starts crying again.
And when my dh does it he holds him until he's super drowsy or has fallen asleep on his shoulder (only because he can hold him that long) but doesn't do it often enough that Georgie can only fall asleep like this. So now with the teething it's the same thing. But before the teething he's been doing it for about 3 months. It's exhausting. I'm thinking it;s seperation anxiety. I'm waiting for it to stop. And sometimes he doesn't wake up at all. Like last night. he slept til 10:30 gave him a bottle and woke up around 6 am. Oh well.
As far as playgroups go, unfortunately in my country this is not something people do, so it doesn't really exist. We don't have any activities that benefit Mommy and kids. There's daycares with pools and paint and stuff. But you have to pay for it. So in that way it sucks!
-
Emily fell asleep for like 5mins on the way home from lunch, even though I kept sticking my finger in her ear, squeezing her nose, putting my finger in my mouth (this is hard to do with a rear facing seat).
:lol: I swear sometimes I do everything but get out of my seat and jump up and down! When DH and I take Leah out, he won't ride passenger anymore becuase he doesn't like the job of making sure Leah doesn't fall asleep. I turned Leah around in her seat becuase I figured she was safer - this way I pay more attention to driving. :oops:
Julieb- I'd love to see it in action. Unless you have a different suggestion for a ball toy? She loves to put balls in holes and such. When I watch Asher's videos I think of Leah. He is so busy from one thing to the next. Leah is this way also. She will play with one toy, on to the next, on to the next in seconds. Some days I swear she has a hard time walking becuase she thinks she should run! :D
-
Wow - you've all been busy again on here. Can't keep up. Ilove reading it all though. So interesting.
Whole milk - Daniel doesn't like it either :( We've decided that that is why he doesn't seem so bothered by his bottles anymore. When we mix it half and half he will drink it then. So we'll just have to gradually make the change more slowly I think.
Sippy cups - Yep, we have a ctock sitting in our cupboard. So infuriating. Why won't he just drink from them all? :D
Christine, I think you said Leah had the straw cup (Nuby) - how did you get her to suck from it :?: Daniel just chews it to pieces and then flickes the milk everywhere from the bendy straw bit :?
Sounds like there are a couple of our kids all doing the same kind of thing with food. Daniel ate half his meal last night insisting he HATED green beans, throwing them all on the floor and then he ate the 2nd half of his meal insisting he LOVED them :shock: I seriously can't work him out. And it was grapes today. Breakfast and lunch he rejected them. Dinner time he gobbled them down! I think it's just a case of keep offering it all isn't it? But it's soooo annoying when you've just steamed a load of veg and he wants none of it. Makes me mad :oops:
Julieb - we use a sleeping bag for Daniel. He always has lovely toastie feet when we get him up. Not sure if you've tried one. I think thy=ey're brill but then my neighbour doesn't like them. I guess it's what works for your lo.
We had a busy day today. Out at mother and toddler group this morning and then home for some lunch and a nap. Then back out to meet up with my SIL and her dd for a coffee and some shopping. She is really on the mend now. She's still having her wounds packed :shock: every day. A nurse comes round to do this each morning. She's gonna have to have this done for at least another 2 weeks, but the nurses are happy with how things are healing up so that's good. And her dd is a dream. Such a happy contented little thing. To look at them both you wouldn't believe they have both been through all that they have been through. She said her dd only woke up at 4 am last night for a quick feed and she's only 6 weeks. WOW! I told her that's better than a lot of our los at the moment!
Daniel seems to be having a developmental burst at the moment. I did say a couple of days ago that I had my suspicions this was about to happen as he was sleeping soooo much, like in preparation. He LOVES walking everywhere. He is still very wobbly and needs to be holding both our hands but he is gaining confidence with almost every step it seems. He's still army crawling though which is just funny now. It looks like he's been shot in the legs :lol: He just kind of drags them along behind him!
His latest trick is rubbing food into his hair. So gross but then I have to keep on reminding myself that it's ok - he's a baby. They're meant to be messy :wink: Banana is the worst so far. So sticky and hard to get out.
Funny moment - was in a shop this afternoon looking for a shirt for Daniel (birthday outfit). I narrowed it down to 2 and then asked Daniel. I held one up to him and he shook his head. Held the other one up and he pointed at it and grinned (I swear. :shock: My SIL even witnessed it) I preferred the other one though so a minute or so later I tried again. He did it again. Shook his head at the one and then pointed and reached to grab the other. (I still ended up buying my favourite though :oops: :D )
I think I've written enough now :) Will check in again tomorrow. Is Eirwen the next birthday girl here? How exciting. Still can't believe Daniel will be one in 2 weeks.
-
a_astorga, I really think you're adding to/creating the night wakings. At this age is when they start to get more manipulative ("Hmm, I'm awake. I can either fall back asleep myself, or I can cry and Mama will let me play with the light switch, etc"). I highly recommend some PU/PD. It may be gone in a couple nights. Have you read the second book? It's VERY good about all of that.
Christine, working on the video. Can't get him interested in it last A time! :lol: I was trying to think of another ball toy that would be better, but I'm not so sure. I'd rate this the same as the popper (but I only paid $6.50 for it, so it was good money spent! :lol: ). Asher seems to like both the same. Though he enjoys the ball toys (FP drop N roar dinosaur too), he's so physical that I think movement toys and little tykes play areas are better right now. Like the LT garden we have. He plays in there ALL the time. And the FP sit & slide arcade was great 6-12 mths, but it's started to fade (can't really slide, it's only 2 inches off the ground!). The ride-on toys and push walkers are great, trucks that he likes to push around, pull string toys and wagons, etc. We're getting the FP Incrediblock that I think with keep him "busy" and we have basic shape sorters that are good. I also want to get him the little tykes mower. We also have a play fort/tent with tunnels and such that he's starting to get into. Otherwise, maybe look into some of the other FP roll-a-round toys.
Sippy cups: Why don't you return the ones they don't like? I do!
Hazel, Asher's in a sleep sack as well, though a thin cotton one. Hmmm, may try double socks tonight.
Oh, and the new garbage can is a keeper so far. Dog can't get in it but Asher figured it out. Not as exciting as the old pop top can though. We had a battle of wills over touching the bags though. I've seemed to have won for the moment. Jaime, your Luke story came to mind as Asher ran over to the garbage today, looked at me, started to touch the bag, and smiled really big to see if I was gonna say "no." :? :lol:
-
Just a brief check in...
Yogurt - I feed Maya Dannon La Creme (the highest calorie yogurt I could find) or Stonyfield whole milk yogurt.
Whole milk - She still doesn't drink much, but I offer it consistently every day at lunch (I still give her water the rest of the day). I have to fill the whole cup otherwise she can't tip it far enough to drink out of it, but it seems so wasteful to pour 5-6oz when she only drinks maybe 1/2oz. Is it safe to pour the rest in a clean cup and put it back in the fridge? My only other thought was to fill the cup 3/4 with water and freeze it so I could just pour an ounce or two on top, but then she'd be holding a block of ice (her cups have no handles). Any ideas?
-
Julie: I made chicken soup for Matty when he got his cold, it was really easy. Then I saved two quarts in the freezer and I just pull them out when I need to. I used carrots, celery, a little potato, and when I make it for him, I use the rice noodles in the soup. We do use a little wheat now but not that much.
The funny thing is, he only like it from his sippy cup, so I had to puree the chicken soup with the chicken and veggies (froze a bunch) and he eats it as a meal. so thats how it worked best for us.
I hope Asher is feeling better soon. It sounds scary about Asher's fall. Glad he is alright.
Melissa, are you out of the flood now?
Heather, scary about the choking.
Everyone: I've been trying to post pics of Matty and its not taking them. I used to be able to, anyone have any clue how I can do it? are they too large maybe? I shrunk a couple way down and it didnt work either. Does it let you preview them first so you know if its working?
Julie
-
Deborah- I always reuse the milk, it's expensive :shock: so it always goes back in the fridge. We use the same one for about a day and then I use it the next day for cereals.
Yogurt- I buy the Stoneyfield whole milk ones and also the yobaby ones. I don't buy them now for her though :oops: they are for me too! I never liked the whole fruit on the bottom bit and the yobaby ones are so creamy without bits of fruit- like the La Creme (which I also love) I think they are about the same price too. :oops:
a_astorga and night wakings- I think it could be developmental. On the PU/PD board we usually recommend that you go in, say "it's bed time" and keep going back out. Eventually they get the idea. I'm not pro controlled crying but it does work for some moms. you wait 5 min the 10 and keep increasing. Where are you from if you don't mind me asking?
-
What kind of world have I brought my child into?! :shock:
OMG, I was in line at Sprouts tonight and behind me was a 50 yo man dressed as a little girl! :shock: He had knee high socks, pigtails on top of his head, sucking a pacifier, and a babydoll dress on. This dress was so short his bloomers were hanging out! :oops: I almost turned to him and cleverly said, "Loose a bet?" But before anything came out of my mouth, I remembered this Phil Donahue show I saw when I was young that featured these adults that liked to dress as babies. They had some sort of disorder or something, along the lines of cross-dressers. So I kept my mouth shut so I wouldn't hurt his feelings, all the while wondering if I was on Candid Camera! :shock: :shock: :shock:
As I was driving away, thinking about him more, I don't think it was a joke! His hair was a chin length bob, with little pigtails on top, as if he purposely grew it out so he could wear it that way. And you just don't find a dress like that anywhere. It was obviously hand-made. :shock: :oops:
ANYWAY....
Christine, I posted the video of Asher and the ball blast on my site.
-
Julieb - that sounds crazy! I would have been freaked out!
Branwen - I can't wait! :D Congrats on your application and your nanny sounds great. Are you going to CU Boulder? I used to work at DU btw. We just had a whole load of stuff carted away by the second hand store so that is a weight off my mind... off to my mum's tonight for a few weeks - bye bye 4 flights of stairs! so relieved. When we rented this place from the US they said it is a 4 floor walkup and I said oh at least I'll keep fit :shock: - I had no idea what it would be like doing it daily with baby, pushchair, shopping....!
I got my period today! This weaning thing must be working. :wink: She is having a bottle of follow on formula at bedtime which she is loving and I have offered her some semiskimmed milk (I just gave her whichever is available since as usual I can't decide whether to go the European way or the US way!) at breakfast in her own little mug with some hot water in it to take the edge off. She has a few slurps - getting used to the taste I think.
Deb - I think Ciara is copying Liv a bit - I think she is getting a bit of sep anx again which doesn't bode well for our move. Maybe she can tell something's up with all the packing going on but she has been pretty clingy the past couple of days and hard to put to bed. No night wakings yet but I am not too hopeful about the weeks to come....
TTC - I'm with you Julieb, we also got lucky first time and are planning on trying again July 07!
Julie - the photos do show up if you preview. There is good help on the Glitches forum I think it is. I managed to get in some videos the other night of Ciara splashing around in her bath http://www.dropshots.com/KMC
So much more to say but no time!
Kate
-
Yogurt - I ued to get the Dannon baby yogurts but I ran out one day so I gave her some of my Live Organic Plain Yogurt and she loved it so she has that now, full fat. Also she has Soy Yogurt sometimes, they have one here called Yofu - with fruit or plain and she loves them too.
-
Kate - kids are verey sensitive to their surrounding s and even subtle changes in mood or setting can change things for them - i am sure she knows SOMETHING is up and that will cause sep anxiety to flare up. travel is a bugger anyway so just prepare yourself for it and have a plan for dealing with reassuring her and resettling.
i am off to bed - just wanted to mention that quickly.
we had a great day today for the first time in a while (not just Liv but me too) and shge even took 2good naps at 9:30 and 1:30, but of course bedtime was a drama i think teething is still messing us up. took until 8:15 to get her down and then with shh/pat :roll: at least we ae making progress as daytime seems better and she was in such a good mood today whereas yesterday was yucky!
also - forgot to post but Dh has convinced me to go on a roadtrip!!! we have a long holiday weekend here next weekend and he will take a couple of extra days and we are driving up to Brisbane which is a 12 hour drive away (we will leave here at 5:30am transferring thegirls from bed to car :shock: travel 2/3 of the way and then stay overnight, each direction) :shock: i will take deep breaths and trust him that all will be fine. we will visit old frineds and i will catch up with some BW moms that i am very close with ... so it will be fine once we are there. am seeing if a friend has a car DVD player i can borrow so i can do driving coordinated with some napping, some DVDs and some breaks for eating and playing... wish us luck! we will be away for 5 days
-
Hi,
Branwen and Julieb thanks for the help.
Well I'm not sure I should try pick up put down just yet. He is cutting 4 teeth and that is just making him nuts. He wakes up so often or just moans all nite long. Poor guy. So I guess I should wait to start doing pu/pd after all 4 teeth show? And for how long can I give him Tempra/Tylenol at nite? I have been giving it to him for like the last 6 days combined with that powder you put on their teeth and orajel just one night. He's been teething for the last 2 weeks and I think I got 2 more weeks to go until all 4 are out. Can I give him Tempra for thet long?
I'm from Costa Rica, Central America and I don't think I can find any of the baby whisperer books here. How is pu/pd done?
Thanks,
Bye
-
Deborah and everyone else :wink: - I fill a sippy full of milk at the beginning of the day and let her drink out of it all day (I put it back in the fridge after she has it with breakfast, lunch and supper) Is this OK? I actually was going to post this question on the site.
Julie - :lol: :shock: Freaky man! I wouldn't have even known what to do. I would have been one of those people who stared for sure. Thanks so much for posting the video. I left you a comment. I think she will like it becuase it looks sturdier than the ball popper. She pushes that one over all the time and then can't figure out why the balls won't drop down in. :roll: :lol:
Kate - If it makes you feel better, the little girl (1 and a half) at our day care never drank whole milk. Her mom put her right on semi skimmed. She is doing fine. I am doing whole milk per my doctor - but you may need to do what works for you and Ciara.
Debra - Good for you! Take a vacation! Enjoy yourself. We are planning a vacation to Colorado this summer to visit relatives and friends- Branwen! :D Anyone else along the way???? I would love to meet some of you!
a_astorga - Check out the PU/PD board. There is alot of good advice there. I never had much luck with it - so I can't be much help. Sorry!
-
Debra, eeks 12 hours of driving :shock: You're braver than me.
Hazel, I gave Emily her sippy straw cup last night with formula, this was only the second time she's drunk from it. Dh and I both made sucking noises and faces and each had a sip and then Emily chewed on the straw for a few seconds and drank a few sips. I wasn't worried about her drinking too much cause she only drinks about 1oz at that time anyways. But you've probably tried that approach already :wink: Oh and I warmed it up just like her bottle too.
Us, well Emily fell asleep in the stroller for 30mins right before dinner :D And then she was a happy camper and didn't go to bed till just after 7:00pm (which is very rare). And she slept till 6:30am :D A nice bday present for me (today I'm 31!). We gave her yogurt again at 6:30pm with a couple sips of formula in the sippy so I'm hoping that's helping.
Have a good day/night everyone, Tarri :D
-
Deborah and everyone else :wink: - I fill a sippy full of milk at the beginning of the day and let her drink out of it all day (I put it back in the fridge after she has it with breakfast, lunch and supper) Is this OK? I actually was going to post this question on the site.
Christine- this is what I do too. Then the next am I use whatever is left for cereal and then dump it out and start again. The only exception to this plan is on certain nuby cups she can backwash into pretty bad(icky)...so I check it out first. Straw ones she can't get anything back into though...so that is good!
Happy Eirwen News- She got up onto her knees pulling up on the gate yesterday. She also said "papapa" and reached for my dh. :D
a_astorga if you are really into BW methods and feel strongly about trying I would be willing to send you a copy. I am just so passionate about these methods that I refer to my book as my "baby bible". I think every mom should have one--if even for a reference. You can email me your info if you want. :D
Kate- Eirwen was VERY sensitive to the move. She had fun watching me pack everything up though and I made sure to let her play in the boxes, hold things for me, basically be a part of the process. The first weeks were really hard- we both cried a lot but it got better. I think the thing that I did best, if I do say so myself, was not give in to nap refusal (due to time changes) I sort of insisted- we rocked, nursed and I did every AP thing I said I would never do again but I knew that if I could get her naps established we would be okay....and we are!
-
Happy Birthday Tarri!!!!
a_astorga-Your little boy sure is a cutie!!!
Deb-I'm so glad you had a good day. It just really helps to refresh things. And I agree with you on babies and their circumstances. When I posted about Kelsey not napping in the pm, it was right when we were in and out having our house shown and seeing other houses. Now that we're back to normal she's napping again. Good luck on your trip.
Yogurt-I usually buy Yobaby in peach and pear, but I've bought Stonyfield if they've been out of the other. She likes them both.
I bought some whole milk today, so I'm gonna give it a try. She's done really well to drink about 3 oz of her formula from the sippy during meals. Should I pop the milk in the microwave for a sec to take the chill off?
:arrow: IS EVERYONE OKAY WITH LOCKING THIS THREAD AND STARTING A NEW ONE? WE HAVE 88 PAGES.
-
sure- let's go for a new thread! :D
-
Ok, ladies, I'm locking this one and starting Thread #4.