Jan/Feb 05 Babies chat!

[dkjokisch]

Deb - My birthday was a month after Maya was born, and my husband still forgot.  Ironically MIL (who has never even acknowledged my birthday in the entire time dh and I were dating/engaged/married) was the one who remembered and got flowers to which she signed dh's name.

Christine - I am a SAHM, but I do work part-time from home.  I hadn't planned to (we moved when I was pregnant and had to quit my job anyway), but my previous employer asked if I wanted to work on contract.  I put in 10-15 hours a week when she's napping or after we've put her to bed.  It's great because I love my job, and it keeps me in touch with other adults.

Heather - I had thought about dropping to three feedings (BF) a day at 9mos, but we just dropped to four a few weeks ago, so now I'm thinking it's going to take a little longer for us.

Tammy - You're no the only one!  However, I did spend part of yesterday afternoon researching baby gates as Maya's stander was a bit too close to my project files, and she chewed on a set of pedestrian counts.  Making my office off-limits is going to be my first priority.

JulieB - We have some hand-me-down costumes, a dalmation and a pumpkin, so she'll probably wear one of those.  I'd imagine second-hand kids shops would be a good place to look for costumes, though.  I was going to keep an eye out for stuff for next year.  And I was just thinking about signing with Maya.  I think it would come in handy at mealtime.  I'm going to have to look for the book at the library.

[branwen]

Hi everyone!

Age- 26
Marrried- yes, 2 years
College- BA in Government and International Relations from Clark University in MA (Deb that is so cool you too!)
siblings- 1 brother 11 months younger- reason I DON'T want my kids close together  :wink: heehee :lol:

Oh, so much to respond to again...I'll do my best.

Tammy- teething is  :evil: Eirwen's first tooth is halfway up and I've been through 3 bottles of motrin and 2 of advil the last month :shock: It doesn't seem to end.  She now wakes at night or at nap at exactly 8 h rs from when it was given to her last.  Kinda crazy.  I feel like the fussiness will never end.  Naps are shorter too.  I have just been throwing EASY out the window of late.  We do our best.  Feed times stay the same and she still, for the most part, goes to sleep independently.  She's been working on that tooth for about a week and the teething started a month ago I think.

Deb- I'd definitely go for more bottle v. solids.

Julie-we got Eirwen a flower costume!  It is SO CUTE!  I love it!  Our second choice was the pea pod which I thought was so cute too- I saw that one on babystyle.com, they have others.  I also saw a lizard one too which was cool but Eirwen always gets mistaken for a boy :x  so as much as I loved it I want everyone to know she's a girl...not that boys can't be flowers...but you know...oh, they had tiger ones at babies r us!
Don't feel bad about the degree.  I just finished last year- so late technically  :wink: There is always time for that.

Christine- great on Leah! YAY!  Oh, and my doc told me to do the rectum thing last time I went in.  You're not weird!!!

Jaime- poor luke!  Oh, that sucks. Eirwen has only been sick once and I feel so grateful for that!  Hang in there!

Us- Well, 5 couples came to the open house! YAY!  But Eirwen got NO NAPS!  It was horrible- she screamed and screamed at bed. I ended up nursing her to sleep/groggy and rocking her.  Teething hell continues.  I wish there was something more I could do. :? She is ok as long as she has her ibuprofen.

Me- Spent first night away from baby!  We had got a hotel room to go to while the open house was going on and so I decided to stay there after I got baby off to bed.  It was the first night I've ever spent away from her.  Got to take an endless hot bath and order in room service and sleep away from snoring dh, demanding cats and of course teething baby!  It was heaven.  I would really recommend this to those of you going a little batty at home.  I just don't think dh gets it sometimes or anyone for that matter how isolating it can be and that my conversations are directed at cats and baby for the most part...and how the days just repeat over and over again constantly on call.  I missed her SO MUCH but it was still so good that I went!

 :?: posted this elsewhere but have you noticed jittering? arms out to the side?  open closing hands really quickly?  new for us?

 :?: do you think it is dangerous to put a small space heater in the nursery?  there is no radiator in her room and we rely so much on her door being closed and fan (she still wakes sometimes if we even step by her room even with that!) ideas?

[julieb]

Branwen:  I had to laugh so much about your night out!   :lol:  Good for you!  I'm really thinking about doing that now that Asher's more or less sleeping through the night. 
Asher used to do this waving jittery thing when he was younger.  I noticed it all the way until he was around 5-6 months old.  Not much lately.  Though when he's mad, tired, or upset and had been crying, when he goes to put his thumb in his mouth, I notice his hand is jittery as he tries to get it in.  It's like he's so wound up and tense, and he can't relax to get that thumb in fast enough.
Does the space heater have a thermostat or timer?  I think the main concern would be the unit overheating.  I think that's the danger I often hear with space heaters.  Hopefully your house will sell quickly and you won't have to worry about it.  Have you thought of a noise machine instead of the fan?  Homedics has a good one at Target for $14 with 6 different white noise sounds.  It's wonderfully portable for when we go to other people's houses (just a little bit of home).   

[Jaime]

julieb - luke is going to be Tigger for Halloween.  dh & i both think the costumes with eyes on the hood are creepy, so i'm kinda limited.  i found a cute little outfit on ebay (for $1  :shock: ) a couple months ago.  it's pants & a jacket with a hood & it's all orange & stripy.  jaina was a red M&M her first halloween - that was more like a baby in a bag costume.  i agree with secondhand shops - they & walmart have the best prices. 

branwen - yay on your night out!  that sounds heavenly.  noticed we're co-mods on the sleep board now.  woo-hoo! 

tammy - i've laxed on the proofing, and i'm waiting to see what kind of sneak luke will be.  jaina was never one to get into trouble she couldn't see, so we never had to do many locks on doors.  i have gates ready to block off the kitchen.  all the outlets have been covered since forever. 

christine - good news about Leah!  think i forgot to mention that before...

us - luke's fever broke yesterday & he finally started acting more like his normal self.  slowly getting his appetite back but i'm loving having my smiley boy back!

[herbst99]

Hi all - well I have been a little busy at work so tried to catch up on all the posts today ... OK first things

Age - I am 31 ... and also made peace with it - still feel 18 at times (though not lately!!! :lol: )
Married - Yes - 6 years on Oct 30th
College (University) - B.OT (Bachelor in Occupational Therapy) and Certified Infant Massage instructor.
Siblins - Yes - I am the eldest then brother (29), sister (24), brother (22)

seems like everyone is struggling with teething (it seems we blame EVERYTHING on teething now!!)

Someone asked about crawling and cruising - crawling does have benefits for baby such as - shoulder girdle stability (important for any fine motor activity) also left/right brain interaction and apparantly influences math skills - I know of many babies who never crawled and did not have any problems - I do encourage crawling though as it is a stepping stone in the motor development.

Well Lise has been waking up at 6:00 the last week and this has thrown off our schedule TOTALLY - I have no idea how I will get back on track.

Napping - Congrats to all who seem to have nap problems sorted ... Lise is now REFUSING to go down for last catnap (and without it is soooo cranky!!)
As soon as I put her down (she used to always sleep on her back or side) she wants to turn on her tummy (she is always on her tummy)!! and this is where the crying starts. It is as if she cannot get comfortable on her back or side and wants to be on her tummy - but once there it is OK WORLD - here I come!! I am at wits end - we have had the battle of wills today and I feel sooooo bad for not finding her comfy position. I have tried to let her figure it out herself etc with no luck. I have tried wedges to prevent her from turning - again NO LUCK. Any advice?? (I hope so with all the new moderators!! Good luck and congratulations to you all!!) 

Till later ... Nikki

[julieb]

I got Asher's Halloween costume at Old Navy today.  *giggle*

He's so cute I can hardly stand it!   :lol:

[Tammy: Ethan & Kaden's Mom]

:shock:  OMG  :shock:   Soooooooo cute!   :lol:  :lol:

[herbst99]

We don't do halloween here in SA ... I must say I miss it!! (we lived in Canada for 3 yrs.) I would love to dress lise up in outfit!! She is wearing her first summer outfit today though! Chat later -

[branwen]

Oh Julie your boy is SO cute and sweet in that!  I LOVE his expression!  What a sweetheart!!!  You've inspired me. I will have to dress Eirwen in hers today  :wink:  Also she has developed Asher's fascination with tags- I don't DARE cut them off now :lol:

Good to hear from you Nikki!  So she is a back sleeper and flips to tummy because uncomfortable and then cries because on her tummy?  She could just be frustrated and practicing the skill- does she know how to roll back- from tummy to back.  If not that could be what is frustrating her.    My advice would be that during A time have her practice going from tummy to back if she doesn't already.  If the wedges aren't working you could try rolled up towels.   What happens if you put her on her side?  I think Christine might have more experience with this- I seem to remember some flipping posts!

Jaime-that is great on Luke's fever!  I hope your little angel is back to normal soon!  YES! I signed up for sleep boards- oh boy! :shock: But, sigh, I practically live here so I might as well try to help   :wink:

[Deb_in_oz]

Branwen - cool that you studied IR too - what did you plan "to be" when you undertook that degree? i was going to be an int'l lawyer and then worked a semester at a major law firm and decided i wanted nothing to do with the profession and knew i could not afford law school unless i worked for a big firm to repay loans  :evil:  on the positive side - travelling instead led me to meet Dh  . i hope someone from the open house buys your house!! and lucky you to have a night on your own - my idea of heaven - room service, a bath and a big empty bed with no alarm clock (Dh's) or kids to take care of straight away

Deborah - when alex was born it was a very long time before i could watch a whole DVD - there are still some on our collection that i know i never got past chapter 15 and need to rewatch someday  :roll:  I'll add it to my to-do list

Jaime - glad luke is doing better

Julieb - awesome halloween costume photo - they don't really do halloween here :cry:  i loved trick or treating as a kid so will miss that

us - well yesterday olivia finally rolled from back to front (99% there) she cannot figure out how to then get her left arm out from under to complete the move.  she has been doing it lots though in the past 24 hours - how do i get her to lift up off the arm?? i was so excited by it yesterday though. and then today... she rolled during her 2nd nap and woke herself up crying - she was so upset like it was something i did to her or something. i had to pick her up and calm her down and resettle her (thankfully she went back to sleep for another hour  ) but i am not looking forward to the switch to tummy sleeping - i remember alex did it and it took many naps of me pattng her on her back to keep her happy on her belly.  she woudl roll but not sure how to sleep that way without help. how did others deal with this?i know nikki is having a similar but slightly different problem with it.

i am doing a bit better - have my Dr appt tomorrow so will discuss how bad the PMS was this time. outrageous that it shoudl interfere with my meds so severely!!  :evil:  i can see that i am almost at 100% better again so when the meds work i am all ok.

the 2 x 1 1/2 hr naps was a one off - we are back to 45 min am nap and 1 1/2 pm - i really need that 2nd nap to grow.  at least she slept til 7 today - the 6:10 starts over the weekend were a killer for al of us - poor alex was so tired b/c olivia wakes her up when she gets up  :cry:  that is a downside to the girls rooms right next door!

solids are going really well and feeding in general is on the high end. we are getting in the garden at least once a day now that the weather is nice and Liv is awake for 2 1/2 + hours! she is loving our swing and watching the clouds and birds... a real nature lover. alex is being so sweet with her - offers to share cheerios, brings liv a sippy cup (and tries to shove it in her mouth) today at lunch she offered Liv a bite of grilled cheese and i had to explain that she is not quite ready for that  :lol:

[herbst99]

debra - re rolling to tummy Lise can roll from back to tummy and back again - it is just that she prefers!! (can you believe it) to be on her tummy - most of activity time is tummy and crawling with some sitting. She does not like being on her back during Atime as is think she gets frustrated with not being able to get to anything and is limited in what she can do with her one toy! With the sleeping she will start out (usually) by falling asleep on her back or side and then sometimes will roll over to tummy. This will wake her up if she is between sleep cycles ... and there in lies my problem! Now I have to go in and turn her onto her back or side and help her resettle. This has thankfully up to now only been a "napping" problem.

[Schae]

Asher looks sooooooooo cute in his outfit!! Aw!

Deb: Congrats on the rolling! And your girls sound so sweet together.

Deb and Nikki: We have a similar problem, except that Luka has always been a tummy sleeper, and now that he can roll onto his back, he also wakes himself in the middle of his sleep. I've given up on putting him back on his tummy, and was actually wondering if back sleepers have the same problem. :? Anyway, I just pat his leg or put my hand on his chest if he wakes up, and now he's gotten used to sleeping on tummy, back and side.

Jaime: Great news on the fever breaking!

Us: Last night and the night before wasn't so good. Luka woke up in the middle of the night screaming... he didn't want to be held, he didn't want water, we rubbed some prodol on his gums, and nothing helped. Then this morning he woke up and had done the biggest poop! So, I'm guessing his tummy was sore. Not sure what to do about that though.  :?

The temp here has been between 26 deg C and yesterday was around 30 degrees and it's only September  :shock: Scared of the temps in December! Sheesh! So, Luka sleeps in just a babygrow, but it's longsleeved for the chill in the night air and a receiving blanket. Will go and do some shopping for him hey?

[Jaime]

julieb that costume is ADORABLE!!!!  what a cutie!

deb - i can relate to the older one trying to feed the baby.  the other day jaina kept dumping cheese-its in luke's lap.  he thought they were toys, & she kept trying to put them in his mouth!  :roll:

nikki - napping thing sounds almost developmental... which may mean she just needs to grow out of it???  have you tried sleeping her on her tummy?  at least it's daytime & you can keep a closer eye on her...

schae - we're with you on the "full tummy" at night.  3 of the last 4 nights luke has woken at 6am cause he LOADED his diaper.  then he wouldn't go back to sleep.   :x  yesterday, though, when he slept normally, i had totally coated his bottom with desetin - so maybe he slept through cause he didn't feel all yucky?  i'm going to try again tonight.  and hope that his cycle switches soon!

anyone else notice that we all seem to have october anniversaries?  too weird!!!  (schae, you didn't happen to meet your dp in october, did you?)

[dkjokisch]

Branwen - I am envious... an uninterrupted bath and room service.

Jaime - Glad to hear the fever broke.  I'm sure it's a relief.

Nikki - We had some success with wake-to-sleep when we were trying to move Maya's 5am wake-up a little later.

JulieB - The costume is adorable.

Deb - Maya did the same thing with getting her arm caught under her when she rolls over.  She's learned how to wriggle on her belly to get it out, but it probably took a week or two for her to figure out.

Schae - Sorry to hear you had a rough night.  Hopefully, tonight will be better.

Our anniversary is Nov 4, but we actually wanted to be married in Oct.  However, where my parents live, they have furniture market in the end of Oct, and there are no hotel rooms available.

Us - We went back to the PT this morning.  The stretching exercises are paying off.  Maya has full range of assisted motion in her neck and is 90% there for spontaneous active motion.  We have to go back for a follow-up in a month.

[branwen]

Deborah- good job Maya!  That is excellent news!

Everyone- finally posted video on jusspress.com.  Search under Branwen to find the video.  Some are the wrong dates (now fixed camera :oops: ) but I put the correct ones in the title.  I added those of you on here as friends.

Us-Okay, I was going insane today and totally just got on the phone and called the docs office for an apt.  I can't handle all the crying no napping- I feel like I'm going to pass out sometimes, and then I just felt in her mouth- ANOTHER TOOTH. :shock:   The other bottom one is coming in at the same time- and is already at the same height as the other!  Normal? So I gave her lots of cuddles and told her I was sorry for not understanding... :oops: