Jan/Feb 05 Babies chat!

[Tammy: Ethan & Kaden's Mom]

Julie - that Halloween costume is the cutest thing ever.  I'm going to get Ethan a costume, but we're not taking him trick or treating or anything.  Just want the pictures!   

Debra - back sleepers have the same problems when they learn to roll over to the tummy!  Luckily we only had to endure issues for a week or so, I'd say, when he was about 5 months.  I'd always lay him to sleep on his back (on a wedge), but he quickly learned to roll over onto his back.  But then he would get mad after a few minutes!  It took him about a week to figure out, hey, I can sleep on my tummy too!  Now I can't keep him on his back, he immediately rolls around and settles on his tummy.  I just let him be at this point.  I know a lot of people say you can put rolled up towels, etc (not that I would do that at this point), but I always think that Ethan would grab those and cover himself up with those!  That's more of a SIDS risk with my ds than sleeping on his tummy! 

Schae - sorry your Luka had some tummy issues, hopefully things are back on track there! 

Us - we're having some issues I think after eating too much banana the past two days!   :roll:   However, I did try prunes before this, so Ethan will be getting some prunes with his dinner tonight!   :wink:

I went to my first mom's playgroup today.  Don't think I will be going back.  It was supposed to be 9 moms, but only 3 showed.  And those 3 already knew each other, so hardly paid any attention to me and ds at all.  Not that I expected to be the center of attention, but when you're sitting there while the others are all talking about people you don't know, it makes you feel stupid!  Plus, even though it was an age-specific group (so I was told), they are all older than Ethan.  He was by far the youngest there, the rest were crawling or walking, and mine just kind of does that crawl and lunge type thing right now.  Anyway, I really didn't have a very good time.  Ethan started getting cranky and tired, so I used that as an excuse to bolt!   :oops:   I'm disappointed though, cause I was hoping to find a playgroup.  Also, sometimes I feel like moms who don't do EASY think I am too controlling of his routine and what not.  But it works for us, so just lay off, you know?   :?  Anyway, that was our disappointment of the day.     Oh well.

I am also excited though, because 3 other moms on my street and I have instituted a monthly lunch / dinner club.  We are all going to get together next Thursday for dinner out (no kids included) - just us girls!  I'm really looking forward to that.  Then we are going to rotate to lunch the next month (so some kids will be present), then back to dinner, and so forth.  I actually *like* my neighbors so it will be fun.  Yeah!   

[Kinlagh's Folks]

HI EVERYONE!  I've missed you!

We're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We still have a few things to iron out but a few other things are now in the past.  So again, I'm sorry, but I haven't been able to read all pages (you girls are too quick), but I can post a few things.

JulieB - What an adorable costume.  DH and I have started looking for Kinlagh but nothing yet!  Hope we can be as lucky and find such a cute one!

Nikki - I didn't read your initial post, but I've noticed a few ladies giving you advice re: rolling to tummy while sleeping.  What we did was encourage the tummy sleeping when it happened. So the first night that she woke because she had flipped onto her tummy, we just did pat/shh so she knew it was ok to sleep on her tummy - instead of flipping her back onto her back.  It took about 2-3 times that night, but that was the only night she woke after flipping.  My thought was that if I flipped her back, it told her there was something wrong with tummy sleeping.  Plus I thought it was just delaying the inevitable.  So it may be an option for you.  Good luck for you too Debra - just read that you'll be having the same issue shortly.

Jaime - What are you doing (if anything) with your Forensics degree?  I didn't end up with a Forensics job, but it's always in the back of my mind.  Also, just curious, do you watch those CSI shows?  I find them really annoying and am wondering if I'm the only one cause of my degree?   And I did notice the October anniversary trend.  That is strange cause it's not the most popular time of year for weddings that's for sure!

Branwen - Love the hotel idea.  I can't imagine a nice long bath with no thoughts of a baby crying or waking, etc.  And we currently have a sulfer issue in our well water lately so it smells like rotten eggs.  So I think I'll pass on the bubble bath at home. :?   I'll go check jusspress for your videos as soon as I'm done posting.  Can't wait to see little Eirwen in action!  As for the teeth, Kinlagh's 2 bottom teeth broke the skin 3 days apart.  (or was it 2 days)  Anyway, very normal to be so close together.  She's working on her top two these days.  Eep!

Schae - Oh to be starting the summer...enjoy the adorable summer outfits!  I just love seeing baby legs and baby toes.

Deborah - Great news on the increased motion for Maya.  She's getting there!

Tammy - A little late from me, but WELCOME!!!  Too bad about your playgroup, but your neighbour gatherings sound like fun.  We're finally starting to find a good circle in our area as well.  It sure does take some time doesn't it?

Us - We tried meat today - chicken.  I've never seen Kinlagh gag so bad.  It was hard to keep a straight face. (video on jusspress if you want a good laugh) Poor little thing.  I'm debating on trying again, but maybe one more day.  And if that's a no go, then maybe again in a week or so.  Thoughts? 

Suggestion - For those of you that have digital cameras or scanners, I'd love to see a family picture.  We hear so much about each other, but for the most part, we've never even seen each other.  Here are a couple of recent ones of us.

[thitz]

Hi Everyone,  I'm so glad I've got a chance to write .

Debra, it must be really nice to be outside in the warm weather again.  I know Emily loves being outside.  I don't know what I'm going to do when it gets cold again.  Dh and I were joking about getting her one of those fur hats with the ear flaps so we can go out when it's really cold :oops: .  Dh and I both have them and people think we look funny but then when it's really cold strangers come up and ask where we got them.

Nikki, Debra, I haven't had the rolling problem yet.  But I would think that you need to teach them that sleeping on their tummy is okay.  It sounds like what Debra did with Alex is the way to go.  I kind of did a similar thing with her moving around the crib on her back.  She started getting her head up against the slats or an arm or leg hitting the slats or turned round 180 degrees.  I used to go in and put her back in the correct position but I think I was teaching her that she couldn't sleep unless she was laying the right way.  So I stopped doing that and now I put her down in all sorts of directions and now she seems better with it.

JulieB, very cute froggy costume.  Are you taking him out trick-or-treating?  I wanted to take Emily just to the neighbors, but she's completely wiped by 6:00pm.

Branwen,  it can definately be overwhelming when there's crying and no napping.   I know that I get miserable when Emily doesn't do a good afternoon nap.  I'm so glad I've got dh to bail me out when I need it!
And I don't know how you managed the open house.  That must be really hard.  Keep hanging in there.  I'm going to go have a look at your jusspress pictures...

Tammy, that's too bad about the playgroup.  But it sounds like you'll be getting a new one with your neighbors.  I starting to want to go to a play group and there's about 4 to choose from around here, but they're all during her nap times.  It's like they don't all know about EASY :? Anyways I'm also kind of afraid of her catching a cold.

Michelle, glad to hear that things are going better for you.  And I love your kissy face photo.  Made me smile

Us, well I've been reading your posts but no time to reply.  I've been spending most of my spare time helping dh find a job.  We're slowly running out of money.  Emily is doing really well.  She's dropped the catnap but I still can't get her to nap more than 45mins for her afternoon nap.  And this wipes me and Emily out from about 3:00pm on.  I got some huge laughs and giggles from her this evening when I took one of Emily's plush rattles and shook it infront of the dog and then took it away fast when the dog tried to get it.  Poor dog.  Then I switched to a dog toy to make it fair.  Maybe I'll make the rattle a sacrificial baby/dog toy.

Oh and we went to see the dermatologist finally.  It was a waste of time.  He was very close minded and wrote a prescription for a higher % cortisone cream.  He never even heard of calendula.  Urrggh.  Anyways she's doing pretty good with the calendula so we're just going to stick with that.

And some good news...that I'm kind of afraid to say.  But Emily has slept till at least 5am (with the df still) for the past week.  This is a first for us.

Have a good day/night everyone.  Tarri

[Leah's Mom]

Too cute Julieb!!!!!! I'm heading to Old Navy this weekend to check out thier selection. I think they had a chicken costume that I thought was cute last year!

Nikki - Leah does the exact same thing. She was always a back sleeper and now she rolls to her tummy. Then a few hours later she will wake up crying, I think becuase she is mad she is on her belly!  :? It has gotten better. I think she needed to get used to tummy sleeping. It freaked me out at first to let her sleep on her tummy, but I figure she's old enough not to have to worry about SIDS anymore. Give it some time. Lise is the same age Leah was when she started this whole thing.

Deb - I just read your post. I didn't realize that many kids switch to tummy sleeping once they can roll. But I totally agree, it seems like she just needs to get used to sleeping on her tummy. Congrats to Livy on rolling.

Deborah - Gald to hear the excersizes are working.

Branwen - Leah cut her two bottom teeth at the exact same time! 

Tammy - Sorry to hear the mom's group wasn't what you expected. I have tried to find something like that around here too and couldn't. Don't let people give you a hard time about EASY. We've had some conversations on here about that. If it works for you, people should be happy you know?!?! I hope you have more fun with your neighbors on your night out with Ethan!

Michelle- I love your family pictures!! I checked out Kinlagh's video when she was eating chicken!  :lol: Doesn't make me too excited to try meats!

Tarri - Glad to hear that Emily is sleeping better! I know what you mean though, everytime I post something good on here I jinx myself!  :wink:

US: I am preparing for my sister's Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party all here at my house on Saturday and Saturday night!  :shock: When am I going to clean and cook?!?!?! Wish I weren't back at school yet. She's getting married October 15th, I can't wait. I get to wear a cute dress!  :wink: Leah has been acting very weird lately. She has not been taking good naps and is waking multiple times in the night. I can't figure out if it's a new tooth or if my going back to work has finally hit her. Hopefully it will all work itself out soon.

Gosh, when I went to look for some family pictures I realized we don't have very many of the three of us!  :shock: Lot's of DH and DD and me and DD, but not many of the three of us. I'll have to get on that. Here are a few that I could find. The first was taken at a wedding a month or so ago and the second one was taken at the lake in July. As you will tell, Leah has my skin tone and not her dad's.  We were hoping she'd tan like her dad and not like me!

[julieb]

Thanks for all the compliments on the frog costume!  I don't think we'll do much of anything except take his photo!   :lol:   It's more for me than it is for him, KWIM?   :wink:   For those considering, Old Navy also had a purple dinosaur, pumpkin, bear, chicken, monkey, and I think a couple other more girly ones.  It was on sale for $15 and really good quality!  I'm very happy with it!

Asher's doing well.  He now goes 3 hours in the afternoon (in order to get a 2 hour nap), which is SO good.  I feel like I have freedom!   :lol:   He's been SO much fun lately.  His personality just seems to have exploded even more (I remember he did this around 4.5 months as well).  I figured out how to get him to like sweet potatos but still a no go on the avocado and rice cereal.   :roll:

Nikki:  We had to abandon the catnap around then as well -- despite Asher being clearly tired.  We just moved his bedtime up to compensate on those days.  Took around a week for the rolling thing to fix itself.  I just rescued him when he'd start crying (letting him fuss and struggle a bit first).  And I gave him LOTS of daytime practice to get better!   :wink:

Branwen: Soon you'll be buying toys based on their "tag factor"!   :lol:   And it's weird, he only likes the company ones.  I have one toy with multiple tag ribbons and he picks out the company tag every time!   :roll:   I have to hide the boppy tags every time I feed him -- too distracting!  Asher's bottom teeth were within a week of each other, and that second one seemed to catch up to the first almost overnight!  :shock:

Tammy: Sorry about the playgroup.  I hear that from a lot of people.  I'm in one by association.  The ladies in my bible study started one together when they started having kids.  So Asher's very much the youngest, but it's okay.  He likes to watch and such.  Sometimes I don't go when they're doing activities geared toward the toddlers.  I'm also the only BW I know.  Most think I'm quite odd, but I've gotten over it.  We just don't talk much about parenting styles.  Sometimes I can't go to the group because it's around Asher's nap time.  Oh well, just go when I can and I'll be able to go more in the future.  Hope the mom's group on your block works out much better!

Michelle: Great to see you back!  I had such a good laugh over the chicken!

Here's a couple family pics...

[dkjokisch]

Tammy - Sorry to hear the playgroup didn't work out.  Doesn't it kind of feel like being back in high school?  Last spring I joined a playgroup through church.  It was for 3yr old boys, but several of the moms have younger kids as well, some Maya's age.  And at that point, it was more for me anyway.  We're new to the area here, and since I don't work outside the home, I don't get to meet alot of people.  At any rate, only one of the moms (out of five) made any effort to include me.  Sometimes they didn't even bother to call and tell me where they were meeting.  At the end of the summer I was "invited" to join another group with kids "closer to Maya's age".  The woman who was saying this to me has a daughter 6 days older than Maya.  LOL.  I'm going to give it another shot this fall (they reorganize groups every Sept), but needless to say, I am a bit disheartened.

Michelle - Welcome back.  We missed you.  Are your ILs still there?  I loved the photos.  Maya screamed through her baptism too.  We looked at the jarred meats, but they didn't look too appealing.  I think I might poach a chicken breast for her first meat.

Christine - Good luck with the bridal festivities.  Where do you get your energy?

We don't have many family photos either.  I had to go all the way back to her baptism in May to find a decent one.

[Tammy: Ethan & Kaden's Mom]

Thanks for all the encouragement regarding playgroups.  I know I'm not the only one who goes through this.  I hear so many stories about playgroups not being that great for the moms who try to join.  I am definitely more excited about the moms on my street.  They are all really nice, so it should be a fun thing for us to do.

We hardly have any pictures of us as a family!  And honestly, hardly any of me with ds!  Most of our pictures are of Ethan, or I have some with dh and Ethan.  No one ever thinks to take a picture of me with him!   :x  :roll:

We are having our baby dedication this Sunday, so I'm excited about that!  It's not a baptism, it is just a dedication.  I will make sure we get some family shots of that one!

Here's the only family shot I could find, and it's back from Mother's Day!  It's also not a very good picture, but oh well!   :roll:

[Leah's Mom]

JulieB - What size did you get for Asher's Frog Costume. How big is he? Leah is probobly almost 20 pounds and 28 inches long. I'm ordering hers online and I'm wondering 6-12 or 12-18. My little chubby one! 

[julieb]

Christine, definately get 12-18 mths.  I even wondered if I should have gone up a size when trying it on at the store, but probably not, I doubt he'll grow out of it by then.  I didn't even attempt the 6-12 mths, I knew it'd be too small.  It's polyester ( :? ), so it won't shrink.

[Kinlagh's Folks]

Just wanted to quickly share Kinlagh's 7 months portraits.

[Kinlagh's Folks]

One more...a little blurry though

[herbst99]

Oooh all these pictures are soooo cute!! I hope to get Lise's 6mth pics done this week. all of you look like such happy families!! I don't have any other pictures of us as a family - only the christening one I already posted. Will have to do something about that.
Rolling onto tummy We had a good morning and early afternoon with naps - she settled on her back and then rolled onto her tummy and didn't wake ... but the catnap again was a disaster (about 2hrs after her 3pm wake up) I'd put her down as with all the other naps but as soon as she is down she starts straining to get onto her tummy (and she is in a sleeping bag!! Not an easy feat I tell you!)  - only realizing that when she is there she cannot go anywhere and is suppose to sleep ... which again resulted in the battle of wills. She still uses her paci for nap and sleep time (I know!!) and this also is a problem with the tummy sleeping. Well we will keep on trying and hope it will sort itself out.
 Tammy I found that you have to settle with the group that works for you and baby (doesn't always matter re age!) I am very lucky in founding 2 friends who went to antenatal with me - our babies differ in age 2 weeks and is between them sprited, textbook (with some spirited) and angel baby. I have "astounded" them with my knowledge and confinced one to use the BW method. Must say it is nice as both our babies now eat, nap etc at almost the same times.
Julie B How funny on the avo and rice cereal - Lise HATES it to. I have given up on rice cereal (have YOU tasted it YUCK) - we now give her some nestum. I don't eat avo but would like for her to eat it so - will also keep on trying!! Do you know when one can start with yogurt??
Tarri CONGRATULATIONS on the 5 am ... I can remember the first time Lise did that! Felt like I slept a 100 years. Funny - now if she wakes up before 6 am I am - OOH NO!! to early ...
Michelle How did you get her to go DOWN onto her tummy - you see Lise is already "crawling" Push up on arms and legs and then pushes forward. and this is what she does as soon as she rolled over. So I Shhh/pat with her pushed up on her arms, struggling to give her the paci ... oooh I don't know. Beautifull pictures by the way!
Goodnight all!

[HeatherC]

Well, I'm so far behind, I'm afraid I'd have trouble catching up and doing any justice to all your posts.  But, I love all the pictures, and Michelle, Kinlagh's portraits are beautiful.  I can't find one of all of us together, just mainly all of Kelsey.  I hate being in a picture and at family functions I usually forget to request one anyway.
Julie-love the costume.  He's so adorable.

We don't have the rolling over problem at sleep.  The only time she rolls is when I put her on her belly at play time.  And usually she's twisted before I even get her to the floor all the way.  I have caught her almost on her side fully during sleep, but she places herself this way so it doesn't bother her.

Julie-did you say that Asher is having 3 hour A time, and 2 hour naps?  Does that mean you are on 5 hour easy?

Christine-good luck with the festivities this weekend.  I bet Leah is getting another tooth.  Kelsey's naps s*ck every few days, and the other night I heard her cry out many times, which is very rare for her.  I almost never hear her at night.  Dh has been wetting her paci and sticking it in the freezer, and she loves it.  She won't play with anything she can't chew on well. 

Tarri-good luck to your dh on job-hunting.  And, yes, once the catnap is gone, the evenings can be tough.  We also moved bedtime up, and it has taken until just now, after about 2 months, to get somewhat comfortable with her in the evenings.  Of course, the teething is throwing it back off a bit now.

Tammy-sorry about the playgroup.  I don't even know how to find one; maybe through a church or something?  Of course, I hardly go out during the day anymore b/c I don't want to miss her naptime.  Pitiful, I know.   :oops:

Debra-could you try to put Olivia on her belly with her arms already stiff and pushed up?  That's what finally helped Kelsey push herself over, and now she can lift up herself.

Ok, I have to go check out Kinlagh eating chicken dinner.  I have purchased some of these, but still waiting to try.  Kelsey is doing much better with the sippy cup.  However, her mama is so scared of the finger foods that I'm afraid that I'm holding her back.  Please, someone lay it out for me and tell me what to offer her.

[branwen]

Tammy- I totally hear you about the play group!  This is exactly what happened at the post-natal mommy-and-me yoga I was doing.  Everyone else knew each other and didn't even care about meeting me OR Eirwen!  I couldn't believe it.  It was so depressing and I needed the support so much then.  I told my dh that I can handle the indifference to me (people in the NE seem to be like that IMHO) but when it is directed at m baby I am like NO WAY!  I hope to find a group in NM because I really need that, esp going to a new city and all.

Michelle- Kinlagh is beautiful!  You have a beautiful family!  Um...I will try to locate a photo but it won't be recent  :wink: These are from 14 weeks. We are still waiting for the 7 month ones from Target.

heather-  about finger foods- she likes the wagon wheels by Gerber.  We have the apple ones.  They are big enough for her to grab with her whole hand and they turn to mush pretty instantly!  She really likes them!  I'm not sure she understands that it is food but she at least gums them and sucks on them :wink: 

Christine- how long did it take for the teeth to come all the way in- can't you tell I'm dying for this to be over?! :oops:  :wink:  Eirwen has my fair skin too- it's almost translucent she is so fair!  Loads of sunscreen for us all!

Debra- how was the apt?  With IR I did International Mediation and Negotiation.  I even was studying in The Netherlands while pregnant. When I came back to thes states I worked as a mediation coordiator for local conflict stuff.  I guess I want/ed to do conflict resolution but somehow I wanted to be a mama more.  Eirwen was totally planned and for awhile I thought I would do both but I so can't imagine working in that field anymore...maybe local politics in Santa Fe would be fun when Eirwen is a bit older...then again I might have more babies by then!

US- we've had a pretty horrid day today with the teething- I honestly didn't think it could get worse :?  :x .  she simply will not nap.  I even took her in today because of all the crying, head holding and ear pulling but of course they didn't find anything!  Ugh...I have my own apt tomorrow because I am just not handling things well.  I had to leave her in her crib and go outside today for about 5 min because it was just getting to be too much, and I can't even get anything done because if I leave her when she is overtired the world is coming to an end let me tell you! :roll: At least dh is bringing me dinner.

[julieb]

Michelle: Lovely photos!  She is just darling!

Nikki: Yep, tasted both!  Ewww!  I eat my brown rice with soy sauce, so I can't say I blame him.  But he can't be part Japanese and not like his rice!   :lol:   So we keep trying.  I'm gonna try a few different things once I'm done with the current batch.  I keep doing the avocadoes because they're so good for you.  He'll eat both as long as there's some fruit on the spoon as well.   :roll:   I'll take what I can get!  I think 8 months is the magic age for cheese and yogurt??  But I'm planning to wait until 1 year if I can since dairy is prone to be allergenic.

Heather: It's still considered 4 hour EASY because he eats solids 1 hour after he nurses.  So he never actually goes longer than 4 hours without some sort of food.  Technically it's EAEASY!   :wink:   On finger foods, I do really ripe pears and bananas, as well as cooked sweet potato (cold and formed into chunks).  All are easily mashed with hands and gums!   :lol:   Someone just told me a trick for picking up slippery foods, shake them in a bag of dry rice cereal so they're coated.  Problem is, our ceral is home made!   :roll:   Maybe I'll introduce oatmeal soon and give that a try.

Branwen:  So you're moving to New Mexico?  Why did I think you were going to Colorado?  The teething got better after they broke through about 3-7 days.  But we lived on those teething tablets and cold teething rings!   :lol: