Jan/Feb 05 chat - Thread #3

[dkjokisch]

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.

[thitz]

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!

[Daniel's mummy]

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.

[HeatherC]

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.

[branwen]

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

Oh- Heather- I love the plaid one!  Something about the plaid and bow really says Christmas to me

[Jaime]

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!   

[HeatherC]

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.

[Leah's Mom]

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

[Deb_in_oz]

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 

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?

[julieb]

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.

[Leah's Mom]

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!

[HeatherC]

Julie-I can't believe he eats that well.  I'm jealous in a way!!!  :oops:  :wink:   How neat!

[E&J's mommy]

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  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    ) 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  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

[Leah's Mom]

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?

[Tammy: Ethan & Kaden's Mom]

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: