March/April 05 Thread #2

[Taylor's Mommy]

as I was writing my novel I noticed another page of posts, so will get back to you with Q's/A's...but had to say, Erin, LOVE The costume!

By niece (18 months) is named Octavia and she is going to be the same octopus!  (the octopus at Baby Style is named Octavia too!)

[solnme]

oK, oK,,
Lots of great posts! 

Andrea - hope your feet are feeling better.  Did it have anything to do with the pregnancy?  My feet are still half a size bigger after baby and my Mum says I better get used to it.

I hear you about the 2 hour nap thing as well.  Sol hasn't slept that long in weeks.

Richelle - loved the story about Sophie out partying!  About the exercise, I've always had an ongoing battle. (never quite where i want to be) I gained almost 50 lbs w/ ds.  ( 2 weeks overdue )  I vowed I would loose the weight in 4 months.  :shock:  LOL!!  Who was I kidding!

I do get up at 6:30 and go running for 1 hr - 3 days a week before DH leaves for work.  I had to take this time for myself and it's done wonders for me and my parenting. Not to mention I'm in the 'skinny jeans' I purchased at 5 mnths prego.

Erin - Almost lost it over Katie's picture.  Super cute!

Mickey - What's up with the acne???  I hope it eases when I stop BFing.  For now I started using an antibacterial soap and Clean & Clear!  I think the soap is doing more than the zit cream.

Just a comment on how much I love being a Baby Whisperer.    I was at my Moms' group and a bunch of ladies where giving a new Mom ( w/ 2 week lo) advice.  They were saying everything from; let your lo CIO, follow the baby cause the lo knows best to BFing makes them clingy!!!  I didn't say a word but slipped the new Mom a card w/ my number, the name of the book and this forum site!

[solnme]

Hey Andrea,  don't feel bad.  I'm always lugging sol all over the place with me. 

We/ve been to overnight trips to Seattle (2xs) Portland, and camping in Whistler.
Just this weekend We had him in the mall from 1 - 4:30!  That doesn't even account for the 30min drive.  He totally missed his nap but was completely happy the whole time.

He has his fathers easy going temperment and I think it would be a waste if I didn't sometimes take advantage of that.  Sometimes.

He's so laid back that yesterday I discovered his two bottom teeth had come in!!! :shock:

What a terrible mother :evil:   I was check constantly a couple of weeks ago cause so many other babies we know have been drooling, fussing and waking at night but I felt nothing.  So I stopped really checking and thought I'd know when he got cranky. Not little man.  Not even a whimper.

I do feel bad sometimes but hey, the next one might not be so accommodating. :wink:

[Richelle]

Hi Ladies

I'm back AGAIN!!  I'm sure I would go a bit nuts without this thread...

Traci - I looked at the warnings on my exercaucer and it has the same warning and I moved the notches up.

Judy - Glad you weren't offended but you know how typing something can change the tone?  Too bad we couldn't all get together for a cup of coffee!!

Erin - That is such a cute pic - I love the costume

Andrea - OUCH, i forgot now that I am typing but do have some help while you recoup?
I wouldn't worry unless Taylor seem's unhappy, I think it is great that you have gotten out - good for you!!

Hannah - I just went to the Ped. for Sophies exam and shots and I told her that Sophie 'spills' all the time even now on solids but she said not to worry unless Sophie is in pain ect...it is reflux but she said there are 2 kinds of refluxers and Sophie is a 'happy spitter'! :lol: Sophie had a time a few weeks ago when she seemed to have lost her appetite and I think maybe it was her teeth?  It passed either way...

Holly - Hang in there it will take at least a feww weeks to see results so don't get discouraged it will happen!  I do not want to give conflicting advice but PU/PD did not work for us, Sophie would get too wound up, Pat/SHHH worked alot better.  I know it seems hard but make all the techniques work for you.  You need to be comfortable and confident in what you are doing or your LO will not respond.  Does that make sense?

Micky - That is nice that you get to go for coffee with a new friend, especially as the 'experienced' mommy!

Also I asked my ped. about citrus fruit, berries, milk and wheat.  She said that if Sophie has had all of the above and had no reaction then it was safe to continue and said that it is fine seeing as DH and I have no allergies.  She said that the main reason citrus fruit is not recommended (including tomatoes) is that it has a high acid content and can cause painful diaper rash.  She said the 2 NOT to give was honey and egg whites before a year.  All the jamaican moms and nanny's i talk to feed babies eggwhites mixed with fresh oj as one of their 1st solids! :roll:   There is so mny different opinions sigh.....  I was glad to hear that Sophioe is happy, healthy and HUGE - 19lbs 12oz and 70cm long :shock: !!

Long post again...sorry, hope no one minds!

[kate585]

Hey, there! 
LOVED the octopus, Erin! 
(((Hugs))) to Andrea and Holly (stick with it girl...the first few days are the hardest!!!).  Don't worry about getting off schedule...I discovered when I was teaching that I would say to my kiddoes every day, "Well, today's a bit of a crazy day, so...."  Seriously, every day cannot be a crazy day...it's just that your idea of a perfect day in your head never matches with reality, so it always feels like you're off.  Well, that's me anyway.  Since T is fine, you should feel okay about it.  HTH and didn't sound too confusing.

We are having a pretty good day after a LONG night.  Ryan was up 3 times...he's been sleeping through since August, so getting up 3 times was a bit of a shock.  (I have not been a bit worried about his sleeping through. )  I gave him my cold.   :oops:     So, I am feeling like poop and need my sleep, but have to take care of him.  Poor baby couldn't breathe well.  I broke out that big bulb thingie to suck out the snot (sorry to be graphic).  It's scary!!!  Ryan did take a 2 hour nap this am at mil's and has already been down an hour now without a peep.  Hopefully it won't affect his sleep tonight...although he usually sleeps a lot, so we should be okay.  We'll have to skip swimming class though.  Oh, well!   
I think the cold is affecting my brain and I just keep rambling.  I'll let you all go now.

[mickymuscles]

holly: stick with it!!  PU/PD is very tiring (esp now that the LO's weigh a ton!)  But it worked for us.  We still have to do it occasionally but it took a good solid week of doing it.  I hope Traci has been able to talk to you and help you through it a bit.  I know you'd probably like her to come over and do it for you!!  :shock:  :lol:   IT WILL GET EASIER!!  You are just changing the rules on Brady so he's all confused.  He'll catch on.

hannah: we are doing 3 'solid' meals a day and 4 bottles.  We do breakfast (cereal and fruit)- I make a 6 oz. bottle and use about 1/2 of it to mix the cereal and then he'll usually finish it after his cereal.  For lunch (veggies, meat, and fruit) and I'll offer him a bottle usually only 2-4 oz. doesn't usually drink very much of this bottle.  His midday 'snack' is an 8 oz. bottle.  Then dinner (veggies, meat, and fruit) and I also make another 8 oz. bottle here.  I'll offer it right after dinner but he might only take 1-2 oz.  then I'll give it to him again before bed and he will usually finish it.  I don't do a DF and he will sleep thru until morning.

[kq]

Where to begin?? I go to bed and wake up to 5 pages! You girls have been very busy!!!
ERIN-totally cute octopus!!! Adorable!
JUDY-I am the same with Sam and strangers. If he is happy fine, if he starts to cry and cannot be distracted, I do not insist and he comes straight back to me.
ANDREA-Ouch 4 toes!!! I had minor surgery for 2 and it really laid me up. I kept wishing they had amputated my toes as they throbbed so much!! Hope you feel better soon.
HANNAH-I bottle feed 2 feeds (10am and 2 pm). Sam has 6-7 oz. He used to have 8! Morning and night feeds I breast feed so have no idea! He only does 4 feeds and has done so since about 5 months old. He sleeps through the night with no feeds! On the TV issue, I am quite anti-TV but that is just me. Sam has only watched Baby Mozart 4 times. I never have the TV on when he is in the room. Barter system for cleaning! Sounds interesting! Should have thought of that! We had to get a cleaner in when I was pregnant as I was sooo sick that I could not stand the smell of cleaning products. I asked dh if he wanted to do ALL the cleaning but we agreed that it was better for our relationship and sanity to get a cleaner. I don't know what I would do without Jenny. She comes in once a fortnight.
HOLLY-hugs! Hang in there! I had trouble with PU/PD but started BW before habits became entrenched and Sam was still young enough for shush/pat. Now when I have to do PU/PD, I find that I have to hold Sam very firmly even when he is arching his back. I also have to hold him for slightly longer as he is a little spirited. We usually only have to do PU/PD when he is overtired or overstimulated and we have to hold him very firmly against us so he can settle. What is Brady's temperament?
Thanks you guys for the support re going back to work! I will let you know how it goes. I am going back part time and between dh and myself, we have childcare covered. This makes going back easier as Sam is with dh when i am not here but I think dh is a bit nervous about having Sam all day by himself!
As for weight! I lost my pregnancy weight within 4 weeks of Sam being born. He was a voracious feeder! Now that I am not bf as much-only 2 feeds a day, I seemed to have gained some weight. Must stop eating junk in the evenings! As for exercise, well done NIKKI! I tried running a couple of times but my boobs hurt sooo much and it must have changed the taste of my milk as Sam kept pulling off and making funny faces. Now I just stick to brisk walking.
Enough from me. I did not mean for this to be such a long post.
Karen

[Colesmom]

Hi All,

Love the octopus...so adorable!  There were so many posts and I tried to remember stuff but now my mind is blank :?

Kate-hope Ryan feels better soon. I dread using that suction thingy on Cole.

Richelle-only one thing to say about eggs mixed with OJ-ewwwwwwwwwww.

And for all the moms and overnights...WOW.  my hat's off to you.  I am trying to convince myself to go to a halloween party this saturday but I'm so worried Cole won't take his bottle.  MIL has had 5 boys-I'm sure she can handle it but I guess I'm just worried he'll be hysterical the whole time or something.  Or maybe that he won't be hysterical and won't miss me at all :oops:

Anyone have quick and easy Halloween costume for DH?  I'm going as Avril Lavigne. Did it a couple of years ago so it's easy.  Only a few people at this party saw my costume so no biggie.

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Oh boy, ok will comment on what I remember:

As far as the nap discussion goes and total day sleep - I think every baby is so individual, Danielle is still having a 45min in the morning and 2-3hrs in the afternoon plus 11.5hrs at night, so she is over the daily total from that post.  Doesn't the BW book say 2 x 1.5-2hr naps plus the catnap for some of 30mins still - so a daily total could be up to 4hrs still?

Richelle, yes it does seem that there are a lot more gluten free products available these days, and I think we're able to get prescriptions for products from our GP.

Well my once a week pooper is gone!  Heehee, she's started going daily now that she's on solids, oh well almost 7mths of only changing maybe 30-40 poopy nappies is pretty good going I think considering Nathan was 3-5 a day for 2 YEARS +!!! 

Andrea, there's nothing wrong with having out and about time, heck, poor Danielle gets no choice really because Nathan has a social life, but I guess I do tend to always be home for their joint big sleep and the others are just whereever if we've got other plans. 

Ok, that's all I can view back on.  Well a busy day here today with a playdate arriving soon and then doctors this afternoon.

[Erin M]

Kate - just a quick post on the cold - Katie had a cold last week and we had the same trouble - too stuffed up to sleep and I had to get up and hold her until her nose cleared - and I had the same cold too - no fun, so I know how you feel -- but something that might help - we have a "crib wedge" which is this triangle shaped thing you stick under the sheet at one end of the crib which elevated Katie's head so her nose didn't stuff up as easily.  You can do it with books or whatever will elevate one end of the crib and that should help a bit.  Also, a humidifier if you have one is good for that too.  I have to get ours out again since it's time for the heat to be on and it gets so dry.  Hope you both feel better soon!

[Jayri]

Oh my ladies!
I went to bed last night on page 32!!!!!
I don't even know where to start...So the chat thing, sunday seems good, that would be monday for you aussie and nz mums, is that good for you?
Does anyone have a time to suggest, erin, you mentioned after 8pm eastern.
What do you guys think of 8:30 eastern time, so that would be 4:30 pacific time, and about 10am or so for the aussie and nz mums. Let us know what you think ladies.
Well I think I have caved in about halloween, a little late I know, but Jay will be a cow, and Riley will be a butterfly. I will make sure I put up pics of them.
No word on the interview yet, he did show me around the office and use words like WHEN, so who knows. I will be totally up a creek then, I find it hard enough to keep up as it is, haha.
Riley is mowing down on her solids, I am basically folowing th guide that the public health thingy's gave us, today she had banana and mandarin's, she had a half tub of that , followed by an entire tub of apricots.
I guess you need to watch what they eat if you have food sensitivties in your family, we are lucky in our brood.
I will try to check in more often, but man it seems like our little ones are growing right away, gotta run, in the middle of bedtime here, I am assisting dh now he is home.

[Richelle]

Just a quickie...

Traci - No Kidding about the ewwww factor, I can't even begin on what Jamaican's eat (goat head soup) :?   and the baby 'idea's' thatare part of their culture.  Alot of the nanny's here are Jamaican and not meaning any offence whatsoever but I couldn't handle having one for Sophie!

Nikki - Did you hear back definately about Nathan?

[Colesmom]

quick post for me too-surprise surprise.

Nikki-thanks for clearing up the daytime sleep question. I had forgotten Danielle took such a long afternoon nap.  I guess that's how she manages to last longer until bedtime.  Hmmm, what I wouldn't do for a 2-3 hour period all to myself :wink: 

[Little Bear's Mum]

OMG, I had to take notes, then gave up near the end.

Nikki - out of interest, how did you come to the conclusion that Nathan had Celiac? How does it effect him, if you don't mind sharing. If not, no worries.

Judy - good on you for being tv programme conscious, there's so much rubbish on I don't want Daniel to see when he's older. I hope I'm as vigilant as you are.

Traci - I also have the warning about being flat footed in the exersaucer, however someone else mentioned they're better to be flat footed so they don't shorten their calf muscles. I thought it might be to do with not standing before they should. The guy in the shop said it was because the harness was meant to support most of their weight. I admit Daniel's does need to go up though.

Judy & Richelle - as for the grizzly, crying thing, my DH says I always go to Daniel too quickly when he's crying. I pointed out yesterday that by the time he's around at the end of the day I've left him a few times to grizzle and we're both tired so both need less grizzles. Now that sounds like Daniel is a grizzler doesn't it. He's not, it's just when he face plants, or can't get to his toys or is on his tummy.....

Erin - gorgeous photos of Katie. Pretty in pink all right!

Holly - sorry I can't offer advice, haven't done PUPD yet. May still have to when I finish b/feeding and Daniel wakes in the night. Anyway, I"m thinking of you and hope it gets better soon.

Hannah - Daniel probably sees Baby M/E/B once every couple of days. I usually have a couple of toys in front of him too, so if he doesn't want to watch it he can play with his toys. Sometimes that's just what he does. As for how much tv, not a lot of big person TV is on when he's awake. However, I've noticed even if it is on, he doesn't necessarily watch it. And I will put his back to it so he can't see. He doesn't move, so that's easy.  :lol:

Andrea - enjoy going out. I wish we could more often, but due to petrol prices and being so far out of town (30mins drive) I only get out once, maybe twice a week. I always said I wanted a baby who'd adapt to going out, and he does.

Roz - wow, teeth and you didn't even know! Good boy Sol.

Speaking of teeth, I think we've got the eating problem sorted, and maybe even the morning nap problem. Did I tell you, I was struggling to get Daniel down again first nap. THought he was hungry, or needed more awake time, wasn't really sure, but he would scream until we got him up. Well yesterday I bought some homeopathic teething powder. Since then he's eaten 3 meals of reasonable size again, and he's now been asleep 2h 20mins. He was screaming lots thismorning, and I suddenly wondered if it was his teeth. So gave him a dose and 2 more loud screams then silence. Wow, does this stuff really work that well and quickly???

Any time for a chat works for me. My computer is always on. One thing I do need to sort out is the GMT thing. Karen and Nikki, what time do you have? Mine says "All times are GMT 5 hours" I think it defaulted to that and I didn't know how to fix it or what it should be. Any help appreciated.

Better leave this novel here, I think I'll go check Daniel.

Bye for now everyone!

OH one last thing, I'll check with DH to see if he minds me posting a photo of him, but if you liked the feeding in the box trick, wait until you see what else we've done with it. :lol:

[Arwyn's mom]

Here goes... each time I post now, I take notes. 

Yikes! I just looked over and Arwyn almost pitched herself right out of her rocker. It is the kind that can convert to a rocking chair for a toddler and for an infant, it is reclined. Thank god it has a safety thingy that prevented her from rocking all the way forward and that I strapped her in!!! She is getting quite mobile and earlier in the afternoon, she had rolled all the way across the width of room and was doing a Spiderman pose on the side of the wall. 

Andrea... hope your toesies are doing okay. Good time to ask DH to do housework! Don't worry about the routines. You know, each time I take Arwyn out, I think about the routine... when I stay home, I think about it too and it NEVER works out the way it is "in the book". At first, it was tough to let go, now, I just go out and as long as I am home for one nap, I'm happy. AND, because Taylor is so good natured about it, GO FOR IT!

Bec... congrats on the sleeping through! 6 nights would be a big deal for me too... I have only ever had one night at a time and that has only happened 3 times!

Hayley... innovative LUNCH BOX!!! Love it! Glad to know it works. I have got Arwyn eating again now. I use CHOPSTICKS! She knows that Mommy eats with them so I think that she is fooled into thinking she is eating the same thing. Of course, I can't feed everything like that but I was surprised. I fed her peas this afternoon!

Nikki... Congratulations Nathan on his "back to sleep" skills! I know what you mean by the adult poops. Arwyn has them too and I just throw them in the toilet!

Richelle... I don't know how these los can sleep through all their gymnastics in the crib either. I heard a clunk yesterday night and found Arwyn had rolled over and hit the side of her crib and was in an awkward position so I repositioned her and before I even left the room, she had done it again, still was fast asleep!

Traci... on introducing food... I have read some places that they recommend trying with 1 teaspoon first, then 1 tablespoon. It totally depends on the literature! The one I have from BC Health Care says to start with 1 tsp and work up to 4 tbsp. They stress that if your fruits and vegetables need to be pureed, then your baby is not ready... I have disregarded this information as commercially produced baby foods are all pureed. They recommend mashing.

Nancy... I am in the same boat with the weight loss.  I was "on" Jenny Craig before pregnancy and only had 12 pounds to go when I became pregnant. Now, I have 15 pregnancy pounds left and 12 more after that! I must admit though, I could cut down the snacks and control my portions better but sometimes I am just so darn hungry!

Micky... I feel the same about adult interaction. I so look forward to the drop-in and really feel sorry for myself when Arwyn is napping and we can't go! I also, just this morning put Arwyn on the floor in her bedroom!! It must be a funny perspective from their vantage point.

Erin... LOVE the octopus. She is such a cutie!

Holly... HANG IN THERE!!! I am also still doing pu/pd with my little one to extend naps so I know how you feel. Some days though, I weigh how able I am to do it and if I don't feel I can, mentally and physically, I don't. The last thing I want to do is to  make her cry for a long time and then give up.

Hannah... Baby Einstein is DH's favourite babywatching tool. He will entertain her with it all day (if I let him) Currently, there is a Baby Einstein quota in our house... once in the morning, once in the afternoon or evening. If we watch TV while she is awake, she will chose whether she watches it or not. Most of the time, she does.

Roz... congrats on getting out for a run! I used to do this for years (brisk walk, not run) and loved getting my exercise over for the day! It was also a great way to start the day, all oxygenated!

Kate... I hope you and Ryan get better soon! I dread the day Arwyn and I get sick at the same time. So far, we have beat the cold virus but I'm not holding my breath. Especially with swimming lessons and all!

Well, it has been a 45 minute kinda day around here and with her dropping the catnap, it is SOOOOOO labour intensive after her second nap. For the last 45 minutes... yes, 45 minutes to take notes and post... she has been in her walker, eating/gumming an Arrowroot cookie. She totally recognizes the word cookie!!! Gotta run, she is not tolerating the walker anymore!