March/April 05 Thread #2

[Claire Marie's mommy]

Hey!  I'm back!  Good news is that I feel soo much better.  Bad News is that Claire caught my cold.  I substitute taught a couple of weeks ago and I think thats where I caught it in the first place.  She seems to be feeling much better today, but it was a rough weekend.  She was pretty crabby during the day and of course her grandparents were in town to see her.  :?  But amazingly, she had a couple of her best nights ever!  WTF!  :shock:  She could not breath through her nose at all. It must have been the cold medicine.  Her ped said that I could give her Pedia Care.  Its an OTC decongestant and cough supressant.  I only gave it to her at night and it really seemed to help.

Sounds like most of you had a great Halloween.   Claire was a bumble bee.  We only went to my mom' s and the IL's before she was zonked. Got home by 6 and put her to bed.  I keep meaning to extend by 15 min or so to eventually get to 7, which was her bedtime before the time change, but she is still so tired from her cold. 

BTW, have any of you noticed a decrease in milk intake since starting solids?  I'm still breastfeeding Claire, so its hard to know exactly how much she's getting, but it doesn't seem like she's taking as much.  I don't think I'm feeding too many solids.  Just 2tbls. of cereal with 1tbls. of fruit in the morning, 3 tbls. of veg at lunch and then 2 tbls. of cereal with fruit at dinner.  Does that sound about right? or do I need to cut back? Hmmmm.  :?

Here's to a good night's sleep!
Jessica

[kate585]

Hey, girls!  Happy Halloween!   Ryan did great as we only went across the street and then to dh's grandparents (10 mins. away).  It rained here ALL DAY!  We had 9 trick or treaters total...we've never had more than 20 though.  Dh thinks our street must have a bad rep. and the fact that I gave out Halloween pretzels instead of candy will do nothing to help our reputation.  I just figured if there was no candy in the house, I couldn't eat any, right?  Totally selfish, I know.   :oops:
We had a weird day today.  Ryan woke at 5:45, but wne right back to sleep after a few pats.  Then, at 6:20 he was up again, so I fed him and he went back down until 7:30.  Two GREAT naps (1.5 and nearly 2 hours  ) but was up by 2:30.  I knew he'd need the catnap (he sleeps a lot more than other kids), but as he's been fighting it, I wasn't sure how it'd go.  Sure enough, we fought from 4:30-5:15, when he finally slept for 45 mins.  I wasn't even pushing the catnap; just didn't want him to be miserable tongiht.  He seemed so upset in bed, being cuddled, playing, even (gasp) watching a spot of Oprah with mommy.  He was much happier once Daddy came home!  (He's even started reaching out for him, which is enough to make you cry, isn't it?  My two favorite guys....)
Okay, enough from me...sorry so long.  This time change thing is wackin' us out!   :roll:

[Arwyn's mom]

Hello everybody... I love all the costumes and Hallowe'en stories. Hallowe'en is still going strong here. I have the doorbell ringing like crazy... by the time I hear the kids, they have rung the bell. I swear they RUN up the walk. Anyway, she hasn't woken up yet.

Well... this morning, my little miss "fight sleep" gal fell asleep all on her own, only to wake up really upset, 10 min. later. It took me over 40 minutes to get her to sleep. I nursed her but it didn't work so I tried it again 15 min. later and she fell asleep. She slept for 1 hr 45 min!!!

When the maid service came, she only slept for 45 and she went down at 5:00 for the 45 min. catnap (whew). She also fell asleep independently tonight. Not a peep, just went down... I checked on her twice... she had the 7 mile stare... then the 3rd time I checked (25 min. after putting her down), she was fast asleep. So, after 4 weeks of fighting, screaming, crying, it was a nice treat. I am not holding my breath though... we have 18 more teeth to go  :? .

Interesting thing about the teeth. Now that she has them, she can eat her Arrowroot cookie without making a mess. Makes DH very happy!

Jo, sorry to hear Fraser isn't feeling well. I hope he feels better soon.

Kate... DH hid the candy and only brought it out tonight at 6:00. In which time, between the 2 of us, we must have inhaled at least a dozen!

Jessica... YES!! Arwyn has been refusing her day BFs. She will only BF well when she wakes and the one before bed. All the others are "a sip". I think it may have something to do with me nursing her to sleep occasionally too. But, I have definitely noticed the refusal to BF.

Erin... DH is always telling me to give Tylenol to ease the pain. I am a drug free kinda person and he is drugged to the eyeballs so... Arwyn has only had Tylenol twice but I don't think it does any harm as long as the dosage is correct for their weight. My friend who is a doctor, gives it to her 7 month old all the time to ease his teething pain.

Judy... AH, sleep. I do believe it is short supply these days amongst us all but I really do feel for you. I read your Hallowe'en story in disbelief and if that were me, I would have hid in a closet until the 4 girls became adults. Hats off to you Judy!!! (BTW, if you recall... I wanted 4 children and the more I read...  :? ) Arwyn likes to gnaw too when she wants my attention. I always tell her I don't like it  :roll: and am waiting for the day she gets top teeth (NOT!).

Traci & Holly... have fun at Gulp and Giggle tea (Great name!)

Naomi... congrats on getting back on track! When do you start your new job? I forgot and I didn't catch you in time at the chat.

[sophieandhannah]

Hey girls, did you miss me today?  Dh took a sick day!! Always takes a little more of my time when that happens.  Actually, he and I had a great chat last night (after our chat) about libidos etc.  I will fill you in on the details later, or maybe on that declining drive thread  
It was so fun to chat last night.  I can't wait for the next one.
I have been reading and reading today but am going to wait til tomorrow to respond to your q's pics etc.  Loving all the info and stories for now.
Miraculously after going down at 5:30pm last night, Sophie woke at 5, then went back to sleep till 7!! Hooray!  I have to confess though, it was in bed with us
 :oops:
All of her A times were longer today, no catnap, down again at 6:45.  Good day.  We needed one.
Funny/scary story.  She has been carousing in her crib...I told you all..if I read it here, it happens to me eventually!  Anyhow, this morning I went in to check on her because she wasn't settling well.  She was completely turned around with her blankets on her head.  I could tell she was still playing, but as soon as I walked into the room, she was completely still, still under the blankets of course.like she was hiding or something it made me lol.
THEN, during her second nap, dh and I fell asleep.  We woke to her crying.  I went into her room to find her with one of her legs sticking out through the bars of the crib!!!!!  Typical me, I am a bit of a minimalist with baby stuff and I didn't see the need for a crib bumper...obviously I do now!  We went right out to get one tonight, and installed it.  We kept saying "Babies, please keep all appendages inside the crib"
OK, gotta go.  Gonna watch Bewitched.
Good sleeps to all.
Hannah

[FrasersMum]

Hi there!

Just a quick question about the cot bumper - I had heard they were one of the risk factors for SIDS and that they are not recommended.  Anyone know anything about that?  Is there a time when they become "safe"?

Cheers
Jo

[hayes]

Hi all!  Sounds like the chat was fun.  I will really try to figure it out and try to join you all next week.  Trick or treaters are still going on here.  I almost went outside on the last group to tell them it really isn't necessary to ring the bell twice in 5 seconds.  Should have put up a sign.
Naomi-about Christmas presents.  I told IL to get Ben a stand and play activity center that has a variety of things to do when the LO stands.  I also requested one of those 3 in 1 toys that starts out as a little floor activity then changes into a walk and push toy then changes into a little sitting scooter.  I am going to also request lots of balls, some big push trucks for outside and more clothes.  My parents LOVE to give gifts!  We are probably going to get him some clothes-so exciting!!
We have the letters that go on the fridge and the 1 1/2 year old I watch loves them so much.  THey have been on our fridge since I was 6 months pregnant.  DH likes to dance to the music!
Traci-I massage my boobs a lot when I pump-sounds kinda gross.  This makes them express more I think!  Ben's poop is the same color as whatever he eats.
Karen-Thinking about you as you go to work.  So glad that you had a good first day back I am impressed.  On my days at work I find myself speeding to pick Ben up, I need to be more careful but I can't wait to see the little bugger.
Micky-Ben has sweaty hands and feet.  I am an extremely sweaty mongrel so maybe he inherited it.  The first thing I said to my DH and minister when I got to the alter on my wedding day was "wow I am so hot and sweaty"  Sometimes I am not sure if it is because he has his hands in his mouth constantly.  I smell them and yuck kinda stinky. 
Jessica-I am finding that Ben doesn't always drink a lot at his 3pm feed.  He is really distractable and into arching his back.  I worry that I am not going to produce enough if he is like that but have heard that your body changes with the needs of LO's super quick.  I am noticing that if he doesn't take a lot at one feed the next feed he eats a lot.
Some of you have talked about your LO's weaning themselves.  How do you know they are doing this?  Those of you who have weaned your LO's how did you do emotionally?  I was sad when I stopped the DF and am not looking forward to my emotions once I wean Ben completely...any advice?

We are working on the time change here.  OF course I am trying to get him back to normal instantly.  Tried a cat nap today and he wouldn't have it.  He woke up this morning at 5, I gave him a snack then he went back down until 7.  We'll see what tomorrow holds. 
If the lights are out doesn't that mean that trick or treaters aren't supposed to come.  I guess since I had to go next door to get more candy I might as well hand it out.
Good sleep for everyone. 
macaire

[Arwyn's mom]

Hallowe'en pic...
Daddy and his purple dragon!

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Very cute pics everyone! 

No cot bumpers here either.  I'd always be finding Nathan with his arms and legs sticking out through the bars fast asleep or his head wedged into the corner.  What I did do though once he started moving around was remove everything from his cot so there was no suffocation factor.  I know different countries have different recommendations though.

Well I'm feeling a bit flat and overwhelmed with our diet changes here and crappy responses from my parents who are meant to be supportive is not helpful - being told "well this is just getting rediculous" when I say something else is now on the "no go" list.  Yeah, like I'm actually wanting to do this diet, we have absolutely no choice if we want a healthy child who lives a long complication free life.  Grrrrr. :evil:

Karen and Hayley - have either of you done kumura?  Did is constipate?  Danielle had a bit of a little cry this afternoon and when I checked her nappy there was a hard little poo in there, fortunately later she'd done a big one with normal texture again, but wondering if the kumura was the culprit.

Danielle's got yucky stinky sweaty feet too I just discovered today!  Ick, Nathan did too as a baby.

[FrasersMum]

Nikki We do kumera (our sweet potato).  It's Fraser's favourite so he has it every day for lunch.  Everything else has been so hit and miss but he will always scoff it down!! 

We have had no trouble with constipation - very early on into solids I was concerned that it may have been constipation but I think it was just learning the new sensation - he still cries sometimes though.  But the consistency (would it be the consistency  :?: ) has always been ok and no rabbit like pellets so I am assured that means everything is ok.

Oh, BTW, we do mix the sweet potato with other stuff just in case you all think I'm a bit odd    - he loves it with zucchini.  We've just introduced pureed chicken at lunch which has been going ok.  I'm trying broccoli tomorrow.

The rather bizarre health nurses over here recommend giving custards after the evening meal to help the LO's sleep through the night.  Anyone else heard this?  Seems a bit strange to me - I am not in any hurry to introduce sweets although I generally give straight pureed apple or pear after the evening rice or rice/vegetable mix.

So sorry you are feeling down about the new dietry limitations - celiac can be so very limiting I know.  But you are just trialling this new diet at the moment right?  Is there a chance that Nathan might mature out of the intolerance?  It is so hard when your parents aren't fully supportive - I get grief over having Fraser on EASY  :roll: and on reflux medication  :roll: .  (eg "Why are you trying to make him sleep?  He obviously doesn't want to sleep" and "your older brother had reflux but I just dealt with it, I didn't give him any medication".  etc etc!)  I wish I new the way to answer but I don't I'm sorry.  Hugs though.  Come here and vent anytime.

Bye for now!

[Colesmom]

thanks Bec, that will be handy.

just a quick note about the crib bumpers.  they are known as a SIDS risk and aren't recommended in Canada.  If you choose to still use them (was it hannah :? ) then make sure you remove them when she begins to pull herself up or she might use them as a step!

Cole got caught a couple of times too.  Now that he's in his Grobag his legs never get caught and his arm only got caught once in the last couple of months, resulting in no cat nap.

These 5:30 mornings are really wearing on me, but he went down at 5:50 last night, woke twice and went right back to sleep after feeding so I certainly won't complain given everyone else's sleep troubles.

good for you Ankie that things are getting better.

gotta go, lo getting into anything and everything

[Richelle]

Bec - whata great idea.  I have some errands today one, getting ink for the printer and then I will print it out to have by the comp!

Great Pic Ankie - a couple of cuties!

Jo - I hope Fraser feel's better soon!

It looks like I may be heading home (Saskatoon, Canada) the beginning of December to surprise my mom for her 60th.  All she wants is to see her grandaughter for her birthday so I am going to deliver.

So, here's my question:  Do I spend more on an easier flight home or save some money and lose some sanity? 

I am keeping in mind that by the end of November we will lose my income but...here are the differences:

Easy flight:  Direct flight to Toronto (4 hours), overnight in TO but in a hotel by bath and bedtime, then next morning fly direct to Saskatoon (4 hours).  Good points is the travel day is broken up and Sophie can be in bed at decent times ect...also we don't have to deal with more than 1 airport and picking up of bags, which doing by yourself with a baby is tough.

Poopy Flight:  Grand Cayman to Miami (1 hour flight), 6 HOUR layover in Miami (the worst airport in the world), Miami to Minneapolis (3 hours) 3 hour layover in Minneapolis, then Minn. to Saskatoon another 3 hours.  I leave Cayman at 7AM I arrive in Saskatoon at 11:30PM :shock: !

The difference is about $300 not including the hotel in Toronto, I am  thinking now that I have seen it written down, that it may be worth my sanity!!

Also, the IL are coming here to visit the last weekend in November, we will be moving house and then I will be doing this traveling - plus finishing up my job.....I am tired already! 


Sorry for the long post but any opinions would be appreciated!!

[Colesmom]

Richelle,  I believe that is a no-brainer.  Take the good flight.  I know money might be tight but $300 isn't too bad a difference. And keep in mind what Miami likely just went through (part of hurricane, no?)...not sure what condition an already poor airport will be in now.

I wish we had more room at our place so I could offer you a comfy place to stay.  It's a min. 30 min. drive away also which is a drag :oops:

Let me know your arrival/departure times, maybe we could do dinner/coffee.  Also, if you get a nice hotel, I could even just sit with Sophie while she sleeps while you go down and have a hot tub or sauna or something to relax.

[Erin M]

Richelle, I would say spend the $300 - that last three hour flight could be just horrible with a most like very overtired LO at that point in time.  I think that 16 hour nightmare would make me cranky, much less a baby. Maybe if it's a real money issue one of your family members could split some of it with you as a present to your mom.

Jo - I think in the US crib bumpers are ok - Katie likes to smush her head against hers when she sleeps.  I have heard what Traci said though, that once Fraser starts standing you should remove them so he can't use it as a step to get out of his crib.

Nikki - So sorry about the diet "advice" - I'm sure as Nathan actually gains some weight and starts sleeping better it will all be worth it and everyone will see how right you are.

In the meantime - anyone's LO temporarily stop eating solids for a few days?  Katie was eating well for the past few weeks and since Saturday has pretty much refused all solids.  However, she's gt a cold, she's teething, so who knows?  She's still nursing well and having lots of wet diapers, so I don't think I should be worried, but any thoughts?

Thanks all!

[Richelle]

Traci - LOL yes it is a no brainer, especially after actuall writing out the differences!! :roll:

Thanks so much for the very kind offer!!  I am most likely going to be inToronto overnight on the 14th of Dec.  I have yet to book the flight but I believe I get in at 4PM and leave the following morning at 10AM.  I am looking into hotels closest to the airport.  I hope it can stay a surprise for my mom - she will be thrilled!!

[Claire Marie's mommy]

Erin - Claire is just getting over her cold and she wasn't taking very many solids either.  I think it was because her nose was sooo stuffed that she had trouble closing her mouth for very long to swallow.  Also, I don't think she had much of an appetite with all of the drainage. Gross, I know  :? 

Richelle - If you can do it, I say definately take the easier trip!  My cousin has a 4 yr. old and a 2 yr. old.  She flies back to Omaha a lot when her husband is away on business.  She will avoid layovers at all costs (they have the $$) after she was once stuck in Minneapolis for 8 hours with 2 overtired children!


I took Claire's  crib bumbers off too.  I wasn't sure when it was safe to put them back on again, but I think I might because she is getting her legs caught too.  On the other hand though, I have seen her rubbing the bars in her sleep.  Too cute.   

Thats all I have for now.  Have a great day!