The new "New Moms" thread!

[DVCsince02]

DVC - The picture of Ethan is really good! How old is he?

2.5 and a terror...

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Thanks to all who gave me advice about my money problems.

Becky~~I'm going tomorrow and remove the OD protection....it's ridiculous! I'd rather be a little embarrassed than to have $200+ in OD fees. Thanks for the suggestion. And I do have a check register....online...and I was checking every other day, but I had some "issues" last week and just didn't gave a rat's behind! Needless to say, that's when the account went haywire! I could have moved money from ING to cover all of it, but I didn't and that was dumb! I moved it Friday though to help with rent and other bills when the time comes and FROM THIS POINT ON...IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!
I can work more hours if I have to, but I don't want to take advantage of my babysitters. I have two and NEITHER of them charge me a penny. I'm very cautious about the hours I work for that reason in itself. I guess you're right, I can hang on a bit til we start saving for Mo. I just want his education taken care of, but we first need to take care of ourselves. Food, shelter, and such or there won't be any school. Thank goodness our credit is okay. We wouldn't have that Cobalt otherwise.
And yes, G-d does provide for me, BUT we also reap what we sow and that's EXACTLY what's going on with my family right now because of ME. But as you said Becky....THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

 

[beckmrk04]

Ash- That is exactly my plan!!! I bought red ribbon with white dots and I'm going to attempt a hair bow, but we'll see. And Ellery's costume turned out adorable!! I love the satin top and tutu! It's fantastic.

Well- we carved pumpkins tonight and they turned out cute. Now hopefully no little hooligans smash them. I'm making dinner then we're going to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and eat pumpkin seeds (if they turned out- I've never made them before... )

 

[beckmrk04]

Good Denise! You'll be fine. I've been reading a lot of Dave Ramsey's stuff, and have only recently realized how much money I have paid in "stupid tax." But- we're taking steps to make it better! Just takes a while.

 

[kellyf2626]

DMickey - Welcome back from your cruise!! That is awesome that your DH won all that money!! How cool is that? Now you can take another cruise...that is AWESOME!!

Pollito - Can't wait to see the family room and the house. I am sure it is coming along well!!

Becky - I have no advice for the hitting. Brady has been hitting my face for a few weeks now...he thinks it hilarioius. Nice, huh? I think he is too young to understand time-out, so I have been saying "no hitting" and then sitting him on the ground away from me - kinda like removing him from the situation/environment. If he does it again, I slap his hand and say "no no". I have to say, it has diminished a bit in the last couple of weeks. But he is so freaken' smart...he will hold up his hand in the air and then look at me like, "What are you going to say now?". I think I am in lots of trouble for the future!!

Ash - Love the pics of Ellery! She looks absolutely adorable! I can't even see the scratch! You are so talented with what you can make!


Denise - Glad to hear you are sorting things out. As everyone said, we all have been through hard financial times....it sucks...but passes. DH does all the money-handling in our family because if I were in charge, it would be bad news!! So I really can't give any financial advice!

*****************************************************

Well, we had a great time in Boston on Saturday. Brady was fine - no sickness, thank goodness! He was a good boy and loved watching all the people in the city. A local radio station was having a costume contest for dogs, so there were tons of cute dogs all dressed-up, which Brady thought was AWESOME! He kept screaming and pointing everytime he saw a dog...too cute! Yesterday we got pumpkins and hung-out with my family for the day. It was a gorgeous day in NH...almost 70!! So warm for this time of year!!

Off to go play with my cranky boy....although he isn't sick, his back molars are breaking-through, which is causing him to be soooooooooooo irritable. Yuck!

 

[DMickey28]

Denise - I am glad to hear you feeling better. My mom says that saying Becky said all the time ... This too shall pass. Also, it's just money. Really it is ... there will be more later and there will be less.

Becky - Congrats on the car loan. I hear you on the interior color. DH's car is light beige, luckily it's leather and DS barely goes in it so it's still good. Though I swear DH is messier than a toddler!! My car is dark charcoal leather and it still gets dirty. I really need to remove the car seat and do a clean down in the car. It also shows up all the smushed crackers on the floor more than I think a beige interior would!!! Can we say vacuum?

Ash -- I love the black and white picture! The costume is adorable.

DVC - Alexander is 18 months and starting in on the temper tantrums. It's especially bad at night after dinner when his teeth are really bugging him and he ONLY WANTS to go outside. ARGH!! Given my temper and both DH's and mine stubborness we are going to have a long few years in front of us.

Kelly - Glad you had fun in Boston!!

Bethany - I am so jealous when I hear of all the different/fun foods you are eating and giving Owen. My DH is the worlds most picky eater and as a result we eat very bland and boring. I would love to expierment more and make more interesting foods considering I LOVE to cook!!

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We had our 18 month checkup this AM. I have a LARGE child! He is just under 30lbs and 36.5inches tall. The ped said he was the height of a 3 year old and the weight of a 2.5 year old. Yikes ... He's only 1.5!! We are in all 2T and some 3T clothes though! She is not worried about his talking because he is trying and doing more. He was saying Dada in the office!! If he doesn't move forward at all in the next 3 months she will set up an assessment. Also since he understands almost everything we say to him she wasn't worried. There has not been any sort of requests, questions or anything we have asked him that he hasn't understood!!

I am bitting my nails to get a new computer monitor. We have used laptops for the last few years but Alexander broke part of mine just before we left for vacation. One hinge on the computer screen broke and the a few of the keys are loose. I am soooo mad!!! I have a desktop that I want to use but I need a monitor for it. I asked DH to check for one at work that someone isn't using but I am sure he is going to forget. Just to know if the computer is working ok or what I need to upgrade it since I haven't used it in two years!!!

DH had to fire a few guys at work today and he is now bummed. He also found out that a HUGE bonus he is supposed to get in early December won't be paid out until the first of the new year. Not a huge deal because it's all just going into the savings account but it would have been nice to have the extra cushion for Christmas.

 

[DMickey28]

Oh yeah ... in regards to TTC. Basically we are just going to see what happens but I might pay a little more attention to my cycle!! Also DH and I aren't very 'regular' so it would be pretty obvious if I suddenly started acting different!!! I mean it could be weeks between 'times' which would really put a damper on TTC, don't you think??

 

[exwdwcm]

hey guys- busy busy busy! I have a big plastic surgery show in chicago this weekend, so i am swamped at work.

Denise- so sorry about the money woes. I have done the same exact thing before and those OD fees kill you. I finally backed up our checking with DH's savings, so if we start to overdraft, it will pull from his savings automatically. so far that has worked well and I watch it more closely of course now too, but things happen, you get busy and boom, you are overdrawn. don't feel bad. Mo is little and has no clue, all he knows is that you are a great, loving mom. don't let it get you too down. i would ask babysitters maybe if they would mind letting you put in a little overtime at work- it doesn't hurt to ask- they might be more than willing to help out?

DMickey- welcome back!!! wow, what a big boy you have!

Pollito- congrats on the house- i can't wait to see pics!

Ash- Ellery looks super cute in her costume- you can't even see the scratch barely.

 

[DMickey28]

Where is everyone?

It's beautiful out here today. Barely 60 degrees, sunny and windy. I am wearing jeans, socks AND a SWEATER!! I actually had to close the back slider because it was too cold inside!!

DS is being a pain in butt today! He wouldn't eat his lunch and then he wouldn't nap because he was hungry. Well ... duh! I got him to eat the entire container of Healthy Selects Minestrones minus the broth so at least he ate more veggies in that one meal then he usually does all week!! i'll have to buy more. I found this little bags of Disney fruit crisps at walmart for only 67 cents. They are 100% fruit, freeze dried. We ate a whole bag of the apple ones. They are super yummy and DS loved them!!

Have I mentioned I want another baby?

 

[Jen_in_NH]

It must be no napping day. Christopher just went down (usually it's more like 11:00 than 2:30). He wasn't hugely cranky, but VERY clingy. He's been eating like a horse, so I'm guessing he's about to have a growth spurt

DMickey - I'm with you on another baby. It's looking more and more like no for us. I just got a bill from the insurance company. After the office told us everything would most likely be covered, all the meds were, but not the u/s and such. So apparently I owe $750. Hmm..... I think I'll be calling when I'm a bit calmer. I asked specifically about how much would be covered, and they told me if the meds were, everything else would be. I HATE insurance.

 

[DMickey28]

ARGH Jen - That sucks. I am sorry. Definitely call the insurance company.
I am still fighting a bill from when DS was born with the insurance company. Not fun! Did you have assistance concieving Christopher? My brain is fried right now and I am sorry i can't think of the right way to ask that question. I just know you have being go through some right now.

 

[beckmrk04]

Jen- I hate insurance companies too. I really wish that your services were fully covered- I think it's so sad that infertility is treated like it's not a medical condition and hence insurance companies don't feel the need to cover services. I hope it all works out for you.

DMickey- you have got a big boy!!! Glad his check-up went well. I'm going to have to look for those fruit crisps tonight- I have to go to Wal-Mart (I just hate going to that place). I wish we had a Target or ANY other decent grocery store close, but Wal-Mart is all there is in a 25 mile radius.

exwdwcm- Have fun (I don't know- are plastic surgery trade shows fun?) at work this weekend!! I bet they are fascinating, learning all the new technologies and new ways to suck the fat out of your rear and re-deposit it somewhere else. Or in my case, in someone else. I would gladly donate.

kelly- glad you had a good time in Boston and that Brady wasn't sick. Vaylie is teething too. She's ALWAYS teething, I think. But, she still doesn't have her eye teeth or her 2 year molars. She does have quite a few teeth, though, so I'm scared to stick my finger in there to see what's coming in.
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I GOT A NEW CAR!!!

DH and I went yesterday and I negotiated an awesome deal!!! I was so PROUD of myself. I think the fact that the market is waaaay down helped. But, I got a "Stellar Greensilver Metallic" 2007 Mazda5 for $14,950!!! With a moonroof and 6 CD changer! It has 17,000 miles, which I didn't think was too bad. I'll try to take pictures and post them later. I love, love, love it!

 

[beckmrk04]

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I GOT A NEW CAR!!!

DH and I went yesterday and I negotiated an awesome deal!!! I was so PROUD of myself. I think the fact that the market is waaaay down helped. But, I got a "Stellar Greensilver Metallic" 2007 Mazda5 for $14,950!!! With a moonroof and 6 CD changer! It has 17,000 miles, which I didn't think was too bad. I'll try to take pictures and post them later. I love, love, love it!

Dude!!! (I have to go all Californian on you ) You scored a way better deal on your Mazda5 than we did!!!! Ours is a 2006 and had 25,000 miles, 6 CD changer but no moonroof, and in the super dark gray (graphite? charcoal?) with a black interior, and I think we paid $17,000. You got a sweet deal!!! Woo hoo! (since you like smiley's so much... )



~~~~~
News here - my laptop broke AGAIN!!!! ARGH! Even more annoying, I discovered that instead of renewing the warrenty on this laptop (a Dell XPS), I renewed it on my old laptop (a Dell inspiron). Well, at least they should be able to fix the issue with the old laptop - the monitor is separated from the keyboard/base because an 18m old lifted it up by the monitor only and snapped the little plastic bits that hold the screen to the base. Lovely, hmmm? But I had to pay to have them send me a new AC adaptor for the XPS, and that may not even solve the issue, so I'm going to have to shell out more $$$ to extend the warranty on it. Blech and double blech.

Owen has now decided that he wants to feed himself, so he will refuse almost anything unless he can pick it up and put it in his own mouth, in which case he'll eat anything. If I eat in front of him, I have to feed him some of my food or he gets mad - and he makes a funny face when he wants the food, and claps when he gets it!

The kitten we're fostering has gotten big enough that we can let her run around the house with our 3 big kitties during the day, and Owen thinks this is the best entertainment he's ever had. We think he's saying "kitty", only it sounds a little more like "gih-dee". Funny kid doesn't say Mommy or Daddy consistently, but he's always reaching for the cats and saying "gihdee! gihdee!", so we're guessing that he's saying kitty.

 

[DMickey28]

Becky - Yeah congrats on the car and that sounds like an awesome deal!! I want a new car!! We still have almost that much left to pay on our car.

Bethany - My laptop broke in the exact same way as your old Dell. It still works but the monitor is not secure and once side of the bracket is broken. I should call Gateway and see about getting it fixed. Never thought it might be covered under the warranty!!

 

[Pollito916]

Becky - congrats on the new car and on getting such a GREAT deal! As for the slapping story - what a little stinker! Alex has been terrible with the hitting too and has had more than his share of time-outs lately. I wish I knew a way to make it stop!

Ash - Love Ellery's costume! You can barely see the scratch in the pictures. And great idea for the minnie ears!

Kelly - Alex does the same thing with raising his hand to test us without actually hitting, how do they know at such a young age how to get on our nerves!

DMickey - Wow, Alexander is a big boy! That's good that the doctor wasn't concerned about his development, I'm sure he'll start talking more any day now! I hope you get your computer situation fixed, wouldn't want to miss out on time on the Dis!

Jen - I would definitely call the insurance company on that - it's crazy how much treatment costs and how little of it is covered sometimes!

Bethany - It sounds like Owen is saying kitty! Doggy was one of Alex's first words! Question for you, when you feed Owen all the different ethnic foods, do you notice particularly disgusting diapers? We feed Alex whatever we eat too, nothing as exotic as Ethiopian, just Mexican, Chinese, Thai, etc and he loves it. But when we do, those diapers

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I think I am driving DH crazy with the house. I changed my mind on the colors for our bedroom and Alex's bedroom again, but at least this time I did it before we bought any paint or he did nay work! I can't wait for this to be done so we can move in!

 

[DMickey28]

Alexander is at a hitting phase as well. He also enjoys kicking when you are changing his diaper!! I got so frustrated at him this morning that I almost didn't go to Gymboree but then I quickly figured out I was punishing myself by doing that!!

Do your kids hit themselves on the head? I forgot to ask the ped earlier this week about it but Alexander hits himself over the head a lot. Mostly when he is mad but sometimes it seems he is just doing it to do it, like when changing his diaper. He always looks at us with his 'utoh' face after and it's not as though he can't control it.

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I think I found the final laptop piece I need to fix my laptop but it's out of stock everywhere. It's about $150 which is a lot cheaper than a new laptop. DH's laptop had the same fate as well but he didn't do anything about it and the sharp piece that was broken ate into his monitor wire so now that is fried. We have identical laptops so I just broke his open and replaced my keyboard with his. I had been missing my left side shift key for the last few months!!

I suppose fixing both our computers would cost as much as a new one but I think we only need to get one perfect!!

 

[DMickey28]

OMG I just saw a commercial for the cutest toy. I want one.

Little Tikes Giddy Up and Grow Pony

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Bethany - It sounds like Owen is saying kitty! Doggy was one of Alex's first words! Question for you, when you feed Owen all the different ethnic foods, do you notice particularly disgusting diapers? We feed Alex whatever we eat too, nothing as exotic as Ethiopian, just Mexican, Chinese, Thai, etc and he loves it. But when we do, those diapers

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I think I am driving DH crazy with the house. I changed my mind on the colors for our bedroom and Alex's bedroom again, but at least this time I did it before we bought any paint or he did nay work! I can't wait for this to be done so we can move in!

We've had a couple really scary diapers, but nothing too horrible. The worst was when DH was taking care of Owen for most of the weekend so I could have some girl time, and he decided to feed Owen Mexican beans and rice for 5 straight meals!! The child loved it, but oh my goodness...we had 2 days of horrifying diapers after that one!

I do have to say that the Japanese curry seemed especially stinky on the other end, but for the most part Owen seems to process everything just fine. The boy loves him some garlic, let me tell you! He's the only baby I know who regularly has garlic breath!

I made the mistake this afternoon of eating doritos and drinking a vanilla cream soda in front of him. I was sitting on the couch, and he stood in front of me patting my leg and making his funny little lip-smacking face over and over, trying to get me to give him some. I kept trying to distract him with healthier options, but the kid was having none of it. Sigh. Guess it's time to start modeling better behavior!

 

[Pollito916]

Do your kids hit themselves on the head? I forgot to ask the ped earlier this week about it but Alexander hits himself over the head a lot. Mostly when he is mad but sometimes it seems he is just doing it to do it, like when changing his diaper. He always looks at us with his 'utoh' face after and it's not as though he can't control it.

Alex does this once in awhile, mostly when he is mad too, can't seem to figure out why

The worst was when DH decided to feed Owen Mexican beans and rice for 5 straight meals!!

I made the mistake this afternoon of eating doritos and drinking a vanilla cream soda in front of him. I kept trying to distract him with healthier options, but the kid was having none of it. Sigh. Guess it's time to start modeling better behavior!

Beans and rice is one of Alex's favorites too, with some hot chili sauce on the beans! But the diapers - yuck! It's almost enough to motivate me to start potty training! I totally know what you mean about setting a good example. Sometimes DH & I want to eat things we don't like to feed Alex, like chips, brownies, etc, but now if he sees us eating, he always runs up to us and says, "eat? please?" How can we resist that?