The new "New Moms" thread!

[TiggerStac]

Hi Everyone..... Life has been really, really crazy lately and I haven't got to DIS at all.

Baby Boy #3 is doing well and still cooking I was measuring 2.5 weeks ahead of schedule at my 24 week appt. I have an ultrasound on Wed. I'll be going for a bunch until I have him, as we'll take him earlier if he's huge like Brady was (or probalby even my first one who was 1.5 lbs less than brady).

Passed glucose again...thank goodness, I was nervous this time around. But this pregnancy is kicking the you know what out of me. Doesn't help that I hurt my ankle early on and it just isn't getting better because I can't take anything. I know it isn't broken, but don't know anything else. UGH.

Bradys 2 year appt went well he didn't get a shot because they had postponed it when he was getting over the chicken pox at 15 months...so he gets to go in at the end of the month to get it.

He is 30 3 oz, I thought he'd be more. He was 36.5 inches...he has until mid october to get to 40 inches for our trip to Disney. We are staying at the Boardwalk Inn in a deluxe club level room. It is being referred to as the "spoil me wrotten vacation" as it's my birhtday and I have never been to disney for my vacation and I need to get spoiled after giving birth to my 3rd boy.

I know we were talking about the elmo potty video not too long ago...well I finally was paying attention (or in the room) when it was on and all I have to say is that it grossed me out and I went to do dishes. I don't know if it's the pregnancy or what...but it's very direct and it was making me want to vomit. Very weird....

 

[Jen_in_NH]

TiggerStac- good to see you again! Glad to hear everything is going pretty well.

DMickey - sorry about the BFN. I'm in the same boat too. We're trying to figure out where to go from here. We have one of those Flex plans through work that my employer puts $1000 into every year, and were planning on using that for the next IUI, but we aren't sure whether we should save the money with Christopher.

Becky - sorry about the taxes. We ended up doing fairly well (I never changed my witholding, so they take out extra every month), so we're paying for DH to get a new laptop, replace my cell phone, pay for the DVC rental for Disney, and the rest is paying off a credit card.

k-reile - yay for sleeping!

Bethany - congrats on the babysitter. I have 2 really good ones, and I thank my lucky stars for them.

Jen

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Wow, some of you are really on the ball with taxes! I'm impressed! DH has off from work the week of Feb 16 (forced company shut down) and he's going to do ours then. Our friend is an accountant, and she lets us use her tax software at her house each year, and then answers DH's questions when he gets stuck. And in exchange we babysit their DD for a date night...it's been a great system! We're hoping for a good return this year. DH took a big pay cut last Aug and we've had to cut back on a lot. If we owe we'll be in trouble. If we get money back, then we can take a small family vacation this summer.

Becky, I love the "manny" joke! I totally remember that from Friends!

2 weeks until Disneyland!!!!! We're having debates on what we can and can't fit into the minivan for packing now. It will be 3 adults and two kids in carseats for the drive down to LA, and it will be cozy. Strollers are the big debate at the moment: will we have room for our regular strollers, or do we have to bring umbrella strollers. We would rather not stand in line to rent strollers at the park, plus we'd like to have them for the walks to and from the hotel. I'd rather have our regular stroller (Graco MetroLite) because it can recline and has a large basket, and I think it would be more comfortable for Owen to nap in at the parks, but we don't know that we'll have room for it. So the weighing of odds and ends continues...will we have space for x or y...etc.

So far our plan for the trip looks like this:
Sat - drive down to LA as quickly as traffic and kiddos allow, check into hotel, M & I go to DL while kiddos sleep that night and E. watches them
Sun - character breakfast at DL, most of the day at DL, but over to CA for Pixar parade (kids back at hotel in the afternoon for a nap with me, M watches kids in the evening and E & I go back to the park for Fantasmic)
Mon - toontown morning madness at DL, morning at DL (E watches kids for afternoon naps, I watch them at night)
Tues - Magic morning at DL (aka early entry), spend the day catching up whatever we missed (M watches kids for afternoon naps, E watches them at night)
Wed - we drive home
Oh, and we have reservations for Blue Bayou both Mon and Tues lunch so we can decide which day we want to go.

We're taking turns watching the kids for afternoon naps and after PM bedtime so the other 2 adults can go back to the parks for the grown-up rides. E & I both like photography, so we're going to take Tues afternoon to try and get some interesting and unusual shots. M & I like roller coasters, so we're going to get as many as we can on our free time together, and E & M can get a date together on Mon night while I watch the kids. M has compiled a list of all the tips she's gathered from the DIS, organized them by topic (and cross-referenced them! ) and printed them out for all of us. She's a nut!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Well, I did my taxes. The good news is that we made almost $8,000 more this year than last year!!!

The bad news is that I'm only getting $771 back. Now, I know I shouldn't complain because we did better through the year and we don't owe anything. But we were used to getting around $1800. *sigh* Oh well.

I told DH we'd get more if we had another baby, *wink, wink.* He didn't go for it.

Hey Beck! I know how you feel. Check this out...I made $2000 LESS than last year and hubby and I still made $3000 MORE this year! Hubby was +5000 from last year, so like you I shouldn't complain. Fact is we still got $300 more than last year....$3250!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Good Morning All!

Spencer turned 11 months old yesterday. He now demands to walk EVERYWHERE and refuses to be carried. I don't want to talk about how long it took to walk through Kohls the other night. I am SO proud of him though!!!

We got our return back Friday. We paid off our car and booked a short stay at WDW. There are a few other things I want to get and I would like to save a bit. I still have to file state tax. We will be getting that all back since we moved and FL doesn't have state tax.


Bethany, sounds like a great plan! I REALLY want to go to DL. I just saw pictures of the IASW redo and it looks AWESOME!! They added Disney characters to each country (such as Alice in England and Woody in the US). I adore IASW; it is one of my favorite rides (as odd as that may seem).

TiggerStac, glad you are doing well. Congrats on passing the glucose test. I didn't, but was never needed medication.

DMickey, sorry for the BFN.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks Guys, AF arrived so onto next month. Jen - I mentioned to DH that if we don't get PG in the next few months (4th cycle trying) that the doctor would probably want to do a SA on him fairly quickly. He asked me why? Since we got pregnant with DS. I really didn't have an answer for him other than things change. Miracles happen? I don't know.

I am so jealous of your tax returns. We haven't gotten a good tax return since we got married. Seriously. I figured we would this year but nope ... still owe. We have 0 deductions too so the most taken out of each check. I still don't really get it honestly.

 

[beckmrk04]

I took out too many deductions- in changed it in order to get more $ out of every check when we were really stuggling, but then I never changed it back and I should have. Oh well. I'm going to change it at work this week, though.

I am STILL sick. I'm calling the Dr. back tomorrow and demanding they get me in. I'm tired of being sick. And really, the biggest problem is that I have NO energy. Keeping up with Vaylie is next to impossible. I'm just glad she's not sick.

DMickey- sorry about the BFN. You'll get there.

Bethany- I am so excited for you and your trip! It will be fun. We were planning on going to CA to see my friend, but that was when I thought our tax return would be a lot bigger. Oh well. I am still getting my back-yard theater!! I can't wait!

 

[TiggerStac]

Thanks Guys, AF arrived so onto next month. Jen - I mentioned to DH that if we don't get PG in the next few months (4th cycle trying) that the doctor would probably want to do a SA on him fairly quickly. He asked me why? Since we got pregnant with DS. I really didn't have an answer for him other than things change. Miracles happen? I don't know.

That's what happened to us. Oldest must have been a miracle...when hubbys SA came back, they were surprised we got preggo on our own, not to mention on the first try!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I am STILL sick. I'm calling the Dr. back tomorrow and demanding they get me in. I'm tired of being sick. And really, the biggest problem is that I have NO energy. Keeping up with Vaylie is next to impossible. I'm just glad she's not sick.

Bethany- I am so excited for you and your trip! It will be fun. We were planning on going to CA to see my friend, but that was when I thought our tax return would be a lot bigger. Oh well. I am still getting my back-yard theater!! I can't wait!

Becky, I'm still sick, too. I'm calling the dr tomorrow and trying to get in ASAP. We'll see if it works - with our HMO you have to call an "Advice Nurse" first and they go through a list of questions and decide if you should come in or if you should try something else first. It does at least save on a dr. visit sometimes, but sometimes it's just jumping through hoops until you get the dr. appt you want.

All 3 of us sound horrible with all our sniffling, nose blowing, and coughing. DH has to call the Dr. because with his diabetes he's only allowed to take cold medicine for 3 days. He's tried to go medicine free, but the last 3 days have been so bad he caved and took the cold medicine. So now he has to call and tell the dr., and we're hoping we'll both be able to get in. At least Owen seems to be doing ok now that the ear infection is being treated. DH and I are now heading into week 3 of this cold, though.

Hope you get in, too, Becky!!

And at least you get your back-yard theater! That sounds so fun!!!

Thanks Guys, AF arrived so onto next month. Jen - I mentioned to DH that if we don't get PG in the next few months (4th cycle trying) that the doctor would probably want to do a SA on him fairly quickly. He asked me why? Since we got pregnant with DS. I really didn't have an answer for him other than things change. Miracles happen? I don't know.

Bummer on AF this month. Hope you get that BFP next month!!

 

[jennyL]

Morning ladies. Noah is doing great on milk. His cheeks are still a little red but the rest of his skin looks great so it could just be a coincidence. The doctor said to email him today so DH is going to do that when he gets to work this morning. I'm hoping he says to go ahead and try someother things. Noah is being a sport about trying food. He actually ate some pasta with sauce last night which was a first for him.

 

[DMickey28]

Becky & Bethany - I am sorry you guys are still sick. I am glad that Vaylie is not and Owen is getting better!!

jenny - Way to go Noah, trying new foods. I am glad the milk is working out.

Stacy - Do you mind if I ask what you did to get pregnant this time?

We are off to the Ophthamologist appointment this AM for DS. Just to make sure that his funky blinking stuff isn't the result of something with his eyes!

 

[beckmrk04]

I know I should go to the dr. today, but I reeeaaallly don't feel like it. But, on the other hand, I don't feel like being sick forever and ever, either.

This is my 3rd day of my 3 day weekend, and I feel like I have had no time off at all. It seems like every time I get a long weekend either I am sick or DH is, and it ruins any potential fun we may have had.

DMickey- good luck at the Opthamologist! Let us know how it goes.

JennyL- That's great that Noah is doing well on milk. I bet it will make things SO much easier when trying to feed him!!

Bethany- sounds like we are in the same miserable sick boat. Hope you guys can get in to the Dr. too.

 

[DMickey28]

Becky - I think you should go to the doctor. I am sorry you feel like junk. That's horrible. DH has been sick (or just stressed and not feeling well) for the last few weekends.

Well our doctor's appointment was good, I guess. DS has an astigmatism in both eyes. The doctor said it's not too bad, fairly mild, but he will need glasses by the time he goes to Kindergarten if not pre-school. He said that sometimes astigmatism's can get better but rarely get much worse. He said that it could cause him to do the funky blinking stuff he has been doing with his eyes. DH is probably more upset than I am. He is concerned it will interfer with him learning/playing sports more. DS also has trouble following objects when they go up and down, down is fine but up he doesn't go as high as he should and looks away. The doctor said it's most likely from the astigmatism making it blurry the high up he goes so he looks away and blinks to clear his vision.

 

[7beasley]

Hi Guys...

Dmickey -- sorry to hear about DS need for glasses and the BFN - stinks! Hang in there.

Bec -- sorry to hear you are sick - poor thing - get thee to a doctor - maybe some antibiotics will help. And a back yard theater by the way sounds awesome -- totally cool!

Tiggersac -- Hi - good to "see" you - glad the pregnancy is going smoothly so far!!

Jen -- Hi -- how is sweet little Christopher doing?

Bethany - Hi -- hope you guys are feeling better!!

Denise - congrats on earning more money and getting more of a refund - that is always good news. I just know we are going to have to pay more taxes this year and that sucks! We are already paying 40% of our income to taxes - which seems like a total rip off to me!!!

Amber - yay for Spencer walking - so cute - but I know its so fustrating too since it takes so much longer to do everything...

Jenny - glad to hear Noah is doing ok w/ the milk!!

**************
So - some exciting non-baby/kid news....I got my very first Coach purse over the weekend -- I am so excited -- I have been wanting one forever and my awesome Mother in Law gave me a $200 gift certificate for xmas!! And this weekend I went to the Coach outlet in Wrentham, Masschusetts and got an awesome bag (black with purple inside) for $150!!! Yeah!!! My first Coach purse. I would *never* spend that kind of money on a purse but since it was a gift I could actually go to that store without feeling guilty.

And...in other news...we saw a house in November that we liked but the people had absolutely destroyed the inside of the house - it was horrible and unliveable (although the neighborhood, yard, layout, style of the house was great)...anyway - it was listed for $320K and its now down to $260K (which is still overpriced) -- we are going back to it tomorrow with a contractor so we can get an estimate for gutting the inside and doing it completely over (new kitchen, new bath, new paint, new carpet, some new windows, knock down 2 walls...) -- we are hoping he can do the remodel for about $100,000 and we could get the house for $200,000 - $225,000 -- if that can all come together then I may be getting a brand new remodeled house!!

Yay - fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Other than that -- no other news -- Izzy is doing great!

Have a nice day ladies!
-Nicole

 

[kellyf2626]

Hi ladies!! Trying to catch up from being away all weekend! We had a great time up at Bretton Woods....it was a wonderful adult getaway that totally recharged my battery! Brady had a great time at my parents house for 4 days. My mom called today and said that she missed having him there....I told sleep-overs can be arranged at any time!

Tiggerstac - Sounds like things are going well!! Glad to hear Brady had a good appointment. Your trip in October sounds like an awesome time!!! We LOVE the Boardwalk and are staying there for our May trip. Can't beat the location!

Bethany - That is so exciting that your Disneyland trip is coming up!!! Looks like you have a good plan so that you can get both kiddo time and some good adult-only time too! How are you feeling? Hopefully you are all on the mend! Just think...better now than when you are on your trip to Disney!

Amber - Congrats on Spencer walking!!! Now your life is over!!! That is great that you were able to book a trip to Disney with your tax money...and to pay off your car!! That is awesome!

DMickey - Sorry about the BFN. That is interesting that DS has astigmatism. I am sure that he will get used to the glasses....and that they will look super cute. I used to work with a little girl that had glasses for an astimgatism and she was sooooooooooooo freakin cute and my favorite to see each week!!!

Becky - Hope you are feeling better...being sick is no fun...espically on days off!

Jenny - Sounds like Noah is doing great with the milk and with other foods!!

Nicole - I LOVE the Wrentham Outlets...such a great place to shop! I wish it was closer to me!!! Your new purse sounds awesome!!! I also LOVE Coach and used to spend all my extra money on different purses, wallets, etc... No, priorities have shifted a bit. But, DH did splurge last year and got me the Coach diaper bag for Mother's Day. Gotta love a nice Coach bag!!!! And that is awesome news on the house! Hopefully it all works out....I will keep my fingers crossed for you!! KUP!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

SO.....can you ladies read what Mo's shirt says??!! Do you agree??!!

BECKY~~I hope you feel better soon hun.

JENNY~~Glad Noah is doing okay on Milk.

AMBER~~Spencer is walking....watch out now! You can just forget about anything being normal ever again! LOL

DMICKEY~~Next time on the BFP!

NICOLE~~Good to hear from you and glad Izzy is well. Congrats on your new purchase and good luck on the house.

BETHANY~~I hope you're better soon too. How's your little man doing otherwise?

To anyone else I missed, hope all is well!

 

[beckmrk04]

Well, I didn't go to the dr. I was in a grumpy foul mood this morning. And, I know what it was: I didn't get dressed to shoes. (FlyLady thing). Anyway- the point is that I was being lazy and stayed in my pajamas and was feeling rotten and overwhelmed at all the things I *should* be doing... Anyway, once Vaylie layed down for her nap, I took a shower, fixed my hair and maek-up and got dressed- all the way down to lace-up shoes. Then, I ate lunch, cleaned the kitchen up, did dishes, got Vaylie up- we played with play-doh and listened to Imagination Movers, and overall, I just felt SO much better.

Kelly- glad you had a good weekend! Sounds like a lot of fun! I am determined to take at least a weekend trip somewhere this summer, since we don't really want to spend the money on an all-out vacation. We've been thinking about places we can go that are fairly inexpensive and not too far away.

DMickey- at least now you know what you are dealing with. And I have a weakness for little boys with glasses- I just think they are the cutest!!!

Nicole- Yay for Coach bags!! How exciting is that?! I wish there was a good outlet area close to here. I either have to go to Chicago or Branson areas for good outlets, and either way it's a 4 hour drive. Grrr. Hope everything works out with the house! That's awesome!

Denise- Mo looks so cute! And the shirt? So true!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

just a quick question - has anyone heard from AshJohnson lately? She was so down for a while, and I don't remember seeing her around her for a month or so. Any news?

Jen

 

[kellyf2626]

just a quick question - has anyone heard from AshJohnson lately? She was so down for a while, and I don't remember seeing her around her for a month or so. Any news?

Jen

Hmmmm....I just checked her blog, and she hasn't blogged since New Years? Hope all is ok.....

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

just a quick question - has anyone heard from AshJohnson lately? She was so down for a while, and I don't remember seeing her around her for a month or so. Any news?

Jen

I haven't heard from her. I was wondering how she's doing, too. Hope she's okay!

DMickey, I'm with the others - I love seeing little kids in glasses! I think they are adorable! And 2 of my nephews have glasses and they do great in sports. One is in basketball, soccer, and baseball and the other does just soccer and baseball. They have glasses that are just for sports that look sort of like goggles but more stylish (if that makes sense) and they are nearly unbreakable. So sports don't have to be out even with glasses anymore!

Denise, the shirt is great!

Nicold, the house sounds great! Hope that works out for you guys! And how fun to be able to get something nice for yourself!

Kelly, I'm glad you had a good weekend! How fun to be able to get some adult-only time. And how great that your mom would love to have Brady back!

DH and I would love to get away together for some grown up time, but it's not looking possible for a while yet. Our 5th anniversary is coming up at the end of Feb, but I don't think we'll be able to even do one night at a B&B together (our usual tradition). Oh well. Maybe we'll at least leave Owen with DMIL for the night and have a nice late dinner out.


Becky, I hear you on the getting dressed thing. For me I have to make sure that I get clean undies, bra and socks and for some reason that's enough to get me going and not feel like a shlumpadinka. I can still be in yoga pants and a sweatshirt, but the clean undies, bra and socks makes me feel dressed and ready for the day.


Well DH and I both had dr. consults today. DH had his over the phone and was told what drugs he should try next that would be okay with his diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol meds. Since I have asthma, they sent me in to the dr. to have my lung function checked. That's fine, but sure enough, I have a sinus infection. So I'm on antibiotics now and hopefully that will clear this all up before Disneyland. Owen is still sleepier than usual, but otherwise seems to be doing fairly well. He's got a runny nose and cough from the cold, and likes to rub his snot all over me , but he's his usual wiggly, curious self. I don't dare wear anything that can't be tossed in the wash because this child is constantly rubbing his nose on my clothing!