The new "New Moms" thread!

[beckmrk04]

Bethany- your poor DH! I hope he feels better so you guys can spend some good time together while you have him home!

Michelle- we don't do much for V-day either. Birthdays are another story- I love birthdays. But V-day- eh. DH got me a card; I felt bad because I didn't get him one but I know he doesn't care. He got me some flowers, too, but that's about it. We usually get each other a small present, like a cd or movie or something, but this year we didn't bother. DH is good though- he doesn't use Valentine's day as a "get-out-of-romance-for-the-rest-of-the-year" holiday, like so many men do.

And, I just started thinking,

Pollito- Alex should be having a birthday right around now! I forget the exact day, though.

 

[Pollito916]

DMickey - I wonder if maybe your DH's company isn't taxing the commissions correctly, that is the only way I can think of that you would always owe money. Maybe try reducing the # of dependents. That's so great that Alexander is starting to talk more and passed his hearing test. He'll be talking before you know it! And I am a mean mommy too, I don't buy Alex things in stores if he starts screaming and acting up. It just teaches them that's how they should act to get what they want, and that's not something we want to start!

Nicole - how's Izzy doing? And I have never heard of hanging a baby upside down to correct sleep habits - how funny!

Ash - I'm so sorry to hear about your DH's job. My DH was also laid off, 1 week before x-mas, but luckily he found a new job within 2 weeks. Unfortunately it was at half the pay, but some $ is better than none. Now he's working 2 jobs and we barely see each other. Have you tried applying for unemployment or any assistance yet? Your family will be in my thought and prayers.

Becky - sounds like you had a fun fondue night! And way to go on getting the house ready so fast, what a time saver! I need to look into flylady! And you're right - today is Alex's 2nd Birthday! I can't believe my little baby is 2 already!

Moburg - welcome, and the other ladies gave some great advice. Make a clear difference between day and night, no lights or tv when Collin gets up at night, that was the hardest thing for my DH when our son used to get up during the night. We also swaddled him until he started escaping, then we used the sleep sacks until we moved to AZ and it was so hot he didn't use a blanket. Good luck!

Amber - Have fun at the World. I wish we lived close enough to go more often!

Kelly - Yay for Brady peeing on the potty! I am so jealous - Alex turns 2 today and he shows almost no interest at all most days.

Bethany - your poor DH, hopefully you & Owen don't catch what he has!

Michelle - How's Will's ear infection? That's good that he's growing so well. I can't remember, has he always been so high on the growth charts?

 

[Pollito916]

Today is Alex's 2nd Birthday!

I am still up because I want to have the decorations ready for when he wakes up tomorrow, but we have 9 ft ceilings downstairs, and I can't reach even standing on a chair to hang the decorations.

So I am waiting for DH, who should be home from work in about 10 minutes. I bought Alex a bunch of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse decorations, because he just loves the show and Mickey. We went to the Disney Store today to get him some presents. I didn't want to buy too much since my mom already buys him more than any little boy needs every time she sees him (which is every Friday), so we just got some cars from Cars, a mini-Cars soccer ball, and a Cars t-shirt.

He likes Cars. Seriously. We watch it every day. He can quote the lines now, sometimes before the characters say them. "Ka-chow!" I almost got him the Cars b-day decorations, but they were out of a couple of things I wanted, so we went with Mickey instead. Mickey is his 2nd favorite, and after Cars tonight, we watched Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.

It's so funny once they start really talking and can express exactly what they want. And he can also work the DVD player, so he'll put the movies on himself. The only thing he can't do is change the input on the tv, so he has to ask for help on that, otherwise Cars and Mickey would probably be on all day.

He was so funny this morning, we were in his room getting his clothes, and he picked out a t-shirt that says, "mommy's little monster" on it, with a picture of a monster, and said, "Monster shirt? Like you Alex!" I wonder where he heard that?

I just can't believe how grown up he is already. It really makes me want another one somtimes, but I just don't think it's a good time for us with DH working 2 jobs, neither or which is very secure. Oh, well, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[7beasley]

Happy Birthday Alex - have a great party!!! Can't wait to see pictures. That is adorable that he quotes movies and repeats things you say!! My DH still says the occassional F-bomb in front of her and I keep reminding him - she is going to repeat it - you wait and see! They are little sponges absorbing everything!

Happy Belated Valentines Day to all!!

Michelle -- good to hear from you!! Will is a big and tall boy!! Izzy is going to be tall too I think -- she is just shy of 16 months and already 31 1/2 inches tall!

Kelly - what awesome news about Brady peeing on the potty!! Good job. What are you using for a rewards system? We have heard of stickers and/or m&M's -- I am going to introduce the potty concept to Izzy this summer I think!

Bethany - Owen is a smart little bugger with unplugging everything -- I wish I had an idea but I don't -- maybe a google search for plate covers?

DMickey -- have a great visit with your Mom - that will be nice to have her visit. Yay on Alex's perfect hearing - what great news - I am sure you are super relieved.

Bec -- hope your Melting Pot recreation went well -- shopping was a better call - that stuff will last longer than one dinner! And good job with the house keeping/cleaning - that is something to be super proud of!! I have to look up this Flylady thing.

*****

My mom got Izzy this awesome book for V-day! Iz is into eyes -- loves eyes on her stuffed animals and pointing to our eyes and saying "eyes" -- My Mom found her this book called "Frog in the Kitchen Sink" that is a frog with huge "real" [3-D tangible] googly eyes and as you flip the pages of hte book the eyes come through on each page cause there are holes in the book so the eyes follow you through the whole story. I am not explaining it well but she loves it and its cool! And it keeps her quiet -- because her fever has broken but now she is ultra crabby and has a rash - the doctor said its roseola. (which I haven't googled yet...)

Have a good day ladies!

I have tomorrow off - yay!! (president's day) but DH has to work and Izzy's day care is open -- so I am having a "mommy day(off)" Yeah!!!! I am going to the casino in Conneticut for the day -- I can't wait -- now I just hope I win!!

Have a good day all!

-Nicole

 

[kellyf2626]

Nicole - We are using M&M's as a reward system for the potty. He LOVES M&M's...so it works very well. Although he hasnt' gone on the potty since the other day. Yet everytime we goes into the bathroom, he wants M&M's. Have an awesome time at the casino!! Are you going to Foxwoods or Mohegan? We love to go to Foxwoods for the Bingo!!

Pollito - Happy Birthday Alex!!! The decorations sound cute...make sure to take some pics so we can see!! Too funny that he loves Cars. We don't have that one, but maybe we should get it for Brady!

Becky - Glad to hear that fondue ended up turning out well! Nice job!! Is taht Disney trivia game about the parks or about Disney movies? Sounds like fun!!! That's exciting that you are going looking for treamills! We have one collecting dust downstairs. I really need to get back on a good routine and use it!

Michelle - We are going down May 23rd - 31st with my brother and his girlfriend....staying at the Boardwalk Villas. Should be fun! DH and I are really looking forward to the adult-only time. Especially since we are planning on TTC #2 once we get back, and probably won't have any adult-only trips for a long time after that!

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

Sounds like everyone had a nice V-day! DH and I went down to my parents house and had cake/ice cream with my brothers and parents to celebrate my dad and brother's birthdays. Brady had a blast playing with his uncles and my parents. And....he is doing so well after his shots! No fever, just some redness around where he got the DTaP on his leg. This was the first time I alternated Motrin with Tylenol, so maybe that did the trick warding-off the high fever. At any rate...he has been happy and normal, thank god!!

 

[beckmrk04]

Pollito- to Alex!!! I know how you feel- Vaylie will be 2 in 13 days, and I just can't believe it. And she is talking so much. She picked up, "Oh, God." from someone, and she says it all the time now. Great, huh? And that is too funny about Cars, because Vaylie is obsessed with Beauty and the Beast. She has to watch Belle at least once a day, and she sings the songs, and at the part where Maurice enters Beast's castle and is warming up by the fire, Vaylie goes, "Oooooh, Beast is coming!!!" And then when Belle becomes a prisoner and is crying, Vaylie says, "Oh, no.... Belle cwying. Belle so sad, her cwying. Poor Belle." It is so cute.

Kelly- the M&M thing is a good idea (did you get that from Jon&Kate? - I saw Kate doing that with the kids, and thought- I'm going to steal that idea!) Vaylie still isn't all that interested in peeing on the potty. *sigh* The Disney game is about the movies, characters, stuff like that. It's fun!

Nicole- Have fun on your Mommy's Day Off tomorrow!!! We need those every once in a while! And that book sounds cute!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, we are off to go shopping. I need to look for a play kitchen for Vaylie (that's what we are going to get her for her birthday). I also need a new purse and some new shoes. We're checking out treadmills. And headed to St. Louis Bread Co. to eat (which is the same as Panera Bread Co.- do you guys have those? I looove the soup in a bread bowl- yum!). I'll check back later and let you know if I spent myself into a major guilt attack.

 

[k_reile]

Pollito- to Alex!!! I know how you feel- Vaylie will be 2 in 13 days, and I just can't believe it. And she is talking so much. She picked up, "Oh, God." from someone, and she says it all the time now. Great, huh? And that is too funny about Cars, because Vaylie is obsessed with Beauty and the Beast. She has to watch Belle at least once a day, and she sings the songs, and at the part where Maurice enters Beast's castle and is warming up by the fire, Vaylie goes, "Oooooh, Beast is coming!!!" And then when Belle becomes a prisoner and is crying, Vaylie says, "Oh, no.... Belle cwying. Belle so sad, her cwying. Poor Belle." It is so cute.

Kelly- the M&M thing is a good idea (did you get that from Jon&Kate? - I saw Kate doing that with the kids, and thought- I'm going to steal that idea!) Vaylie still isn't all that interested in peeing on the potty. *sigh* The Disney game is about the movies, characters, stuff like that. It's fun!

Nicole- Have fun on your Mommy's Day Off tomorrow!!! We need those every once in a while! And that book sounds cute!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, we are off to go shopping. I need to look for a play kitchen for Vaylie (that's what we are going to get her for her birthday). I also need a new purse and some new shoes. We're checking out treadmills. And headed to St. Louis Bread Co. to eat (which is the same as Panera Bread Co.- do you guys have those? I looove the soup in a bread bowl- yum!). I'll check back later and let you know if I spent myself into a major guilt attack.

mmmm....I love panera bread!! My going to be 3 yr old niece was on a kick saying "Oh my God" in Sept when Caleb was born. She got it from Grandma! But it was quite funny when caleb was in the incubator for jaundice and DFIL lifted her up to see Caleb and out of her mouth "Oh my GOd!" which was kinda funny but then again shes not my kid saying it. LOL!! Oh I can;t wait for Caleb to talk---not!!! I can just imagine some of the things that will come out of his mouth bc he will be her little follower (DMIL keeps them both)

 

[DMickey28]

Hi everyone.

Becky - Have fun shopping!!! I am jealous!

Kelly - I am so glad that Brady is doing well this the shots. I bet the Motrin and Tylenol is a good combo. We use that for shots and fever anytime.

Pollito - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX! I can't believe how fast they are growing up. Vaylie and Alex are talking so much. I am working on Alexander putting two words together ... like "More Juice."

Nicole - Yippy for tomorrow!! I love days off, not that I ever get more than an hour or two! That book sounds great too. Alexander is really getting into his books now.

****
We had a good morning. We went out to the beach this morning and Alexander was having a BLAST running into the water. I thought poor Dh was going to have a heart attack though. He doesn't think that Alexander learning how his body reacts in the water and waves is fun when he goes under or falls. Of course he is going to fall and get water in his mouth, it's part of the learning. Our beach here doesn't drop off a lot but it still has a little drop which means he can only go so far before he gets over his head. There were also a TON of boats out making waves. We are planning a trip to Myrtle Beach in April with my parents and I am hoping that the beach will be more forgiving. I am worried that it will be too cold there then though, too.

We didn't do anything exciting for V-Day. We just did cards and got take out PF Changs for dinner. It was so busy at the restaurant it just wasn't that great. Oh well ... I am going to make a special dinner tonight. I am trying to get my energy up to go to the pool and sit in the sun, the beach made me realize how much I enjoy that, but I am too lazy.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Happy Birthday, Alex! Hooray - how fun that he's picking up so many new things!

My "specialty" when I taught preschool/daycare was always the 2 yr. olds. There's just something about that age that I've always loved, and somehow I seem to have a knack for understanding them and knowing how to handle them. We'll see if that holds over a year from now when Owen is two!

DH is feeling much better today, but now my sinus infection seems to be creeping back. There's been a lot of antibiotic-resistant infections around here lately, so I'm going to email my Dr. today and hopefully hear from her tomorrow AM about it. But DH is feeling so much better that he's back to planning meals and cooking again - so I got homemade Indian food for lunch and tonight he wants to make Japanese food. Hooray for DH cooking! I'm so spoiled...Yay!

I've got all of Owen's outfits for our DL trip set out and now I'm going to pack each one in a gallon ziploc bag so even if I'm not the one getting him dressed it will be easy to grab an outfit and go. Plus that way I can just grab a bag and toss it in the diaper bag for the day, and if the first outfit is a mess I'll have a ziploc bag handy to pack it away in. Now to get my clothes washed and packed...

 

[beckmrk04]

Bethany- good call on the ziploc bags!!! When Dh and I took our nieces to WDW, we did the outfits in bags, and it was such a time/sanity saver. I think my sinus infection is rearing its ugly head again too. Tomorrow I am calling the doctor and demanding they get me in on Tuesday (my day off). How exciting that your trip is so soon!!!

DMickey- the beach sounds nice. I wish we had something close, but sadly, we're somewhat landlocked. Oh- and it's cold. I am SO ready for some warm weather.

k_reile- you just wait; once they start talking, they repeat EVERYTHING. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the hilarious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, shopping went pretty well. No purse. Didn't find one I liked. I did get some new black flats, since my old ones are practically falling apart. Really. It's sort of embarrassing.

We got Vaylie's new Little Tikes kitchen. It's really cute! I think she's going to love it.

And, we found the projector I want to buy at Best Buy, and they are willing to match the price I can get on Epson.com, so as long as my tax refund comes in on time Friday, I am going that night to get my new projector! I can't wait! We were at the party supply store today looking for stuff for Vaylie's birthday and they had all of these "Movie" themed party supplies ("Admit One" Ticket invites, etc) and I can't wait to send out invites for the first outdoor movie extravaganza.

 

[k_reile]

Bethany- good call on the ziploc bags!!! When Dh and I took our nieces to WDW, we did the outfits in bags, and it was such a time/sanity saver. I think my sinus infection is rearing its ugly head again too. Tomorrow I am calling the doctor and demanding they get me in on Tuesday (my day off). How exciting that your trip is so soon!!!

DMickey- the beach sounds nice. I wish we had something close, but sadly, we're somewhat landlocked. Oh- and it's cold. I am SO ready for some warm weather.

k_reile- you just wait; once they start talking, they repeat EVERYTHING. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the hilarious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, shopping went pretty well. No purse. Didn't find one I liked. I did get some new black flats, since my old ones are practically falling apart. Really. It's sort of embarrassing.

We got Vaylie's new Little Tikes kitchen. It's really cute! I think she's going to love it.

And, we found the projector I want to buy at Best Buy, and they are willing to match the price I can get on Epson.com, so as long as my tax refund comes in on time Friday, I am going that night to get my new projector! I can't wait! We were at the party supply store today looking for stuff for Vaylie's birthday and they had all of these "Movie" themed party supplies ("Admit One" Ticket invites, etc) and I can't wait to send out invites for the first outdoor movie extravaganza.

I LOVE that kitchen!! The washing machine is soo cool!! (I love play kitchens...can't wait til Caleb gets one!) She is going to love it!! My newphew loves his (2.5 yrs old) He asks you if you want tea, with peppa (pepper) and if you want it stur (stirred) and you have to go no peppa! Then he takes your order, we give him a list of stuff and he's like ok...chicken plain?? OK, chicken plain it is since that is the only thing your kitchen is serving! They are soo cute at that age!

 

[jennyL]

That kitchen is great. Noah loves playing with the kitchen at his daycare but DH thinks kitchens are for girls and Noah needs a work bench. Hmm I wonder who will win out with that decision. LOL what am I saying I'm sure he will get both at some time or another.

Good news on the milk front. We talked to the doctor last week and he wrote back Friday that Noah has passed all his tests and can now have any dairy he wants. We still need to watch him incase something specific triggers up his skin but other then that he's good. DH is going to talk to the daycare today and see how they want to proceed with giving him their food. I'm so excited and it will make dinner time that much easier since I was having trouble getting stuff together with no dairy. I really feel for people who have children with severe allergies. Noah's was minor and thankfully it looks like he's outgrown it.

 

[beckmrk04]

k_reile- That is too cute (chicken plain). My niece always liked to play restaurant, and she would take your order, but everything you asked for, she'd say, "No, we don't have that." So I would start askeing for really absurd crazy things (filet mignon with a port wine reduction, etc) and she'd roll her eyes at me and go, "I don't even know what dat IS."

jenny- I bought this kitchen specifically to because it is so gender neutral. Vaylie and my nephew have a little play kitchen at my IL's house, and they LOVE it. They play with that more than anything, and of course, you have to "try" everything they cook. And that's great that Noah's allergy test came back clean! Think of all the options now! I'm with you- I really feel for people whose kid's have severe food allergies- it must be so hard. I was thinking about that yesterday at Toys 'R Us: they have a new section with organic snacks and baby food, and a whole bunch of wheat/gluten free foods!! I thought that was cool. But can you imagine dealing with a wheat allergy? Or doing a gluten-free diet? I'd be completely lost.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Becky, I hear you on the gluten free diet. I'd have no idea what to do. The doctors are testing Christopher for celiac disease (apparently diabetes, celiac, and thyroid disease all go hand in hand). Although I suppose if your kids need it, then you do it.

Pollito - Happy Birthday Alex!

Jenny - That's great about Noah and the milk. You must be a bit relieved.

Bethany - That's a good idea about the Ziploc bags. I'll have to try that one myself!

Jen

 

[DMickey28]

Bethany - That's great organization with the ziplock bags. I'll have to try that!!

Jenny - I am so glad that Noah's allergy testing came back negative!!

Becky - I love that kitchen. I love that it's all wooden. Where did you find it? I am going to get one for Alexander for his 2nd birthday but I was thinking about this one ...

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Becky, I LOVE that kitchen! Someday we hope to get Owen a bigger kitchen set to play with, but this year we gave him this one for Christmas: http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-To...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1234796665&sr=8-1

He loves it - it's very small, but he's figured out what buttons to push to make noise and he loves crawling around with the spatula handle in his mouth!

Jen, my MIL has celiac disease, and she has tons of great recipes if Christopher does have it and you're looking for tips. She makes cupcakes, brownies and cookies that you'd never know weren't made with wheat flour, and she knows all about which brands of gluten-free stuff is the best. We've gotten used to planning gluten-free meals and finding places to eat that are celiac-friendly when we're with her.

Jenny, that's great that Noah's testing came back negative!

k_reile, I love that story! That's so cute - kids are so fun and creative when they play. I wish I had half that creativity these days!

 

[Villain-lover]

Well, we had the twins 15 month checkup today. Zoe is 18lbs 15 oz and Sam is 22 lbs and I forget the oz. Zoe has dropped off the chart even thought she has gained almost a lb since the 12 month check. Sam has gained a few oz, but has remained pretty stagnant. Dr is not worried, and did notice how active they were and thinks that is the issue. She says push the calories as much as we can dealing with toddlers and we will reassess at 18 months. Okay. so I am trying not to be freaked out, but as a mom I KNEW it was gonna end up like this! Then Zoe decided she didn't want to eat lunch, which normally isn't an issue. They eat decent most meals, and if they are gonna be picky about eating it is usually at snack. If anyone has any suggestions or a been there, done that story I would love to hear it. We are on aour last can of formula (they are still getting a bottle just for bedtime). They use cups with straws the reat of the day. The Dr suggested Carnation Instant Breakfast to drink. I will probably use that to replace their bottle. Anyway, just feeling a little down in the dumps.

 

[kellyf2626]

Becky - Love the kitchen you got for V. I have never seen that one before, and it is really cute!!!

DMickey - So cute about Alexander running into the water! I can't wait to bring Brady to the beach this summer.

Bethany - That is such a great idea to put all of Owen's clothes in the zip-lock bags. So organized - espeically when you are digging around in a suitcase.

Jenny - DH and I had the whole conversation about the kitchen's being to "girly". We got one for Brady for Christmas, and DH wanted to get him a tool bench instead. Luckily all the tool benches we saw were for kids a bit older, so we got the kitchen! He LOVED it - it was his favorite Christmas toy! Oh - and great news about the whole milk thing!!

********************************************************
Ok....Disney question for you ladies. I know they switched the dining reservation time to 90 days. But can I book stuff like Chef Mickey's more in advance?

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Ugh...weight/body shape vent here...

I've lost all but 5lbs of the "baby weight" I gained with Owen, but everything has shifted!! I just cannot wear 75% of my old clothes because my weight is all redistributed and everything looks funny on me. I've been trying on clothing today, trying to pick out what I'll wear to DLR, and I'm right between sizes for pants, so everything is either too loose or too tight. And because my shape is different, even my tops look a little odd.

Boy, I just feel frumpy today! I'd love to just head out and buy a new pair of boot cut jeans to make me feel a little stylish, but I'm so short that they never look right (at best, most pants that fit around my behind/waist are 5-6 inches too long...in some cases I've had an extra 10-12in!).

I don't feel any need to be super thin, but I'd like to be in the middle of the "healthy" weight range for my height, and right now I'm at the very upper end of that, so I'd like to lose about 10lbs, but I just cannot seem to get that weight to come off. And when I do lose weight, I swear it's coming off the top and not my middle or bottom!

Okay, just a little vent there. Thanks for listening!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!!!!!!!!