The new "New Moms" thread!

[beckmrk04]

I'm more of relax in nature kind of girl myself. I think my ideal place to live would be in a wooded area, but within 45 - 60 min of a larger city with all kinds of cultural opportunities.

This is where we are right now. We are an hour from St. Louis, and it really is getting better about having cool things to do- cultural events and places to eat, the zoo is awesome (and FREE!), DH and I have already started taking Vaylie to the Art museum (that's the first place DH and I ever went together so it's pretty special to us).

But, at the end of the day, we come back home to no neighbors, no traffic. Crickets, frogs, and lightning bugs. Big yard, stars in the sky. It is pretty nice.

I'm feeling "homesick" for WDW. It's been 3 years since my last visit, and there's no future trip on the horizon. DH doesn't like Disney vacations (horrifying, I know ), so it takes a lot of persuasion to get him to go. I know that I need to be the one to pay for the trip if I want to go again, so I'm saving and saving and saving...but it's taking a long time to have all the money for it. DH used to say that he wasn't going back to WDW for the next trip, but now that Owen is here, I think he actually does want to go to see Owen's reaction! So we'll see if I can persuade him to spend part of the family travel budget on a Disney trip in the next few years. But I'm guessing it will be 2-3 years before he'd be willing to go. But maybe Owen and I can tag along with some friends on a Disneyland trip in a year or so. Sigh. Still, it feels like a loooong wait to get my Disney vacation fix!

I could have written this post. DH likes WDW, but isn't a HUGE fan. Unless I can always promise we'll go for Star Wars Weekends. Then he's onboard.

I started a vacation club at the bank, and I am putting $50 away each paycheck in hopes that I'll be able to go next summer. But, with DH going back to school and the prices of not only gas but EVERYTHING going up, I just don't know... We'll see. We'll make it back there someday, Bethany!!!


Oh yeah- Holly: those pics of Amanda Joy are too adorable!!! She always looks so smiley and happy!

 

[jennyL]

OK ladies need some info. DH just called and said that the daycare has a case of hand, foot and mouth going around. Noah's teacher says that she would call if he showed any symptoms which I googled and so far he doesn't but is there anything else I should be looking for? We are going to the doctor today anyway to talk about his skin and formula stuff anyway so I thought I'd bring it up then but who knows. Apparently this is going around the infant room and some other bug is going around the next room.

 

[beckmrk04]

jenny- I don't know anything about it, except that it has the oddest name. Here's what the CDC says.

I would ask the daycare if they have plan- I would assume the kids can't come back until they are no longer contagious? And what have they done so far to minimize the likelihood of spreading it?

Luckily it says most patients recover without medical treatment in 7-10 days, so if Noah does catch it, you'll just have to ride it out for a while.

Poor kiddo.

Kids are so full of germs and rashes, aren't they?

 

[jennyL]

DH talked with the daycare and they did say taht unfortunatly you are most contagious before you have any symptons but they did sanitize everything really good yesterday and are on the watch for more cases today. I'm not sure when everyone can come back but I may ask that this afternoon when I pick him up for the doctor.

We are taking him in for his cough and will just mention the stuff going around daycare. I'm not sure at his age if we wouldn't have to go to the doctor since he can't take over the counter medicines much yet and alot of the treatment is just regular stuff. Not sure about dehydration since he's only on formula so not sure how that would work. I guess I can ask the others what they have going on. One of his classmates lives down the street and she's not there today so not sure if she has this or something else.

So many germs and so little time. LOL I guess we've been lucky since we've been going since April and this is our first possible issue.

 

[beckmrk04]

Off topic, but I wanted to share one of my favorite websites: www.coolmompicks.com

They always have the coolest baby/kid stuff on there.

Do you guys internet shop? Or, what are your favorite things/brands for kid/baby items?

I looove Vaylie's Pediped shoes. She gets about a bajillion compliments on them, they go with everything, and they are good for her feet.

What stuff do you love?

 

[TiggerStac]

OK ladies need some info. DH just called and said that the daycare has a case of hand, foot and mouth going around. Noah's teacher says that she would call if he showed any symptoms which I googled and so far he doesn't but is there anything else I should be looking for? We are going to the doctor today anyway to talk about his skin and formula stuff anyway so I thought I'd bring it up then but who knows. Apparently this is going around the infant room and some other bug is going around the next room.

My oldest caught this when he was about 2.5. It is very catchy and tends to go around daycares.

Ty had blisters mostly on his feet and in his mouth. The scariest part is the temp!! His temp spiked. I think he was home w/me for 3-4 days. Lots of liquids...luckily my kids love drinkable yogurt, so I was able to get calories into him that way.

 

[jennyL]

My oldest caught this when he was about 2.5. It is very catchy and tends to go around daycares.

Ty had blisters mostly on his feet and in his mouth. The scariest part is the temp!! His temp spiked. I think he was home w/me for 3-4 days. Lots of liquids...luckily my kids love drinkable yogurt, so I was able to get calories into him that way.

We actually had taken his temp this morning and it was normal. His teacher says if he had it we would know. I figure we'll mention it today and if he gets it we'll have an idea of what to do for a 5 month old.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Off topic, but I wanted to share one of my favorite websites: www.coolmompicks.com

They always have the coolest baby/kid stuff on there.

Do you guys internet shop? Or, what are your favorite things/brands for kid/baby items?

I looove Vaylie's Pediped shoes. She gets about a bajillion compliments on them, they go with everything, and they are good for her feet.

What stuff do you love?

Cool website, Becky!

I love shopping online. I love getting packages in the mail, and I like how easy it is to order something without the hassle of getting to the store, especially trying to work around Owen's schedule. Of course, I also am totally in love with my KozyPal Cart Cover, so I always like taking Owen out shopping just to use it!

I've been working on a blog entry on my favorite baby toys/gear/stuff...here's the list I've got so far:
Amby Baby Bed - our friends have been teasing us that we've become the "Amby evangelists" since it worked so well for Owen
KozyPal cart cover - I had one made with the castle fabric we used for Owen's curtain, and I love it!!!
WubbaNubs - Really helped solve our pacifier issues with Owen, and they're cute!
Bumkins bibs - love how easy these are to wipe down, and they're also so lightweight.
Snappi clips for cloth diapers - waaaaay easier than diaper pins
The World Snacks series of board books by Amy Wilson Sanger - DH's favorite is Chaat and Sweets, but I like the rhymes in "First Book of Sushi". Owen likes all of them, although he mostly tries to chew on the books or says "ooh! ooh!" and flaps his arms when we read these to him!
Lands End backpack diaper bag - sturdy, roomy, lots of pockets, comfy to wear...
Onesie extenders - Owen outgrows everything lengthwise before he outgrows them width-wise, so we use these all the time.

I'm still going, but that's as far as I've gotten so far!

Oh, and one of my favorite websites is www.parenthacks.com - very creative!

 

[beckmrk04]

I'm thinking I might buy a breastpump... And no, I'm not going to try to make V start drinking breastmilk again ( ). But, I figured- I want one when I have the next kiddo, and if I have an awful pregnancy with the next one, there will be very little (if any) extra cash floating around (not that there's loads now), and I want to start planning things a little bit.

I am a chronic over-planner. I wish I could just be spontaneous about things (especially having a baby). Honestly, I kind of suck the fun and excitement out of having a baby because I'm such an overplanner.

Really, I think it's more of a problem that I *need* something to plan- something that I have a little control over, you know? I'm used to having something to plan. I planned school. Planned a wedding and honeymoon. Planned the remodeling of our house. Planned a pregnancy. Now, I have a wide open future and I'm feeling the need to plan something in it.

I need a recovery group or a 12 step program.

 

[HollyJoy]

I'm thinking I might buy a breastpump... And no, I'm not going to try to make V start drinking breastmilk again ( ). But, I figured- I want one when I have the next kiddo, and if I have an awful pregnancy with the next one, there will be very little (if any) extra cash floating around (not that there's loads now), and I want to start planning things a little bit.

I'll sell you mine! It's an Advent (Isis) manual pump, I believe.. I only used it like 3 times. Just didn't work too well for me, and quite honestly, Amanda wouldn't take a bottle, so it was useless!

 

[beckmrk04]

I'll sell you mine! It's an Advent (Isis) manual pump, I believe.. I only used it like 3 times. Just didn't work too well for me, and quite honestly, Amanda wouldn't take a bottle, so it was useless!

I have a manual. Avent also! But thanks! I was horrible at pumping with it. I did much better with an electric pump (which I rented the first time around).

This time I'm thinking of buying a double electric pump. I'm semi-researching them right now. I think I might buy a Medela Pump in Style. They get pretty amazing reviews. But the price.

My hope is that I will get that new job (breastfeeding peer counselor)- I'm pretty sure they will have very BF-friendly policies, and I'll be able to BF or pump without issue.

And even if I don't get that job, I know that my current job will make any accomodation they can for me to be able to pump. I work in a very small bank (10 employees at our branch), and we're all really close, so it wouldn't be a big issue. But, the other job would be closer to home and more convenient. And I just really want it!!!

 

[HollyJoy]

I had the pump in style with my older girls, and LOVED it! We sold it though It is pricey, but worth it. Luckily, I was able to get my flexible spending account to cover it! lol

 

[beckmrk04]

Oooh, Holly! Good idea I wonder if DH's FSA would cover it... Hmmmm. Something to look into!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I love my pump-in-style!! I bought it from a friend who got it from her insurance for just $100. She ended up never even opening the box, and sold it to me for the $100 she paid for it, even though her DH at one point suggested selling it for more than that on craigslist to make a profit.

One of my neighbors bought a used pump-in-style for $60, and then bought all new replacement parts - new tubing, valves, etc. and it worked great for her. I think she spent about 1/2 the cost of a new one, all the key parts were clean and sterile, and it worked great. Lasted her through both of her girls.

yeah, I'm not hanging on to too much baby stuff because we're feeling 80% sure we're done with just one, but my pump-in-style is one thing I'm going to keep for a few years "just in case".

 

[HollyJoy]

Ours only required a dr.'s note! Now my doc wouldn't write a note saying that I had to use that one, but she went into all the benefits of breastfeeding, blah, blah, blah. So we submitted that letter with the receipt, and they took it!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Becky - that website is neat!

As far as brands or stuff I really like:
Children's Place for clothes. I have a chunky monkey, and thier stuff seems to fit him and his cloth diaper butt pretty well.
Fuzzi Bunz diapers. Way too easy
Ergo baby carrier. Easy to use, and I can carry him for quite a while.
Everything else, I haven't been too specific about.

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

Hi Ladies!

Well, I survived my first week back at work (barely), a wedding (we left early) and Colin's birthday party, which was fun but a lot of work! We're starting to get into a groove now, so it's going a little easier, but it's still hard to get up and out the door by 6!!

Becky -- I loved my PIS!! I exclusively pumped for 5 months using it and loved it. I pumped everywhere -- in the parking lot at Ikea, my parents' trailer, and it worked great!

QOTDs: I can't remember them all, but I'll wing it..

-- Colin has 6 teeth now. He got the bottom 2 in February about 2 weeks apart and then didn't get any more until last month. Since then, he's basically gotten 1 a week (just had the latest one pop through yesterday).

-- I think Colin will be a righty. My mom is a lefty, so there's a chance I guess, but he seems to use his right far more often.

-- Pacifiers: Colin loves his choocho. Generally, we just give it for naps, bedtime and in the car, but we've been giving it during the day sometimes lately because he's starting grinding his teeth and it just make my skin crawl!

-- Fun things this past weekend: we had a wedding on Saturday. My mom babysat. Sunday was Colin's party. DH fired up the charcoal bbq and made yummy ribs. It was pretty good, but a ton of work and VERY tiring!!

-- Not sure how much Colin eats at a meal. He's not big on breakfast usually, but for lunch today he had 2 meatballs, a bunch of broccoli and a banana. Tonight for dinner he had chicken penne with us (probably about 6-7 pennes and some chicken) and an applesauce.

-- Grandparents: My parents are Nana and Papa, DH's are Grandma and Grandpa. DH's Nonna is just Nonna. My grandma is Grandma <last name>


Whew. I think I caught up...for now! Hopefully I'll have more of a chance to post! I have been reading though so I'm at least not missing out on what's happening with you ladies!

 

[beckmrk04]

Jen- I love Children's PLace too- they have great sales all the time! I'm going to check out Fuzzi Bunz. I'm definitely thinking about cloth diapers for the next kid- they have made such big strides in comfort, convenience, and STYLE! Man- some of those cloth diapers are so freakin' cute!! How many do you need to buy, though? I'm guessing it's kind of a big initial cost, but in the long run saves a lot of $$$. And where do you put them while you're waiting to wash them? I read something about a dry pail VS. a wet pail, and that wet pails are bad because of breeding bacteria, but I'm just not understanding what the heck you do.

Oh, well. I guess I have time to figure it out, right? Considering I'm not even pregnant. And I have an IUD, so no surprises here.

I'm glad to hear people love their Pump In Styles!! I'm pretty sure that's what I am going to buy. Now I just have to save some cash. DSis thinks I'm an idiot. I'm pretty sure DH does too, but he is less vocal about it. I generally agree with them. But, I like to be prepared.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Mo is 7 months old and I have not had one professional pic of him taken....so I should get busy! I've got great pictures of him that I've taken, but a few professional ones here and there wouldn't hurt either. I think I'll go next Monday to Penny's and see what they have to offer. Mo's Grancie bought some things from Penny's and it had some coupons to their photo studio with proof of purchase and she sent us the receipts. I can also go to Wal-Mart anytime. Mine here has a photo studio and they are only 5 minutes down the road.

 

[beckmrk04]

I used to be on top of having V's pics taken every 3 months. Until she turned 9 months old, then Christmas and her first birthday hit, and I have had my car worked on twice to the tune of $1500... Plus, the Sears Portrait Studio closest to us closed.

So, it's been a while. I'm going to have a big spread done when she turns 18 months. I'm not sure where yet.

I feel like we've exhausted the options at Sears- we've used all the backgrounds and props. Where else is there? I know there is a new portrait studio by the mall, can't remember what it's called, but you get your prints the same day.