The new "New Moms" thread!

[DMickey28]

Yup it works. Great pics!!! It brought me to the site and i remebered that I started a blog there back in May. Great job keeping up on it huh? How do you put pictures in there?

 

[kellyf2626]

Yup it works. Great pics!!! It brought me to the site and i remebered that I started a blog there back in May. Great job keeping up on it huh? How do you put pictures in there?

I love doing his blog! It's fun - AND there is a website that will print your entire blog as a book. How cool is that?! I figure I would love to do that every 6 months or so - like his own little life diary!

To put pictures in the blog, when you are writing your post, there is a little icon of a picture in the tool bar above where you write. Just click on that, and it will give you the option of uploading from your computer or a website.

 

[DMickey28]

I love doing his blog! It's fun - AND there is a website that will print your entire blog as a book. How cool is that?! I figure I would love to do that every 6 months or so - like his own little life diary!

To put pictures in the blog, when you are writing your post, there is a little icon of a picture in the tool bar above where you write. Just click on that, and it will give you the option of uploading from your computer or a website.

Thanks. That's awesome about the book. I just feel so bad that I haven't do anything like that until now. I have a gazillion pictures and most things in his baby book but nothing organized. All these good intentions and nada ...

Kelly - I saw on your blog that you have a bunch of strollers. Do you like the p3 the best? Which other ones do you have?

 

[kellyf2626]

Thanks. That's awesome about the book. I just feel so bad that I haven't do anything like that until now. I have a gazillion pictures and most things in his baby book but nothing organized. All these good intentions and nada ...

Kelly - I saw on your blog that you have a bunch of strollers. Do you like the p3 the best? Which other ones do you have?

Yes....I have far too many strollers for Brady being my only child! We started off with the Chicco Cortina travel system. Honestly, I hardly ever used it as a travel system (we always just put his carseat in the Snap-n-Go....just so much smaller and easier to get in/out of the car!). We did bring the whole travel system to Disney when he was 4 months old - and it was great down there. We then bought a Mia Moda Spirito (http://www.miamodainc.com/strollers/spirito.asp) as a smaller umbrella stroller. We NEVER use this one....it's ok - a royal PITA to move the straps, doesn't recline all the way, small sunshade, and no snack-tray. Sooooooo, I ended up giving it to my mom to keep in her car just in case she ever needs one with him. Then we bought a Phil & Teds Sport Buggy (http://www.philandteds.com/nz/sportdouble_07_1.htm) and it came with a free doubles-kit. This one was super expensive and really nice....but....alas, no snack tray, and Brady is just cranky in it. Then we got the Peg Perego Pliko P3.....and this one has been the big winner!! Full recline, huge sunshade, snack tray....I could go on and on. It folds up nicely and the strap-system is fantastic. Of course the best part is that Brady loves sitting in it.

Of course....I still am always eyeing other strollers....I think I have a stroller-buying problem. Everyone always says great things about the Maclaren's....maybe that will be my next purchase!

 

[Pollito916]

Will, had the time of his life. he was dunking his head under, and splashing and kicking like a mad man. he would lay on his belly like he was swimming too. i have a feeling he is going to be a great swimmer... anyone else do the baby swim stuff?

anyone else watching the Olympics? I love gymnastics! and swimming. well everything really.

Sounds like Will really enjoys his swimming classes! We're thinking about signing Alex up, but it's just so expensive!

I like to watch the olympics too, especially gymnastics. Unfortunately, I am still at work after 6:30 today, with no sign of this conference call ending any time soon, so I think I'm going to miss it. And to make it worse, I'm staying in a hotel in Kansas and still have to go eat dinner before I can go back to my room and watch tv. No luck this year.

I do know that it doesn't cost $350!!!

Unfortunately, that seems to be the going rate around here. I found one place that is $65/month and one that is $120 for 11 weeks. I would love to sign Alex up, but since it's so expensive I'm waiting until he can follow instruction better and actually learn something for the $$.

So my girl is crawling. She has also started to try to pull herself up - but has not quite figured that out yet. Yesterday she crawled over to the stairs and used the bottom stair to try to stand - she also used her walker and tried to pull herself up on that. So I think pulling to standing should be another week or so!

Yay Izzy! Good for her, she just needed some motivation!

Does anyone have any advice on hitting? He's decided it's really funny to hit me. Only me. Daddy gets hugs, I get smacked, and then a hug. I've been telling him no, and then putting him down. When I pick him back up, he does it again. Please tell me this is a stage he'll get over really quick.

It sounds like you're doing the right thing, and you'll just have to hope he grows out of it soon. Keep doing what you're doing.

I GOT A PELL GRANT!!!!

Congratulations Denise!

Would anyone like to cook me dinner for them?

Anytime! I hate cooking. I don't have the time or patience, and I can never think of anything to make.

And I am going on a float trip this weekend, and I want to go, but I don't. I'll be gone Friday, Saturday, and come home sunday morning. It's all girls, so I know once I get there I'll have fun. But, I'm going to miss my girl so badly! I've never been away from her for more than a night. But, I keep reminding myself how fun and relaxing it'll be to float down the river with a drink (or four).

I've never heard of a float trip before, but it sounds like fun! Have a drink (or four) for me!

Kelly - cute birthday pics - looks like everyone had a great time!

 

[7beasley]

Quick pop in just to say --- Kelly --- I just checked out Brady's blog and it (and the party pictures) are awesome!! He is SOOO cute and it looks like a great party. I especially like the pictures of the red sox on the tv in the background during present opening!! Raising Brady right - as a big Red Sox and Patriots fan!!

Hi All!!

-Nicole

ps: congrats Denise on the Pell Grant.

 

[kellyf2626]

Quick pop in just to say --- Kelly --- I just checked out Brady's blog and it (and the party pictures) are awesome!! He is SOOO cute and it looks like a great party. I especially like the pictures of the red sox on the tv in the background during present opening!! Raising Brady right - as a big Red Sox and Patriots fan!!

Hi All!!

-Nicole

ps: congrats Denise on the Pell Grant.

Awwww....thanks Nicole! Oh ya....we couldn't miss the Sox game!! We actually had to re-arrange the pile of presents so that people could see the tv. Is that bad?

 

[ashjohnson80]

I don't know if I would want my blog printed off as a book. Some of it is so random. That's just me I guess.

My dad is out of the hospital. He didn't get any damage from this last heart attack, which is amazing. He's still feeling weak, but doing better.

Ellery was tripping me out today. It's like she won't do anything new for weeks and then all of the sudden- BAM! She's been rocking back and forth for a few weeks now but today she actually crawled a few, what do you call them, steps? She also fed herself an entire cracker thingie, And she pushed herself up to sitting from a crawling position. All in one day!

 

[beckmrk04]

Ash- that's the way kids do things- all of the sudden they do something like they've been doing it all along, no big deal! I'm glad your dad is doing better and that there's no damage. That's great news.

Kelly- Ok, you are way crazier with the strollers than I am, but my SIL might be just as bad. My DH and her DH are SOOOO fed up with us and strollers. I have only had 3. We had a Graco travel system which I hated. We have a small umbrella-type (I don't even know what kind it is), but I hate it. I did hours of research and countless trips to Babies R' Us and other stores all over St. Louis before settling on the BOB Revolution. And I LOVE it. I'm in with my stroller. BUT, that said: I told DH I have to have a new one for Disney world because the BOB just won't be very practical, especially on the buses. He looked like he wanted to throttle me. And my SIL- I don't even know what number she's on. She's had a Graco travel system, a Chicco something, another something, and finally she settled on the Peg P3. I *think* she's done. Our MIL thinks we are NUTS. ANd Brady looks too cute on his birthday!!

Sara- a float trip is where you take rafts (that's what we're doing), canoes, or inner tubes and you float down a river and drink! We're headed to the Meramac river in MO. It's an all-girl deal, so I'm thinking we'll have a great time.

DMickey- I researched the City Mini a ton- LOVE the way it looks and the fold is similar to the BOB (so easy it's crazy), and I'm thinking of buying it for our Disney trip next year. It's lighter weight than the Bob, and folds smaller. But, I can't find a place around here that carries them so I can try it out. Bummer... Oh well, I have a while.

 

[DMickey28]

Becky - From what I understand not a lot of stores carry them. DH asked last night how many strollers we have now. We only have 3 but i am trying to sell the Cortina and maybe even the small one. I told him that i was doing that because there is another one that i want ... he just laughed at me, asked how much it was and said why don't you just get it. Ahhh ... I love him!!! However I handle our finances not him so I'll wait a little bit!!

A float trip sounds absolutely perfect. How far do you float? Do they pick you up at the end of the river? Where do you stay? I think I'd be perfectly happy just doing that at a water park if they would let me bring my drink in the water.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Kelly~~GREAT pics of Brady's party! You guys are a beautiful family! Love the cake with a pic on it with Brady from the first day he was born I assume to now....PERFECT!

Ash~~So glad your dad is better. And Ellery sounds like she is moving right along....excuse the pun! Before you know it, she'll be standing. Mo stood up at the sitter's house yesterday and let go of the chair and stood there for a few seconds rocking back and forth. OH BOY! I think walking is coming just too soon!

 

[7beasley]

Ash -- I am so happy that your dad is doing better and there wasn't major damage!! And go Ellery...from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds huh?

Denise -- sounds like Mo will be walking any day now - cute!

Kelly -- I wouldn't say it was bad that things had to be rearranged to watch the game - you live in NE - that stuff is expected of you!! I planned Izzy's 1st Birthday for Sat Oct 18th (her actual birthday is Oct 21st) and we deliberately went with Sat instead of Sun so as not to interfere with the Patriots game!

DMickey -- I think you will love your new stroller -- I have heard great things about the P3.

Becky -- you are a stoller addict too? So funny!!! I must admit, we have the Graco Metrolight Stroller Travel System and I actually love it. The metrolight only weights about 16 lbs and I can open and close it with one hand. Plus it has a big snack tray, a good basket underneath, a big sunshade and cupholders in the handle for me! I like it. Besides that we have a small umbrella cheap o stroller from BRU that my DH keeps in his car. I keep the big one in my car. Have a great time on your float trip - sounds like a blast!!

************
Kelly - I assume you get the AllEars Newsletter but if not, this was in today's and I thought of you. Clip in bold below.

Disney Vacation Club members have the chance to tour the
Cinderella Castle Suite inside Cinderella Castle at the Magic
Kingdom on August 31, 2008. The Member-exclusive, 20-minute
tours, limited to 10 people in each tour, will take place from
noon-3 a.m. To participate, Members must register online at
www.disneyurl.com/CastleSuiteTour. (Each Member may register
themselves and as many as four additional Guests.

I think you said you were arriving on Aug 30th so wanted to make sure you knew about this in case you were interested. If I was there on Aug 31st I would have begged you to take me as your Guest. I am dying to see the Cinderella suite.

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

Our WDW trip is exactly one month from today and I am SOOOO excited. I will miss Izzy terribly during that week but my DH and I can't wait for a week alone together -- its our 8th anniversary and we are really going to celebrate on this trip. We figure we won't be back until at least 2010 when Izzy is 3 so this trip has to hold us for 2+ years!

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

In other news - my girl is getting better at crawling every day. I am such a proud mommy!! And last night was the sweetest thing ever. I put her to bed and she refused to sleep - crying and screaming at the top of her lungs for over 30 minutes ( I kept going in to try to settle her ever 5-7+ minutes to no avail). So finally I went in and plucked her out of the crib and sat in the rocking chair with her holding her against my chest and softly singing "How much is that doggy in the window" into her ear. She was kind of bracing both hands against my chest propped up looking at me - then she let her hands go - layed against my chest and wrapped her arms around my neck and kind of snuggled in -- we sang and rocked back and forth for a few more minutes and then I lifted her into the crib -- she layed there- gave me a big smile - rolled over and went to sleep!!! I love her so much - my heart actually aches with love for her!!

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

Have a good day ladies!

-Nicole

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Kelly - What cute pics! Christopher had the same shirt with the frogs on it for his 1 year old pics. Love it!

Nicole - I know what you mean about loving the snuggly stages. During the day, Christopher is not a snuggler. He wants to be moving at all times. But when he gets sleepy, he becomes the world's biggest snuggler

Denise - that's awesome about the Pell Grants. Good for you!

DMickey - that is a whole long list of possible meals! I feel like I've got stuck in a rut of what I cook recently. I keep telling myself when my schedule goes back to normal in September, I'll get better about cooking a bunch of different things. Hopefully I really mean it.


You girls are crazy with your strollers I'm not as obsessed with them as I am with the baby carriers now. I've gotten a few different slings and carriers, and I'm always looking at new ones, or trading my older ones for a different variety. DH thinks I'm nuts. He likes the strollers, I like the carriers. There are 4 different things for carrying Christopher just in my car...

 

[kellyf2626]

Becky - Ya, I was just talking to DH today about how did he think even the P3 was too bulky for Disney? He was like...um...if you are even thinking about buying another one, you are crazy. Lol....eveyone always talks about the Macs. But, I know our P3 will be great. I just hope it's not too bulky on/off the trams, etc..

Denise - That's awesome that Mo stood up and let go for a bit!! I am sure he will be on-the-move, cruising around furniture and stuff soon!

Nicole - I totally would have done the same thing if Brady's birthday was in the fall. You can't interfere with a Pats game!! Thanks for that info about Cinderella's Castle!! I am SO BUMMED, as we are staying with friends north of Orlando (about 45 min outside of Disney) for Labor Day weekend (the first 3 nights of our trip). So, unfortunately, we won't be at Disney on the 31st. Too bad!!!! That would have been sooooo cool to see in-person. Well, maybe I'll just win the night while I'm down there! Now THAT would be awesome! You must be getting excited about your trip too! Hard to believe it will be September before you know it! Izzy sounds like she is doing awesome. That is great!! I love how she was snuggling with you. Brady is soooooooooo not a snuggly kid, but lately before bed he will hug me so tight and put his head on my shoulders for a couple of minutes before I lay him down. Seriously....did you ever think you could love something this much??? It kinda makes me nervous for #2....like...will I be able to love him/her as much?? I can't imagine feeling this way for 2 little ones...but it must happen!!!

Jen - That is cute that Christopher had the same shirt! We are slowly entering that "carrier" world. We got a Kelty KIDS Pathfinder to bring down to Disney as an option rather than the stroller at points during the day. It's huge, though....so hauling it around with the stroller may not be the most practical thing. We will see!! Are you enjoying this nice weather today?!?!?! Finally a day with no rain!! Although....it's not over yet!

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

So I spent today writing thank-you notes for Brady's gifts. I figure if I don't get them done right away, they'll never get done. They are selling really cute Disney stamps right now - so of course I got them! They have Mickey, the Princesses, 101 Dalmations, and the Jungle Book in the stamp-medly?? Hmmmmmm....I get Mickey and the Princesses, but you would think other characters (like Goofy, Donald, Pluto, or Nemo, Little Mermaid, Lion King, etc....) would beat-out 101 Dalmations and the Jungle Book ones? Interesting......I wonder why those specific ones were "chosen"?

 

[beckmrk04]

DMickey- well, on THIS float trip we're staying in a hotel (we're not camping sorts of girls). Most people camp or stay in cabins, from what I'm told. Although, we're staying at a Super 8, and to me, that IS camping.

Although- now I don't know if I am going... Vaylie has been running a fever for two days, and she's got loose poo (not really diarrhea, but really runny and not normal). She just feels awful. And if she's not feeling better by tomorrow, I'm not going to go on the float trip. I was already apprehensive about leaving her for the weekend, but I can't do it if she's sick.

And I just saw that REI carries the City Mini now- that's where I had to go to get my BOB. Hmmmm... Maybe we'll take a trip! (The REI store is in St. Louis, which is about 1 hour away). We used to go to St. Louis all the time, but with gas prices being so high, we have cut WAAAAY back on the trips. I'm also thinking about the Quinny Zapp- very cute, folds TINY (although getting the knack is tricky), and it's really lightweight. Around the same price. It would be great for traveling.

Nicole- Oh, touring the Castle would be a DREAM!!! How cool would that be? And I know what you mean about loving them so much your heart aches. Mine is hurting big time seeing Vaylie sick. You just want to fix it, you know?

Kelly- I worry about that with #2 too- I mean, I can't imagine having this much love for two munchkins- my heart will explode! It's so wonderful, though.

 

[DMickey28]

Ash - I am glad that your dad is doing better and there wasn't more damage. I hope him a speedy recovery.

What is REI? I hope V feels better. Alexander seems to have a little buggy suddenly as well. No real fever, just runny nose, sneezing and not eating normally. His poops have been odd for a while now and we are recovering from a horrid diaper rash so I am happy when we have no poops for a little while. I should ask the doctor about it ... it's been like 4x a day if not more for a while now.

i know what you mean about the amount of love for these guys. Sometimes it hurts to look at Alex or hold him ... physically hurts in my chest.

Took the P3 to Ikea today for a few hours. Love it!!! Never thought about the BJCM all day so i think i am good for a while!!

 

[exwdwcm]

Denise- congrats on the grant- what great news!

Nicole- so glad Izzy is crawling- i knew it wouldn't be long. everything starts happening so fast too. thanks for the list of finger foods- i was so nervous about starting Will on thicker stuff, but he loves it. i really need to do more finger foods, so these are good ideas. He loves the puffs and crackers and stuff. He got some of DH's chicken tonight. i made him a plate tonight of our food (chicken, potatoes and peas) to give him tomorrow night (we eat later than him).

Kelly- so glad Brady's birthday was a success- i am going to go check out your blog for pics! what is the website that lets you print out the blog as a booK? I was wanting to do something like that, or at least print it out! it is basically a baby book since it is just all about Will and his milestones.

Jen- no advice on the hitting-other than what everyone already said- hope it gets better!

Ash- so glad your dad is doing better and yeah for Ellery doing so much at once

beck- have fun on the float trip- is this like floating the river/tubing type of thing?

Dmickey- you can cook for me!!!! all of that sounds awesome. i am a meat and potatos girl too, but i try and broaden my horizons a little bit. i make a lot of staples- meatloaf, pot roast, chili, beef stew, pot pie, stroganoff, sweet and sour chicken, baked chicken, spaghetti, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tortilla soup, lasagna etc. We don't get too crazy or exotic, i just don't have time, i wish i did, because i do enjoy cooking.

so Will STILL has NO teeth. 9.5 months old and not one! he is sleeping good again and not slobbering as much and eating well again. so strange, i was sure he was going to get one. he is going to bed earlier too- like 7:30 or 8 (used to be 8;30)- he is so worn out from day care. he LOVES it there, which is great, and makes me not feel as bad about being a working mom and leaving him there from 8am-5:30. I dropped him off today for once (DH usually does) and he went straight to the floor to the toys and playing. He didn't even care or notice that i was leaving- he was having such fun already. lol

 

[beckmrk04]

(I still have to find that menu list...)

DMickey- REI is a sport/outdoor superstore. They have everything you could want for running, camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, trekking up mountains, etc. It's for serious outdoor enthusiasts (which I'm really not), but they carry jogging strollers.

exwdwcm- yep- we're floating down the river on a raft (if I go- if Vaylie is still sick today I'm going to cancel, which I don't want to do, but on the other hand I know that if I gp knowing she's sick, I'll be miserable and worried the whole time). And, Vaylie always goes through her really bad teething stuff, then it's over, then a couple of days later the new tooth appears. I'm hoping that's what she is doing now, though she never had the runny poo with the other teeth, so I'm kinda worried about that.

I have to get Vaylie's pictures done. We haven't had a big spread done since she was 9 months old! We did have some taken when she turned 1 year (but they were so bad I only got one of her with her cousin... she was super cranky that day, and not feeling great, so I didn't bother). And we haven't tried since. But, since she's turning 18 months old atthe end of the month, I'm going to have some done.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

so Will STILL has NO teeth. 9.5 months old and not one! he is sleeping good again and not slobbering as much and eating well again. so strange, i was sure he was going to get one. he is going to bed earlier too- like 7:30 or 8 (used to be 8;30)- he is so worn out from day care. he LOVES it there, which is great, and makes me not feel as bad about being a working mom and leaving him there from 8am-5:30. I dropped him off today for once (DH usually does) and he went straight to the floor to the toys and playing. He didn't even care or notice that i was leaving- he was having such fun already. lol

Wow...I talked to a mother yesterday who I met at my beautician's shop a few months ago and she noticed the two teeth Mo had. Said her 9 month old daughter has not one...just as bare mouthed as she can be! I guess my little man is progressing along a little ahead of the game.

 

[kellyf2626]

DMickey - Glad to hear that you loved the P3! I have a girlfriend who I raved about the P3 to, she went and got one, and then said that it wasn't worth the money. Well....maybe that's because she ASKS if her 1 1/2 year old wants to get in the stroller, or walk around? Seriously?? She says she throws temper-tantrums because she doesn't like it. Ummmm....I doubt it's the stroller...lol....

Michelle - The website to print your blog is http://serv.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/index.html Your reasoning is exactly why I think printing Brady's blog would be perfect - I really only blog about him and his milestones and fun things in his life - like a big baby book! Oh - and my girlfriend's daughter just turned 1 a week before Brady, and she doesn't have any teeth either!! My ped said that all kids are different, and it really doesn't mean anything. Just that she (and Will) may get a lot at once!

Becky - I don't think we have REI's up in this neck-of-the-woods. I have never heard of them! I also need to make a date to bring Brady for his 1 year pictures done, but I am dreading it (isn't that awful? ) For his 11 month pics, he just crawled everywhere and wouldn't sit still....I was absolutely sweating from being under the lights and chasing after him!!

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

This week and weekend is Old Home Days in my town. In NH, it is somewhat of a tradition to celebrate each town with Old Home Days (not all towns do it, but many do!). Tonight is kids night - food, bouncy houses, characters, concerts, etc... It should be fun! Then on Saturday there is a big celebration on the town common with vendors, food, road race, and a big parade. I entered Brady in the baby contest - they have the Lil Miss and Lil Mister prizes, and then individual prizes for best hair, best eyes, best smile, etc.... Maybe he will win one!!