The new "New Moms" thread!

[DMickey28]

Hi ladies! It's official, I can now join your club.

Evan Patrick was born on Thursday, September 18th at 11:47am. He was 8lbs 2ozs and 21.25 inches long.

I was able to get discharged early and we are home and doing well.

Congratulations and welcome to the group!! We need baby pics!!

So I need advice. What do you do for teething problems? Ellery is miserable. She's not sleeping at all, unless I give her tylenol before bed and I can't do that often. I'm just feeling like a total failure right now.

Ash - DO NOT feel like a failure. You are a wonderful mom and Ellery teething is a natural course of life. Life is full of rollercoasters, you are doing great on this one. My mom constantly reminds me, especially about money issues, that everything ALWAYS works out and even when I feel like I am going to be struggling my whole life I won't. We are young. I have no idea if you are stressing about money as well as Ellery but did I ever mention that last January we literally had $24 in the bank for a week and 1/2 before DH was paid. Talk about scary. When I say $24, I mean $24 period. No backup savings account, just $24 cash to our name. We have since corrected that but it was scary.

As for the teeth. If there is no medical reason keeping your from giving Ellery pain reliever it's ok to give it to her every night until the tooth pops through. We found that Motrin worked better with DS as well as a touch of Orajel just before bedtime. I hated feeling like I was drugging up my child as well but realized that if i was in a lot of pain, I would take medicine and if I couldn't give it to myself I would hope that whoever was taking care of me would. It helps her and it doesn't hurt her. If you can't give it to her much for medical reasons, try the frozen washcloth or even just a wet one. Alex liked ice in the mesh feeder too. I think we are working on our 2 year molars already, he has had his fist in his mouth all day yesterday. Good Luck and I hope you feel better.
Becky - Yikes, you are sick now too? I need to pull out the purell and bring it with me everywhere ... I refuse to get sick!! I hope you feel better soon.

 

[beckmrk04]

Ash - DO NOT feel like a failure. You are a wonderful mom and Ellery teething is a natural course of life. Life is full of rollercoasters, you are doing great on this one. My mom constantly reminds me, especially about money issues, that everything ALWAYS works out and even when I feel like I am going to be struggling my whole life I won't. We are young. I have no idea if you are stressing about money as well as Ellery but did I ever mention that last January we literally had $24 in the bank for a week and 1/2 before DH was paid. Talk about scary. When I say $24, I mean $24 period. No backup savings account, just $24 cash to our name. We have since corrected that but it was scary.

Such good advice- and we have been there too, with the money situation. And sometimes, we've even had to overdraft our account to borrow money (we have an overdraft protection of $500). Money is the thing that stresses me out more than anything (hence my previous posts about Dave Ramsey and www.youneedabudget.com ). I am determined to do something about it.

I have so much anxiety about money, and even though we have taken steps to save and reduce our spending, I know that we are one major illness (or pregnancy) away from catastrophe again.

We wrecked our credit when I was pregnant, because we literally had to choose which bills we could pay- and let's face it: they can foreclose your house and repo your car. SO those HAD to be paid. We needed electricity and water. So- we paid the things we HAD to and didn't have enough left to pay credit cards and medical bills. We're now on payment plans to get everything taken care of, but it wrecked our good credit.

But, at the end of the day, I know it won't last forever, we're young, and we did the best we knew how to do. We still have each other, and that is the most important thing in the world.

 

[DMickey28]

But, at the end of the day, I know it won't last forever, we're young, and we did the best we knew how to do. We still have each other, and that is the most important thing in the world.

That what I keep telling myself. You know what is amazing? When I think of our credit rating (which is finally recovering), the money in the bank and 401K I wonder how we will ever have enough. THEN when you think of it in the eyes of your kids and how 5 years seems like a long time to us, our babies will barely be in kindergarten or preschool. Seems like a long time to us but it's really nothing!!

I used to freak out if our bank account/savings dropped below $100 at the end of the month, then it was $500, then $1000 etc. It's all baby steps ...

We want another baby but are waiting a little bit longer. DH has some good bonuses coming in the next two months so we want to make sure we get them in the bank and not spend them before they get in! We have a habit of doing that. If we can use some of that money to give us a good cushion and not screw up and spend it I will be the happiest camper. Last year we blew through a $20K bonus like it was water ... ouch ...

 

[beckmrk04]

Well, I think I'm done chucking. (Bethany that totally cracks me up ).

I hate being sick. Bleh.

And I think Michelle mentioned how much you feel for single moms when they are sick. I KNOW!! I have a DH but when he's not home (such as today), I still have to take care of V, even when I'm sick.

Makes me want to go volunteer to take someone's kids for an hour or two. Bet they wouldn't know what to do!

 

[beckmrk04]

Last year we blew through a $20K bonus like it was water ... ouch ...

I almost fainted.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Such good advice- and we have been there too, with the money situation. And sometimes, we've even had to overdraft our account to borrow money (we have an overdraft protection of $500). Money is the thing that stresses me out more than anything (hence my previous posts about Dave Ramsey and www.youneedabudget.com ). I am determined to do something about it.

I have so much anxiety about money, and even though we have taken steps to save and reduce our spending, I know that we are one major illness (or pregnancy) away from catastrophe again.

We wrecked our credit when I was pregnant, because we literally had to choose which bills we could pay- and let's face it: they can foreclose your house and repo your car. SO those HAD to be paid. We needed electricity and water. So- we paid the things we HAD to and didn't have enough left to pay credit cards and medical bills. We're now on payment plans to get everything taken care of, but it wrecked our good credit.

But, at the end of the day, I know it won't last forever, we're young, and we did the best we knew how to do. We still have each other, and that is the most important thing in the world.

Aw...Becky, I'm sorry.

I have to say that hubby and I were blessed when I got pregnant to not have any financial problems at all. I didn't stop working til I was induced and even then hubby had $1000 from his GI bill that he was saving for the month of Dec when I was out of work. I applied for WIC and Medicaid when I was pregnant and received them both. I'm still on WIC but no longer Medicaid. I had not ONE hospital bill for having Mo...not one. We were blessed definitely! The only bill we fell behind on was an old hospital bill from a prior surgery I had, but that wasn't as important as rent, electricity, water, and the essentials. We have no credit cards, so that wasn't a concern either and never will be.

I'm anxious about money too Beck, when my account gets low and I mean low I panic. We hit almost a zero balance one week , but I caught it just in time and we made it til hubby's payday two days later. I put money in the account EVERY Friday and what a difference it makes not paying cash for anything anymore. I either write a check or use the debit card. Even though I was paying cash for some bills, I would come close to checks bouncing because the money wasn't there when they came through. Now, it's been awesome knowing they won't bounce and even if we do get down to $60 I know that we'll be okay because I know what's out there and needs to clear. Hubby's pay has gone up a bit and that makes a difference too. I make about $1000 a month in tips and for only working 3-4 days a week I can't complain. I haven't had a paycheck since the second week of Dec last year because I don't work enough hours or make enough money hourly to cover the cost of my insurance and get paid. However, I'd rather have the insurance than the paycheck. I have my TIPS and in the end, that's ALL I care about.

You said the most important thing, you're young and have each other and if you always remember that, you'll be good to go lady! Be blessed and keep that faith!
Off to work to make more money!

 

[beckmrk04]

Thanks Denise. It's just one of those things. And really, I feel much better about it now. I know we did the best we knew how to do. And, so many more families in this country are struggling without insurance and end up going bankrupt and losing their homes. So, I have to be thankful that it wasn't worse.

We're doing ok, now, definitely could be doing better. Which is why DH is back in school. AND- speaking of: we had good news on that front. Since he already has a BA in Graphic Design, he had a lot of credits that work towards his next BA in Mass Communications. So, the advisor told him Friday that if he'd add a certain class, he can get a double minor in Studio Arts and Business!! So, he'll end up with a BA in Mass Comm, Minors in Studio Arts and Business, on top of his BA in Graphic Design and Minor in Photography.

Hopefully, that will make a big difference in his job searching.

Plus, he HAS to do an internship for his senior project, and that will be a big plus.

*sigh* It's a long road. But, we'll get there.

DMickey- you're right, it does seem like a along time until you think about how quickly time goes now that we have little ones who are growing so fast.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I hear y'all about the money stuff - I feel like we're one big bill away from problems. The cash flow is all right, but I feel like we're never going to finish paying off the credit cards. We used them quite a bit for remodelling our house, since they all had the 0% for a year thing. We were doing well paying them down, but when I quit my PT job when Christopher was born, it threw a wrench in the works. I'm going back to the PT thing next month, so that should help us get ahead a bit. I'm trying to become the queen of couponing and rebates to help out too. We've also been really good about growing and freezing/canning a ton of food for the winter (and it's kind of fun!)

So far, we're still on for Disney next winter. Between Disney rewards, FF miles, and such, it will be fairly cheap. I already have our park tickets, and have enough for at least 1 plane ticket (should have 2 by the time we go).

Becky - you need a new stroller to go, and I'm looking for a new baby carrier for then. It makes a great excuse, doesn't it?

I'm so excited - Christopher has been walking on his own! Just across the room, but he's getting better. He keeps staring at his feet like "how is this happening?" He's had a wicked cold, so he hasn't been sleeping well. We slept for an hour on the bathoom floor the other night so I could get it all steamy from the shower. He didn't seem to mind, but I'm thinking I'm getting too old to sleep on the bathroom floor. That was for college....

 

[ashjohnson80]

I am just afraid that the tylenol will damage her liver. And now all of the baby motrin has those Nsaid warnings on them... So I'm scared of that too. I'm scared of everything. I also read on the internet that the teething tablets have belladonna in them which is poisonous. And Ellery's dr said not to do baby orajel because it would numb her throat and cause choking. I wish I could get her to chew on something cold, but if it's cold she wont even put it in her mouth.

 

[beckmrk04]

I am just afraid that the tylenol will damage her liver. And now all of the baby motrin has those Nsaid warnings on them... So I'm scared of that too. I'm scared of everything. I also read on the internet that the teething tablets have belladonna in them which is poisonous. And Ellery's dr said not to do baby orajel because it would numb her throat and cause choking. I wish I could get her to chew on something cold, but if it's cold she wont even put it in her mouth.

Ok... First: breathe. Then look at Ellery. You have kept her alive this long because you are a responsible, sensible, caring Mommy. You are doing a GOOD JOB.

Now: The tylenol will not damage her liver unless you give her entire bottles every night (or unless she already had liver problems or a confirmed issue metabolizing medicines). The warnings are there for idiot parents who overdose their kids to shut them up. Or, idiot parents who give their kids cold meds AND tylenol AND motrin... You are not an idiot parent. You will measure out the correct dose for her weight and then give that to her and you won't give her another dose until it's time (by which time she'll be sleeping peacefully). Also, you can minimize risk by alternating Motrin and Tylenol, ensuring that you won't OD on one med since they are different kinds.

She will be ok.

And, the baby orajel thing? I mean- that's a "gut" issue. V's doc reccommended it in small doses. Personally, I have used orajel on myself for toothaches, and in small amounts, I have never had my throat go numb. I put a small (tiny!) amount on a "finger brush" (baby gum cleaner), and rubbed it only on her gums.

The teething tablets- I just dug out our bottle. Here's what I found on the website concerning the belladonna (keep in mind: ANY medicine is poison if you ingest too much!!): "To put homeopathic dosages in perspective, typically a 10-pound child would need to ingest 1,000 Hyland’s Teething Tablets (at least 6 bottles of 125 tablets) to exhibit even the first possible side effect of Belladonna." You can look at that page here.

And really, I bet you'll find that one small dose of Tylenol or Motrin each night will be all you need- during the day it doesn't bother them much because they are busy busy.

Ellery is a healthy growing beautiful baby girl because you are careful and you are responsible. But, because she is healthy and growing so perfectly, you don't need to worry about giving her a dose of Tylenol or Motrin. You'll BOTH feel better!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Ash - keep in mind that the drug companies are required to print every possible side effect. Most of them rarely happen, but if the drug companies didn't report that there was a 1 in 99bazillion chance of this happening, they could be sued. Tylenol can damage your liver, if you overdose on it. Make sure you know what Ellery weighs, and then double check your dose each time.

you've done great with her so far, and you will continue to do great.

 

[beckmrk04]

Jen- carriers and strollers. DH caught me looking online for a new stroller and he was like, "What are you doing?" Me: "You don't want to know." I AM going to take a peek at some resale shops and the consignment sale next weekend to see if I can find a good stroller for WDW. I just don't think the BOB would be very good on the bus...

for Christopher walking! And we do the steamy shower thing too. It helps so much.

 

[beckmrk04]

Hmmmm.... Baby Jogger City Mini......

 

[TiggerStac]

I'm going to join in the money wagon....

I am trying to pay everything off so I can be a stay at home mom again. that was my goal before i got pregnant...to stay home w/in the year. I hate paying over 1500 a month to daycare for the kids. Plus if I was to add the baby into that, it would add another 250/week.

Don't get me wrong, we make decent money, but it's the credit cards that I need to pay off. We got an equity line when I stayed home w/my oldest and we're still paying that off. We like our toys and I have no problem w/those, we can afford them, its the credit cards!! We both have new cards (mine 1 year, hubby's 2) and camper (but we only pay 150/month on that, as we trader in another) live in a nice neighborhood. My problem is shopping!! that's how I got into the place I am in.

I have paid off a few cards..the small ones. I need to start working on the bigger ones. I'm psyched, october is a 3 paycheck month for hubby, so that will pay another one off!! We cancelled our quick trip to disney after I found out I was pregnant, luckily we'll be going to west palm beach for a long weekend for his work xmas party...so I'll still get to FL. Alaska trip was free (except for shore excursions) and they spoiled us and even gave us $$ on our shipboard account. now I'm just waiting for hubby to get reimbursed for the incidentals (luggage fees, parking, internet onboard, etc) it was over $500. once I get that I am planning on using that.

I have started reading the total money makeove.r I heard DR had a "workbook" out there where you write it all down, may have to spend the few dollars to get that, I'm such a visual person.

OK...enough ranting. Hubby made chicken soup for me for lunch today...my favorite!!!

Hope everyone is feeling better.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Hmmmm.... Baby Jogger City Mini......

Step away from the stroller ......

 

[beckmrk04]

Ok, this is totally cute:

V is really into looking at our pictures from WDW, so I thought I'd put in the home movies we took on our honeymoon of the parks and the parades. SHe is dancing all over the living room. It is too cute! She loves the music and keeps picking out the characters!

I can't wait to go!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Cute! Christopher doesn't seem really interested yet, other than to grab his stuffed Mickey, give him a kiss, and then fling him really hard...

DH is starting to get interested. He's been looking at the different DVC resorts to see where'd we'd like to go. I'm thinking Animal Kingdom, since Christopher would love all of the aminals. But that might be tough, since it's still so new. Too many decisions...

Jen

 

[beckmrk04]

The AK villas look cool- that's where SIL and BIL bought into. But, they got 100 incentive points for SSR, which would enable us to get a 2 bedroom villa for the week- it will be me, DH, V, SIL, BIL, Dnephew, MIL, and FIL. The incentive points have to be used by Sept. 16, 2009, though- which is kind of a bummer because we were going to be there for DH's 30th birthday (although honestly, he could care less- *I* thought it would be cool). And plus, next year is the "Celebration Vacation" theme- where you get free stuff on your birthday. Oh well.

We're having a dinner "meeting" tonight to discuss our options and dates and whatnot.


Tomorrow I find out if I got the transfer. I feel a little apprehensive about it, but I'm sure all will be fine.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Well, I think I'm done chucking. (Bethany that totally cracks me up ).

Glad you like it! It was invented one summer at a camp I worked at when we were hit with "the plague" and EVERYONE got sick with some combo of "up" and "chuck". We had to laugh somehow...and it's just stuck. It makes for funny conversations in the store: "dear, could you grab me a bottle of the chuck meds?" "did you want the liquid or tablet chuck meds?" "If you're chucking, don't forget to buy more TP."

Jen- carriers and strollers. DH caught me looking online for a new stroller and he was like, "What are you doing?" Me: "You don't want to know." I AM going to take a peek at some resale shops and the consignment sale next weekend to see if I can find a good stroller for WDW. I just don't think the BOB would be very good on the bus...

I FINALLY decided on which baby carrier I like best (when Owen was 8m old... ) and I've bought a Moby. I really love it, and now I just have to practice tying him on my back. Although I think we'll end up borrowing a frame backpack from some friends for most of the back adventures.

Now I'm looking for a good umbrella stroller. I want one with a basket and a sun shade, and I'd really like adjustable handles but so far the only one like that I've found is the Peg Perego P3, and DH vetoed that one because he thinks it's too big. He wants a small umbrella stroller, but the really little ones I've found have such low handles that DH can't push them. I found a great Maclaren at the consignment sale, but the seller wanted $150 for it and that's more than our budget. I also found a P3 for $75, but since DH vetoed it I resisted. Sigh. Such a good stroller, but it is almost as big as our "regular" stroller, and we need a small stroller for the bus.

The AK villas look cool- that's where SIL and BIL bought into.

Tomorrow I find out if I got the transfer. I feel a little apprehensive about it, but I'm sure all will be fine.

AK villas are what I'd buy into if I can ever persuade DH to go DVC! (Seriously unlikely - I better hope I inherit some $$$ or win the lottery... )

Good luck tomorrow! I'm sure it will all work out.


Yay for Christopher walking! That's so fun! I just love watching kids get new skills and figure things out.


I hear you all on the money stuff. I've been horrible with it - totally destroyed my credit rating and came into our marriage with nearly $42,000 in debt. DH has been great, though. He comes from a family that saves, invests, and uses money well, so I've been learning a lot from him. Twice a year we sit down with a financial planner and go over everything, and I've been slowly learning how to rebuild my credit and develop some healthy money habits. We decided that DH won't pay off my student loan for me, but I pay it off with my income as much as possible. He does help when I'm not working, but the goal is that I'll eventually pay most of it off myself, and I'm responsible for making sure it gets paid every month. So I'm learning...

 

[TiggerStac]

with all this talk of strollers...anyone w/any double stroller suggestions??

Trying to figure out what to get. I have a graco travel system and a maclaren triumph. I've been mostly using the maclaren, because of the size.

I have a ford edge, so really...I can fit a double in back w/out a problem. I was orginally thinking sit n stand, but Brady will be just over 2 when the baby is born, so not really ready for just the stand part at that point.