The new "New Moms" thread!

[brookelizabeth]

Hi ladies!
I am just branching out here on the DIS and found this thread! I would love to join you all...I haven't read all the posts yet, but do plan to.

Here is Henry - he is 6.5 months old. This pic is from today, in a new hat that DisneyBride03, here from the DIS sent to us!

He was reallyyyyyy tired, so just a wee little smile.

I'm excited to find you!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Can I join?

I just had my baby, Spencer, March 7. He is doing great so far.

I am really nervous still though. He has yet to sleep in his bassinet (I just hold him). He didn't like it in the hospital and that continued when we got home. The second night we were home, we tried it again and he fussed a lot. When I finally picked him up, he spit up everywhere. I was so scared he would do it again and choke, that I held him again. Still, a bit later I tried the bassinet again and after a some time, he started choking (on mucous) and couldn't breathe. Luckily, my MIL was here and was able to get him to breathe again. I am terrified that it will happen again. I thought about getting an Angelcare monitor, but it still scares me. Any advice?

During Henry's first two weeks he would do the wake-up and choke thing/spit-up. It totally freaked me out too! We got him a sleep positioner and would put him on his side, it seemed to help a lot. After the first couple of weeks, he stopped doing this.

As for sleeping-oh goodness-we have slept all over the house it seems. He also HATED his Moses Basket, at three weeks we put him in his crib for a nap, then for the night and haven't turned back since. But for the first 3 weeks we tried our bed, in our arms, on our laps...and the best seemed to be on the floor, on a blanket with me laying next to him...but not too close! He also took many, many, many naps in his bouncy seat or swing. I too was scared he would get into a habit of needing to be rocked, or in his swing or something-BUT, right around the time he started going into his crib regularly, we also started a night routine and now he's a CHAMP at going to bed!

The first few weeks are very difficult. It will get easier, and less scary. You will get more sleep. My advice is when baby Spencer falls asleep in your arms, gently take him and lay him down in his bassinette. If he wakes up and starts to cry, then repeat the process. Or, try his crib.

And I've heard wonderful things about the Angelcare Monitor too!

 

[Syrreal]

I was thinking about a BOB revolution, but I think it'll still be a bit too big. I just want something that's more all-terrain than my stupid travel system which is heavy and bulky and awful, awful.

I can't say enough good things about the BOB. It managed to hold up extremely well on mountain terrain while we were in The Smokies last time. I also like the fact that if you need to remove the wheels, they are off (an on) in 2 seconds flat. I will admit that it can seem a little big when you 1st start using it (I bumped into my fair share of store racks at first) but you get used to it. I also like that I can folt it up to flat with one hand. My only complaint with it is that it doesn't have a lock/latch when it's folded. That would be a welcome addition IMO.

I'm also not sure how well it would fit into a smaller car. I have a Subaru forrester and it fits fine in there but I don't know about it fitting super well into a sedan or something like that.

 

[beckmrk04]

I'm also not sure how well it would fit into a smaller car. I have a Subaru forrester and it fits fine in there but I don't know about it fitting super well into a sedan or something like that.

The BOB seems awesome, but I think it will be too big for our cars- I have a Neon and DH has a cavalier. The only store around that carries them is REI in St. Louis, so I'm going to run over there and try it out, and see if it fits in my trunk.

But, I'm also thinking that the Baby Jogger City Mini is small, light, and it looks like it folds SO easily, PLUS, it's almost $200 cheaper. Which is a big consideration. And I found this at walmart.com... And oh! Surprise! It's about $200... We have a huge yard that just screams, "Turn me into a drive(sit)-in!!!" I'm trying to talk my DH into it. Movies under the stars. Doesn't that sound like fun? Of course, then we have to buy a projector. We'll see.

But, we have the travel system stroller now, and when it's in the trunk NOTHING else fits! Nothing! So, I am looking for something smallish that can still handle uneven sidewalks/roads.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Can I join?

I just had my baby, Spencer, March 7. He is doing great so far.

I am really nervous still though. He has yet to sleep in his bassinet (I just hold him). He didn't like it in the hospital and that continued when we got home. The second night we were home, we tried it again and he fussed a lot. When I finally picked him up, he spit up everywhere. I was so scared he would do it again and choke, that I held him again. Still, a bit later I tried the bassinet again and after a some time, he started choking (on mucous) and couldn't breathe. Luckily, my MIL was here and was able to get him to breathe again. I am terrified that it will happen again. I thought about getting an Angelcare monitor, but it still scares me. Any advice?

It really does get better. I don't think I slept for the first two months, I was so worried about Ellery'd acid reflux and scared that she would stop breathing and all of that. She sleeps on this little thing http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267019
she's still using it but I think she's about to outgrow it.

I'm very proud of myself tonight, I made this dress for Ellery and I think it looks super good!

 

[beckmrk04]

Ash that is SO cute!!!! I mean, really, SUPER cute! I love the fabric.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Thanks! I made one with little dancing Elvis's on it too. Haha...

 

[beckmrk04]

Ash you should sell those. You'd make a killing.

I can only sew straight lines, so I definitely appreciate the amount of work that went into it!!

 

[ashjohnson80]

I'm going to try to. I've got a store on etsy.com that I've been trying to sell earrings and tote bags on, but I haven't had any luck yet. Maybe I would have more interest in the dresses, I don't know. I would love to be able to do something at home so I could continue to stay with the baby.

 

[beckmrk04]

I'm going to try to. I've got a store on etsy.com that I've been trying to sell earrings and tote bags on, but I haven't had any luck yet. Maybe I would have more interest in the dresses, I don't know. I would love to be able to do something at home so I could continue to stay with the baby.

Oooh, ooh, give me a link!!

And honestly, I think dresses/cute little tops would sell really well! I mean, it might take a while to get your stuff out there, but I think you could do it!

And I'm wondering if you take orders....

 

[ashjohnson80]

I'll PM you!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Hi ladies!
I am just branching out here on the DIS and found this thread! I would love to join you all...I haven't read all the posts yet, but do plan to.

Here is Henry - he is 6.5 months old. This pic is from today, in a new hat that DisneyBride03, here from the DIS sent to us!

He was reallyyyyyy tired, so just a wee little smile.

I'm excited to find you!

He's so cute! I have the same outfit for Owen in red, and I just love it. Dh calls it his candycane outfit, though. Maybe if we had it in a different color he'd like it more, but I think it's fun.

Honey- admitting you need help is no failure!! It's H-A-R-D trying to do it all. If we could financially swing it, I'd have a mother's helper too! No doubt about it.

As it is now, I just let the house slide... I'll clean it one of these days. Before the next baby.

And it gets easier. I'm finally able to cook dinner- I can put Vaylie in her high chair with some appetizers (aka cheerios) and get a meal cooked! It's progress!

So, feel good about doing the best you can, and take care of yourself or you won't be able to take care of anyone or anything else!

Thanks for the encouragement. DH and I have an ongoing joke from an early "Baby Blues" comic strip where the dad comes home and finds the mom still in her robe holding the new baby, and she says "I washed 3 dishes today." The dad then says something like "way to go!" and she replies "thanks for celebrating my accomplishments" or something along those lines. So we celebrate "3 dish days" when I got something - anything - done around the house.

Owen still won't sleep for more than 20 min without being held, so getting anything done is nearly impossible. We're slowly working on sleep training to get him used to his cradle for naps with the eventual goal of getting him to sleep there at night instead of in my arms in our bed. But that takes work, and so I pretty much spend my days attached to Owen and doing nothing but taking care of him. I'm hoping having this student over for even 5 hours a week will help me get a grip on life again!


Ash, the dress is adorable! I can't sew to save my life, despite all my attempts. If you can sew little button up shirts for boys, I'd order one, too! We adore putting Owen in button up shirts, but it's so hard to find them in fun and funky prints. We only have two long-sleeved ones that fit him now, and only a couple of the cute short sleeved camp shirt style ones for the next size up. I bet you could build a great home business with your sewing skills!

 

[helenabear]

That does look like a great stroller! I was looking at them and my only issue was that I wanted something that had a tray for the baby. I know that sounds odd, but that is what I wanted. I didn't care about size since I have a hatchback, so I went with a jogger that had all options I wanted.

As for sleeping issues. We had a lot of trouble with Dom due to his reflux. For 6 weeks we co-slept. We had tried his swing, his car seat, inclines, sleeping on his side.... you name it. We gave up and went with sleeping on his stomach. It scared me to death at first, but in the end we were all much happier. He was able to lift his head at a 90 degree angle when we did it, so the doctor said it wouldn't be quite as much of a worry. He can now turn himself over to his stomach, so it definitely isn't a worry.

Welcome to the group all the new moms!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully, we are going to try the bassinet today and see how it goes. He does love his swing, so maybe that is an option.

 

[helenabear]

For some reason when I came in earlier, the picture of Ellery wasn't showing up I saw it now and that is cute! YOu ought to give us a link to your other work! Considering how much baby stuff is, I think it is great that you can sew. I used to, but got out of the habit so much that I am not sure if I can do it well or not now

Oh and my point with sleeping babies, was that if it works for your child... DO IT! We have adjusted Dom to sleeping by himself and into his crib quite well. I think sometimes at first, getting them to be alone and flat on their back just isn't easy or what they like. I know it is for their health, but some do claim that the only reason why it helps with SIDS is because they do not get into as deep of a sleep on their backs. That way the neurological issues that causes them to not breathe don't happen since they aren't sleeping as well. That's why they also recommend a pacifier from what I have read.

 

[Syrreal]

.
But, we have the travel system stroller now, and when it's in the trunk NOTHING else fits! Nothing! So, I am looking for something smallish that can still handle uneven sidewalks/roads.

I got a graco travek system while I was pg and while it's really nice, it takes up way too much space! The BOB takes up less space than that stroller! I only used it maybe 3 or 4 times and it's been closed up since.

We didn't have anywhere that sold the BOB here so we had to order it. When we got it, we also got the bar that makes it so you can put the infant carseat on it and turns into the baby tray later. We haven't put the tray on yet, though.

 

[kellyf2626]

Welcome to all the new mommies!! It's great to have more people here!!

As for strollers....we just got the Phil & Teds sport buggy. I love it! It is so easy to push around, fold up, and takes up much less room in my car as compared to the Chicco stroller I had before.

Ash - I love Ellery's dress!! So cute!! My mom and I sewed ribbon on burp clothes before Brady was born. That is about the extent of my sewing ability!

And I love all the cute pics everyone has posted!! I love seeing pictures of all our little one's! I brought Brady for his 7 month pics this past week. He just totally freezes up in front of the camera. He has the "deer in headlights" look down pat!!! It's like he sits in front of the camera, and is just so enthralled with everything around him that he can't smile?! Yet he is so goofy and smiley at home? I told my DH that for his 1 year pics, we should get someone to come to the house. Then maybe he will show his true silly side!!

So this past week we started Gymboree on Friday, and swimming lessons today! I almost started crying during Gymboree because I was just so overwhelmed watching him smile and laugh and enjoy himself. He is just the love of my life. He also loved swim lessons - although I think he drank half the pool!!!

Here are a couple cute pics from his 7 months ones...no smiles....maybe next month!!

 

[beckmrk04]

Kelly- Brady's pics are too cute. And I can totally relate to that overwhelming-make-you-cry love for your kid!! It is just soo amazing to watch my little girl grow up! I'm already freaking out, though, because it's going toooo fast. I feel like tomorrow we'll start kindergarten and next week she'll be walking down the aisle. NOOOOOO!

I'm going to have to post some more pics. I think I only have the one in my sig up!

 

[beckmrk04]

This first pic is Vaylie and my nephew Landon at Halloween! Yoda and Leia!

The next 2 pics were at her 9 month/Christmas photos: The first one she is doing her "snorty" face in her BabyLegs (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the BabyLegs). The second pic is her "model" pose. It cracks me up!

 

[Pollito916]

Welcome to the new mommies!

Ash - love the dress you made for Ellery, and you finally caught her kind of smiling!

Becky - Vaylie's pics are adorable, especially the "model" pose, she is so anim ated! You are going to have trouble on your hands in a few years with the boys! I know my DS would be chasing her around!

Kelly - Brady looks so handsome and grown up, even if he didn't smile. I can't wait to sign him up for some kind of classes or swimming lessons after we move. I just worry that there isn't enough time in a week to get everything!