The new "New Moms" thread!

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Hooray! This morning's nap was a breeze! Owen fussed for maybe 5 minutes at the start of his nap, and when he woke up at the 1 hour mark he just needed me to pop his binkie back in and he went right back to sleep. He got a solid 2 hours of sleep and woke up in a great mood. Yay!!

 

[DMickey28]

Bethany - I am glad that Owen did better today. My DS had a very hard time with naps at that age. I finally figured out that by waiting until he was yawning I was waiting too long. He is going to be a year in just over a week and he still needs to nap between 2-3 hours after waking up. It took me a while to get used to putting him down when he seems happy but I do and he just goes right out. If I wait until he's showing he is tired, he's actually already over tired and cries the WHOLE time.

Elaine - Sunscreen is usually not advised for babies under 6 months. Since Dom will be super close I think it would be safer and better for him to wear a onsie, hat and sunscreen on his arms and legs. The long sleeve sleepers will overheat it, more than sunscreen. Aveeno makes a great baby sunscreen that I have used for DS. I used it when he was just over 6 weeks and he was fine. The ped also said it would be ok, espeically on his limbs and far better than the alternative of him overheating in too many clothes or burning. We were there in March and he was in a jumper. The Children's Place and Carters has these great one piece jumper outfits that are perfect for the hot weather. They have the short sleeves and shorts but they don't have the extra heat of the waist bands and stuff. DS is wearing a 24 months right now which is one size too big but it gives him more 'breeze'.

 

[helenabear]

Hooray! This morning's nap was a breeze! Owen fussed for maybe 5 minutes at the start of his nap, and when he woke up at the 1 hour mark he just needed me to pop his binkie back in and he went right back to sleep. He got a solid 2 hours of sleep and woke up in a great mood. Yay!!

Woo hoo!!!! It is always nice when they do that!!! Dom finally just went down for his nap. He did wake up at 7:45 this morning, but normally I can't get that much time out of him with out him getting fussy. We even ran errands this morning and the little brat grew 1 pound in the last two weeks He's now bigger than one cat and just about to pass the other.

Bethany, glad you understood where I was coming from. It seems sometimes moms have a tendency to put each other down instead of helping out and I fear that if I give a thought someone is thinking I am putting them down. Of course I don't get "mommy wars" because we should help, not hurt each other.

And thank you all for the thoughts on the clothes vs sunscreen! Christina, we decided to go with bringing onesies for him and then have the sleepers for night and if it is chilly when he is out. He usually is fine in those for anything up to 70ish. Of course spring hasn't officially hit here so he might get hot quicker. I did find the Aveeno sunscreen while I was out and I picked it up for him. My ped said he was also close enough in age to use sunscreen, especially since we will be "in and out" so he shouldn't deal with the issues of not being able to regulate his body too much.

 

[HollyJoy]

Hooray! This morning's nap was a breeze! Owen fussed for maybe 5 minutes at the start of his nap, and when he woke up at the 1 hour mark he just needed me to pop his binkie back in and he went right back to sleep. He got a solid 2 hours of sleep and woke up in a great mood. Yay!!

That's awesome!! I've been really trying to work on Amanda's napping. Locking myself in the house, as much as possible. This morning, though, I went to the grocery store, after dropping the older girls off at school. Amanda's usually in a great mood in the morning. Worked like a charm.. she was a dream at the store, and we came home and she went down for a nap. She likes to fall asleep while nursing, so I"ve been pulling her off just before she dozes off, and lay her down so that she'll fall asleep on her own. Some days it takes a little longer, but the fussiness has gotten less and less!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Owen had his 4 month check up today, and he's still just at 3% for his weight (height is 27%, head is 42%), so the dr. ordered lab work to see if there's any reason why he's so small. Oh, it was so horrible having his blood drawn!!! Poor baby, they just had a terrible time getting the blood out, and all total they had to poke him 4 times - 2 times on one arm, 1 time on the other, and 1 time in his hand. I was nearly in tears myself, and DMIL had come with us and she was help hold him down, too, and she was nearly crying. Owen even tried to smile a little at the lab techs in between needle jabs.

He's getting extra snuggles today, even if it does throw off our sleep training. He's sleeping in my arms, and still taking those sobbing breaths in his sleep and whimpering a little. I hope they got all the info they need from this set of tests. I'd hate for the little guy to have to go through this again!

Poor bug, he still has to get his vaccinations, too, so we'll be going back for those next week. I prefer to spread them out so his little body doesn't have too much to deal with all at once, so we'll go in next week for 2 shots, then the following week for one shot and one oral dose. We were supposed to get the two shots today, but he was so traumatized from the blood draw that I decided the vaccines can wait a few days.

So his stats at 4 months are: 11lbs 8.5oz, 24 1/4 inches long, and head circ. is 16 something - can't remember if it was 16 1/2 or 16 3/4 inches. We were joking that they should keep track of foot size, too, because this kid has enormous feet!

To boost the # of calories he gets we're going to start him on solids - maybe even today if we can get to the store to buy some cereal. DH is coming home for a long lunch today to let me get a nap in and to snuggle the boy a bit, and they might go for a walk to get some. Owen was up every 2 hours last night and very fidgety when he wasn't actually awake, and then first thing this morning he had a big ol' stinky diaper blow out, so I think he was working on that all night. At least he saved it for the morning, but it was a total "code brown" and required both of us to get it all cleaned up and contained. (We call "Code Brown! Code Brown!" whenever it's a particularly bad diaper and we need assistance from the other parent... ) But I'm tired, and this morning's appointment drained me, too. I'm so thankful for DH's support and that he can come home for a little while to help me out!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

We heard back from Owen's Dr. and she said so far the tests look fine, so it appears that Owen is just a small little dude. The thyroid test is the only one that we don't have the results for yet, so we'll see if anything comes back from that.

Owen's schedule has been all messed up today, and we think he's still a little off from yesterday's trauma. (I still think I'm more traumatized than he is!)

He is loving the rice cereal, though! Funny bug was all wide eyed and opening his mouth like a baby bird and making little anxious noises as I fed him. He also was trying to grab the spoon and would hold it in his mouth as I gave him each bite. Too funny! I really wish I could get it on video.

 

[kellyf2626]

Bethany - that's great news about Owen! Some kids are just tiny! Brady aboslutely loved having cereal...took him a few days to figure out what the heck we were doing - but then he would make those grunting sounds too! So cute!!

Brady's 8 months pics at Sears were yesterday....they came out decent this month. I actually got him to smile! I brought a plastic bag with me....he laughs when it crinkles!! Here are a few...

 

[helenabear]

Bethany - that's great news about Owen! Some kids are just tiny! Brady aboslutely loved having cereal...took him a few days to figure out what the heck we were doing - but then he would make those grunting sounds too! So cute!!

I have to agree with this!!! My doctor actually won't care as long as they stay in the same percentile (or close to it). Also apparently some breastfed babies I am told run smaller in general. Dom at 4 months was just shy of 15 pounds (now he's 16... bugger grew in 2 weeks), 25.5 inches tall and had 16.25 head. That put him in the 50/75/25 percentile. He has always had a smaller head (used to be in the 10th percentile) but as my doctor said, never worry as long as they don't do drastic jumps. Also if one of you was a smaller baby then that can have something to do with it. Both Luis and I were skinny for our height (Dom falls 25% weight to height ratio) and I always had a small head. Some really do get way too caught up on the weight thing.

Those pictures of Brady are so cute!!!!

I went to Kohl's this morning to use a gift card. I was extremely disappointed with the boy selection. It made up less than 1/3 of the total baby section But I did get some cute things for the summer. He's getting closer to needing 6-9 month clothing now since he is so tall.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Kelly - great pics! I didn't realize when we went to Target to have ours done that they would do the one of me holding his hands so he could stand. I'm in my nastiest jeans and work boots, but his face was too cute, so we have it anyways. I just tell everyone it was Brian

Bethany - glad he's liking the cereal. After the first few days, Christopher got fairly good at it. He still bites down on the spoon and won't let go, but he thinks it's funny, so I'm guessing he'll keep doing it for a while.

 

[kellyf2626]

I went to Kohl's this morning to use a gift card. I was extremely disappointed with the boy selection. It made up less than 1/3 of the total baby section But I did get some cute things for the summer. He's getting closer to needing 6-9 month clothing now since he is so tall.

I run into the same thing at our Kohl's up here....basically all girls stuff. The boy "section" (if you can even call it that! ) is soooooo small.

Thanks for the compliments on the pics ladies!

 

[Pollito916]

Cute new pics Kelly!

I wish our Sears had let us do the standing pose when we took Alex. They also wouldn't do a pic w/o a diaper.

I find the same problem with baby boys' clothes at Kohl's and pretty much everywhere. There is just so much more girls' clothes out there. So unfair!

DS does the cutest thing at night now. When he is tired and ready for bed, he stops playing, picks up his lovey, says "night-night" and runs off to his room. It is so cute! And makes it so easy to put him to bed, since I know he is definitely ready, and there won't be a battle.

 

[Lachesis00]

Well I am a new mom again! 2 kids, 10.5 months apart (they would have been nearly a year, but Lydia was 6-7 weeks early). Lydia is the only granddaughter (and will be , we made sure of it this time) for my parents.
Lydia was a surprise, as was Aiden. I had no MS, no symptom, hardly any weight gain. Had the monthly as normal. (Low platelets allow this to happen).

Lydia Grace weighed in at 6 pounds, 9 oz and was 19" long on April 7th. She is down to 6# 5oz, but is holding her own. She looks a lot like Aiden more so then I thought until I saw his newborn pictures again.

Baby Brother, 10.5 before Miss Lydia:

Never thought I'd be on this thread again as a new mom

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Lachesis - what cuties!

So my little guy is growing up - I had to turn his car seat around. I read all of the stuff about keeping him rear facing as long as possible, but his not-so-little legs don't fit anymore. He's been riding with his feet on the headrest of the seat He'll be a year in 6 days, and is WAY over the height and weight limit. Feels weird to have a grown up kid in my back seat though...

 

[kellyf2626]

Cute new pics Kelly!

I wish our Sears had let us do the standing pose when we took Alex. They also wouldn't do a pic w/o a diaper.

I find the same problem with baby boys' clothes at Kohl's and pretty much everywhere. There is just so much more girls' clothes out there. So unfair!

DS does the cutest thing at night now. When he is tired and ready for bed, he stops playing, picks up his lovey, says "night-night" and runs off to his room. It is so cute! And makes it so easy to put him to bed, since I know he is definitely ready, and there won't be a battle.

Pollito - Sears wouldn't let you do those poses? What's with that? The lady at ours actually suggested the no-diaper one. I was a bit hesitant - I washed the area where he was sitting like 10x with a wipe! Then I put a diaper back on him before he went into the "tub"! And that is soooooo cute what Alex does. He is so grown-up!!

Well I am a new mom again!

Congratulations!!! How exciting! The pics are gorgeous!

Lachesis - what cuties!

So my little guy is growing up - I had to turn his car seat around. I read all of the stuff about keeping him rear facing as long as possible, but his not-so-little legs don't fit anymore. He's been riding with his feet on the headrest of the seat He'll be a year in 6 days, and is WAY over the height and weight limit. Feels weird to have a grown up kid in my back seat though...

It must be so funny to see your little one facing you in the backseat. Does he look all around now like "wow - a new view!!".

 

[HollyJoy]

OMG.. this pic is absolutely ADORABLE!!! love it!!!

Well I am a new mom again! 2 kids, 10.5 months apart (they would have been nearly a year, but Lydia was 6-7 weeks early).
Lydia Grace weighed in at 6 pounds, 9 oz and was 19" long on April 7th. She is down to 6# 5oz, but is holding her own.

Congratulations!!!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Oh, and by the way, as I type, my little one is in my bed fast asleep. I will cuddle in next to shortly and sleep and nurse, and nurse and sleep. It's bliss.

I realize it won't be bliss later, and we'll deal with it then. My 5 yo is now in her bed, but we don't push the issue when she wants to sleep with us. Our rationale is that we doubt she will come home from the prom and want to sleep with us. Although we probably will want her to then too!

Best to all!

That's how we do it here too, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Have fun on your WDW trip!!!!

 

[HollyJoy]

Questions for you ladies..

Did any of you start your little ones on cereal early? I'm thinking of going for it around the 4 month mark... She seems to want to eat all the time, and I'm starting to wonder if she just needs more. I'll talk to the pediatrician at her next appointment before I go for it, of course.

Any tips in how to get Amanda to take a bottle? She pretty much refuses to take a bottle unless she's STARVING! I've got a girls night out coming up next month, and to tell you the truth, I'm a bit worried for DH! So much so, that I almost bailed out. This is a complete change for me since my older two, who also nursed, never turned the bottle down! Amanda, however, is attatched.. lol To top it all off, she won't take a pacifier, either (and we've tried them all!). I know, not necessarily a bad thing, but there are times when it would be great if she'd take it! lol

 

[Pollito916]

Questions for you ladies..

Did any of you start your little ones on cereal early? I'm thinking of going for it around the 4 month mark... She seems to want to eat all the time, and I'm starting to wonder if she just needs more. I'll talk to the pediatrician at her next appointment before I go for it, of course.

I think at least a few of us on here with "bigger" babies started them on cereal early, around 4 months. DS's pediatrician ok'd it b/c DS was just drinking a lot of formula and still wanted more. DS did very well with the cereal and was moving on to jar baby food in no time.

DS was formula fed from the start, so unfortunately I have no tips on getting Amanda to take a bottle.

 

[Pollito916]

Lachesis - congratulations on another new baby!!! I didn't even know you were pregnant again - how far along were you before you found out?

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Questions for you ladies..

Did any of you start your little ones on cereal early? I'm thinking of going for it around the 4 month mark... She seems to want to eat all the time, and I'm starting to wonder if she just needs more. I'll talk to the pediatrician at her next appointment before I go for it, of course.

Any tips in how to get Amanda to take a bottle? She pretty much refuses to take a bottle unless she's STARVING! I've got a girls night out coming up next month, and to tell you the truth, I'm a bit worried for DH! So much so, that I almost bailed out. This is a complete change for me since my older two, who also nursed, never turned the bottle down! Amanda, however, is attatched.. lol To top it all off, she won't take a pacifier, either (and we've tried them all!). I know, not necessarily a bad thing, but there are times when it would be great if she'd take it! lol

Owen just had his 4 mo. appointment and his dr. said it's okay for him to start on solids. He's a very little guy, and the hope is that he'll get extra calories from the cereal and it will help him gain a little more weight. We have an appointment with a pediatric nutritionist on Friday to come up with a meal plan for the boy. DH and I are planning on making our own baby food for Owen, and would prefer for him to be eating modified versions of what we eat, so I'm curious to see what the nutritionist has to say.

I'm afraid I don't have any tips on helping Amanda take a bottle. Owen has been very good about switching between different bottles and pacifiers. My problem is that he won't nurse unless I'm wearing a nipple sheild. We needed to start using it because when I'm engorged he can't latch on, and then once he'd nurse for a while I'd take the sheild off and he'd latch on without it. Now he just won't nurse without the sheild at all. I was really worried about it for a while, especially since he's so small and I thought maybe he wasn't getting enough to eat. But with the lactation consultant's help we figured out that Owen's getting 5-6oz each time he nurses, so she said it's okay to stick with the sheild. Not my preference, but oh well.