The new "New Moms" thread!

[beckmrk04]

Okay- here is that pic of the floaty thing. Can you believe this was a year ago?

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Questions for everyone:
1. We are starting to think of an umbrella type stroller so that we don't always have to take the big graco one. Does anyone have any preferences? I don't think I want one of the little cheapies and would prefer a nicer one.

2. What is everyones favorite carseat for the second round. Noah is still in the graco one now but he's getting too tall for it so we need to move up a level. Likes/Dislikes about any inpartcular?

For an umbrella stroller, I found a Maclaren Triumph on clearance. I hated spending that much money, but Christopher is a giant I didn't want to buy one that he would be too heavy for in a few months. This one goes to 50-60lbs (can't remember off the top of my head), so I should be good for a while.

When he grew out of the infant seat, we got one of the Fisher Price Safe Voyage ones. I had to get 3 seats (one for me, one for DH, and one for my parents), and we wanted ones that were all the same. I liked the Britax, but couldn't afford 3 of them. The Fisher Price ones are made by Britax, but don't have the cute covers and all the extras. They have the same weight ratings though, which was what sold me.

Becky - the floats look great! I'm looking for one for Christopher. Supposedly Target has them on sale this week, so it looks like we'll be taking a trip. He wasn't sitting up enough last summer to use it, and up until now, he was ok with me holding him in the water. Now that he's moving, he's way too cool to sit with Mommy and splash, you know....

Denise - I started giving Christopher those Gerber puffs and Cheerios when he could pick them up. I think he was 7 months or so.

Bethany - hope you're feeling better. That's too cute about Owen in his bed. I always wondered what Christopher was babbling at in the morning. I snuck in to find out one day - it was the curtains. As soon as they'd move, he'd start talking to them

Ash - what a cool vacation! The pictures are awesome!

Michelle - I have the same problem with stairs. We have an old house, so I can't really screw the gate into the wall (it's plaster and lath, so there isn't anything secure to attach it too) The pressure gates don't really work either. For now, i have a gate wedged in at the top and bottom, and we have to step over them. It's not perfect, but we haven't come up with any better ideas either.

So Christopher enjoyed the fireworks this weekend. I was really hoping he'd be OK with them, since we end up going to a lot of fireworks. DH shoots them, and I usually work on the crew (digging in the tubes and such). He was tired, but he liked them. He kept pointing at the bigger ones

 

[jennyL]

My mom has that same floaty thing at her house. She picked it up on clearance last year for Noah this year. He loves it. We have to be careful since he leans all the way forward and starts kicking his little legs like he's trying to swim somewhere. Not sure where he's going but he can get the thing to move. LOL I'll try to take some pics when I'm there this weekend to share.

Thanks everyone for the carseat info. My neighbor had suggested the Britax Marathon but it is just massive I'm not sure I need that much car seat. I thought about one of the Macclarrens but I haven't really looked at them yet. I love my graco but we traveled with it this weekend and it was a bit much for what we really needed. I loved having it in Orlando the other month but since Noah isn't really a napper I don't need one that lays all the way down most of the time. And then I'm thinking for my cruise in October a smaller one might be nice on the ship.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Old QOTD: It was April 1st of 2007 and I was about a week late on my period. My boo-bays had been itching for DAYS so I decided to test. I peed on the stick and in less than 30 seconds that + appeared! I stood there going, "wait...." So I took the test to DH and his exact word was "wait..." And seven months later, Moshe Israel was born! Can't wait to tell him mommy found out about him on April Fool's Day!

New QOTD: I would say Mo reminds me of Tigger. Scooting and hopping all over the floor and jumping up in down in his Johnny Jumper and his activity center!

 

[Villain-lover]

Nicole, I haven't changed S & Z's schedule yet....but probably soon. I have decided we are in no hurry to add a third meal. I am trying to do some finger snacks though.

QOTD....

Zoe is like Marie fromthe aristocats....cute, tiny, and prissy.

Sam is like Stitch....always into everything but has a good heart!

 

[beckmrk04]

Thanks everyone for the carseat info. My neighbor had suggested the Britax Marathon but it is just massive I'm not sure I need that much car seat. I thought about one of the Macclarrens but I haven't really looked at them yet. I love my graco but we traveled with it this weekend and it was a bit much for what we really needed. I loved having it in Orlando the other month but since Noah isn't really a napper I don't need one that lays all the way down most of the time. And then I'm thinking for my cruise in October a smaller one might be nice on the ship.

WHen you decide to buy your carseat or stroller, check www.albeebaby.com

They always have sales on stuff (I got one Britax Diplomat there for $199/free shipping, vs. $259.99 reg. price). I got the other Diplomat at Babies R Us- they had it sitting in the clearance aisle for $100!!! I asked what what was wrong with it, and the sales guy said "Nothing- the box was dented and we can't sell it for full price now." So, I snatched it up. And we were thinking about a Marathon, but it is quite large, and we both drive small cars (a Neon and a Cavalier). It fit, but it was big. The Diplomat fits much better.


My SIL just got this Peg Perego stroller from albeebaby.com- was $329, now $159.99!! It is so cool looking, too. They got it for their Disney trip this September- it fols really nice and compact, as well.

 

[jennyL]

I've just been looking at that site and I need to go out and see if I can lay my hands on some of the Maclarens to decide which one I like. There are three versions that look similiar to me online the Biarritz, the Quest and the Triump. I'll have to look into the differences later. Who knew that you could get a Kate Spade pattern or a Lacoste pattern for your stroller.

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

Hi there

I have not been able to post but I have enjoyed reading all your answers to the QOTD!! Great stories!!

 

[Villain-lover]

Okay, so change that Nicole..I have decided that a schedule similar to yours will probably work for us. I think it will allow plenty of time to get out in the morning too. I figure if they start getting hungry while we are out, I might just get some of the ready to eat 2 oz formula bottles and let them have one, and sort of finish the feeding when we get home (we would go out after breakfast to be home to have 12:00 bottle). Thanks ladies!

We got the twins new carseats yesterday...we got the cosco Alpha Omega 3 in 1. Weighted 5-100 lbs. Very cozy, safe, and easy to deal with. We won't have to buy a carseat again!!! Yip Yip!

In preparation for new carseats and getting rid of infant seats, Sam & Zoe have had their first couple of experiences sitting in the top of the cart! I put them kinda calddy corner facing each other, each with one leg in a hole and their other legs helping hold each other in. Sam decided it would be fun to chew on his sister's toe ewwww! Sam still can't sit unnasisted, but the cart helps prop him up! Booger!

 

[7beasley]

Bec - great floatie for the pool - will have to look for something like that!

Meredith -- good luck transitioning to 3 solid meals a day -- Izzy took to it quite well but the only problem is she would rather eat food now then formula - so trying to get her to drink 18 oz+ a day is a battle -- but someone we do it!
Also with the formula -- I suggest powder formula vs ready to feed. The ready to feed usually needs to be warmed up, its more expensive and once opened it has to be refrigerated. With the powder -- I take with me bottles with water and a small travel container of powder and whenever I need a bottle I mix it right then and there -- works great! BRU sells 3 and 4 compartment formula containers -- they are awesome!!

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

QOTD: I have been raking my brain re what disney character best describes Izzy. And I have come up with the following: DONALD DUCK! . I don't know why I did not think of this before. Izzy squeals and makes non-English sounding noises, just like Donald. And she does not like to wear pants - just like Donald. Recently, Izzy has been preferring to go pantless. We do this mainly at night - after we get home from work. She wears a onesie and no pants (and sleeps like that too) and she is as happy as can be! And sometimes, she gets a little crabby like good ol' Donald. And lastly, she is cute and silly like Donald! My own little Donald Duck.

 

[HollyJoy]

Questions for everyone:
1. We are starting to think of an umbrella type stroller so that we don't always have to take the big graco one. Does anyone have any preferences? I don't think I want one of the little cheapies and would prefer a nicer one.

2. What is everyones favorite carseat for the second round. Noah is still in the graco one now but he's getting too tall for it so we need to move up a level. Likes/Dislikes about any inpartcular?

1. I felt the same way.. didn't want a little cheap umbrella stroller this go around, so I decided to go up in price a little. I settled on this one, by Chicco, and I LOVE IT! CHICCO STROLLER/SEVENTIES, CAPRI They do make it in other patterns (solids, I think), but I love the whole retro thing

2. We've already moved Amanda into the Britax Marathon/Ashley pattern I also LOVE this carseat! Well worth the extra money spent, and DD loves it too... especially the pattern. She tries her best to grab the flowers! lol The straps are easy to adjust, it was easy to install, and was just a really great fit and easy all around, to use!

***************
Okay - new question of the day - something fun and lighthearted!

Question of the day: What Disney character best represents your child?

I'd have to say Donald Duck! While Amanda is a real cutie, and has a great smile and personality, she also thinks she is the center of the world (well she is right now), and has a really big temper! LOL

 

[HollyJoy]

Yes, I found this remarkable thing at Babies R Us today, and I bought it after hearing about it from some other Moms. It lets the babies enjoy soft foods, w/out having to puree them (as long as they are soft). I put a banana in it, and Amanda went to town. She kept smiling at me, and threw a fit when it was all gone! LOL Take a peek:

[/IMG]

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Yes, I found this remarkable thing at Babies R Us today, and I bought it after hearing about it from some other Moms. It lets the babies enjoy soft foods, w/out having to puree them (as long as they are soft). I put a banana in it, and Amanda went to town. She kept smiling at me, and threw a fit when it was all gone! LOL Take a peek:

[/IMG]

Love her face!! We have those for Owen, too! He was totally suspicious of it the first few times we gave it to him, but now he loves it. We have an apricot tree that is loaded with ripe fruit right now, and we've been putting apricot slices in his every day for the last week. This boy has been eating apricots for breakfast every morning, too...I swear he's going to start turning orange!

Ugh, it is HOT here, and just going to get hotter. Plus the air quality is back to being "unsafe for sensitive persons" because of all the fires, plus the regular pollution is all trapped down here in the valley. I have asthma, so I'm staying indoors, and they recommend that babies are kept inside as well. Looks like we'll be staying inside with the AC on all week, unless we can find a way to get to the beach.

I'm picking up my childcare business again, but gradually and only part-time for now. I'll be watching a friends' 2 yr. old DD on Tue and Thu AM's for the summer, and then the 2 yr. old and her 3.5 yr. old DSis both on Fri. AM's. Hopefully Owen will enjoy having the "big kids" around, and I'm looking forward to having some income of my own again. Tomorrow will be my first day "back at work", and the house isn't nearly as ready as I'd like it. Oh well. At least the upper room is ready, and that's where we'll spend most of the time.

 

[beckmrk04]

Holly- Amanda looks so cute! Vaylie didn't really like that thing too much. I have heard lots of other moms swear by it though!

Bethany- It's hot here too. It was around 92-93, with a heat index aroun 97-99. Yowza- I am NOT a heat person. And it is soooo humid. That's the real killer. Feels like a sauna. So, we've been shut inside, too. That's cool that you are starting the childcare back up- gradually and part-time sounds like a nice transition.

I need to call the health dept. to check on my resume and that position... I've been putting it off. I just really don't want to be disappointed, because it sounds like such a cool opportunity.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Okay- here is that pic of the floaty thing. Can you believe this was a year ago?

It's the Cozy Crab!!! We have that same float, LOL. You can still get them this season at wal-mart.

 

[7beasley]

Holly -- what is that thing that Amanda is eating from? What can you put in it? It looks cool.

Ash - thanks for the tip that the crab float is at Walmart - I will check that out this weekend.

Hope everyone is doing well!

FYI: Carla (AllyandJack) posted on the TTC thread -- she had a little girl last month named Cassidy. I think Kate turned 1 in June and Cassidy is 1 month old. Hopefully she will join us over here...but she probably has no time to DIS anymore with 2 kids under 1!!

We lowered Izzy's crib last night -- at first my DH lowered it as far as it goes down but I could not reach to put her in the bottom (I am only 5'3) so he brought it up a little higher (still hard to reach but I can do it now) and this morning the silly little monkey wedged her foot and chubby leg under the bumper and through the crib slats and could not get it out. She was not hurt but now we have to figure out how to prevent that!

Question of the Day: What is your child's "teeth status" -- when get first tooth, where get first tooth, how many teeth have currently...

Have a great day!
Nicole

 

[Villain-lover]

Teeth Status.....Zero, none, either baby....no sign of teeth at all.....I keep asking them when they are going to get some teeth and they don't answer...

 

[randy0472]

Teeth status . . . my daughter has two on the bottom and she is 8 months today. She started cutting the first one at the beginning of May (right before she was 6 months). She cut the second bottom one when she turned 7 months and now it appears that she is cutting a top tooth as we speak.

 

[jennyL]

Noah has np teeth so far but he has been chewing his fingers more so maybe he's starting to get one.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Nicole - the thing Amanda is using is a teething feeder. Owen has them, too, and he loves it now. The ones we have are made by Sassy, I think. We found ours at Target. We put slices of fruit and soft veggies in his. The mesh part of it holds the food, and then he gums on it and the food eventually gets mushed up and he gets bits of it through the mesh. It's a great way to introduce kids to flavors in a safe way - they can gum on it without risk of chokeing. Plus if you put in a cold fruit slice, it helps their gums feel better when they're teething.

As for Owen's teeth - none so far! He's still the toothless wonder, drooling away like a maniac, gumming everything, chewing on his fingers and fists, and going into a baby trance when we rub his gums...but no teeth have appeared.