The new "New Moms" thread!

[TiggerStac]

Oh, I almost forgot! I wanted to tell all of you that we went to Target today and there is a HUGE clearance going on! Our Target even had a few boxes of Huggies Supreme diapers where the box was slightly damaged, so they were marked down from $27.99 to $19.99! We also got a second convertible carseat for DS for my mom's car since she watches him 1-2 days a week. A Graco ComfortSport for only $50! Alex loves it so much that he is sitting in it in the middle of the living room, sucking his thumb!

There were also TONS of toys and clothes on clearance and in the $1 Spot. My mom found some shirts for Alex for $0.87! They also had some adorable new Disney onesies (not on clearance), but only went up to size 6-9 months, so not nearly big enough for Alex. But those of you with smaller babies might like them. I Target!

I hit ours up last night...you beat me to the post. I stocked up on Pampers. I ended up getting 4 boxes. 2 in current size 2 in next size for $23 each and they are huge boxes. I believe 136 diapers for size 4 and 120 something in the size 5. I always do the math and price out each diaper price on my cel phone and they were cheaper then when I normally get them at BJ's. I tried Luvs for the first time (my last trip) and don't really like them, they don't fit DS well and the diaper hangs when wet. So I have these at daycare, to use them up quickly.

I also got a tickle me ernie for 14.99!! That was half off. Of course, he loved it in the box, but he's a little scared of it. He loves his TMX elmo, Ernie moves more, though.

They had tons on sale...tons of diapers toys, etc etc. I went to both Leominster MA and Nashua NH in the last few days.

 

[beckmrk04]

OK Ladies- now I have to head to Target. I Target too!! I wish the one closest to me was bigger- the one that is 2nd closest is gigantic and they always have so much more stuff.

So, DH left at 4 am this morning.

Now, normally, he has Vaylie in the morning, at least M-sat, and then he usually gets up with her on Sundays and lets me sleep in. She usually gets up between 8:30 and 9:30. But, since he's at work, I was obviously in charge of getting up with her this morning.

The little stinker woke up at 7:10 AM with a full poopy diaper and then proceeded to be grumpy for the next 1/2 hour. She kept saying "eat, eat" but once I gave her some eggs, she freaked out like I had just handed her a plate full of poison.

It might be a challenging day here.

 

[Villain-lover]

OK Ladies- now I have to head to Target. I Target too!! I wish the one closest to me was bigger- the one that is 2nd closest is gigantic and they always have so much more stuff.

So, DH left at 4 am this morning.

Now, normally, he has Vaylie in the morning, at least M-sat, and then he usually gets up with her on Sundays and lets me sleep in. She usually gets up between 8:30 and 9:30. But, since he's at work, I was obviously in charge of getting up with her this morning.

The little stinker woke up at 7:10 AM with a full poopy diaper and then proceeded to be grumpy for the next 1/2 hour. She kept saying "eat, eat" but once I gave her some eggs, she freaked out like I had just handed her a plate full of poison.

It might be a challenging day here.

ummm..maybe you AND Vaylie need that shot of Jack that was discussed earlier in the week.....

 

[beckmrk04]

ummm..maybe you AND Vaylie need that shot of Jack that was discussed earlier in the week.....

No kidding.

Well, I guess I had better get used to it because she's going to be on a early schedule from here on out.

Before, DH didn't have to be at work until 3:30 pm, so he was home every morning with V and they got up whenever they felt like it. Now that he's working days, I am going to have to get her up early and take her to my mom's on Tues, Wed, and Friday.

Our "schedule" is about to fall apart.

 

[Villain-lover]

Give it a week...she'll adjust just fine, and you won't pull too much of your hair out.....

 

[Pollito916]

DH is hoping Owen will melt down during tomorrow's party so he can have an excuse to go home early.

Sounds like you guys are having a great weekend! And I like your DH's excuse for getting out of a boring party. I usually just say we have to leave for Alex's nap to avoid the meltdown, but sometimes when DH is with his brothers he won't get up until like the 10th time I ask him and DS actually starts screaming.

I always do the math and price out each diaper price on my cel phone and they were cheaper then when I normally get them at BJ's. I tried Luvs for the first time (my last trip) and don't really like them, they don't fit DS well and the diaper hangs when wet.

I also got a tickle me ernie for 14.99!!

I always do the math, too, and I don't like the Luvs either. They are cheap, but they don't work well with DS. The Pampers seem to work ok, but I don't really like how they smell.

DS has the tickle me ernie. He wanted cookie monster, but his uncle couldn't find it at x-mas, so he got him ernie. He barely pays attention to it. But my mom found the cookie monster a few months later and he loves that one He also likes a hokey-pokey elmo he got for his b-day.

She kept saying "eat, eat" but once I gave her some eggs, she freaked out like I had just handed her a plate full of poison.

It might be a challenging day here.

Alex did the same thing this morning with his eggs, and he normally loves them, especially with ketchup. Today he wouldn't even touch them and pushed his plate away and spit it out when I tried to put some in his mouth. What is up with these kids?

 

[beckmrk04]

I'm disappointed. My Target didn't have amazing clearance stuff. They did have a bunch of diapers, but they were 15% off, and only size 5 and 6. I could have bought 5's, but V wears 4's for now. And I'm not sure when she'll change and if we'll even have to before potty training. Hm.

I have decided that since DH is going to be home every night now, I am going to start planning meals at least 2 weeks at a time, maybe meals for the month. So I'm researching. I have never attempted this. We usually just eat whatever is convenient, which is usually 1) unhealthy and 2) more expensive. And a lot of times we rely on take-out or make last minute runs to the store, which adds up on what we have to spend on gas. Which is already a small fortune. It seriously makes me want to cry. I figured out the other day that DH and I are spending around $7,000-8,000/year just on GASOLINE!!!! FOR OUR CARS!!! It's sheer craziness.

But anyway, I'm all excited- PLayhouse Disney Live is coming to St. Louis in February, and SIL and I are going to take V and my nephew! It's going to be adorable. It's one week before Vaylie's 2nd birthday.

 

[exwdwcm]

Meredith- Will throws up a lot sometimes too- in fact last week were major ones. he must have thrown up a good 2-3 ounces or more. it was like it just kept coming out. those scare me because it is so much volume. it is all formula looking liquid though. he was having some gag reflex issues i think (once was when i tried to give him tylenol with the dropper). after he barfs, he jsut laughs. so that makes me feel better, since it seems it doesn't hurt him at all. he had some really bad reflux when he was smaller too. hopefully he will outgrow it- it seems to just come back up sometimes, we never know when and it never seems to hurt his tummy at all since he is so happy 24/7. hopefully Zoe will outgrow it soon.

Kelly- how fun will it be with Brady this trip! i can't wait to hear all about it. so i'll have to look into this stroller you mentioned as well. i was wondering that- i want to invest in a good one to take to disney next year. Will is going to be 26 months or just over 2 when we go in dec09. i currently only have the Chicco cortina travel system. the stroller is nice and lays back all the way etc. But it isn't easy to lug around folded up. you can pull it on the wheels folded up, but i still can't imagine lugging it on a tram (we usually rent a car, so we take the parking lot trams at the parks). so tell me all about your stroller.....i need to figure out a good one to start looking into.

also- when you guys take a toddler around 2 or 3, do you need a stroller that lays back all the way for them to nap while out int he parks? or is a more simple umbrella type stroller good enough since they can sleep sitting up anyhow? i did see these cute disney strollers for $30 at sears- they had a pooh, tigger, cars etc. with little bags that hung on them too with the theme.

Bethany, sounds like a great weekend, and how cool is that tradition for the bday cake and the hand shaking/well wishes.

hope your day got better Beck!

and now i need to check out Target tomorrow too. i found my formula on clearance there before too- i guess it was just a certain size can they were clearing out for 1/2 price (similac advance). so i need to check out the sale for sure. i am already buying stuff for our dec 2009 trip too - when i see cute little disney themed or boy type cheap toys, i am buyhing them so i can do a stocking for Will each morning of our trip! talk about some advanced planning, but i figure i can get good deals that way.

oh and i forgot to tell you guys- i had a near miss with Will rolling off the changing table last week. i usually buckle him onto it if i am stepping away for a moment. but i didn't this time since i was just turning around for a second.....but mr. wiggle worm of course decided to wiggle off. i turned around, saw him falling and caught him mid air, halfway to the floor. man, my heart dropped. scared the heck out of me.

 

[ashjohnson80]

I'm so tired. Ellery woke me up at 5 a.m. Then when we got up Bogart wanted to go potty, and wanted some water, and then Ellery started laughing at him. I thought that maybe, just maybe since it was the weekend and because I was so very tired from helping my parents have a yard sale and getting up at 5 am on saturday morning too that DH would get up with Ellery for once, big dreams I have, they don't come true.
So I finally got the laundry put away, the house clean, the kitchen mopped, bottles washed, baby in bed, emails answered... and my knee and back is hurting so bad I don't think I can sleep. And I'm incredibly thirsty.

 

[Pollito916]

Ash - I hope your day gets better and you are able to get some rest!

 

[kellyf2626]

I always do the math, too, and I don't like the Luvs either. They are cheap, but they don't work well with DS. The Pampers seem to work ok, but I don't really like how they smell.

Ditto on this....Pampers smell very *chemically* to me. We use Huggies and they work great!!

Kelly- how fun will it be with Brady this trip! i can't wait to hear all about it. so i'll have to look into this stroller you mentioned as well. i was wondering that- i want to invest in a good one to take to disney next year. Will is going to be 26 months or just over 2 when we go in dec09. i currently only have the Chicco cortina travel system. the stroller is nice and lays back all the way etc. But it isn't easy to lug around folded up. you can pull it on the wheels folded up, but i still can't imagine lugging it on a tram (we usually rent a car, so we take the parking lot trams at the parks). so tell me all about your stroller.....i need to figure out a good one to start looking into.

also- when you guys take a toddler around 2 or 3, do you need a stroller that lays back all the way for them to nap while out int he parks? or is a more simple umbrella type stroller good enough since they can sleep sitting up anyhow? i did see these cute disney strollers for $30 at sears- they had a pooh, tigger, cars etc. with little bags that hung on them too with the theme.

I really, really like my Peg Perego Pliko P3. They have them at BRU so you can test them out...but it's lots cheaper to buy them online at Albeebaby.com. I got a 2007 model for more than 1/2 off the original price. DH thinks it's funny that strollers have "2007 models" and "2008 models"....like they're cars or something! Lol! It reclines all the way, huge sunshade, has a snack-tray (this buys me hours in the mall!), folds-up like an umbrella stroller, and is pretty light. AND the best part is the buckle-system - it's hard to explain (check it out in the store), but the harness doesn't come out of the back of the stroller. It tethers from the bottom - so Brady can be completely harnessed in, yet move forward and not be pulled against the back of the stroller. He loves this!!! Obviously the Macleran's and other umbrella-stroller-type ones are smaller and more compact. But, they lack in features that I really like (like the sunshade, no total recline, no snack tray). People swear that you don't need these things when your kiddo is older....but I think I will always like these features for Brady, and it's worth the little bit of extra weight! I'll let you know how we like it in Disney. But, I can tell you from just around the mall, shopping, walks, etc... I like it sooooooo much more than my Chicco Cortina!

So here are a few cute pics of Brady from the past week....the aftermath of eating a Hoodsie and LOVING it!

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

Michelle -- We've taken the Pliko P3 and a Zooper Twist (similar to the Maclaren) on two separate trips and will be choosing the P3 for our next one.

I love it so much more than the Zooper. DH loved folding it up for the buses a lot more too -- you can leave a whole pile of stuff in the bottom basket and it will still fold. I'm a big Peg Perego fan!

We're taking the Zooper in December, but just for the airport -- my parents are packing the Peg in their car to take down and use in the parks.

All in all, it's a GREAT park stroller (plus, ours is orange, so it was super easy to spot in a sea of strollers!!

(Oh! Another perk -- the rain cover ZIPS onto the sunshade -- how awesome is that?! And, it's HARD to tip by overloading the back!! And, did I mention they have cool colours like ORANGE and LIME?!)

I think I need to get paid by Peg!! ;-)

 

[ashjohnson80]

guess who is still up at midnight? ellery never sleeps. no naps, no sleeping at night. and since my mom isn't available to babysit anymore and I pretty much do not have a dh, i have to wait for her to go to sleep at night to work. except she doesn't sleep. i just want to cry right now.

 

[Pollito916]

I really, really like my Peg Perego Pliko P3. They have them at BRU so you can test them out...but it's lots cheaper to buy them online at Albeebaby.com. I got a 2007 model for more than 1/2 off the original price.

So here are a few cute pics of Brady from the past week....the aftermath of eating a Hoodsie and LOVING it!

Cute pics, Kelly, what's a Hoodsie?

And I love my Peg Perego Aria OH. We get so many compliments on it wherever we go. It doesn't have all the features of the Pliko P3, but it has most of them, and is a little lighter, which I love b/c I am pretty petite and weak. You would think I would be stronger after carrying around a nearly 25 lb baby, but no. I also tried out both strollers at BRU, then ordered from Albeebaby for less than 1/2 the price b/c I bought a 2007 model!

guess who is still up at midnight? ellery never sleeps. no naps, no sleeping at night. and since my mom isn't available to babysit anymore and I pretty much do not have a dh, i have to wait for her to go to sleep at night to work. except she doesn't sleep. i just want to cry right now.

Ash - have you talked to your pediatrician about Ellery's sleeping habits? She's old enough now that she should be able to sleep through the night and/or take some decent naps. Is there anyone else you can turn to for a little help so you can get some rest, like a friend or neighbor?

 

[TiggerStac]

Hubby is away in the Bahamas for work... So far so good w/the 2 boys. About to get going for this am, so we'll see.

I hate when he travels, usually my oldest wants to sleep in my bed when he's out of town, but he didnt even ask last night

We'll see what happens tonight, he doesn't come back until late Thursday night.

On the plus side. Brady goes to bed at 7:30 when hubby isn't home and he goes down for me without a fight. Last night, I just chilled out for a little while before going to bed myself...tonight I need to clean my house! It's driving me crazy.

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm very jealous of you guys w/trips planned. We have one planned but are going to cancel because of the cruise that hubby won thru work...I know, I'm going on a cruise, I should be happy, I am, but it's not to visit my favorite mouse. We usually are planning our spring trip right now, but we haven't even talked about it. Oh well.....

 

[beckmrk04]

guess who is still up at midnight? ellery never sleeps. no naps, no sleeping at night. and since my mom isn't available to babysit anymore and I pretty much do not have a dh, i have to wait for her to go to sleep at night to work. except she doesn't sleep. i just want to cry right now.

Ash, that sucks. Did she just start this no-sleeping thing or has she always been a non-sleeper? Have you tried letting her CIO once in a while? Sometimes Vaylie won't sleep otherwise, but she's sooooo tired.

And why doesn't your DH help out?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My SIL bought a Peg Perego P3 stroller from Albeebaby and she loves it! It looks really cool, too- the frame is white and the seat is a silvery-gray (it's called Vapor) and she bought it super cheap (lol- strollers ARE kinda like cars, with models and you ay more for special features). I love, LOVE my BOB stroller- it is so perfect for where I live and it folds up soo easy, but I don't think it'd be all that handy on the buses at WDW. I'll probably end up buying something else if we go next year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kelly- what in the world is a Hoodsie?


Stacy- I'm bumming about no trip to plan either. I'm seriously hoping for next year!! I can't wait to take my little

 

[kellyf2626]

Oh Ash... (((hugs)))...ditto on what Pollito said. I would talk to your ped about it. Hopefully you are able to catch a break today!

Hmmmm....you guys have never heard of Hoodsies???? They are little ice-cream cups with chocolate and vanilla ice cream in them. Now that I think about it....I think Hood is regional to the northeast. They produce milk and other dairy products. Anywho...here is a pic...

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Ash, we have the same issues with Spencer. Most nights he stays up late (there are some nights he is up past midnight). His naps are sporadic as well. According to my MIL, DH was the same way. He stopped taking naps at 2 months.

We follow Dr. Sears, so we don't do CIO (of course, we did try at first, but it did NOT work at all). Here's his website http://www.askdrsears.com/default.asp

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Ash~~what do you mean you don't have a DH????? Have you talked to your ped about her sleeping habits? I'm so blessed that Mo sleeps well. And last night he DIDN'T wake up at 3am! Went down at 8 and woke up at 6:45! Is there no one you can ask for help?? You need it! Even though I have two babysitters and DH sometimes I'm just pooped with my little man.

Good luck Ash and keep us posted.

And what's CIO??

 

[kellyf2626]

And what's CIO??

CIO = Cry it out....letting your little one cry until he/she falls asleep when you know they are tired and have no other needs (have been fed, changed, aren't sick). It is somewhat controversial in that some people are dead against it and can't fathom letting their children cry, whereas other's are fine with it.

Personally - we did CIO with Brady starting at around 4 months old. We realized that he really had no clue how to soothe himself to sleep....he was totally relying on us to rock him in order to fall asleep. Sooooooo.....we started letting him CIO during naps and at night. The first day was AWFUL....he cried for like 45 min like a madman....but then fell asleep. Every day that week it got shorter and shorter. By the end of the week, he would go right down. It worked GREAT for us....and to this day, he is an awesome sleeper. I know it's not for everyone, but for us it worked very well and I am happy we did it.