The new "New Moms" thread!

[jennyL]

So we started Noah on cereal Sunday. I have some great pictures of the mess but he seemed to like it ok. I need to look it up but I figure you ladies can probably just answer but how long did you do cereal until you moved onto something else? Of course being that he just started he's only getting a little bit with his dinner time and then formula the rest of the day but I'd love to work something else in. I know that we need to wait three days between introducing anything new to wait for allergies but other then that did you all do cereal for a certain amount of time first.

Its so hard to believe that he's 6 months already.

 

[jessicad12]

We are so excited... we just extended our trip and are staying two additional nights. We are now going 9/11-9/19. I can't wait to see how Meg reacts.

Any advice on how to deal with a new walker (she just turned 1, 7/25) in the parks? Should I get one of those harness things?

 

[Villain-lover]

So we started Noah on cereal Sunday. I have some great pictures of the mess but he seemed to like it ok. I need to look it up but I figure you ladies can probably just answer but how long did you do cereal until you moved onto something else? Of course being that he just started he's only getting a little bit with his dinner time and then formula the rest of the day but I'd love to work something else in. I know that we need to wait three days between introducing anything new to wait for allergies but other then that did you all do cereal for a certain amount of time first.

Its so hard to believe that he's 6 months already.

I started solids at around 5 1/2 months....we did both rice cereal and oatmeal that first week, waiting 3-4 days from starting rice to trying oatmeal. I would usually wait about three days between new foods in the beginning (first three besides cereal were sweet potato, avacado, and pears). Now I may try a new foods a couple of days apart just to give them time to process a new taste. We don't seem to have any food allergies so far, so I see no need to wait anymore. BTW, the twins are 8 1/2 months now.

 

[kellyf2626]

So we started Noah on cereal Sunday. I have some great pictures of the mess but he seemed to like it ok. I need to look it up but I figure you ladies can probably just answer but how long did you do cereal until you moved onto something else? Of course being that he just started he's only getting a little bit with his dinner time and then formula the rest of the day but I'd love to work something else in. I know that we need to wait three days between introducing anything new to wait for allergies but other then that did you all do cereal for a certain amount of time first.

Its so hard to believe that he's 6 months already.

Your little guy is getting so big!! With Brady, we started cereal, and then about a week later, I introduced applesauce (stage 2 - the stage 1 was soooooooo runny I couldn't even keep it on the spoon!). I would give a little scoop of cereal and a bit of applesauce with it. Then about a week later I introduced banana's, and kept going from there. We started with just dinner, then included breakfast, and then lunch. It was great once he was kinda eating three "meals" a day and then bottles before naps and bedtime. It was so great to be on a real schedule!! We want pics from his first time eating cereal!!!

 

[DMickey28]

In regards to cereal, we started pretty early with cereal because I have a moose! Because we started super early (4 months) we just stuck with cereal for a while. When we began adding food in we began with applesauce and other fruits one at a time, mixed into the cereal (or vice versa!) He actually still eats cereal and applesauce (with a little sugar and cinnamon mixed in) a few times a week with breakfast!!

You guys have almost convinced me to buy a P3. At breakfast on Sunday the table next to us had one and I really liked the look of it. I just looked on Albeebaby.com and they have the toffee 2007 model for $179 and the 2007 Vapor for $159. The review on the Vapor was that the white frame got really dirty quickly. I have always liked the toffee color but I wish they had more fun colors for cheap!!

I have a Chicco Cortina as well that I haven't used in MONTHS. I use a Chicco Ct5 but it's horrible now. DS is so heavy and you can't steer the thing with one hand anymore. I hate it. I was thinking about getting a Maclaren Quest or Triumph but now I don't know.

Maclaren Quest or Triumph or the P3 ... which do you think???

We had our 15 month appointment yesterday morning ... DS is 28lbs and 2oz now and 34 3/4 inches tall. He's just a big boy now!! No shots ...

Yesterday was my 30th birthday. DH had meetings all day for work and then a dinner meeting. He did surprise me at 12 on his way to the confernece hotel with flowers and came home between 6-7 before his dinner. It was sad spending the day alone though ... well with DS. DH got me a very nice card but didn't get one from DS ... oh well ... He bought me a cake the night before and sang Happy Birthday to me. My present is a TV for our kitchen if I want one. I just need to make sure the outlet in there works before going out and getting one.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Holy cow, this thread is flying lately! I had like 4 pages of reading to do!!!

Strollers: I have a Maclaren Triumph that I love. It's really light, folds down wicked small so it fits under the seat in my car, and is so easy pushing around. I also have a Peg that I bought off ebay, so it's several years old. It too was awesome. Not as light as the Maclaren, nor does it fold as small. I don't use it as much because Christopher likes to be able to see all around him all the time It's almost like he's claustrophobic...

Cereal - I fed him nothing but cereal for about 2 weeks, and then added veggies and fruit. We stopped the baby cereal after about 2 months, and just started making oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of barley, etc. He was happier, and I always have that stuff in the house.

DMickey - Happy Birthday Wow, Alex is a big kid. Christopher's appointment is the middle of next month, and I'm thinking he'll be about the same. He does have shots due - we'll see what he gets though.

Ash - I have no advice, but you just sound so down. I'm sorry.

Jessica - I've never brought a toddler to WDW, but DH and I really think we'll end up getting a backpack harness. I don't want to keep him cooped up all the time, but I'm terrified he'd take off in a crowd.


Christopher is having so much fun lately. We had a tornado come rough town last week, and it destroyed DH's cousins house, so they're living with us for a while now. So Christopher has 2 more adults, his 4year old cousin, and an extra dog to play with. He's in toddler heaven

 

[DMickey28]

Jen -I have my eye on an older P3 on ebay that is local. They are willing to ship though so I am sure the price will go up in the next few days. There is another one that is not selling with local pickup in NJ. I emailed her and asked if she would be willing to ship it for X amount. If I can get a cheap older peg I'll probably also go for the Triumph. What is the difference in the Quest vs. Triumph? I just know I need to replace this Chicco one. We had a seagull poop on it seconds after I lifted DS out in the mall parking lot last week. I took it apart and washed it but it's horrible still. The back has NO support and I am noticing DS slumping. Too bad, because I used to really recommend this stroller. I think I have the potential to have a stroller obsession.

We bought the eddie bauer backpack monkey leash for DS a few weeks ago. I brought it with me for the airport just in case. We didn't have to use it in the airport but we played with it at home. He did fine with it but viewed it as a toy so he was always straining against it. If you give a little he would fall on his face. We had a delay in the airport and I put it on him for fun as well and let him walk holding my hand. I had the 'tail' in my hand in case he took off ... I think once he is a little older and can walk better in the airport it will come in handy!! By walking better I mean mostly going where you want him too rather than off on his own!! He is a strong walker for the most part.

 

[jennyL]

I'll see about posting a pic this evening. So how much food should he be getting? I just made a little cereal and I know some gets down but alot gets everywhere else. LOL how long before he can really eat the stuff? I guess I'll wait until he gets that down before I move onto something besides the cereal stuff.

He goes Friday for is 6month appointment so I'll have updated numbers then but at a 5.5 month visit he was 17lbs 11oz so I'm guessing he's over 18 now. Hard to believe my little man that started so big is leveling off.

 

[Pollito916]

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.

Ok, we have something similar, just sold under a different brand name!

how long did you do cereal until you moved onto something else?

Like most of the other ladies, I think we waited 2-3 days between each food, until I was pretty sure he didn't have allergies then started 1-2 days.

Any advice on how to deal with a new walker (she just turned 1, 7/25) in the parks? Should I get one of those harness things?

Hi Jessica, I don't remember seeing you around here much before, so welcome if we haven't already done so.

We bought one of the monkey harnesses for DS awhile back, but haven't used it much yet. My mom tried to use it with him in the Airport when he was about 13 months, but he just kept pulling on it and trying to run off. He likes having it on, though, and is now 17 months and walks ok for short distances, haven't really tried long ones again. We do plan on using it in WDW in December though.

We had our 15 month appointment yesterday morning ... DS is 28lbs and 2oz now and 34 3/4 inches tall. He's just a big boy now!! No shots ...

Yesterday was my 30th birthday.

Happy Birthday! Sorry it wasn't a happier day for you. i can't believe how big Alexander is! My Alex was only 22.5lbs and 33" at 15 months. I can't wait til his appointment next month to find out how big he is now, he just seems so tall and outgrows his clothes so quickly!

Christopher is having so much fun lately. We had a tornado come rough town last week, and it destroyed DH's cousins house, so they're living with us for a while now. So Christopher has 2 more adults, his 4year old cousin, and an extra dog to play with. He's in toddler heaven

That's scary - I didn't realize that you even saw tornados much in NH. I hope everyone is ok!

So how much food should he be getting? I just made a little cereal and I know some gets down but alot gets everywhere else. LOL how long before he can really eat the stuff? I guess I'll wait until he gets that down before I move onto something besides the cereal stuff.

He goes Friday for is 6month appointment so I'll have updated numbers then but at a 5.5 month visit he was 17lbs 11oz so I'm guessing he's over 18 now. Hard to believe my little man that started so big is leveling off.

I think when they first start eating they usually only eat 1-2 tbsp at a time, then move up to a couple ounces as they learn how to eat it better. I think it only took DS a couple of days to learn how to really eat the cereal, but he was a very hungry baby at that age and always seemed to be starving.

He has definitely leveled off a lot after 6 months, too. He was born at 7lbs15oz, so just above average, and by 6 months was about 18lbs. Now he only weighs about 23 lbs, so he has only gained 5 lbs in the last year, versus 10 lbs in the first 6 months.

Just think how big they would be if they didn't level off!

 

[exwdwcm]

So we started Noah on cereal Sunday. I have some great pictures of the mess but he seemed to like it ok. I need to look it up but I figure you ladies can probably just answer but how long did you do cereal until you moved onto something else? Of course being that he just started he's only getting a little bit with his dinner time and then formula the rest of the day but I'd love to work something else in. I know that we need to wait three days between introducing anything new to wait for allergies but other then that did you all do cereal for a certain amount of time first.

Its so hard to believe that he's 6 months already.

Jenny- we started cereal at like 4-5 months i think. he's been on baby food for many months now too- and is on stage 3 foods and table food (when i have something crushable for him to eat). he still has no teeth, so we have to watch what table food we give him.

i didn't give him cereal for long- he hated it. so we jsut moved right on to stage 1 baby food and that worked. i mix with cereal to thicken it up. so we sort of skipped cereal for the most part (by itself). I still mix it in his baby food to thicken it. i think we started with doing it at breakfast and dinner- just twice a day. now he eats 3 baby food meals and has 4 bottles a day, plus some snacks and one sippy of juice/water.

THANKSfor all the strollers comments guys. i'll have to stop by BRUS and try out the Pegs etc. i really want to fold it and see how light it feels.

Kelly- never heard of Hoodies!

Ash- hang in there, i hope it gets better. i don't have much advice other than to say we are here to support you!!!!!! we let Will CIO too and it has worked pretty well for us.

happy bday dmickey! i have 35 coming up and NOT looking forward to it! lol hope you have a great one.

Jen- a tornado? oh no, hope everyone is okay.

Will had his 9 month appt today- he turns 9 months tomorrow. He weighs 22lbs (75%), 30inches (90th) and he is still off the charts on his head size. monster heads run in DH's family. lol.....doctor was glad to see his weight level off some- he was running 90-97th percentile on both weight and height and doc was getting concerned if that trend kept up. He also started clapping this week and really pulling up to standing a lot more on his own. he can do it, he just wasn't doing it much until this week.

 

[TiggerStac]

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...

My family knows these well....Brady loves them. And it's the perfect size to feed himself.

 

[TiggerStac]

Another vote for the triumph!

We got one when my oldest was around 3. We had a BRU brand stroller that was similar and carried up to about 40lbs and that broke after a year. I invested in the Maclaren because DS was on the top of the weight charts at the time and we were trying for another at the time. So, I figured I'd get use w/Ty and the new child. We really needed it for him at WDW. I used it there and at malls.

I use it with Brady now. The only downfall is no tray, like my Graco has. Luckily he's good w/holding a snack bag when we're out and about.

 

[jennyL]

Here are a couple from his first food attempt. You guys were right he just took some time and did great tonight. When he had swallowed he would fuss till I gave him more so he went through what I made pretty quick. We didn't even make a huge mess today. Woohoo I did buy some stage 1 at Target this evening so we'll try that next week some.

Not sure what it is and wanting to help

Not so bad

Uh oh too much in the mouth

Oh yeah and update I finally got an appointment with the allergist and we go on Monday to see if its really a milk allergy or something else.

 

[ashjohnson80]

My DH is never around because he works 3rd shift. And I know that he has to go to work and sleep through the day, but what irritates me is that he won't help out even when he's supposed to be around. He says that he's tired and doesn't feel well or that he's too "busy" to help me. Every so often we'll get into it, especially on the weekends when he's off, but he's like "I'm the one who puts a roof over our heads", and since I don't really have a job that makes money what can I say? I just really didn't think I would be doing all of this alone.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

My DH is never around because he works 3rd shift. And I know that he has to go to work and sleep through the day, but what irritates me is that he won't help out even when he's supposed to be around. He says that he's tired and doesn't feel well or that he's too "busy" to help me. Every so often we'll get into it, especially on the weekends when he's off, but he's like "I'm the one who puts a roof over our heads", and since I don't really have a job that makes money what can I say? I just really didn't think I would be doing all of this alone.

You know what Ash....MY DH keeps a roof over our heads. His paychecks cover rent and big bills. My tips take care of the smaller things, BUT MY DH helps with Mo and apologizes when he doesn't. We take turns taking care of Mo if he wakes up in the early AM like 3 in the morning. I do a few days and DH does a few and my DH has odd sleeping habits. Charles always takes care of Mo on Saturday mornings so I can sleep in a little and I REALLY appreciate it. This Sunday he was home and I didn't know what to do with myself. DH hasn't had a Sunday off in a month. I had to work, but how nice to have DH there while I cooked breakfast and got ready for work. What can you say.....get off his &*% and help you dammit! He may be tired, but that's NO excuse!!! How tired are you with a little one that doesn't sleep day or night??!! That money card is a lame excuse for a husband to use for a SAHM. You should not be doing this alone, he helped produce Ellery and it's HIS job to help take care of her. What happens if you're sick and no one can help?? I'm sorry if I seem angry, but I cannot imagine my DH even letting those words come out of his mouth. I don't ask for his help much because he works so hard, but when he offers it...I'm all over it!

Good luck Ash and be blessed.

 

[beckmrk04]

My DH is never around because he works 3rd shift. And I know that he has to go to work and sleep through the day, but what irritates me is that he won't help out even when he's supposed to be around. He says that he's tired and doesn't feel well or that he's too "busy" to help me. Every so often we'll get into it, especially on the weekends when he's off, but he's like "I'm the one who puts a roof over our heads", and since I don't really have a job that makes money what can I say? I just really didn't think I would be doing all of this alone.

Ash, that just stinks.

I don't like the whole, "I put a roof over our heads" argument. It's disrespectful of the work that YOU do. You may not physically go to a workplace, but that does NOT mean you don't work. You just don't get paid for it. Running a household, taking care of a child, cleaning, etc- that is WORK. I don't care who says differently, and I know that every single mom on here knows what I am talking about, whether your are a SAHM or a working mom, it's WORK. And, what if you did have a paying job? I'd be willing to bet your situation wouldn't change much.

I can personally attest to the fact that just because I work 40 hours a week, that does not mean the work stops when I get home. It's just different, unpaid work I'm doing. So, why is his situation different from the millions of moms and dads who work AND take care of their kids when they get home, PLUS clean house, PLUS do laundry, PLUS help with homework. Parenting is a 24/7 job, even when you have a paid job.

You have to let him know that what you do COUNTS too! Just because you don't make money doesn't mean you don't deserve a break. And you BOTH had a baby! Not just you, BOTH of you. And, IMO, that means BOTH of you need to put in the effort in raising her and taking care of her- even when he thinks it isn't fun. Even when he has things he'd rather be doing. That's called being a parent. And of course you didn't think you'd be doing it all alone. If any of us thought we'd be on our own with kids, we'd have thought twice about having them! It is hard work! And exhausting! Totally amazing and worth it, but it's the hardest job I have ever had. The best, but the hardest.

You shouldn't have to beg your DH for help with your dd. ANd I'm sorry that things are rough for you right now. And of course he probably IS tired. But, that isn't a "get out of parenting free" card.

 

[beckmrk04]

Ladies, I have a question.

How do you meal plan? I mean, for the whole family, not just for babies? Do you just eat whatever you think of every night? Do you plan out menus by the week/month? Anyone use a program or a website for meal ideas/menus?

Since DH is going to be home every evening now (I'm still on btw), I want to start planning our meals in advance so that we rely less on takeout/fast food, save money, and have healthier meals. But, I'm a bit intimidated on how to start this planning process, so I was curious about how other people handle the dinner dillemma.

It's especially important now, though- since we have V to feed. Before kids, we'd make two separate meals or eat frozen pizza or whatever we felt like, but now that we have V, we can't do that. Not if we want to instill healthy eating habits, anyway.

I'm thinking about planning meals 2 weeks at a time, and grocery shopping every two weeks for everything I'll need for those meals.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm off work today and it's rainy and relaxing out. Aaaaaah. Feels nice to just hang out.

We were going to head into a nearby town and catch a Veggie tales movie (the theater is showing it for free for all ages), but I just don't even want to spend the gas money.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Ash, I sent you a PM. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Becky, what works for us, is making a menu for two weeks ahead (if you get paid once a week, you could just do it a week in advance).

We get a calendar and write down what we will have each day. If we know that one day is going to be especially busy, then a crockpot meal is set for that day.

The big shopping is done at one time, but then fresh stuff is picked up as needed.

I get menu ideas from all over. Most of the menu are old standbys, but I search foodtv.com or look at cookboks I already have. At times, I have even done a google search for other recipes.

Most of the menus are big enough to either have the next night or for lunch.

 

[7beasley]

Hi all...I am back from Vegas - I did not win big (came home with a little of the money I brought with me) but I had tons of fun!!


This thread has been busy - I need to go back and catch up!

For now -- Ash -- sending you hugs! You are going through alot with your DH now and I hope it gets better. Is it worth it sitting down and talking to him? If it was me (and I know nothing of your relationship dynamics - I am just saying what I would do and I am pretty aggressive) - I would sit down with DH and say something along the lines of "I did not realize that our relationship was based on who makes what/earns more...since that is the situation...I have decided to go back to work. That way I will financially contribute to our household and you can contribute in other ways to our household. As I see it, I can work 1st shift and you can take care of Ellery and then I will take care of her while you work 3rd shift."

My god -- marriage is about way more than who brings home the money. I make more than my DH but that does not mean I get more of a say in how we raise our daughter or manage our finances -- we are equal. I heard someone say once that marriage is equal but its not always 50-50 and I liked that....sometimes I do **way** more and sometimes he picks up my slack...but life is stressful enough without the added pressure of DH's attitude towards you and Ellery. Sit down with him and talk...it will do you good!!

Bec -- as far as meal planning - here is what I like to do. We have some stock meals that we eat alot (turkey tacos, stuffed peppers, chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf...) and then we have some fast meals (takeout, frozen salisbury steak, salad night w/ chicken on top, fend night, hamburgers...)

So -- what I do is that on Sundays (although usually not in the summer) but on Sundays I will make a big meal that we can eat for leftovers later that week as well and also another meal (in 2 batches) that I can freeze for later that week or the next week. That takes care of 2/7 days. Then for a third day we eat the previous week's frozen meal (3/7), one day is pizza (4/7), one day we eat at my mother in laws (5/7), and the other 2 nights I cook either a stock meal (meaning I always have the ingredients in the house) or a planned meal that I shopped specifically for when buying the groceries to make Sunday's meal plus the frozen meal.

That system seems to work well for us. I only end up cooking 2 work nights plus Sunday. And usually DH will do one of the work nights.

Hope that helps!

Can't wait to go back and catch up on everyone.

We are doing great -- Izzy is getting SO big but she is not yet crawling! She is 9 months old -- so I am getting worried. She also has no real interest in standing. If you hold her up her legs are strong and she can stand there but after a while she sticks her butt out and tries to sit (i.e - 1-2 minutes).

We are seeing her ped for her 9 mo appt next week so I am going to ask him about her lack of crawling/standing. We are switching daycares next week (ours is closing) and I took her to the new daycare today for an hour to meet the girl and there was a 7mo old little boy there who not only crawls like a maniac but he could pull himself up to standing and even kind of walk holding onto stuff....I was freaking out because Izzy is 2 months old than that kid and she won't even crawl!!

Makes me nervous...DH keeps saying kids develop at their own speeds and some kids never crawl and intelectually I get that but it does not make me feel any less nervous/worried that she isn't crawling/standing yet.

********
I posted my Vegas Trip Report on the community board if anyone is interested. Highlight of the trip was playing Poker at the table next to Eva Longoria and Tony Parker!! So cool!!

-Nicole

 

[beckmrk04]

Nicole- glad you're back and that you had fun!! On the crawling front- my nephew didn't start crawling until a little beyond 9 months. Then he went very quickly to walking.

Vaylie started crawling around 6-7 months, and didn't start walking until 13 months or so. So, you never know. Maybe Izzy is just taking her time and will have it perfected the first attempt. Or, maybe she realizes that crawling is a waste of time, she's just gonna learn how to walk instead. I know it's hard not to worry though.

I found 2 cool websites- www.mealsmatter.org and www.dietpower.com I have been wasting time on there while Vaylie is sleeping. If I had any sense I would utilize this time to take a nice, long shower. Or a nap. Mmmmm. I think I am going to do the trial version of the DietPower software... I need to lose weight, I'm just having trouble getting into the right frame of mind. Every time I think about dieting ALL I DO is think about all the things I need to give up, and I get all discouraged. But, I have quite a bit of weight to lose, and I want to be healthier. I want Vaylie to have a healthy role-model.

Amber- I think I'm going to plan two weeks at a time, also. Then, if I have to stop by the store for one or two things on the way home from work, no big deal, at least I'll have a plan!

OT- I just got my first order of Snapfish prints in the mail, and I am SO pleased! The quality is great, the price is awesome. I have uploaded all of our pics of Vaylie to the site so that I can actually make prints of all of them. I take a gazillion photos, I just never made prints.