The new "New Moms" thread!

[DMickey28]

Someone needs to stop me from shopping ...

The P3 then yesterday i went to ikea and bought some dressers, but they were fairly cheap. today was the killer ... I finally bought a Dyson. It was on clearance at Target, the DC07 Animal for $248. I did the 'test' and vacuumed with my old one then went over the Dyson. it did pick up more but not a crazy amount. I'd say it was worth the $250 but I wouldn't pay regular price of $499.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Hey all! Just stopping in quick to say hi...I need to go back and read everything I missed this last week while my computer was dead. It's been a nightmare trying to get it fixed, and in the process of repairing a display issue, they tech wiped out my hard drive. Really not happy about that. The only good thing is that I've been keeping up with getting all Owen's photos posted online, so I don't think I lost too many of his pictures. I did lose the calendar I was making that had all his "firsts" in it, so now I can't remember all the days of his first tooth, first smile, first solids, etc. etc.

We're packing up and getting ready to leave at 5am Sunday for our week in Minnesota with my family. I'm about 90% finished with the packing, but I'm not sure I can make it all fit in the few bags DH wants us to bring. He doesn't want to pay to check bags, but I told him there's no way I can pack for myself and Owen for a week in only carry-ons. Heck, the diaper bag I'm bringing for Owen and backpack for me for our carry on bags are already stuffed to the gills and I'm not sure I'll be able to fit it all in. I'm trying to fit all of my stuff and Owen's stuff into one suitcase to check, but I'm really close to not being able to make it work. We'll see.

I did find an inflatable nursing pillow, so I'm very pleased to be able to bring that with on the airplane. I was wondering how on earth I could comfortably nurse Owen on the plane since that's the best way to get him to fall asleep and calm him down if he's upset, and this pillow works great. I've been practicing inflating and deflating it and using it to get Owen and I used to it.

Owen is sleeping in a pack-n-play and hates it. Poor kiddo keeps waking up and has a hard time falling back to sleep.

He's very close to crawling now. Today he finally was able to get himself moving forward a little. Dh says Owen has "the backward scoots" because he keeps pushing himself back instead of forward and gets all mad. He gets on all fours and rocks, but usually ends up going backwards instead of getting the forward motion going.

Oops...bugaboo woke up and I need to get him. I'll try to catch up soon...

 

[beckmrk04]

Kelly- I bet Brady will win! He is just too adorable!

DMickey- I wondered about the Dyson Animal- since I have two pets that shed more than a wookie in August.

Bethany- I can't imagine trying to pack for a week and not check bags. If you manage, you need to teach classes on packing luggage!!! And sorry to hear about your computer- what a pain. But, still- at least you have most of the pictures. I was relieved to finally get all of mine uploaded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vaylie is still feeling yucky. I am feeling a bit torn about leaving tomorrow. But, I am going to go on the float trip. I know that Vaylie will be in good hands with Daddy, and both Grandmas and my sis are close by, so she'll be fine. It's really just that when she doesn't feel good, I want to be the one to comfort her. Aw, man, I'm gonna start crying.

But, I know she'll be ok. And I know that I'll have fun if I just make myself go. And SIL and I bought an entire liquor store. Seriously- it's like we think we have the drinking stamina of a seasoned alcoholic. In reality, we're both total lightweights and will probably be puking halfway down the river. I don't know if I can handle that anymore. Six or seven years ago, that would have sounded like a good day- but now? I'm too old to drink much and my bedtime is 10 pm, not 2 am. SO, we'll see! I have gotten old WAAAAY before my time.

But, come Saturday, it will be a bunch of girls, a few rafts, a LOT of drinks, and a whole day of floating on a river!

 

[kellyf2626]

DMickey - Ohhhhhh....I am so jealous that you got a Dyson!! We have 2 dogs that both shed an amazing amount. Oh - and I have been researching the City Mini all night.....oh boy.....I need to just walk away, walk away....What is with me and strollers??!?!?! It's like an addiction!!!

Bethany - Seriously, I am so impressed already that you basically have all of you and Owen's stuff in one suitcase. Wow! DH and I are HORRIBLE packers!! Our current plan for Disney is for each of us to have a huge suitcase, then a smaller one for shampoo, makeup, hairdryer, etc.... and then one for Brady. Oh - and of course - the pack-n-play, stroller, carseat, backpack carrier, computer, video camera and carry-ons. We need a freakin truck to get to the airport!!!

Becky - Awwwwww, thanks for the kind words for Brady. I mean, I think he's cute....but I'm his mom so that makes me biased. It should be fun just to see the other babies and families. Who knows...maybe we will make some new friends in town! Have a GREAT time on your trip!!! Sorry to hear that Vaylie is still feeling under the weather, but as you said, she is in good hands with her daddy.

 

[beckmrk04]

Kelly- step away from the stroller! (I can't even say anything- I'm totally trying to talk into the City mini or the Quinny Zapp for Disney... It's outta control!).

DH and I are HORRIBLE packers!! Our current plan for Disney is for each of us to have a huge suitcase, then a smaller one for shampoo, makeup, hairdryer, etc.... and then one for Brady. Oh - and of course - the pack-n-play, stroller, carseat, backpack carrier, computer, video camera and carry-ons. We need a freakin truck to get to the airport!!!

This is how I pack.

I'm like the Queen of Preparedness. Seriously- I'm the person who packs a sewing kit (just in case), the first aid kit, extra extra outfits, eyeglass repair kits,- I am so bad. I mean- I come in handy, but half of the time we don't need whatever it is I packed. I just feel like if I don' pack it we'll need it, so I'd rather overpack than underpack.

So, I am up way before my alarm was set this morning with an anxiety attack. I have to work a 1/2 day- I'm off at noon. Ugh- I wish I could just relax about leaving tonight. I mean, I really do want to go! But, the thought of leaving is tearing me up.

But, I keep thinking of you girls who have gone on trips without your little ones and everyone has been fine, so I know I'll be ok too, and so will Vaylie. Last night my mom was like, "Go. Go and have a good time. You know Vaylie will be fine, and you need to go and just be Becky for a weekend- not Mommy, not Wife, just be Becky- relax and have fun and enjoy a little time with no responsibilities."

My mom and I don't always get along so well. But, I gotta admit it when she's right.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Kelly - your Old Home Day sounds cooler than ours. Ours has a bike parade for the kids, so DHs nephew wants to decorate his bike and pull Christopher in his trailer. I'm not sure I like this idea - it's a bit tough to pull that trailer if you haven't done it before. But, the parade only goes around the square in front of our house, so maybe. Good luck with the contest!

Becky - have fun on the trip. Vaylie will be fine with Daddy (I keep telling myself that when Christopher doesn't feel well )

 

[exwdwcm]

Wow...I talked to a mother yesterday who I met at my beautician's shop a few months ago and she noticed the two teeth Mo had. Said her 9 month old daughter has not one...just as bare mouthed as she can be! I guess my little man is progressing along a little ahead of the game.

usually by 9 months most kids have a tooth or two. Will is a little late unfortunately. but he is eating well and eating chunky foods. I hear it is better for some reason to get them later? people keep telling me that, but i don't know the reasoning? probably an old wives tale?

Kelly- Brady's pics are awesome- i love his little 4wheeler thing- i might have to get one for Will. I can't believe he knows how to drive it all by himself! what a cutie.

Beck- have a great time tubing!! lol at all the liquor. that's the best part! we went a few years ago and had a blast, until a guy in our group got arrested for peeing on the banks. why on earth didn't he pee in the water like everyone else? I know, that's a really gross thought, but with all those drunk people, you know everyone is doing it. lol

Bethany- have a great trip. no way could i pack for me even in a carry on for a week, add the baby and no way! hope you guys have a safe flight and a lot of fun!

sitting in this boring 2 hour conference call on my day off- we work a 9/80 and have every other friday off (work 9 hours a day, then 8 on friday, then every other friday off to equal 40hours). not that i track my hours anyways, since i am salaried. so just waiting for this call to end so i can go get little man for the rest of the day from day care!

 

[kellyf2626]

Becky - I am the same way about being prepared. I bring sooooooo much stuff with the thought of "what if I need it?". My mom was saying the other day that really I just need a small bag to bring to the parks with just some diapers and wipes and a few snacks. I feel like I will be lost without my huge diaper bag that has the entire kitchen-sink in it "just in case"! Sorry you were up early with an anxiety attack.....those are no fun. I also have anxiety attacks (I had a BAD one flying home from our trip last January ). Trust me....you will have a FANTASTIC time once you are packed and gone. Enjoy every minute of just being "Becky"!

Jen - The bike parade sounds so cute! Looks like rain is in the forecast for tomorrow (surprise, surprise ) so it doesn't look good for our parade. At least the baby contest is already scheduled for indoors, so that is good.

Michelle - My brother told me about a month ago that he wanted to get one of those ride-on toys for Brady, and I was like NO WAY! He is way too small and we will have to put it away for a year or so before he could use it. So....what does he do? He gets one for him. The kid on the box is like 4 years old!! BUT, it did say it could be used from 12 months and up (which is what my brother kept pointing out - doesn't he know the age on a toy usually means nothing?!). Later when the majority of the people left the party, my brother wanted to put it all together (I'm still thinking of returning it! ), but, I caved and said fine. We put Brady on it and off he went!!!! We were DYING laughing - we couldn't believe he figured out how to hold the button down and go and stay on!! Steering needs a little work, but he just LOVES it. So, it ended up being a big hit! Who would have thought?!

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

Kids night last night at our town common was very fun. Mostly stuff for older kids, like bouncy houses and craft tables....but Brady enjoyed seeing all the balloons and characters walking around. I realized just how neurotic as a mother I am last night. A few families we knew with kids were there, and they loved to come up to Brady and pat him, touch him, etc... I was like OMIGOD - they are TOTALLY going to get him sick for our trip (as they sneeze and cough all over themselves and Brady! ) I kept wiping Brady's hands with wipes and trying to avert any child-touching. The whole time I'm like, "Why did we come?!?!". Isn't that horrible?!?! Then DH is letting him lick a bomb-pop, and he has red syrup dribbling down the front of him - I am crazily trying to get a bib on him before it stains his outfit. I was like....woah....I think I have just jumped on the crazy mom train. Sometimes I wish I could really just go-with-the-flow and be a bit more relaxed. I felt like Kate from Jon and Kate plus Eight (do you guys watch that?). But, it was fun.....I'll post pics later when I upload them.

ETA: Ok, so I'm way too lazy to upload all the pics to Photobucket....I posted a bunch on my blog if you want to check them out! http://nhbradyboy.blogspot.com/ They are on the main blog and if you click on the link to Picasa Web Albums on the left there are more!

 

[TiggerStac]

Kelly, Brady is too funny on the quad.

My brother wanted to get one for Brady, but his fiance talked him out of it...too young, now I wonder

We'll have to check them out.



Sorry I've been MIA for a little bit. I got a great job offer and have been thinking about what to do/discussing w/hubby. one of my old bosses asked me "what will it take for you to come and work for me" I told him, didn't think he could do it (I know what his budget is for my position) and he did.

I'm so excited and nervous at the sametime. I've been at my job for over 5 years. I have never left a job before, other than to be a stay at home mom and when we relocated. It's great...cuz I know my boss very well, I know one of my colleagues very well (he stole her about a year ago). So it's going to be a good thing. It's a 10 minute commute That's huge. I'll be able to put my oldest on the bus in the am and be to work at 9..then leave at 5 to pick them up at 5:15 at daycare/before/after care. Now I leave at 6:55 and get them at 5:15.

I don't start until after our vacation in September, so I just extended it a few days to be a full 2 weeks. I'm going to start doing orientation/videos, etc (I'm in healthcare, so there are tons) in less than 2 weeks...so that will be extra $$ for our vacation!

 

[beckmrk04]

Stacy- Congratulations on the new job!! That's very exciting!

Kelly- I love to watch Jon & Kate Plus 8, and I feel for them, but sometimes I think Kate needs a Xanax. Or a large pitcher of Margaritas. But, I'd be super-stressed and crazy with eight kids, too. And probably meaner. Heck- I sound like her now sometimes and I only have 1 kid! ANd that little 4 wheeler is too cute- I have been eyeing one for Vaylie...


Thanks for all the encouragement ladies- I need it! DH just took Vaylie to the doctor. SHe still isn't feeling well so they said to bring her in. I'm not leaving for my trip for another two hours, but I'm all packed and ready to go. With nothing to do. But, I was proud of myself- I only teared up a little when they left for the doctor, and DH has strict instructions to call me the minute they are done.

Now I'm looking around the house thinking, "What else can I pack?"

 

[beckmrk04]

Seriously? I'm gone all weekend and everyone goes silent?


Well, I survived my float trip! Physically AND emotionally. But let me tell you, I am crispy burnt and SORE. I have bruises all over from falling in the river, falling out of the raft.

We had a good time, even though I learned that 7 miles is entirely TOO LONG to float down a freakin' river. We were on the raft from 9 am until 6 pm. No joke. And I was good until those last two miles, at which point I was completely sobered up, had no intentions of drinking anymore, burnt and tired. Then I was done but we still have two incredibly slow miles to go. Overall, though, it was a good time.

And I survived leaving DH and DD. And while I had fun, it made me realize that there is no one else in the world I'd rather spend time with, and I am glad to be home. Maybe I need that every once in a while just to remind me of how good I have it!!

 

[kellyf2626]

TiggerStac - Ya, who would have thought it would have been such a hit?! It is a pretty simple model...just a red button to push on the handlebars to make it go - and it only goes 2mph.

Becky - Jon and Kate make me laugh. She is too funny - like when they went to Disney and the kids were eating ice cream/soup (because it was so hot) and she was freaking out because they were spilling it on them. Yikes - she needed to chill. But, I guess 8 kids could make you like that! Glad to hear your weekend was fun! Wow - 7 miles is pretty far to go down a river!!! It's amazing how even when we are away from our little one's, our minds are never far away, YKWIM?

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Our weekend was fun. Yesterday Brady was entered in the baby contest for our Old Home Days. While he didn't take home the title of "Little Master", he was the cutest one in the room in our eyes! After the competition we walked around the common at all the booths, and then watched the parade. Brady LOVED the parade and the bands and the firetrucks. I can't wait to see him at Disney!! He is going to go nuts with all the music and characters!! He did pretty well skipping his morning nap, which gives me renewed hope that he will last all morning while down in Disney and get by with 1 nap per day!!

I am on a mission to work-out every day until we leave. It will make me feel better about eating like crap for 2 weeks - and possibly lose a couple of pounds before the trip! I've lost 52 lbs since I had Brady - which sounds great - but I gained 60!!! My goal is to lose 18 more - but this 20 has been hard!

 

[DVCsince02]

Hi ladies! I just wanted to check in and say hello, as I will be joining your group very soon.

 

[beckmrk04]

Hi ladies! I just wanted to check in and say hello, as I will be joining your group very soon.

Hi!

You can join now. We don't mind. Besides, looks like you're gonna have your hands full before long!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Hi ladies!

Kelly - too bad Brady didn't win. But it sounds like he really had fun with the parade!

Becky - hope you have some aloe for the burn. I'm thinking of buying stock in the stuff myself

Stacy - congrats on the job!


Christopher took his first steps by himself!!!!!!! He only does one or two, then looks at us like "I'm so cool", then plops himself down.

We took him over to the coast today to see the tall ships. It was really cool, and he was having fun trying to grab the ropes and sails. I've never seen them before - wicked neat!

Jen

 

[kellyf2626]

Welcome Jennifer!! Congrats on your new little one coming soon!

Jen - Yay for Christopher!!!! How exciting!!

Stacy - I forgot to say CONGRATS on the new job!! It sounds perfect!!!

 

[beckmrk04]

Kelly- I'm glad you had a good weekend. And any weight loss tips/tricks you have would be much appreciated. I am determined to lose weight before my Disney trip next year (whether we go in May or October).

I have been overweight since high school. It's progessively gotten worse, though. And I'm tired of it. My major problem is I find trouble maintaining the motivation and determination because I feel like I have to lose SO much, and it's overwhelming.

 

[kellyf2626]

I hear ya Becky....it's sooooooo hard to keep motivated. And, it's hard to use my "free" time when Brady is napping to get on the treadmill - especially when there is simply so much else that needs to get done, or I just want some free time to myself. I am just not one of those people that enjoy working out....I envy those that do. They just seem so excited to go to the gym or go running. What is with that? My motivation is getting a new pair of sneakers or fun work-out outfit! Honestly, I have no good tips. I try not to snack during the day and keep to a consistent eating routine - Eggos (special K ones) with spray butter in the morning for breakfast, a turkey sandwhich for lunch with rice cakes, and then grilled chicken with brown rice and a veggie for dinner. When I snack, I try to have either a fiber bar or a 100 calorie pack. BUT....then the weekends come....where we eat out/order out a lot and everything goes to the wind. BUT, as long as I stay the same of lose a bit each week, it does keep me motivated.

 

[Pollito916]

Wow, everyone must have had a busy weekend, not much posting!

Ash - glad you're dad is doing better, and Ellery is really making a move! It's just amazing, isn't it?

She was kind of bracing both hands against my chest propped up looking at me - then she let her hands go - layed against my chest and wrapped her arms around my neck and kind of snuggled in -- we sang and rocked back and forth for a few more minutes and then I lifted her into the crib -- she layed there- gave me a big smile - rolled over and went to sleep!!! I love her so much - my heart actually aches with love for her!!

So cute, my heart is aching for sleeping DS just reading your post! Alex was never a snuggly baby, but he has become so much more huggy and kissy lately, I just love it.

Have fun on your trip! Say "hi" to Mickey from all of us!

Kelly - totally know what you mean about the protectiveness, especially before a big trip. And how could Brady not win best eyes?!? I'd like to see the kid that beat him!

Well, I survived my float trip! Physically AND emotionally.

And I survived leaving DH and DD. And while I had fun, it made me realize that there is no one else in the world I'd rather spend time with, and I am glad to be home. Maybe I need that every once in a while just to remind me of how good I have it!!

So glad you had a good time, and survived your first trip away from Vaylie. Is she feeling better?

Christopher took his first steps by himself!!!!!!! He only does one or two, then looks at us like "I'm so cool", then plops himself down.

Yay, Christopher! Now the real fun begins!

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My friend from back home had her triplets yesterday! 2 boys and a girl, ranging from 2lbs 9oz to 3 lbs 6oz. They are so tiny! Her husband says they are all doing well, and my friend should be able to come home in a few days, but the babies probably won't be able to come home until October. I can't even imagine how hard this must be for them to be away from the babies, especially after how long they were ttc. But at least they are finally here and all heathly considering how premature they were.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to send them? They are across the country, so I would have to ship something. I looked at their registry online, but a lot of things had already been purchased. I had a list of some of my favorite things when Alex was a newborn, but I can't remember where I put it.

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

Now that we are going to be moving into our own house again soon, we are going to need a new crib. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would like to stay under $400 since we won't be using it much longer with Alex, but will hopefully be using it again soon(ish) with another baby. I have been researching online and with Baby Bargains and BRU, but just can't make a decision. I'm thinking possibly Babi Italia or Jardine. Anyone have any opinions of either of those or another crib they really like or dislike?

 

[Villain-lover]

I would find out if your friend has enough preemie clothes for the triplets. I was lucky and on a last minute shopping trip I asked my mom to pick up a few preemie outfits. Sam & Zoe wore them for at least a month. Plus she will want to dress them cute even in the NICU, especially that long! Clothes would be easy to ship too! BRU and even Wal-mart has cute preemie things.