The new "New Moms" thread!

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Bethany- what kind of church do you go to (if you don't mind me asking)?

And the nap- do you have a pack'n'play you can take? I'd take one and seek out a quiet room or ( and this is going to sound terrible) does the room have a large closet? Maybe you can put the pack'n'play in there, but leave the doors open so you hear him (but it would still be relatively dark and quiet and close to you).

*just to clarify- I don't normally condone sticking babies in closets*

Funny you should suggest a closet...I was just debating that with DH! When I was nannying, we ended up putting little Gracie's pack'n'play in one of our closets for her naps, and it worked great! The closet didn't have a door - just a very heavy curtain - and I set the monitor up on a bookcase right outside the closet. It was a little awkward reaching around the pnp to get to the stuff hanging in there, but it worked. We think there is one office that we might be able to use for Owen's nap at the church...otherwise DH might take Owen for a drive after Sunday school to get him to fall asleep and then he'll read his book in the car while Owen naps and I do set up for the party.

Anyway, we go to a baptist church - general conference, not southern baptist, so it's not hyper conservative, but it's still probably a little more conservative than I prefer. It's a super friendly, warm, and multi-cultural congregation though, so I'm willing to overlook our political differences. Besides, this is CA! There's enough people with my political views running around to keep me happy, and this way DH can find a few conservatives to keep him happy (well, less grumpy at least! ).



Nicole, what a rotton way to start the day! Pets are fun, but wow, do they take a lot of work sometimes! Hope the comforter isn't stinky...

And I hear you with the bottle thing. Owen really loves his bottle, and so far I can't get him to do anything with a sippy cup except play with it. I think we've got a long road ahead transitioning him off the bottle. But you know, I've met a lot of parents who say their kids didn't do the switch until around 18m, so I figure it will happen when it happens and as long as he isn't taking a bottle with him to school I won't worry about it!


Ash, she is so cute! Your right, Ellery is looking more and more like a little girl and less like a baby. Isn't it amazing how they grow and change? Sometimes I look at Owen and I wonder what he'll be like in a few years.

And I just love your poodle theme party - it's so creative! I hope you can get the cake you want. I think we're going to make cupcakes - nothing fancy, just frosting and maybe some sprinkles. My SIL and one of my neighbors both have cupcake trees that we can use, so that will look nice on the table at least.

Hi and happy weekend to everyone!

 

[beckmrk04]

Nicole- Aaahh! You poor thing! My dog peed on my bed twice and she has been banned from my bedroom since. And that is too funny about the guy and his "birthday"! My Grandmother-in-law (GIL) has a similar story.

When she was almost 18, she had to go get a copy of her birth certificate in order for her to get a marriage license. Since she was still 17, though, her mom had to go with her. So, they get there and GIL says "I need my birth certificate. My name is Phyllis Lastname." So, the lady searched and searched and finally came back and said, "I'm sorry, there is no birth certificate for Phyllis Lastname."

She was like, WTH? But, her mom was standing behind her, and leans in and says, "Oh... Maybe try "Florence Lastname." GIL's name is actually Florence and she didn't find out until she was 18 because everyone had always called her Phyllis. She was furious. Still is, actually.

Ash- Ellery is starting to look more and more toddler-ish. Isn't it heartbreaking?

Bethany- that's good that you guys found a church you're comfortable in. We (I) have been on the hunt for one. I'm pretty liberal, though, and DH was raised Catholic, so we're trying to find the right "middle ground."

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

I was supposed to go out with some girlfriends today, but I just didn't feel like it. I am drained. Instead I stayed home, watched "When Harry Met Sally", played with V and ate home-made potato soup. YUM! I feel much better.

So much better that I think Vaylie and I might go Christmas shopping tomorrow!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!! MO LOVES GREEN BEANS, OUT OF THE CAN, NOT MASHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I buy the Del Monte Green Beans with the onions and red peppers and Mo LOVES those! Yea! We're getting there. Guess what else he likes...macaroni and cheese! Is that just standard among our kids? I know very few kids who don't like it. Publix has a kosher Mac N Cheese and it's FABULOUS! So it looks like my little man is slowly growing up. Oh yea, he decided to help himself to my bagel and strawberry cream cheese this morning too. Where'd that baby go that I used to breastfeed?
I've got one more set of WIC checks that will provide me formula and cereal and then we move on to "adult" foods. I stopped giving him whole milk for a bit because he has a slight discoloration on the left side of his mouth. I don't know if it happened from putting him to bed and missing some of the formula that was on his mouth or if the whole milk did it to him. But wouldn't it be more of rash and all over possibly? So anyway...I'm so excited to see my little man eating real food and lots of it not mashed or pureed.

How's everyone else doing? And I have to ask because I know we can talk about it here...how about our new President Elect...can you believe it? I didn't think this nation was ready for it, but they proved me wrong. You ladies have to know if Obama makes it two terms, how that will look to my little Mo...an African American man as our president of the US. Hopefully Mo will think, if he can do it, so can I.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

And speaking of pictures, when did my baby start to look so grown up??

ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!

I know how you feel Ash...look at my pic! What happened to our babies????

 

[Villain-lover]

Aww cute babies that are not so baby anymore! Your babies are looking so grown up! Sam & Zoe still have such a baby look I think because they don't have much hair (check out my baldies in the siggy link!).

Denise, sounds like Mo is getting the hang of eating very well! We still do a combination of puree and finger foods here. I am looking to drop bottles pretty quick though. I think we will keep with some homemade purees for a little while longer, that way I know they are getting what they need and they will eat them!

Sooo, I got a speeding ticket today . 45 in a 35 zone. The police officer was nice, commented on the twins, smiled, etc. I really thought her would maybe just give me a warning, but no such luck...

 

[beckmrk04]

Denise- It is a VERY exciting time in our country- I agree! And I would LOVE to see Obama get two terms! I can't wait to tell Vaylie how incredibly significant and historical this election was. Then, after Obama, let's elect a woman!!! (Just not Sarah Palin, please). Mo looks adorable.

Meredith- BUMMER about the ticket. DH got one not too long ago and I was so irked- just what you want to spend money on, right? I just took a look at the pics of Sam and Zoe- adorable! Vaylie started getting a lot more hair after she turned one. In fact, I just looked at pics from her birthday party and she has TONS more hair now. They grow up sooo fast.

 

[7beasley]

Meredith -- appeal the ticket. Often times the cop does not show up. And if your state is like my state - the first appeal is with a magistrate or clerk and then you can appeal that ruling to the judge -- do it -- appeal and if you lose - appeal again -- it costs nothing and 9 times out of 10 you can get out of the ticket!! APPEAL!!!

Have a great night ladies - off to bed for me (long day!)

 

[ashjohnson80]

How long are you supposed to keep your baby on formula after their first birthday? Are you supposed to try them on a little whole milk at a time or what? Ellery does really great eating regular foods. She eats green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, macaroni. we even did teeny tiny bitelits of chicken last week.

 

[beckmrk04]

How long are you supposed to keep your baby on formula after their first birthday? Are you supposed to try them on a little whole milk at a time or what? Ellery does really great eating regular foods. She eats green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, macaroni. we even did teeny tiny bitelits of chicken last week.

You don't have to at all after the first birthday, but I was felt like it was too early for V- she wasn't eating a ton of regular food yet. So we stopped formula completely by like 13 1/2 or 14 months. She was eating regular food and doing well with milk then. And the bottle- it was a non-issue for us. She didn't even miss it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicole- we have the same highchair... Just an observation. Have a good night!


AND-
Vaylie is on the BabyLegs website!!!

Go to www.babylegs.net and click on "Community"- she's on page 7, I believe. She's wearing a white onesie and pink BabyLegs and making the most hilarious "snorty" face (she's all about the attitude).

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Vaylie is on the BabyLegs website!!!

Go to www.babylegs.net and click on "Community"- she's on page 7, I believe. She's wearing a white onesie and pink BabyLegs and making the most hilarious "snorty" face (she's all about the attitude).

Okay, that picture is hysterical! I love it!

DH hates babylegs and won't let me put Owen in them if he's around. Of course my boy has worn them when daddy's at work, though...I've got a pair with the UK flag on them that I love - he looks so cute with those on and shorts and a t-shirt!

 

[beckmrk04]

Yeah, Bethany- I don't think my DH would be as keen on them if I had a boy... But they have some really "manly" ones! I think they are adorable. AND: we use them under pants in the really cold months (you probably can't use that as an excuse, huh?); they are awesome for diaper changes because you can put those on, and keep legs warm and not fidget with pulling pants up and down. And they protect little baby knees when they are crawling. I love them!

 

[7beasley]

Bec - what a cute and funny pix of V!!

The chico highchair that folds up narrow and small -- we like it -- although the main reason we bought it was because it folds up so small and is supposed to not take up more room when closed -- and when we were in our naive pregnant registering days we figured that would be a great idea...fast forward to today -- the high chair is a permanent fixture at the table - I couldn't imagine having to open and close it every time we use it! Live and learn I guess!

I have an adorable pair of pink and brown arygle babylegs from Target for Iz but I haven't tried them yet -- I need to dig those out!

Ash -- we just started on milk yesterday and it went well! Izzy took the sippy cup of milk immediately and drank it down almost without stopping - big fan of rich creamy milk (wish I could drink that still -- after years of 1% it tastes like drinking cream to me now - but ohhh how good!)

Anyway -- give her some to try. Basically the ped told us last week that if Izzy is eating 3 meals a day plus snacks and she is eating not just picking then she doesn't need formula. Formula is just a replacement for food till they can eat!

Hope Ellery likes milk.

So - I have to go into my office today for 1230! BOOOOO!!! This trial is going to be the death of me.

Me and Izzy are off to run a quick errand before she goes to the babysitters and I go to work!

Have a great day all!

-Nicole

 

[ashjohnson80]

I made Ellery babylegs out of adult knee high socks. The problem is her legs are so chubby I can't make them stay up. But she's losing her chub fast now that she's so active and I don't like that one bit.

 

[beckmrk04]

Well, I'm stuck at home a while longer... I decided to put Vaylie down for a nap before we leave to go shopping. That way I have a decent chance of having a peaceful shopping trip.

I really have no clue what I am buying for anyone yet, so today is going to be a preliminary shopping/idea trip. And I thought I'd swing through Toys'R'Us to get some ideas for Vaylie. I'm pretty sure we're going to get the personalized anywhere chairs from PB Kids, but I need some other ideas. I'll probably get her some books and some Little People stuff.

I'm also going to swing by "Big Target" (that's what we call the Target next to the mall because it's much bigger than the one closest to us). We're out of bubbles.

 

[beckmrk04]

Well, ladies- my theory about having V take a nap in order to have a more peaceful shopping trip didn't really hold.

It was alright, but we didn't accomplish anything. She wanted "down, down" out of her stroller. Uh- no. I need one of those kid leashes so I can let her walk without worrying about her taking off full throttle and getting lost.

And, I found a beautiful, nay, GORGEOUS deep blue patent Dooney & Bourke purse for 40% off (which still made it $177). It was so pretty. But, alas, I left it on the shelf. I just couldn't do it. Not with Christmas so close. *sigh* Responsibility.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Becky, sorry Vaylie didn't cooperate! And good job being responsible...even when it's hard.

DSIL gave us a couple more boxes of hand-me-downs, and I swear there's clothing from the '80's in there, even though her boys were born in '98 and '02! DH insists we should keep everything just in case he gets laid off, but I cannot imagine putting my boy in some of these clothes. He says who cares what it looks like, but I like Owen to look cute and classy. We ended up compromising on some of it - I'll keep some of the "not my style" stuff in a bin in Owen's closet, and if we need it we'll have it, but hopefully I'll never need to use it.

DH is still saying I'm being silly, but I really don't see putting Owen in a bright purple windsuit with teal stripes down the side and a geometric print in yellow on the stripes!

 

[Villain-lover]

ummmm...ewwwww

 

[beckmrk04]

Bethany- Thanks. And God help you that you never have to break out the windsuit.

I mean, of course: if (God forbid) something happens to your DH's job and you have to make do for a while (on days you don't plan on leaving the house )- it won't be the end of all things. But, I agree with you and I'd stock up on Garanimals at Wal-Mart before I put V in way out of style clothes. Heck, I'd learn to sew. Something.

I am picky about dressing Vaylie too- I also want her to look cute and classy. Now, I'm not above buying clothes from yard sales or consignment (but they have to look brand new). SHe's always clean, hair fixed, non-stained clothes (which means I spend a lot of time with oxi-clean and shout and color-safe bleach). Most of her clothes are bought on sale at Old Navy or Kohl's or Target- still cute, but cheaper than BabyGap or Gymboree- I shop there only on occassion or if I find a really great deal or need something specific (like a Christmas dress). I just can't see paying that much for clothes when she outgrows them so quickly- some of that stuff is more expensive than my clothes! And I'll be able to wear mine a heck of a lot longer!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Exactly - I'll find a bargain, shop the thrift stores, take the hand me downs, but Owen will still be in clean, attractive clothing! When he gets older and play time involves more dirt, sand, mud, water, rocks, etc. then I'll have a set of lightly stained, more worn clothing for outdoor play.

Maybe I'm just a delusional first time mom with too much time on her hands, but I can't see myself ever putting Owen in out of date, stained clothes unless he's going to be getting filthy and grubby anyway. Not that all of the hand me downs from DSIL were stained, and some of it is pretty classic - turtlenecks, t-shirts, jeans - but there were a lot of things that just screamed '80's to me, and I can't figure out how she found those in the late '90's and early '00's!

I did tell DH that we should save the windsuit for an '80's party...just in case we get invited to one between now and when he grows out of it!


In contrast to DSIL's hand me downs, an old college friend is sending me some Hanna Andersson outfits that her DS outgrew. She's even more careful about clothing than I am, and everything I've gotten from her in the past has been clean and adorable, so I'm really looking forward to this box of clothes!

 

[DMickey28]

Hey Guys ... Sounds like everyone had a great weekend.

Becky - Sorry the shopping trip didn't go so great. We actually go out first thing in the morning to go shopping. It works best for us. I can push DS until about 2pm, keep him awake in the car and then get takes a good afternoon nap.

Bethany - I also dress DS like a little man!! He wears Khakis, Jeans, Polo shirts and hoodies along with a few t-shirts. Most of his clothes come from TCP, a few staples from Target, Gap and Gymboree. I also have a bunch of stuff from the Talbots clearout. I buy everything at least one size larger so all the stuff he has now he has been wearing for at least 6 months and not outgrowing it anytime soon. All his "Christmas" clothes are 2T or 3T so they should work for next year!! I just spent $150 at Gymboree with the 30% coupon this weekend and got $75 in GymBucks for January. I don't think I have spent more than $10 on any one piece of clothing in the long run ... it works out well.

Alexander is 18.5 months old and WE ARE STILL ON THE BOTTLE!! He is doing toddler formula and I don't know how to get off of it. We tried at 18 months for about 10 days and he just couldn't do it. He eats a ton anyway and we couldn't really get him to eat more in a day to make up for the bottle. He gets it just before bedtime and if he didn't get it he would wake up at 3am starving. I don't know how to get off it .... HELP ...