The new "New Moms" thread!

[beckmrk04]

Hey everyone!

I have been busy busy this week! I am trying like heck to get all of my shopping finished. I should be *done* with the exception of DH this weekend. I'm not worried about him though- he's very easy to shop for.

whew. We've been joking at work about getting a "Jelly of the Month" subscription; they "couldn't book the hall" for our annual Christmas party (I don't know how true that is) and therefore said that they were going to give us each a "gift" instead... So far, nothing. Last year, we recieved a nice little Christmas bonus ($200 I think) from the owner of the bank (above and beyond our regular bonus, which we get in February). And that was wonderful and much appreciated! But, I was a little bummed to open my paycheck today and find: nothing. So, maybe like Chevy Chase, I'll get an envelope on Christmas Eve with a "jelly of the month" subscription.

Last night we went to Our Lady of the Snows shrine (they do a HUGE drive thru Christmas light display). We've been before, but it was Vaylie's first time and she was mesmerized. She loved all the lights. And they have indoor stuff (carolers, a kid's craft room, Christmas tree displays, etc) and a petting zoo. It was waaay more fun taking Vaylie along!

And I am so aggravated at Pottery Barn Kids!!! I got Vaylie's Anywhere chair and personalized slipcover on Monday, and the slipcover was *not* the "hot pink" I ordered, but it was "bright pink." Ok, no problem except I ordered the personalization in pink, and you could barely see it because the thread was the same color as the background and it blended in. SO, I called PB Kids and told them the issue (the website says "hot pink" and the chair color on there looks hot pink, but they insisted that what I got was hot pink- I insisted that I am NOT color blind and what I got is more "bubble gum" or Pepto Bismal, not "hot pink" like I ordered). Ugh. So, anyway I had to send this cover back and they're sending a new one (which at first they wouldn't garauntee the new one before Christmas! ) but after I told him that was unacceptable, they said I'd have it by the 17th. We'll see. I am still aggravated- that chair was a lot of money and I want what I paid for, kwim?

Anyway- I hope everyone is having a good holiday season so far.

Denise- what kind of traditions will you be celebrating/starting with Mo? I have to admit, I don't really know anyone who is Jewish, so I don't know much about Hanukkah traditions, but I'd love to hear about how you celebrate!

 

[beckmrk04]

Holly- I love Amanda's dress in the pic with Santa! That's adorable! And the pic of your girls- gorgeous. They are beautiful!

 

[TiggerStac]

I've been MIA again...we were effected by the ice storms in the northeast big time. It hit us hard. we just got power back about 4 hours ago and it was out since 9pm thursday.

The kids and I went to my parents and hubby stayed w/the dogs to watch the pipes in the cold. night before last it was 32 in the house! Hubby was all bundled up. We have one of those fake electric fireplaces, but it decided not to work. Friday am, I went to work, it was horrible getting there, trees, power lines everywhere!! My normal 10 minute drive was over an hour (4 miles).

My oldest doesn't have school until at least Wed...I'm hoping the daycare is open tomorrow, as hubby leaves for phily for work and I really can't take anymore time off!!!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I've been MIA again...we were effected by the ice storms in the northeast big time. It hit us hard. we just got power back about 4 hours ago and it was out since 9pm thursday.

The kids and I went to my parents and hubby stayed w/the dogs to watch the pipes in the cold. night before last it was 32 in the house! Hubby was all bundled up. We have one of those fake electric fireplaces, but it decided not to work. Friday am, I went to work, it was horrible getting there, trees, power lines everywhere!! My normal 10 minute drive was over an hour (4 miles).

My oldest doesn't have school until at least Wed...I'm hoping the daycare is open tomorrow, as hubby leaves for phily for work and I really can't take anymore time off!!!

We were out of power for about 2 days (Thursday night til Saturday afternoon). We have a woodstove and gas log for heat, so we were able to stay home. It was kind of fun the first day, but something about constantly boiling water started to drive me nuts.

Kelly and Carla, how are you guys? If I remember right, you guys should be worse off than I was - the storm lessened the farther north you went.

 

[TiggerStac]

My aunt in Fremont was out until about 9pm on Saturday night. Seabrook was still running at brownout levels yesterday (at least one of hubby's stores was). My parents are in georgetown and we were fine.

 

[beckmrk04]

Oy- sorry you guys are having such terrible weather. We got hit with ice HARD in 2006 (I was 6 months pregnant, my SIL was DUE ) Our power was out for 7 days, my MIL/FIL were without for 9 days. Luckily, we were able to shack up with BIL & SIL (who were away at the hospital giving birth ). I'll never forget it.

But, we were all ok, and that was the important thing. That, and the fact that I didn't smother my loudly snoring FIL. It was a test in patience, for sure.

 

[beckmrk04]

OT- Vaylie has a new catch phrase, and it's cracking me up because I didn't realize how much I said it until she started saying it all the time.

Everything is: "There you go, Mommy." Like, I'll hand her something and say, "There you go, Vaylie" and she responds with "There you go Mommy." It cracks me up.

She is starting to look and act and talk like a little girl, and she's losing that "baby-ness" so quickly. It's so amazing to watch, but oh is it heartbreaking, too. I look at little newborn outfits in the stores, and it seems unreal that she ever fit into anything so small.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Denise- what kind of traditions will you be celebrating/starting with Mo? I have to admit, I don't really know anyone who is Jewish, so I don't know much about Hanukkah traditions, but I'd love to hear about how you celebrate!

Hey Becky! Thanks for asking.

Hanukkah is celebrated over 8 days and we light our first candle at sundown on Dec 21st. Jewish days start at sundown. In Jewish terms the first day of Hanukkah is the 25th of Kislev. Kislev is a Jewish month. Mo was born the first day of Hanukkah last year so he actually gets to celebrate TWO birthdays! Tradition states that the men light Hanukkah candles and I'm almost sure it's because the women light the candles on Friday night for the Sabbath day on Saturday. There's all kinds of fried foods we eat to signify the oil used to keep the menorah burning back during temple times. I'll have to look more into the story later, but from what I remember they only had enough oil for one night and it miraculously burned for 8 signifying the 8 days of Hanukkah. I'll have to find Mo a good Hanukkah book so I can read it to him I think and maybe give him a gift on the 1st and 8th days. I don't want Mo to think it's only about 8 days of gifts...a lot of children do, and it's not. Since his "Jewish" birthday is the 1st day of Hanukkah, I think it would be GREAT giving him a gift then and maybe having cake and ice cream again. Can never have enough cake and ice cream....right??!! We aren't Jewish mind you, but have been following Judaism for about 5 years and Hanukkah is such a fun time!! I'm going to try and find some blue and white lights and decorate his nursery with...around the window, but to where he can't pull them away. I might just put them around the doorway. There's a really neat game called the Driedel game that's played, but until Mo is much older, it won't mean much to him. The lighting of the candles is so awesome and when all eight are burning it is really a wonderful and beautiful thing! You guys have your one day of Christmas which can be fun, but over so quickly. We have 8 days of Hanukkah and it's really nice to be able to enjoy over that period of time.

Thanks again for asking Becky...it means a lot to me!

 

[ashjohnson80]

That sounds really neat, Denise! I don't know much about Judaism, just what I can remember from my history of religion class form college. I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's the difference between being Jewish and following Judaism?

 

[Tiggerlover91]

That sounds really neat, Denise! I don't know much about Judaism, just what I can remember from my history of religion class form college. I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's the difference between being Jewish and following Judaism?

The difference is Ash...my husband, Mo, and I are what are considered Gentiles (someone who isn't Jewish). After doing some studying and research we decided that Judaism is the way to go. We have not converted as of yet so we are not Jewish, but instead Gentiles who have decided to follow Judaism. What does that mean, we observe all the Jewish Holy Days, we observe the sabbath (Saturday), we eat kosher, and the most important, we read and do the Torah(the first five books of the bible) I actually knew a few Jewish people who do not follow Judaism as Charles and I do. My old boss was Jewish and told me that Charles and I were better at it than he was and that was ashame. Being Jewish Ash, means you're a son/daughter of (in the bloodline of) Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or you're an adopted son/daughter of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob (you've converted). I hope this helps Ash, thanks for asking.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Thanks for sharing, Denise. I get it now. I'm always interested in learning about other religions and such.

 

[beckmrk04]

Thanks for sharing that Denise! I'm with Ash- I like learning about different cultural and religious traditions. It sounds lovely, and how great that the two of you can introduce Mo to a religion steeped with so much history and tradition!

And I hear ya on the Christmas only being one day. Although, I think that all of us get the benefit of the holiday "season." I love this time of year. Until I hit the parking lot at the mall.

Dh and I are trying very hard to erase some of the commercialism of the season from our home. I don't want Vaylie to grow up thinking that Christmas is about getting gobs of presents and that's it. And while we're not really religious (ie- not a specific religion), I want to her learn the story behind Christmas and about Christmas traditions (and other holiday traditions ) from around the world. I want her to recognize the holiday season as one for joy, gratitude, and service- helping those in need.

I plan on coming up with some things to help those lessons stick as she gets older, like picking out toys to donate and adopting a family for Christmas. THAT's what it should be about- not trampling people to death to get cheap junk at Wal-Mart.

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

Denise-Thanks for the expalination of Hanukkah. I can remember during elementary school we were not allowed to sing Christmas songs so we sang Hanukkah songs but I never really understood what we were singing about until your explaination so Thank you!!!

Sorry you all are having such a tought time with the weather!!! We have had snow for the last three days but only have accumulated about 6 inches. It is only 9 degrees right now (10am) and only supposed to warm up to 11 degrees. Should be below zero tonight.

It is so amazing to see how others celebrate this time of year. It sounds like there are some great traditions in the making with your new families

As for me...I'm not religious at all so for me Christmas is a time to spend time as a family. Growing up we would use Christmas Eve to open our gifts and spend time with our little family. Then Christmas Day was spent with the whole family. Now that we have moved further (and across the Cascades), my sister, nephew and niece come up here and spend about a week or so (her husband is a JW so doesn't celebrate) and we just visit and take the quads out in the snow, bake etc. Things we rarely get to do together during the year.

 

[beckmrk04]

my sister, nephew and niece come up here and spend about a week or so.

See- I would love this.

I feel like the retail stores are lengthening the holiday season (or trying to, by putting Christmas stuff out before Halloween), but- people rarely get time off during the holidays anymore. Lots of places are even open on Christmas.

It seems like when I was little my mom at least had a day or two off around the holidays, but now- nope. You get Christmas day off, and that's it. I have to work until 2 pm on Christmas eve, and off on Christmas day, but back at work bright and early the day after like nothing happened. It's kind of sad.

 

[Lachesis00]

I was trying to think of what Aiden says to me a lot.

One is "Bye Bye, See you laaaaaaaaaaater!!!" while waving to me, and disappearing behind the couch LOL.

He got his first haircut *sniffle* and is loosing his babyness!!

2 days ago at a park... Oh he had so much fun!!!

OT- Vaylie has a new catch phrase, and it's cracking me up because I didn't realize how much I said it until she started saying it all the time.

Everything is: "There you go, Mommy." Like, I'll hand her something and say, "There you go, Vaylie" and she responds with "There you go Mommy." It cracks me up.

She is starting to look and act and talk like a little girl, and she's losing that "baby-ness" so quickly. It's so amazing to watch, but oh is it heartbreaking, too. I look at little newborn outfits in the stores, and it seems unreal that she ever fit into anything so small.

 

[Lachesis00]

Man a couple of my son's friends are ticking me off. IF they WERE parents, they'd be parents from h-e-double hockey sticks. They can be mean!!
Aiden, who is 18 months old, gets disaplined. He gets removed from the situation, he will hand stuff over if it isn't good for him and we ask. If you do the 1-2-3 he will get down or what have you.
We are always being complimented on how well he behaves and listens from people who are parents (with kids across the board age wise).

Both of Joey's friends think he should be spanked. Not a hand swat, a spank. If I catch them touching either baby, I will come unglued. And heaven forbid I try and reason or explain that he is right on track and is a good little guy. So far Aiden hasn't done anything to warrent a stronger punishment. YK?
It irritates me to NO end, they say if I don't spank him NOW and constantly, he will turn out to be some hard criminal or something. They forget, I have a 17, almost 18 year old kiddo who is pretty darn good. Never gets into trouble (he rarely leaves the house, his buddies come over here).
I'd tell them to get lost (seriously, I do get that mad at times), but they are for the most part, good kids, and these guys stick together like glue through thick and thin. I just get so irritated at times, having a "child" tell me how to parent

FYI: I do believe in spankings/swats on the hand, IF the situation called for it, and very few would call for it with Aiden. When he is older, if he took off running or something to that offense. Right now, I use a leash to hold on to him (because I have disabilities that make it hard for me to hold his hand)/

Today I gave Aiden a Starburst (in which he will brush his teeth soon after he eats), and one of Joey's friends took it right out of his hand. WHY? He did nothing wrong. I gave him the dog gone candy.

I can't say either is super kid friendly. They love the babies, but do not play with them and I'd never have them watch the kids!!
I am constantly talking to these KIDS and telling them their train of thought is wrong, epecially if it is not their child. And they really should not call a parent on a punishment (or lack of) nor should they be punishing someone's child. Period. They never have that I know of (spanking/hitting) but if they did, I'd come unglued.


Thoughts??

 

[Tiggerlover91]

nevermind

 

[beckmrk04]

Man a couple of my son's friends are ticking me off. IF they WERE parents, they'd be parents from h-e-double hockey sticks. They can be mean!!
Aiden, who is 18 months old, gets disaplined. He gets removed from the situation, he will hand stuff over if it isn't good for him and we ask. If you do the 1-2-3 he will get down or what have you.
We are always being complimented on how well he behaves and listens from people who are parents (with kids across the board age wise).

Both of Joey's friends think he should be spanked. Not a hand swat, a spank. If I catch them touching either baby, I will come unglued. And heaven forbid I try and reason or explain that he is right on track and is a good little guy. So far Aiden hasn't done anything to warrent a stronger punishment. YK?
It irritates me to NO end, they say if I don't spank him NOW and constantly, he will turn out to be some hard criminal or something. They forget, I have a 17, almost 18 year old kiddo who is pretty darn good. Never gets into trouble (he rarely leaves the house, his buddies come over here).
I'd tell them to get lost (seriously, I do get that mad at times), but they are for the most part, good kids, and these guys stick together like glue through thick and thin. I just get so irritated at times, having a "child" tell me how to parent

FYI: I do believe in spankings/swats on the hand, IF the situation called for it, and very few would call for it with Aiden. When he is older, if he took off running or something to that offense. Right now, I use a leash to hold on to him (because I have disabilities that make it hard for me to hold his hand)/

Today I gave Aiden a Starburst (in which he will brush his teeth soon after he eats), and one of Joey's friends took it right out of his hand. WHY? He did nothing wrong. I gave him the dog gone candy.

I can't say either is super kid friendly. They love the babies, but do not play with them and I'd never have them watch the kids!!
I am constantly talking to these KIDS and telling them their train of thought is wrong, epecially if it is not their child. And they really should not call a parent on a punishment (or lack of) nor should they be punishing someone's child. Period. They never have that I know of (spanking/hitting) but if they did, I'd come unglued.


Thoughts??

1- I would tell them to mind their own flippin business and save their advice for themselves- when they become parents- they are going to need it.

2- If I ever caught one of them correcting my child, I would point out in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that I[/] am the parent, I will handle discipline however I see fit. And if they continue to undermine you or proceed to do anything beyond talk about it, I would have the UNHOLIEST FIT they ever saw, and they'd probably think someone should have spanked ME when I was little. In all seriousness- I would nip this in the bud. You are the parent. They are not. End. Of. Discussion.

I never realized how irritating it would be to have people constantly critiquing my every parenting move. Everyone (mom, MIL, grandma, GrandmaIL, even my childless sister who means well) is constantly second guessing me. You'd think since I have managed to keep V alive and healthy for almost 2 years, and that I'm not a total loser (ie- I'm responsible and care for my child), and that since I'm relatively intelligent, they would trust me to do fine with her, but no. I get comments about how she's not dressed warm enough, why am I taking her outside- it's too cold, she doesn't need xyz, why can't she have xyz- it won't hurt anything"

and I just want to scream the most annoying parenting line ever:
BECAUSE I SAID SO! BECAUSE I'M THE MOM!!!

 

[ashjohnson80]

See- I would love this.
It seems like when I was little my mom at least had a day or two off around the holidays, but now- nope. You get Christmas day off, and that's it. I have to work until 2 pm on Christmas eve, and off on Christmas day, but back at work bright and early the day after like nothing happened. It's kind of sad.

Our problem is that DH gets TOO much time off. His plant has shut down for 5.5 weeks! We thought he was going to be off that whole time, without pay, but they are going to let him come in and do stuff so he'll only be out 2.5 weeks. Bleh!

 

[beckmrk04]

Our problem is that DH gets TOO much time off. His plant has shut down for 5.5 weeks! We thought he was going to be off that whole time, without pay, but they are going to let him come in and do stuff so he'll only be out 2.5 weeks. Bleh!

Ash, that sucks! At least he won't be off the whole time without pay. My aunt and her DH work at a steel mill near hear (BIG employer in this area), and they just found out that they are all going to be laid off until March.

Can your DH get any sort of unemployment?

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

Denise- what happened? I know you had a post there about lights.