The new "New Moms" thread!

[Jen_in_NH]

It must be a toddler thing. Christopher definitely woke up on the wrong side of the crib. He finally settled down when he was eating breakfast.

It's kind of sad - I need to start packing up his 2T stuff, and get out some of the 3T. Especially the shirts. He looks like he's running around in belly shirts

I'm at work for the next 48 hours. We're supposed to be getting a big storm today, so DH is trying to figure out how to plow while he's home with Christopher. He uses the 4 wheeler to plow, so it's not the quickest thing, nor is it toddler-proof. So far, his plan is to put Christopher in the Ergo, and bundle him up on the back of the 4 wheeler. Somehow I don't see this lasting long... I need to sneak home to get a picture of this.

DMickey - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you this month. DH and I don't really know when we'll get back into it for real (meds and all). Everything is a bit up in the air right now.

 

[kellyf2626]

Good afternoon ladies! Relaxing today...waiting for a big storm to hit our area! I was on hold this morning with Disney Dining for 2 hours!!!!!!! Trying to make ressie's for our May trip. Luckily I was able to get all the ones we wanted.... Japan, Crystal Palace, Yak and Yeti, Canada, Ohana, Boma, Coral Reef, and Chef Mickey. The CM asked what I was celebrating, and I told him we were celebrating an adult-only getaway! He agreed that should be one of his choices when designating what type of celebration!

Jen - Wow, Christopher is a big boy! Too funny about him and DH plowing together...that would be a great pic!

Becky - How do you get up and shower, etc.. before V gets up?? Some days I am motivated to shower before we go downstairs for breakfast, but never actually before he gets up!!

DMickey - Sounding good for this month!!!!

Nicole - How exciting about starting the process for IVF again!!!! Can we vote for Izzy in the Regis and Kelly contest?? If so, give us the link!

 

[beckmrk04]

Jen- I can just imagine what that plowing process is going to look like! And Christopher is a big boy!! Vaylie is such a peanut- she is just now filling out 18M clothes fine- she swims in 24M clothing!!!

Kelly- it sort of helps that Vaylie sleeps in quite a bit; she doesn't get up until 8:30 or so. So, I set my alarm and got up and showered and whatnot- like I would when I get ready for work. SOmetimes on my days off I stay in my pj's all day, and then by the afternoon I feel like a total bum and I have accomplished nothing and I get all cranky and annoyed. SO- I decided- no more. I am going to get up and dressed- I just feel better and accomplish more.

Today, I have already cleaned the bathroom, and cleaned out my closet: I have a 23.4 lb box full of clothes, shoes, jewelry and stuff to take to the donation center. (Yes, I put it on the scale).

 

[DMickey28]

Becky - Wow ... you are doing a great job with the FLY lady stuff. I need to get into that. Maybe that is what I will focus on in this two week wait!!

Alexander woke up on the wrong side of the crib too. My mom got up with him this AM so I got to sleep until 9AM. She said he was fine when he got up but as soon as Mommy was up he was a whiney cranky mess. He just wanted me to hold his hand, sit on the floor with him and carry him around. I think we have finally figured out he is teething AGAIN. He crams his fist in his mouth and is drooling again. WTH? How many teeth do these kids get?

 

[beckmrk04]

Oh, Kell- You are going to my favorite places: Boma, Chef Mickey's, and Ohana!! Love them!

 

[kellyf2626]

Becky - Holy crap!!! How do you get V to sleep in that late?!?!? I need to know! Brady is usually up around 6:45ish. On a rare occasion, he will sleep until 8am....but that is very rare. We love Boma, Chef Mickey, and Ohana!! My mom laughed that we are still going to Chef Mickey even without kids. I was like hey...I want to see Mickey too!

 

[beckmrk04]

DMickey- thanks! I've been pretty proud of myself. I've just been taking baby steps, but I told DH last night that each little accomplishment makes me want to keep going and do more, because the house is looking nice and I'm not stressed about thinking of all the stuff I *should* be doing. I do a little bit at a time, and that's good enough for me. DH has really been a big help, too. He has gotten onboard and is helping me out with a lot of tasks, which makes it better- more of a team effort.

 

[beckmrk04]

I'd go to Chef Mickey's without kids! I looooove the parmesan mashed potatoes. (OT- I have almost talked DH into a December trip!!! I've been saving money like crazy, and we could definitely go by December! I have always wanted to see WDW all decked out for Christmas).

And on Vaylie sleeping so late- no trick, it's just the way she has always been. She goes to bed between 8:30 and 9 pm, and gets up anywhere between 8-9 am. Which works for me! She's been a great sleeper since she was 3 months old.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Wow Becky, Vaylie sleeps great! Christopher usually crashes between 7:30 and 8:00, and then is up around 7:00 (maybe 7:30-8:00) when he hears the dog start to get up. But if he stays up later, he doesn't sleep in any later. I dream of the day when I'll sleep til 8:30 just because.

 

[kellyf2626]

Jen - Christopher is much like Brady....doesn't matter when you put him to bed, he will get up at 6:45ish. His normal bedtime is 7:00. We tried pushing it back later, thinking he would sleep later - but it didn't work! But...even if I put him to bed earlier, he will still sleep until almost 7:00am, so some days when he is super tired, I will put him down at like 6:30 or 6:45!


Today has been a long, boring day at home. I feel like the worst mom...the tv has been on all.day.long. I mean, he is playing and running around the house (not vegged-out in front of the tv), but still....it's been on. Counting down until 7pm!!

 

[beckmrk04]

I'm terrified my next kid will be a sleeping nightmare. Or a non-sleeping nightmare, as it were. Vaylie has just always been pretty easy in that respect.

WHEW! I have accomplished a lot today- while Vaylie was napping I cleaned out the fridge, and I mean CLEANED it. Took everything out, including the shelves, washed everything in warm soapy water, and completely wiped out the interior. I can't even remember the last time that has been done, and it was gross.

 

[kellyf2626]

I'm terrified my next kid will be a sleeping nightmare. Or a non-sleeping nightmare, as it were. Vaylie has just always been pretty easy in that respect.

WHEW! I have accomplished a lot today- while Vaylie was napping I cleaned out the fridge, and I mean CLEANED it. Took everything out, including the shelves, washed everything in warm soapy water, and completely wiped out the interior. I can't even remember the last time that has been done, and it was gross.

Ya, Brady has always been such a great sleeper, I think we are DOOMED for our next child. And you are making me feel like a super-slob today Becky!!!

 

[beckmrk04]

Today has been a long, boring day at home. I feel like the worst mom...the tv has been on all.day.long. I mean, he is playing and running around the house (not vegged-out in front of the tv), but still....it's been on. Counting down until 7pm!!

Don't feel bad. It happens. Probably more than it should in this house. But it's HARD when it's winter and you're all cooped up and "played" out.

I can't wait until spring when we can go run around outside. My grandma bought Vaylie a sand box for her birthday, and I've been searching Craig's List for outdoor Little Tikes stuff for the yard. We have a play house/cottage thing, and she has an inflatable "jump-o-lene." SHe also got a Disney Princess 4 wheeler for Christmas that she hasn't been able to use yet- so I am itching to get outside.

 

[DMickey28]

Hey guys ... just jumping in with a question, maybe you can help me.

For the last week and half/two weeks Alexander has been back to chewing on his hands, putting anything he can chew on in his mouth and drooling. I automatically assumed teething but then I looked up all the charts and he has ALL his teeth. The next set won't be until he is 5-6 years old. What could be wrong? Can a ear infection cause pain in the teeth? He doesn't have ANY other symptoms.

 

[beckmrk04]

Hey guys ... just jumping in with a question, maybe you can help me.

For the last week and half/two weeks Alexander has been back to chewing on his hands, putting anything he can chew on in his mouth and drooling. I automatically assumed teething but then I looked up all the charts and he has ALL his teeth. The next set won't be until he is 5-6 years old. What could be wrong? Can a ear infection cause pain in the teeth? He doesn't have ANY other symptoms.

I would talk to his pediatrician or the speech therapist (I can't remember if you had an appointment already or not...). I'll tell you why:

My nephew exhibits a lot of the same things as Alexander- slow to talk, still doesn't put a lot of words together, and many words he does say aren't very clear. The concern is "apraxia"- which is a speech disorder (which is, from what I understand, more common in boys than girls, but I bet Kelly could tell us more about it ). Dnephew has always been a big drooler, and he chews on blankets, pillow cases, sheets, pajamas, whatever he can wad into his mouth, and the speech therapist recommended he see an occupational therapist to rule out sensory issues. It also could be a need to work those muscles in his jaw and mouth.

Obviously I'm not a speech therapist and haven't met Alexander, but a lot of what you describe just sounds so similar to my Dnephew.

An ear infection is plausible, but I think he'd be more cranky, running a fever, etc- that's what most kids do, anyway.

Does he seem to be in pain? Or does it just seem like "habit"? Other than those things, I'm not really sure what else would be the cause. But it seems like a check-up at the doc wouldn't be the worst idea.

 

[Pollito916]

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted here - you've all been busy!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes for Alex! It was a really great day, except for right after everyone arrived, Alex fell and hit his head on the bottom step. Instead of just getting back up and brushing it off as usual, he had to put on a show for the crowd and cried for about 5 minutes. Little drama king. Other than that it went pretty well. I'll be back with some pics.

And I totally feel with you all on the “baby weight” issue. I’m actually a few pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight, but still 5-10 above my “ideal” weight, which I was actually at just 6 weeks after Alex was born, and managed to stay at it until he was almost 18 months old. Then we moved to AZ and started eating more crap and I gained 10 pounds back. But nothing fits the same anyway. All my shirts shrunk.

Becky – that’s a really nice play kitchen, I’m sure Vaylie will love it. We got Alex a second hand one that he really likes. DH didn’t like that it has pink handles on the doors, but for $15, you really can’t beat that! That really stinks about all the drama with your mom, some people just don’t get that the world does not revolve around them. I can’t wait to see pics of Vaylie’s birthday party. Yay on ordering the projector – it sounds like so much fun! And I have never felt ovulation pain either, I would never even know when it happens, though I have been on the pill since right after high school and was only off when I was treated for endometriosis and for 2 months before I got pregnant with Alex. I went right back on when the doctor gave the ok after he was born (kind of have to for the endo).

DMickey – Nice beach pics – Alexander is so big! I wish we lived closer to a beach, I love the water, sun, and sand! Good luck on the ttc again! I wish we were in a better place to start again, b/c I am totally feeling that “I want a baby girl” itch right now!! Oh, and I saw the winners of the Regis & Kelly baby contest last year, and most of them were 1.5 – 3, so I think Alexander still has a chance if you want to enter him. Sorry I don’t have any clue on the teeth issue.

Jenny – that’s great news on the milk, that will make cooking so much easier for you!

Bethany – Alex had a kitchen like that when he was smaller (another consignment sale find), and he loved it too. It was strange though, sometimes it would be “off” but we would still hear the burner going in the middle of the night. That’s so sad the way your mom died, and I don’t blame you one bit for being paranoid about anyone hitting their head.

Meredith – I feel for you with the twin’s weight gain, I hope you find something that works for them. It sounds like they are healthy happy babies other than the weight gain. They are hitting all their milestones at the right time, which not all multiples do. It’s probably just a phase.

Nicole – congrats on your winnings! That’s so great, and even better that Izzy is feeling better. I didn’t realize you were ttc again so soon – good luck! Good luck on the Regis & Kelly contest too, that’s a cute picture!

Kelly – how’s your head? I hit my head like that once on an open freezer door when I was in the refrigerator. Never seen so many stars in my life.

Jen – that was so inconsiderate of the snack nazi! It’s not like the other kids were having some boring healthy snack and you were trying to give Christopher cupcakes. He is diabetic for crap’s sake! The other kids aren’t going to want his cheese and crackers when they can have a cupcake, if anything it will be the other way around. If she keeps up the sour treatment, I might just go for the fun then leave before snack time to avoid the drama.

Denise – that’s good news on finding a daycare that might work for you!

Michelle – I am so with you on the no time to work out. I have an elliptical machine and a handful of work-out DVDs and videos, but I get already get up around 5:30 AM each day, don’t get home until around 5:30 PM, then have to make dinner, do more work, clean house, etc, etc, and I am just too exhausted to try to do any exercise after I put Alex to bed around 8:00 PM. I’ve tried getting up earlier, but I just can’t seem to do it. Maybe one of these days, I’ll be able to go to bed earlier and get up earlier…. Oh, and Alex love’s playing on Daddy like Will in your blog. He jumps on his belly and yells “Toro! Toro!” (bull, bull) and then DH bounces him around and he giggles his head off, so funny!

 

[Pollito916]

Ok, here's a few of Alex's birthday pictures. We didn't invite any kids other than family, so there weren't really any kids his age. I think the next youngest kid was 5 or 6. I forgot one minor crisis that happened before the party. I overcooked the cake, so I had to run out to the store to buy a cake. I don't like the regular grocery store cake covered in frosting, and there really aren't many other options less than an hour before the party is staring so I got a strawberry angel food cake. It was pretty good, looked and tasted kind of like cotton candy. The only other thing that came up was that DH invited a friend at the last minute who brought his niece. Normally no big deal, but the cake wasn't big enough then, so DH & I didn't get a piece. Alex didn't eat his, so I grabbed a bite.

Helping Daddy decorate, he was excited because we normally yell at him when he climbs onto the foosball table. He moves chairs around so he can get close enough to climb onto it. He's a bruiser.

Enjoying his cake and ice cream, Alex loves mint chocolate chip, which also happens to be mommy's favorite

Opening presents, he got excited when he realized it was a Cars toys, which of course, was on the tv in the background

And riding his Cars scooter, this was the end of the night after everyone left and I couldn't get him to look at the camera anymore. And he's not giving a thumbs up, he's preparing to stick that thumb in his mouth.

 

[Pollito916]

I just looked at that post and I need to add a disclaimer - that light fixture in the 1st picture is totally NOT my style. I didn't like any of the options from the builder, and that was the free one and we haven't gotten around to swapping it out yet. Not that anyone else would probably notice if I didn't feel the need to point it out.

 

[jennyL]

So it was more then just teething last week. We had to take him to the doctors since daycare called and his temp was 102.9 but that wasn't the end of it I ended up calling the nurse line late Wednesday night since it was up to 104.5 and I was freaking out. She was very nice and calm but you know how it is. My kid is sick don't tell me to calm down. LOL DH wasn't home so I'm texting him and talking to the nurse and trying to get Noah to drink some fluids. UGH his fever finally broke for good late Friday so this weekend was much better but I feel completly lost for almost the last week. The doctor said he had the beginnings of an ear infection, he was teething and he had a cold so all of those together were what was causing the fever and his of course bad mood. They checked him for the flu and that wasn't it so I guess at least something good. He's going back to daycare today and DH and I are so happy. LOL we've been trading days home and we are both so far behind now.

Pollito funny about the light. We had the same thing. We had a light at our old house that I was bringing with us so even though we upgraded all the lights in the new house we left one as the freebie. It was horrbile and gold and everything else was burshed nickel so it really stood out. When people would come over they all just laughed until we got it replaced.

 

[beckmrk04]

I just looked at that post and I need to add a disclaimer - that light fixture in the 1st picture is totally NOT my style. I didn't like any of the options from the builder, and that was the free one and we haven't gotten around to swapping it out yet. Not that anyone else would probably notice if I didn't feel the need to point it out.

I was totally thinking, "Who would want that light fixture?"

(KIDDING! I was looking at your cute kid, and until I read the post didn't even realize there was a light fixture in the picture. )

The pics are great! Vaylie's party will be this weekend. I'm still in shock that I will have a 2 year old.

jennyL- I am glad Noah is feeling better! That's a lot of stuff for the poor little guy to deal with. Isn't it just the worst when kids are sick? You feel so helpless and you just want to make it better.