The new "New Moms" thread!

[beckmrk04]

Pollito- 1. THIS is why I am worried- and Alex and Vaylie are so much alike!! Oh well. We'll figure it out. Or, she'll scream like a banshee the entire time and I will spend the whole plane ride apologizing to everyone who isn't deaf. 2. I am SOOOO with you on the next kid thing!! DH and I are there now- I would like to have another, but he's in school and working FT, and I work FT, and plus, I could be super-sick again.... But, I agree with Amber- there is never a "right" time, and no matter what- you figure it out and make it work. I kind of feel like God will provide. If we do our part and do the best we can, God will take care of the rest. We're thinking about trying at the end of this year or the beginning of next year- we'll see. It makes me nervous, too! If I don't get sick again, we'll be fine. If I do get sick- that's a whole other story.... No way to tell but to jump in with both feet!

 

[k_reile]

I too believe that its gods will when the kiddos arrive. I had been off bc for 2 yrs but we were not activally trying and I was very good at determining when i would ovulate so we could miss that time period (well except for that one time )cause i was just to lazy to get the bc refilled. And it just happened to be when my husband started his new job that paid double what he was earning before..so it definitely worked out!
I too now want a little girl in the near future...not ready for another one just yet of course! I was reading a trip report about a grandmother taking her 14 mos old granddaughter to WDW and I mentioned I wanted a little girl next because of all the cute disney clothes...and she said she wanted one too and she asked her obgyn about it and she had a girl next! BUt I was afraid to ask what her obgyn said cause this is family board!

 

[DMickey28]

Pollito - I hear you on the decision to have another baby. It's tough. I am dying for a . We had been trying for 7 months before this episode with his heart happened. I did get pregnant two months ago but miscarried. We timed it right last month as well but nada. At this point, I am KICKING myself for even going on BCP after Alex was born. It took 8 months with him so I figure I am up for a lot this time. We are in month 8 but decided to hold off for a little bit. We are moving this summer, hoping to buy a house by the end of the year and DH is looking to make a job change. HOWEVER, even with all that going on and NO EXTRA money in the bank we decided that whatever happens is meant to be therefor we will wait and see. If no baby by the time we do buy a house we are going to go to a fertility specialist. My months are fairly regular so I have a decent idea when we should be BD even without charting for now.

Good Luck with the decision .... it always works out though.

 

[beckmrk04]

Ladies- I have a question, and I would like your honest opinions.

How do you feel about kid leashes (call them what you want: safety leash, kid harness, whatever- it's a leash)?

Here's the thing. BEFORE I had a kid (back when I knew it all and had all the answers), I was like, "Who would use those? It's a leash."

Now that I have a toddler, I SOOOOOO GET IT. Vaylie wants to walk, but will run off and hates holding hands. She doesn't like to ride in her stroller if she can help it. And now we're headed to Disneyland, and I'm worried! I don't want her wandering off, but I thought maybe it would be a good compromise so that she can walk and feel a little independent, but so Mommy doesn't have a nervous breakdown trying to chase after a 2 yr old in a crowded park.

So, what are your opinions? Would it make it better if I showed you a link to a really cute Mickey Mouse backpack-style one?

 

[clgwli]

Becky we have a harness that we got. I saw a ton of them at WDW myself the last few years while I was looking around. We didn't use it much, but when we did DS loved having the freedom to run. We do try to make him walk holding our hand 95% of the time, but it was useful the few times we used it. I think our next trip we'll just use the wrist part of it if we are going through big crowds. I am sure he'll be walking more.

We have teh cheapy $5 one you get at BabiesRUs just because it is hot in FL. I didn't think DS would do the backpack. I did get him used to walking around the house with it on so he wasn't just a FL thing for us.

I totally get the wanting another child thing too. I'd love another, but my DH won't go for it. He's too freaked out after last time. I think the nurses telling him how close I was to losing two organs really got him. I think I need to talk to my doctor seriously to see if it is even worth doing this again or if we should look to adoption.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I've got a monkey backpack leash that I am "training" Owen to wear now. I'm like you, Becky. Even as a preschool teacher I would look at parents using the harness/leashes on their kids and think "good grief, they can't control one kid without resorting to that?" Now I have a 1yr old who seriously does not hear me when I tell him to stop and is so freakishly curious that he gets fixated on exploring whatever it is he's spotted. He's finally getting stable on his feet and now he wants to walk by himself all the time. I try to let him walk sometimes, but it always ends with him trying to go check out a truck or car going past in the street.

So yes, my boy will be on a leash. Of course I totally LOVE the mickey one!!! OMG - Owen would flip over that!!

I'm positive Owen is going to want to wander and explore the airplane, and he's going to have a fit over being strapped into his carseat for the whole trip. I'm anticipating several hours of screaming, yelling, squirming and fussing. Not so fun.

On a better note, my dad & step-mom are driving up to meet us in Canada from MN, and they are going to bring up some of the toys and books from their place to help keep Owen entertained! That will be a huge help, since FIL and Step-MIL don't have any toys or kids books.

 

[ashjohnson80]

I want a baby leash. No, I NEED a baby leash. LOL...

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

All the baby talk makes me realize that I'm having one soon! OMG I totally forget sometimes that this belly is really toting around another life. We decided after DS was born that we would wait about a year and then think about it. I wasn't tracking or really watching because I BFd DS for the year so everything was a little off still. Well, we made it 11m and while in WDW I was eating everything I could get my hands on. Thank you Contemporary concierge for the dozens of cookies and chicken tenders! I had a weird little headache a dinner one night too. DH told me "you are totally preggers" at Chef Mickey's as I was piling up my plate and I said no way! I would know! Well, we got back and took a test. Surprise! There were those 2 little lines. I'm happy they will be close together as my sisters and I are 8 and 10y apart.

Brycen has a little cold right now. He woke up every hour last night crying but then went back to sleep after a few minutes. Trying to listen to him and block out the snoring (ahem... DH) made for a real restful night.

I don't know much about the leashes but I don't think DS will wear one. He hates when I make him wear a bib. Or if I tie a cape to him with a towel he just stands there and looks at me like, yeah right!

Bry did start saying a few new things this week. I was so surprised. He says "all better" and "love you". We've also been reading this book about sea animals and there is a part about how a crab will pinch your toes. I showed him how to make the pincher fingers and he's been doing it non-stop. It's so funny to hear uh oh when I drop something and then all better when I pick it up. Despite having an icky nose, he's still a funny little man.

 

[k_reile]

I like the mickey harness...but it is sold out!

 

[DMickey28]

Becky - I was the same as you!! We have the monkey one which we lost the tail to. I LOVE that Mickey one. I would get it and have it for your comfort. I saw a lot of them this last week and didn't think twice about it. Make sure you get V used to it though. Alex would always pull at it and then fall on his face if I caught up to him or something. Don't worry about what others think, if it will help you enjoy your trip that much more and keep V safe then it's perfect!

 

[k_reile]

Becky - I was the same as you!! We have the monkey one which we lost the tail to. I LOVE that Mickey one. I would get it and have it for your comfort. I saw a lot of them this last week and didn't think twice about it. Make sure you get V used to it though. Alex would always pull at it and then fall on his face if I caught up to him or something. Don't worry about what others think, if it will help you enjoy your trip that much more and keep V safe then it's perfect!

Christina....are you back from WDW already??

 

[DMickey28]

We only went for one night! We drove up first thing Monday morning, checked in to the GF and met my friend at the MK gates. She got us in and then DH went back to the hotel to rest while I walked around the park and took some pictures. We had dinner at Narcoosee's and went back to the park to ride a few rides, watch the parade and see the fireworks. Then Tuesday my DH had an interview and my friend had the day off so we resort hopped and then we to lunch at the GF. Then we came home!! Can't afford to stay at the GF for more than a night anyway!

 

[k_reile]

We only went for one night! We drove up first thing Monday morning, checked in to the GF and met my friend at the MK gates. She got us in and then DH went back to the hotel to rest while I walked around the park and took some pictures. We had dinner at Narcoosee's and went back to the park to ride a few rides, watch the parade and see the fireworks. Then Tuesday my DH had an interview and my friend had the day off so we resort hopped and then we to lunch at the GF. Then we came home!! Can't afford to stay at the GF for more than a night anyway!

No kidding...Its a nice resort and I would love to stay there someday but even DH said he thinks its too stuffy for us. We loved the boardwalk and are hoping to stay at the beach club next time...thats about as far as we want to get plus we love the proximity to Epcot worldshowcase and ESPN zone! Course these are both trips that my parents are paying for so next time we go on our own we will probably be camping at Fort Wilderness...which I am totally fine with...I think Caleb would love it there! But my parents don;t camp and they said they would like to stay close to Epcot and we want it for the less bus options we would have to take and with probably having 2 strollers that will be nice. If BC does not price out like I want it (cause hoping for the 4/3 deal in Feb) then I hope we can stay at the Wilderness Lodge and we can take the boat to MK...the boys would love that too!

I'm just about dying waiting for the 2010 rates to come out so I can see when we can go...and then to wait for discounts for Feb...its killing me...sooo...
I just realized that my husband will be home the whole weekend of our anniversary on Aug 14...and this year is our 5 yr! I was thinking of taking a long weekend vacation using our milage points so we don;t have to pay a lot our of pocket. I was talking to my college roommate about her and her husband going along with us...so now we are trying to see if we can go that weekend or if it is better for all of us to wait until October to go...we are hoping to go to either Punta Cana, Dominican or Montego Bay, Jamaica or around the cancun/riveria maya area of Mexico but they just got back from their honeymoon in the riveria maya in Jan so I don;t think they would want to go back. So i am keeping myself busy looking at vacations. I just want to sit on the beach and drink!

Has anyone been to either the Dominican or Jamaica?? my parents have been to both and told me where they liked and what they didn;t...I am not looking to put a whole lot of money into a very short vacation but I also do not want to stay somewhere that is not nice. We are looking for all inclusive...we did that on our honeymoon and we loved it! Especially since we will be with friends...we just want to drink and hang out!

 

[Pollito916]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on having another baby. I think that we have decided to get one refill for now, then rethink in another 3 months. I'm just not feeling ready right now, not that I'm sure I'll ever be 100% "ready." We'll wait and see.

Becky - I used to think the same way as you about the baby leashes/harnesses. Until Alex started walking. The kid is always on the move and just never looks where he's going.

We started using a monkey leash with Alex around the time he turned 1. He's actually wearing it in my siggie pic, though you can't totally tell since he's in his stroller. He's always been a runner, and it was just best for his safety and my piece of mind. He loves it and asks to wear it, much prefers it to the stroller for short trips since it gives him more freedom. They can't really run in the harness, though, because the leash is so short, so they can't get very far. Alex sometimes gets frustrated that he can't go farther or faster and will pull hard on it then fall over.

We don't use it often at home anymore, but used it all the time at WDW and got tons of positive comments - mostly parents saying they wished they had one for their kid and asking where we got it (Target ~ $10). I think that Mickey one is totally cute and would be so adorable for DL.

 

[kellyf2626]

Hi ladies! I have a lot to catch-up on!!

Not much new to report with me. We are busy getting ready for our adult-only trip to Disney! We leave a week from Saturday (the 23rd) and I am soooooooo excited (yet a bit nervous). Now that it is actually here, I am kinda sad about leaving Brady and am going to miss him so much!! But, I know he will have a great time with my parents, and we will have a great time relaxing without him poolside with drinks!

Brady is loving his new swingset! I still need to get one of those toddler bucket swings, as he is not really that great at swinging in the regular ones quite yet!

As for the whole TTC issue, DH and I have been back and forth on when to start trying. I have been off the pill since January and we have been using other "means" to not conceive. Right now we are going to start trying my next cycle. But, my cycles have been really strange lately - I have been temping, and I'm not even sure I ovulated last cycle or this cycle. So, we will see what happens!!

LOVE the Mickey harness!! I have been debating back and forth about whether to get one for Brady for our trip in September!

Question for you ladies...what do you all use for bug spray on your kids? Is it ok to use the stuff with Deet or no? I need to find something good that works to use for Brady, as we have tons of mosquitos in our backyard that love him!!

 

[ashjohnson80]

I use a bug spray with 5% deet.

 

[beckmrk04]

I use the stuff with deet too- not sure on the percentage. It just works better. And we have CRAZY mosquitos here- it's unbelievable. They will literally suck you dry.

Kara- I'd love to squeeze another Disney trip in next year, but I doubt that happens. We'll see. With DH being in school, it's hard to get away for the value times.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, currently my SIL is having the WDW trip from hell, and I could just cry for her. They bought DVC last year, and they have been planning this trip for months; 12 days! She was so excited and kind of super-planned everything (she's even more type A control-freak about her trips than I am!). But, my nephew has been sick, ok- not just sick, like, SICK the whole time. He's barfed on each of them twice. They were sitting down, waiting for Cirque to start when SIL felt her lap get all warm. Diarreah. Needless to say, they couldn't stick around after THAT. They spent forever in Urgent Care. They come back on Monday and I am just hoping and praying that the meds work for Dnephew so they can at least salvage the weekend- they've had to cancel all of their carefully planned ADRs. It's heartbreaking. This was supposed to be a fun, get-away-from-all-the-stresses-of-life-and-work trip, and it's been awful. So, if you have a minute tonight, say a little prayer for them!

In other news, I leave in 10 days, and I am freaking out! SO much to do- and I still have to do all that last-minute shopping. I have GOT to go get some new Croc sandals. I need to call the airline and figure out the best way to deal with checking the carseat. blah, blah, blah!

AND- I am SO annoyed! Walmart.com is out of stock of the inflatable movie screen I wanted! I knew I would wait too long. Target has them, though. And walmart DOES have the cute Mickey Mouse screen- DH hates it, but alas- that's just not my problem. I think I am going to wait until after vacation to order it- just in case of an emergency and we need the funds. But I want to have our first movie night in June, so I have to get on it!

 

[kellyf2626]

Ya, the OFF-spray that I have now and use has 15% Deet in it. I know it's not good for him, but....I figure Triple E would be worse. The mosquitos are so bad in our backyard that he needs something that really works on him at all times. Has anyone read that forward about putting Listerine in a spray bottle? Supposedly that really works too!

Becky - Ugggg...that SUCKS for your SIL. I feel sooooooo bad for her. I feel like having a sick kiddo in that environment is 100% more stressful than having a sick kid at home. Hopefully the meds do the trick and they can enjoy their weekend. On a happier note - you must be so excited for your trip!!! I hear ya about stuff to do! We leave a week from today, and I have lists going everywhere about things that need to get done! I would really love to win the lottery and go on a pre-vaca shopping spree for some new cute clothes. Maybe I can fit in a mini-spree this week. We will see!

So DH was too funny last night. We were watching TV and he turns to me and says, "We are NOT cutting any corners on this trip. We are going to live it up and have fun down there.". This is the man I had to convince that we needed to even go on this trip to begin with! It's our last getaway without Brady before TTC #2, and he was more on-board for a weekend away somewhere, not a Disney extravaganza 9-day trip. But, now that it is here, I think he is more excited than I am!! Too funny. This is a guy who was soooooooooooo non-Disney when I first met him. I think I have fullly and totally converted him to a Disney freak like me. During the week he even told me to get a lot of flowers for out front so we could make them into a Mickey-head (thought of you Becky!! ). I think we have gone so many times together now that he realizes that it's more than just going to Disney....it's that everytime we go, we think of all the awesome memories from previous trips and the fantastic stuff we have done and shared together. He finally gets it...and I it!!

 

[Villain-lover]

Hi ladies!!! We are back from Atlanta! We hada great trip and Sam & Zoe did great on the car ride! They slept just like they were at home, they ate well, and had a blast in my Aunt's pool! We went to the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, and last night we Saw the Braves beat the Diamondbacks in the bottom of the ninth inning! Our seats were great, we thought that we were going to be behind home plate, but we were at third base, right behind the visitor dugout! I will get some pics up on my facebook page this week!

 

[Pollito916]

Becky - I feel for your SIL - that is terrible!

Kelly - Congratulations on converting your DH!

Meredith - welcome back, glad the trip went well!

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

So I finally pinpointed when I will have to go to LA for work - 6/8 - 6/12. 6/8 is a Monday and 6/5 the Friday before is my b-day. I'm seriously considering going out a few days early to get in Disneyland free for my b-day, but I'm not sure. DH probably can't get off work for the weekend (and even if he could, he wouldn't get paid), and I wouldn't want to go by myself. I could possibly see if my mom wanted to go, then she could fly back on Sunday with Alex. Hmm, I will definitely have to think about this. I've never been to DL before....