The "Newest" Moms Hangout...

[viviensmama]

We have a bad sleeper at our house too! Viv is always up at least twice a night AND I can't get her down before about 11pm. I can deal with the nighttime waking but the late bedtime is killing me. I feel like I never get anything done at home! Of course I'm a night owl too so my daughter comes by it honest at least.

I can't believe it is snowing outside right now! Not sticking of course but it never really snows in Louisiana. Maybe I'll bundle us up to go check out the snow this afternoon.

 

[harleyquinn]

Long time lurker here with some advice! Please feel free to ignore, but had to put my $.02 in! Be prepared for it to be cold!!! We have gone numerous times in December and each time it gets colder and colder! I don't consider it a vacation to be bundled up! I hate the heat, but I'd be more inclined to go when I could get into a pool and cool off! Good luck!!!

I think it was REALLY cold there this year for Christmas, wasn't it? Like 30s and snow in Tampa? Or was that January?

You know what? I'm just gonna let DH decide...lol He always told me he would NEVER go at Christmas time, because he wants to swim on vacation. But I think he's more excited about going in December than I am.

 

[DznyFanAmy]

I think it was REALLY cold there this year for Christmas, wasn't it? Like 30s and snow in Tampa? Or was that January?

You know what? I'm just gonna let DH decide...lol He always told me he would NEVER go at Christmas time, because he wants to swim on vacation. But I think he's more excited about going in December than I am.

Our trip in December 2008 it got down to the 30's when we were at the MK for the MVMCP!! Grrrr, not fun!

 

[yellowfish78]

I think it was REALLY cold there this year for Christmas, wasn't it? Like 30s and snow in Tampa? Or was that January?

You know what? I'm just gonna let DH decide...lol He always told me he would NEVER go at Christmas time, because he wants to swim on vacation. But I think he's more excited about going in December than I am.

Sarah - it'll be warmer in FL than it will be in OH if you go in December! You'll have that to look forward to if you go in December...

 

[harleyquinn]

Sarah - it'll be warmer in FL than it will be in OH if you go in December! You'll have that to look forward to if you go in December...

That's exactly what I thought. If it's 40 in Fl, it's gotta been in the teens and snowing in C-land.

 

[caitty13]

I went to Disney in December 07, the weather was wonderful. We were able to swim everyday. I have also gone in September over Labor day and just made sure we went back to the hotel in the middle of the day to swim and rest. I would do either again.

Lilliana sleeps through the night but in my bed, she falls asleep on me most nights then I move her to the middle. I need to break that soon...

Still in Orlando, we leave tomorrow morning. This week has been cold but we have our own heated pool at the townhouse that we are in. DS5 has been in it nonstop...

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

It was freezing in December! It was 31 at night and everyone was buzzing about the animals at AKL. We did the nightvision experience and the aide said that the animals were used to it since they were never exposed to warm weather year round. The boys wore long sleeved shirts with fleece pullovers and hats. We wrapped the stroller with a fleece blanket. The hottest day we had was 75 and the next day it was only 45. Only the ducks were enjoying the pools.

Whoa, this is going to be long...

It was a terrible day. We got out of the house just fine and went to a Salvation Army that is about 25-30 minutes away. My LO slept the way there and a while in the cart once we got there. I found a ton of clothes for them for the rest of the winter and summer. They had jean shorts brand new with tags from Target (the nice Oshkosh ones) for $1.50, Old Navy jeans for $1, and tons of LS shirts from Children's Place. One of the pairs of jeans was missing a tag (which they staple on with a price tag, weird but ok...). I told the cashier that it was missing but the other pair of jeans were identical. Same color, same style, even the same SKU#. She told me she couldn't sell them because they were missing a tag and I could come back 2 hours later after someone priced them. I was so angry. I even offered to pay $5 for them and she said no. So I paid and left. $43.

I went to a McDonald's just down the street since it was getting late and figured it was easier. Wrong! Lo had a poop up the back so I had to change him in the car. We got inside and the place was packed with teenagers. I guess it was an institute day? There was a birthday party in the kid's play area, where 10 year olds were shoving each other so I didn't want my 2yo to go in there. We found the only open table next to a dozen teens who were swearing, talking about unprotected ***, and how they were going to beat up this girl on the other side of the McD's. I had to drag DS2 to the drink station while dragging along the infant carrier which was on the other side of the restaurant. Sigh. We finally got to eat and then I notice that the SA checker rang up something for $15!

I drove back to SA and dragged both kids and both bags of clothes back inside. The checker looked at me with a glare and said I couldn't bring bags in. I said you overcharged me for something, I want to see a manager. She didn't help me so I asked someone else. They said they needed a receipt and that I should have come back the moment I noticed. I said I did, I was here at 1245 and it's 2. She said, this happened today?

They took out all the items from the bags and checked the money on the ticket vs. the receipt. The cashier then yells, it was a subtotal not a charge, I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't even speak to her again, and just stood there. She's continuing to ring people up as the manager finally comes up and says she would refund the money. This is my favorite part! The cashier then yells, she probably took the item out of the bag and left it in the car because I wouldn't sell her those jeans.

Finally someone stood up for me and said she dragged her kids in with her do you really think she looks like that kind of person? They told my son how good he was being and that they were sorry the cashier was being rude, right in front of her! I got my refund and left. My head is still pounding. I'm supposed to go to dinner with my friends tonight with the kids and DS2 just woke up screaming 30 minutes into his nap. Should make for a fun dinner.

 

[BabyTigger99]

What a week it has been! After my very productive Monday, things went waaaay downhill! Tuesday I was freezing all day long, then started sweating, and had no energy. Ended up going to the doctor. I have a bladder infection and a uterine infection. Lucky me. Today is the first day that I have finally felt decent. I didn't know it was going to knock me down for so long!! Yesterday E and I ended up going to to my parents' house, and my dad watched E while I took a nap. I figured I would sleep about an hour. Two and a half hours later, I finally woke up!!

On the plus side, Elliott now sleeps in his crib. The first night was rough, he was awake every 2 hours. Last night was MUCH better, so I think we are on the right track!

And, we went for E's two week appointment on Wednesday. Here I was worried about him not gaining enough weight. He had a newborn check on January 30, and he weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces. At his 2 week check, he was 7 pounds 9 ounces!!! I was floored!!

 

[december]

We had a snow day today! In MS!!!! It snowed all night, and it is still snowing. We had snow ice cream for breakfast!

 

[Maggimus]

When Jake turned 4 mos we started letting him cry himself to sleep at night. The first time was about 30 minutes... next it was 15. He only cried for 30 minutes twice... but i was very consistant in what I was doing. Now he doesnt even cry, he whines for 5 minutes at most. Today I laid him down and he went right to sleep- no tears. Him putting himself to sleep has been the best thing we have ever done in terms of sleep. He sleeps so much better at night, and when he starts moving around in his crib, he is able to go back to sleep bc he has learned to self sooth. We also took the paci away from him bc he only needed it at night anyway. He is doing better than ever. We did the increased feedings throughout the day,even though he isnt hungry and he doesnt necessarily want that often of a feeding. It really works out. Like I said-- if he misses a feeding you definitely know it bc at night he is up. Seems as though he needs x amount of oz during the day in order to sleep at night. He sleeps in the room with us (until winter is over- im worried about SIDS since he already sleeps on his stomach), and I lay him down at 10 and he wakes up about 9am. We didnt experience really good sleeping through the night until he learned to self soothe and put himself to sleep. Only bc then when he wakes up on his own (bc they do- they dont sleep 11 and 12 hrs without moving around a bit, like we roll over), he can put himself back down and move around to get comfortable without waking up. When he started sleeping on his own like that we decided we had to increase feedings in order to get in the calories for him. Hes a small guy so he needs the help.

My pediatrician is the one who advised us to let him cry himselfto sleep a few times. She said it should be a parents first act of tough love. At that age it doesnt hurt them to cry, and they are learning something developmentally that help them their entire life. I would never have done it had she not suggested it. I knew our friends had done it-- but no one wants to hear them cry... ever. Our dr also said that during that time we would continue night time feedings bc she didnt want us to changetoo many things at once. We did- but he cut them out on his own. She told us by 6mos we had to stop the night time feedings. It really worked out all together. I feel human again after getting some sleep and its great!

What does he sleep in? You said he is getting cold? I keep jake is a sleeper at night bc he kicks socks off if i try a onesie with pants and socks. Our room stays warm but we leave the fan on. If he is sleeping in his crib in his room during the day, I keep the fan off. Our house has 22ft ceilings in places and it distributes heat in a weird way. Our room stays hot- most other rooms stay cool.

Goodluck! I have a feeling your days of sleeping all night are near

Maggie - that's great that you guys finally have a solution with Jake!

I thought about having the sitter do that (feed him more) but he seems happier with one large bottle in the day. And it's hard to gauge the rest of the day when he's with me and I'm BFing.
Last night he was up almost every two hours...but not hungry, just waking himself up. We did our normal routine - bath, lotion, book, dim lights while eating - I don't know if his room is too hot, too cold... I try to let him cry it out for a few minutes but as soon as I pick him up he's out cold again within 5 minutes. I don't get it sometimes...

 

[bkreitzel]

hi ladies! i just reset my password ... its been so long since I had time to hop on here that I forgot it!!

tessa skipped her morning nap today ... uh oh! Does anyone remember when their older kids went to one nap a day?

tomorrow is the SPArty for a bunch of 5 year olds at our house. I don't think I knew what a spa day WAS when I was five, but this was Annabel's request!
I am off to buy the ingredients for pumpkin pie facials...figured at that age, the "treatments" better be edible, right???

Hope you are all staying warm, or better yet live somewhere where it is not so stinkin' cold. Our eldest daughter has had inside recess at school this week b/c it is below zero...not fun when they come home w/ sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much extra energy!

 

[sbell111]

It was freezing in December! It was 31 at night and everyone was buzzing about the animals at AKL. We did the nightvision experience and the aide said that the animals were used to it since they were never exposed to warm weather year round. The boys wore long sleeved shirts with fleece pullovers and hats. We wrapped the stroller with a fleece blanket. The hottest day we had was 75 and the next day it was only 45. Only the ducks were enjoying the pools.

Whoa, this is going to be long...

It was a terrible day. We got out of the house just fine and went to a Salvation Army that is about 25-30 minutes away. My LO slept the way there and a while in the cart once we got there. I found a ton of clothes for them for the rest of the winter and summer. They had jean shorts brand new with tags from Target (the nice Oshkosh ones) for $1.50, Old Navy jeans for $1, and tons of LS shirts from Children's Place. One of the pairs of jeans was missing a tag (which they staple on with a price tag, weird but ok...). I told the cashier that it was missing but the other pair of jeans were identical. Same color, same style, even the same SKU#. She told me she couldn't sell them because they were missing a tag and I could come back 2 hours later after someone priced them. I was so angry. I even offered to pay $5 for them and she said no. So I paid and left. $43.

I went to a McDonald's just down the street since it was getting late and figured it was easier. Wrong! Lo had a poop up the back so I had to change him in the car. We got inside and the place was packed with teenagers. I guess it was an institute day? There was a birthday party in the kid's play area, where 10 year olds were shoving each other so I didn't want my 2yo to go in there. We found the only open table next to a dozen teens who were swearing, talking about unprotected ***, and how they were going to beat up this girl on the other side of the McD's. I had to drag DS2 to the drink station while dragging along the infant carrier which was on the other side of the restaurant. Sigh. We finally got to eat and then I notice that the SA checker rang up something for $15!

I drove back to SA and dragged both kids and both bags of clothes back inside. The checker looked at me with a glare and said I couldn't bring bags in. I said you overcharged me for something, I want to see a manager. She didn't help me so I asked someone else. They said they needed a receipt and that I should have come back the moment I noticed. I said I did, I was here at 1245 and it's 2. She said, this happened today?

They took out all the items from the bags and checked the money on the ticket vs. the receipt. The cashier then yells, it was a subtotal not a charge, I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't even speak to her again, and just stood there. She's continuing to ring people up as the manager finally comes up and says she would refund the money. This is my favorite part! The cashier then yells, she probably took the item out of the bag and left it in the car because I wouldn't sell her those jeans.

Finally someone stood up for me and said she dragged her kids in with her do you really think she looks like that kind of person? They told my son how good he was being and that they were sorry the cashier was being rude, right in front of her! I got my refund and left. My head is still pounding. I'm supposed to go to dinner with my friends tonight with the kids and DS2 just woke up screaming 30 minutes into his nap. Should make for a fun dinner.

So did you buy the other jeans?

(Stupid, rude people stink.)

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

So did you buy the other jeans?

(Stupid, rude people stink.)

You'll like this... they weren't ready yet.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

hi ladies! i just reset my password ... its been so long since I had time to hop on here that I forgot it!!

tessa skipped her morning nap today ... uh oh! Does anyone remember when their older kids went to one nap a day?

Oh no! I am soooo terrified of that. At this point, I still have DS4 still napping for 1-2 hours a day. With all my schoolwork, I can only pray that the naps continue.

 

[harleyquinn]

I don't want to start a debate or anything, but I feel very strongly against CIO(cry it out) before 6 months. I know this is a major hot topic, and I just feel that if there is one thing you do research about your child in the beginning of life--it's CIO.

Even the inventor of CIO, Richard Ferber, doesn't recommend you try it until at least 5 months. There is so much misinformation about the technique, that if you consider it, please read at least part of the newest version of his book (where CIO came from) Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems.

Off the soap box.

 

[justhat]

Sarah - I agree with you and our ped doesn't support CIO prior to 6 months either. The book she suggested for me when my first was a baby was The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. She wrote another version for toddlers too. I am sure you have heard of these, or read them, being in your field, but figured I'd throw them out there in case you haven't cause I think you'd like them.

FWIW, our first was like Lily. Slept with us at night, not a fan of the crib, etc. She ultimately moved into her own bed, own room without issue and sleeps all night. I thought the day would never come, trust me, but it does. And at 5yo she hasn't slept in my bed in years and I truly miss it!


My son was the opposite though, he slept in his own bed from birth and did not at all like sleeping with anyone else. We had to bring a pack n' play with us everywhere cause he would not sleep in a bed with us no matter what. He also slept through the night much earlier and on his own doing. In fact, he was 6 weeks old and sleeping 6-6 pretty much every night (initially he'd wake at 1am for a feeding a few nights a week, but that stopped entirely by about 3 months old), whereas my daughter was nowhere near that point months later.

So clearly each baby is very different and I no way feel any one method is the only way to do it. Having watched my 1st 2 kids, and now this one, eat, sleep, develop, etc., I know their personalities have more to do with it than anything. But I do think that above mentioned book is a good alternative to the CIO methods if anyone is looking for one.


SHootingStarMom - That story is insane and I would have wanted to kill those people by the time I was on my way home! How incredibly rude and just plain nasty. Like you have any desire to trek around with 2 small kids to rip off the SA for $15! Seriously? I guess I just will never understand some people.

 

[december]

I don't believe in CIO until, oh, about 12! I just can't do it! She is taking a nap right now, in bed with me nursing! Oh well..........everyone has to do what is best for them!

My ped is different than most of yours I guess. He checks on the baby, says she is perfect, asked how much she eats, and sends us home. Never once has he asked about sleeping or anything, or pushed any time tables on me. I really like him.

Dd10 is in a pageant tonight. I've got to get her ready soon. The doorbell just rang, and roses were delivered for her! Dh came and asked if I sent them, nope! My oldest sister did. She is 10 yrs older, and put me in my 1st pageant when I was 10. She is so excited. I want her to do well, but really don't want her to like it, because I'm not a pageant mama! We'll just see how it goes.....

I got the taxes finished this morning! Such a relief! Katie helped alot. I won't say how much we got back, since I don't want to be called "stupid", but it will help alot around here!

 

[harleyquinn]

Sarah - I agree with you and our ped doesn't support CIO prior to 6 months either. The book she suggested for me when my first was a baby was The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. She wrote another version for toddlers too. I am sure you have heard of these, or read them, being in your field, but figured I'd throw them out there in case you haven't cause I think you'd like them.

FWIW, our first was like Lily. Slept with us at night, not a fan of the crib, etc. She ultimately moved into her own bed, own room without issue and sleeps all night. I thought the day would never come, trust me, but it does. And at 5yo she hasn't slept in my bed in years and I truly miss it!


My son was the opposite though, he slept in his own bed from birth and did not at all like sleeping with anyone else. We had to bring a pack n' play with us everywhere cause he would not sleep in a bed with us no matter what. He also slept through the night much earlier and on his own doing. In fact, he was 6 weeks old and sleeping 6-6 pretty much every night (initially he'd wake at 1am for a feeding a few nights a week, but that stopped entirely by about 3 months old), whereas my daughter was nowhere near that point months later.

So clearly each baby is very different and I no way feel any one method is the only way to do it. Having watched my 1st 2 kids, and now this one, eat, sleep, develop, etc., I know their personalities have more to do with it than anything. But I do think that above mentioned book is a good alternative to the CIO methods if anyone is looking for one.

I don't believe in CIO until, oh, about 12! I just can't do it! She is taking a nap right now, in bed with me nursing! Oh well..........everyone has to do what is best for them!

My ped is different than most of yours I guess. He checks on the baby, says she is perfect, asked how much she eats, and sends us home. Never once has he asked about sleeping or anything, or pushed any time tables on me. I really like him.

I got the taxes finished this morning! Such a relief! Katie helped alot. I won't say how much we got back, since I don't want to be called "stupid", but it will help alot around here!

Thanks for backing me up. I don't want to cause any issues...I have a lot of friends that swear by CIO.

Why would anyone call you stupid?? Oh wait, the whole big tax return=giving the government a loan crap?

 

[justhat]

My ped is different than most of yours I guess. He checks on the baby, says she is perfect, asked how much she eats, and sends us home. Never once has he asked about sleeping or anything, or pushed any time tables on me. I really like him.

Ours are the same. The only reason I know the stance our main ped has on CIO is my daughter was a terrible sleeper starting around 4 months. I mean a nightmare when she was previously normal. So I asked what to do and she said no CIO till 6 months. I could never do it anyway cause our daughter would cry till she vomited and never fall asleep.


Sarah - I have a lot of CIO-fan friends too. One of my really good friends is a huge fan of just putting her kids in their kids, shutting the door, and returning 12 hours later. Actually with this 3rd kid she's in the crib 14 hours and is 6 months old. Well she would rave on about how well her son slept while my daughter was up everynight (all 3 of our kids were born within months of each other), telling me I should just stick her in the crib, let her cry, take away the nighttime feedings, Nuks, etc. Then our kids turned 2yo. Her son started wake up every single night, multiple times a night, and was no longer in the crib as he could climb out. So he was standing that the fence in his doorway screaming, waking up not only my friend and her husband, but their new baby as well. So guess where he ended up sleeping everynight? Yes, their bed. Anything to keep the baby sleeping she said. Well then he got used to sleeping with them and wouldn't go to bed unless someone would lay with him at night. For hours. And then scream anytime he woke up alone. My 2yo was sleeping soundly for 12 hours a night in her own bed.

 

[december]

Yes, I was referring to that! There are some very rude posters on these boards (in case you haven't noticed) and tax time seems to bring out the worst in some of them!

My sister put her son in his bed on the other end of the house from the time he came home from the hospital. She would feed him on schedule, then let him CIO. She didn't want to, but her husband insisted and she gave in. If it had been her decision I wouldn't have thought anything about it (just not how I do things) but since it was her dh bullying her into it I had big problems! She decided not to have any more kids so she wouldn't have to deal with any of it again.

Katie doesn't just cry, she shrieks like she is dying! (Not with crying it out-if she thinks I'm going to leave her in her bed for more than a few min! She uses it to play, or so I can use the bathroom by myself!) She is my last, and if she sleeps with me until she is 12, so be it! I'll stand my ground then and make her sleep by herself darn it!