The "Newest" Moms Hangout...

[Piecey]

Forget baby books, just print the thread out and have it bound.

Seriously!

I used the threads to find out Lucas' weight at the 26wk ultrasound yesterday. I can't remember these things!



As for weekend plans... I'm a little excited. My mom called yesterday and asked if Tom and I wanted a date night before classes start. I said "You miss Lucas, don't you?" and she said "Yes"
So Mom and Dad are taking Lucas tomorrow night and DH and I are going to go to a movie. Sunday we're going to have a cookout at their house because the very scientific weather report is "HOT!" Want to utilize the pool before the weather turns again.

I'm also excited about today. DH can donate blood 2x a year and get the afternoon off paid (he's a Federal employee) and today was his day. So he got off at 11, we had lunch and now we're going to nap. Yay. Amazing how exciting a nap is these days.

 

[staley7580]

Seriously!

I used the threads to find out Lucas' weight at the 26wk ultrasound yesterday. I can't remember these things!



As for weekend plans... I'm a little excited. My mom called yesterday and asked if Tom and I wanted a date night before classes start. I said "You miss Lucas, don't you?" and she said "Yes"
So Mom and Dad are taking Lucas tomorrow night and DH and I are going to go to a movie. Sunday we're going to have a cookout at their house because the very scientific weather report is "HOT!" Want to utilize the pool before the weather turns again.

I'm also excited about today. DH can donate blood 2x a year and get the afternoon off paid (he's a Federal employee) and today was his day. So he got off at 11, we had lunch and now we're going to nap. Yay. Amazing how exciting a nap is these days.

Sounds like fun!! Our big weekend plans? Nothing. Dh is working some OT tonight... which I am happy about. He used to work CRAZY overtime, and it was hard on me, but he was making really good money. BUT.. of course, as soon as we found out I was having twins, and we really needed the money.. all overtime stopped. They also had a massive hours reduction. So we lost overtime, and part of his regular pay. Now they are back to 40 hours weeks... and the very occasional weekend. Which is awesome. We so need the money. It would be nice to catch back up on our bills. I can tell you, being an aerospace machinist during a recession is NOT the job to have.

I went to Walmart this morning for another diaper stock up. I bought 6 packages, and one case. I hope it lasts us the month. It should... maybe 6 weeks. and I bought a ton of baby food. Stage 2s!! and some juice, and sippy cups. I want to get them used to them so we can be off bottles by the time they are one. I also bought Mikalah a bunch of new clothes... and Alex some tees. No pants though. He is tall and SUPER SUPER skinny. So finding pants for him is oodles of fun. He is an 8 slim. At least those are easier to find then a 4 slim. good luck on that one. But it was kinda neat seeing that Mikalah has slimmed down so much that she isnt int he plus sizes any more. She was a really chubby toddler, and when she turned four all of the sudden she was super model skinny. It was almost overnight. CRAZY! So now she is in a 6 regular. Much easier finding clothes for her now!

Now I just need to find them shoes... how crazy is it that they wear the same size.


So... I am finding that I am going through formula really fast these days. I have a bunch of store brand samples that I got in the mail, so I am mixing them with the kind they usually use. I made up this one sample package that I got.. I think it made 30 some ounces?? I dont remember. Then I mixed in a bottle of premade Similac sensitive RS, which is our normal brand.. and they have done really well with it. Im thrilled. I think I am going to make up a pitcher of formula every day like that.. Half and half. Hopefully it will save us some money as long as they tolerate it.

 

[Piecey]

I forget how old they were when you started them on baby food... I remember it was squash, but how old were they?

I bought bowls for cereal on my last adventure out to Wal Mart but that is it. I think I have a package of plastic silverware that I got at my shower, but who knows for sure in this place... I need to go buy sippy cups and all that stuff. I'm not even sure what "all that stuff" really is. I'd like to "stock up" as best as I can before my paychecks go by-by. I have two left... and the last one is only for 10 days. Grateful to have gotten 12 wks but will definitely be sad when the checks aren't coming any longer. We've got 46 packages of diapers, 2 cases (size 5 ) and 8 tubs of formula. I think I've done a decent job stocking us up for the transition into one paycheck world. I have a ton of clothes all the way up to 2T that I've bought on clearance... I'm a nut.

I hope those diapers do last you! I can't imagine having TWO babies to buy for... double the fun but double the $$. Are you babies usually off of formula by a year, or do you give them formula in their sippy cups? Just curious.

eta, I meant to add that I'm glad your hubby is getting his OT back. Money is such a pain in the butt!

 

[staley7580]

I forget how old they were when you started them on baby food... I remember it was squash, but how old were they?

I bought bowls for cereal on my last adventure out to Wal Mart but that is it. I think I have a package of plastic silverware that I got at my shower, but who knows for sure in this place... I need to go buy sippy cups and all that stuff. I'm not even sure what "all that stuff" really is. I'd like to "stock up" as best as I can before my paychecks go by-by. I have two left... and the last one is only for 10 days. Grateful to have gotten 12 wks but will definitely be sad when the checks aren't coming any longer. We've got 46 packages of diapers, 2 cases (size 5 ) and 8 tubs of formula. I think I've done a decent job stocking us up for the transition into one paycheck world. I have a ton of clothes all the way up to 2T that I've bought on clearance... I'm a nut.

I hope those diapers do last you! I can't imagine having TWO babies to buy for... double the fun but double the $$. Are you babies usually off of formula by a year, or do you give them formula in their sippy cups? Just curious.

eta, I meant to add that I'm glad your hubby is getting his OT back. Money is such a pain in the butt!

The only other stuff I have for the babies are spoons with rubber tips, and sippy cups. I dont have little bowls or anything like that with these two, only because there are two of them, and they eat out of the same bowl... and I just use a regular sized bowl. I cant think of needing anything else with my other two kids. But i have a horrid memory! I forget how old I am half the time!!

I started them on food at 4 months. I was going to wait until they were 6 months... but they were SO HUNGRY. I just started them on stage two today, and it was a HIT!! I gave them oatmeal with apples, and it was really thick. Like custard... Vinny has never been a fan of the baby food, but went nuts for this. I think it was because it was so thick. They tore that stuff UP!

OH!! I know what else I bought for them.. mesh feeders. I havent used them before with my other kiddos, but I think the babies will like them. And as for formula.. I dont do formula in sippy cups. Just juice, and water, adn when they hit one they get milk. and I only do formula in bottles. Nothing else. When they hit one, or usually a couple of weeks or so before I start switching them over to milk. That we the switch from the bottle isnt that hard. My older dd never really figured out the sippy cup thing though... she went straight to a regular cup. I dont know why it bugs me for older babies to have bottles... really. Mikalah was on a pacifier until she was three. I know. Im so weird!

Seriously... the cost of having two babies is NUTS! If it wasnt for my mom helping out with stuff I dont know what we would do. Im slowly trying to wean the babies of the expensive formula... that should help. But still. Even the generic cans of formula cost.. What? $13. per can? and the big cans last maybe three days? Forget the little cans! We go through a can a day!! MAYBE a day and a half. A jumbo pack of diapers last 2 to three days.. But the WIPES. Holy cow. I have gone through ridiculous amounts of wipes. CASES. I dont even know how many. So yeah... Overtime is GOOD!

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

The only other stuff I have for the babies are spoons with rubber tips, and sippy cups. I dont have little bowls or anything like that with these two, only because there are two of them, and they eat out of the same bowl... and I just use a regular sized bowl. I cant think of needing anything else with my other two kids. But i have a horrid memory! I forget how old I am half the time!!

I started them on food at 4 months. I was going to wait until they were 6 months... but they were SO HUNGRY. I just started them on stage two today, and it was a HIT!! I gave them oatmeal with apples, and it was really thick. Like custard... Vinny has never been a fan of the baby food, but went nuts for this. I think it was because it was so thick. They tore that stuff UP!

OH!! I know what else I bought for them.. mesh feeders. I havent used them before with my other kiddos, but I think the babies will like them. And as for formula.. I dont do formula in sippy cups. Just juice, and water, adn when they hit one they get milk. and I only do formula in bottles. Nothing else. When they hit one, or usually a couple of weeks or so before I start switching them over to milk. That we the switch from the bottle isnt that hard. My older dd never really figured out the sippy cup thing though... she went straight to a regular cup. I dont know why it bugs me for older babies to have bottles... really. Mikalah was on a pacifier until she was three. I know. Im so weird!

Seriously... the cost of having two babies is NUTS! If it wasnt for my mom helping out with stuff I dont know what we would do. Im slowly trying to wean the babies of the expensive formula... that should help. But still. Even the generic cans of formula cost.. What? $13. per can? and the big cans last maybe three days? Forget the little cans! We go through a can a day!! MAYBE a day and a half. A jumbo pack of diapers last 2 to three days.. But the WIPES. Holy cow. I have gone through ridiculous amounts of wipes. CASES. I dont even know how many. So yeah... Overtime is GOOD!

We had the mesh feeder for our oldest and he never used it. I think we introduced it too late, but the new baby might like it once he starts solids. Do you use a particular brand of baby food? You can save your Beechnut labels and send them in for coupons. For the sippy cups we started with the ones that have the soft spout and eventually he learned to press down and let all the liquid out. It was hard for him to grasp the hard spout but after a few days he stopped biting it and used it fine since then. I have mixed feelings about using them again, but maybe the new LO won't notice.

 

[Piecey]

Hmmm... maybe DH and I will wander around TRU or Wal*Mart tonight after my parents take Lucas and get some stuff.

I'm sick as a DOG but I'm not wasting this time out. (DH also said he went to the gym 2 hours ago, I went back to bed, and he's not here now but both cars are here. Little odd.)

Lucas goes to the pediatrician on Monday and I truly, truly hope he gives me the go ahead for food or at least cereal at 4 months. Lucas is like your twins, he's HUNGRY. He viciously attacks bottles, they don't seem to satisfy him anywhere near as much as they used to and I've been forbidden from giving him more than 8oz. by the pediatrician. I need to know that I can change it up soon!


and OMG on the formula! I'm not sure how quickly Lucas goes through it... I have a tub in his room and a tub in the kitchen that are both open and neither DH or I pay enough attention to how quickly they go through it.

Do you have a Sams Club? They sell the Similac Sensitive. I think that is what you said they were eating? Anyway, it's TONS cheaper than buying it at Wally World.
(OMG I JUST WENT TO THEIR WEBSITE AND THEY NOW HAVE SOY!!! HAPPY DANCE!!)
Anyway... (DH and I ARE TOTALLY going to Sams tonight!)
The normal tubs are 23oz or something and the Sams Club ones are 34oz for $27.82.

OMG. Can't continue posting, I'm getting ready and going to Sams and buying a crapton of Lucas' formula. Hahaha.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Hmmm... maybe DH and I will wander around TRU or Wal*Mart tonight after my parents take Lucas and get some stuff.

I'm sick as a DOG but I'm not wasting this time out. (DH also said he went to the gym 2 hours ago, I went back to bed, and he's not here now but both cars are here. Little odd.)

Lucas goes to the pediatrician on Monday and I truly, truly hope he gives me the go ahead for food or at least cereal at 4 months. Lucas is like your twins, he's HUNGRY. He viciously attacks bottles, they don't seem to satisfy him anywhere near as much as they used to and I've been forbidden from giving him more than 8oz. by the pediatrician. I need to know that I can change it up soon!


and OMG on the formula! I'm not sure how quickly Lucas goes through it... I have a tub in his room and a tub in the kitchen that are both open and neither DH or I pay enough attention to how quickly they go through it.

Do you have a Sams Club? They sell the Similac Sensitive. I think that is what you said they were eating? Anyway, it's TONS cheaper than buying it at Wally World.
(OMG I JUST WENT TO THEIR WEBSITE AND THEY NOW HAVE SOY!!! HAPPY DANCE!!)
Anyway... (DH and I ARE TOTALLY going to Sams tonight!)
The normal tubs are 23oz or something and the Sams Club ones are 34oz for $27.82.

OMG. Can't continue posting, I'm getting ready and going to Sams and buying a crapton of Lucas' formula. Hahaha.

I didn't know Sam's sold Similac Sensitive. That is what Natalie uses. I am going to have to head there and stock up

 

[Piecey]

I didn't know Sam's sold Similac Sensitive. That is what Natalie uses. I am going to have to head there and stock up

Yep!
They used to just have the plain Similac Advance but last time we were there they had a TON of new stuff in the baby aisle. They have bulk packages of Gerber baby food, Desitin 2 packs, J&J Baby Lotion, etc. It was insane how much new stuff they got in! We noticed the Similac Sensitive there about 2 weeks ago.

....we went and got 6 tubs of Lucas' formula. No way was I missing out on this. I was getting evil eyes from the lady behind us in line because I gave the cashier 6 Similac checks and she rang one up wrong.

So don't forget, if you have any, you can use checks there too!!



DH and I are headed to Red Lobster and then to see Julie and Julia.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

 

[staley7580]

Yep!
They used to just have the plain Similac Advance but last time we were there they had a TON of new stuff in the baby aisle. They have bulk packages of Gerber baby food, Desitin 2 packs, J&J Baby Lotion, etc. It was insane how much new stuff they got in! We noticed the Similac Sensitive there about 2 weeks ago.

....we went and got 6 tubs of Lucas' formula. No way was I missing out on this. I was getting evil eyes from the lady behind us in line because I gave the cashier 6 Similac checks and she rang one up wrong.

So don't forget, if you have any, you can use checks there too!!



DH and I are headed to Red Lobster and then to see Julie and Julia.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

We dont have a sams club nearby.... BOOOO!! I know where there is one though. I wonder if I can get a pass for a day... HMMMMMMMMM...

Have fun at the movies!! Sadly.. my days of going to the movies are over. I so want to see that one though!

 

[mmkk]

Patsy-I can't believe your ped won't let you feed him more than 8 ozs. at a time. I just think that if a child is hungry, feed them until they are full. And if you were bfing how would you know that he was getting 8 ozs. or less? I hope you enjoyed your date night last night though! I will be getting those formula samples in the mail this week (I know I told you last week but I never made it to the post office!).

I used the mesh feeders with Madeline but it was so nasty to clean! I put bananas and I think strawberries in them and it made such a mess to clean out of the mesh! But they are neat to use.

I just wanted to pass along some savings tips for formula. I got a couple of the big cans of Enfamil (plus they were "20% more free" cans) at Target on clearance (they also had some Good Start on clearance) and then I had 5.00 checks as well as a rebate form that if I bought two cans I would get back 15.00 so I wound up paying only about 17.00 for two huge cans of the powdered Enfamil. Of course Good Start is cheaper but I didn't have any coupons for Good Start and it was cheaper with the rebate for me to get Enfamil. Those two cans should last me a while since I am still on the samples I stocked up on considering I am mostly bfing.

 

[december]

What are mesh feeders?

I was up until midnight, and then up at 5, and Katie was sound asleep both times. I just can't breath! I have really bad allergies, and I haven't wanted to take anything due to breastfeeding. I gave in and at 5 did a search. Claritin is supposed to be ok, and ds12 takes it, so I took one. I'm still nervous about her nursing with me on any meds though! She is also stopped up. I've been using saline drops with her, but thoey don't seem to help either.

 

[Piecey]

We dont have a sams club nearby.... BOOOO!! I know where there is one though. I wonder if I can get a pass for a day... HMMMMMMMMM...

Have fun at the movies!! Sadly.. my days of going to the movies are over. I so want to see that one though!

Booo... I can't figure out a way to ship it off the website, or I'd offer up my ID number.

It was good! I really liked it. DH thought it was slow. It left me wanting to come home and see if I could google some stuff to learn more. Seems like there were some holes where they could have explained stuff, and didn't. I haven't googled yet so maybe there aren't answers....
The only reason we go to movies is because we don't have to pay. So it's cheap date night for us!

What are mesh feeders?

I was up until midnight, and then up at 5, and Katie was sound asleep both times. I just can't breath! I have really bad allergies, and I haven't wanted to take anything due to breastfeeding. I gave in and at 5 did a search. Claritin is supposed to be ok, and ds12 takes it, so I took one. I'm still nervous about her nursing with me on any meds though! She is also stopped up. I've been using saline drops with her, but thoey don't seem to help either.

They're weird- they have a handle and a little mesh bag that you can put food in for them to eat through the little mesh bag. I would imagine something like a banana would work well. It's supposed to reduce the risk of choking (according to the package I read at Wal*Mart last night) because they only get the food through the mesh.

I didn't get one, but I might later. I was apprehensive because I think it'd be a MESS to clean up!

I hope you guys feel better soon!

Patsy-I can't believe your ped won't let you feed him more than 8 ozs. at a time. I just think that if a child is hungry, feed them until they are full. And if you were bfing how would you know that he was getting 8 ozs. or less? I hope you enjoyed your date night last night though! I will be getting those formula samples in the mail this week (I know I told you last week but I never made it to the post office!).

I used the mesh feeders with Madeline but it was so nasty to clean! I put bananas and I think strawberries in them and it made such a mess to clean out of the mesh! But they are neat to use.

I just wanted to pass along some savings tips for formula. I got a couple of the big cans of Enfamil (plus they were "20% more free" cans) at Target on clearance (they also had some Good Start on clearance) and then I had 5.00 checks as well as a rebate form that if I bought two cans I would get back 15.00 so I wound up paying only about 17.00 for two huge cans of the powdered Enfamil. Of course Good Start is cheaper but I didn't have any coupons for Good Start and it was cheaper with the rebate for me to get Enfamil. Those two cans should last me a while since I am still on the samples I stocked up on considering I am mostly bfing.

Mendy, I said Pediatrician but I really spoke to a nurse in his office (who checked with the nurse practitioner). A nurse who first told me to give him water! I said no to the water so they "gave me permission" to give him 8oz until his weight is checked. I think they're afraid he's going to get fat. He's still VERY skinny, though.
We see the actual pediatrician on Monday (for shots, poor Lucas ) so I'll be talking to him about feeding. I have lots of questions about when we are going to be integrating the other forms of food.
It's okay, I got to the Post Office to mail out Stacy's and the lady wouldn't tape the box up for me so I still have them.

....thats what I thought about the mesh feeders!

 

[staley7580]

So... the formula switch is NOT going as well as I had hoped for. Even switching them to a store brand sensitive isnt going well. We use similac sensitive RS.. The rs is for rice starch and it is supposed to be a little thicker then regular formula to keep the babies from spitting up after eating. Well.. they eat about 6 ounces, and I was doing one scoop of store brand, and 2 of the reg. brand, and Vinny started spitting up tons again. I guess his little body just ready for it yet. Jazzy is spitting up a tiny bit, not as much as Vinny. Its taking me back to the early days, where they spit up constantly. I guess we stick with the spendy stuff for now.

I gave each baby a little berry in their feeders today.. OMG. Jazzy was sucking on that thing so hard her eyes were bugging out! So cute! Her whole face was blue afterwards!! Vinny was like.. eh. Whatever mom. But I dont think his tummy is feeling so great, he has had some stinky gas lately..Probably from the formula I have been giving him. They both started to refuse it today.

 

[december]

I have never seen or heard of the mesh feeder before! I will check into those the next time I'm in Walmart (I just got back from there a few min ago). She just turned 3 mos, so I have time.

We still can't breathe. We had a good day though. After church, the kids and I went to my parents' to visit. I was heading to Walmart on the way home, but forgot my list here. So we ran back by the house. Dh was here (we went to church in separate vehicles-he doesn't do well at my parents!), and said he'd keep her here. I nursed her really quick and left. Before I could get home, he was calling begging me to hurry. She won't stay with him! She is fine if I'm here too, but otherwise she screams. It really hurts his feelings.

 

[staley7580]

I have some pictures!!

Jazzy

Vinny looking up

The mei tai I made.. SO COMFY!

My four babies!!

 

[staley7580]

I have never seen or heard of the mesh feeder before! I will check into those the next time I'm in Walmart (I just got back from there a few min ago). She just turned 3 mos, so I have time.

We still can't breathe. We had a good day though. After church, the kids and I went to my parents' to visit. I was heading to Walmart on the way home, but forgot my list here. So we ran back by the house. Dh was here (we went to church in separate vehicles-he doesn't do well at my parents!), and said he'd keep her here. I nursed her really quick and left. Before I could get home, he was calling begging me to hurry. She won't stay with him! She is fine if I'm here too, but otherwise she screams. It really hurts his feelings.

Awww!! Im sorry you all are sick, and your poor hubby! I know that my husband gets upset when the kids just want me, and dont want to go to him. I can totally see how that would just be heart breaking!

 

[staley7580]

Oh.. and please excuse the blackberry stains on my babies. I swear I do wash their clothes!

 

[Piecey]

Oh.. and please excuse the blackberry stains on my babies. I swear I do wash their clothes!

Uh huh. They're so cute! I love the color of their eyes!!!



I have one week to get my house clean.
My SIL-ish will be watching Lucas on Tuesdays/Thursdays for me to go to my class... and she's got an evil streak in her that I fear will lead her to report back to my MIL that my house is a MESS!
The fact that we moved in two weeks before I had Lucas and that I had two surgeries will mean nothing. Oh, dear... this next week shall be fun.



My brother officially shocked us all and bought his flight to Australia tonight.
My brother is procrastinator extraordinaire so we all thought it'd be awhile... but he's leaving October 7th.
His girlfriend's US Visa expired in April and she had to go home to Sydney... and now he's moving there to be with her.
I'm glad because the happiest I've ever seen him was when she was here... but I'm going to miss having my brother around.

 

[december]

I'm glad you got your classes worked out. My class starts tomorrow, and I'm very nervous about getting everything done!!!!

 

[staley7580]

Uh huh. They're so cute! I love the color of their eyes!!!



I have one week to get my house clean.
My SIL-ish will be watching Lucas on Tuesdays/Thursdays for me to go to my class... and she's got an evil streak in her that I fear will lead her to report back to my MIL that my house is a MESS!
The fact that we moved in two weeks before I had Lucas and that I had two surgeries will mean nothing. Oh, dear... this next week shall be fun.



My brother officially shocked us all and bought his flight to Australia tonight.
My brother is procrastinator extraordinaire so we all thought it'd be awhile... but he's leaving October 7th.
His girlfriend's US Visa expired in April and she had to go home to Sydney... and now he's moving there to be with her.
I'm glad because the happiest I've ever seen him was when she was here... but I'm going to miss having my brother around.

Im sorry he is leaving!! Thats to bad.