The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Good morning all! Luke was wide awake and bright-eyed at 3 am this morning--don't know what caused it, but needless to say, I'm neither bright-eyed or wide awake myself at this point! I've been cleaning like a madwoman all morning, figuring I'll be ready to crash after lunch.

Jill--I hope you can salvage your vacation. The stomach bug we had was quick, but nasty.

icebrat--It'll likely take Tess a few days to settle into a routine with you guys. Definitely good to get her out and running around when you can, and try to be fairly constant on meal time, nap times, etc. My 3yo still takes a 3 hour nap, but she's up at 6:15 with her older sister. Bed times can vary from 7-9 pm, depending on the family--if Tess is going to be up early to go to day care, then earlier would be better. Oh, and I always keep a plastic bag of emergency supplies in my car--Pull-up, change of clothes, spare sweat shirt, empty plastic bag (for wet/muddy/gross clothes). And usually a bottle of water and unopened package of snacks. My older two are 9 and 11, and they still, occasionally, need a change of clothes unexpectedly. Not toilet accidents, but any kid (especially those named Robert!) can fall in a puddle or get cold. Simple enough to stash in your trunk, and then you're covered. Toilet accidents can happen until age 4 or 5. Anyway, hang in there--parenting is NOT an easy job! You definitely get an A++ for effort!

Robin--I'm so jealous that you're reading the Unofficial Guide--it makes no sense for me to buy the 2007 one, and my 2006 one is so dog-eared, it's really sad! I'm a real commando planner.

So, what's everyone having for the holidays? DH's work gave us a turkey, so turkey it is. MIL will roll in about 4 pm on Christmas day, which works out okay because it'll be after nap time. The mountain is closed 12/25, but I think DH wants to take the kids skiing 12/26. Then our big holiday weekend is the one after Christmas, when we visit my sister and DH's brother.

 

[dizagain]

Hey guys! Quick post before I have to go shove stuff in closets for the realtor to take interior photos! Carson had his 4-month today...15.10 lbs and 23 1/2 inches. Woo hoo! He performed his "tricks" for her so she forgave us for his flat head. He pushed up on his hands while on his tummy and when she sat him up, he leaned forward and supported himself on the table with his hands. So she cut her lecture short...sorry, Dr., he just likes ot be on his back when he sleeps. As soon as he likes his cereal a little better, we'll start fruits and veggies. It's too cute - all four of us gather around him whenever he eats like it's a circus or something!

zalansky - Wow! What a beautiful house! We're looking at stuff about $50,000 cheaper, so not as big, but similar. It's so much fun to look!!!!

jill- hopefully you're in the car! So glad the girls got to head on out...have a WONDERFUL trip!

icebrat - have fun with Tess today! Sorry you're getting slammed on other threads - I haven't read any but this in quite some time. We support you around here!

Joats - sorry you're sick again. Yuck!

Anyway, gotta run shove some more baby clutter in closets! Have a great day, everyone!

 

[Alice28]

Joats- I'm sorry you are not feeling well again. My sinuses ache this morning as well. It's miserable.

Ice- I would just kind of take it east the next few days with Tess, let her get used to her new home, you, her environment. I wouldn't go hog wild with the day trips quite yet. Wow, 6 packages from UPS- must be Christmas or somethin.

Z- WOW what a house! That is an incredible house for that price. I wish $349K could buy that here....oh well. I think that would easily go for $700-800K here, and probably 2 million in San Jose. Crazy, isn't it? It's kind of sad, like Ice mentioned, we could never move to our hometown now. We are priced out of it unless my MIL gave us one of her rentals. Not that I really like San Jose anymore anyway, but it's a weird thought.

Jill- glad that your parents are able to take the girls down today. I hope your DH doesn't get it either. My DH rarely gets sick when we all do, so hopefully yours will be the same.

GLT- how are things going?

FF- has your DH seen his gift yet? Weren't you guys going to go get it soon, or already did?

BNB- we're having some sort of beef roast- I haven't bought it yet. We always have ravioli on Christmas Eve...my mom brought up a brand they sell in CA when she was there last week....we're so excited cause we can't find it here!

SL- good luck with the word challenge! Go, Stocking, Go! (that totally made me laugh!).

Hi DisneyPhD! Hope you have fun in Disney!

Well, my head is just aching....I should not be staring at the computer. My team finished up our Wasabi challenge this morning, so I went ahead and submitted it. I have company coming over any minute, and then we have to go grocery shopping, so I wanted to get it over and done with. We shall see how it goes.

 

[lissawynn]

Afternoon all. Another quick post from me. My stomach is feeling much better than it was yesterday, but I'm getting that wonky, just woke up feeling again. I think I'm just tired and sleeping on the sofa isn't doing it for me these days. I am hoping to be in my bed, in our new bedroom sometime this weekend.

This week of school is dragging on and on. The kids don't want to be here. The teachers don't want to be here. So you can imagine how much fun we're not having. Also, the school board is coming tomorrow for their annual holiday visit. It's when they shake our hands and pretend to know who we are. I dread this.

I hope all of you sickies are feeling better. There's nothing worse than being sick at Christmas.

I'll try to get caught up later.

 

[joats]

I just put Jace down for another nap...he usually only takes one a day now, so we'll see how this goes. He's just cranky and I'm cranky so the two of us together are not fun. I just want to go to sleep, I am so tired.

lissawyn: a lot of my friends/relatives are teachers and they say the same thing about this week and nobody wanting to be there - that it's basically a bust! Good luck with the school board (school politics are rough).

Robin: Sorry your sinuses hurt too. Stinks doesn't it?
Hope all went well with your company and your trip to the grocery store.

Dizagain: Way to go Carson! Sounds like he really "wow-ed" the Dr. Hope you finished the de-cluttering for the photos.

BNB: 12/23 my IL's are coming over. I might make a lasagna. We were all thinking low key finger foods too or something. Nothing formal. Just time to spend with Jace as my MIL and FIL never see him. Christmas Day will be here too with my family: chicken parm, stuffed shells - we'll be doing an Italian Christmas this year (none of us are Italian - LOL!!). My family is low key too. Trying to please all the picky kids in the family.

SL: Glad everyone is feeling better and that you have still avoided the bug. Stocking - LOL! That's great. Hope you have fun at the party tomorrow.

Jill: Hope you are on your way already to WDW! Glad the girls headed out. you are all troopers!! Have fun!!

I don't have much to report since I checked in earlier today. I've done nothing today but try to distract Jace from wanting to watch TV. A month ago he wouldn't watch it if we tried (and did).

The bug situation is better, but they are still around. Oh, this tree will be out of my house ASAP. I'm a firm believer in real Christmas trees, but after this, fake is looking good for next year!!

I haven't started to wrap all the presents yet. I think it's going to take me hours!! I didn't realize how much crap I bought. At least I just need to take care of Daycare's gifts, and my IL's by Friday. Then I can finish wrapping DH & Jace on the Eve. Anyone get any fun or unique wrapping paper this year??? Jace is getting Tigger. I haven't found a good one for DH this year. So, he'll probably get wrapped in last year's Star Wars paper.

Well, back to the couch I go with a ginger ale and a box of tissues.

 

[nucpharm29]

Jill--I hope you're on the road!!!! Here's hoping the rest of your "vacation" is less eventful!

joats--Hugs to you--get better soon!

bnb--We'll be at MIL's starting Thurs. night, so she's the one planning the menus. We're going out friday and Sat. night, and then Christmas Eve is her big shindig. We have some sort of finger sandwich (roast beef if I recall correctly), twice baked potatoes (in which she places a bean in one-and if you get the bean you get a prize), pasta-y stuff and lord only know what else--there will probably be in excess of 30 people at this gathering--so food and drinks will be everywhere!

Well, I've gotten all 3 kids down for naps, so I gotta fold some laundry while I have the chance. It kinda hit me this morning, that I've got to get 4 people pakced for a 10 day trip today--cuz tomorrow I've got a long run and then we gotta pack the car. I'm stressing a little--I'm usually such a commando packer that it normally would've been done this past weekend--but not so this time. UGH! And, yet, I find time to Dis.....stalling I suppose! Will check back later!

 

[DisKim]

zalansky - Gorgeous house! You must be getting the NC bug like me. We are still going to look into it but we are waiting until March when DH is finished with his Master's degree. Maybe we'll end up neighbors!

Jill - I'm glad to hear everyone is on the mend. I hope you were able to leave for your trip.

icebrat - I'm sorry you had such a tough night. It will get better.

I had a very bad day again today. I don't feel like getting into it now, but pre-teen daughters are a nightmare!!

 

[gottalovethem]

I types a super long post earlier, with lots of detail, but for some reason it didn't take - was having computer issues at the time

I'll try a quickie

diskim/J&D - got your packages today, havn'et opened yet as DS is too nosey. He's mad that he can't open and see what's inside, if only he knew -- thank you both so much

joats - thank you again for the gc, used it for a gift for me, an upstairs telephone in case of emergencies and a piece the kids need for their Vsmile game system (a power cord) which ds was trying to play today but the batteries are out, he'll be thrilled with a power cable.

fab - I used the remaining $ to buy dd an Ariel drawing desk and Leif a Diego playset, there's abit leftover to get something for DS.

bnb - I used the Walmart gift card yesterday and picked up a Diego playset for DS, sippy cups for Leif and a DVD/CD repair kit for the family (we have lots of scratched dvd's -- i tested it out last night and it works).

Zalansky - if you get the house let me know, maybe the kids & I will runaway and live with you until I can get on my feet

robin - I'm hanging in there, just got off the phone with the lawyer. She was encouraging, thank good ness. hope your head feels better

lissawynn - hope you get much-needed rest

nucpharm -hope babysitting went well. Where in OH are you going? The kids and I may be heading there, trying to figure that out

jill - glad half the fam is on their way to WDW, hope you can go soon too!

dizagain - glad Carson is doing well - my kids were never cereal eaters, went straight to jarred food, adn Leif actually skipped babyfood for real food

disneyphd - glad your trip is just round the corner!

gotta get Leif from the crib, sorry for those I missed. Hugs to you all

 

[dizagain]

Ok, this is just too darn odd...my house is spotless, the baby fed and playing with his gym, the laundry drying, dinner figured out...I feel like I'm on another planet or something!!!!! I could REALLLY get used to this "perfect" house thing...why can't we do this all the time? It's really not that hard to touch up everything each morning, run the vacuum and the Swiffer, and be done. We are putting every single thing away after we use it and it's like a little miracle! WOW! The girls are even getting into it and helping so much - it's really freaking me out! You watch, when we sell this thing it will be right back to normal. Oh and Hannah is home today helping me as she has pink eye!

diskim - those pre-teen girls have skills when it comes to driving us insane! I will be the mother of a teenager in two months!!!!

joats - that is so cool that you wrap everyone's gifts in certain paper. That's an idea I may think about as I shop for next year!

lissawynn - hang in there! Is tomorrow your last day or do you have to go all week? My girls will finish up tomorrow.

robin - bummer about the surprise pots! Glad you finished your latest W challenge!

Well the short moment of "perfection" is over. Carson needs his mommy and Hannah can't play with him because of the Pink Eye. It's so hard for her to keep her hands off of him!

 

[nucpharm29]

GLT-we will be in Canton--but will be driving through both Cincinatti and Columbus on our way up there and back down. Let me know what you decide to do--maybe we could find a time to meet depending on where you are! Sounds like you got some great stuff with your GC's! The kids are going to have an awesome christmas!

diskim--sorry you had a bad day! Not looking forward to those pre-teen years!

dizagain--Wow, on the perfect house and family! I remember those days....distantly...now, our house looks, how should I say it...Lived in!

z--Wow on that house! I think house prices must be similar here as in NC--maybe a little more, but not by much. That's one reason I loved moving back here, we could afford a much larger house and not really pay much more in a mortgage payment b/c there are practically no property taxes here either! Oh, and you had asked about the pacifier--Matthew is really only using it for naps and bedtime, unless of course, he discovers my stash! But we're planning on going cold turkey once we're back. We'll see how nighttime goes, to Matthew they're almost like drugs!

WEll, got a screaming kid grabbing at my legs, so off I go!

 

[DisKim]

lissawynn - My "shake hands with the administration" breakfast is on Thursday. I haven't gone since I got tenure 7 years ago. It's my silent protest!

joats - I still have lots of wrapping to do. I got some cool Rudolph and Frosty wrapping paper on clearance last year.

nucpharm - Low property taxes??? Maybe I should move to Arkansas. We are up to 5K and getting higher and higher. Jersey is out of control.

I think DH and I are pretty much decided on not getting the puppy for Emily. She just has been off her rocker lately and she doesn't deserve it. She has not shown us that she can be responsible. I feel bad that my neice will have to find someone else to take him, but it just has to be this way. We are just so stressed out right now that adding a puppy to the mix is the last thing we should be doing. Do you think I'm being too harsh. I've dropped a ton of money on this thing already. I got him personalized stuff from Lillian Vernon and I don't know if I can return it. Oh well!

 

[Alice28]

My head isn't better- not a rager, but still, nagging at me. I think I will have to get a shot when DH gets home, before it blows into a full migraine.

I did have a nice time with best friend today. I gave her DS a new game for his Leapster, and she gave Sam & Josh some Buzz Blasters they wanted at the Disney Store (she works for Children's Place now and gets 30% off at TDS! Lucky!). And Molly a cute outfit from CP. It's very cold today; we drove up to McDonalds, and wow, what a difference 500 ft in elevation makes- all of my town (most of Oregon City lies above us- we live down by the river but most is up on the hill above) was covered in frost. It was like a winter wonderland! My car thermometer said 33, so if it starts raining, which it looks like it could, we may have snow!

I really need to vacuum, put laundry away and such, but I am highly unmotivated today. I got so much done on Sunday and now it looks like I didn't do a thing. I hate housework.

GLT- I'm glad you were able to get some nice things with your gift cards. That's awesome! And I'm glad the lawyer was encouraging- I know it's hard, but I am sure in the long run everything will be in your favor.

Jill- hope you are feeling better.

Diz- can I have Hannah come and help me with my house? I spend too much time at this computer when I know my house would be in better shape if I didn't.

Kim & Alisa- hang in there----this week must be so hard to get through! Do you not go back until the 8th of Jan? My kids have this week off, but go back the 2nd or 3rd.

Well, I need to scoot and get some stuff done I guess. TTYL!

 

[DisKim]

Robin - I hardly get an vacation. We work straight through until Friday and go back on the 2nd.

I really feel like I need a day off to decompress. I would love to take tomorrow or Thursday but I feel way too guilty. That would be the 4th day I called out so far this year. I still have the wedding to think of! I was just daydreaming of taking the day off with DH and wrapping presents, going out to lunch, etc. One can dream, right ?

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I've officially got that stomach thing. Looks like "Stocking" won't be making an appearance at the office Christmas party tomorrow.

 

[icebrat001]

I've officially got that stomach thing. Looks like "Stocking" won't be making an appearance at the office Christmas party tomorrow.

I hope you feel better soon.

Busy busy busy!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hi everyone. Thank you Alice, GLT, and everyone for the welcome back.

The girls are doing well. Anna is doing great in K and we have some good news about Lily. Test results say she has outgrown the egg allergy and the milk in minimal. I still have a hard time believing it. She does ok with a little milk, but is getting rash some so we have to take it easy with the milk. Still she can have pizza ever so often now and we are going to let her have some ice cream on vacation so that is fun. We got in BCV so we are really looking forward to that.

Icebrat, I hope you didn't mind me inquiring. I found the other thread you started, I hadn't found it when I asked. Last I heard you were going to go to med school, what a lot 2006 had for you this year! I didn't even know you and DP were considering adoption. Tess looks adorable. She is going to keep you and DP on your toes. Kids that age are so into routine and doing it themselves (or at least Lily is, OMG is she.) Once you guys settle in, things will get so much easier for everyone.

So sorry to hear of everyone getting sick. What a hard time of year for that to happen. I hope everyone gets well fast and has a great holiday!

 

[gottalovethem]

SL - So sorry that you are sick. I do hope you feel better soon!

Jill - have you left for WDW?

GM - when do you get back, are you back? I wanna hear all about the Mickey Christmas party!

Robin - hope your headache is doing better, nice exchange of gifts with your friend!

icebrat - caring for a child all day and night, when you are not used to it especially, is exhausting. Hang in there. Once routines are established, and maybe some playdates, things will get easier.

Diskim - So sorry about the puppy. What happened? A puppy is a lot of work, you have to do what's best for your family. good luck.

Nucpharm - my parents are just north of Columbus. If we go, we will leave Wisconsin on Sunday and return on Friday. For some reason I can't remember where Canton is exactly. Meeting up, even for lunch or something, would be really nice!

dizagain yeah for the perfect moment! I don't think I've ever had my house that clean, I'm happy if I can look around the living room and not see any toys or movies -- right now I see dress up clothes, movie case, video and a hair bandana - not too bad

I so want to start wrapping some presents, but between DS and DD, someone has been up late every night. It's exhausting - and I'm not getting much done.

I think I'm gonna email XDH and tell him that we are going to Ohio and ask him if he'll take the dog while we are gone. If not, I'm not quite sure what I'm gonna do with her. I really don't want to do the drive, but since my parents did buy the car I figure the least I can do is drive there for Christmas. My thing now is do I bring the gifts there (as I want them to be from Santa). Maybe if I put them in garbage bags? Anyone have suggestions on that?

 

[fabumouse]

Hey gals! Sorry my posts have been so flighty lately. Everytime I sit down to post, Madeleine wakes up. Including this morning - I woke up at 5:30 (alarm goes off and we all get up at 7) and I thought - time for myself! I am so up and getting myself some coffee.

And Madeleine thought - More time with Momma! I am so up and keeping her from drinking that coffee. She's now staring at me from her swing, but that won't last long.

Icebrat - I think it's rough of your DP to get frustrated with you so quickly over this - but DH definitely just wants everyone to be "happy" too, and some days I'm just *not* because I'm not getting my needs met. The plus about bringing a 2 year old into the house is that she's not a baby, but the downside is that she's used to a whole different routine and there's going to be a big adjustment period. This too, shall pass.

And like nupharm said - 123 magic is great - it was a lifesaver in our house. His approach is very straightforward and it takes the emotion out of discipline. Kailey and I were locked these awful battles that lead to me yelling all the time. Now I just send her to her room.

GLT - good luck with the presents! I'm such a bad liar that I couldn't keep up the pretense about Santa for long. It sorta went like this - Kailey: "Is Santa real?" and Me: "No". And cool on the gifts - a drawing desk sounds fun!

Phd - great to hear about the allergy! My BFF's daughter is deathly allergic to sesame seeds and mildly allergic to eggs and a number of other things. It can really affect their daily lives.

SL - I'm so sorry you're sick!

Kim - sorry the puppy isn't going to work out. I cannot imagine taking on the responsibility of any dog, let alone a puppy.

Robin - how's your head? My DH also doesn't like me to buy many presents - it's a space issue for him. He about had a fit when he saw the huge horse corral that I asked IL's to get Kailey. I had two words for him - "storage rental".

Joats - good luck on the crap-wrapping! That was what was really freaking me out when DH got sick - the pile of unwrapped crap and me with a baby in one arm, about to fall asleep. Arrghghghghghg!

Lissa - as a parent, I didn't want DD to be at school this week either. We could have all used a week to sleep in before Christmas! I do not like the way it worked out this year without a final weekend right before Christmas Eve.

BnB - I *always* buy the new edition of the UG, even if I'm not going that year! It's a sickness, I know.

Dizagain - wow 15 pounds! Madeleine is maybe 12? I'm going to take her to the Dr. today - she keeps coughing this weird little cough. Like, if she was doing it a lot, it would sound croupy, but it just sounds mildly congested. But my Ped is great, so might as well take her in. She doesn't quite support herself if she leans forward, but she's light years ahead of where Kailey was at this age, so I'm not complaining.

And Madeleine is eating peas and rice cereal now each night for dinner. Her poop has turned a leafy-matter green. I had lots of friends who waited until that magical 6 month mark for food, but I am wayyy too impatient for that.

And I just want all you to know that I received the recipe from BFF today - and it's just as BLAND as I expected with lots of bits o'fish. What is with her and floating bits of fish for Christmas???

 

[Hermosa11]

I got a call from SIL asking or just want to talk about my daughter and how she is getting along as new mommy. she is cranky (so far nothing unusual! ) (oh, I am so bad).....and such. He is going thru the new process and seeing and dealing with a new mommy. I did not have much advice but talked to him. DD called moments later and we talked. She seems to still have mommy blues. I only had a flash of mommy blues, personally, but I tried my best to help her thinking process out, but I did say , that if this feeling lasts until her next appt., to tell her Dr.! (NOT TO IGNORE) it. I wish I could be there....for her......She has a feeling that she is not bonding with her baby.....awwwww. I hope she starts to feel better. SIL seems to be a great daddy! He is better at diapering than daughter is. ha ha ha he is also great at swadeling.....He is cleaning the house, etc.

Icebrat001 ---- remember, take it one day at a time. It's all new for the THREE of you......right now, instead of a big outside adventure, just find a local park for her to play at. Find a place for Her to run around and get physical. (and it is simple and free). Just one day at a time......or better yet, one hour at a time. You will be fine. I am thinking of you! (I am visiting a prison this week, eek!---- VERY interesting! One inmate came in yesterday with stab wounds....then it was LOCK DOWN for the inmates. Then I heard later two suspects came in with socks on their hands and arms wrapped in cellophane (sp)!!!, cannot figure that one out!), but the gal we are working with said they will subjected to a cavity check....eewwww

Brand-new-Grandma-meeeeeee

 

[tkyes]

Morning!

Tyler is at daycare today and as usual I made a mile-long to do list for myself that is quite unreasonable!

jill - I hope you guys took off and are either at WDW or on your way. I'm sorry you all got sick!!

sl - Sorry you are sick too! I'm sure the office will miss "stocking" today!

icebrat - Congrats on getting Tess. It will be an adjustment for all of you, just take your time with it. I do think you and DP need to get on the same page with naptime and bedtime though (jmo). She'll walk all over DP if she isn't firm with bedtime. I can't imagine how overwhelming it is to be an instant parent, but you're doing great and it will only get better! Hang in there!

fab - sorry you didn't get your alone time this morning. Bits of fish? Um, no thanks!

glt - Spending Christmas with your parents would be a fun distraction for the kids. How long of a drive is it? I hope your ex would help with the dog.

phd - Good to see you!

diskim - Our schools have the same amount of time off too, not a ton. Sorry to hear about the dog decision.

diz - congrats on your spotless house I'm jealous!!

alice - I hear ya. I get so sick of picking up the house because it takes all of a day for it to look like a disaster again. It's frustrating!

joats - cute on the tigger paper! I hope Jace was a good boy for you!

lissawynn - I hope you get to sleep in your own bed soon!

nucpharm - Good luck when you do the pacifier thing, lol about it being like a drug!


I'm so embarrassed and ticked off with myself right now - I washed my ipod shuffle last night. It was in my sweatshirt pocket and I didn't even think about it. DH did some research for me and some people have had luck letting it dry for awhile and it working again. I guess all I can do is wait. I'm pretty po'd about it though, dumb me.

DH and I weren't going to exchange gifts, then we were and now I want to tell him I don't think we should again. I just feel guilty about it when we spent so much recently and are going to Mexico in a few weeks. Maybe it's just me feeling down about the ipod. I start to look at everything negatively when I get in a bad mood.

Enough whining - gotta run! Hi to all I missed!!

tamie