The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[Alice28]

Robin,

Did you get your buddy's name yet? All the PM's witht the info have been sent out. Do you want me to send yours again?

Mommies,
Please PM me if you are participating and did not receive your buddy information.

Oh, I got it, thanks!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Happy Birthday Cameryn and Zalansky!!

Thanks, everyone for the birthday wishes. We had a great time at the Japanese restaurant last night with our friends. Today, we had some ice cream cake at my IL's and tomorrow is my parents' house for lunch/dinner. I think I'm lucky to have married into a family who makes as big a deal over birthdays as mine does.

Too much to catch up on, but I've been reading what I missed. Floridafam - I received my exchange buddy name, thanks!

J&D - Sorry I thought "sick to your stomach" meant something else!

zalansky - Welcome back! I'm so glad you had good things to say about the Boardwalk Inn since that's the first resort we're staying at when we go down.

Hope to stop in again tomorrow!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Happy Birthday to Zalansky, Strawberry Lemonade and Camryn (sp?)

What she said!

Hi mommies! Today was my niece's 15th birthday and we had a nice day getting our hair cut, shopping and lunch. The Tai food she wanted was open for lunch so we all went back with the kids for dinner, and they did pretty good all things considered.

I got my hair highlated. I have never colored or done anything to my hair any more. It is a pretty shocking change (at least to me.) It looks pretty good, but I am just not sure about it yet. I will post a picture later. I wanted to do something different, I did. My said thing is Lily's hair no longer looks just like mine. Oh well.

I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[justhat]

Since it's after midnight, Happy Birthday Cameryn! I know she's not mine, but I still can't believe she's one. Loretta, I remember your story about her birth like you just told it-definitely doesn't seem like a year ago. I can't wait to see some of her birthday photos. (Btw, our JCP doesn't even do online photos so consider yours to be advanced!)

I'm headed to bed after pumping again (ugh!) but wanted to say how excited I am that I have my exchange buddy! I can't wait to start shopping. And now that Madison's back in school I actually have some time in the morning to do it without a 2yo wanting everything on the shelves.

I went to the rehearsal dinner tonight. Ask me when the rehearsal is!! Tomorrow!! I was totally thinking it would be today before the rehearsal and that I just totally missed the time on the invitation, but nope, it's tomorrow. I guess that's what I get for thinking with my Catholic mindset and not realizing that Jewish people can't do things like that on Saturdays before sundown, and given the time of the sunset today that wouldn't have been feasible. It was a nice dinner, and I was very lucky in that Henry slept in his carseat the whole time. I was glad I brought him too cause for some reason he decided to pick tonight to be fussy and cried for seemingly no reason for the first time tonight, right as I was leaving for the dinner. I know my mom would have been very overwhelmed with him crying and Madison needing to eat dinner. Hopefully he won't repeat that tomorrow and go back to his usual silent self cause my mom will be alone with them from 12:30-9ish. I told her to invite a friend over but she said no.

Time to go refrigerate my milk and get to bed. Oh, and I stopped at the store tonight for some formula and they only had this gigantic can of ready to feed, gigantic can of powder, and small can of concentrate. The concentrate seemed too challenging for me to use (sad, I know) and I didn't want to buy huge cans of the others cause I don't know if he'll drink it. Is it okay to get another brand? Maybe that's stupid to even ask, but I only have limited formula experience and just used whatever they gave me in the hospital so I really don't know if it's okay to switch around. If so then maybe I'll run out to the store tomorrow morning for some powder sticks if they have them in another brand (I was looking for Enfamil Lipil w/ Iron cause that's all he's ever had). I do have 11 oz. of pumped milk and plan to pump more tomorrow before I leave so I should have around 14 oz. total for probably 4 feedings, but I have no idea if that will be enough. Ugh, I should have planned this out a bit better! Night everyone!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Happy 1st Birthday, Cameryn!!! I hope it's a wonderful day for you!

And Happy Birthday, SL and Loretta!!! I hope you have great ones as well!

 

[T16GEM]

Happy Birthday Cameryn!!

 

[T16GEM]

Hi everyone ,
I've been keeping up with reading the thread but it seems I never have time to post anymore!

Ditto Since Shelby has been on the move and trying to walk this last week or so I don't seem to get a minute to myself to post! Right now she's rolling about in the pack n play (which is filled with balls) having a whale of a time so I get 5 minutes! I think it could be nap time though so that will be the next marathon - trying to get her to nap is awful lately!

DH and I are thinking of planning a trip to WDW for Nov 07, I just wanted your opinions - are we mad?? Shelby will be 25 months and the new baby will be almost 1 year. What do you think? Are there any special considerations that we can make?

 

[DisKim]

SL - Happy Birthday

Justhat - I think it is okay to switch the formula you are using. If Henry has any kind of reaction to it, just switch him back.

gems - How long is the flight from the UK to Florida. That would probably be my only concern with 2 young children. Flying with Aidan was HELL and it was only 2 hours for me. Otherwise, I think you would be fine.

Jill - Wow, you are brave to have so many girls sleep over. What a nice mom!!

Robin - It must have been so satisfying to catch the little brats!!

Disphd - I'm sure your hair looks great! You'll have to post a picture.

I'm a little worried about Emily. She is obsessed with watching all the tributes to Steve Irwin on Animal Planet and she keeps crying. It's creeping me out.

On the subject of Emily, do you thing a 10-almost 11-year-old is old enough to be home alone for maybe 15 minutes. On days that I have meetings after school (twice a month), I might be a little late getting home in time for Emily. I know I can trust her. What do you think ? I can't put her in after school care because you have to guaruntee 3 hours a week and this is only 1 hour a month.

 

[lissawynn]

Morning ladies. I'm wide awake again and have started today's round of laundry. I am almost done with our clothes. I have some odds and ends towels, blankets, etc. to do, but I'd really like to get it done. I also have to grade 4 sections of spelling tests. That shouldn't take too long if I don't have any other distractions.

It sounds as if everyone had very productive weekends! The weather here was beautiful yesterday. I hope it's as nice today.

DisKim - You picnic sounds great. I would think Emmy could be alone for that short amount of time. My sister and I were latch key kids at that age. We made some messes, but we didn't burn down the house.

Robin - Good for you catching those kids! I just have to chuckle at your Gymbo stories. I so wish their boys lines were cuter. They use brown, orange, and yellow way too much. Although, about 95% of Jimmy's clothes are some shade of blue.

Jill - I hope you did well on your exam!

Gems - I think it was much easier to take Jimmy at 6 mo. than it was to take him at 18 mo. He was just way too interested in doing things his own way. I'm hoping by the time we take our next trip (moms' meet), he'll be really into WDW and too preoccupied to throw a tantrum.

I hear my little man! I'll catch up with you all later!

 

[joats]

Good Morning Moms,
Just finished up making a buttermilk pancake breakfast - I love pancakes!!
We noticed the Jace had a bloody scratch on his hand. I think one of our cats must have scratched him during the breakfast clean up, but he never even cried...strange. Those suckers hurt! It's his first cat scratch, but I feel awful. He's just so into chasing them down these days.

Jace and I did go to Target yesterday afternoon. I love that store! I got my almost-6 year old niece a barbie scooter for her birthday next week. She is having a party at "The Little Gym". Jace is going to love it. My poor SIL is having surgery the day before her party too (precancerous uterine issues). I feel so bad she might miss her daughters party and I hope that she is ok.

Last night I think I went to bed at 8:30! I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Diskim: Is there a neighbor or a friends house Emily could go to on those days? You know your daughter. If you think she'd be ok then she probably would be. I'm so sorry she is so sad about Steve Irwin.

Robin: I swear you and I have a lot of similarities w/things. My mom and I went to Paris together about 8 years ago. We did go to Disneyland Paris too. It was fun, but strangely enough DP was the only place we encountered rudeness while we were in France. The Space Mountain there has loops!! I think it would be great if you could go. I'd love to go to Italy someday.

DisneyPhD: Post a picture of your hair. I bet it looks great.

Happy Birthday, SL and Cameryn!! Happy Birthday Zalanksy!!

Hi Gems, Lissawyn, Tasha, Justhat (hope you survive the wedding weekend), BNB, FF, Val, Jill, GLT and anyone else I missed.

Not much on the agenda today. Just the grocery store (ICK!). Jace is napping right now. I might take him to the mall to go to the Disney Store to get some more of the Robeez-style shoes there in the next size up. He loves those shoes!!

We took Jace's bedtime bottle away from him starting last night. I gave him a little milk in a cup and a snack before bed. What do you guys do?? He really didn't even seem to mind it.
He still gets a morning bottle of milk. But he doesn't seem to want to give that up yet.

Hope you have a good Sunday.

 

[nucpharm29]

Morning all!
Just a quick post before we head off to church.

thanks FF for coordinating the exchange--I'm excited to be able to go out and shop!!!

I'm all excited b/c I just checked the consignment sale's website and I've already made almost a $100 and the sale continues until next Sat!! Dsis and I are going to have some $$$ for spending on our trip in a couple of weeks. WEll, I really have to go now! Will check in later!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Just that, not sure about Formula. I no so very little about it (and have never paid for any, something I am pretty proud off, I try to justify other expenses saying I saved on that. How sick is that?)

DisKim, that is a little bit strange, but really is the age that kids start to understand death so this is a big experience for her. Support her and talk with her about it as much as she likes. She should naturally move on in a few weeks. As far as by herself for a few min. I think that should be fine if you do. You know your child best. I would let my niece at that age, but my nephew is 10 now and I am tempted too, but he isn't really ready for it. I remember one day when they were staying over here (their father was out of town) I had to take the older kids to HS and my girls were still sleeping. It takes me less then 5 min to drive the kids to school (much less actually) I told him I was going to let him watch TV while I left. If Lily woke up you could go to here, but just talk to her in the crib. I would be right back. Lily woke before I left. I took her with me. When I got home Ben was a little upset and said "you took Lily with you right? I couldn't find her." What if I hadn't????? Also one snowy morning (maybe the same one) a teen almost hit me driving crazy coming home. I realized that IF something happened to me I couldn't be right back in 3 in like I planned. But really all kids are different. My nephew is in his own little world (his older brother and sister are much better, but they are the older ones. ) I would set something up where you talk to her on the phone, or a neighbor would be near by incase you didn't get home with in a certain time. (back up plan).


joats, we lost one of Lily's Minnie shoes. We still have her Pooh ones, but she wants the Minnie shoes (she is super picky about shoes) Lately she has been wearing one pooh and one Minnie shoe. She is getting so big I can't bring myself to buy a new pair, but I love them!

So I had DH take a picture of my hew hair cut. I got it all ready to post here and on the computer you can't even see how different the color really is. in fact I told DH that is how I expected it to look. Not as dramatic as it is. I will try to take another in natural light, but it is such a rainy day today.

Edited, because I didn't copy part of the message out of word the 1st time.

 

[Alice28]

Gems- The only caution I would say about choosing November is American holidays---November 11th is Veteran's Day and lots of people get long weekends depending when it falls. And then Thanksgiving, the 4th Thursday in November is often a VERY crowded week at WDW. I think it might be a challenge to take the little ones, but you and your DH can tag-team. Just know that you will be going at a MUCH slower pace!

Happy Officially Offical Birthdays to our birthday girls- SL, Zalansky and baby Cameryn!

I wished an early bday a few days ago, but now is more appropriate.

Justhat- I hope you can find the formula sticks; I feel like Enfamil is the only brand that does those. I KNOW Target always has them, if there is a Target nearby you. I hope Henry doesn't get fussy for your mother...

lissawynn- what is up with Gymbo using so much ORANGE for boys? It drives me nuts. However, orange is Sam's favorite color, and Joshua's runner up favorite, so they don't mind. But I would have minded with an infant/baby, hence why each of them had about 2 outfits total from there until they were about 4 or so.

Kim- I think Emmy is old enough to stay home for 15 minutes or so on her own once in awhile. I must confess I did it a few times with Sam this last year. The neighbors were home, so I asked them to keep an ear out, but Molly would be fast asleep and I had to get Josh was preschool which is 1-2 minutes away. Sam would sit right outside her room with the doors locked, and I would be gone 8 minutes. I think it depends on the kid too, but I bet she would be fine. I know I was a latch key kid for about 30-60 minutes every day starting in about 4th grade. My dad got home from work early, around 3:30 and my parents felt I was old enough to do it.

I hope Emmy is coping OK with Steve Irwin's death; I remember being very attached to certain celebrities at that age and would have been very emotional if they died. Maybe after a certain point the TV should just be turned off though and you can talk about it, or go do something else entirely.

Joats- that is so cool that you did that trip with your mom! You will have to give me some tips. I'm *very* nervous about encountering the French rudeness towards American. I feel like I have "AMERICAN WHO VOTED FOR BUSH AND HUSBAND WAS IN IRAQ" tatooed on my forehead or something and they will boo and hiss at me. Then again, this trip won't be for AT LEAST 2-3 years, so what am I worried about. I would really like to also go to Normandy Beach when we go, but we will probably do some sort of tour and I don't know if that would be included. I would like to hit Paris, Nice (see some countryside on the way) and the Riviera, but end up back in Paris to add on 2 days at DL Paris at the end. That's how my parents did UK. Did the tour the first 15 days and added on 5 days at the end, after they felt more comfortable traveling there.

DisneyPhD- I bet your hair looks super!

Today is a no plan day. I do need to get to the grocery store at some point. We're running low on food big time.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ok, lets try this but I don't think it really shows how dramatic I feel the change is. I keep shocking myself every time I pass a mirror.

This is me with the girls. Lily looks cubby here, funny for a 20 pound 2 year old!

Here is my hair, but you can't see it. This is actually how I imagined it to be. Funny the curls are so much more noticeable because of the color.

And here is one from the back. Not too fun to look at, but more what the color is like.

 

[zalansky]

Hi everyone and thanks again for the birthday wishes!

GEMS - I just got back from getting decorations and got the balloon you sent Cameryn for the exchange inflated! I am so proud of myself I remembered!

I will post pics later....I am now regretting doing a small family party because as of this morning, two family members have cancelled coming. So we are down to a group of about ten. But I suppose its about quality and not quantity, right?

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

An "official" Happy Birthday to Cameryn today!

Thanks again for the birthday wishes. We'll be going to my parents house later this afternoon so I wanted to sneak on now.

DisPhd - I bet your hair looks great. Mine's highlighted, too. I really need a touch up and a trim.

Gem - Have fun planning your trip. I have no advice, as we have yet to bring Lucas there with us, but that'll be happening soon enough!

nucpharm - Good luck with the consignment sale.

joats - We give Lucas a sippy cup with milk when he wakes up and before bed. Sometimes with meals, but he really does like water. He doesn't eat either. Just ham and cheese mainly. When I'm desperate to get vegetables in him, I'll just break down and give him a jar of baby food. He's not big on sauces and baked goods so I can't even sneak them in anything.

DisKim - Sorry Emily is taking Steve Irwin's death so hard. She sounds pretty responsible, so I think if you're comfortable with it she should be fine on her own for a few minutes.

lissawynn - Good luck getting all your chores done.

Alice28 - Enjoy your quiet day!

justhat - Have a good time at the wedding.

 

[Ginamarie]

Happy Birthday Cameryn and Zalansky!!

Zalansky- welcome back! Glad you had a great time at the Boardwalk.

Buzznbelle- It sounds like you got a pretty good deal on all those dance classes actually. I don’t want to think about what my parents are spending this year for my sisters. DSis(16) is taking about 6-7 classes and DSis(8) is taking 2 classes. The nice part is that they provide all the costumes as part of the tuition, but the place their going is pretty pricy. They really love it though.

FloridaFam- Glad you got to see the shuttle launch. I had no idea they were doing it so late, so I didn’t get to see it live on TV, but I saw a replay. Thank goodness the shuttle didn’t get damaged by the falling debris!

Alice- Wow, 14 pages of scrapbooking. I don’t think I’ve ever done that much in one day. I’m slow though.

Jill- You’re brave to have all those girls in the house!

Justhat- Sorry about all the pumping! I found that when I start pumping more I start producing more milk and that makes it easier to pump more.

T16Gem- November 2007 sounds like a great time to go to WDW! We’re taking Olivia this year when she’ll be about 8 months. I know she’s young for a lot of the experience, but I think she’s going to love the music and the colors on things. She’s either going to love or hate the characters, but I’ll take my chances. We took DBro to WDW when he was about 6 months and then again at 18 months and he loved it both times (in November both times). November is a great time of year because it’s not too hot. I’d just make sure to have a comfy double stroller for them and take a bunch of little snacks along.

DisKim- 10/11 sounds like a good age to be alone for a short period of time like that.

OK, I don’t have much more time to read/post because we need to get more done around here. Our furniture is all moved in. I’ve spent most of the morning pulling out my china and putting it into the china cabinet. It’s so nice to finally have a china cabinet (mom gave me one of hers) so that I can display it. Most of this stuff I haven’t even seen since my bridal shower, and that was four years ago. We still have some little stuff to move, boxes and clothes and whatnot, but yesterday we got a LOT of things done. Thank goodness for my brother and BIL who did a lot of moving for us. I need to do something really nice for them.

The only downside was that the pinball machine wouldn’t fit down the basement stairs. So it’s in the living room. My mom hates it in the living room and thinks we should sell it. I refuse to sell it. So it’s staying in the living room. I don’t mind it that much (it’s by the glass doors to the deck), but I would have preferred it in the basement. I LOVE the green we used in the bedroom. Waking up to that this morning was so bright and cheery. It looks a little bit like Tinkerbell’s color. I need to take pictures, but I’m going to wait until we get some more of the boxes out of the way, and hopefully finish the Frankenstein couch. I can only imagine what my neighbors were thinking when we took that out of the truck.

Oh! I forgot the funniest part. My parents live in such a snooty neighborhood. The people are incredible. At one point while we were moving things out of the house, an older man came up to my mom and said “I just want you to know that you’re really entertaining my grandchildren. They’ve never seen people move themselves before, only movers.” Can you imagine these people were hanging out on my parents’ corner to watch us move??

Uh oh.. sounds like Olivia is up from her nap~!

 

[lissawynn]

Hi ladies. I am back from breakfast with the ILs and a trip to Wal-Mart and the grocery store. I, too, hate the grocery store, but I haven't been for an "order" in forever.
DH is roaming around the attic and we just played let's find what wire this is connected to. I got to stand in the downstairs and yell what went off when he flipped the breakers. Talk about a fun afternoon.
Jimmy is eating some grilled cheese and apple. He's mostly playing with the food instead of eating it. He wants to everything like a big boy. He doesn't want me to cut stuff up; he wants to hold it and take bites. It's kind of funny.

DisPhD - Great hair!

Ginamaire - As someone who has always wanted a pinball machine, I'd certainly keep it in the living room instread of selling it. My SIL has a Ms.Packman machine and I was so hoping she'd sell it when she got divorced, but she moved it to her new apartment.

SL - Enjoy your afternoon at your parents' house.

zalansky - Have a great party! I'm sure Cam will love it.

Alice - I think it's great that you and your mom have plans to travel. I'd love to go to Italy and Greece one of these days, but DH hates to fly. I'd probably have to drug him first.

joats - Your pancakes sound delicious. I was going to order a bfast that came with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hasbrowns today, but since MIL is always making catty comments about my weight, I didn't. I should have ordered it and eaten it all. She probably would have stroked out at the table.

nucpharm - Great news about your sale!

I have to clean up the food Jimmy did not eat and then he's going down for a nap. I need to get some stuff done.

I got him a talking vacuum at Wal-Mart. He loves the one SIL bought him for Christmas, but it doesn't make noise anymore and all the beads got dumped out. I hope he likes this one as much.

 

[Hillbeans]

Happy 1st Birthday Cameryn!!!!

Happy Birthday Strawberry Lemonade!!!!

 

[floridafam]

DisneyPhD,

I love your hair. I admire you for having the guts to do something different. I want to so bad but I can't bring myself to get anything but my real color.

What did your girls think about it? I know sometimes kids freak out when Mommy changes her hair.



We just returned from the store. I bought a pre-cooked chicken and I'm going to make a big batch of chicken sald for sandwiches. DH just returned from a bike ride so he is really hungry!!!

lissawynn,

Your MIL makes comments about your weight??? OMG, I would have ordered 2 of the big breakfasts and ate them both!

joats,

Those pancakes sound so good! Everyone in my house loves pancakes. Dh and I like blueberry pancakes and I try to make them about once a month.
I really need to get a big griddle so I can make all of them at one time.


Oops, Kona is crying. I'll be back to get caught up with everyone else.