The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[Alice28]

OK, I have a wee bit of time before I need to put Molly down for a nap and clean up this pit. Can someone PLEASE tell me why it takes no time at all for one's house to implode? Yuck!

No cavities for Joshua! He got a McDonald's Happy Meal as a reward for that!

SL- How exciting that only a few more days until you are on the airplane for WDW! I hope you have a blast! 2 of my kids have had the runny nose too for the last 24 hours...hope it doesn't turn into a full blown cold.

Fab- So, did DH agree to a "V" or not? I wasn't quite sure.

Tamie- I have been to a couple weddings with the dollar dance. I'm glad you had a nice time! Winter clothes are def more pricey than spring/summer clothes, aren't they? I was dreading having to buy Sam a winter coat and then I looked in the closet- I had bought one on mega clearance at Osh Kosh last spring! There is was hanging, with all it's tags still. Yay me for thinking ahead! I think Josh's still fits him from last year.

Ryan- I'm sorry you are struggling with Alex! If he's having trouble with constipation, I know my DH bought some of that benefiber, that is totally clear and tasteless in drinks- that might be a temporary solution for Alex, at least just to get things moving. I would maybe go to the dollar store and just make a stash of toys/candies, (cheap on the budget) and then after he earns say 3 or 5 stars, he can pick from the stash. And I would start out with right off the bat rewarding him- he does just ONE thing that wows you, like eats his fruit, or obeys the first time and he gets to pick right away. And then build up to 2 stars, 4 stars, etc. Show him it's worth it to obey mom! Good luck! I think Dare To Discipline by Dr. James Dobson is a good one, he has some excellent parenting points. He also has some books about the strong-willed child.

Kim- I hate mornings like that! Josh used to cry a lot when I would drop him off at the sitters and I always felt so badly...of course he would be fine within 10 minutes. And I would slug my DH for mentioning a 4th if I were stressed out with parenting/cleaning already. I would say something like, "You keep this house clean and orderly most of the time, and then maybe we can talk! In the meantime, shut it!"

Gems- hope the doctor's appt goes well and that the UTI is all cleared up!

Hillbeans- sounds like you had one successful party! Can't wait to see pics!

Justhat- how strange that those hotels are booked already. I wonder if something is going on that weekend? That isn't veteran's day weekend. I would call again or call through AAA or Costco or their website.

 

[DisKim]

SL - You will have so much fun at MNSSHP. You'll be fine in the t-shirts. I went on 10/31 and not everyone was dressed up. DH and I were Sally and Jack Skellington. I painted my face like her and everything and I scared a few people. I didn't realize that I looked scary. I chose Sally because it was a comfy costume for a pregnant woman.

Robin - I like that comeback for DH. I think I'll use it next time .

Ryan - I'm no help with your situation with Alex at all. My Alex eats terrible too. I've tried playing hardball with him at dinnertime but it is so exhausting. It's hard when kids don't respond to time out. Reward charts help a lot. I use them when my kids start acting up. I wish I could be of more help .

FF - How is the septic situation going?

Funny story - Aidan was playing with my cell phone on the way home. When I went to pick him up out of his seat, I heard a voice on the phone. He called Emily at her girl scout meeting! She thought I had dialed the phone.

Season premiere of 7th Heaven tonight. I'm so excited to watch my dorky show! I must be the only 30-something who watches that. My students crack up because I watch the same shows as them. They think I watch Shakespearean tragedy on PBS on my spare time .

 

[justhat]

I have to shower while the family is napping (yes, everyone but me of course) and then head out to my dr's appt but I was checking in to see if Lissawynn was back from the ultrasound yet. I haven't really read each post well, but I'll do that later tonight.

Ginamarie, cute photos. I love Olivia's dress. I've been looking for an outfit for Henry and see so many beautiful dresses for girls but slim pickings on boy outfits.

Alice28, I think the GC and DLH being booked has something to do with my mom's conference. I think they took huge blocks of rooms from both of those hotels for the convention people (they get around 20,000 people) and left very few regular rooms. We can still book PP through Disney, but the other 2 show no availability. I'm going to call later today and check and then look through AAA. Do you have to be a Costco member to book with them? Ideally we'll get a room at the GC through the convention, but since that's the best DL hotel (IMO anyway) I know that will go first and since the onsite people get priority and my mom won't be there I don't have much hope. PP is just my last choice, but I'd much rather book there than just stuck at wherever the convention has rooms available.

Tkyes, I missed the end of AR too to watch the beginning of DH and couldn't even dvr it cause my husband was dvring Family Guy and since he was on call last night I had to record that since he couldn't watch it.

Okay, time to shower.

 

[ryan840]

We still haven't made it out of the house (or our pj's ), the baby has been sick with a cold the past couple days and now I've got it. Not gonna be long before Ryan and Alex get it too, oh the joy of it all! If Alex ever wakes up from his nap we'll head out so for now I have a bit of time to try and catch up.

Robin- Thanks for the recommendations, I think rewarding him immediately and then increasing the number of stars will work wonders. Something so simple, but it never occurred to me... I've actually got some perscription fiber powder for Alex from earlier this year when he was having trouble with constipation and I've been trying to keep him regular without it but it looks like I'm going to have to start up again if I can't get him to eat more. I'll look for that book at the library, it sounds right up his alley. Like mama, like son! I am very strong willed

DisKim- I've been praying for your aunt and will continue to do so. I know what you mean about being tired of playing hardball, it's a lot of work and just leaves you feeling like such a mean mom.

lissawynn- I can't wait to hear what you're having! I'm so excited for everyone having babies, they're all around me. I wish I was one of them, but not enough to actually do anything about it right now. How are you feeling in your new maternity clothes? It feels so nice to look god while pregnant, doesn't it?

nucpharm- Glad to hear you had a good time on your trip, those beds sound heavenly

Ginamarie- Love the pics, you have a beautiful family. Olivia has such sparkley eyes!

OK, Jack is telling me my time is up, hi to everyone I missed!

 

[T16GEM]

Hi all!

My appointments went well, the midwife was lovely and she helped me with some of my worries, she has arranged for me to see the Midwife/Councellor on the 9th Oct to go through my options for the birth as I had a hard time with Shelby and am dreading it!! They said that I could meet with the Consultant and go through everything. The heartbeat was very strong and he was kicking the doppler the whole time!

Dh came home at 8pm and then proceeded to spend 30 minutes on the phone to a work collegue and I am so pissed about it! I had kept Shelby up so that he could see her and play for a bit and then he wasted the extra time so now she is tired and he is trying to put her to bed, I don't think she will go to sleep though as he hasn't bothered to bath her or anything and she has got into that routine now! Men huh

I can't wait for Lissawynn to post I am so excited! or ????

 

[tkyes]

i have 2 seconds to post - i just have to tell floridafam not to worry about the return address on your exchange package because it made it here just fine!!

holly sent our family all kinds of fun goodies! some candles and body wash for me a book, a stuffed pooh, a pumpkin squishy pillow and other fun stuff for tyler. there's also a great wicker basket with a fall and halloween liner so you can use it the whole season. there's too much stuff to mention! i was so excited to go pick it up at the post office today. tyler will love to see all of this when he gets home today!

thanks floridafam!!!!

 

[Alice28]

OK, again, I feel rushed- I still need to tidy the boy's room, mop the kitchen and figure out something for dinner. And work out. All in Molly's naptime. This day had just gotten away from me!

Gems- so glad the midwife appt went well and she was receptive to your concerns!

Justhat- yes, you have to be a Costco member to book thru them; wasn't sure if you were a member or not.

I meant to tell you guys a wacky MIL story. I am SO not controlling of my DH- he has done things with his mom without me since we have been married, as I have done things with my mom without him. (mostly he has done boring things though, like going to PA for his grandfather's service, going to CA to help with BIL's divorce, etc). But I have never said a cross word about it, or acted put-out. So, she says to him the other day, "Since Robin is going to Europe with her mother, does that mean she wouldn't mind if I took you and your brother somewhere?" DH was like, "No mom! She wouldn't mind even if she wasn't going to Europe with her mom! She's not like that, and I think you would know that by now!" Anyway, he will probably get to jet off to Panama in the next year or so. My FIL grew up in the "Canal Zone" as it's called- the American territory that was part of Panama in the 20s-70s. My MIL still has his ashes and wants to spread them there, and show DH and my BIL where my FIL grew up, so I think that will be a good trip for them. My ONLY reservation is that DH is already blabbing about taking 1 or both of the boys. That worries me. He has taken them to CA with him to see his mother, and took Sam to PA for the funeral, but to Panama? Oh well, it's a ways off, why am I worried? It's not like he wants to go to Iraq with them...

I scheduled a portrait time at Flash! for the kids on the 1st. I'm excited. I haven't done the 3 of them together since Molly was 3 months. I know I will be stressed out and grayer by the time it's over, but I am taking their costumes along with their regular clothes. Won't that be so cute?

My MIL will be here this weekend too- last minute trip.

OK, I hope Alisa's US is going really well and that baby flashes them a good crotch shot!

 

[DisKim]

I was just checking in again to see if lissawynn got back from the doctor yet. I'm waiting.....

Robin - That trip to Panama sounds really nice for your DH. I would have reservations about the boys going too. My mom wanted to take Emmy to Argentina and I put my foot down. I was annoyed that she had already suggested it to Emmy because I had to deal with pre-teen attitude when I said no. I have to get pictures done too.

Gems - I said "awww" out loud when I read about the baby kicking the doppler. Aidan used to do that.

Ryan - I hope you are feeling better. Thanks for the prayers for my aunt. I still haven't gotten word on which day this week the surgery will be. I'll let everyone know because she needs all the prayers she can get .

Aidan has a serious Elmo obsession. I think he needs help. He hasn't stopped watching his dvd for 2 hours now. He screams every time it's over and points to the remote.

I just got the inevitable PTA phone call. They want me to work after 8pm on back to school night. I feel guilty but I get up at 5am and that's really hard for me.

Well, I guess I should get dinner started.

 

[Ginamarie]

Tamie- Thanks for the dollar dance explanation!

SL- I bet you’re going to love WDW in October. We had a great time at MNSSHP, and we didn’t have costumes either. There will be lots of people in costumes and lots of people without them. Make sure you get some of the candy! We kept skipping the candy areas because we figured it was just for kids, but then they were passing out candybars along the parade route and OMG those things were delicious. It made me wish we’d gotten a few more at the candy stops!

DisKim- I like 7th Heaven too. I was wondering if they were starting the new season tonight (time to set the DVR now!). I’m really curious what they’re going to do with the storylines after the last episode.

Justhat- I agree about the lack of cute boy’s clothing. My girly-girl side was so happy when we heard Olivia was a girl because I get to play dress-up with her every day. Now I feel like it would be ok to have a boy next because at least I got to have one girl to put in frilly pretty things.

Gems- Glad your appointments went well.

Alice- I think it’s a great idea to take the kids’ costumes with you to the photo session, especially with your Peter Pan theme going on. I’d like to schedule Olivia for her first photo session, but we have no expendable cash right now. MIL mentioned it this past weekend though like “isn’t it about time for her first professional photos??” I wanted to say “sure, if you want to pay for them.”

Time for my big THANK YOU to Gems! I got my exchange package today with some fruity bath stuff for me and an adorable pumpkin outfit for Olivia. The best part, is that the outfit is all soft and with footsies, just like I was trying to find for her.

I can’t wait to hear how Lissawynn’s appointment went either!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I just have a few minutes before a girl scout meeting, but I wanted to pop on and say hello.

I mailed my exchange package today--it may take a couple days to get there, as I sent it parcel post--there's something heavy in it.

I caught Luke's cold--I don't feel sick, really, but run down. Gee, I wonder why!

Anyone even considering their kids going out of the country--just remember that they'll need passports soon. Even babies, even for Canada and Mexico, if memory serves. I think as of 1/1/07. I mention it becuase they take a while to get, and both parents have to physically go to the post office and sign the forms there. If someone (Kim, Robin) is even thinking about international travel for their kid, it might be worthwhile getting the kids a passport (good for 5 years). Our older two have them, but in 2004 we took Celeste to Jamaica and didn't need one--times have changed.

Anyway, Robin, I could see how you would be "iffy" on the Panama thing for the kids. It could be a fantastic opportunity for them, but maybe nicer as a family trip. We've been sort of fortunate because, while MIL keeps wanting to take Jocelyn out of the country (to Germany), Jocelyn has no interest in travelling with her. So it takes the whole alcoholic thing off the table--the kid doesn't want to go. It's a shame that she can't--I think it would be a great experience, but if we can't trust MIL, discussion's over.

Gina--Olivia is an absolute doll! And don't worry about looking "bad"--you look fine, and anyone would be a fool to dress up for the daily activities with a baby! Even if you did, your nice outfit would just get all stained with applesauce, bananas, or worse! Your christening looked lovely.

Gems--Glad everything went well for you.

ryan--Try to find some manner of fruit/vegetables that he will eat. We've been through a lot of constipation issues with Celeste (age 3). Popcorn keeps her moving, but I wouldn't recommend that for too young a kid, as it can be a choking hazard. But it does get things moving. A friend of mine swears by carrot sticks w/ranch dip and baked beans.

I have to run off to scouts. "hi" to everyone else! Lissawynn--dying to hear your big news! The one test with no wrong answer!

 

[lissawynn]

Hi ladies. I'm home from my US and our romantic dinner at Pizza Hut. DH had to be at work for 5, and the Pizza Hut was about 15 minutes from the hospital. We won't see him until Thursday, and I'm going to be exhausted by the time he gets home.

I did stop at Target and buy Jimmy one of those huge bags of blocks. He doesn't have any and really loved them when he was at my mom's house. I'll have to take a pic of him playing with them and post it tomorrow.

Here's the big news...I'm going to be joining the ranks of you crazy Gymbo shoppers because we are having a little girl.

I'm finally able to wrap my mind around having a girl. DH said I can go buy whatever I want, and for me that's a license to kill. We've already nicknamed her "Annabull" b/c she was moving around like crazy and I can totally see her putting her brother in his place.

I'm going to try to catch up with you all tomorrow. My house is a mess and my mom is stopping in soon.

Have a great night all!

 

[Alice28]

OMG OMG OMG OMG!

CONGRATULATIONS! I secretly was thinking you would be having a girl. Now you can join the ranks of us obsessive compulsive shoppers! WOO HOO!

That's just great- so glad she looks healthy- welcome Annabull!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

lissawynn - Congratulations on your little girl!!!!

I have to run to the store...post more later!

 

[DisKim]

Lissawynn- I knew you were having a girl ! Have fun shopping !

 

[Ginamarie]

yaaaay! Another baby girl on the way.

Congrats Lissawynn!

Now hide your pocketbook, before it's too late!!

J/K, I hope you get some really cute girly things while you still have the green light from your DH.

 

[dizagain]

lissawynn - CONGRATULATIONS!!! How exciting for your family! Have a blast shopping because my balloon has been deflated since having Carson - I was all set to enter Gymboree again after my three year absence since Hannah grew out of it and I found out just how un-fun it is for boys!! Congratulations again!

Ginamarie and Diskim - I love "7th Heaven" as well although we forget about it much of the time. We catch reruns alot when we can!

Alice28 - I love the idea of taking the kids costumes for their photo session! I need to get Carson in for a 1 month, because I have the girls at that age and I need to be "fair", right? Over the weekend I got a few photos in frames put around the house...It's so hard because DH, the girls, and I had this whole life for 12 years without him and there are pictures everywhere!!

T16Gem - So glad things went well with your midwife today!! The only thing I miss about being pregnant is the kicking! I also pm'd you today about the Christmas exchange!

Hi to everyone...gotta go, duty calls!!

 

[floridafam]

lissawynn,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's so great!!!!!!

Tamie,

I'm glad you got my package.


I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow. DH is being a jerk so I'm going to bed.

 

[joats]

Just popped on quick during a Prison Break commercial break to check the update from Lissawyn:

Congrats on the successful U/S! What wonderful news!!
How great - a baby girl on the way!!!!

 

[justhat]

Lissawynn congrats on your baby girl!!! Cute nickname for her! Gotta go get the kids in bed-we just got back from my dr and a quick dinner at TGIFridays and it's so late.

 

[J&D]

Congratulations, lissawynn! We need more girls around here!