The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[lissawynn]

Hi everyone. I've been going crazy since DH was gone Mon. and yesterday. He's home now and at the grocery store. I finally got to wash all my dishes and scrub the toilet since I had another pair of eyes to watch Jimmy.
We had gifted meetings at school yesterday and I didn't get to check the computer at all.

Just popping in to say hi and let you all know I'll try to catch up sometime soon!

Hope you're all having a great night.

 

[justhat]

Thanks Ryan and Nucpharm! At least I know if my kid is weird she's not the only one. A lot of our friends have young kids and they all seem to play together but Madison would always be by herself when we were with them which is why I was thinking she's the only one. I just realized one difference, and that applies to Emma and Alex too, that Madison's my first kid so she was always alone at home or with adults, but our friends kids who are her age all either 2nd or 3rd in their families so maybe having other kids around makes a difference.

Robin, I have to say that you have a knack for mailing out packages so that they arrive on the perfect days for me. Today was so sucky I can't even tell you-Madison's eyes were watering for no reason, she was tired and beyond grouchy and was crying for about an hour cause I kept waking her up (if she naps then she will not go to sleep at night till around 11pm) till I decided to check the mail, which was when I saw your box at the door! Thank you sooooo much! You sent so much cool stuff. First of all, that See's candy is beyond good. I have already eaten 5 pieces of it and I swear it's like an addiction. I admit that when you said you were getting See's candy for your exchangee that I was secretly hoping it was me! And those M&Ms totally made Madison's day and she actually stopped crying finally. And she loves literally everything you sent her. She already put that shirt on (very cute btw), has been running around with the necklace and ring on, made about 30 pages of Pooh stamps, forced me outside to blow bubbles, and carried that purple ghost toy to the door when Joey got home cause she was so excited to show him her "purple slippery" as she calls it. She also laid claim to that candy corn soap for her bathroom (which is fine cause "her" bathroom is the one we use most anyway cause it's downstairs). She also helped me decorate with the candles and door hanger (and those candles smell very good). Henry's Frankenstein hat and matching toy are too cute. Madison repeatedly shook that rattle for him while I trimmed his nails and it worked like a charm. The only things she hasn't gotten into yet are those stickers and glow stick and only cause she went to pick up a pizza with Joey so I could shower (which I'm obviously doing right now). And I love the beehive stick and pumpkin spreader too!

Oh no, Joey and Madison are back and I haven't showered. Better blame it on the baby. But thanks so much Robin, you really went all out on this package-I love everything!

 

[Alice28]

justhat- reaching back into the depths of my brain from child dev classes, 2 year olds mostly engage in parallel play. Most 2 year olds do not actively play or engage with other kids- they will play kind of side by side, but not necessarily together. My oldest loved to interact with others; my 2nd, not so much. It was like he tolerated it, but he would much rather play alone. He was like this until about 4. I think kids start more social play at about 3.5 or 4, so I don't think you have anything to really be concerned about.

Just saw the package came for you! That was super fast! So glad it came on a day you needed some cheering up and that all the goodies were a hit!

J&D- bummer the spa isn't closer to you.

BNB- Yay! Our first gift recipient! How fun! That's funny about Robert and his teacher.

I went to that grocery store- oy, a 9 inch cake is $40. It was so good though. I have to make a list of everything else I need for the shower. I really didn't want to spend over $120 so we will see if the scrumptious cake can fit in my budget. At least I already bought her gift. And they don't even bake it there- they get it from a bakery in downtown Portland. It's the same price there, and I think I will order it from the bakery since I can get a baby motif from there.

Anyway, I gotta go- boys just came home from school & I am sure Molly will be up soon.

 

[joats]

How is it I posted last night and I'm already 3 pages behind...Geesh!!!

Wild Oats: We have one near us. They have the best meats and freshest veggies. I don't go often as it is pricey, but if anyone wants me to ship something, let me know I don't know if a cake would actually make it but you never know.

Nucpharm: sending to your family.
DisKim: any update on your Aunt?

Really nothing new for me since last night. Just wanted to quick come on and read up on what's going on with all of you. I too wish LOST was on tonight...I don't want to wait until October. Perhaps I'll check out the biggest loser for the next few weeks until it begins.

Happy Hump Day!

 

[vald1977]

Hi all,
I only have a quick second but wanted to jump on and tell you all I'm still here . We keave on Saturday.

I'm so excited the packages have started to arrive . It's neat reading about what everyone recieved.

FF,
So sorry about about the drain field. What a bummer .

Robin,
That spa sounds so great .

Ryan,
So good to hear from you .

SL,
We are flying out of Logan. You are staying at POFQ too right?

I've been getting highly annoyed with Disney lately . They never mailed us our ME stuff so on Sat. I called. They were supposed to Fedex it to us but that never arrived either. Now they are saying to use the return stuff for our luggage . I love Disney but I swear some of their phone reps leave a lot to be desired.

I haven't even started our packing yet . I made the list of what we need and it's just so daunting that I keep putting it off. I suppose I really should get on the ball though.

Hi to all . Sorry I didn't get to catch up with everyone but I need to go give the munchkins their bath and maybe start packing .

 

[bellacam]

Hi mommies. I just have a minute and wanted topop in and say hi. I started watching my friends almost 3yo today for the next six weeks while her regular baby sitter takes maternity time. Today went ok and I managed to take both kids to a mommy and me movie. I had never been and am glad I went. We had a good time. Today gave me a glimpse of myself in two years with Aidan and his sibling and boy am I tired!!!!! Hope all is well with you ladies and I'll try to catch up soon!

 

[dizagain]

Hi Everyone! Just have a minute - DH has Carson who is being his usual fussy self at this time of the evening. DH has to get up at 2:30 am to drive to Indianapolis for a funeral and he's turning right around and coming home. SO, he's heading upstairs and closing the door in an hour or so and I'll be "stuck" with cranky pants until he goes to sleep.

Justhat - don't worry about Madison. Her behavior is typical for many, MANY kids that age and even beyond. While I mostly taught 4's and K the last 7 years, I did work with 3's some and they really start to join society. Hang in there! I used to worry about everything with Hayley since she was my first, too...it got easier with Hannah even though she was the one who was "difficult" because I knew more about what to expect.

bellacam - you are brave to do the movie thing!!! Glad it went well today!

alice28 - Hope you can get the cake you want and I REALLY hope it's good for that $$!!!

vald1977 - have fun getting ready for your trip and have SUPER FUN when you go!

Well - Carson is screaming which means DH put him in his bed to "cry it out" which we don't agree on, so I guess I'll go rescue him! Night all!

 

[fabumouse]

double post.

 

[gottalovethem]

What's up wth DIS babies being cranky lately? Leif has been insisting I hold him all the time, and he's 23 pounds. I literally tore a muscle in my arm yesterday from holding him so much.

Weddings - ours was in Atlanta, on a Sunday, we had a service followed by hors d'ouvres and then a sit down meal all at a hotel; weddings here are bizarre. There's a wedding with a three or four hour break in between (where the wedding party goes bar hopping!!) followed by dinner and then reception ending at midnight. CRAZY!

Dizagain - I hope Carson is getting some rest for you.

joats - hello. I hope all is well with you and the family.

val - sorry to hear about your ME stuff, hope it works out quickly. In case I don't pop on before then, have a great trip!!

nucpharm - I hope the part-time jobs work for you. I am in such need of $$ right now I'm literally sick with it. So prayers to your sis, I know how tough it can be.

bellacam - love the pics in your sig

J&D - hello

diskim - hope open house went well

ginamarie - my parents will be in your neighborhood next week! Staying at my cousin's house in Huntington Station. Small world

bnb - we actually are trying to take it easy with programing this quarter. Only swimming and gymnastics. It's enough that I have to drive and pick dd up every day, and walk all the way in to the school both times with the other kids in tow. I'm sure I'll adjust to the schedule soon though! How does Jocelyn like the new dance school? And the teaching dance?

Robin - yeah for getting your package together and mailed, it sounds like a great package. I'm looking forward to shopping for my pal! eeks, that's an expensive cake, here they are $14.99 for the small ones without major decor, 19.99 otherwise and 24.99 for the quarter sheet cake. Of course the only reason I know is because I recently bought a cake for leif.

justhat -- what a cute package! HOpe you got that shower taken.

ryan, zalansky, lissawynn, jill, tkyes, FF, disneyphd and all other moms that I'm missing, HELLO. Have a great night.

 

[fabumouse]

Hillbeans - I actually don't think we're supposed to bring the school kids - given that it goes from 6-9 on a school night, I'm assuming it's adults only. But a newborn will probably be indulged (I hope!) I'm jealous that you have local family - we don't have anyone on this side of the country.

Jill - I'm still hormonal, so I'll chalk it out to that - but I've never read that poem before and it really gave me a lump in my throat.

And - Kailey has been dry ever since we had that discussion, too! I really do think it's a habit/schedule thing and once she gets into the habit of peeing the bed, she keeps it, and once she's on a regular schedule, her sleep isn't so off kilter.

Robin - we do the same thing with the soda - we only have diet soda in the house (and even that I don't love, but I have a little DP addiction - shhhhh) and Kailey doesn't really like it that much anyhow. I read in a Parenting magazine that there are two "foods" parents wish their kids didn't know about - soda and gum.

I saw the new gymboree holiday line today - it's so cute!! Glad I have those gymbucks!

Ryan - I KWYM!!! Once they get into acting like actual children, they start messin' with stuff. My DD, at about 14 months, would troll the dining room table with the tips of her fingers and yank off anything she could reach (like - knives).

and thank you for the welcome!! Everyone has been so friendly here, I really appreciate it.

GTL - oh, Kailey did that for the longest time - she usually left her pants OFF after she went to the bathroom, and I'd find them and her underpants strewn about the house.

J&D - thanks for the edmunds rec. Consumer reports seems to love both Toyotas and Hondas.

nucpharm - I'm sending pd for your sister - I know how hard that it to not be able to pay the bills. And so scary.

Ginamarie - that scholarship money thing would have made me so mad!! I owe such an incredible amount of money from school that I don't even remember what NYU offered me - I think they gave me something (out of pity) for the first year because my family couldn't (and wouldn't) pay for any of it. I think they include parental income until students are 35.

I'm sorry about the accident - I actually backed into MY OWN CAR with another car one day. I had to buy a new door.

SL - sorry about your work situation. 1-800 luggage.com seems to have some great deals. I've bought all of ours there, except for a set for Kailey from Disney that totally fell apart after a few trips.

FF - yes I had a pain like that, and it was a plugged duct.

Justhat - Madeleine has had a few nights of only waking up once, but I'm not holding my breath. And Kailey went through her clothing almost immediatly - I don't think she ever wore anything that was for newborn 0-3 months - and the funny thing was, she started at 7 pounds - Madeleine, at 8, is actually wearing the right age clothing so far. I'm hoping the trend continues! And Kailey was a total pill when she was 2. She got much much better when she turned 4 - but prior to that often didn't want other kids to even touch her.

Dizagain - you know, my DH and I rarely argue (we've been married for 15 years, so there's almost nothing left to argue about . We sometimes argue about housework and .. . . we argue when we have babies. I think the stress of being wakened all night long, or maybe just being "on call" all the time, makes us both a little crazy. By the time that Kailey was 1 or 18 months (which flew by) we were back to our normal, weird, selves. Was that true when you first had Hannah?

And DH and I do not agree on discipline - but Kailey was left to "cry it out" once for 5 minutes, and she threw up all over her crib. We don't do that anymore.

I have to admit I'm jealous of everyone's exchanges! Looking forward to the holiday one. (And selfishly - can it be the same rules as before in terms of no random exchangers?)

Kailey crashed at 10pm. Did anyone see any pigs flying???

 

[Alice28]

justhat- isn't See's so yummy? I wish I had some right now....I was eyeing the little package I bought you- I almost bought one for myself as it had several of my favorites.

Hi Bellacam! What a brave lady you are taking two kids to the movie! Molly has yet to go to a movie. She really doesn't pay attention to the TV most of the time.

Val! You are still here! I was off on my dates. I would be irritated with Disney too about the Magical Express stuff. I hope maybe it will come tomorrow or Friday.

GLT- I hated having to walk Josh into preschool last year and drag Molly along with me, and then drag Sam and Molly with me to pick him up. I love just plopping Josh on the bus this year. You are one busy momma! I think that cake is so expensive, because when I visited the website of the bakery, it's voted the 'best bakery in Portland.' I mean, the grocery store cakes are usually the prices you mentioned, or my FAVORITE, Costco, is $16 for a half sheet and very good cake. But I think there will only be 10 of us at this shower- don't need a Costco sized cake and I just want to make it really special. I told DH about it (he loves these neighbors) and he was like, "You absolutely must get it- who cares about the cost!" That made me feel better.

Diz- I hope your DH has a safe trip back and forth to Indianapolis tomorrow...and that Carson calmed down for you at a decent hour!

Fab- Yes, absolutely I think we should have our same 'policy' for our next exchange. I think it just makes it really rewarding, because you feel like you received a gift from a friend, not just a stranger on the internet. Ugh that you still have student loans. DH and I were lucky that we just went to a CA state school for our B.A.s and I think it was about $500 a semester + books. Our parents just wrote checks every semester, no big deal. Of course, we didn't go to law school, so I'm not one to really talk!

OK, Molly is cranky pants- time for bed! And I have the munchies- I think I need to pop some popcorn on the stove. I usually do that on Survivor night, but I'm hungry! Part of my 'new way of eating' (I don't say diet anymore) is not eating after dinner, but I think I need to make an exception tonight.

 

[ryan840]

Ayy! I saw a couch that I really liked online at jcpenny.com for $450 and since our sectional is way too big for the living room I decided to gather the family and go look at it. BIG MISTAKE! Well, the JC Penny near us didn't have furniture so off we went to Art Van (I don't know if they have them by any of you, just a retail furniture store) to see what we could find. $3066 later we have a new king size tempurpedic bed (Robin I wish I could have gone through your referal but we could only pay with the store credit card as we got 18 months same as cash to pay if off) and a gorgeous new sofa and chair with interchangable ottoman There goes at least half of our 2007 tax return I'm so excited to be getting a king size bed again, you don't even know. I had tried Temperpedic before and thought it was too soft so our original plan was to get two twin XL innersprings up there and just deal with the crack down the middle, but I found a really firm temperpedic and liked it, not to mention we can fold it to get it up those crazy steps. Alex is so funny, he loves to go furniture shopping and try everything out, so he had a blast. Jack not so much... He was goo duntil it came time to pay though, I'm sure that's a habit that'll stick. Now come Saturday we will have a huge sectional, my grandma's loveseat (which was a temporary fix to the sectional dilema) and our new sofa and chair crammed into our tiny 9' wide living room. FUN! Anyone want to by a sectional? It's suuuper comfy and shipping can't be more than a couple dollars right? I can't believe how many time's I've posted today, it's definately got to be a record.

I'm so jealous of all the exchanges right now, I wish I could have gotten in. Maybe I'll just have to convince myself a little Christmas splurge wouldn't hurt anyone. I'm glad you're all having so much fun with it and I can at least live vicariously through you. I didn't miss the deadline for the Christmas one, did I? I can't remember when it was.

justhat- I think you're right about our kids being the first vs 2nd and 3rd and so on because Jack is already so much more social and inspired than Alex was. He totally adores Alex (and even cried when he does ) and until a few weeks ago Alex couldn't have cared less about him, he just wanted to do his own thing.

fabumouse- I'm sure you'll see plenty of other babies at the open house. Too funny about your DD trolling the room- my friends DD did that and it cracked me up (it's so easy to laugh when they're not yours )

joats- We are huge LOST fans here, can't wait! Did I miss someone's post about it? I think I remember DisKim watching it last year...

vald- I have noticed a big decline in Disney's customer service and their products lately. Since my trip in May we've bought a LOT of stuff from them and about half of it has been flawed, damaged or misrepresented But can't stop now, just got my Disney Rewards VISA


GLT- OUCH! How's your arm feeling now?

BnB- Congrats to Jocelyn on her speaking role! Too funny about Robert trying to impress all the ladies in his life!

Hi lissawynn, bellacam and all the other moms I've got laundry to do (I feel so special that I can say that along with the rest of yo unow, and not have to leave the house to do it!) Oh, and I can use this ! I've also got to get upstairs and work on the boys dresser- the previous owner left a few because she couldn't get them downs the steps and one of them was a nice solid maple one that had a few scratches so I'm painting it for their room. We've decided after spending so much tonight and having the boys in with us for the past month that we're going to save tearing down the walls for another time. It's a big load off! I give it a week before they start driving me nuts again

 

[Ginamarie]

Justhat- I was a little depressed when I had to start packing up Olivia’s outgrown clothes too. Most of my younger siblings were also anti-social when they were 2-3 years old. They got better once they started with school. Of course DBro is a social butterfly and has been since he was a baby. I don’t know if he really plays with kids though.. usually he spends his whole time talking to parents and saying “that BABY doesn’t like that.” He doesn’t realize that those “babies” are his age.

Buzznbelle- Glad you liked the package!

Gottalovethem- that’s such a coincidence.. Huntington Station isn’t a huge town or anything.

Fabumouse- Yeah, just the mention of student loans makes me break out into a cold sweat these days. DH owed very little because he paid a lot of his schooling as he went along, so we just paid off the whole balance of his loans a few years ago. I still owe a ton, and I just consolidated which made the monthly obligation lower, but I’ll be paying off the loan FOREVER.

I know I missed a lot of moms, but hello to everyone else. Still no word on what the car repair is going to cost us. I was hoping the other driver would call tonight, but he didn’t. Class was good, and I didn’t even mind that it was three hours long. I have to meet with a client tomorrow afternoon and I’m only half ready for him, so I have to write some more and then I’m going to bed.

 

[Alice28]

I've been meaning to tell you all that MaryLou's DH still isn't doing much better. She hasn't posted much the last two days and I'm worried. His kidneys started functioning again (I think I mentioned that), but his infection is still terrible in his leg- she said they are talking skin grafts, but she seriously thinks they may have to resort to amputation. The wounds just are not healing and it sounds terrible (the skin split in several places due to the swelling). He started hallucinating again and it's just not good.
If you could just keep her and her family in your thoughts- I know she's a stranger, but I just really feel for her....


On a different note, I am so ready for Lost too! I am watching the Biggest Loser tonight. Then I felt dumb about making the popcorn- at least my kids shoved a lot of it down too...I made it too buttery (if you can believe that) so it got too rich too fast.

Oh, and a shout out to a very nice DISer named Bavaria. She saw I was PRE planning a trip to DLP and she sent me her copy of DLP for Brits, which arrived today in the mail. A very nice gesture & I've been pouring over it this evening. It sounds like there will be a lot to see there that is unique!

Congrats Ryan on buying some new furniture! I think you will really enjoy your bed- we still our LOVING ours. It's very hard to get out of bed some mornings, and I don't wake up nearly as often in the middle of the night anymore.

Good night all!

 

[T16GEM]

hi everyone - just a quickie I just wanted to say that I have sent my exchange buddy her package! I have sent it airmail so hopefully it will be there in a week or so!!

Hope everyone is ok!

Gems

 

[DisKim]

I have no time to post this morning. I'll catch up later.

Justhat - Madison's behavior sounds like completely normal 2-year-old behavior to me.

 

[Ginamarie]

Alice- I hope they don't have to amputate your friend's DH's leg!! Diabetes is such a debilitating disease. I can't wait for Lost either, and I'm DVRing Grey's Anatomy tonight. I'm such a TV junkie.

Gems- Yay for sending out your package!


Good morning to all the moms.
We're off to work!

 

[llij]

Hi Everyone!

I miss you ladies! Sorry that I've been MIA for a few days. I hope that you all are doing well! School is getting pretty hectic and will be this way until early December so not a lot of DISing for me.

John did well at the sitter and I will be bringing him again today and tomorrow. Today, I'll be studying all day and tomorrow I am going to a funeral. My friend's father passed away on Tuesday (her birthday).

Tonight is back to school night for Meagan. (I missed Katie's the other night due to school.) I'll come back on here tonight and catch up with you wonderful ladies!!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I am really far behind and don't have time to catch up right now. I apologize. I am at school but class hasn't started yet so I am in the lab long enough to type this. I am so upset right now. When I dropped Kylie off at daycare this morning there was a letter waiting with Kylie's name on it. Basically the lady who owns the daycare is letting the parents know that she has been offered the director's position at another daycare. Ironically, it is over my school's daycare! However, they don't allow kids under 3 to go to this daycare or else that is where I would have put Kylie to begin with. She said she is looking for someone else to buy the daycare but I don't see that happening before she is gone. I have 2 weeks to find somewhere else for Kylie to go. I don't know what I am going to do! All the other daycares are most likely filled by now. Most of them were already filled in July! Plus, this is the ONLY daycare in the area that let me pay for part-time daycare and it was in the best location! I was not prepared for this. I guess I will be searching starting tomorrow. I am going to talk to the director this afternoon as well to get more details. Please pray that something works out. I really, really don't want to have to quit school after all I went through to get to this point! Thanks!

 

[floridafam]

Oh, Tasha. I'm so sorry. Hopefully, you can find something. That's too bad for Kylie. It sounded like she really loved the place and was fitting right in. Did the woman have any idea she may be leaving when you enrolled Kylie there?



Not much to report this morning. We are still waiting to hear on our septic tank. I couldn't sleep last night and either could DH.

I'm going to attempt to get to the Post Office today to mail my exchange package.


Exchange mommies,

Could you PM me when you mail out your package? Just a quick PM that says I mailed out my exchange package. You don't even have to put who you mailed it to.

Thanks.

I'll try and get caught up with everyone later.