The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[nucpharm29]

lissawyn--Score on the Gymbo deals!!!! Emma has some of those same things just in bigger sizes for next summer! We bought them at the end of the season this year.

gina--Love the photos of Olivia. She looks like such a happy baby!

diskim--we are also hauling all of our Christmas stuff out of the attic today. It's one of those things that, if it doesn't get done this weekend, ain't gonna happen at all! Since DH starts working long hours next week, and then we leave for IL's on the 22nd (and will be there till New Year's day--God, help me! ), we need the decor up soon or there will be no need to put it up. The last Christmas we spend with IL's I told DH that there was no need to put up the tree since we weren't going to be here anyway, and then I moped around the whole season b/c we didn't have a proper xmas tree.

bnb--SO funny about Celeste thinking xmas was today. Emma is the same way--except she know her bday comes 1st--so I'm guessing she'll assume next Sunday is xmas day!

SL--so glad that Lucas slept the night for you. Hope the pics go well!

Alice--hope you get some quick answers about the Playstation!

Fab--Congrats on the start of your half-marathon training! You should hop over to the WISH board cuz there is a training group over there--they are great for support and advice! We'll be seeing you in "08! Hopefully, I'll be ready for the full by then! Actually, I'm trying to run a full in March--but we'll see--at the moment I'm sitting here debating whether or not I should go out and run-

WEll, I better go--gotta 1 year old yanking on my pants and screaming--guess that means he wants some attention!

 

[fabumouse]

Happy Sunny Morning! You gals really made me laugh when the holiday music you guys have going - the Wiggles??? One of my favorite used to be Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Joats - glad to hear that Jace is sleeping again! Would we ever see your Dh's work anywhere? I'm getting my Dh a bunch of Cd's, a very nice piece of luggage, and his car detailed. I always have a list of things I want. I start out thinking I don't, but then I rememeber that my good scarf got ruined or I "need" some earrings to match an outfit.

Kim - I don't think I'd be inviting those kids back any time soon. I really have a difficult time understanding parents who don't monitor their kids.

Lissa - great finds on the gymbo clothing! I don't think I could find $1500 worth of gymbo clothing I wanted under any circumstances - maybe she was buying for resale?

Hillbeans - come to WDW for the 2008 half marathon! You've got over a year to train.

Robin - sorry to hear about the playstation! Hope you can get it fixed quickly. And I've never received a 20% coupon either - and I'm such a good customer, I'm hurt.

Val - good luck with your reunion tonight!!

Z - glad your shopping went so well! I keep buying stuff on line that is not all that sale priced.

Justine - I hope you feel better soon.

Ginamarie - LOVE those photos of Olivia - so sweet!

SL - I would have had to kill dh for setting the alarm so early for no reason.

BnB- Kailey is also under the impression that Christmas must be any day now!

I have a fussy baby -

 

[DisKim]

Fab - I love the cute new pictures of the girls!

lissawynn - Holy cow! What awesome bargains you got!!

nucpharm - Can you motivate me to start running? I'm completely disgusted with myself. I know I'm not fat by anyone's definition but I know that I am not healthy. I've gotten a little extra around the middle that most people can't notice but I can. I need to start getting in shape so I feel better about myself.

Bnb - I don't know why but the "forensic equipment" made me laugh. Kids want such stange things for Christmas sometimes. Alex wants a giant nutcracker and a stuffed fish. Go figure .

Well, Aidan is crying. He hates all the Christmas stuff being all over. He doesn't like it when the house is messy. It seems to stress him out. He's a strange kid.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Good morning again! Now I have a couple minutes...

Kim--Good luck with the decorating! We have our boxes out from the attic, because I let Jocelyn do the snow village, and she's been dying to get to it since at least Halloween! I also pulled out the stockings, since we need to order one for Luke, and of course they're from Lillian Vernon which no longer has the styles we purchased when there were 5 of us! Not that Luke will notice...this year...but I wanted him to fit in.

SL--So glad Lucas is feeling a little better.

Alissa--Love the Gymbo stuff! It's so much easier for me to just NOT go in the store, as I fall in love with everything. And especially since we've had our share of Gymbo food disasters (not to be confused with paint disasters, nail polish disasters...), I'm just better off with the secondary market. I'll go hog-wild at Christmas time, when my best friend and I hit the nice consignment store we always go to.

Robin--That's awful about the Playstation. I know Robert would be slitting his wrists if that happened here. I hope it gets fixed quickly.

nucpharm and fab--Good luck on the marathon training. Our GS leader ran a half-marathon recently, and I'm trying to talk her into doing the Disney one.

Gina--Olivia and Luke are going through pretty much the same stages, so I can really appreciate your photos.

justthat--Sorry to hear you're under the weather. I hope it's not morning sickness--wouldn't that be a killer!

GLT--We're thinking of you! I hope things are going along okay.

Loretta--I hope your family had a nice holiday together. Aging parents can be a real roller coaster. We went through many evolutions with my mom before the inevitable conclusion. And you know what hits me every now and then, is the thought that "I'm an orphan!" Now mind you, I'm 42, not exactly, Little Orphan Annie, but sometimes there's just that sense of being alone. Anyway, I hope your dad is comfortable, and it would be nice if he can make it through the holidays. I know with my dad, Christmas was his favorite holiday, and he kept saying he wanted to make it to one last one. Well, he died 12/22, but I like to think he spent that Christmas in heaven, pain-free. I'm sorry, I'm not cheering you up at all, am I? Well, know that I've been there. It's never easy.

Okay, I'm going to sign off before I depress myself even more.

 

[dizagain]

Hi Ladies! I'll never be able to really catch up, I don't think - it's only been one day, too!

I LOVE the new pics of Nucpharm's family, Olivia, Madeleine and Kailey, and Lissawynn's awesome Gymbo score! Hope I didn't leave anyone out!

We just hung out yesterday - I did place a very HUGE Amazon order...since I got free shipping on everything, I went ahead and ordered stuff like board games and cd's I had been meaning to pick up as well as some books and toys. That was kind of fun! Our neighborhood was out decorating in full force, but we did not start yet. We're "December 1st" people. With Thanksgiving seeming to be so early, it's kind of hard to wait a week, but I will manage. I'll get the house clean next Thursday and decorate on Friday. DH will do the lights Saturday and we'll also go get a tree. I'm excited!!! I may not make it all week before breaking out the "Books, cd's, and advent calendar" box though - it's too tempting!

I have to say I have seen the WORST commercial ever. Last night I went upstairs to visit with the girls who were glued to the Gameshow Network for some reason. This commercial came on for a big Wrestling event coming to Chicago. Anyway, it suddenly has Santa on the screen and a guy comes up and starts screaming in his wrestling he-man voice and beats Santa over the head with a stick. Not in a light-funny (if that's possible) way, either - VERY violently. We all jumped a mile it was so disturbing. I just couldn't believe it.

Well, still have a few leftovers - DH has been plowing through them. That should get us through the day and we're going out to dinner. It would be lovely if I could squeeze one more day in without cooking!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday - I thought it was Sunday when I woke up! I may try to get the kids in their Christmas picture mode today! Hope to be back later!

 

[floridafam]

Went to the ER again last night.

She's doing better now and I'm exhausted.

lissawynn,

LOVE the Gymbo stuff!! I wish they would have had some great summer clearance at our store as Kona can wear it all year here.

 

[Alice28]

Hi ladies-

Great new pictures of Olivia, Kailey, Madeleine! Olivia is getting so big, and those dimples! Cute! I love Kailey hugging her sis! And of Alisa's haul! Oh my goodness! I got a few of those things as well for Molly for next spring, as well as for my neighbor. You got some great stuff! Don't feel silly for sharing- we asked!

I bet that lady was buying the Gymbo for either a consignment shop or for ebay. I bet she will ebay a lot of her Gymbucks too. I think I got the coupon because I have their Visa, yet I only used it once and that was back in May. They are probably wondering what happened to me.

Jen- Sam's birthday is the 28th. I don't think we are going to do much actually. He got to have his party with his buddies yesterday, and tomorrow night we are going to Chili's as I am not sure DH could meet us for dinner on Sam's actual birthday. Not at a time the kids like to eat anyway. He wants to bring Twinkies to his class- he's never even had a Twinkie, but he wants them cause they are vanilla. He hates chocolate cake. Weirdo!

I let him open 2 of his 3 other gifts yesterday since the Play Station game he opened from us with his friends doesn't work. Poor kid.

Kim, Fab, Nuc- you guys are cracking me up with the decorating! I refuse to get any of it out until it's December. We always get a fresh tree though, and it's silly to try and get it too early, or it's all dried out by Christmas. A few houses in our neighborhood already have their lights up and it looks festive. I might do that semi-soon.

Diz- score on the Amazon order! I love Amazon- they have good deals and you can't beat free shipping. That commercial does sound pretty hideous.

BNB- glad you had a good time at your BIL/SIL's. And that you got to go out for a little while anyway. I agree that it's easier just to stay out of Gymbo, but I have a hard time with that. I will say I am going in the stores much less lately, as our mall is so torn up and I'm not going to drive the 10-15 miles to the other stores just for a browse session.

SL- I'm so glad Lucas slept well for you! That's a good sign, at least I hope so anyway.

FF- How is Kona this morning?

Zalansky- How is your dad? How long are your sisters going to be in town?

Jill & Tasha- how are you two doing? How was your holiday?

Val- how was the reunion?

Bellacam- how is Bailey? How are you feeling? What does Aidan think of everything?

I had horrible dreams last night- I popped out of bed at 7:30 and DH was like where are you going? I just had to get out of that room. He even said I was mumbling and talking in my sleep, which I never do according to him. I dreamt I had a 4th baby, a girl, and I was so angry I couldn't even name her. Then I dreamt my mom axed our vacation in half cause she didn't feel like paying for part of our room at the Poly anymore. Just weird stuff.

Today is the day I watch my friend's son for a 'few hours' which somehow became 7 hours. I told DH, "If he poops his pants, he is going to take off his pants and wipe his bottom, and then I will help him clean the rest up and put his diaper on....this is ridiculous." (He's over 4 and not even begun potty training). I'm not sure what my friend's deal is- he has always been a VERY strong willed child, but she's also been afraid of really disciplining him and being the heavy every once in awhile. Same with her DH. But come on- by the time my boys were 3 years 3 months, they were occasionally doing the potty....after that we got REALLY serious with the potty, both at home and at daycare- it was an expectation, and when they pooped their pants, I told them I wasn't happy (not in a mean, witchy way, but they knew I meant it) and then in another 2 months or so, they were trained. Anyway, I'm praying for no poop!

 

[Alice28]

FF- so sorry Kona had to go to the ER again last night.

Jill- I thought of you yesterday- we had a leftover chocolate cupcake from Sam's get together. I gave Molly half & threw the rest in the garbage. I go to the living room, and 20 minutes later Molly is coming to me with the other half of the cupcake that she fished out of the GARBAGE! Hello- she is Miranda from SATC!

Oh, and I had an epiphany looking at lissawynn's haul- if you are GEMS DO NOT HIGHLIGHT BELOW- if you aren't Gems, highlight below and you will see what I am talking about:

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I have been trying to decide what to do for Gems' gift. I looked at Gap online and while they do have stores in the UK, the gift cards I can buy here say, 'good in US only.' And then I thought, "$50-75 US Dollars will not go that far in British pounds." So, I propose that I go to Gymboree (weird, I know) and use my 20% off coupon on a whole bunch of sale goodies for baby boy to be. That way it is still a good amount of clothes that she couldn't buy for $50-70 in her country, and it will be cute and we could get a lot for the price. Does that sound good? The last few rounds of gift giving we have hit the $75-100 mark, but since it's the holidays and such, I'm not sure. So I will go sometime in the next two-three weeks and use my 20% card to buy her $50-60 worth of goodies and then use whatever maybe leftover from our funds to pay for the shipping costs to the UK and a card. Right now we are at $15 of donations with LOTS of ladies saying $ is going in the mail or will be mailed out after Christmas, which is great. Let me know if you think this is good.

 

[floridafam]

Robin,

Check your Paypal account when you get a chance. What you mentioned above sounds good to me!


I will try and get back to everyone who sent me a PM later today.

 

[zalansky]

UGH I just had a long post and hit a button and lost it.

Here are the cliff notes:

justhat - glad the gift arrived and it was a hit....I meant to include lindt chocolates for you but forgot, so I am sorry!!!

Robin - Connors bday is the 28th also! Poor guy and it is hard for us having to buy so many things at once and also plan a party. The idea for GEMS is a great one.

BNB - our greatest hope is that Dad makes it past the holidays....it looks good but with the big "C" you never know. Thank you for your support.

FF - sorry you were in the ER again last night. PD your way she recovers soon!

My sisters are gone right now but my oldest sister flies in tomorrow to help facilitate Dad's transfer to rehab. The rehab is in hopes of him gaining enough strength to go through radiation. We'll see. I feel bad this sister will be alone up there all week. It is lonely and boring....but I will take the kids to see her when we return from Disney.

Anyway we are heading to see Dad now. Enjoy the rest of your weekends and I will try and check in later. I can't stay away!!

 

[dizagain]

HI GUYS!!!!!! Thanks to Hayley-the-computer-genius-of-the-family, I have a link posted of Carson!!!!!! We still can't quite figure out how to get an actual picture on here - any suggestions? I'll post Christmas card pics of all three kiddos when I get them!!!!

 

[dizagain]

I seem to have some time on my hands today - must be slacking, oh well!

floridafam - I can't believe Kona was back in the er - how is she doing now?

zalansky - continued How's the trip prep coming?

sl - thanks for the ho! Hayley can't figure out how to get it in my siggy though - anyone? I swear we're so lacking in technical skills around here.

robin - good luck babysitting today - hope you can be poop-free!

I have a $5 off a $10 animal purchase coupon for Build-A-Bear good thru Dec 31 if anyone wants it! Just pm me your address!

I need to get cracking on some laundry! Carson is sleeping, the girls are outside playing, and it's so nice and quiet for a change!!

 

[icebrat001]

Just a quick little note for you busy moms.

If there is a Walmart near you, and you aren't afraid of walmart they have 300 oz Gain laundry detergent for $6. Total steal!!!

 

[Alice28]

I am going INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having 4 kids in this house is TOO MUCH, esp when one of them doesn't seem to know how to listen. And he's not very nice either....unfortunately he's got some 'only child tude' going. And I get to say that because I'm an only. He doesn't quite get the whole give and take thing, that my kids for the most part have down pat. And he's been a stinker to Molly, which REALLY gets my goat.

And, yes, I had to change a poopie. It was mucho disgusting. Like I can't even tell you. And he lays right down, grabs his thighs so one can conveniently wipe his 50 month old bottom. I'm like, "Excuse me, but where is poopie supposed to go?" He says, "In the toilet." I said, "Then you must still be a baby, because only babies poop their pants." He said, "No, I'm not." So I said, "Then start pooping in the toilet!!!!!!!!!!" I mean, I totally get the occasional 4 year old accident, I do. Joshua still doesn't quite make it to the potty once in awhile- but usually it happens while he's running like a bat out of hel* to the toilet- he does TRY to do the right thing.

3 more hours, 3 more hours.......

Malaysia- thanks for the detergent headsup- I'm almost out!

When will the little girl come to live with you? Will you try and adopt her? AT least then her 'mother' cannot come and take her back in a few years. Or at least be her foster parents? Then I think you get some assistance as well as rights from the state.

diz- how to get your 'ho' in your siggie.

1. right click on the ho ( )
2. Click 'save picture as'
3. put it in one of your 'my pictures' files
4. go to photobucket
5. upload the 'ho' to photobucket
6. the bottom of the 3 text lines under your 'ho', the one that starts with IMG- right click that to highlight it; then COPY
7. go to your signature in DIS
8. PASTE the IMG line from photobucket. That should do it!

DH has been hiding out at work all day. I'm ready for him to come home now. I encouraged him to go- he had to catch up on paperwork, and I was like, "two of us don't need to suffer......."

I hate just feeling stuck in my house all darn day. I don't have another booster seat for him, and like I want to go anywhere with the 4 of them. BNB, I salute you! Same with Cabmom! OK, I'm done griping----I sound like such a meanie. I love other people's kids, I do, but I also expect them to be polite, and listen to me the first time....I mean, by 4 most kids 'get it.' At least 85-90% of the time.

 

[icebrat001]

Floridafam- Hope Kona feels better soon.

lisawynn- Love the clothes

Justhat- Hope you feel better soon as well.

Everyone else, hello and I'll catch up later!

Have a good night

 

[DisKim]

Diz - Carson is totally precious!!!

Robin - All I can say is ewwwwwww! I would never watch that kid again. Four years old and not potty trained??? WTH?

Icebrat - Wow, it must feel so exciting to know that you will be getting a child in February! Her biological mom sounds like a piece of work. It's so nice of both of you to find out what she likes and make her a special room. BTW, $360 for 2 days a week sounds like robbery to me!! I pay $160 per week for full time care.

Well, my house still looks like Christmas vomited all over my living room. The tree is still in pieces. Every year I tell DH I'm getting a new tree but he gets this sad look on his face. We bought our tree right before I gave birth to Emily. It is one of those one branch at a time trees. I'm sure we'll still have it in 20 years because my husband is so sentimental.

I can't tell whether Emily is sick or her allergies are just really bad. She is coughing and sneezing up a storm. Aidan seems out of sorts today too. He refused to eat all day which is very strange. I ordered Chinese for dinner which is his favorite and he couldn't resist that.

Well, I think I smell poopie. Of course, I just changed Aidan 2 seconds ago.

ETA - I'm toying with the idea of hitting TRU to see if they still have any deals. Somebody please stop me!!!

 

[Alice28]

REAL QUICK- anyone have one of those Gymbo codes that was good this weekend? I just realized mine isn't good til Monday and I can get, 'you know' a bunch of stuff right now at the 25% off + 20% off if I could order tonight. I really like some of the newborn boy stuff.So if anyone didn't use theirs, I would appreciate it so we could shower our friend.

Kim- LOL at Christmas vomiting in your living room! Maybe Emmy is just allergic to some of the dust that probably got shaken up getting the Christmas stuff down?

And the thing about this particular 50 month old, is he hasn't even BEGUN potty training, except he knows the lingo. I've worked with 3 and 4 year olds too, and a good majority of them, by the time they're 4, at least attempt to try and use the potty. He just doesn't give a flip and won't even try.

 

[icebrat001]

diz- how to get your 'ho' in your siggie.

1. right click on the ho ( )
2. Click 'save picture as'
3. put it in one of your 'my pictures' files
4. go to photobucket
5. upload the 'ho' to photobucket
6. the bottom of the 3 text lines under your 'ho', the one that starts with IMG- right click that to highlight it; then COPY
7. go to your signature in DIS
8. PASTE the IMG line from photobucket. That should do it!

This might be easier...

1. right click on the ho ( )
2. copy this, http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/disnychck/18.gif
3. go to your signature in DIS
4. PASTE - click the image thing to add it in

ETA:I take that back (below), that's sad

And the thing about this particular 50 month old, is he hasn't even BEGUN potty training, except he knows the lingo. I've worked with 3 and 4 year olds too, and a good majority of them, by the time they're 4, at least attempt to try and use the potty. He just doesn't give a flip and won't even try.

 

[fabumouse]

Good evening everyone! I am avoiding cleaning my house right now. Kailey and I most of the IL's presents wrapped this afternoon and I went for a jog. What else could I possibly need to do?

Kim - I have found that my biggest motivational hurdle in exercising is failure to be prepared and have a plan. I need to have all my gear out, next to the door and then having the mindset that getting dressed and getting to the gym or the track is the goal. If I get there and I want to, I can just come back. And of course, I never do because once I'm there, might as well get on the stairmaster.

Christmas vomited!!!

BnB - that must be really rough each year to deal with the loss of your parents during the holidays.

Dizagain - that is just a hateful, hateful advertisement!! What were they thinking? Love the slideshow of Carson - he's such a cutie.

FF - you poor thing! I hope you get some sleep soon.

Robin - Kailey also dislikes most chocolate. She'll eat Almond Joys, but doesn't like chocolate ice cream or cake. What a freaky dreamfest you were having! Hell hath no fury like a woman with unexpected stretchmarks.

And hey, I'm an only - but I always tried to get along. At least that's my memory -but I also remember all these adults telling me to quit arguing all the time. So maybe I wasn't as easy as I remember.

Ugh. I don't even know what to say with the potty training stuff. I mean, maybe this kid really can't? But it sounds like nobody is willing to push the issue and he's gotten into a nasty habit.

Icebrat - it just kills me when parents lose all sense of the true value of their children. And - of course, don't kiss!!! I mean, one wouldn't want a sense of love and harmony to contaminate the atmosphere. I really hope this works out for you and Tess.

Kailey's eczema is horrendous this season. Her legs are all chapped and there are spots that are bright red. I got a moisterel/hydrocortizone cream from her Ped. that worked the last 2 years, but she's now complaining that it stings.
Any ideas???

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I just had to pop on and say--Congratulations, Malaysia, it sounds like you and your DP have made a decision to adopt this little girl! You are in for the ride of your life, but there are parts of it that are truly amazing. That's great that DP gets to actually adopt the child--that way, she won't get yanked back a few years down the road. Kind of a bummer that you can't, also, but better than a foster situation. And, not to criticize your DP's mother, but little Tess is not only going to need a ton of affection herself, but it's incredibly important for children to see affection modeled by both parents, so that they can understand what a loving relationship is like. Otherwise, they'll have difficulty down the line. Seriously! And this child has enough to overcome, you don't need her looking for love all the wrong ways in 10-15 years.

You may have to get on a wait list for a good toddler program, it makes sense to look now. Make sure you visit each place to develop a "feel" for it--you'll find you and DP develop the "mom" instinct pretty quick over what feels right and what doesn't.

Robin--I had to laugh over changing a 50 month behind. That kid is going to be a terror in 10 years if his mom doesn't develop a spine. And as far as taking 4 kids out--yeah, I do it, occasionally, but afterwards, I feel like I've just climbed Mount Everest! It was kind of funny after our picture taking session a couple weeks ago--I sent DH into Wal-Mart to pick up 2 things (2!) with the 4 kids in tow. When I caught up to them 15 minutes later, he'd gotten exactly one, and was ready to kill at least 2 kids! Yeah, I feel your pain, buddy! BTW, loved your suggestion on the you-know-what for you-know who.

dizagain--I think you've done everything right except you need the IMG line from photobucket (they give 3 choices, it's easy to get confused).

FF--I hope Kona is feeling better. It's so hard when they're that sick.

Kim--Good luck with the tree! We're required by law to get a fresh one each year (Well, not really, but there's a huge Christmas tree farm right up the road that everyone within 50 miles buys their tree from). I would love a fake one, but the kids would kill me. This year, we're going to put it up in the rec room to Luke-proof it, but we have to clean up the rec room first. The good news is, we can put a 20 foot tree up there, easy, and it would look stunning.

Okay, off to buy milk so we have some in the morning!