The Official New Mom Thread Part 2

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Good morning! My back is feeling much better. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it all day home with Lucas but I should be fine. Thanks for reminding me...I forgot to tell you all that I didn't get Annoying Coworker in the exchange. I don't know who has me, though. I got a girl who has worked there for a few years but I don't know her very well. Oddly, I had her last year too and got her a photo cube. I have no idea what to get her this year. It's a $10 limit.

hillbeans - WTG on the big clean up. After Christmas, I need to do a sweep of Lucas's things and get all the baby toys out of the way. I'm glad Liam's pink eye is getting better.

nucpharm - What kind of cookies are you going to make? I need to find a recipe for my aunt's Christmas dinner. I was assigned a dessert. I found a recipe on another board here for cookies made with cake mix and I think I'll try that.

fabumouse - I hope you have a "nicer" day today. I hate when that pesky life gets in the way of posting. Or worse...when work gets in the way. I'm going to think "wasabi" for wpasadi every time now.

justhat - I think Satan works at my post office too, but he's a man. I go to the one in my mom's town instead. I would always try to count people to make sure I didn't end up at his counter but someone would inevitably take forever and mess my count up.

DisKim - Good luck with conferences tonight. I think you had asked about conferences in high school. I remember having them when I was in HS. I was in the service club and we acted as secretaries for some of the more "popular" teachers. Popular around conference time, that is.

I plan on completing my Secret Santa shopping for here today. Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[nucpharm29]

Morning all! Hope everyone got a nice night of sleep.

SL--I was going to make shortbread, strawberry thumbprints, or chocolate cookies last night. Pretty much I got out a cookie cookbook and found some recipes that I had all the ingredients for--I'll probably make something today. I'll put on some xmas music and bake!

justhat--LOL about the postman being satan! Our wonderful po thinks it's okay to have only one person working the counter in December--so the line is always out the door, and people get more and more upset the longer they wait. I was there the other day to get xmas stamps for our cards (mom had hte kids) and I waited in that huge line only to find out that they didn't have any xmas stamps. I was so frustrated that I just took whatever they had--and to think I have to go back to that awful place today to mail my passport renewal--Ugh!

Sorry this is such a drive by, but I got screaming kids--will check in later!

 

[zalansky]

Good morning

I had a long night, Cameryn has been running a fever between 101.8 and 102.8 for the past 24 hours. Last night she had stomach cramps and had the big "D" in her diaper one time. She finally fell asleep around midnight and thankfully slept though the night but her fever seems up there again this morning. I've not taken her temp yet. DH thinks I should take her into the doctor - to be sure she doesn't have an ear infection. But she's not tugging her ear, I think this is just a flu bug of some sort she has. My mom NEVER took me in to the doctor unless I was really bad. What would you ladies do? She isn't crying or anything and just went back down for a nap and is sleeping.

Thanks for the advice on how to handle the situation with Connor. Justhat - Connor has seemed to get worse with her the past month or two but I chalked that up to her being mobile now and getting into alot of his stuff. If she picks up his toys he freaks out sometimes. Sometimes she does nothing and he will push her or hit her for no reason. I have only taken away toys 3 or 4 times total. I think his biggest issue with her is the attention she gets from me. She's at that age (and she is much more cuddly than Connor was) where she is very lovey and sits on my lap alot and I think he is not liking that one bit. She needs much more of my attention because of her age but he doesn't understand that. Anyway I already started on praising him so we'll see how it goes. Thanks again for the advice!

Sorry my post is a drive by too. I want to respond to you all but I have to pay bills while Cam is sleeping. I will check back later.

 

[justhat]

Z-If my kids had Cam's symptoms, no I wouldn't take them to the dr. Neither of them. But we're different than many cause most of my friends would take their kid in. Our feeling is that they're not gonna give them any medication so why bother going?

Gotta go-I think Henry's auditioning for a role in Grouchfest 2006 today.

 

[floridafam]

loretta,

I'm sorry she's still not feeling well. I'd probably take her in but that's just me. Kona had an ear infection when she was sick and she wasn't tugging at her ears or anything.

I hope she feels better soon. Our Ped said there is a virus that occurs in Florida this time of year. I think it's called Entrovirus or something that sounds like that.



I can't wait for DH to get home from Atlanta tonight!!! If you ladies could think about him today around 1pm and send some pixie dust-he's in a competition up there for work.

I just got the cutest Christmas gift for one of my girls. It's a little cash register from Pottery Barn Kids and it is darn cute. It was on sale for $19.99. I LOVED toy cash registers when I was little.

I hope DH doesn't freak when I tell him I just spent $35 per ticket to see the Laurie Berkner Band in March. Kona just loves her and I got an e-mail this morning about pre-sale tickets so I jumped on them. It's in Boca Raton so we will probably go down the night before and stay overnight as an early 2nd Birthday gift to little Kona.

SL,

I'm glad your back is feeling better!

nucpharm,

I'm baking today, too. Banana bread. I have wanted to make thumbprints for the longest time now but haven't. Are they easy?

Hi to everyone. I'll be back later. We just got a call from the hospital in Orlando to go over everything for Monday. It all sounds pretty straight forward.

 

[zalansky]

FF - My DH is away in LA right now - so I feel your pain about that. pixie dust his way! Is Boca Raton the only place Laurie Berkner is playing? We LOVE her and play her CD in the car all the time. Connor would love that but that is a hike for us.

And thanks to you and justhat for the advice, Cam is sleeping soundly now so I will see how she is later.

Can I be nosy? I am writing out Xmas Cards right now, well addressing them....and I realized my list has grown shorter and shorter over the years, and we get less and less cards as time goes on too. There are people I still keep in touch with but we don't exchange cards - and I read something last year that people are sending them less and less. I ordered 30 cards this year but I only sent about 20, the rest are going to DH colleague's and some for us to keep. How about you ladies?

 

[floridafam]

z,

Does Cam have red feet? I guess our Dr. looked at the bottom of Kona's feet and said they looked like she had a virus. The Doctor at the hospital said it was an infection so we really don't know. If her fever isn't getting any higher then that's a good sign.

We send out fewer than 20 cards. THey go to relatives and friends and the list is about the same every year.

We were going to do a DVD Christmas card this year but I don't know if we will have the time with everything that is going on.

I think Boca is the only place in FL where Laurie Berkner is playing. I just couldn't resist getting tickets.

It's been kind of nice and quiet around here but I miss DH. He's been so busy but we talked for a while last night. He's really worried about Kona and can't wait to get home.



DVC mommies,

Don't forget if you place an order from disneyshopping today to use your DVC code. It stacks with the goofy codes they are offering right now.

 

[tkyes]

Hi all!

My back is feeling a bit better, not 100%, but better. I slept with the heating pad last night and took some aleve this morning.

We send out about 70 Christmas cards! We have a big family though! I make them, so I would love to only send out 20.

z - I hope Cam is feeling better! I think I would give it another day to see if she continues and then bring her in.

sl - Glad your back is feeling better!

ff - Good luck to your DH!

alice - sorry dh was a butthead with taking care of Molly. I would have been ticked too. I'm totally with you on the gift buildup thing. I'm always dissapointed when DH does that. My imagination goes wild and I think it's a more amazing gift than it is.

nucpharm - You really are our workout goddess! I'm making thumbprints too. I have a Barefoot Contessa recipe from Food Network that is so good. I think I'm going to make chocolate krinkle cookies and gingercreams too. My girlfriend and I are getting together on the 22nd to do cookies so I'll end up with quite a few different kinds.

justthat - I hope Henry doesn't qualify for Grouchfest! LOL!


ok - tyler is climbing all over me - gotta run

 

[zalansky]

FF - what do you mean by DVC code at DIsney Shopping? Where do I find it?

 

[Ginamarie]

Just a quick post from me right now since I have Olivia and DBro in the office with me, so mischief is afoot!

I wanted to ask if anyone would like me to send a post card to their children while I'm in WDW. Just send me a PM with your address information and favorite character or ride I can sign the card from Mickey or Cinderella or something.

Make sure I get the info before tomorrow evening, because I have to pack up my laptop.

 

[nucpharm29]

z-I ordered 40 cards this year, and have sent pretty much all of them out--but most of them go to DH's family. With 6 siblings and then lots of cousins, aunts and uncles, his family gets probably half of the cards. Hope cam starts to feel better.

ff--the thumbprint cookies are really easy. Sort of like a shortbread cookie-sugar cookie mix--and they're also fun for the older kids b/c you roll them in balls and then push down in the middle with your thumb--then I fill them with strawberry or raspberry jam. Yummo! sometimes I roll the balls first in chopped nuts before pressing them down. Thanks for the heads up on the Disney shopping deal--however, I just purchased a new pair of running shoes, so no more shopping for me today!

tkyes--I tried the baking with a friend last year--and it didn't go so well--but chalk that up to the 4 crazy kids running around our feet--note to self: next time get a sitter!

Well, better go! Need to get the kids fed before heading to a playgroup this afternoon.

 

[icebrat001]

Just a quick post to say hello. I am feeling much much better. I hope to catch up soon. I hope all the sick children get better soon.

 

[justhat]

Zalansky - We send around 70 cards. I never sent that many till I started having all these parties. I feel like if I'm inviting all these people to various events in my life then I should send them a card. More for my own benefit as I'm sure most of them could care less.

And if it's of any help to you, my mom was the kind of mom who took me to the dr for every sniffle, so my lax in dr visits for my own kids is not inherited or learned. In fact she just called and heard Madison choking on some water and started ranting about how Henry has been sick for 3 weeks (cough/cold) and it's terrible that he has such poor care. But to prove my point that unless your kid is truly ill going to the dr can be a waste of time, Henry had his 4 month checkup today and happened to cough while we were there. His dr heard it and sorta laughed about how he probably gets sick all the time from Madison, I agreed and said he's had a cold for pretty much 3 weeks. She listened to his lungs during his regular exam and said they were totally clear. So if I had taken him in for the cold she would have said the same thing but I would have spent an additional $27 to hear it (and $16 of that is parking!!). My husband's criteria with our kids is: inconsolable, not eating/producing waste, not sleeping. Only happened once and Madison had an ear infection.

 

[Alice28]

Another quickie post by me- I apologize...I should be able to post more later, as my part on our WPASADI team challenge is mostly done.

My neighbor had her baby!!!!!!!!!!! You know what is weird, is that I was getting this vibe that she was really struggling with this last week or so of pregnancy and when I saw her yesterday she just looked so stressed. I got a phone call at 0345; it was neighbor's DH asking me if I would go knock on their door to get her parents up- they weren't answering their cell phone (they don't have a land lined phone). The original plan was for one of us to stay with their 2 year old, should Christa go into labor at the hospital- but Mannix said her 'parents' were already there- just go get the mom cause although they just arrived at the hospital, Christa was already complete at 10cm! (OMG!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe that!). So I go and knock on their door for 5-7 minutes and she finally answers and I said, "Mannix called me cause he couldn't get a hold of you- Christa is already complete at 10cm and they need to you to come!" She looked completely frazzled, but didn't say, "I need to you stay here with Conner." So I left.

Mannix's sister calls me this morning, saying she's on her way to get Conner from me!!!!!!!!!!! I was like, "Huh? Mannix said both parents were there last night, and just the mom went to go to the hospital- I *think* that means Conner is home with Grandpa! At least I hope so!" I was worried, but it's not like they wouldn't have called me back and said, "Wait, we need to to get Conner!"

ANYWAY, baby girl is just a peanut- weighing in at 5#, 7 ounces, 18.75" long. I knew she would be- as I said, Christa looked no more than 7.5 months pregnant. But she's healthy and I can't wait to meet her! No name yet though. She was born at 7:15, so either they medicated Christa and had her wait a bit to push, or it took awhile with the pushing. I always had the most long, drawn out labors, but pretty fast pushing times. Maybe she had the opposite.

Other good news- the Play Station arrived today! Josh is so pleased- I told him he could play it, but not his brother's new games that he got for his bday and never got to play.

And Tamie- SB arrived safely! Yay! She's so cute. Thanks! I can't wait to buy her Cinderella and either Ariel or Jasmine on our trip...then I think she'll have almost all of them, as I don't recall a Snow White one. Maybe I will just have to buy Jasmine AND Ariel, just so she has the collection.

Josh has a cold that has now settled in his chest. I'm going to watch how he does the next hour. I may just drive him to school, as that would mean an extra half hour at home.

I will try and get to the PO today, to get Gemma's gift off to her.

Christmas cards- we usually send about 40 I think. DH ordered 75 from the NRA ( ) and they came today. I was like, why the heck did you order so many! He said he needs 25 for work. We still need to do a picture of all of us to include.

Z- I hope Cam feels better asap- I would probably at least call the doctor or advice nurse, just to see what they say.

Tamie- glad your back is feeling better!

SL- glad yours is too! Have fun shopping today.

Ice- hope to hear more from you soon~

Hillary- love clearing out old toys! I should do that- we did a HUGE overhaul in early August when we moved the boys downstairs. They really hardly have any toys anymore- they each have 3 plastic drawers I bought at the container store- about 2' by 2', and they could keep what could fit in there, and about one big thing each that didn't fit in there (like a battle ship or something, and then they each have a few plush toys on their bed). It worked for us, because 90% of the toys they like are little action figure guys or trading cards.

Hi to everyone else- I Really gotta clean my kitchen this morning! I didn't do it much yesterday, except for the bare minimum.

 

[floridafam]

Mommies who are looking for a TMX Elmo

TRU has them on their website now. Hurry.

 

[zalansky]

I got one FF, thanks!

I really didn't want one but the price was right with Google checkout so Cam is getting an extra present this year.

Icebrat - glad to see you, I was thinking about you this morning.

 

[DisKim]

Z - I send around 50 Christmas cards. Also, I always take the kids to the doctor when they have a fever. I'm always paranoid though. I get that wonderful quality from my mom.

FF - I missed out on the Elmo again. I really need to quit my job so I can shop!

SL - I'm glad you didn't get annoying coworker in the grab bag. I hate doing grab bags. How about getting her $10 worth of scratch off lottery tickets? I'm so glad we don't do those things. Emily has a grab bag for scouts and I have no idea what to get.

Robin - Congrats to your neighbor! What a tiny baby! Aidan was almost twice that size!

icebrat - It's good to hear from you!

I am feeling really down today. I don't want to come back here tonight for 2 hours. I am really done with this place. I heard the principal was yelling at teachers as they came into the lunch room today because they were after the bell. This was in front of students! I'm giving serious thought to leaving next year. It's just so hard to give up a rather nice paycheck and if I leave, I don't ever want to come back. It is hard for me to reconcile that thought. I don't know what else I would do with my life. I'm thinking about staying home and going for my master's but I don't know in what. Anyway, I'm sick of hearing myself talk about this stuff. I'm going to avoid this subject from now on.

 

[floridafam]

DisKim,


They let me put an Elmo in my cart and check out. I'll let you know if I actually get it.

So far, Target has cancelled my Elmo and FYE cancelled a DVD box set I ordered for someone.

Can the teachers take their concerns to the school board? Sort of like a vote of no confidence?? What kind of idiot yells at teachers and in front of students????? Are teachers supposed to be in the lunchroom at a certain time? What an ego this guy must have.

I'm sure you can figure out what to do if you quit. Maybe there is the perfect job waiting for you out there. Who knows. I'm sure things will fall into place no matter what you decide to do. I've known a few people who were very unhappy with their careers and decided to go back to school or do something totally different and now they are very happy and kicking themselves for waiting so long to make a change. I know your students mean a lot to you so I'm sure it's a tough decision.

 

[Alice28]

I am feeling really down today. I don't want to come back here tonight for 2 hours. I am really done with this place. I heard the principal was yelling at teachers as they came into the lunch room today because they were after the bell. This was in front of students! I'm giving serious thought to leaving next year. It's just so hard to give up a rather nice paycheck and if I leave, I don't ever want to come back. It is hard for me to reconcile that thought. I don't know what else I would do with my life. I'm thinking about staying home and going for my master's but I don't know in what. Anyway, I'm sick of hearing myself talk about this stuff. I'm going to avoid this subject from now on.

Kim, I miss my paycheck from my old job too (and I'm sure it was only 1/3-1/2 of what you make). But I do NOT miss the politics, the hassles, the grief from parents or my former assistant who was a loon.....sometimes I miss having something to do outside the home, I miss having that extra $1,700 a month cushion that my job brought (I did only work 28 hours a week ), but for the most part, our household is so calm now. Yes, the kids are crazy and loud, but it's not the constant coming and going and feeling like I'm being torn apart in 10 different directions. I just HATED The daycare juggle- DH and I fought a lot over who needed to leave work early to get them on certain days, feeling guilty when I had to miss work to stay home with one of my kids, etc.

It seems like for the most part your job causes you more grief than satisfaction. I know you love your students, as did I, but I couldn't STAND the administration any more. I was so angry with my boss over a certain issue, and it made me mad that she wouldn't do something about the problem we were having.

Only recently do DH and I now live on the same amount of money we did before I quit. It's been a struggle at times, and we certainly don't spend as much on going out to eat and buying goodies for ourselves and the kids (besides Gymbo of course ). But it has been worth it for the sake of our family. Other families make it work, and I bow down to them! We just didn't have any extended family here in town for the longest time, so if our sitter was sick, we were screwed.

Gotta go take Josh to K....be back later.

 

[Alice28]

Gemma- your gift from all of us went air mail today. I think it said 4-7 business days; I would guess closer to 7 since I'm on the west coast and it's holiday time!

I hope you enjoy it.