The Official New Mom Thread

[MommyPoppins]

Boy I have been so busy. I had a zillion pages to read today to catch up. It has been storming and raining here all day, which is kind of a nice change from the heat. We had a nice memorial day weekend. Sat. we had my sisters graduation party, Sun. we went to church and spent the day at a friends house from church then went back for the evening service and then went back to the friends house to hang out. Monday I didn't have to watch Ivy so we went to "the muffin man's house"(perkins) for breakfast, then we went to this lake(man made) and swam for a few hours. My BIL found the lake and he and his family went and swam there Friday. Its really fun. It is extremely deep and you have to jump to get in because the shore is about 4 feet straight up a rock wall from the water. We are going to build a latter to make getting out easier. We backed up the van to the edge and jumped from the top into the water. Even my almost 5 year old did it. We brought the baby, 2 year old and 3 year old to my moms house which was a few blocks away. My 3 year old was terrified because it was so deep. We didn't see any gaters or snakes though I heard the gaters. It was fun.

The weekend before last we went to WDW, we had a blast. It was really fun. We stayed at the Sheratin Safari Hotel, which was really nice.

Kaleb is almost 5 months now. Where has the time gone? He rolled over from his back to his belly yesterday for the first time. He is such a good baby. I am still trying to nurse. Usually only 2-3 times a day and the rest is formula. Even after I nurse he still wants more...I hate that I don;t have enough milk this time. It kills me since I nursed my others until they were a year and they never had to have formula. I HATE formula. We have to use Good Start which is the NASTIEST brand out there. It makes his poop green and sometimes it;s even hard. But we were dying having to buy it so I started getting help from WIC, which still isn't even enough, but at least now we only have to buy a weeks worth every month. But WIC only uses the Good Start. Yuck.

As far as weight issues. I am holding fast at 144-146. I got out of the habit of exercising. When I get to 140 I will be pre-preg. But I want to get all the way down to 130. I am only 5'2" so I need to lose a little more still.

Here is a new pic. of Kaleb...well actually it's about a month old now....oh well.

Here is a recent pic of my hubbie and me on Splash Mountain.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

MommyPoppins~ What a cute pic of Kaleb and it is nice to finally see what you look like too. We also currently have WIC, but our WIC offers Enfamil and Similac so we are using Enfamil Lipil with Iron. So far we have no problems with it and it has lasted most of the month. We will have to buy a few cans but that's it...for now anyway.

I had to laugh at your story about the lake and hearing the gators. My family is from Florida and I spent a lot of my childhood living there on and off. My friends think I am nuts b/c I love alligators (and have since I was about 2 years old) and always want to go see them when I am in Florida. I even collect alligators...not real ones though, of course!

 

[leighe]

I just found out today I'm a mommy-to-be. I'm going to read this whole thread later and get lots of good tips.



Edited to add - whoops wrong thread. I've got a little while before I'll need this one - I got a little ahead of myself.

 

[justhat]

I've been so sick that I haven't really been up to doing much recently. I finally went to the dr and got an antibiotic for tonsillitis and have been feeling better, though I keep forgetting to take the medicine on time. Ugh, what kids do to your memory!

Last night we had a great night of sleep, well great for Madison that is. She went to sleep around 9:30 cause we got home late from grocery shopping so I thought we would have a bad night of sleep. But I was wrong. She slept from 9:30-1:45 (and so did I cause I fell asleep waiting for her to go to sleep)-and even fell asleep in her own bed without much complaining which is new (usually goes to sleep in her own bed, but usually complains about it too). I nursed her at 1:45, put her back in her bed, where she cried for a few minutes, turned on her ocean wonders aquarium and went to sleep. She slept till 5:15, went through the same routine of milk, bed, cry, sleep then slept till 7.

Now, you may think that was still a failure as she got up 2x for milk, but, and here's the important part--she slept without interruption between feedings!!! Madison hasn't done that since she was, well, I don't even remember when she did that last. Usually she's up cause the pacifier fell out or whatever other reason. So even though she still got up 2x, it was a huge improvement for her. Let's hope for the same tonight. Of course my husband put her to bed tonight so I could watch Supernanny and he totally disregarded my rule of leaving her in her bed alone and sat next to her bed until she fell asleep (which I am desparately trying to get away from!). I tried explaining to him that doing that when she goes to bed means you have to do it when she wakes up but he was just focused on the fact that she went to bed much faster his way (normally takes her about 15 minutes my way). So hopefully that won't mess things up for tonight.

I'm still calling the sleep center to get some thoughts from them, but hey, if she can start sleeping for 3-4 hours at a time I'd be thrilled-so much more sleep than I've been getting.

 

[justhat]

DisKim, I would be so upset if I were you too. How outrageous that people allow their kids to act that way. And your son is so young! I'll never understand how some people think. How could they know that their kid hurt yours and not care? And especially since he's so much younger than their son. Ugh.

We stopped at the kiddie section of Barnes and Noble yesterday and Madison was playing with the toys they have out (to use in the store, not the ones for sale) and this little girl came and sat in one of the rocking chairs. She was about 5 or 6. Madison was thrilled (she LOVES other kids, especially older girls) and walked over to her chair and tried to show her the book she had. The kid pushed Madison's book away so she looked shocked and went to get the farm animals and tried again. The gril grabbed her own book and said "Mine!" then pushed Madison away. So I led her away and said "Come on, the little girl doesn't want to play with you Madison" and her mom was there and looked at me, smiled and laughed.

No way would I ever let my school-aged kid push a 1 year old (and Madison is tiny, not even 21 pounds and 30 inches, so no mistaking her age). Heck, if she was anything less than nice and friendly to a baby I'd be talking to her about how we treat other people, let alone smaller kids. Instead her mom thought it was funny. Well, the kicker for her is that she's pregnant, so that family is going to be in for a lot of fun when the new baby comes!

 

[lissawynn]

MommyPoppins Kaleb is adorable!

DisKim Your kids were smoking and throwing books out the window? Yikes, I thought cafe. duty was bad, but that's a heck of a lot worse. I don't think next year's schedule will allow for cafe. duty. I'm pretty sure I'll be teaching six classes, so I won't have time in my schedule for any "extra" duties. Although, after being pregnant and having cafe. duty for three days a week, I can do just about anything.

Alice28 I'm returning some of my Gymboree stuff. Jimmy just doesn't have the coloring for some of the stuff I bought him. He doesn't really look so good in brown. Also, one of the shirts I bought online had a big ink mark on the back. I'm hoping to have time to return them this weekend. I think I'll exchange them rather than returning so I can keep my Gymbuck.

Jimmy has been eating fruit for the last couple of days and really seems to like it. He had applesauce yesterday and did very well with it. I'm going to try some sweet potatoes tonight.

 

[Alice28]

Lisawynn~

I have to be honest and say that I have never been very ga-ga over Gymboree's boy clothes. The coloring always seems to be tooo bright or something. Well, not always. I have bought a few things there off and on over the years, but nowhere near close to this near obsession I have with their girl clothes. I also don't care too much for the browns, oranges, bright greens, etc that they OFTEN seem to have in their boy lines.

I went into Gap again last night (Yes, I confess, I was at the mall AGAIN- even I am getting sick of it, but it was payday and an easy place to eat with the 3 of them is the mall food court; I can get my choice, they can get their choice and it's no biggee). They have some flipping darling boy stuff right now! I actually, cough/sputter/gag, paid full price for this really cool shark shirt for my 7 year old. It was $26! I'm going to be watching online for a price adjustment if it comes up in the next few days. The one store credit card I have is Old Navy, which I hardly ever use, but if I used it at Gap last night I got double points (you earn gift cert. to spend at Gap or Old Navy for every $200 you spend). I wandered around a bit cause the boys were happy coloring the sheets they had set out (good idea Gap!) and they just had some very, very cute baby boy stuff, and girl stuff too, but we all know I should not be buying Molly anything else right now. Not until it's on sale anyway, lol! Anyway, my point is, my taste ran much more along Gap/Old Navy when my boys were babies and toddlers vs. Gymboree and I don't know how many of my other mom friends have said the same thing.

That, and the other cool line I like right now is actually at Target; they carry their own Osh Kosh brand now and it's pretty darn cute and WAY reasonably priced.

MommyPoppins- Kaleb is SO cute! And I enjoyed seeing the pic of you and your DH! On my favorite ride! Funny enough, Carnation Good Start is the formula molly tolerates best. I bought some Enfamil with some coupons I had and she cried all weekend, so I figured it was hurting her tummy. I am still nursing her 80% of the time, but she still needs about 2 4 oz bottles a day. And frankly, I'm happy she likes the Good Start because it's the cheapest! (like I should talk about money on formula with all the $$ I spend at Gymboree )

Justthat- I know how hard you are working with the sleeping situation with Madison. Changing sleep patterns in babies is soooo difficult, but worth the time and trouble. I feel for you!

I have a quiet day at home today and I'm glad. We ran around a LOT yesterday and I wore us out. Today it's just puttering around the house and tonight is "Xbox" night over at our neighbor's house. Our neighbors are just the greatest people, have become really good friends, and they wanted to do something for the boys while DH is gone, so every other Thursday they invite them over to play Xbox or wrestle with Mannix (the guy) and do "Boy stuff." They have a little baby boy who is almost 9 months.

DH's birthday is on Flag Day so I got off 3 boxes to him on Tuesday. I found more stuff yesterday he had requested (that I couldn't find before) so I guess it's off to the P.O. again. Ugh. It's a pain because stuff going to an APO address that weighs more than 16 oz HAS to go to the regular counter; I can't buy postage for it online or at the self service kiosk in the P.O. And I have to fill out a customs form. Dumb. But, I love my husband and feel so sorry for him when he asks for something as simple as Goldfish crackers or some books to read.

 

[DisKim]

Justhat - I can certainly relate to the sleeping issues. I'm exhausted today!! Aidan slept wonderfully from 8pm to 11pm....and that was it! He was awake the rest of the night. I finally gave in and handed him over to DH at 3 am. I felt bad because I knew he had to work but I just couldn't do it anymore. I thought he'd sleep well today, but he didn't go down for a nap until just now and my other two are home from school. I'm going to be in a coma by 7pm. Luckily, he's been smiling at me now so that makes it all worthwhile.
I saw the new Disney promotion today and I'm just itching to go. We are cancelling our June trip. We just had too many expenses come up all of a sudden and we were just there in October. I feel like I have nothing to look forward to this summer. I'm trying to figure out a later time to go but my DH is starting a PhD program which is going to also cost us a fortune. I really need a Disney fix soon!

 

[Alice28]

I saw the new Disney promotion today and I'm just itching to go. We are cancelling our June trip. We just had too many expenses come up all of a sudden and we were just there in October. I feel like I have nothing to look forward to this summer. I'm trying to figure out a later time to go but my DH is starting a PhD program which is going to also cost us a fortune. I really need a Disney fix soon!

OMG, OMG, OMG....I think we get to go in Sept!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My parents were going to treat us to Disneyland in Sept as a celebration of their retirement and they want to do something special for me and the kids with Daddy (my DH) away for so long. I called her up when I saw this WDW promo and said, "Do you want to try and go for it?" And she was like "Heck YA! Are those prices for real?"

So I am waiting to hear back from my travel agent to see what she can do for us. I hope I hope I hope it works out. Can you imagine- WDW cheaper for us West Coasters than Disneyland? (The airfare is strangely about the same from here to LA and from here to Orlando).

I really hope it works out and I don't get a "sorry, they're all sold out" call or email in a day or two. With so many thousand rooms, I kinda doubt that. I'm putting DS7 out of school for a week to go (to DL or WDW). AND if we go to WDW, it's still cheaper to add an extra TWO nights at a value or moderate resort than it was to stay 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim!

Not too many things have got me this excited in awhile. Not even Gymboree sales! LOL! Mostly because this is FREE for us, thanks to my generous parents. I was going to pay for our meals at DL, and with FREE meals at WDW all I have to get is souvenir money rounded up. Easy!

 

[justhat]

I really wanted to take advantage of the free dining promotion too. We were just in WDW in April, but we won't be back for awhile so when I got an e-mail about this (got one with a pin code, about a month ago, for the same deal that is for everyone today) I got very excited. Don't think it can happen though as my husband can't take any time off in Sept., so it would be me and Madison, which would be okay, cause it's me and her here at home anyway so might as well be in Disney! But, I'm giving my mom a surprise 60th birthday party on September 25th so I don't think it would be a great idea to go on vacation when I will have last minute details to take care of. She lives in NJ and we're in DC and it hasn't been that easy planning an out of state party. I would go after that, but I think I'll probably end up going to Vegas with my mom instead. She has a conference there 9/28-10/2 and the airfare from DC to Vegas is cheaper than DC to Florida. Either way all meals are free for me since either Disney or the conference will be paying so that can't sway me. Plus if I go to Vegas, I get a small break from 24/7 baby duty since she loves my mom. I'll still hold out some hope for Disney though!! And I'll be wishing that you guys have a great time!

Oh, and DisKim, I'm sorry you're going through bad sleep problems too. Madison slept from 8:45-11:45, had some milk, then went back to sleep till 2 when all heck broke loose. She absolutely refused to go back to sleep in her bed and kept climbing into our bed. This went on for an hour and after about the 100th time of walking her back to her bed and listening to her scream to the point of vomiting, I was exhausted and felt horrible about the whole situation so when she climbed back into our bed, over my body, and into the middle I left her there. She instantly stopped crying and fell asleep. My husband thought he was being helpful by moving her back to her bed about 10 minutes later, but she immediately woke up and started the whole process over. He gave up and brought her back in our bed, but now she was upset and crying still. She calmed down quickly and went back to sleep till around 6. Let's just all hope tonight is better.

 

[lissawynn]

Alice28 I didn't really get a chance to browse in the Gap last weekend. One of my students' mom works for the Gap and she gives me coupons all the time. That's the only way I could justify buying $20 shoes for Jimmy (I paid less than $14). I also received another coupon from the Gap yesterday. I may have to check out their boys stuff.
I agree with you regarding the Gymboree boys stuff. I am returning some of the things I bought for Jimmy just b/c I really don't care for the colors on him. I mostly dress him in blues to bring out his eyes (they are SO blue).
My DS gave me a ton of my DN's old baby stuff. Much of it seems to have yellowed over the last four years, so that will be for wearing around the house.

My DS's b-day is June 14, too. I bought her one of the Disney bags from Wal-Mart and a pair of Mickey pjs from WM, too. I also bought her's and her DS's tickets for our WDW trip. She has been such a huge help since I had the baby (and the whole time I was pg, too). It was the least I could do.

Disney promo? I'll have to read the emails I filed. I thought I saw something about free dining, but there is no way we can change our plans. It's just too hard to take time off during the school year.

Today is the first of two in-service days for me! The kids are done! I'm a happy teacher once again

 

[DisKim]

Lissawynn - congrats on the end of the school year! Now you will have alot of time to spend with the baby. I wish our school year was over that quickly. I'm going back on the 15th until the 22nd. It's basically one full day of work and then final exams so the kids have no choice but to be good. Hopefully, Aidan's sleeping will improve by then. I honestly have one student who is freaking me out and making me not want to go back. I really feel like she is stalking me. When I was in school, I was her mentor and I came to find that she had bigger problems than I could handle. I told her she needed additional help. I guess since I was pregnant, she came to see me as a mother figure. I think many of her actions are inappropriate. She e-mails me all the time (kids can e-mail us through our website). Recently, she managed to figure out where I live and questioned me in an e-mail as to whether she had the right house. I did not respond. This morning, I got an e-mail asking me if I was wearing pink yesterday because she thought she saw me driving (it was me by the way). There are countless other intrusions she has committed on top of those including wanting to come see me in the hospital when I had the baby (my friend, also her teacher, stopped her). To top it all off, she wants to become an English teacher and come and teach with me in the future. I'll have to quit my job!
Alice 28 - I'll have to live vicariously through you. I hope you have a great time on your upcoming trip. You deserve it!! My DH and I are thinking of using the promo and going at the end of August. I'm a little afraid of the hurricaine season. Last year's was so bad. The airfare is great for that time period. Of course, our AP's will expire in July so we'll have to buy tickets. It's either August or we go Christmas, Easter or next summer. I hate going during the holiday weeks and I don't think I can wait until next summer. I'll have to seek help for my withdrawl symptoms. I also think Aidan will be easier to deal with at 4 months than at one year. What do you ladies think? Have a great day everyone. Aidan is crying. What else is new

 

[lissawynn]

DisKim I have to say I'm very excited the summer (although our weather certainly isn't summer-like) is here. I can't wait for Jimmy and I to have our days to spend doing whatever we want. I do have a ton of things I'd like to accomplish at home, but all the cleaning and organizing isn't going anywhere soon. We have a week in OC, NJ with my sister and her DS (DH is also going to join us; our anniversary is on 6/22). Then we head off to WDW at the end of July. DS called this morning and suggested we splurge and stay the first night at GF. I'm not saying no .
What can be done about this student? Have you told your administrator or school counselor about her? I've had several students who really freaked me out but never a stalker. Last school year I got a transfer student who was so bad that I didn't know what to do with him. His parents had actually moved to a different state to try to get him straightened out. It didn't work. He was defiant to no end. We found out around Thanksgiving that he had hung himself. I was stunned. I always thought he'd hurt someone else, not himself. I hope you can get this situation resolved. I wouldn't take any of those things she's doing lightly.
I hope Aiden starts a better sleep schedule for you. I remember one night when Jimmy was only a few weeks old, and he had a terrible cold. My arm was actually numb from holding him for so long. I didn't know what to do for him. He got whatever it was out of his system, but that was one of the worst nights we had.

 

[DisKim]

I mentioned the situation to several colleagues as well as her counselor. I hate to say it but her counselor is useless and is doing a disservice to the kids by staying on. He does not do his job and doesn't even know his kids. So, he did not help at all. I think I'm going to nicely say to her that we have a teacher/student relationship; we are not friends. I'm also going to tell her that the things she says and does make me uncomfortable. I really don't want to upset her, but how will she know that what she is doing is wrong unless I tell her. Thank goodness she is a senior and will be graduating and I won't have to deal with this next year.

 

[Alice28]

WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm goin to Disneee World! I'm goin to Disney World!

We're going 9/23-9/29, staying at P.O.F.Q.! Yes!!!!!!!! Our first time there; we've been spoiled with a WL stay & two CR stays, but I've read many nice things about POFQ....who cares as long as we're on property!

Get this- two rooms 6 day hoppe tickets, 3 adults, 2 kids (Molly doesn't count yet), dining plan and tax: $2,900. Great deal!



Mom & Dad are paying the deposit next week.

 

[lissawynn]

Congratulations Alice28! I am going to try and convince DH we NEED to take a trip together with Jimmy and this would be perfect for us! I don't think he'll bite, but you never know!

 

[DisKim]

Alice 28 - Congrats! You'll love POFQ. We stayed there last July and it is probably my favorite resort. Well, it runs a close second to the Poly. You have to stop me. I've been lurking on the other boards and mousesavers. I can't stand passing up a bargain. This is how all my Disney trips begin. I can't affort not to go. After cancelling our June ressie, I promised myself I would not go on vacation this summer and I would pay off debt instead. I need intervention. You have to stop me. Next thing I know, I'll be on the phone booking a trip.

 

[Alice28]

HA! In some ways it's a good thing DH isn't here cause he has straight up told me, "No Disney until we go to Hawaii first." Although I'm sure he'd go with mom & dad paying! Good luck in convincing your hubbies ladies- this deal is fabulous! No counting pennies about sit down vs. counter service, cause it's free! We already have Ohana & Whispering Canyon on our list. I'm also thinking we should try le Cellier for the 1st time. My kids are so excited although my older son's 1st reaction was, "But it won't be any fun without Daddy." I said, "I know honey, but gramma & grampa are doing this to help cheer us up about daddy being gone for so long."

 

[katerkat]

I'm back from my sister's wedding, and BR was a doll! I seriously only got to hold him for feedings - all the great aunts and cousins wanted to get their hands on him.

Me, my older sister, and our little sister with Baby Russ. And can I just say I love breastfeeding? Normally my chest is the same size as my sisters.

Right before the wedding BR had to go for his 2-month appointment and shots. He wailed during the shots and slept most of the rest of the day, but was happy again by dinner time. He weighed 10 lbs, 8 oz, and was 24" long. 90% in height, 25% in weight - at least he's consistently long and skinny! He was diagnosed with torticollis, though - it means twisted neck. He only likes to turn his head to one side and then points the chin up. So we have to stretch his neck the other way 2x daily. Luckily my little sister is a physical therapist so she's showing me all the stretches.

 

[justhat]

Alice that's so exciting for you guys! I'm sure you'll all have a great trip, even though you'll be missing your husband too.

Katerkat, your son looks so cute! And what a cute little outfit. I bet he's loving all the attention he's getting from his aunts, grandparents, etc. And I love that feature of breastfeeding too-I was in a wedding 2 months ago and did not need to have cups sewn into the dress for the 1st time ever. (And probably last time since Madison will be donw with the nursing soon.) Madison is 25% in weight too, though now she's 50% in height. She started out 75% in both, and by 3 months was down to 50% in weight, 25% by 9 months and that's where she is now. Just in the past 3 months did she drop from 75% in height to 50%. She doesn't look skinny to me though, and has little fat rolls on her legs, but her dr says she could be fattened up a bit. She's just not a big eater though so I don't think there's much I can do about it. The only bad thing about it is that it's hard to get clothes to fit her well, cause everything is too baggy in the waist, but too short in length!