The Official New Mom Thread

[DisKim]

Justhat - Thanks for the response on the travel swing. Do you think I should have just rented one? That is what I was going to do, but then I thought for the money, I might as well buy the travel swing. Honestly, he is almost too big for it and I'm not having any more kids, so I could return it (it is not opened yet). I don't have a bag for it. I could try and find some kind of duffle bag or something in the store. The other thing I liked about this travel swing (Fisher Price Aquarium travel swing) is it can also be used as an infant carrier. I thought that feature might come in handy. This is tough. I never traveled with an infant to any place except a relative's house. The planning is killing me!

 

[vald1977]

Love the pictures of Kona and Baby Russ! I can't wait until Katrina can actually play with her toys.

Happy anniversary DisneyPhd!

Well, it was back to the dr.'s again today since the Thrush is back (we finished the bottle of medicine on Friday and I noticed some spots were back last night ). He just gave us more of the same medicine. But when they weighed Katrina she is now 10 lbs. 5 oz. ! She was just 8 lbs. a little over a week ago . No wonder my back is starting to ache from carrying her around.

I'm so jealous of all of you whose babies are starting to get into good sleep patterns. I know all of your babies are older but we are still on the every three hour deal at night. She will sleep longer in the day though if she's in her swing or bouncy. I just wish I could figure out how to get her to do her longer stretches at night when I need them.

Here is a pic of Katrina on her one month birthday:

 

[joats]

Yey for Aidan and Madison sleeping better! Jace is doing great too. Last week was 7-7 1/2 each night. The past 2 nights over 8 hours. I am so very lucky!

OMG, Katrina is so cute! She is getting big! Love the picture! Happy one month birthday Katrina!

I've had mixed emotions today as it took me 4 tries today to find something for Jace to wear. Everything was too tight or too short. I'm sad and happy to report he's outgrowing all his 0-3 clothes. I'm happy he's growing so well (I think he's over 12 pounds already) but sad that he's getting bigger so fast and that all the adorable clothes that hardly were worn will be put away. So today, I'll be spending the afternoon washing all his 3-6 month attire. I didn't think I'd be so sad about him graduating to the next size. Maybe it's because I know the bigger he gets, the longer I've been home and shorter time of maternity leave I have left. I dread putting him in daycare. Why or why can't we win the lottery?

 

[justhat]

Justhat - Thanks for the response on the travel swing. Do you think I should have just rented one? That is what I was going to do, but then I thought for the money, I might as well buy the travel swing. Honestly, he is almost too big for it and I'm not having any more kids, so I could return it (it is not opened yet). I don't have a bag for it. I could try and find some kind of duffle bag or something in the store. The other thing I liked about this travel swing (Fisher Price Aquarium travel swing) is it can also be used as an infant carrier. I thought that feature might come in handy. This is tough. I never traveled with an infant to any place except a relative's house. The planning is killing me!

Were you the one who mentioned eating at CG with the baby and putting your other kids in the kids clubs? If so then I think I'd keep the travel swing since you can bring it with you to the restaurant and let him swing away while you eat. I know my husband would have made fun of me for doing that, but if it keeps the baby quiet and asleep during your meal then I'm all for it. We brought ours on the Disney Cruise and took it to Flounder's Reef for Madison (she was 3.5 months old) when we ate at the adult-only restaurant. They had swings for the babies there, but we brought hers anyway and that way we knew she was familiar/comfortable in it, plus we knew it was clean (this was our 2nd trip, so not the one where it flew uncovered). It also worked great in the hotel so we didn't have to put her on the floor/comforter when we were both unable to hold her. We had the Fisher Price Aquarium swing too and I found Madison liked it better than the regular Fisher Price Aquarium swing we had, mostly cause it has those toys you can pull on that make it play music and light up.

I don't know how much Aidan weighs right now, but I think it goes up to 25 lbs. Even though Madison had outgrown the need for a swing long ago, when we packed it up to take to my mom's house for storage last month she insisted that we set it up so she could sit in it. The whole day before we left she sat in that swing rocking herself. She's still under 25 lbs. so it was still safe for her to use, so if you end up keeping it know that you can keep it out for awhile and let him climb into it and swing himself when he's older.

Of course, if you don't plan to take it to dinner with you, and never plan to use it at home after the trip, then renting one might be easier. But he'll be with a babysitter or daycare when you get back and go back to work right? Can you bring it there for him? I think you said he's not totally great with naps so maybe that would help out if he could nap in the swing at the babysitter's house. Not sure what your situation is with taking equipment there or where he'll be, but maybe that would be an option for you.

Oh wait, I forgot to mention that if you haven't taken it out of the box yet then you can always keep it in the box for flying. We took a travel booster seat (for dining, not the car) to the beach with us and hadn't taken it out of the box yet so when we got to the airport they gave us one of those heavy duty plastic bags again, put the booster seat box in the bag and checked it with the skycap. It arrived totally fine. Also, I would think it would be much better protected that way than the way we had to transport ours since we had already thrown out the box.

Okay, sorry that's so long, but hopefully it will help you a little in figuring out what to do.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I love everyone's new pictures!

 

[lissawynn]

Hi everyone! DH and I looked at another house this afternoon. It was like stepping into 1975! Almost every room had paneling on at least one wall, there was some kind of faux brick (dark) on one kitchen wall, and the colors in the kitchen and bathrooms was terrible. Also, the house smelled like someone was trying to cover up pet urine. All of the carpet in the house would have to be removed before you could even move in. Needless to say, it was a no go. I just don't know what we're going to find for what we're willing to pay.

Our issue is that we have only two bedrooms. I think we could get by with our home if we had another boy, but if we had a daughter in the future, we'd have to move. I know everyone has been having the "more babies" discussion, and I'm torn. I love our family as it is, but everyone I know who has only one child (with the exception of my sister) says I have to have another one. We might start trying next summer. I'd would be great to plan to have a little one in the summer so I don't have to miss work, but whether or not that plan would work out is another question.

I have to attend a workshop tomorrow b/c I got a mentor position this year. I have a terrible feeling it's going to include some kind of "role play" crap, and I refuse to do it. What purpose does that serve, anyway? It should be a really fun day!

 

[Alice28]

Yikes, that house sounds horrible lissawynn! Frightening! We saw many of them while we were houseshopping too.

I have to have a giggle with all the "next" baby talk. I swear to God, after Sam, I thought we were done. But that was because we were having some pretty serious marital problems. I sold almost all the baby stuff because I was so sure we were done. Then we got back on track & had Joshua. The boys share a large bedroom and we had our guest room/office (SCRAPBOOK ROOM) downstairs. Perfect, right? Sold all the baby clothes again, but happened to hold onto some of the bigger stuff, just in case of accident or something. Then DH started on about #3 and I resisted for about 6+ months. Gave in.

I guess my point is, it's really hard to know how many kids you will want. You know? It's so hard to think about after #1. Whenever I get freaked about our "too small" of house, I think about how about 95% of the world's population lives (at least)....huge families in small houses, or worse, shacks or no houses.While I am not advocating living like paupers, I think right now America has an inflated view on what kind of house in comfortable..I read an article recently that the average home size for young couple my husband's and I age is well over 3000 sq feet. Gimme a break.

My point is, enjoy your babies now....you will figure out what the right number of children is for your family & the decision can wait awhile. You will never ever be on your death bed and think, "We shouldn't have had so many children." But you may lay there and regret it if you don't follow your heart, you know?

 

[DisKim]

I dread putting him in daycare. Why or why can't we win the lottery?

Wow, I've said these words verbatim. I really hoped and prayed that something would come along and I could stay home. Well, I'm just 3 weeks away from going back to work and I don't think I'm going to win the lottery any time soon. Just know that there are many of us out there who have to work and would rather be home. I think we all need to support each other. I've done it twice before and it sucks every time .

Justhat - Thanks for all the advice. I was thinking the same thing about taking it to CG. The handle on the new version of the aquarium swing can be positioned like an infant carrier so it should be easy to take on the bus. Where would I put him though? On the table? Hmmm....I'm trying to picture this. I was thinking about leaving it in the box. I kind of wanted to take it to my friend's pool party tomorrow though. I could just take it apart again and tape the box really well. That's a good point about bringing it to the babysitter. I hadn't thought of that. I'm sure she would appreciate it.

Valerie - Katrina is adorable. I love her outfit. I hope her sleeping pattern gets better soon.

Joats - You are so lucky that Jace sleeps so well already. I know what you mean about the clothes. Aidan fits in his 6-9 month clothes already . When did he grow so big?! I can't stand it.

Alice 28 - Well said. Our society is so focused on everything being perfect. My boys will share a room. Right now, we made a little nursery out of our sewing room (that's what it's called anyway). The room is way too small and not meant to be a bedroom. My older DS is not happy about having to share his room with Aidan. He didn't even want to share his closet. Alex will just have to deal with it. Having a large family was more important to me than each child having his or her own room. He can move into the basement when he's older if he doesn't like it.

 

[Alice28]

Val- I also meant to chime in with my compliments on Katrina- she's darling! Love the outfit! One of these days I'm going to post a pic of Molly. I figured out how to post a pic but then it's humongous. And I don't have photoshop or anything to make it smaller. Thoughts?

Molly too is starting in on her 6-9 month stuff (or 6-12). Problem is, it's almost all cool weather stuff since she doesn't turn 6 months til Sept 8th! Few more weeks of squeezing her long torso into the 3-6 month...I did buy a few clearanced onesies in the 6-9 month size since we will be in WDW at the end of Sept and I didn't want her sweltering in a skin tight 3-6 month onesie. I swear she is so, so long...I am anxious to see percentile wise where she is at her next appt on the 9th. Then we have to switch health insurance til DH comes back...the doctors/hospital we go to (Kaiser plan) does not accept the military health insurance (TriCare) as payment. Dangit. What a pain in the butt to have to switch doctors for everyone for a measly 4-5 months. We were fortunate that DH's civilian job paid for insurance for the year though.

okay, who mentioned the misty mate fan? At walmart? How much was it? I am debating to buy one here or spend the big bucks at WDW for one with Mickey on it. But if it's a big price difference (more than $10), I'll buy it here. Someone posted on another board they misty mates at WDW were $25?!? Is that right? Eek. If they are $15 or cheaper at Walmart, I'll buy it here...plus no sales tax in OR.

I am not trying to gloat, but THANK GOD I don't have to work this time...I went back to work and did the daycare thing with Sam and Josh. Thank God, thank God, thank God. i only worked parttime and I LOVED our sitter, but it's so nice to not have to do it this time. I would go insane anyway working while DH is away. I totally empathize with you mommies who have to go back... Ugh.

 

[katerkat]

I bought a Misty Mate from Costco for $18, I think. It's not like a WDW fan mister though. It doesn't have a fan, it just puts out a light spray that works kinda like an air conditioner.

Russ is also outgrowing his 3-6 month clothes. (In his picture, look at the sleeves on the sleeper. They're not rolled up, that's how far they reach!) Unfortunately, he's a skinny one, so everything is still really loose width-wise. He's 90th percentile in height and 25th in weight. Poor skinny man!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Wow Mommies! Over 1000 posts on this thead!!!!

Thanks for all the aniversary well wishes. He is a good guy and a wonderful daddy, so happy I married him! (that and buying DVC are 2 of the best things I ever did, ok maybe going to college and grad school, but since I am SATM that doesn't seem as important!)

Speaking of that, I worked part time after Anna was born (I talked my prevoisly full time postion to a shared one with a coworker it was great.) I loved my materinty leave, I think it was one of the happiest times in my life. I always said that I loved my job so I worked, (I was a clinical social worker/ psychotherapist.) but I really wanted to be home. Well when my department went under (psychiatriy isn't a big money maker in hosptials, but a nessasry one, oh well.) I found out I was pregnant the week after my job ended. I knew God was saying it was time to stay home. Thank God as I was making less DH was making more so it didn't hurt too much. (and no day care expensese now too.) I am really happy being at home now, I thought I would start looking again by now, but I am not ready. I think what I will do is get my ASL interpreting certificate for michigan (I need to take a test, but I should have no problem with that.) and then do sign language intererting a few mornings a week at a local cc college. The pay is good by the hour, but it is hard to find a lot of work doing it. However I don't want a lot, just a few hours a week.

BYW my friend bought a 1970 house, it was really bad when they got it, but lots of room. They have fixed it up so nice, and it wasn't too hard since it was all just a "face lift".

Our girls share a room now, they did before the addtion too. Now we have 2 bedrooms (big ones) and a bathroom upstairs and 2 small ones downstairs. I want them both near us, but if one wants to move to the 1st floor when they get older that will be fine. For now they like shairing, it is difficult at times, but we work it out.

 

[tkyes]

Love the new pictures - Kona, Katrina and Russ are adorable!

Tummy time - Tyler isn't a big fan, but he's getting better. Try tummy time on your chest, even if it's a few minutes a couple of times a day.

Tyler hasn't rolled from his belly to back yet, but he has the back to belly roll mastered!!

We have been crying it out - it's going pretty well. The first night we said we would do 30 minutes. We've done 10 previously with no success. Well, at 29 minutes he fell asleep and slept until 5:30 in the morning. Last night was 20 minutes. He woke up once, but DH checked on him and he had rolled on his belly. So he moved him and Tyler cried a couple of minutes and then fell asleep until 5 am. It's hard to listen to him. We wash dishes, do laundry, I've even had to step outside. I know he's ok though, he just needs to learn to comfort himself.

Also, I've decided I'm done pumping. It's been almost 4 months. I think it's been long enough. I'm still feeling a little bit of guilt about it, but I'll survive.


Oh, Robin, feel free to send me a Molly picture, I have Photoshop and can resize it for you if you want.

Tamie

 

[justhat]

I also forgot to mention how cute Katrina's new photo is! She's growing so quickly.

Okay, I don't mean to beat this travel swing to death, but I would put it on the floor at CG. I would tell them 3 people so that you get a table for 4, then move one of the chairs in the back and put the swing on the ground, sorta like a highchair but low. If he's in the back, by a wall or window or wherever you are, then you won't really have to worry about the waiter dropping anything on him since he'll be out of the way. We always put Madison's carseat on the floor and never had a problem. (We used the highchair upside down till one day when she luckily wasn't in it and a waiter crashed into it and it fell over! We figured she was safer on the ground than in something top heavy that might tip.)

To those of you who live in small houses, consider yourselves lucky compared to our home! We live in a 1 bedroom condo (3 rooms total-kitchen and living room-+2 bathrooms). We'll definitely be moving next June, even if we stay in the DC area, and we'd like a 3 bedroom place then, but we'll see what happens. We're hoping to try for baby #2 next fall so that's why we want a 3 bedroom, but after sharing with Madison for 17 months (and another 9 months to go!) I'd be okay with a 2 bedroom next year too. As long as we get something bigger I'm fine with it. The sad thing is that our place is pretty big, 900 sq. feet, but because we have 2 bathrooms, 2 big closets, and a very long, narrow living room we can't do much with the space. Our bedroom is super tiny and packed wall to wall with furniture-you walk in and on the left is Madison's bed, then dresser, then my husband's dresser, then the wall ends. Across from that is our bed, a small hamper, lamp, and 2 tiny night tables. The next wall has my dresser (which doubles as Madison's changing table). The other wall in the room has a big window, and underneath that is Madison's toy box. It's ridiculously cramped, and I can't wait to get out, but honestly if it were set up differently you could fit another bedroom and then the size wouldn't be bad at all. We're hoping for around 1500 sq. feet, but we'll see what happens-especially where we live since that will determine what we can afford.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Hello all~

Posting on this thread for the first time.

Eli is doing great. We are pretty sure he is sensitive to dairy. I have had to pretty much cut it out of my diet along with chocolate. I am having a bad craving right now! He is nursing great and will fall asleep other ways besides on the breast. (This is new to me because that is the ONLY way DD would fall asleep.) It's nice.

My Mom leaves on sunday. I am ready for her to go. Nothing against her, but I am ready for us to get in our own routine. She is ready to go home also.

Avery is doing great with Eli. No jealousy so far. She had a harder time with me being on restricted movement (bedrest) for almost 2 weeks. She wasn't eating well and wasn't herself. She is definitely better now. Hopefully that will continue when my Mom leaves. She turns 4 on Wednesday. 4 seems so old!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hello all~

Posting on this thread for the first time.

Eli is doing great. We are pretty sure he is sensitive to dairy. I have had to pretty much cut it out of my diet along with chocolate. I am having a bad craving right now! He is nursing great and will fall asleep other ways besides on the breast. (This is new to me because that is the ONLY way DD would fall asleep.) It's nice.

My Mom leaves on sunday. I am ready for her to go. Nothing against her, but I am ready for us to get in our own routine. She is ready to go home also.

Avery is doing great with Eli. No jealousy so far. She had a harder time with me being on restricted movement (bedrest) for almost 2 weeks. She wasn't eating well and wasn't herself. She is definitely better now. Hopefully that will continue when my Mom leaves. She turns 4 on Wednesday. 4 seems so old!

Welcome and congrats!!!!!!

Belive me, I feel your non dairy pain. I too have a bf baby that I have to cut all dairy out of my diet for now (we had her tested, eggs too.) and it is killing me. I know that next time this month it will be much easier, it is only temparay and once I adjust we should be fine, but in the mean time.

PM me if you want to chat!!!!!!!

Doesn't your 4 year old seem unbelivably big now. When we brought Lily home (our 2nd) both hubby and I were amazed at how big she seemed. (like she grew a ton while we were at the hospital.

 

[KristiKelly]

Hi, I've been away for a few days. Thanks for all the prayers for my friends Dad, he died that very night and the funeral was over the weekend. They all seemed to be doing very well, they had told him 2 years ago that he only had monthes to live, so they were very lucky to have him as long as they did.

I hope everyone is doing well. Mary Grace is doing well but decided to wake up as soon as I put her in her crib so DH is rocking her now.

I'm in the market for a Baby Bjorn carrier, who has the best price? I might bid on one from E-bay but haven't decided yet. I'm also looking for a travel swing, what's the best kind & least amount of $$$ (I know we won't use it that much). I would like to have it for our upcoming beach trip and our WDW trip -I just don't know if DH would want to take it to WDW since we're flying.

I hope everyone has a restfull night and I'm going to try to catch up on past posts tomorrow (if Mary Grace cooperates )

 

[tkyes]

hi jenn! welcome! Congrats on again on baby Eli!!

kristikelly - I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's Dad, that's so very sad.


Tamie

 

[DisKim]

Alcie28 - There is the misty mate and the misting fan. The misty mate gives a continuous spray of mist and is supposed to make the air feel 20-30 degrees cooler. The fan looks like a spray bottle with a fan attached. I got some new fans in target for $3. The ones they sell in Disney are nice and a little bigger but they are around $18. Of course, with multiple children, each wants his or her own so it can get a bit pricey.

Kristikelly - I just bought 2 travel swings. I bought the new version of the Fisher Price Aquarium travel swing at Toys r Us the other day. It was over $70 with tax. Then, I was in BJ's last night and they had the old version of it for $40. I bought the one in BJ's and compared them and decided to keep the cheaper one. The only difference that I could see is the new one has a 3 position handle which is something I can live without for the $30 difference. I've seen the Bjorn on sale in Target for $69 which is the cheapest I've ever seen it, but you have to catch a sale. I bought an Eddie Bauer infant carrier. The Bjorn seemed to tiny for my chubby guy. The one I bought is very comfortable and was $60 at BRU. Of course, Aidan hates the thing. I have to try him forward facing.

Justhat - Great idea about taking the chair away and putting him on the floor. We have a ps for 7:30. Perhaps he will fall asleep and we'll actually have a peaceful meal. One can hope! Thanks for all the advice.

Jen Lynn - Welcome and congratulations

Aidan went for his 4 month check up today. He weighs 16 pounds 8 ounces which is apparently a pound or so above average. The doctor said to start him on solids. I tried cereal a couple of times already and he didn't like it. I guess I'll start trying again. Aidan was so cute. He was cooing and laughing at the doctor. That is, until he got his shot . If any of you who are going on trips soon with babies under 6 months need a sunscreen, my doctor said there are 2 approved for infants - Blue Lizard Australian suncream and Neutrogena for sesitive skin. Hope that info can help someone!

 

[zalansky]

I'm in the market for a Baby Bjorn carrier, who has the best price? I might bid on one from E-bay but haven't decided yet. I'm also looking for a travel swing, what's the best kind & least amount of $$$ (I know we won't use it that much).

Lurking from the moms to be board - Check out this site for the baby bjorn, I had bought mine for $89 plus tax from Babies R Us two years ago for our son, but I recently bought a britax seat from this site and am very happy with it:

http://www.specialtybaby.com/infantcarriers.html


Sorry to hear about your friend's dad....

 

[vald1977]

Thanks for all the compliments on Katrina's picture.

Robin,
I use photobucket.com to post pictures. It has a way to edit the size right on it and is very easy to use (and FREE).

Welcome JennLynn!

So sorry to hear about your friend's dad, Kristikelly. Her family is in my prayers.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!