The Official New Mom Thread

[floridafam]

Does anyone have advice on a lightweight, easy folding stroller?

I found this one on Amazon

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai.../002-6793355-5009605?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

 

[DisneyPhD]

Does anyone have advice on a lightweight, easy folding stroller?

I found this one on Amazon

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai.../002-6793355-5009605?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

We have a combi travel savy DX that is alot like that. The only difference I see is the combi's bar across it also has round cup holders on each side. The bar is easy off and on for the child to get out themseleves when they are older. It is a very nice feature.

We have taken it on 4 WDW trips and countless ones around here (since them we got a double) and it has worked very well for us.

Sometimes DD would pull on the felixble bar (when she was 3 year old or so) and that bugged us, but didn't cause any real problems.

Her little sister doesn't do was well in it was our 1st DD did (she was almost 2 when we bought it.) The reason is she wants to pull herself up on the bar and stand on the foot rest. We have to make sure she is bucked in good or she will slip out.

My friend got the same one, but liked to put things in the basket and not take them out. It won't fold that way. So if you want to do that, get a different stroller. If you don't fold it in on itself it won't lock and that is pain. We just hang a bag or two of the back.

Otherwise it works well. We really love it and have gotten our money out of it many times over. (I paid $100 for it over 2 years ago.)

However now I want to buy the peg pergo plinko 3 but can't justify it at this time. Oh well.

You should be able to get the combi for the same price or even less if you want the cup holders. , I haven't looked for it lately. It also has a strapped on fabric cup holder for parents on the back. (and other small things like camera or keys.)

 

[justhat]

Congrats Jenn on baby Eli! I can understand about being ready to be own your own with the baby. My mom was only able to stay 3 days after we come home from the hospital and it was very helpful and I wish she could have stayed longer, but at the same time it was nice to just be alone with Madison all day so I could get to know her and get a routine of some sort going.

Sorry to hear about your friend's dad, KristiKelly. It's really so hard to lose a parent.
In regards to the swing, I'm guessing you'll see my many posts in the past couple of pages on our travel swing, that we brought it to WDW, etc. We have the Fisher Price Aquarium swing (the older model without the moveable handle) and I loved it. I think the moving handle would be nice since it's a little awkward to get her out, but since ours is still in very good shape and it wasn't that bad to get her out I won't be buying the new version when we have another baby. We bought it over a year ago so I'm not entirely sure, but I think it cost about $50 or $60 at the time (we got it at BRU).

DisKim, maybe Aidan would like a different type of cereal? I'd wait till you get back to try again simply cause I would not want the hassle of bringing cereal with me, mixing it, etc. all for a few spoonfuls, but maybe try oatmeal or barley if he didn't like the rice (if was even rice that you tried). I think I said this already, but we waited till after our DL trip to start Madison on cereal (tried a couple of times before then but she had no interest so we stopped and waited till after the trip). She did not like the rice cereal at all, but I tried everyday for about a week. Then I tried oatmeal cereal and she loved it. After that we did mixed grain, or something like that and she liked that one too. I tried the rice again but she still hated it. Her favorites were definitely oatmeal and barley, then the mulitgrain.

 

[floridafam]

DisneyPhD,

Thanks. Does the stroller you have recline all the way so the baby can sleep?

I looked at the Peg Perego stroller you mentioned. It's quite nice.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I did a search and so far this is what I found, but I think you can get it at a better price.

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/combi_ultra_savvy_travel_system.htm

but here is a picture of it.

It does recline, not fully but enough to sleep comfortabliy in. DD just had a 2 hour nap in it at the local water park yesterday and she looked very comfortable.

It is much more comfortalbe and padded then your average umbrella. (maybe not a maclearn, but I like the bar across it better.

 

[katerkat]

How do you know the difference between teething and an ear infection? Russ has been a HUGE grouch the past couple of days, right after we finally kicked the cold. He's barely eating and crying for no apparent reason, and having some bad diaherrea. He's not running a fever (but I never did either) and not pulling at his ears, though he does complain when we hold him with his left ear down. Mom said my sister and I had high pain tolerances, so I'm worried that he's hurting more than he's letting on. I don't feel any bumps in his mouth.

I called the doctor but the nurse won't see him till tomorrow. I'm pretty sure she thinks it's just teething. But he just got over a cold and I read that ear infections often occur after colds...

 

[castlegazer]

Does anyone have advice on a lightweight, easy folding stroller?

I found this one on Amazon

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00070QJFI/qid=1124210514/br=1-12/ref=br_lf_ba_12//002-6793355-5009605?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

We're big fans - BIG FANS - of Combi Strollers. They have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive Peg Peregos. They tri-fold and are super light (12 lbs). You will love this stroller and its perfect for travel. My son, now 3 and a half - still uses it. Ther customer service is amazing - we now have three full sized strollers (not the savvy's but the big ones) due to calling with some minor problem and they just up and send us a new stroller - free. Our travel stroller has been to WDW three times and is still ticking. I can not say enough good things about Combi Strollers.

We also take the larger Combi stroller's trays and they will fit over the bar in the travel strollers making for a good snack tray. They don't clip in, but they sit nicely and securely. My son always slept in his and its was super comfortable for him - it was the perfect sleeping position and is very nicely padded. He loves this stroller and wants to take it with him everywhere even though he hangs out of it now and he should be walking, not riding in a stroller.

Go to http://www.combi-intl.com/

 

[lissawynn]

Taking babies to the California Grill...We ate at CG on 7/31. My DS took her son (almost 5) to the Cub's Den b/c she knew he wasn't going to eat, and she wanted to enjoy her meal in peace and not have to hurry. I took Jimmy in his stroller, and he fell asleep on the boat from the VWL to CR. Anyway, they gave us a table for 4, one "row" away from the windows (we were at the end by the observation deck). Our server, Jamie, moved one of the chairs so Jimmy could sleep in his stroller. Well, about five minutes after my margharita(sp?) came, Jimmy woke up. He didn't stay awake long, so I put him back in the stroller. Our server went out of his way to accommodate us and the stroller. He was awesome! Our dinner, btw, was so good! I so look forward to eating there everytime we go to WDW. Also, the new "dress code" that they've put into place didn't seem to be followed or enforced. I was actually kind of bothered by the young girls at the table next to ours. One of them had on a shirt that exposed her stomach and shorts so short you could honestly see her cheeks.

On looking for a bigger house... I hope I didn't come off as if I refuse to have another baby unless I get a bigger house. Our home consists of a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and two bedrooms. We have a basement, but that's where we store all of our stuff. All of our rooms are a decent size, and we have a very nice sized backyard. The problem comes when we attempt to have guests in our home. There is no way to entertain more than a few people b/c there's just no where for them to go. I LOVE my house! I just hate having to tell people that we can never have a holiday dinner here or they really can't buy Jimmy tons of toys for his bday b/c we just don't have the room. I'm not looking for a mansion, and we certainly have a spending limit (DH says I will be able to go to WDW every OTHER year ). It would just be nice to not have to trip over people who come to visit.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Jenn Lynn - Congratulations!

KristiKelly - So sorry about your friend's father.

Lissawynn - We're in the same boat, house-wise. We have only 2 bedrooms but we love our yard and location. If we have more children, even a boy, I would want to move to a bigger house. I had to share a room with my sister until I was 13 and I hated it. I can't imagine two boys sharing one room!

Has anyone used the Miracle Blanket? Does it really change your life? I would love it if it helped Lucas sleep longer than his current 2 hours.

 

[Alice28]

lissawynn- no you didn't come off like that; I understand what you mean. I just get very tired of the "keeping up with the Joneses" attitude that is so prevalent these days. (not that you were doing that- I know you're just being practical, and of course a 3 bedroom house is what most people hope for- that's nothing extravagent). It's just been my little soapbox topic lately cause I have friends who are just so into a BIG HOUSE, with a BIG POOL and a BIG SUV and SUPER FURNITURE and DREAM KITCHENS and it's like- oh my gosh people- we are all in our 30's....most families don't achieve these kind of goals til they're in their later 40's or 50's...no wonder our generation is so freaking in debt. DH and I got caught up in it for awhile and had to step back and reassess.

Even here on the DIS I see so many posts of people bragging about their huge houses or all their stuff; it rubs me the wrong way. I think perhaps some of my irritation comes from seeing what my hometown of San Jose, CA has gone to- it used to just be a sleepy town south of San Francisco, nice suburb, nothing too special. Well, now you can't live there unless you can afford a 3 bedroom home for a minimum of 500K. My parents just sold their 3 bed, 3 bath 2000sq ft home on a busy street for ........drumroll......700K. Isn't that insane?

Okay, off soapbox.

Couldn't find the misty fans at WalMart today. Bummer.

Ear infections often occur after colds...for me the telltale sign was a fever. That and a HORRIBLE night of sleep where NOTHING consoled the boys. I would say my oldest was about 6 months when he got his first ear infection. And then watch out- they often will get one in the other ear after the first is cleared up. It stinks.

Well, my parents are coming up today...one last big truckload of stuff. They go back down on Friday, sign the papers on Monday, turn the keys in and then they're up for good next week! Yay! I've liven 10.5 years up here with no family besides DH and it will be so great. I'm going down to their house now to have a warm dinner ready for them when they pull up- (it's an 11 hour drive from San Jose to here...it's a pain).

 

[Alice28]

Oh, and I meant to add that I totally know what you mean about no entertaining space- (lissawynn)---we have a LARGE kitchen that is great, but a small living area. We are hoping to remodel and finish the basement in the next 3-4 years so the kids can have a rec room of sorts. We can do holiday dinners, but only about 8-10 people can come! I am debating what to do when DH comes home- I want to do a HUGE bash, but I already have 60+ people on our list...I'm thinking we're going to go to the Old Spaghetti Factory cause I figure I can afford to treat our friends to a meal there to celebrate (since it's so cheap! And tasty!) I can't believe it's time to start thinking about that. It will be 1 year tomorrow since DH left! 5-6 months to go!

 

[justhat]

Katerkat, Madison had an ear infection when she was 10 months old after a cold. Her cold was so, so bad and she was inconsolable all day long so I took her to the dr. Well she was also getting her 1st 2 teeth at the same time so the dr said that the cold combined with the teething was making her very irritable, and her eardrum looked red from all the crying, not cause it was infected. We took her back they said maybe it was an ear infection, gave us a prescription but said to hold off on filling it. We went away to visit family for 2 weeks (it was Christmas) and she was still so sick so we took her to the dr the day we got back and sure enough it was an ear infection. For her the signs were crying, not eating (she only gained 2 oz. between 9 and 11 months), she only wanted me to hold her all day-no one else, and she also had a bad cough when she was sleeping. No fever, no pulling at her ears. Hopefully Russ is just teething, but I'd probably take him in anyway.

We also have no entertaining space here. Right before Madison was born we had 4 friends over for the superbowl, plus me and my husband, and people had to sit on the couch, kitchen table, and floor. Our table only seats 2, so I don't know what we're gonna do with Madison soon. She's okay in the highchair for now, but pretty soon she's gonna need a regular seat. Hopefully we can hold off till we move.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Has anyone used the Miracle Blanket? Does it really change your life? I would love it if it helped Lucas sleep longer than his current 2 hours.

What is a miracle blanket? I could use more sleep. Actually Lily slept for 8 hours last night, the most she ever has in her whole life. I didn't get as much sleep for unrelated reasons (had a headache.) Of course if she slept well last night, that means not so good tonight normally. Maybe this non dairy thing is paying off. It has been around 2 weeks compeltly dairy free.

We are heading up north for my best friends wedding tmw. I hate packing, so much more now that I have to pack for 4 people!!

See you all when I get back next week.

 

[tkyes]

oh my goodness! I just put Tyler down and he cried for only 5 minutes!! Yeah!! Hopefully he stays that way

tamie

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

What is a miracle blanket?

Supposedly it's specially designed to swaddle the baby so he won't jerk himself awake or kick the blanket off, resulting in longer periods of sleep. http://miracleblanket.com/

Have a good time at the wedding!

Tkyes - Good for Tyler! Hope he has a good night.

 

[justhat]

SL, we didn't have a miracle blanket, but we did swaddle Madison everynight from the time she came home from the hospital till she was 4 months old. She slept beautifully every night starting around 5 or 6 weeks till we stopped swaddling. We only stopped cause she seemed annoyed by it and would kick free so quickly it wasn't worth it. Of course, then she started waking more during the night which is only starting to resolve itself now, 13 months later! So if it were me, I'd give the miracle blanket a try-hey, if I knew I'd be where I am now a year ago I would have given anything a try!

 

[tkyes]

that blanket looks great! We got pretty good at swaddling, but you need a good stretchy blanket. He still managed to get out a lot of times. Now at almost 4 months we don't do it, he moves around way too much. I swear by swaddling a new baby though, it worked for us.

 

[Alice28]

thanks to Tamie, here is a pic of Molly taken yesterday~

Edited to take Molly's picture out after reading FloridaFam's post- don't want to take any chance. Yuck & scary!!!!!!! Same with my next post

 

[Alice28]

And these are my boys- Sam in some BDUs his daddy sent him & Josh at the beach boardwalk last week.

 

[joats]

SL: I never heard of the miracle blanket, but I swear by the Swaddle Me blankets I got at BRU. They have light cotton and fleece styles. It's a blanket with velcro tabs to keep them swaddled tightly. I will use them as long as I can.

Alice28: Your kids are beautiful!! I'm glad you were able to post the pictures.

Jace finally went into his own room last night. I am so happy to report all went well - he slept 8.5 hours in his new crib!! Yippee!!

Ooh, I just remembered Jace is 2 months old today!! We are going to the Zoo w/grandma and his two cousins for the day as the weather here today is amazing.