The Official New Mom Thread

[justhat]

Bridget, I've seen those seats, but not till Madison was old enough to not need one. We actually didnt' really have a big problem with not using the infant carrier cause she didn't switch to a bigger carseat till she was 10 months old and was sitting in highchairs by then. But sometimes she was asleep, so what we did was keep the infant carrier in the car with us and transfer her to that and take it into restaurants/friends houses so she could stay asleep.

Valerie, it's always nice to hear from someone else that their kid had weird sleeping quirks too. Sometimes I think my daughter is just weird when it comes to sleep! She was a perfect sleeper till 4.5 months-she'd go in her own bed awake and put herself to sleep and then sleep all night (or sometimes wake once to feed) but then then at 4.5 months it went downhill. We let her sleep in our bed cause it was the only way she'd get any sleep. Then we got her a toddler bed around 13 months. She'd sleep in that, but wake up during the night and would not go back to sleep till you went to her bed to 'help' her. After a couple months of that I thought I would go insane cause I was basically falling asleep sitting next to her bed in the middle of the night. I decided I was done with that and she could just walk around my room and find a place to sleep when she woke up during the night. The first night I did it she was a little annoyed that I wouldn't let her climb into my bed, but then laid down on the floor and fell asleep. This was about 3 months ago and she has been sleeping on the floor next to my bed ever since. Like you, I've heard strage comments about it, but we all sleep much better so that's where she's staying if that's what she wants! Last night she sorta woke up once, cried a little, but went back to sleep (usually she searches for my hand and holds my finger), which means a much more rested mommy in the morning! I'm hoping she'll move to her own bed when she's ready without a fight like your son did.

 

[Hillbeans]

DisneyPhD - Love your pictures!

Zalansky/Loretta - You have a beautiful family, and you look so good after having your 2nd baby!

Tammy - glad you had a good day at the spa!

Vald - my son, when he was around 2.5, slept on the floor almost every night. He just wouldn't sleep in the bed and I used to worry about it, but soon he went back into the bed. I remember other moms telling me it's no big deal to let them sleep on the floor, and just as they said, it corrected itself.

Bellacam, I just saw that seat in a new catalog I got yesterday. Let us know how it works out for you!

Tasha - hope you're doing ok today and Kylie also!

Alice - I loved your halloween photos btw!

Justthat - I hear you about the "body being different" after pregnancy even though the weight isn't that much different. Keep up the great work at the gym, you'll be back to your old self (if not even skinnier) than before!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Very cute photos! I see you had a little Piglet too! Your niece looks a lot like your own daughters I think. I find it kinda funny cause Madison looks a lot like my nephew too (more when they were both babies though), more than he looks like his sister.

Do any of you have kids who sleep later on weekends? I would love it if Madison slept a little later just 1 day! We get up at 6 on weekdays because she's kinda slow to get ready (we don't leave for her school till 7:45) so she now gets up around 6 on weekends too but we have nothing to do that early so there's no reason. I know she doesn't know that, but to help I try putting her to bed a little later on Fridays and Saturdays, but even though she went to bed at 9:30 last night (usually 7-7:30 on weeknights) she still was up by 6:30 this morning.

Thanks

I get that a lot (about my niece) until you see a picture of her mom and can tell she is her mama's girl. (her mother,my brother wife died when she was 6 years old, so she is my other girl!) She goes lots of places with us too. She has been to WDW twice with us, but now that she is in HS I don't think we should take her out of school for a week (but she is all A's)

Piglet was Anna's old costume, but Anna never liked it. We had to keep feeding her candy corn until she stopped crying. Se wore it when she was 1 1/2 and 2 1/2, so this is the 3rd halloween for it. I think we got our moneys out (Lily might wear it next year too.) I did get Coda from Disneyshopping.com for 7$ in size 24 months so she might do that. Depends on how fast she grows. (If anyone orders I have a 10% off code so ask 1st!, or just do the little chicken little game yourself and it will give it to you.)

Last night was a late one for me, I went down at 2:30 (stupid jewlery site. ) anyway Lily got up before 4:00, then again at 7:00 and was up for the day (along with her big sister.) I was not. DH was home and after a while I got so sick of Lily smaking me to wake up I left and went to sleep in their room in Anna's bed. I got 2 more hours of sleep! I needed that.

bellacam, I had heard of those, but I felt the time she would need them would be so short I decided just to skip it. If I could of picked one up at a garage sale or borrowed I would of. Let us know how it works. They sell them at Right Start now too. Lily's 1st goal in life was to sit up stright, I swear she did that at a very early age and decieded just to stop there. That is why she scooted instead of crawled I am pretty sure. She didn't want to lay down.

 

[gwcollins71]

Oh my gosh... I haven't been on forever. I'm reading page 105 right now. I can't wait to see what everyone is up to.

Zalansky and T&S, the Halloween pics are sooooo cute! To everyone else, I haven't gotten to anyone else's pics yet! I'll try and post Lily's soon.

Gretchen

 

[DisKim]

These pictures are all so adorable!

Crying it out - It is so hard, but I highly reccomend it. I remember sitting outside of my DD's room crying when we first did it, but she ended up being a great sleeper. Now I'm on child #3 and it still works. He cries for a couple of minutes and goes to sleep. I think the key is waiting until your baby is so tired he/she can barely keep his head up. Good luck!

On the topic of bad mommies - I've had my fair share of "bad mommy" moments with three kids. I think the worst was when my DD dropped Aidan this past summer. I felt awful for leaving her alone with him (she's 9) and she was mortified and cried harder than Aidan. Of course, I called the doctor and had to explain the situation to him. I felt like an idiot. Oh, I could go on with stories, but I'll stop there.

The body issue - I'm below pre-pregnancy weight now and I still can't fit back into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes . Well, it's given me an excuse to go buy all new clothes. I've been a very bad spender lately. I figure I'm working, I deserve it, but I have to stop. I'm addicted to New York and Company and they keep sending me coupons. It's terrible! I don't have any time to exercise so I guess that's the issue. I look at it this way, I could look a lot worse after having three kids.

I'm leaving for Florida this week and I haven't even packed. We're going to the Keys for three days to visit my aunt and grandmother. My DD is turning 10 and is going to swim with the dolphins as her birthday gift. I'm so excited for her. I wanted to do it too but it's really expensive. My grandmother is so excited to see Aidan she can hardly contain herself. She hasn't seen him since he was 2 months old. He's so different now.

I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing weekend. I should really try and have one of those soon!

 

[vald1977]

Love the new siggie pic, Hillbeans! Your boys are cuties .

Hi Gretchen! Nice to see you.

Diskim,
I love New York and Company stuff. My friend was just telling me about all the great coupons she gets since she has their credit card. I'm afraid to get one or I'll be spending way too much.

We had a very nice weekend. Yesterday we went to DH cousin's wedding and both kids were SOOO good. I was so proud of them . Then today was just a lazy day. I took down the Halloween decorations and DH watched football. I had a sinus headache so DH told me to go take a nap in the bedroom so I did. I ended up sleeping for 4 hours! I couldn't believe I slept that long but boy did it feel nice. Of course I'll pay for it tonight and probably toss and turn for hours but I guess my body needed it.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend .

 

[DisKim]

Valerie - I get coupons and I don't have a NY&Co card. I don't know why I get them. I wish they would stop.

DisPhD - I checked out that silver jewelry club. Is their stuff nice? I was thinking of ordering and getting some Christmas gifts out of the way.

 

[justhat]

I have to get Madison to bed, but I just wanted to say that new photo is so cute Hillbeans!! I know your little duck is a bad sleeper, but what a cutie in that costume!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Valerie - I get coupons and I don't have a NY&Co card. I don't know why I get them. I wish they would stop.

DisPhD - I checked out that silver jewelry club. Is there stuff nice? I was thinking of ordering and getting some Christmas gifts out of the way.

Well I have about 15 pieces now (all at $6 or 9$ each.) If you order a pendent they will send a sliver chain for 3$ more if you want it. You can get 16, 18 or 20 inch all the same price.

Honeslty I have one ring that I LOVE Love love love. It is a swiss blue topaz and I would of payed $100 for it. (It looks like it too.) I have a few peices I don't like as much as others, but that is just for personal prefence reasons. They are all very nice, good quaility, nice settings and the gems sparkle very beatifully. I am hooked. Everyone I know is getting jewlery for Chirstmas this year. The problem is a new one come up every 15 min and some times the one you want is in the middle of the night.

There is a schdule where that they follow pretty well, but they throw new things in here and there. Here is a link to that. http://www.silverschedule.com/schedule/page10.php

There is 14 pages and each one has roughly a page a day so every two weeks or so. Sorry if I convert any new mommies.
Here is the main link. http://www.silverjewelryclub.com/

They are delivered in about 5 days from when you order. They say it is 6$ S&H, but really it cost them 50cents, so they are making some money on us, but really it is a good price. I love them. DH wishs I would stop though.

Ok, now for mommy stuff.
Hillbeans, what a cute ducky! I just love the picture!
DisKim, sounds likea good excuse for new cothes. DH has been very patient with all my new shopping. Mostly because he figures I deserve it with the food sacrafices I have made over the past 3 months (it has only been 3 months, seems longer) and partly because I look good in the cothes, they are much more sexy then before. He isn't complaining! Have a great trip to FLA it sounds like fun. Let us know how it goes.
vald1977, I love it when my kids are well behaved! I will take what I can get!
gwcollins71, I stranger! Good to see you again.

 

[DisKim]

DisPhD - Oh no, this is not good. I'm a shopper. I can get addicted to this stuff. Why can't I get addicted to saving money???

 

[DisneyPhD]

DisPhD - Oh no, this is not good. I'm a shopper. I can get addicted to this stuff. Why can't I get addicted to saving money???

I guess anything COULD happnen!

I look at it this way, for $100 I can get 16 pieces. Not bad really. Or you could get one at normal places.

Be careful with the rings, they only come in one size so make sure it is one you want before you order it.

Also if you have time look through the shcdule and pick out what you really want or you will get more then you want because you will order one, then find one you like better later.

Sorry, (at least a little. )

 

[gwcollins71]

Yeah! 3 hours and many interruptions later. I've finally updated myself on the boards. Hubby keeps calling me downstairs and I have to go down each time. I feel like screaming and yet at the same time, I don't mind it.

The last two weeks have been nutty with Halloween and grades due. Lily was a duckling for Halloween (same costume as Liam to be exact). We went to this "Boo at the Zoo" thing at the zoo by us with my sister and her kids. It was fun and honestly, seeing all the kids in their costumes was the best part. Some of the costumes were so elaborate.

As for trick or treating, I walked around the block with the neighbors and their kids. It was a little rainy but Lily was under the stroller canopy. It just felt so good to be outside. When Mike came home, we went to some friends and my bosses house so they could see her. How much trick or treating can a 4 month old do? My professor was great and let me skip class that night.

Lily slept through the night this whole week up until Friday night. I'm hoping she'll do it again this week. I still woke up though. Out of habit, I guess?

Mike has been working extra hours and will be until after Christmas. Its Fed Ex's heaviest season so I don't get to see much of him during the holidays. I can't wait till January comes.

We are planning on trying fo another baby after Lily's 1st birthday. We want to do it quickly. Mike is 38 and I'm 34 so time isn't on our side. I am so excited. I love Lily soo much.

Disney Enthusiast – Sebastian is beautiful! I love the picture of all of you!

Just that – What is trunk or treating? Is it the same as trick or treating? I’ve never heard of it before.

Hillbeans – Lily wore the same Ducky costume as Liam. We weren’t going to dress her, but it was so soft I had to buy it. We ended up going to a Halloween thing at one of the zoos by us with her cousins so she got to wear it for more than Trick-or-treating.

SL – Lucas is so big. He looks like a little man. We were looking at one of those booster chairs instead of a high chair since no one bought us one. Would you recommend it instead of a high chair? The pic of him flying is great!

Lisawynn – doesn’t grading just stink! I took a day off of work so I could get it done. I can’t get anything done at school. Darn those kids  ! Lily requires too much attention at home and hubby doesn’t get home till 7-730ish. We eat dinner and I’m wiped. I do not envy you! I was bad before Lily about being last minute with final grades but this is crazy. I was still grading papers the day before I had to log in my grades. Our conferences and rep cd p/u were Thursday and Friday so I have another 9 week reprieve. Whew!

Congratulations Gems and welcome baby Shelby! It seems like yesterday you were joining the Moms to be thread. I am sorry that you had a rough start. I am glad to hear that everything is good now. I think about you whenever I see anything Huffalump. Don’t ask. It makes no sense. I just remember when you were looking for fabric for the nursery way back when.

Joats – Hot diggety dog! Jace is adorable. The hot dog costume rocks!

T&S – I’d love to do the gift exchange if it isn’t too late. Also, Lily’s birthday was June 29, 2005. I am so sorry to hear about Kylie falling out of the bed. So far we’ve been really lucky. Lily scoots all over the place now. I am always building a pillow fort around her.

Robin – Oh my gosh! How scary. I am glad your hubby was ok. Like I’ve said before I don’t know how you do it. You are very strong. Alice the pic of the boys in their costumes with Molly is so cute. I want to run out and scrap it.

Your neighbor makes me laugh and feel bad at the same time. I wanted Lily to be a boy so badly that I actually cried when we found out she was a girl. That was last Valentine’s Day. I was so sure I was having a boy. I wasn’t prepared for it. I wouldn’t change her for the world. I sure know her Daddy wouldn’t either. She is his little princess and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We are planning on one more. We start the fun part next summer. I don’t care what it is. I just want it to stay little forever. Lily is getting so big so fast.

DisPhD – The Lily incident scared me. I get worried when my nephew comes to visit. We really need to break down and buy baby gates for our stairs. However, I guess nothing is 100% safe.

BTW, I love the new Halloween pics. Lily had 2 costumes? That is so cute. I can’t decide which one was cuter on her. Anna is beautiful!

Tamie – Tyler is so cute in his costume! I know what you mean about hubby’s beard though. I love the way beards look on other men. I hate it when my husband has one. I feel like I’m kissing a brillo pad.

Well, I guess I'll let everyone go. I'm sorry if I missed anyone.

Have a great week!

Gretchen

 

[justhat]

Trunk or treating is like trick or treating, but out of car trunks. We went with our friends to their church, and everyone who wants to participate pulls their car into a spot in the parking lot head first-and you leave 1 or 2 spaces between cars. Then when it's time to trunk-or-treat (which is after the kids games and contests in the church hall and a huge dinner/chili cookoff contest) the adults go out to set up their 'trunk'. Some people go all out, and hang up sheets, lights, pumpkins, bats, other decorations, etc. Others, like us and our friends, just open up the trunk and throw in some candy. Then kids just go from car to car 'trunk-or-treating', and it's great cause there are at least 30 or 40 cars there and since they're all so close and there is no bell ringing, walking up stairs, etc., it goes so fast and you get lots of candy. Last year we left our trunk unmanned and our candy was gone so fast, so this year my husband stayed with it and I took Madison around with our friends and their kids-the candy lasted much longer that way!

 

[Alice28]

Hi Everyone!

Gretchen- great to 'see' you again! We've missed you!

Uh-oh---we're talking shopping again...thank god jewelry is not one of my weaknesses so I can pass on this one... my husband has thanked god I'm not a jewelry freak too. Although I wouldn't mind some diamond earring studs....nuther story.

Yesterday that other military wife, the one I think is a whiner and who kind of hurt my feelings at church about 6 weeks ago, came over with her kids for a play date. Now, I've made a conscious effort to knock off gossiping, but let's just say she and I are very, very different. And it's odd to me- we come from similar socio-economic backgrounds; both are college educated; both share the same faith, or at least go to the same church; both are military wives....but she is a spazz! Just very, very emotional about everything and kind of picks things apart. I found it annoying. And her cell phone kept ringing and she'd go out on my porch to talk- one time she was out there for 15+ minutes, so I went and got my magazine and was reading when she came back in. She said it was because she and a friend were having "problems" and they really needed to work things out. I can't remember the last time I had that big of a "problem" with an adult girlfriend- maybe when I was 17???

Saw my neighbor's baby today- he's a cute lil peanut!

I have a funny story about DH, but now I'm 1 handed typing cause Molly's in my lap- I'll share tomorrow.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

SL – Lucas is so big. He looks like a little man. We were looking at one of those booster chairs instead of a high chair since no one bought us one. Would you recommend it instead of a high chair? The pic of him flying is great!

Thanks!

Lucas is my first, so I don't even have any experience with high chairs. I registered for it because I thought it was a great idea - it's portable so I can bring it along for Thanksgiving dinner, etc. and I just strapped it onto one of my dining room chairs so it doesn't take up any extra room. I think it's a little lower than what I imagine a high chair would be, but that doesn't bother me at all. Plus, it's only about $25 compared to a high chair which I've seen for about $90.

We went to the mall yesterday with my sister, BIL, and their twins (7 weeks old now). Hoooo boy! What an experience. If one of them isn't hungry, crying, spitting up, or in need of a diaper change, the other one is. I'd go nuts! Either that or never leave the house. Lucas is so easy in comparison - all we've ever needed to do was strap him in his carseat, make sure he had a blanky or something to chew on, and we'd be set for the day.

I think I've decided to get Lucas's picture taken at Target. Anyone have experience with their portrait studio? I have to get on the ball here - I want the pics made into Christmas cards (or at least included in my Christmas cards).

DisneyPhD - Cute pics!

DisKim - Have fun in Fla!

 

[justhat]

SL, we had Madison's photos taken at Target this past summer and they turned out really well. Maybe I'll get my husband to scan some and I'll post them so you can check out their work. The only thing I didn't love about them was that their sheets had sort of odd collections of photos-what I mean is that 1 sheet had a 5x7, 3 wallets, and then 3 really tiny photos that I really don't know what to do with. You could buy only wallets on a sheet and you get 9 of them, but if you want the 5x7 you have to get it with those other photos. I think it's a good idea cause then you can get a larger photo and wallets of the same pose without getting 2 sheets, but the tiny photos seem like a waste.

 

[vald1977]

Oooh, that Silver Jewelry Club might get me in trouble . I saw a really pretty cross pendant that would be a nice gift for a friend's dd for her baptism. Plus it would be nice to pick out something pretty for DH's aunt for Christmas.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Oooh, that Silver Jewelry Club might get me in trouble . I saw a really pretty cross pendant that would be a nice gift for a friend's dd for her baptism. Plus it would be nice to pick out something pretty for DH's aunt for Christmas.

My problem is I keep getting thing for family and friends, and myself! I got my niece a ring and then loved it so much I had to keep it for myself and get her something new (however it was a tad tight on her finger so I got her a size 7 ring instead. I will use any excuse for justification. ) My favorite are the swiss topaz. The garents are nice too.)

 

[lissawynn]

Hi everyone. Jimmy has been sick since Friday night. He has a fever, then he doesn't have a fever. It hasn't been all that much fun here. I took him to the doctor today, and we had to wait for almost an hour until we were seen. I guess that's to be expected when you call in the morning for an appointment.
Anyway, Jimmy has a red throat, but it's not strep. He really isn't interested in eating much and has been very clingy.
He is taking a much needed nap right now, so I thought I'd catch up here.

 

[Alice28]

Awwwww.....poor Jimmy! Here's hoping he feels better when he wakes up!

My funny story. Remember a few weeks ago when I was upset with DH for planning so MUCH stuff for when he comes home AND that he got upset with me because he mentioned going to S. CA and my mind automatically leapt to Disneyland??????? (He is tired of me automatically assuming DISNEY every time we talk about California or Florida or vacation in general- he has a slight point and yet the man has known me for 15 years and that it's my favorite place to be!).

OK, so we're talking on Saturday morning and he says something silly about chasing me around our bedroom when he comes home. I paused for a moment because our bedroom is VERY small and there really isn't any room to "chase" plus the thought of me in my underwear running around with the kids somewhere just wasn't registering in my brain. So he says, "You know, like in Pirates of the Caribbean, when the Pirates are chasing the 'wenches' around in circles." So, I immediately snap back in a joking sarcastic tone, (but I was yelling), "WHY DOES EVERYTHING ALWAYS REVERT BACK TO DISNEY WITH YOU? ARE YOU OBSESSED WITH IT OR WHAT! GEEZ, GET A LIFE!" Oh my gosh, I was so proud of myself for coming back with that retort so quickly! He laughed and said, "You know you were thinking it first! You were! You were!" I said, "Nope, I was trying to envision the logistics of the two of us trying to 'chase' in our 12x12 bedroom!" It was just fun to make a joke over something that was a stupid fight a few weeks ago, and just to laugh together in general; we don't get a chance to do that often cause usually our phone calls are short and covering certain topics- not just goofing around.

So, I thought my Disney Mom friends might get a kick out of that.