The Official New Mom Thread

[vald1977]

I posted another thread but I also wanted to share here. Here are a few pics of Allie who is 3 months old today.

Hi mommies,
I hope it's okay that I stop in for a moment. Hopefully, I'll be joining you in a couple of months . I just had to say that I picked up this exact outfit for our soon to be dd the other day. I hope she looks as cute in it as Allie does.

Alice28,
I could see your pics . Your DH and kids look so happy. I'm sure you all really cherished that time together. And congrats on losing your baby weight so quickly .

 

[desiab]

Good Morning Ladies!

I hope you got more sleep than I did last night and are well rested this AM.

Disney Phd Thanks for checking out Hannah and our new pictures and I have to wholeheartedly agree with your assessment that she is a cutie. We think so too! I hope that Lily is over the worst of it and continues to improve. And I am in agreement about the second hand clothes--we get clothes for Hannah from my sis-in-law who has passed back clothes that my oldest daughter (9) wore when she was a baby. I am a sentimental fool when I start pulling her old dresses out.

Lissawynn, it sounds like you work with a great group that likes to have fun. That seems to make a job so much easier to wake up for.

Mommypoppins, I believe that as more mommies get into the swing of things with new babies that they will be over to talk and ask BTDT mommies questions.

I think once you get to the concert you will get involved in the music and will have a good time. It was always easier for me to leave one of my kids when I completely trusted the babysitter (my sister). Last night we left Hannah with my sister for an hour to go to a wake. I told my husband that when the B**b alarm went off that we had to leave. Sure enough before we had been there an hour I felt the twinges. When I walked into the door she had just started to whimper for her next meal.

Alice28 Congrats on losing the pregnancy weight. I had a four week check up Friday and I am below my prepregnancy weight by a few pounds. Unfortunately, I feel like I have put them all back on this week. Here's hoping that we can continue to lose. That having been said I am going to put this piece of cake back in the frig.

It took my son forever to start pooing on the potty because he was definitely afraid of the toilet. When we took him to WDW DH had to hold his hand over the sensor for the automatic flusher or Dalton would freak.

I have manage to only buy about 5 outfits for Hannah so far. My husband says that he is amazed at the amount of restraint I have exercised. Little does he know that I have a plan.

I intend to be booking a room for WDW for the Food and Wine Festival. Last year when we went I was preggo, so no wine for me and not too much food at one time. I think we can make up for that this time.

Hello, to all the other mothers that I failed to mention. I have written a small book and need to stop boring you ladies.

 

[Alice28]

Desiab----Hannah is beautiful!

I like your plan---- sounds like a good one! My DH has already greenlighted a WDW trip for me, Molly, maybe my mom & an east coast girlfriend next May---it's my little reward for being non-stop parent while he's been away. He likes WDW, but isn't as gaga as me.... I'm taking the boys to DL this fall with my parents, but I think I will still have to be on the QT about WDW with them or they'll be so bummed. But I think I'll deserve a little time away- plus I'll have a 14 month old with me- not quite all "me" time.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Robin- Great job losing all your baby weight! I only have 5 more pounds to go...but then I gained 40 this time. I will NEVER do that again! I'm losing about 1-2 pounds a week now with healthy eating and LOTS of exercise. But even better than losing weight is I have gained SO much muscle. My arms and legs are more defined now. I noticed last night at the concert that while most everyone elses arms were jiggleing mine weren't. Yay!

I had a BLAST last night! I LOVED gonig to concerts when I was in HS. Then when DH and I got married were have been constantly having kids. Plus for several years only a couple of people I wanted to see even came here. Now in less than 6 months TobyMac has been here 2X, he's my fav. He sings christian hip-hop with a little bit of rock thrown in. Kutless was awesome! They are one of my husbands favorites. They are pretty heavy rock, but some nice songs as well. Audio Adrenaline was good too, I used to listen to them when I was in HS. My DSis(18) and I worked our way to the very front, right up against the rail. It was so awesome. My other 2 Dsis(31 and 20) were sitting on the floor int he way back with ear plugs. Dsis(18) and I are just alike, while the other 2 are just alike. If we weren't sisters we wouldn't be friends because we are so different. It was so great to be out and having fun and being young again. I'll be 24 in May and I have 4 kids. I miss Kaleb, but it's nice to have NOTHING to do this morning! Well, Ivy will be here soon..but other than that I am free!

Have a good day everyone!

 

[becka]

Everyone has such cute kids! Let's keep posting those pics!

I just got everyone up and out the door for today. Today is my last day at home because of my back. I got back to work part-time starting next Monday for 2 weeks and then I will be back full-time after that. I am actually looking forward to going back to work...it is not too much fun to stay home all this time if the kids are not with me. The one good thing is that it has given me time to convince DH that we needed to go back to WDW sooner than planned and I have had lots of time to start planning.

Allie was so tired yesterday. She got home about 5:30 and I played with her until about 6:15 or so when I had to help with dinner so I put her in the swing and she was asleep there about 6:30. I figured I would feed her around 7:00 but she didn't wake up so finally a little after 8:00 I woke her up. She had not eaten since around 4:15 so I figured she would be really hungry. I changed her into her sleeper and gave her the bottle and the poor thing was so tired she only ate a few ounces. She fell back asleep while eating so I put her in the crib. I figured she would wake up early wanting to eat but we didn't hear from her until her normal 6:00 AM. She pretty much slept 11 1/2 hours.

DS had himself in the same kind of pattern by the time he was 4-5 months old so maybe she is headed there too. He would be asleep by 6-6:30 and sleep until 6:00 the next morning. Lots of sleep was great but especially when you are working it doesn't give you much time with them except on weekends.

I need to spend some time today doing some more planning for DS's 3rd birthday. We are doing a Nemo birthday party and I am not entirely sure how it is going to go. I originally thought about a cookout with hamburgers and hot dogs (Nathan LOVES hot dogs) but with my back, etc.. I was thinking that maybe we could just order in pizza and of course have cake and ice cream. The pizza would be much easier (although more expensive) than a cookout and I won't have to worry so much about rainy weather. I need to get the invitations out since the party is 2 weeks from tomorrow.

I am really hoping that we have another level of potty training about to complete this weekend. DS has started being MUCH better about actually telling us he needs to go potty instead of waiting for us to ask him. Also, we told him that if he went poopy in the potty then we would take him to the toy store to let him pick out a new toy. He has been afraid to poop on the potty for some reason. He seemed to really like the toy store idea so maybe that will give him an incentive to actually use the potty. I think once he goes once it will not be a big deal at all. I would love to have all of this potty training done very soon.

MP - I am glad you had fun at your concert. I really like Toby Mac and Audio Adrenaline as well. Is TM ever going to get back with dcTalk? I prefer him as part of that group. DH and I went to see them as part of their Supernatural tour years ago and it was fantastic!!!

Well I have babbled on way too much here. I hope everyone has a great day!!!

 

[lissawynn]

Good Morning! In an attempt to keep our thread alive, I'm going to keep posting.
Jimmy is becoming more and more vocal everyday. I think he loves the sound of his own voice. He's also becoming so animated. He makes the funniest faces and is moving his hands and feet like crazy. He's even made attempts at holding his bottle. That would make my life so much easier!
I bought our park tickets yesterday! I'm so excited that I could scream! I can't wait to see how Jimmy reacts to the lights, characters, music, etc.

 

[Alice28]

Glad you had fun at the concert MommyPoppins- it's good to get away every once in awhile, isn't it? And it sounds like you are doing a FAB job at losing the weight too. I think I just didn't gain much for several reasons: I didn't need to (I'm already 30 pounds overweight- seriously, I'm not just being some vain woman) & I was stressed and depressed over my DH being deployed overseas so I didn't eat a lot. So I think that's why it was easy to lose- gaining only 21-22 pounds and having an 8 1/2 pounder makes it simple to drop the weight. But like I said, I'm 27 pounds heavier than when I got pregnant with my first son, so it hasn't been easy for me to lose the weight from other pregnancies. I'm hoping by the time DH comes home next Jan., I can lose 10 more pounds, maybe 15...it's just really hard nursing and trying to lose any more weight than the pregnancy weight. I am just STARVING all the time when I am breastfeeding, I guess cause you just burn so many calories.

And oh my goodness- you're only 24!?!?! Wow! It will be nice to be the young mom when your kids are in high school and such- I was 25 when I had Sam. I'm now 33. Still younger than several of my friends who are still contemplating having more kids, but I'm starting to feel a little old (it's those gray hairs!).

I can't believe I'm up this early....Molly just didn't want to go back to sleep. She's not crabby, just AWAKE. I think a nap will be in order later on.

DS#2 pooped his pants yesterday..arghhhhh...he got the GameBoy taken away. That was his supreme big boy gift for finally deciding to poop on the potty, and I didn't get it til he had done it for a week straight. He has it one day and then pooped his pants. I swear, I have the most willful little boy...he would go and find a PullUp the last few weeks when he had to poop cause he just DID NOT want to go in the toilet (he would pee). I don't know if he was afraid of it or what- he had the little kiddie potty or the reg. toilet. Ugh.

 

[MommyPoppins]

MP - I am glad you had fun at your concert. I really like Toby Mac and Audio Adrenaline as well. Is TM ever going to get back with dcTalk? I prefer him as part of that group. DH and I went to see them as part of their Supernatural tour years ago and it was fantastic!!!

Well I have babbled on way too much here. I hope everyone has a great day!!!

There are rumers that they are going to get back together...but I don't know if they are true. I sure hope they do! They all came together on TobyMacs newest album(Diverse City) and did a song together. It's called, Atomosphere. It's awesome.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Mommy Poppins and Tasha

Yup, she can definately open doors. Thanks for the suggestions though!

 

[katerkat]

I was stressed and depressed over my DH being deployed overseas so I didn't eat a lot.

I'm just the opposite! I've been eating constantly since DH left... Darn Safeway had 3 dozen big Snickerdoodles on sale for 99-cents... I lost 20 of my 35 pregnancy pounds instantly, but nothing since then. And I want to lose 15 more past that, so 30 to go. *sigh*

Got an email from DH this morning - he's safely to his deployed location.

 

[lissawynn]

I got on the scale this morning and wasn't upset at what I saw. I only have eight more baby pounds to lose. I've switched back to Diet Coke with Lime and have cut back a heck of a lot on my bad carbs. It's starting to pay off.

My sister had to have one of her dogs put to sleep this afternoon. He'd been sick for a while, so it's for th best. I'm taking Jimmy to visit his auntie tonight in an attempt to cheer her up.

Jimmy's first trip to the shore is next weekend. I'm excited about getting away and seeing how he reacts to all the goings on.

Glad to hear all the new babies are doing well!

 

[Alice28]

I think we all need to remember that it takes 9 months to gain the weight and it takes 9 months get back to "normal." I bought some jeans from Lands End via catalog, same size/style as some of my old jeans that are "broken in" (read stretched!) and they don't fit!! I weight the same, maybe 5 pounds more than when I bought them, and they were FALLING off before I got pregnant with Molly...like I could pull them off without unbuttoning them. I couldn't even get these buttoned. I was bummed, and then I remembered, "I mayhave lost the weight, but the belly takes quite a while to regain any semblance of its former self." I'm still gonna return them and just bum around in my old jeans....

KaterKat- now that I am not pregnant, and DH is gone, I find myself snacking all the time. Rarely do I eat a big meal, but it's snack-snack-snack all day long. And not necessarily good stuff either....it's tough. When he was here for 15 days, I swear we went out to eat or got take out every stinking day! I probably gained a pound or two! It was so good though...it was like having my appetite back. And going to Benihana's twice was good for my soul. I could eat there once a week if my budget allowed.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I got on the scale this morning and wasn't upset at what I saw. I only have eight more baby pounds to lose. I've switched back to Diet Coke with Lime and have cut back a heck of a lot on my bad carbs. It's starting to pay off.
!

Thats what I've been doing. I drink diet drinks, try to cut back on my caffine, and have been drinking green tea to boost my metabolism...I hate green tea. I have cut out ALL sugar. I drink Splenda in my coffee and tea. If I want something bad then I have Bryers Carb Smart ice cream which is really good. I eat only whole wheat bread and pasta and only sweet potatoes. It has really made a difference and really I don't miss the bad stuff. Eating healthy and LOTS of exercise is whats helped me. I have been doing 1 hour a day, 5 days a week. I do a combo of yoga, pilates, arobics and weights or target exercises for my hips, legs and butt. The pilates has really helped with my mid-section. After having 4 babies since 2000 and only getting back down to size once my stomach is in need of some tucking. But pilates is really helping, especially below the belly button. I really enjoy doing it also because its so different than just stupid ol' crunches.

Okay I have a question for you bfing mom's. Non bfing mom's feel free to comment also. I have been having to supplement every feeding with Kaleb. I nurse him and then give him about 5-6 ounces of formula. I was only supplementing once or twice a day, but I noticed that he was really losing weight...or not so much losing as he was getting longer and not fatter. I really waited too long, but I never had to deal with this and I didn't know what was going on. I have always bf'd only and until my last baby I was even a bfing snob. Anyway, it seems as if my milk is worthless this time...and I am struggling with whether or not to keep nursing. Do you think he is getting anything nutritionally from me if I am having to give him so much formula after having nursed him? It takes so much more time to nurse for 40 minutes and then have to give him a bottle...but I really don't want to give it up either...part of me does...part of me doesn't. I really just don't know what to do. I am planning on talking to his doc. when he goes in May for his 4 month.. I know that I can have the same bond with him without nursing, but I feel like I'll be missing out on something because I have always LOVED nursing my babies. That's about it..any advice, comments and especially encouragement would be welcome. Thanks!

 

[lissawynn]

Question on umbrella stroller - For those of you who took your kids to WDW when they were under a year old, what kind of stroller did you use? I'm looking at a Capri model from BRU. It's about $50 and would be completely worth it if it's a good stroller. Jimmy's Graco travel system stroller is entirely too heavy to be folding and unfolding and lifting off the buses.
The only problem is that the strollers come in blue and red, no light colors. I did read on AllEars about lining the stroller with a white towel and getting a clip in fan to attach to his stroller.

 

[DisKim]

Mommypoppins - I'm struggling with a similar situation. My son is not quite 2 weeks old yet. He just never seems satisfied after breastfeeding. He roots like crazy and wants to nurse all day long. When I pump, I only get about an ounce out if I'm lucky. I was told to supplement with formula by his doctor anyway due to his slight case of jaundice. I only give him one 2 ounce bottle of formula a day, but he seems so satisfied when he has it. In my case, I haven't been breastfeeding long enough to feel comfortable with giving it up. In your case, however, he has had a few good months of breastmilk, so I think you can feel comfortable with whatever decision you make. If you don't want to give up breastfeeding, I would suggest continuing what you are doing and supplementing the feedings with formula.
As for the weight loss issue, I stepped on the scale for the first time today and discovered I still have 20 pounds to lose . I dropped 26 since I had the baby two weeks ago. I just want to wear my old clothes again. I'm still wearing the maternity stuff. Yuck!
Lissawynn - I don't have an answer on the stroller issue, but I wanted to ask you how old Jimmy will be when you go on vacation. We have a ressie for AKL at the end of June but Aidan will only be 2 1/2 months old. I'm afraid it will be hot and miserable for the baby and end up being a waste of money. I'm also breastfeeding and I worry that I'll be stuck in the baby stations all the time. I can't decide whether to keep the ressie or not. We didn't tell our other two kids about it so they won't be disappointed.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I hate umbrella strollers. The first year we went our kids were 3,2, and 5 months. We brought our full size stroller and a double stroller. We had a wonderful time even though it was a pain on the buses. When we go this year we will bring our full size stroller and rent a double. Last year we brought a umbrella and rented a double. I hated not having a place to put the diaper bag and other things. Also it didn't recline which is a bad thing. Also they sit very upright, so it will depend on his age too. People have always been very kind and helpful when it comes to the buses and us loading up all of our kids. They always get freaked out as soon as they hit the top stair and see all the people...they just stop. But no one has ever been rude to us because we take a few more seconds to load up.

 

[Alice28]

The breastfeeding hasn't been as easy for me this go-round either. I just don't seem to make enough milk to satisfy Miss Molly some of the time. I still nurse her first every feeding, but probably 2-3 times a day she takes another 3+ ounces. I am at the point where I just don't care....I was not happy about it at first, but it gives me peace when she is contented and napping instead of having my shirt open all day long. Just impossible to do with the boys to take care of as well, esp with DH not here. I encourage you to still breastfeed, and not feel guilty about supplementing. And if you feel it would be easiest for everyone just to switch all the way to formula, go for it. You already gave baby a lot of good breastmilk- formula is fine too!

 

[lissawynn]

DisKim Jimmy will be six months old when we go to WDW. I've been reading on the boards that's it's much easier to travel with little ones than toddlers or preschoolers. I think he's going to be a great traveller. He loves to ride in the car and stroller, and he's quite nosey. We went out to dinner on Sat. night, and he spent most of his time looking around and checking everyone out who passed.
I know my trip will have to be much less scheduled than I'm used to, but that's ok. My nephew loves to swim in the pool at VWL (where we're staying), so I anticipate swim breaks every afternoon. We are early risers, so I'm thinking a few hours in the parks, lunch, a swim/nap break, then dinner and more parks. I'm happy that the hours for the parks are extended in the summer. I don't feel so bad about having to take breaks.

Jimmy slept throught the night last night! I'm the happiest mommy today!

 

[justhat]

We just got back from our trip to Disney and I can say that it was definitely much easier to take Madison at 3, 6, and 9 months than it was at 13 months. Looking back, 6 months was the perfect age-Madison was sitting on her own so we could use highchairs, she loved seeing the characters and enjoyed the rides, but wasn't really mobile yet so she was happy to ride in her stroller or be held or in the Baby Bjorn all day. I'm sure Jimmy will have a great time at that age, lissawynn. Oh, and Madison loved the pool too.

DisKim, we took 2 trips when Madison was about 3 months old, the 1st in May, a week before she turned 3 months, and the 2nd in June, so 3.5-almost 4 months (2 weeks total including the Disney cruise). We stayed at AKL on the 2nd trip after the cruise, so June 17-21, and without wanting to put a damper on your trip, we were sorta hot and miserable. We had a concierge room so we could do the Sunrise Safari, and we ended up spending a lot of time in the concierge lounge and in the pool. Madison would sweat so much in her stroller, even with the canopy shading her and a little fan blowing on her, so I'd keep her in the Baby Bjorn cause she felt much cooler that way (still kept her totally shaded with a thin, white blanket draped over the Bjorn, covering her arms and legs, and a sun hat). The problem was that way I was incredibly hot and sweaty. Our last day was so hot that we kept running back to the baby care center just to cool off. Madison was only breastfed at the time too and nursed about every 2 hours, sometimes a bit more since it was so hot. I didn't have any trouble nursing her in shows/rides, but if you don't want to do that you will end up in the baby care centers all day. It's just so hot and they needed to stay hydrated so you're nursing them all the time. Madison's dr also said no water for her because in a baby who only gets breastmilk, more than an ounce of water a day can thin their blood too much cause their kidneys can't process it and they can essentially drown. Now, would I take our next baby to Disney at that age, yes, without a 2nd thought, but probably never in the summer again. She was so easy, we only needed some diapers and wipes, no food, bottles, toys, etc. But the heat was unbearable and with a baby that tiny you have to make a lot of accomodations. Would I still go if I were you? Yeah, I would, but knowing what I know now, I'd be at the parks at opening, and be back in the room by noon, take a swim, rest, nap, whatever then go back out around 6pm when it is cooler. From like 11-5 was incredibly hot though and it was not enjoyable to be out then. Also, there were afternoon thunderstorms pretty much everyday, so not fun to be out in that with a baby too. If you avoid that part of the day, spend it enjoying the AKL's offerings and resting, you'll have a good trip.

 

[DisKim]

Thanks for the advice on the trip. I would feel alot more comfortable if Aidan was going to be a little older. Justhat - you confirmed my fears. I'm really afraid that Aidan will be really hot. I'm also concerned because he is not old enough to wear sunblock. I'm probably going to cancel. We just went in October. I think the kids can wait until next summer to go again.