The Official New Mom Thread

[nucpharm29]

Well, I guess our situation is worked out, somewhat. We are leaving town tomorrow. DD and DH are flying out at 7am and DS and I are flying out at 4:55pm. DS has his 2 month checkup tomorrow, so I can't leave with the rest of the family. So I've spent today rearranging appointments, work arrangements, and getting the dog boarded. Now, I have to finish packing. Good thing I never put the suitcases away from our last trip. Well, better go--got a screaming baby on top of everything else!

 

[bellacam]

nucpharm - Holy Cow! I usually need a few days just to get it together to go to my parents (2 hrs away) for a few says. Being able to pack for two weeks in one day is amazing to me!

SL - Good luck with the 'meat". So far I have made all of Aidan's food so I have been wondering about thoses types of foods to. I do still have a few months before I have to try any of that out.

llij - Sorry John Paul is sick. Here's some well baby dust!

to all the other mommies.

Aidan seems to be doing ok today with his new tooth. I took him to our weekly playgroup at our library and he was fine while there. Some of the mommies were having a discussion on "child entertainment" I didn't join in but they were talking down about mommies who use tv, jumperoos, and exersaucers as forms of entertainment. HELLO! GUILY, GUILTY, and GUILTY!
Now in my defense, I also spend at least 2 full hours of time down on the florr or sitting up playing with him too. I was a little put off thought. Without Baby Einstein and a bouncy seat I would not get a shower most days. I live in a very divided towm. There are corparate families that work for Dh bank and then a large "artisitc" community. Alot of them take a natural holistic practice towards childrearing, ie EBF till 1+(as in no other food what so ever), no vaccinations, no "artificial" stimulation. Sometimes I feel so out of place. Like today, one of the moms I actually like said "That's not a stroller, it's a Cadillac" as I was getting Aidan ready to go. Mind you she was getting her little one into a homeade sling, better because of the constant contact. I just hate it when people are critical of others child rearing choices.

 

[nucpharm29]

bellacam--I also couldn't get through the day without a little TV or bouncy seat time for the kids. I would never get a shower otherwise! Oh well, I guess I'm doomed to h..l for it! Hey, at least it's the Disney channel--gotta start them early!

Well, we are all packed--at least I think we are. We'll find out when we get there if I forgot anything. My brain is completely fried! Hopefully, Matthew will sleep well tonight, so we can all be well rested for tomorrow. At least I get to travel with the infant instead of our tantrum throwing 2 year old. Just kidding; sort of! Time to get DD in the bathtub and then off to bed--I'll post again once we're all settled.

 

[Alice28]

Oh, Bridget, I would not fit in with that group at ALL. Yikes....get real folks! I am of the stance that although we should love our children and support them, guide them, direct them, they are not to be the center of our entire universe. I have things I need to get done in my household, day in, day out, and I can't spend 24/7 'entertaining' my child. I think a healthy child is one who can entertain themselves for awhile- babies can play with toys in the exersaucer and that is just FINE! Babies can sit in the crib or playpen with toys, books, etc and that's FINE! Babies can have a cookie or french fry once in awhile and that's FINE! Ya with me? Geez....and I'm so sure about the stroller comment- gimme a break.

Nucpharm! Whew! What a whirlwind day you have had! Wow! You handled it well I must say!

I got my money back from Expedia! I was ready to blow my top with them, so DH made the last phone call and handled things (oh how I missed that!). They kept saying my FAX didn't go thru, was blurry, or just didn't come. So after spending $10 at the stupid postal annex store (I don't have a fax and since neither one of us is working outside the home right now, that was my option....last night my neighbor took the papers for me to fax at his office so Expedia would get it this AM) I was getting POed. I called this AM to confirm they got the fax and they told me NO. When my DH called 15 minutes later, they hemmed and hawed and miraculously, they found it! Gee, what a surprise. Jerks. But I have my $206 back on my Amex, so all is fine.

Speaking of being a bad mommy, I just looked over and Molly found a candy cane! But oh, what a happy girl she is! She ate a whole toddler can of beef-a-roni today....she was so pleased with herself and the biggest mess EVER. Good lord....she still smells like it....I immediately put her in the sink and had to do a load of laundry. But man, she then took a 3 hour nap- maybe cause of her full tummy? Nice!

Anyway, I keep looking at the DL website, but I just can't work it out right now.....We really shouldn't pull DS out of school anymore, but DH really shouldn't take any time off of work for awhile once he starts (I was looking at spring break time...DS gets almost 2 weeks off cause they bump parent teacher conferences in there the week before). I really wanted to go to DL during the anniversary, but I guess I will have to be satisfied with the free trip I had to WDW last fall.

Have a nice evening everyone!

 

[zalansky]

Add me to the bad mommies group. Not only do my kids watch tv, including baby Einstein and almost every Disney animated movie ever made...but the baby also uses a play gym and bouncy seat too. That's how I shower as well! I agree with you Bellacam....everyone is entitled to how they parent, but they shouldn't look down on those who choose alternate methods. That is so annoying! I am trying to join some local moms groups since I am not staying home full time and I have to say that alot of these moms seem sort of Stepford Wive-ish to me. Like their theme is the baby is the center of the universe and they'll all sit around and adore them all day. Now I adore my kids as much as the next personm, but I need some time for me and some interests that are mine! If my mom were alive and she saw what these women focus on, she'd lose it.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Speaking of being a bad mommy, I just looked over and Molly found a candy cane! But oh, what a happy girl she is! She ate a whole toddler can of beef-a-roni today....she was so pleased with herself and the biggest mess EVER. Good lord....she still smells like it....I immediately put her in the sink and had to do a load of laundry. But man, she then took a 3 hour nap- maybe cause of her full tummy? Nice!

Anyway, I keep looking at the DL website, but I just can't work it out right now.....We really shouldn't pull DS out of school anymore, but DH really shouldn't take any time off of work for awhile once he starts (I was looking at spring break time...DS gets almost 2 weeks off cause they bump parent teacher conferences in there the week before). I really wanted to go to DL during the anniversary, but I guess I will have to be satisfied with the free trip I had to WDW last fall.

Have a nice evening everyone!

That is going to be a fun dipaer later!

We keep thinking of going to DL in May. We have never been before and there acutally is a lot there I want to see now (at DL and DCA, but also in So Cal and DH's has some cousins there.) The more we look at it the more pricey it seems to be. I don't know why WDW is cheaper.

Anyway some friends who have been to WDW twice (our best friends really) didn't go on this last trip with us in Jan and are thinking about going to WDW in May and Vero Beach (we hav done VB for the past 2 years in May, we love it.) So now we are considering just going to FLA with them. Still haven't decided, but it is so much fun to go on vacation with good friends (who have kids the same age as yours and they LOVE each other.)

Has anyone else ever been to DL, what do you think? I guess we are leary because we don't know it so well and aren'ta s confident on just how to do it. (Yes, DH and are creatures of habbit.)

nucpharm29, wow, it makes my head spin. Have a great time. (rather exciting isn't it, sometimes last min is more fun, but a lot of work.)

bellacam, sometimes it seems other mothers (especially SAHM for some reason) can be so mean and judgmental. That is one reason I love our mommy thread, none of that here! It really bothers me because mommyhood should bond others and give us sympathy and support, not looking down on others. I think most people (mothers in this case) that are critical of others don't feel good about themselves for some reason, keep that in mind. There are so many ways you can be a good mommy, and "house keeping" is not the most important ones. I agree that children need to learn to amuse themselves, and need time alone to find out how to do that. (I love the fact my kids can, they can also play together and with others, all good things .)

Infact I got to the gym today, I think I need exersise to keep up my spirits in winter. I also got my eyebrows done. I like the way they look, but they are ichy now. I even signed up for a faical next week. 1st time, looking forward to it. Anyway when I went to pick up the kids they were both in a play tunnel together playing with dolls, I love that. I feel better about Lily being there too because Anna can tell me what happened.

 

[bellacam]

bellacam, sometimes it seems other mothers (especially SAHM for some reason) can be so mean and judgmental. That is one reason I love our mommy thread, none of that here! It really bothers me because mommyhood should bond others and give us sympathy and support, not looking down on others. I think most people (mothers in this case) that are critical of others don't feel good about themselves for some reason, keep that in mind. There are so many ways you can be a good mommy, and "house keeping" is not the most important ones. I agree that children need to learn to amuse themselves, and need time alone to find out how to do that. (I love the fact my kids can, they can also play together and with others, all good things .)

I totally agree! I am a SAHM and I have found some other SAHM's to be very judgemental of working mothers. Don't get me wrong, there are some really great women in this group who could care less where you come from or how you raise your kid, but there is always a few who it seems delight in making others feel inadequate. That's how I felt today. Over putting my kid in Jumperoo. OK now that it's in print, I feel silly! Aidan loves that thing and it makes him happy which makes me a very happy mommy. Isn't that what it should be about?

 

[Alice28]

Disney PhD- I have been to DL 30+ times. If you have any questions, ask away! It is quite different than WDW- the main thing being is the parks are literally just plunked in the middle of a major metropolitan area- no acres and acres of landscaping- it's freeways and major streets (you know like 7-11 and McDonald's across the street, along with umpteen tacky motels). But once you're in the park, it's magical of course. Smaller scale, but that also means much less walking! No busses to hassle with- you just walk across the espanade to DCA. The DL hotels are within walking distance too. Less sit down meals to plan, but more variety with counter/buffeteria service. And so many attractions WDW doesn't have- Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Storybookland Boats, Alice, Pinocchio,the subs are returning, Roger Rabbit...New Orleans Square. DL is my home turf so to speak.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Disney PhD- I have been to DL 30+ times. If you have any questions, ask away! It is quite different than WDW- the main thing being is the parks are literally just plunked in the middle of a major metropolitan area- no acres and acres of landscaping- it's freeways and major streets (you know like 7-11 and McDonald's across the street, along with umpteen tacky motels). But once you're in the park, it's magical of course. Smaller scale, but that also means much less walking! No busses to hassle with- you just walk across the espanade to DCA. The DL hotels are within walking distance too. Less sit down meals to plan, but more variety with counter/buffeteria service. And so many attractions WDW doesn't have- Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Storybookland Boats, Alice, Pinocchio,the subs are returning, Roger Rabbit...New Orleans Square. DL is my home turf so to speak.

See it is all those things that have peaked my interest, plus a whole other park. I do really want to see it and the 50th seems like a great time. It is all those other unknowns like where to stay, how to get around, from Arport, how many days to spend at the parks and where else to do, rent a car or not....etc..... (and that long flight from MI to CAL) that keeps me going back to FLA instead. I really want to go to CAL, but I think it is more likley we will end up at VB and WDW with our friends (still fun though.) If we do end up going, I will be picking your brain more.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ok, so I bought 2 swimsuits @ $19.50 each. I also bought 2 pairs of leather sandals @ $9.99 each. I also bought a pair of boots for $19.50. I am very happy with the swimsuits. I'd rather buy quality suits than cheapie stuff. This way I got quality at cheapie prices. I just hope they fit!

Thanks, your post got me thinking and I ordered a new suit (it was 19.50 each piece, but still a deal.) Just a basic black tankini, but I needed one since my old one is all streched out and baggy. Wasn't sure on the size, it is funny not to know your size. The weight keeps coming off slowly, but it still is coming off.

 

[J&D]

Happy 1st Birthday to my little princess!

Here are some pictures from her birthday party last Saturday.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

nucpharm - I hope you have a safe trip.

bellacam - Don't let those other moms get you down. I've used the bouncy, exersaucer, play gym, swing, TV, and highchair to entertain Lucas at some point. I think we're more the norm than those "other" types of people.

Alice28 - Glad you got your money back. Expedia sounds like they're a joy to work with.

DisneyPhD - I've never been to Disneyland but I'd like to go someday. Hope you have a great trip.

J&D - Happy birthday to Jenna!! Great pictures! Glad your party went well.

Lucas had apples & chicken last night for dinner. I don't know how much chicken there actually was in there, but he ate the whole jar and gummed up a piece of cantaloupe afterwards. I think we'll add it to our menu!

Tonight is DH's grandmother's wake and tomorrow is her funeral. Lucas will be spending the night at my parents' house because we're having one of DH's cousins stay over. My parents will be taking him to the funeral tomorrow too. I don't know if that's "frowned upon" or anything (having children at a funeral), but we don't have any other choice. My family wants to attend and DH's whole family will be there so there isn't anyone to babysit. He's generally very good when we go out so I don't have to worry about him screaming through the service or anything.

 

[T16GEM]

Hi everyone,

wow this thread has moved on again!

Jill - Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with the insurers - I guess that you are still getting the shots for JP regardless though?

Tasha & Kylie - Hello I'm glad that you are keeping up with the thread and posting through others is a great idea.

Alice - Glad that you got your money back from Expedia - I don't think I would ever use them they seem to good to be true!

J&D - your pics of Jenna's birthday are cute!

SL - SOrry to hear about your loss, it's terrible to lose a loved one.


Bellacam - I am also a bad mommy! I use the bouncy chair, the excersise mat and anything else that makes life easier for us! Again it's how I get to shower unless DH is around!

Hillbeans - I have problems with weight loss too! I lost about 10lbs in a months and then my friend visited last weekend and I put it all back on with water retention! I think it's going again now - it just makes you so depressed though! I also have Disney withdrawals! I won't be going until Shelby is about 5, I don't know how I will survive!!

Hi to everyone else - hope you are all well.

Guess what - Shelby had her first solids this morning! She had some baby rice for lunch along with her usual formula, I think she liked it - she ate quite a bit. Usually when she feeds if you take the bottle from her to wind etc she freaks out b/c she wants more, she did that with the spoon! I was so pleased that she appeared to like it! I took a picture of her after she had finished so I will try and post it later she looks so cute on it!

Anyway - I am going to get myself some lunch now speak to you all soon

Gems

 

[nucpharm29]

SL-Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! Hugs to your family!

Alice28-glad you got your money back--Expedia won't be getting any business from us in the near future.

J&D--Happy Birthday to Jenna! But she looked way too neat in her pictures--Tell me you have a picture with cake all over her head and face, too!

DisneyPhD--AAAHHH, ordering bathing suits!!!! I can't even imagine putting one on right now! I have this nasty left over baby belly and I got massive stretch marks with DS . I'm going to try to make it all summer w/o putting one on--at least we aren't planning a beach trip this year--unless DH decides to go to Vero Beach later on.

Well, I just got back from dropping DD and DH off at the airport. Now, I have to get myself ready and take DS to the doctor for his 2 month shots. Poor baby has to have shots and then get on an airplane. Hopefully, he'll just get tired and sleep all day. That's what DD did after her shots. I would hate for him to be extra cranky on the plane. I'll keep the Tylenol close at hand. Hey, has anyone tried the Enfamil AR Lipil formula. One of my good friend's DS opened $60 worth of the stuff at target yesterday so she had to buy it! But she gave me a couple of cans to try with Matthew. I would only be giving him one bottle a day or so, but just wanting to know if anyone had any experience with it.

 

[justhat]

Wow, I'll have to catch up to everything later, but I just wanted to say a couple of things before I get too far behind.

I love the pics, nucpharm, but you'll have to add me to the "your daughter looks like your husband" camp. At first I thought she looked a little like you, till that picture of the 2 of them together. Good luck with the flight and enjoy your time with your family.

DisneyPhD, we've been to DL a few times, last time was when Madison was 6 months old. Honestly, I love it there and am really itching to go back and I think I finally figured out a time. My mom's got a convention in Phoenix in October so I'm going to ask her if she wants to fly to CA afterwards to meet me for a DL trip. I know it sounds insane cause this baby is due 8/28 and this would be about 10/10, but I'm assuming the baby will come by the 20th, so it'll be around 6 or 7 weeks old by then and I'll have help so we'll see. Of course I won't book anything till the baby is here and I can see how that will work, but I think it will be much easier than my initial plan of trying to go to WDW late in October for a MNSSHP. I really want to get there for the 50th thing too cause I submitted photos of Madison for those collages and they e-mailed me where they are located and stuff so I want to see them in person.

Bellacam, we brought Madison's Jumperoo to her christening party with us so if that's not a bad mommy.... She loved that thing and was very upset when she got too big to really use it. Of course right after we bought it they changed it from 3 height positions to 4 so if we had had that one she probably could have used it longer. We had a doorway jumper too but she never loved that like the Jumperoo (which was at my mom's house). We didn't do any tv till 18 months, but that was really much more Madison's preference than me being anti-tv. She really just had no interest in it any sooner. Now she loves to watch Bear in the Big Blue House, Toy Story, and Monsters Inc. And I gave her a cereal bar and leftover spaghetti from TGIFridays for breakfast this morning. I'm sure that would be frowned upon for many reasons. Oh, and I have one of those Cadillac strollers too-a Graco Coachrider, but I have to admit that I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything else (especially the rotten Maclaren that lost a wheel in WDW and then lost the handle when we got home from Tucson!!!).

Tasha, congrats on your trip to Pop! You guys will love it and Kylie will have a blast with all those supersize icons. Madison loved it there (we only stayed a night, but she would have much rather stayed there than the Poly, believe me) and I did too (I'm a sucker for 80s stuff, even though we were in the 50s section!).

Okay, the dryer stopped so time to get the next load in. It's amazing how much laundry I have to do-with all these interviews we haven't really been home much so I just kept putting it all off but we'll all be out of clothes if I don't get back to work now.

 

[lissawynn]

Good morning! Happy Friday to you all! This thread moves SO much. I am being bad and not grading my spelling tests this morning. I am just punising myself b/c I'll have to do it this weekend. Whatever. I can only stay away from the DIS for so long!

Happy 1st birhtday Jenna!

Alice28 - Glad you got your Expedia stuff worked out. I will never use them again. After being practically strip-searched at MCO b/c Expedia never issued us return tickets. We were issued replacement tickets and considered high-risk. It was not fun.

nupcharm - Have a good trip!

Gems - Good luck with the solids. Jimmy LOVED peas and bananas. He likes them even better now that they're not mashed up.

SL - I wouldn't worry about taking Lucas to the wake and funeral. I'm sure he'll be fine.
Quick question for you: Where did you get the basket that I seen in the background of Lucas' pic? I need some baskets like that to organize Jimmy's stuff.

bellacam - Aidan is so cute! I would totally not fit in with those moms. Jimmy plays very well in his pack n play, and I'm not going to take him out of there while he's having a good time. I would get nothing done! He also loves to watch Dora, Blue's Clues, ****ahs, Sesame Street, and Diego. He's warming up to Disney movies, and I don't have a problem with that at all. As far as feeding him organic stuff and bfing, I must just be terrible. Should I send those moms a pic of Jimmy chowing down on his birthday cake? They'd love the icing smeared all over his face . If you think you're doing a good job raising your son, then you are. All those crunchy-munchie earthy people make me nuts sometimes.

Back to the salt mines, I mean 7th graders!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Quick question for you: Where did you get the basket that I seen in the background of Lucas' pic? I need some baskets like that to organize Jimmy's stuff.

That basket was actually a shower gift, but I also have a similar one lined in a jungle-themed fabric (liner is removable) from Marshall's/Home Goods. I've also seen lined baskets at Linens n Things/Bed Bath and Beyond type stores.

 

[bellacam]

Happy 1st Birthday, Jenna! Her cake is adorable.

SL - Your family is in my prayers.

Alice - Yay in getting your $ back! I have heard other bad things about expedia.

Gem - Congrats on the solids!

Nucpharm - Hope Matthew does ok with the shots and the flight. As for the Enfamil, that is the kind we were supplementing Aidan with while BF and he gets that solely now that he is weaned. We never had any issues with it at all. It is a little more expensive though.

JustThat - That is exactly the stroller I have! I love it to and would never get rid of it!

Lisa - I woke Aidan from his nap laughing at crunchie-munchies! That is exactly how I wanted to describe them but I didn't want to offend!

Well I'd write more but as I said, I woke the Prince. Have a good day mommies!

 

[DisneyPhD]

bellacam - Aidan is so cute! I would totally not fit in with those moms. Jimmy plays very well in his pack n play, and I'm not going to take him out of there while he's having a good time. I would get nothing done! He also loves to watch Dora, Blue's Clues, ****ahs, Sesame Street, and Diego. He's warming up to Disney movies, and I don't have a problem with that at all. As far as feeding him organic stuff and bfing, I must just be terrible. Should I send those moms a pic of Jimmy chowing down on his birthday cake? They'd love the icing smeared all over his face . If you think you're doing a good job raising your son, then you are. All those crunchy-munchie earthy people make me nuts sometimes.

Did the sensors just ** out boohbahs? Really and truely, or did you try to call them ****ahs? Too funny.

I hate to admit it but Lily LOVES boohbah's loves them. She can say it (has been able to for a lone time, one of her 1st words. I think they are really dumb, but when it makes her happy, I don't care in the least bit. I would guess some child development speicalist planned it all that way, it really is perfect for kids around 1 year old.

 

[justhat]

Bellacam, we took that stroller to WDW with us (I know, insane cause it's heavy, but Madison was 3 months old and would not be in a stroller without facing us at the time) and my husband and cousin broke the basket folding it up for a bus and I am still angry about that. It was just one of the snaps that they ripped off so the basket still works, but it annoys me everytime I use it that it's broken. So I say, good choice on the stroller!!!