The Official New Mom Thread

[DisKim]

I'm trying to catch up here. I never seem to get a chance to get on the computer lately. DH is always on it doing his graduate work. I guess that takes priority over the DIS.

Lissawynn - I think I'd like my school to get uniforms. I think it causes alot less conflict among the students. I would love to have to wear a uniform myself. I wouldn't have to put outfits together and it would save on work clothes. I was thinking about buying the hip hammock for my trip too. I guess I won't now. I have no idea what kind of carrier to bring for Aidan. I was thinking about buying a bjorn but he is getting so big I'm afraid he'll grow out of it in a month.

I am so excited. I just found out that my aunt and uncle and their kids are coming to WDW with us! They just booked with the free dining today. We always go to WDW with them and I was depressed that they wouldn't be with us this time. My aunt and uncle are only about 8 years older than me. They have a son who is 5 just like my DS. It's great because they can play together.

 

[Alice28]

I've taken strollers to Disney (land and world), gosh, 4-5 times and never have had a problem with it being messed with. But I do remember feeling paranoid the first time that someone would take it.

I had FUN spending my gymbucks today. Let's just say everyone is set for fall. My best deal- .99 tights for Molly! You can't get tights that cheap at Target or WalMart! A whole basket of them, white and cream colored tights for .99! Amazing. Nothing else was quite that cheap, , but I did manage to get my total to $500.84- I had $500 to spend with the gymbucks. I paid $250.84. Not bad and like I said, now everyone has a fall wardrobe, the END of kid shopping except for shoes next week at the Stride Rite sale. So if I mention shopping for the kids in the next 2+ months, feel free to "shame, shame" me. I was mad that they didn't have one shirt I wanted for Molly that I saw on the website; apparently Portland, Oregon has been deemed a "warm weather" market and they didn't send any long sleeved versions of the shirt to our market! We do have temperate autumns until about Halloween, but come on! So, a whole outfit I had planned out went in the toilet and I just bought her something summery in the 12-18 month size for next year.

Except for $120 worth of kids' shoes I am going to buy next week, I am done spending extra money til Disney World.

 

[justhat]

DisKim, that's great that your family is coming to WDW with you. My mom, cousins, aunt/uncle, SILs and niece came with us last May and it was a great trip. I really enjoy spending time with our extended family on vacation, and it's even better when the kids are the same age. Even when they're not, it's sitll nice cause they entertain each other anyway. We went to Cleveland last weekend for a baptism and my 7yo cousin spent the whole weekend playing with Madison. It was great, first time in awhile that I could sit down without having to watch everything she did.

Alice28, what did you buy at Gymboree? I will be buying online because that way there is no sales tax, plus I'll definitely be over the free shipping limit, so it's not worth me going to the store since we have sales tax in DC/MD/VA. I have 6 Gymbucks to spend, plus I just signed up for the Gymboree Visa and it came yesterday, so I got a $25 gift certificate, plus the 5% discount. So I'll be spending about $350 total, but will only have to pay about $160 or so. I looked online a few days ago to plan out what I want and how much I can spend and I realized that buying the stuff that is full price is going to annoy me later on when it goes on sale. I realize I'm still getting 50% off of my purchase, but I'll be annoyed that I didn't get the 50% off the sale stuff. Some of the stuff I want is on sale, but most of it is from the new lines for the fall so I guess I'll just have to buy it anyway. I plan to buy all the sale stuff I want from Aloha Wahine for next summer and then get some stuff from Petting Zoo and Romantic Garden for this fall. Madison starts preschool in September so I feel like I can buy her more cute stuff since she won't just be staying in the house with me.

 

[Alice28]

OMG- do you really want to know what I bought at Gymboree? Well, you don't have to twist my arm!

Okay, here we go:
Molly:
3 pairs of tights (after discount only .50 a pair!!!! )
4 socks of varying prints
Sweet Cherries blankie- she has several blankets, but none in that soft knit like Gymbo and Gap have
Sweet Cherries onesie to go with a dress I already bought
Petting Zoo Romper, onesie, aqua shirt, aqua sweater (I LOVE THIS SWEATER), green skort & socks mentioned earlier
Romantic Garden leggings to go with some long sleeved tees my best friend got her for $2 at Old Navy (she's a manager and she gets me some great rock bottom stuff)
Pool Party capris and tee for next summer; pool party hat; I loved all the little clips and hair doo-dahs, but who knows if Molly will have hair next summer!
(I looked closely at Aloha Wahini as I LOVE this line, but I already had the pieces I wanted)
I was mad they didn't have the charmed shirt in long sleeved- I was going to get that and some floral leggings but oh well. (Chelsea Girl line) Bought her the Pool Party outfit and extra unders for the boys for what I would have spent on this outfit.

Josh-
Brown pants
Gray sweats
Blue hoodie sweatshirt
4 socks
6 underpants
3 long sleeved tops

Sam-
4 long sleeved tops
1 short sleeved top
Brown pants
Gray sweats
4 socks
4 underpants (we just stocked up for him at Gap but Gymbo has the BEST unders)

I went with the newer lines for the most part because I wanted to buy the boys cold weather clothes; same with Molly. They already have a TON of summer stuff and Molly even has a ton in her closet for next year (Aloha Wahini and Bonjour Provence for the most part).

 

[floridafam]

Well, I also went to Gymboree.

I was all set to buy DD 6 some stuf but didn't see one thing I liked.

So, Kona got a ton clothes. We also hit the Gap clearance racks. She's already in 18-24 months at the Gap.

They had a lot of long sleeve outfits and jackets that I couldn't even look at as it has been so HOT here.

I could have waited until this weekend when the sales tax holiday starts but I didn't want to deal with all the people.

DS 9 goes to the Dr. tomorrow. He has some brown spots on his eyeball-the white part. I have no idea what they are. If you could send some prayers our way. I hope it's nothing serious.

I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[gwcollins71]

Lily had her weigh in yesterday and she gained 15 oz in the last week. I'm feeling less guilty about giving her so much formula now.

I have another question for all you seasoned Moms... Lily is up and fussy from about 6ish to 1130 or midnight every night the last 2 weeks. During the day she's charming, not fussy at all. She wants to eat, be held and falls asleep for at least a couple of hours at a shot. However, once 6 pm rolls around she wants to eat and be held. She won't go to sleep or deal with being put down.

I'm really missing just sitting down to eat dinner with DH. We have to tag team dinner with her. One of us gets to eat while the other holds her and then we switch.

If she falls asleep while we're holding her and we put her down she starts crying within a couple of minutes and we have to pick her up again.

I know, we're creating a monster who is incapable of self soothing herself. How do we do that? How long should we let her cry. If it was just a whimper I could handle it, but she cries that loud piercing shriek/scream kind of cry and I am worried she is going to make herself sick.

I tried to let her cry herself to sleep last Sunday night on the advice of a friend and she cried that loud piercing cry for 3 hours before I gave in and picked her up. She would not fall asleep.

I know its too early to get her to sleep through the night, but I need to start preparing for her to go to sleep more quickly before I have to go back to work. (I have training meetings starting the first week in August.)

Thanks for any help and insight you can share.

Gretchen

 

[castlegazer]

My daughter power eats from 6pm until she goes to bed at 8:30. She did the same thing - we can't put her down. Well, now she sits in a high chair and eats dinner with us, but she is still eating during that time. Its their stock up time. I would not worry about self-soothing issues. She seems to be doing what she is supposed to be doing. Its a crank period for a lot of babies.

Oh, and your daughter is much too young to cry herself to sleep. It is not time to ferberize her at all! Follow your heart and pick her up and sooth her. Stop worrying and stop letting your friends and not your pediatrician tell you what you should be doing - there's enough guilt in our lives as mothers as it is. Even if she were old enough, three hours is much too long to let a child cry it out. You need to make sure she knows you're there by rubbing their back and trying to soothe them without picking them up. BUT PLEASE don't do this to a three week old. Newborns need love and attention and immediate gratification of all their needs. You are most definately not spoiling this child.

You can expect to be up with your baby at least twice a night until much after you start back at work. Its normal. My daughter is a super sleeper - she goes down at 8:30 and gets up at 4:45 and then back down again. This is normal and she is 5 months old. At one months or two months she was up at least twice a night.

 

[lil mermaid]

Lily had her weigh in yesterday and she gained 15 oz in the last week. I'm feeling less guilty about giving her so much formula now.

I have another question for all you seasoned Moms... Lily is up and fussy from about 6ish to 1130 or midnight every night the last 2 weeks. During the day she's charming, not fussy at all. She wants to eat, be held and falls asleep for at least a couple of hours at a shot. However, once 6 pm rolls around she wants to eat and be held. She won't go to sleep or deal with being put down.

I'm really missing just sitting down to eat dinner with DH. We have to tag team dinner with her. One of us gets to eat while the other holds her and then we switch.

If she falls asleep while we're holding her and we put her down she starts crying within a couple of minutes and we have to pick her up again.

I know, we're creating a monster who is incapable of self soothing herself. How do we do that? How long should we let her cry. If it was just a whimper I could handle it, but she cries that loud piercing shriek/scream kind of cry and I am worried she is going to make herself sick.

I tried to let her cry herself to sleep last Sunday night on the advice of a friend and she cried that loud piercing cry for 3 hours before I gave in and picked her up. She would not fall asleep.

I know its too early to get her to sleep through the night, but I need to start preparing for her to go to sleep more quickly before I have to go back to work. (I have training meetings starting the first week in August.)

Thanks for any help and insight you can share.

Gretchen

Gretchen,

You are NOT creating a monster who cannot soothe herself! She is only three weeks old. She is too young to soothe herself.

Now onto the issue of crying it out - she is WAY too young for that. Even the "crying it out" books tell you not to try it on an infant less than four months old.

As Castlegazer said - she is doing exactly what she is supposed to do. It seems so difficult now, I know- but it will get easier as she gets older, I promise!

 

[justhat]

Madison was cranky in the evenings from about 2 weeks old till around 6 weeks, then she outgrew it and was fine. We had to hold her and eat too-great way for me to lose that baby weight as I couldn't really eat much! IMO, 3 weeks old is too young to cry it out, and 3 hours is a long time when they're eating every 2-4 hours or so at that age. Of course, my daughter is 16 months and still not great at self-soothing, BUT, and I stress this, she was until 4 months old, so I do know that it gets better from the first few weeks and they learn to be happier when put down and sleep better. It takes time, but a lot will happen in the next couple of weeks before you start work so don't worry too much right now. Odds are she'll still be waking at night, but she'll have more of a schedule so things will be easier.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

This is sort of inspired by Gretchen's "crying it out" question. Is it bad to put the baby to sleep in the swing or bouncy chair consistently during the day? I'm worried that I'm relying too much on them just because it's easier. Lucas sleeps at night in his own room in his cradle but during the day I keep him in the living room with me. I used to put him down in the bassinet part of the Pack N Play but he'd fuss too much. I started using his bouncy seat (and occassionally the swing) for naps because I thought it would help his gas problem if he was sitting more upright and he likes the vibrating mode. Now I use it exclusively because he won't sleep if in the Pack N Play.

Am I "training" him to sleep only in these seats? Or, like babies self-soothing, is he too young to know the difference and I should just do what I have to do to get him to sleep?

Just something I was thinking about today.

 

[Alice28]

(((Gretchen)))

Lily is WAY too young to start self-soothing or crying it out. Unfortunately evening time is often a crabby time for babies and sometimes you will spend the entire evening holding her and feeding her...tag team dinner is very common during these early months, and you and DH will just have to muddle through it. This time will not last forever. But while it is happening, try and enjoy Lily- newborn babies cry for a reason...you can never, ever EVER spoil a newborn. Trust me (and all the other ladies who have said the same thing). I honestly do not think Lily will be on any sort of schedule or near the self-soothing stage by the time you have to start work again....I know you want her to be, but I don't think so. Most babies don't really start having a regular, predictable schdule until about 3++ months. I would say Molly in the last month has started to get predictable, and being able to self soothe- she is about 4 1/2 months. My middle one didn't get that way til about 6 months.

Please be easy on yourself and baby....this time is tiring and hard, but try and just relax and enjoy it. Get a baby carrier and see if that helps- she will enjoy still being with you and yet you can have your hands free. When my babies were newborns, I learned a trick to get them to sleep- strap on the Bjorn and vacuum! I swear to you, it worked every time to calm them down when feeding and changing didn't work. Then I would sit down and put my feet up while they were still strapped on me.

 

[justhat]

Alice28, I completely forgot about the Bjorn, though I don't know how cause it was my lifesaver for 3 months. Madison needed to be held almost all day from the time she woke up in the morning till she went to bed at night, but at night she slept in her own bed so I was fine with that. Around 6 weeks she started to get more predictable, she'd fuss around 9pm, then go to sleep in her bed till 3am, wake up to nurse, then sleep till 7:30. Daytimes though she'd still nurse every 2 hours, and that continued till around 6 months old. Having a nighttime pattern though made days much easier for me since I could get some sleep. The eating with a baby in your arms though, well we still have to do that sometimes!

 

[katerkat]

Russ was also fussy in the evenings up to about five weeks old. He was fully sleeping through the night at 7 week (from 9-10 pm to 7 am). I started letting him self-sooth at about 3.5 months old - he nursed to sleep until then. (He wasn't a crier, though. He'd just talk to the ceiling fan for 20-30 minutes until he fell asleep.)

As for the swing/bouncer - still too young to be "trained" in that method. Russ takes his morning nap in the swing every day. He's out where I am and comfy, and at this point, that's what's most important.

 

[justhat]

Alice28, I forgot to say that I love all the stuff you got for Molly at Gymboree! I don't know that much about the boys stuff (though I do get some stuff for my nephew there, but usually just when I see something cute that's on sale). Madison is getting all that Petting Zoo stuff too, I love that line-we're getting that sweater, t and pants, green skirt and sheep shirt. I decided I'm going to have to take her to the store today though to be sure of the sizes I should get before I order. She's about 31 inches and 22 lbs. right now, but some of the 12-18 month stuff just falls off her it's so big, so getting all 18-24 month for the fall makes me nervous. But then again, she'll be 18 months at the end of August, and won't really need 'Fall' clothes here till she's about 20 months so maybe the fit won't be such a problem. Oh, and I am thinking of the Charming shirt and leggings too, but I made the mistake of showing my husband who doesn't think they're worth the price. So I might just wait for the sales on that one.

 

[katerkat]

Yes, like I said, the scrapbook store is across the street- there is an Arby's on one corner; it's NOT in that strip mall, it's on the other corner next to a Mexican grocery store type place. And they have a great selection of DISNEY stickers and stuff if you have any trips to scrap.

There is another Babies R Us on the west side of town, but it's not as close to other shopping- the one on 82nd is so close to the Baby Depot & Clackamas Town Center you just cannot go wrong. If you need a breather for lunch, might I suggest Stanfords, which is across from the mall in the same shopping center as Mervyns and Old Navy (and Target)....it's a very nice sit down restaurant with a wood fired grill- a little pricey, but YUMMY. There is also Chilis, Olive Garden, Spaghetti Factory, Chevys, Red Robin, etc.

Non-shopping- the Oregon Zoo is a great zoo. really and truly. It's on the West side of town. Near the zoo is the Rose Garden (oops, you're not garden-y). It truly is spectacular though...and free! Some other great, trendy shopping is NW 23rd Ave in Portland...and Pioneer Place mall is downtown, only maybe 10 minutes from the zoo. It has a BEAUTIFUL babyGap and Gymboree. Just gorgeous and the mall is very upscale and nice to walk through. Actually, all of downtown Portland is extremely clean and accessible...much more so than say Seattle and San Francisco.

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to getting out to the coast.

 

[lissawynn]

Alice28 - I went to Gymboree yesterday and cashed in my 3 Gymbucks. I got Jimmy jeans, grey sweat pants, a grey hooded sweatshirt with "Howdy" on the back, the alligator overalls, socks, and longsleeve onesie. I also got him the blue shortie one piece with the alligators all over it and the sea creature one piece and matching hat. Those two things are for next summer.
I also made out very well at Macy's. I got four Carter's sleeveless shortie outfits for $3.49 each! I actually bought 3 for $6.90 each at BRU earlier that day, but they are going back. I think Jimmy should be ready for WDW now.

My wireless connection is actually working! Somehow I managed to get it together without my "knowledge". Yay!

 

[Alice28]

This is sort of inspired by Gretchen's "crying it out" question. Is it bad to put the baby to sleep in the swing or bouncy chair consistently during the day? I'm worried that I'm relying too much on them just because it's easier. Lucas sleeps at night in his own room in his cradle but during the day I keep him in the living room with me. I used to put him down in the bassinet part of the Pack N Play but he'd fuss too much. I started using his bouncy seat (and occassionally the swing) for naps because I thought it would help his gas problem if he was sitting more upright and he likes the vibrating mode. Now I use it exclusively because he won't sleep if in the Pack N Play.

Am I "training" him to sleep only in these seats? Or, like babies self-soothing, is he too young to know the difference and I should just do what I have to do to get him to sleep?

Just something I was thinking about today.

Just follow your instincts & do what works! If bouncy seat gets him to sleep, put him in there! You're doing great!

 

[Alice28]

Oh, and I am thinking of the Charming shirt and leggings too, but I made the mistake of showing my husband who doesn't think they're worth the price. So I might just wait for the sales on that one.

We have similar taste (and good taste to boot!)
I would not being saying this under ANY other circumstances, but thank God DH isn't here right now to see what I have been spending at Gymboree! I kept the Charmed shirt and leggings in my cart to save for a 30% off sale, if they have one in the next month or so. Actually, my DH has always been pretty lenient with me going a little ga-ga over baby clothes and I know when to stop. I was talking with my mom about this last night and she said I have a tendency to get REALLY into something (disney, Gymboree), but I know when to put the brakes on and knock it off. I added up my receipts and I have spent $575 on Gymboree since April....lord.....at least I have 3 kids I am buying for AND I think I bought 2 birthday gifts in there as well. I also have spent about $200+ at Gap. BUT, everyone got a Summer and Winter wardrobe out of that, so I guess that's decent. And I love, love, love the quality of those two brands- with the boys, unless Sam squirts mustard everywhere on his clothes, they stay in great shape enough to hand down to Josh. And also the resale value on ebay is pretty decent for those two brands.

Can you tell I'm trying to placate my own guilt? I am just not an extravagent person, so this has definitely been a spree for me the last couple of months. I deserve to have a little fun I think...today the boys are down with grandma and grandpa and I get to go to lunch with a friend.

Sounds like you got some great stuff lissawynn- the boys stuff is so cute right now I think. The Construction zone was "eh" but I really like the cowboy stuff and the clothes you described the gators is darling! And SCORE at Macy's with the Carter's rompers! I found some stuff like that on the clearance racks last October when I found out I was P.G. with Molly...Jimmy will get great use out of them at Disney World. I hope Florida isn't still sweltering in late Sept when we go, but it probably will be.

 

[ahutton]

This is sort of inspired by Gretchen's "crying it out" question. Is it bad to put the baby to sleep in the swing or bouncy chair consistently during the day? I'm worried that I'm relying too much on them just because it's easier. Lucas sleeps at night in his own room in his cradle but during the day I keep him in the living room with me. I used to put him down in the bassinet part of the Pack N Play but he'd fuss too much. I started using his bouncy seat (and occassionally the swing) for naps because I thought it would help his gas problem if he was sitting more upright and he likes the vibrating mode. Now I use it exclusively because he won't sleep if in the Pack N Play.

Am I "training" him to sleep only in these seats? Or, like babies self-soothing, is he too young to know the difference and I should just do what I have to do to get him to sleep?

Just something I was thinking about today.

I let all of my kids nap in their swings or seats. I was more worried that day sleeping be different than night sleeping, to help them sleep through the night. DS did quite well, he was getting up around 3 or 4, by about 7 weeks old. My 2nd DD had terrible reflux, she slept in the swing all the time until she was at least 6 months old but then transitioned to a bed just find as soon as she could keep her food down. No problems for the first DD either - she napped in the buzzy forever!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Lily had her weigh in yesterday and she gained 15 oz in the last week. I'm feeling less guilty about giving her so much formula now.

I have another question for all you seasoned Moms... Lily is up and fussy from about 6ish to 1130 or midnight every night the last 2 weeks. During the day she's charming, not fussy at all. She wants to eat, be held and falls asleep for at least a couple of hours at a shot. However, once 6 pm rolls around she wants to eat and be held. She won't go to sleep or deal with being put down.

I'm really missing just sitting down to eat dinner with DH. We have to tag team dinner with her. One of us gets to eat while the other holds her and then we switch.

If she falls asleep while we're holding her and we put her down she starts crying within a couple of minutes and we have to pick her up again.

I know, we're creating a monster who is incapable of self soothing herself. How do we do that? How long should we let her cry. If it was just a whimper I could handle it, but she cries that loud piercing shriek/scream kind of cry and I am worried she is going to make herself sick.

I tried to let her cry herself to sleep last Sunday night on the advice of a friend and she cried that loud piercing cry for 3 hours before I gave in and picked her up. She would not fall asleep.

I know its too early to get her to sleep through the night, but I need to start preparing for her to go to sleep more quickly before I have to go back to work. (I have training meetings starting the first week in August.)

Thanks for any help and insight you can share.

Gretchen

I need to say welcome. I must of been gone on vaction when your baby was born, since I have been gone for the past 3 weeks.

Then I have to say wow, because my DD's (turn 1 year old soon, my how time flys) name is Lily Grace!!!! (We call her Lily Pie all the time.) Her 1st name is Lilian, but we almost never call her that, I almost wish I hadn't put it on the BC!

I am afraid I have no advice about sleeing at night. My oldest (now 4 years old) starting sleeping all night at 8 weeks and still sleeps great (if she isn't sick) However my Lily still gets up a number of times a night and will scream and cry for hours if I don't nurse her. If I do she goes back to sleep, only to wake a few hours later. Last night she slept form 10:00 to 4:00 am and that was the best night I have had in 2 months. It really depends on the kid. Oh, and BTW, I did everything right with her, acording to the experts.