The Official New Mom Thread

[DisneyPhD]

Wow big kids. Lily was 16 lbs 8 oz last month. I hope she is at least 17 lbs by now, but we will see. The thing is at 7 months she weighted 15lbs 15 oz, and then just stahled. (same time the dairy allergy developed.) The funny thing she still have the rolls of baby fat.

Big babys are healthy babys, keep em growing!!!!!!

Tasha+Scott, cute pics. Very cute, what a princess.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Thanks, guys! Yeah, she's big, but the funny thing is I showed those pictures to my mom and she said it seems like she always looks bigger in the pictures than she does in real life. She said she just doesn't seem that big in person to her. But considering what an average 4 month old weighs she is big. She was big at birth too though...9 lbs 7 oz so at least she is right on track. I just love my little girl...as if you all couldn't tell! What I am having a hard time fathoming is Lily only weighing 16 lbs 8 oz at a year old! That seems so tiny to me since that's what Kylie weighs at 4 months, lol! I don't know what I will do if my next baby is small. I won't be used to it! Oh, well! All of the babies on this thread are sooo cute and healthy. What more could we ask for anyway?!

I posted this on another thread but thought I'd post it here too so you could see an update about my brother's cochlear implant:

Just to let everyone know my brother's cochlear implant seems to be going really well so far. He is able to hear things that he has never heard before. He heard my family talking and thought it was background noise or something. The dr. had to tell him he was hearing people's voices. He heard the fry daddy the other day and thought that his implant wasn't working right. He explained what he was hearing and it was the fry daddy and he was in awe that he could hear it. It's really awesome that he is starting to hear things he has never heard before even though it is a big adjustment for him! He seems to be happy that he is hearing things now too. He still has a long way to go though but this is such a drastic change...it is truly a miracle! He has to start speech therapy (he's used to it since he has been going to speech since he was 2 anyway) soon because he is learning to say words correctly and pronounce sounds correctly but he is still having trouble with the "sh" sound and words such as invitation, celebration, etc. But it's only been a week and he has improved probably 60% already! And ftr, he will be 16 years old in a month and a half. I didn't know if I had mentioned how old he was before or not. Thanks for the continued prayers everyone!

Have a great weekend everyone and I hope you all are doing well! I still need to catch up on this thread!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

That is great news about your brother, Tasha. I hope he continues to improve. DH's cousin's baby (who I think is about 6 months old) had cochlear implants put in on Wednesday. They don't think she'll hear much more than what we would consider to be background noises. It's amazing what they can do.

 

[gwcollins71]

T&S -- Kylie looks like a whole different person. I love the second photo and the close up of her face. What a gorgeous young lady.

Gretchen

 

[Alice28]

Kylie is such a cutie pie! She is getting so big! Thanks for sharing! I'm glad your brother is doing so well with the implants- that's amazing!

Welcome in luv with Disney!

I don't know a whole lot. I am still really tired- Molly is by far my crankiest child while teething. Maybe I am having Mommy brain, but I don't remember the boys being so dang fussy! I have gotten no more than 3-4 hour stretches of sleep this week- she was doing at least 6-7 hours stretches there for at least the last two months. Cruddy naps too- she was my 3 hour nap baby most afternoons. I feel like a zombie. So far one tooth has cut through, and another is just about to. I hope when it does she'll be back to my happy girl again .I just CANNOT fathom traveling across country with a fussy Molly! I will die.....and thinking about my sleep being interrupted 3-4 times next weekend AND getting adjusted to the time change. Ughhhhh.. Think positive thoughts for us!

My husband had a so-so time in Qatar. While in his quarters, with 60 or so other soldiers, someone stole $150 out of his wallet! Can you believe that? Then, he and a couple other of soldiers went out to dinner and their credit card was declined, so guess who was stuck with the $300 tab- I was so irritated when I heard this. But he said he went around to everyone the next day (payday) and managed to get $200 out of everyone which he said he will western union me. This happened to him when he had leave last Thanksgiving- somehow he always manages to end up going to eat with the losers and gee, their credit card is declined so Bob has to pay for it. He is on his way back to Iraq now. There is a chance he may be home by the end of December but it is a SLIM chance. That would be awesome though!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Tasha+Scott, I always just seem to have little kids. I only 14 lbs a one year and could walk since I was 9 months old. My mom said I amazed everyone, every where I went, walking right under the tables. Lily doesn't walk yet, but she does well. Now that I am on this new allgery diet I am going back to my smaller pre birth control pills myself.

While cochlear implant are amazing techonlgy that they have improved alot on it the past 15 years, they are not for everyone. In my job and personal experince I have seen many people it didn't work for. (I worked as a clinical therapsit, but specaized working with people who were deaf or hard of hearing.) However it sounds like your brother is a good canidate for it and it is helping and it was a good choice for him. It really is a major adjustment and what you are saying he is experincing is totally normal. I had a patient who was rasied orally and hard of hearing with hearing aids. As an adult the hearing she had fadded away so she got the implant. She had good speech and a great understanding of written and spoken english (college educated) and worked in a professional field. I was seeing her as her therapist when she got the CI. She came into my office one day totally amzaed that tissues made a noise coming out of the box. The problem was it wasn't the soft swicthing noise we are used to. With her CI it sounds like a loud peircing screaming noise. With time her mind adjusted it and it wasn't that bad, but it really surprized her. She would turn it off more then she ever thought she would, she said it was overwelling and sometimes needed a break. However being able to hear the words of her favoreite songs for the 1st time made her so happy she cried.

Another women (simlary background) said every one sounded like Micheal Jackson at 1st, it was like living in this really strange world.

I think the most important thing for people to remember that having a CI doesn't change them into a "hearing" person. They are a deaf person with a CI. Communication is still a major issue. Also for it to be sucessful it takes a lot of work. Sounds like your brother is up for it and he has a very supportive family. Does he sign at all or is the total oral education? Best of luck to him and thanks for keeping us up on his progress. Is his hearing loss due to illness or gentic?

 

[joats]

justhat: Glad Madison did well. Hopefully each day will be a bit easier for both of you.

Tasha: love the new pics of Kylie - she's getting so big! She looks so different in every picture. Love her eyes!
Glad to read your brother is doing well!

Katerbell: It's so true how older people just say whatever they think and they feel free to use their hands to touch whenever they want. No boundaries!

Alice28: How wonderful it would be if your DH came home in December instead! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. when would you find out?

Katerkat: Happy 6 mos Birthday Russ!

Welcome In Luv with Disney!

So glad to have DH home for the weekend. It's so nice to watch him play and snuggle with Jace and great to have an extra pair of hands. It's a lazy day around here as I am still in my PJs (LOL!). Jace's baptism is next weekend so I need to begin planning for the family afterparty. Luckily it will only be family (around 16 of us). Hoping to go out for dinner tonight to celebrate Jace's 3 month birthday (Not really for his birthday, but I'll use any excuse to go to The Outback!). Hope you all have a nice weekend.

 

[bellacam]

To the other big baby mommies, I know how you feel! Aidan is just about 7 weeks now and is at almost 14 pounds. He is also over 24 inches now. I had a lady argue with me in the grocery store that he could not possibly be "only 6.5 weeks". He was so big when he was born, but the Dr. says they do even about by about 1 yr.

 

[vald1977]

Hi everyone,
I've been MIA for awhile since we just had two Birthday Parties for DS the past two days. One was friends from the neighborhood and one was family. Mommy is having a rest day today!

Tasha,
Kylie is such a beautiful little girl! I love her hair . I can't wait until Katrina's is long enough to put barrettes in. Right now she just has those little elastic headbands.

Robin,
That really stinks that they stuck your hubby with the bill and stole from his wallet . I just don't understand some people. I'm sending good wishes your way that Molly is back to her self for your trip .

Happy 6 month b-day to Russ and 3 month b-day to Jace !

Katrina has her first well baby shots tomorrow. Poor little thing. I'll probably cry more than her . I'll update tomorrow on how big she is and post some two month photos .

 

[Alice28]

Hi gals,

Molly was in a much better mood yesterday, although she still woke up a lot last night. She did take a 3 hour+ nap yesterday though- nice!

I will probably not find out until December if DH can come home early. He explained it to me this way- the Iraqi people have a vote to I *think* ratify their constitution in October. Then, in January they will vote on some leaders. The troops that are coming to replace DH's group are coming around Dec. 10 or 12; they and Bob's troops are going to be there at the same time, overlapping each other thru the early January elections. He said he MAY get to come home early IF somehow the constitution doesn't get ratified in October (delay, doesn't pass, etc). Does that make sense?

On a good note, I posted another thread last night- I will just copy it here- it's long!

I came home this evening to this letter in the mail:

**Dear Iraqi Freedom Hero,

Enclosed with this letter you will find a check made out to you as the payee. This check is for you and your family to be used for any purpose you choose and is a gift from your friends and neighbors in Linn County.

I own a business in Linn County. Every week we collect donations from our customers until we have at least $200.00 that we send to a family with a parent that has been called to active duty.

We recognize the sacrifice both they and you are making to bring the gift of Freedom to the people of Iraq and this is our way of saying THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. Many of us in the community consider all of you to be heroes, as well as casualties, of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

If you have any concerns about the authenticity of the check, please feel free to contact the Umpqua Bank at , Kay F or Major Strong with the Nat'l Guard at .

We hope this small gift will brighten your day a little and make the separation from your mate a little easier. Please extend our THANKS to your soldier.

P.S. I can imagine how busy you are, trying to take care of the family all by yourself, however, if you can find the time, we'd be thrilled to hear from you about how your soldier, you and the kids are doing.

When we get info like this, we put it in our scrapbook so the people who contribute will feel personally connected to the families we are trying to help.**


Don't you think that's awesome?!?!?! Makes up for DH's money being stolen AND I haven't shared this cause I'm so bummed, but I believe the guy who was supposed to make the free repairs to my house (thru the radio station thing) is backing out on me. He's not returning my phone calls and he was supposed to start on them last weekend.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Alice28, that is so wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes I am leary of charity, becuase I always wonder if it ever makes it to the intended people. That warms my heart so to hear that. Thanks so much for sharing the letter and news with us.

Your family really does deserve a thanks for all you sacarfice for others!

 

[joats]

Alice28, that is so wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes I am leary of charity, becuase I always wonder if it ever makes it to the intended people. That warms my heart so to hear that. Thanks so much for sharing the letter and news with us.

Your family really does deserve a thanks for all you sacarfice for others!

DITTO!! Couldn't have said it better! Glad to hear the good news Alice28 - it's much deserved!!

 

[DisKim]

Tasha - I'm glad things are going well for your brother. Kylie is getting so big. She's a cutie pie.

Alice 28 - I'm sorry your DH had such bad luck when he was supposed to be getting some R and R. On the good side, what a nice letter. You and your husband certainly deserve all of those kind words. It's nice to know that people recognize the sacrifice your family is making. It must be so hard on your own.

Aidan turned 5 months today. I just don't know where the time has gone. He has been so good lately. I can hardly remember how cranky he used to be. I'll try to post a 5 month picture today if I have time. He is kind of looking like Jack Jack from the Incredibles lately. He is losing his brown hair and it is coming in blonde, but he has some long thin hair that sticks up in the back. I can't keep it down. I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I can't wait until we get some real fall weather already. I just bought Aidan a new fall wardrobe .

 

[Alice28]

It is cool isn't it; an extra $200 just in time to cover the $150 DH lost (got stolen) and in time for WDW!

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Alice28 - That's great. What a cool pick-me-up!

I've been picking up Lucas's fall wardrobe in bits and pieces. He had his jeans on today. I can't believe how adorable he looks in them - like a little man!

I have only 1 more week at home before starting work. I'm freaking out a little. My mom offered to possibly take Lucas for a few months since she quit her job to help my sister out with the twins. It would be great because it would save us some money, but I don't want to risk losing our daycare spot if we put off enrolling him. The daycare director said we could "probably" still have the spot if we wait until January, but probably isn't good enough for me. But I really would like him to be with my mother and saving some money for a few months would really help. So I'm having a bit of an issue trying to decide what to do. Not to mention the fact that I do not want to go back to work, but have to. I just can't believe my maternity leave is almost over. It went by so fast.

 

[DisneyPhD]

When you are working full time before the baby comes 12 weeks for maternity leave seems like a long time. I mean after all 2 weeks is a normal long vacation. 12 weeks if 6 times longer then that. However once that baby comes and life changes it just flys by. I remember materinty leave with my 1st baby was one of the happiest times of my life. I was at home, my hubby was around a bit to help, it was summer (I hate winter) and I was still getting paid and had my job so I didn't have to worry about that or adjust to a identity that I didn't have a carrer in. I also managed 16 weeks total so that helped too. (that extra month really made a difference, but it was only 75% of my pay.) They even didn't change my status to part time until after I came back, so my leave was full time paid.

Going back is the pits. As far as your mom wachting, my mother and MIL came to wacth Anna until 7 months old, when I swtiched to a in home day care. Pro's were, baby was at home, less exposure to illness. The only child, lots of one on one attention. In her own home with people who would be iin he life forever (as long as any person can promise at least.) If she was sick I didn't have to find altertive day care. I didn't have to drop and pick her up.

Con's. I can't mangnage to get my mother anywhere on time. I hated waiting for her to show up so I could leave, that goes for my MIL sometimes. MIL and mothers are intitled to more of a opion about how you are rasing your child and tend to share it more. (even though I have a very good relationship with both, it still happens in every family.) Things have changed since the last time they had a baby, and grandmas still tend to think they haven't (some ways they haven't too much, but in many way, give them a chicken bone to chew on......) You can't fire grandma.

Still it might ease transtion back to work more. On the other hand you have two transtions, 1st one is you back to work, then in Jan another one for the baby to day care.

Oh and saving $ on day care is a good plus. Belive me.

 

[joats]

I have only 1 more week at home before starting work. I'm freaking out a little. My mom offered to possibly take Lucas for a few months since she quit her job to help my sister out with the twins. It would be great because it would save us some money, but I don't want to risk losing our daycare spot if we put off enrolling him. The daycare director said we could "probably" still have the spot if we wait until January, but probably isn't good enough for me. But I really would like him to be with my mother and saving some money for a few months would really help. So I'm having a bit of an issue trying to decide what to do. Not to mention the fact that I do not want to go back to work, but have to. I just can't believe my maternity leave is almost over. It went by so fast.

I go back 10/7 and have been crying about it a lot lately (ok, for a while now), I dread returning to work. Anyway, I think your mom watching Lucas would be great! However if you are not gauranteed the daycare you want to hold the spot, I don't know if I would risk it. Is there any kind of agreement you can make with the daycare? Even paying them a portion of the money (per week/month) to hold your spot and having your mom watch him would still save $$. I know it would suck to have to pay them even though he wasn't there, but if your really want that daycare, it might be worth it. I am so sorry that you have to go back too. Isn't it awful? Please let us know what you decide to do.

 

[lissawynn]

Hey everyone. It's been a super fun weekend here (insert sarcasm). My cold had morphed into a sore throat, blocked ears, runny nose, and a head that feels as if it weighs 20 lbs. Tomorrow night is meet the teacher night, or as I like to call it, teachers on trial. Get this, if we don't attend, they dock us a personal day. That means even if I call in sick, I still lose a personal day. It sucks beyond the telling of it at this point.

Just an apology for being so negative lately. I am not really like this. It's terrible when your job has such an impact on your life. I really love teaching, but this year has just sucked from the start. I'm starting to get to know some of my students better and two of my classes are pretty fun. It's just been a long three weeks so far. Our next day off isn't until Thanksgiving! I think there's going to be a mental health day in there somewhere.

Alice28 - Hope you have a great trip! Can't wait to hear about it when you return.

 

[Alice28]

Good luck to the mommies heading back to work soon~ I know it is so hard. I did it with the boys..regarding daycare vs. family- that's a toughie. Based on my own experience, and experience of close friends who have gone the family or close friend route, I would go the daycare route. I know, I know, crazy, but so often feelings get hurt, etc. I watched my best friends child (from when he turned 1 to 2) for one year and oh my gosh; it was a nightmare. For me it mucked up our friendship although I don't think she knows this. It's easy to tell a client- "This is the drop off time, this is the pick up time- otherwise you are going to be charged extra." How do you tell your best friend that without sounding like a a-class jerk? (Her husband notoriously dropped him off 15-25 minutes early or was late almost every day). I won't go into details, but if it were me, I would do daycare, and be happy to have such an awesome backup sitter like mom or sister if baby or daycare provider is sick.

Disney PhD, I have been following your posts of the dairy allergy issues- I feel so badly for you and Lily. But how old is she again? Please, please, PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but I'm remembering she is over a year old...right??? Would you consider weaning her? (flame suit on). TRUST ME- I am in no way a "cut off the baby when they hit a year" mom- I nursed Sam until he was 21 months and Joshua until he was 27 months ( ), but if I had a health issue, or they did, with the breast milk, I would start weaning. It seems like it would ease a lot of stress off of you. But that way you would KNOW that any time she had a reaction, it would not be from something you ate and at least you would only have to comb through what she ate, not what you both ate that day.

I am definitely planning on weaning Molly at one year- it's easy to say at this point cause I remember how frickin impossible it was to wean Joshua...but I have found it VERY difficult to lose weight while I am nursing and I REALLY need to lose about 30 pounds. I weigh well over 200# and I HATE it. I weighed 190 when we got married- sounds huge, I know, but I could fit into a 12 or so and I looked so great! (I am tall, big boned, etc). It's really a goal of mine next year to not get down to a 12, but geez, at least a 14 or 16!! I want to wean Molly so I feel like it's "my" body again and can diet if I want to and not worry about drying up my milk. Since I had Sam in 1997, I have hardly had my own body....I nursed him from 11/97 to, gosh 8/99 or so. Then I got pregnant in 10/00 with Joshua...nursed him til 9/03 and got pregnant with Molly in 7/04! I need some ROBIN time!!!

ETA- I am so sorry you have the back to school cruddies lissawynn! That sucks! And oh my gosh----to have to get a personal day cut if you don't show up to a meeting! THAT IS INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Disney PhD, I have been following your posts of the dairy allergy issues- I feel so badly for you and Lily. But how old is she again? Please, please, PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but I'm remembering she is over a year old...right??? Would you consider weaning her? (flame suit on). TRUST ME- I am in no way a "cut off the baby when they hit a year" mom- I nursed Sam until he was 21 months and Joshua until he was 27 months ( ), but if I had a health issue, or they did, with the breast milk, I would start weaning. It seems like it would ease a lot of stress off of you. But that way you would KNOW that any time she had a reaction, it would not be from something you ate and at least you would only have to comb through what she ate, not what you both ate that day.

QUOTE]


I actually get this reaction alot. I nursed Anna until she was 27 months old, so I fully expected to nurse Lily for a while too. All of her Dr. agree that breast feeding is the best thing for her (since she can eat so little else.) and she is very atached to it (me) still. Since I am rarely ever away from her, even more now since I don't trust many people to wacth her becasue of this, I am rarely in a postion that I could eat dairy. We have cut it out of the house, when we cook and snack at home it is all stuff she can eat. It is much easier and safer that way. So even DH and DD are going dairy and egg free to a certian extent. They can have specail treats, and all they want at work, school or away from home.

I could never diet before this, I just wasn't motovated enough. I know I have to give the foods up, or give up nursing her and when it comes down to it I love her more then any food so it wasn't any hard choice really. We seem to have the fine tooning down and she has gone a number of days with no rash at all. Having no milk products in the house is the key I think. I can tell if it is something I ate or she did since the rash shows up in a matter of min. I am also learning to be rather a skilled cook at going dairy and egg free. After all it only is one more year (give or take) and I can manage that. I let Anna nurse once a day for a long time until I ran out of milk. I am not sure if I will let Lily hang on for just one feeding a day, but we might use that time to slowly reintroduce small amounts back in her diet and see how she does.

Thanks for the support. If I was working I might be more for it, but as it is I am commited to breastfeeding her, for a while at least. All adversity has it shiny spots. For me this has a upside too (but it is hard) I am eating healthier, cooking more at home, trying new things I never would of before and finding so new foods I am really enjoying. I never really thought I could do this before, I have also proved to myself that I can.