Month of April - February Due Date Club Parents

[erobin1]

Thank you!!

Mum-- Your idea sounds really good, and very similar to what I was sort of thinking myself. No smart phone but I can do the same thing with my kindle, probably. Laptop seems cumbersome, although that program you refer to is interesting. I think with a fan and his co-sleeper a few feet away from the bed I might sleep a little better. I'll report back....

Ophelia-- Your recliner sleep idea is also a good one, actually. I could try that if we moved the recliner into our room. Or I could sleep in the living room, but as I said, with DH up late, that would be a problem for me, I think.

Jillian-- Well, you are just an object of jealousy dear! And yes, I do remember when I moved Sammy to his crib (which happened at 5 months) that after the first couple of nights of inability to sleep due to maternal panic, I slept much much better. And so did he, although that was always a relative term with Sam....

AFM-- Birthday party morning! Am just taking a little breast feeding/typing break. Lots left to do. My FIL turns out to have gone all out. He took the tractor and mowed a secret path not just through the meadow but all through the property. Took the chain saw and cut logs for the kids to walk out to the island on, cleared brush to make secret paths through it.... and, in a tree that grew sideways and created a kind of cave (the coyotes sometimes us it) he has the idea of putting a grizzly bear skin over a small dog igloo with the treasure inside the igloo..... so the children have to brave the bear to get the treasure! (many years ago a grizzly bear stalked a hunting party he was in and charged them in their camp as they reclined by the fire-- FIL got the bear rather than the reverse by a pure fluke). Which made me declare: Any birthday party preparation that requires a chain saw has got to be good. Meanwhile my dad set up a series of ropes between trees for them to climb and a rope swing.

And my sister's map... I'm hoping I can take a photo of it and show you.

Now I just have to get the house clean, bake the cake..... prepare the food....

OK, Tommy off the titty, better RUN!

[julieshindel1]

Hi ladies,

sorry i have been mia again. I was at my girlfriend's house on friday night who also works at my peds office. Mason started coughing and coughing and you could tell he was wheezing and stomach breathing. My friend called the pediatrician and she said to get him to the er asap. So we went to children's hospital of philadelphia. They took us right back. His heart rate was really high and because of that would not do a breathing treatment. He has a really bad cold, very congested. After the chest xray came back clear they sent us home. Just recommended saline spray for his nose and lots of tlc. He did not have a fever so they did not admit him. They said when babies are really young like him a simple cold can be super dangerous. Luckily I was at my friends house and she could call the doc. I am not sure I would have called the on call doctor, but maybe. Anyway he seems to be feeling better and just a little congested at this point, but the saline spray is working well.

How is everyone else??

[MumInWaiting]

So how was the birthday party?? We'd love to see LOTS of photos - of the treasure map and everything else, too! Sounds awesome. Sammy's going to have such incredible memories of his childhood and family coming together for him.

Julie - so glad you were with your friend, but I'm sure that was quite scary.

I'm taking Toby to the Central Park Zoo tomorrow with my moms group friends. So excited!

[jillian15]

Grape - I asked the mom today how her son was doing in the therapy for his neck. She said that it was fine. That during the sessions they just use toys to get his attention on the one side of his body and they do some very gentle stretching. She said most important thing is to schedule the appointment when the baby is generally awake. Originally she was going around noon, when her son typically eats then sleeps. So, at those sessions he was not cooperative and very fussy. Now she goes in the morning when he is awake and he is pretty happy to play and stretch during the session.

[mullinska]

Still feeling crappy at this end. I had been feeling better, but last night Fiona took a little longer with her feeding and I was up for over an hour. I never made it to the Dr, I think it is only a virus, so there is little they will do. I was so congested that my eyes were goopy yesterday, a little goopy today, not as bad though. I am so tired and need a nap, but Allison is acting up recently so I can't if she is home and during her normal well behaved time, Fiona won't sleep so I am stuck not getting a nap. Ugh... I can't wait for pre-school tomorrow. But tomorrow is Allison's birthday and I really wanted to have a fun breakfast for her ugh... I still have not planned a party or invited anyone I am feeling pretty sucky right now

[country girl]

julie .......I hope that things are better in your household and bub is much better...it is so worrying when they get sick as they are unable to tell you what is wrong and you feel so hopeless..... lucky you were at your friends house.

mull....sorry to hear that you are feelling so poorly...it sounds dreadful... bummer about not being able to get a nap... that always seem to happen...when we need a nap the most we are unable to get it.
have you tried saline nasal spray for your nose? it works a real treat.... lets hope that you can get through allisons birthday....

elena..... cant wait to see some pics.... even though your family has its quirkyness they all seem to really work well together... the birthday sounds so fabulous... I hope that everything went well..

Mum... loved the photos on FB... so cute and soooooo big...

ophelia... I hope that things are continuing to improve in your household...

well another BIG trip to town yesterday.... we left early... car started this time...but was a bit suss on the battery...
So a trip to work apartment, picked about 30lb of apples, sorted out the rental property...my renters are renewing their lease for another year... so relieved as it will continue to cover the mortgage... yay... then went to supermarkets... we have 2 in town and each has different things... got the car sorted out and a new batttery, went to work... had my 6 week check up and Pap smear got my granuloma growth on my finger excised, arabella had her 6 week check and vaccination...
none of the nurses wanted to vaccinate her as she is works baby and the poor nurse was quite upset afterwards.... oh to be so loved. so arabella came through well...the usual scream your head off for about 30sec and then consolation with some boobie... she was a little cranky and upset.. but some tyenol sorted that out...
so I finally got out of town at around 7pm and home after 8pm... we were both exhausted and hungry ... arabella stayed asleep from carseat to bed... and she had a nap while I unpacked groceries... so a long day.
all I can say is Phew.... arabella was a star and did not cry (except vaccinations) all day... she was asleep in the ergo in the supermarket...
We had a good night as well..and she would have slept through again but woke mummy with some lip smacking action so I sneaked a dream sleep in ... the only thing was she was very uncomfortable and squirmy afterwards for ages.. so I did not sleep well.. then this morning more squirmy and grunts.... I did not give her the reflux medicine yesterday... but obvious that she still needs it..sigh.. anyway got an hour to myself as she is napping.. so email catch up time.

[MumInWaiting]

Country - Sounds like a great day! I love when the baby sleeps in the carrier. So snuggly, and much better to grocery shop with than a screaming child.

Mull - Oh, that sounds terrible. I'm so sorry. But do remember that you certainly don't need to be supermom right now. Just keep taking care of yourself and do what you can, but don't worry about trying to be perfect. There will be plenty of time to make up for that later

AFM - I had a great day. I went to the Central Park Zoo this morning with two friends from my New Moms group and their babies. It's SO great to go with other mothers, because 20 mins into it Toby started screaming so I had to stop and feed him for 20 mins. Most other friends certainly wouldn't have the patience. Then, 10 mins later he screamed again! Luckily one of the moms had a baby carrier with her, but her baby was asleep, so I used it to carry Toby and of course he immediately calmed down. I'm NEVER leaving home without the Beco again! It will now permanently live in the stroller cargo holder.

Then, this afternoon I had a babysitter come for 3 hrs for the first time. I went out to a creperie for lunch - just me and the NYTimes crossword puzzle which I haven't done in ages. So thankful it was Monday! Then I ran a bunch of errands and treated myself to some frozen yogurt with reeses candy topping. Sometimes it's the little things...!

Tonight I've just been starving, I have no idea why. I feel like I've eaten 3 dinners! I did have to feed Toby for an hour before he finally went to sleep, so maybe he's starting a growth spurt, which always coincides with a severe hunger spurt for me. But he just went through one!

[LittleSteps]

Hi, Everyone - I've loved the baby pictures. They are all lovely.

I just spent the past 2 hours trying to catch up on posts. I wish I would check this site more often, but I just don't make the time. I have only 2 weeks, 2 days before I go back to work and I'm trying to spend as much time as possible with Brendan and get stuff done around here and keep up with work emails. Like many of you have said, every little thing like doing dishes, folding laundry, etc. is such a huge accomplishment. And, with going back to work looming so closely, i want to get so much done. Ugh.

I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing. I'm glad to hear things are going so well and babies are growing!

Thinking of you all.

PS....anyone else struggling with weight loss? I am big time. Brendan and I try to walk at least an hour 4 times a week, but I'm not losing any more weight and my tummy looks terrible. I am really upset and disappointed in myself.

[Grapecrush]

I’m so behind – I just finished reading all of your updates and feel like there’s so much going on!

ELENA –
I can’t wait to hear how the birthday bash went. It sounds like such an amazing party, and your dad is to be commended for his insanity – er, I mean creativity and dedication to the kids’ awesome experience. I do hope you’re able to get some sleep. Zoe doesn’t sleep in the bed with us on a regular basis. Sometimes, when she’s in pain from gas, one of us will put her on her tummy on our chests, and I’m always freaked out about her burying her nose in us or rolling off of us. One night, I nursed in bed (which I don’t normally do – I almost always get up and go to the glider in the nursery – anyway, the next thing I feel is my arm – which the baby was leaning on – dropping and me sort of catching the baby. So I understand your fears. I hope you find a solution that works for all of you.

MUM –
Yay for Toby giving you guys longer sleep stretches – hopefully, they’ll continue to expand. Ahhh, Central Park Zoo – what fun! I miss Central Park in general. Interesting about the growth/hunger spurts. I kind of wish I had more of an appetite like you do – I weigh less than before I got pregnant, and I know I am just not taking in enough calories.

JULIE –
I’m glad the saline is doing the trick for Mason. How scary! I’m sure he’s getting tons of TLC.

MULL –
Oh, you poor thing – sounds awful. Please feel better soon! I can’t imagine how you are managing with an infant and a four-year-old and that virus. I don’t have other kids, so I don’t know what you’re going through with Allison’s intentionally awakening Fiona – is it from excitement to interact with the baby, or is it stemming from jealousy, attention-seeking, etc.? Can you and your husband talk to her about it sometime away from Fiona’s sight? Good luck! Even though it’s just a phase, it has got to be frustrating.

TRICKI –
Another wonder woman! My goodness, hope it all stays inside you soon!

COUNTRY –
Descriptions of your travels fascinate and slightly exhaust me. Can you tell us more about the place where you actually reside? Is it totally rural? Do you have neighbors? Are there any stores around you? Is the place you travel two hours to a big city or small town? Did you grow up in the country? What inspired you to live where you do? It sounds really neat, a very different lifestyle. Glad the Ergo worked for you at the store – I wore Zoe in the Bjorn at the grocery store the other day, and, other than having trouble not knocking her into the basket when I checked out, it was easy!

OPHELIA –
The potential positional asphyxia scare must have been a real jolt. With all of the sounds our babies make (and all of the chins they have!), I find it really hard to know when a sound suggests danger. Sometimes, it seems like Zoe has sleep apnea, for instance, but I also know that babies take breaks in their sleep breathing. I constantly am listening to her weird baby noises (as JILLIAN does). Anyway, are you attributing it to positioning, or the Fisher Price Rock and Play? I ask because we were just (like two days ago) handed down a R & P. I was excited about it because I know they’re recommended for babies with reflux, but then I read your post and freaked out. Also, I saw what TRICKI wrote about reports of torticollis developing or worsening with the R & P and started doing some Google research. I didn’t like what I read, so now we’re not using it.

LITTLE -
Hello there! I hope you're enjoying your time with Brendan and aren't too stressed. How is the little guy? Please don't beat yourself up about the weight - everyone's hormones and systems are different. I think it usually takes several months to see a real difference (I seem to be a true exception here, and my weight loss is not exactly healthy).

AFM –
Nice weekend. A little stressful – mostly for DH. My sister’s kids, whom we adore, were kind of wild and all over Zoe – and they use DH as a jungle gym (which he encourages). And my oldest niece, who’s 6 and knows better, was developing a cold or (hopefully) allergies and was sneezing on her and me and not covering her mouth or nose. Also, I was meeting everyone at the book signing and got caught in some traffic. The bottle DH had was missing the ring thing and spilled all over Zoe. DH had more milk, but I hadn’t packed the nipples for those particular bottles in the diaper bag, so I received a slightly freaked out phone call as I was enroute to the signing. But apparently, she had eaten enough and was sleeping in the Bjorn when I got there. But DH later said that he felt Zoe was too young to travel to others’ houses, and definitely too young to sleep over. I did feel her routine (inasmuch as we have one) was certainly disrupted, and her sleep pattern altered as a consequence, but overall, she was fine. I think DH is projecting his own stress onto her. This comes a week before we have to drive 5-6 hours for a short weekend in NJ going to a wedding and staying with his parents (of the 50-pounds of potatoes and a hoe fame), so I think there are other factors at play here. And the fact is, we live 90 minutes away from our closest relative, and we can’t always have them come down here (and we don’t exactly have the energy to host). I’ll be ****ed if we’re not going to get out of our house and visit people, and frankly, often, spending the night is easier than all that driving. My husband can be a bit of a hermit. Also, he hates hassles and gets very crabby when faced with anything that doesn’t go exactly how he feels it should. ANYWAY. It will be fine.

Zoe has done three nights now (at home) of long overnight sleep stretches – around 5-6 hours, yesterday, almost 7! We don’t put her down until 10 or 11, but she is usually asleep in one set of arms or another for about 30-60 minutes before that. I figure we’ll gradually move up her bedtime over the next couple of months and then try sleep training early this summer. My best friend sleep trained her twins with great success. During the day, Zoe usually eats every three hours – sometimes a bit more frequently in the evening. I have to admit, she’s a fairly adaptable baby.

There was a cancellation at the physical therapist, so her first appointment is Wednesday at 7 a.m.! DH and I have been gently stretching her neck, and she hates it. She also hates tummy time, which I do a few times a day in small increments. It’s hard to do this stuff when she is crying, but I know it will be for the best in the long run so we can get those neck muscles lengthened. Thank you again to everyone (let me add ELENA and JILLIAN for their information and reassurance) for weighing in.

Well, I should go to bed now – even though today I more than once fell asleep with baby…

Take care, everyone!

[Grapecrush]

Oh, OPHELIA, a few posts back you gave such a nice compliment about Zoe's appearance - thank you!!!!