Feb '08 - is it really Feb '09 already? - Page 5

[jaxinsmom]

I periodically read what's going on in this tread but have had a difficult time trying to post -- something always seems to come up; or I feel like I can't possibly give everyone the acknowledgement they deserve so I haven't posted in this ddc since...the summer (I think!).
But, it's 1 year -- Nellah's birthday is on Monday -- and I was thinking about all of you and reading this months posting
Is there a MDC DDC Feb '08 Facebook group??? Because if there is, I'll join -- I'm a much better facebook friend then DDC friend
Anyhoo, here's a few recent pics of our little lovely girl:

with her dad's hat on ( I love this one, because it just looks like she's thinking "boy, wait until I start running after you, then we're going to have some fun!"
pretending to be shy (she is soooo not shy!)

looking beautiful and contemplative

At her brother's 4th birthday party (last weekend -- Jackson is the super excited one in green)
He's is an amazing big brother and I love watching their relationship develop.
Hugs to all of you who are going through problems right now. I've been thinking about weening Nellah. I would like to have more of a relationship with her than just food (seeing mom = tears and pawing at my chest -- no matter if I've just seen her moments before )

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by jaxinsmom

I've been thinking about weening Nellah. I would like to have more of a relationship with her than just food (seeing mom = tears and pawing at my chest -- no matter if I've just seen her moments before )

That does go away as they get older. In fact, if you stick it out she'll probably have stopped doing that within two or three more months. She's hungry, in part, but a lot of that is probably separation anxiety.

[flapjack]

: Try telling her that. Or dropping to your knees and crawling around the room quickly, roaring like a wild animal. Or singing. Give her something other than a boob, even though it isn't what she wants, and in the end she'll come to prefer it. She is gorgeous, btw.

I don't have a sucky baby, though Apart from bedtime, River's perfectly happy for nursing to be all about the calories.

Amy, it'll all be good, whatever happens, and I think you're handling this remarkably calmly...

I'm starting to get mildly concerned about the weather. What am I going to need if we get snowed in? We have candles and matches, we have gas but the boiler depends on electricity so heating could be an issue. I think we're OK for food, though I asked Steve to pick up a few extra loaves of supermarket bread, but it's all getting a bit scary. This country- this end of the country, anyhow- just isn't set up for snow. Three days bad weather and they're out of rock salt and nobody down this way has snow ploughs :

[eilonwy]

I remember another mamma in another DDC talking about her weather contingency plans (she lived in Florida, so there were hurricanes to contend with). "I need to get to the grocery store. Wouldn't want to run out of my favorite kind of coffee, and have to dip in to the emergency stash!"

Wash all your diapers, in case you lose power for a bit-- in fact stay on top of laundry in general. You want to have food & medications for at least 3 days, candles & torches, a radio (preferably batery operated or hand-crank) and stuff to do indoors which requires no power-- books, cards, board games, etc. Drinking water is nice as well... fill pitchers and such regularly. Oh, and a big flippin' shovel.

That's my most paranoid list. When it snows around here, I just make sure that we've got food for the next day or two and medications as well whenever possible. That's pretty much it-- I can't imagine being snowed in for more than two days. Trucks would be on the roads by then, for certain. Everyone has a shovel or a snowblower around here. One year we had a ton of snow, and the local hospital put out a call asking for people with 4-wheel drives to pick up doctors and assist ambulance personel. They got so many calls that they were turning volunteers away-- all those people who FINALLY felt vindicated for having bought the things.

I'm getting a cold. It's depressing, I'm trying not to think about it. I need to get the kids up now, and I don't wanna... but BeanBean has really been working hard and is very excited about ADO today.. He has so much that he wants to share with the other kiddos! Too cute.

[True Blue]

jaxinsmom -- I second the above advice. Find something else fun and distracting to do with her if you know she's not really hungry. She really loves you for more than your boobies, they are just so darn comforting and tempting!
Helen -yep, just be prepared like Rynna said. We have the hurricane\tropical storm thing down here, and that's basically what I do. Well actuallly I often leave LOL but that's bc the chance of harm is greater (especially in Key West,which can get clobbered with waves in that kind of thing...the island is only 2 miles by 4 miles and a couple feet above sea level). Keep all your warm clothes clean in case you don't have heat. If you have gas to cook with you are in good shape. You can actually hang out in the kitchen with the stove top burning to take out some chill!! Oh and snow can be defrosted and drunk. And please don't be daft like some people were here...if you lose power, put the food from your fridge and freezer out on the patio to keep it fresh. I don't understand how so many people with no money for food anyway didn't take advantage of nature's freezer this winter.

BTW I just got on Facebook, a group would be cool...as long as someone tells me how to use one!!!

Hour and a half til Lucy's appt so I'm off to get ready!! :

[lilyblossom]

Happy, Happy, Happy birthday little ones!!! ::::

It's so incredible that a year (more or less) has passed since our babies were born. Lily's isn't until the end of the month but I'm blown away that my little one is nearly a year old!

: to those moms having nursing, family and health issues. Having a toddler/infant isn't easy and adding any additional stresses on top of it makes you a hero in my mind.

Right now we are : here in NH. Yesterday it was below zero when we got up and it's gearing up for another cold day. It's hard to keep busy and my social butterfly entertained when it's so frigid out.

Miss Lily is a marathon night nurser and we've finally decided to cut back on night nursing just a tad for my own sanity. She wakes about every one to two hours (which is MUCH more than when she was born even!) and needs to nurse to fall back asleep. I've decided not to nurse between 12-5, when she wakes we do a cuddle with firm touch and "shhhhhhh" sounds. She cries for a little while but settles pretty quick. After day two, things are looking up a tad. It's always when you think you have things figured out that they change the routine on you again. Dr. Sears' Sleep Book is INCREDIBLE! Nighttime parenting was too vague, the Sleep Book is just what we've been needing so I started going through it last night to see what else we can do. Nothing I can't deal with but it does make for one tired mama.

Anyone have any good recipes for first birthday cakes?? I found this link and am thinking of trying something from the list. My peanut doesn't seem interested in much food aside from avocado (and the organic ones are EXPENSIVE d*mn it!) so I don't want to introduce too much sugar and it's hard since we have to avoid milk too. grrr....

I'm still looking for part time work to be around adults without having to play mom all the time. I may have a lead today so keep your fingers crossed, in this economy it's nearly impossible to find anything worthwhile.

[jaxinsmom]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

That does go away as they get older. In fact, if you stick it out she'll probably have stopped doing that within two or three more months. She's hungry, in part, but a lot of that is probably separation anxiety.

Thanks. I know it's because she wants to feel close more than for nutrition, but it's still frustrating when everyone get's the happy-go-lucky Nellah and I get the sad-cranky-crying Nellah.

Originally Posted by True Blue

BTW I just got on Facebook, a group would be cool...as long as someone tells me how to use one!!!

So, I just created one (I think...) I've never created a Facebook group (and only belong to 3) but it's called MDC February 2008 DDC -- so I imagine anyone on facebook can just plug that into the seach for groups and join! It's a closed group, so I think I'll have to approve members -- I did this because I would love to share pics of kids, and I don't want just anyone being able to access them
If you're having trouble joining, just PM me and I'll try and sort it out. Also, anyone else who is computer savvy and wants to take over PLEASE feel free

[jaxinsmom]

OK, I know I just started the facebook group and you need to request admission to the group (which I have to verify) but I'm leaving today for a friend's house and won't be back until Sunday (she has no internet).
Soooo, if you are not getting a reply to your request, that's why



See you all Sunday!!

[flapjack]

It's easing off here- the snow has stopped and I've seen gritters out and about, so I think we're going to be OK. I keep 3 days worth of water on hand anyhow after the freak flooding we had two years ago, but Amy, that's a fantastic point about putting the food outside. I'm pretty sure we'd be fighting the foxes off with a broom, but it's better than going hungry.

Jaimee.

[PlayaMama]

hi danielle- good to see you! nellah is so cute, have i told you i LOVE that name enough yet? i totally might steal it, though we're not having anymore (i think) so maybe it'll be a cat.

jaimee- glad to hear the night nursing is cutting back! and that it's working for you! right now, i'm just trying to keep linnaea asleep at all costs. my mate is going to be gone for another 3-4 days so it'll be 1-1/2 to 2 weeks of just me and my dad. and then i think about amy and feel really lucky i have my dad to play with them sometimes.

as for birthday cakes, i'm kind of crazy about food but i made lazlo a carrot cake with brown rice syrup for his first bday. it's a much milder sweetener than any kind of sugar, though if you can't find it or it's too expensive, you can also use maple syrup, the real stuff not the high fructose corn stuff, or rapadura, or molasses, or even agave nectar.

we've been doing the no sugar thing, at least no processed sugar, i'm still using maple syrup and raw honey. and i ate an orange the other day and it was so sweet! i try to remind myself that they've never had sugar so even something mildy sweet like brown rice syrup tastes amazing.

in news for us, we are going to reno today, oh the joys of a four hour round trip drive with lots of grocery buying stops in the middle

also, linnaea CLIMBED INTO THE BATHTUB last night. i had just pulled her and lazlo out and pulled the plug, usually she likes to play hide and seek under the towel for awhile so i turned around to get toothbrushes ready and lazlo says, linnaea is getting back in the bath! i turn around and she's on her tummy on the edge and in the two seconds it takes me to reach for her she falls in and under the water.

so i pick her up and keep her face down so the water can run out. it takes her forever to take a breath and then she does this huge cry and was totally having a hard time getting air. so we went and sat down and i rocked her and eventually she let out this huge burp but it was really scary.

i figured on the bright side, she's okay, and at least it didn't happen during one of those times when i kind of slack off and think, "she'll be okay." because my mate always tell me i'm too laid back about things and i'd hate to prove him right using our baby as an example! i was right there and it took her literally two seconds. damn that climbing thing!

[lovetobemama]

Carrie ...the tub thing sounds awful...I got chills just reading it...SO glad that everything is perfectly fine, though. hang in there!

Gena: your girls are beautiful! Meant to say that earlier, can't remember if I did!

Rynna: Happy B-Day to Bear!!! I'm sorry I missed it the other day, but I was thinking of him! And I'm so, so, so glad the surgery went well and he seems to be hearing so much better. I have worked with several kids for speech who were late-talkers, and once tubes were in, they were caught up in weeks...I'm more thinking of 2-yr-olds, but your kids are early talkers, so it applies to Bear too!

Helen: I am thinking of you today. especially since it is 60 degrees outside here...this is the first beautiful day in weeks, and I am stuck spending it all inside as I madly prepare for the party tomorrow night...but at least I don't have weather worries to plague me as I get ready for the shin-dig!

Jaxinsmom: as soon as I get a free moment (which may not be until March ) I will find you on Facebook and find the group. Thanks for doing this!

Lilyblossom: we did an apple cake for DS's first b-day, and will probably do it for Molly too. I can't remember if it is completely sugar free or not, but it mostly used apples instead of sugar, and it was delicious. I'll try to find it and post it soon!

Amy: I also like the food-outside solution! We have a sun room off the back of the house that isn't insulated, and we use it all winter long for random things that need to stay cool but don't need to be taking up room in the fridge! And I can't believe your grandma's story!! What a woman she must have been!!!

Sarah: Any fun plans for James birthday this weekend?

As for me, I am still dealing with a snarky computer, my IL's are visiting, and I am hosting my beloved SIL's bachelorette party tomorrow night. So sorry I have been missing lately. I am tentatively spending the night at the party tomorrow...My first night away from Molly ever...I have 12 oz pumped for her to take at night if she wants it, and DH is planning on just snuggling with her, rocking her, whatever it takes, till morning. If it is beyond terrible, I will just leave some time in the night, but I am cautiously optimistic that it will just be a strange night for her, and she will drink the milk so as to not be hungry, and snuggle in her daddy's arms, and survive the night just fine. We'll see.

Mostly though, I am trying to stop running around like a chicken with my head cut off and start actually doing the cooking and organizing that I need to finish before the party. It should be a ton of fun, once I get my prep done. We are having a huge chili-fest, and I am making some champagne sangria tonight for us to have tomorrow...yum! It will be a ladies-night-in...no gross male anatomy games/cakes/decorations/whatever...just a fun night with some fun ladies.

to anyone I missed...I know there were several of you...slgt, had something to tell you, but I have completely forgotten now: it will come back to me in 4 hours when I am up to my arms in food prep. oh well...I'll be back to try to catch up more!

[True Blue]

Originally Posted by lovetobemama

And I can't believe your grandma's story!! What a woman she must have been!!!

Funnily enough, she's a miserable woman and horrible mother. But maybe that's why.

lovetobemama, Good luck with your overnight trip!!!!

The eye dr was a big bust, he was an optometrist not an ophthalmologist like the listing had him under. He was really nice, but looked at her eyes for all of 10 seconds, said he didn't see it (it's intermittent anyway), but did at least want a pediatric ophthalmologist to check her out, if only bc I am farsighted (Which is often the cause of strabismus). So we have another month of waiting now. There are no specialists out here in the boonies so we'll go to Miami to see this Dr (she actually operated on the other Dr's daughter, so he at least trusts her). I'm just going to coincide the trip with her bday party...we were going to do it on the first since her bday is the next day, but I'll make it a week later now so I don't have to make the trip twice...Lucy is still not a fan of the long road trips LOL.

So that's my update....

[applecore]

Originally Posted by Teenytoona

Hey Mommas, can we talk the big W word? Well, partially anyways. I know sometimes weaning talk can bring up a little more than itter-jitters around here, but this DDC is pretty understanding, so hope you don't mind.

Teeny, you could still pump as frequently for awhile, but only enough to relieve the discomfort of your breasts being so full. Your supply will probably decrease, but I would imagine you will still be able to nurse Senara when you're together. The last 6 months of my nursing relationship with Marley was only once a day at bedtime, and I still had milk. It's different for everyone, but I do know plenty of mamas who nurse only a small amount without problem. I wouldn't think of it as weaning, just a change in her eating habits.

Originally Posted by PlayaMama

today is MY birthday but i'm 32 so it's not quite as exciting thjough i am very happy to be here! and i hope to be here for another 70 years too!

Happy belated birthday! Sorry I missed it.

Originally Posted by justmama

oh no, she caught us!
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...s/100_6618.jpg

This was so funny! I love it!

Originally Posted by True Blue

Yay Ember!!!!! Crazy! Lucy took some more steps today too...aaaaack!!! Our babies are becoming toddlers, sniff.


So on another note (when it rains it pours eh? lol) DH got selfish and never put on his condom Sat night, which was prime baby-making time...we are NOT ready so I got plan B....never did that before. Anyway...now here I am 5 days later spotting. I know plan B can cause that, but this is also exactly when I spot when I am pg. So big yikes. Anyone have experience to share??? I mean I'd be happy with another of course...but not now. I might lost my mind. Rynna...now I know why you were freaking out pg with Bear!!!!! BTW did they figure anything out about him yet?

Yay for Ember and Lucy! And as for the "forgotten" condom- Good luck with that! Definitely keep us posted.

Originally Posted by PlayaMama

also, linnaea CLIMBED INTO THE BATHTUB last night. i had just pulled her and lazlo out and pulled the plug, usually she likes to play hide and seek under the towel for awhile so i turned around to get toothbrushes ready and lazlo says, linnaea is getting back in the bath! i turn around and she's on her tummy on the edge and in the two seconds it takes me to reach for her she falls in and under the water.

Holy crap! Thank goodness you were right there! I need to keep a better eye on Twyla when Marley's in the bath from now on!

As for me, I have been having headaches again, and a migraine the other night. Ugh. Other than that, I think my adrenal fatigue is improving somewhat. I'm in a much better mood, and have more patience. Unfortunately, dh and I are in a rough spot, and it doesn't seem to be improving. I'm a member of a UU church, and have spoken with the minister about couple's counseling. Scott's open to it, so I have high hopes. Keep your fingers crossed for me, because the reality of being a single mom in these hard economic times is really scary! I'm just hoping it doesn't come to that.

It was beautiful in Michigan today! 51 degrees! The melting snow made its way to our basement, though. :

Well that was the first substantial post I've done here in quite some time! It's good to be back! I'm trying!

[Juise]

Keeping caught up, but have been unable to post. (never heard this one before, have you? ) I keep racking up the personals that I want to get to, hopefully I get a chance to really post soon, but I just wanted to say, OMG what freakin adorable babies!! I am totally lovin all the pictures Keep them coming!

[smokeylo]

Hi everyone! It's finally nice in Iowa so we have been enjoying outdoors time at long last. I feel like Robin has spent her whole life indoors since last summer she was really too tiny to play as such.

We've had a rough week over here. Robin's daytime nap schedule is changing so some days she's doing awesome and others she'll sleep for an hour total. I think due to being overtired she's been experiencing night terrors -- waking in the middle of the night screaming and inconsolable. This has been REAL fun for me, let me tell ya :. Then she would fuss every time she woke up (rather than stir and turn to nurse, she would cry) and nurse constantly for hours. : DH has been sick, too, so we've been a barrel full of laughs. Anyway, last night went well so hopefully the pattern will break and we can all be well rested again .

Can't wait to hear about mamas gifts being received and of course see more birthday posts!!!

[ema-adama]

Wondering how it went Emily?

all.... will be back later

[sarahn4639]

james' birthday today, it went well. his name in my sig is a slideshow of his birth if anyone wants to reminice with me

emily, also wondering how your night way and how molly's was as well.

helen, i hope you are getting dug out over there!

rynna, how's bear?

lauren, i hope the night goes well. that sounds very difficult.

gotta go help in the bathroom

[lovetobemama]

:Happy Birthday James!!:

Ema, Sarah, Amy, and all who might care to know...my first night away from Molly (last night) went...well...we survived it...sort of. Thanks for asking! Here's the story:

She had a runny nose and seemed warm, though no clear fever, so I suspected that it would be rougher than normal anyway, so I mentally prepared for having to come home early...which was a good thing. She cried every 30 min from bedtime till 10 p.m., when DH just let her get up, and the 2 of them and my MIL who was staying with DH just played together until 12:30! Then she went down at 12:30 with DH, and slept pretty well until I came home at 2:30 a.m. I had to come home because my MIL (who I truly love and is usually the definition of helpful), had accidentally thrown out over half of the milk I pumped when she was doing dishes. :...yes...you read that right...she dumped out the perfectly good milk right into the drain. There wasn't enough left in the house to last DH and Molly the whole night, so I knew I would have to come home.

But all is well that ends well. The party for my dear SIL went perfectly wonderful and I got to stay until way late, even if I didn't get to stay all night...so it was still a successful night in my opinion. I'm happy with it (and I'm happy that its over!)

Now, of course, I am dog tired, and both kids are officially sick and running real fevers, so today isn't great, but the party was, and I was honored to host it for her (my SIL), so again, all is well that ends well! Just say prayers for me to make it through the next 24 hours!!

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by True Blue

The eye dr was a big bust, he was an optometrist not an ophthalmologist like the listing had him under. He was really nice, but looked at her eyes for all of 10 seconds, said he didn't see it (it's intermittent anyway),

what a bummer! i hope the next visit goes better!

Originally Posted by applecore

As for me, I have been having headaches again, and a migraine the other night. Ugh. Other than that, I think my adrenal fatigue is improving somewhat. I'm in a much better mood, and have more patience. Unfortunately, dh and I are in a rough spot, and it doesn't seem to be improving. I'm a member of a UU church, and have spoken with the minister about couple's counseling.

hi raina!! glad to see you back! i really hope the couples counseling goes well for you, i'm so sorry to hear that you are having troubles i'm glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better lately too!

curtis is back and i'm readjusting to having another responsible parent in the house. i missed him tons. unfortunately he let the lamb my mom gave us thaw in the ice chest and we now have to eat it or give it away within the next few days rather than having a freezer full of meat. my time is almost up, see you mamas tomorrow!

happy birthdays to these lo's

~TrishWSU~ (Trish), due 1/28
Aidan Patrick Evan Connor born Friday, 2/8/08 1:30 PM

~clittle760~ (Ashley), due 1/27/08
Cailyn Marie born Friday, 2/8/08 6:507 AM

~SarahN4639~, due 2/3
James Louis born Friday, 2/8/08 7:18 AM
"Born at home exactly 6 hours after labor started."

~Sunkist33~ (Stacy)
Ocean Mary born Friday, 2/8/08 8:55 PM

yay james!! since we don't see those other mamas too much.

[PlayaMama]

oh and emily, since i missed your post, i'm so glad to hear that you had a fun time and were able to make it home to be with your babe. that is crazy about the milk, but maybe it was for the best since sick littles need their mamas.

hope everyone is feeling better in a day or two!!