chat for Monday/22nd through Sunday/28th - Page 3

[nancy11]

Originally Posted by ShineliketheSon

Well I"m a user of the bulb...LO has massive boogers that block her breathing and she fusses like no other till it's out. It's so cute to see her just lay so still after it's out like ahhhh I can breathe! Anyway we were just told not to abuse it, so we only use it when she's really fussy and we use saline solution first to loosen it up.

The "boogie extractor" is my favorite tool. It works well when Zack doesn't squirm. It doesn't bother me at all to be using it. If you're good at it, it takes no time at all to extract the boogies!

[momma2be_k]

Originally Posted by emmaegbert

I'm getting my vitamin D levels checked. Have any of you done this? The ped NP Phoebe saw a month ago told me to supplement Phoebe w/ vitamins (I'm not taking that advice so far) and I decided to see what my levels are, and supplement her, possibly, if my levels are really low. (and increase the amount I take to get my levels back into a good range). meanwhile, considering she got a sunburn.... well. We are very fair-skinned and we live in southern California and are outside every day, so they shouldn't be low. BUT, my MW says she has been seeing tons of vit D deficiency in her patients- practically every person she tests is quite low. And they all live around here...

What's the deal with low vitamin D levels? I've read that Ped's often suggest a supplement for BF babies, but my Ped hasn't uttered a word.

[ShineliketheSon]

Originally Posted by nancy11

novelty.

not sure what this meant?

Originally Posted by nancy11

The "boogie extractor" is my favorite tool. It works well when Zack doesn't squirm. It doesn't bother me at all to be using it. If you're good at it, it takes no time at all to extract the boogies!

glad I'm not the only one! when it comes to the natural realm, i tend to question myself, which is good for learning new things but not good for the psyche somedays!...though if EBM works like saline soloution, i'd rather use that.

[wobblykate]

Originally Posted by fairymom

Sun block ?- are you using it on your los? I know our ped said not to till 6 mnths and I didn't have to worry w/my others (all born in fall or winter so they were 6 mnths by their 1st summers)- but I feel like I should be using at least a little while at the beach/pool since the suns so much more likely to burn there. What's your ops?

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

we haven't needed it yet, but there's a local herb store that sells a natural sunblock that's safe for littles...

Originally Posted by nancy11

As it turns out, Zack LOVES other kids. He met his cousins (4 & 8) from Indiana.
Every time they talked to him, he lit up smiling and nearly laughing, talking and all that.
I'm the only other person that gets the same reaction.
It was very cool and super cute.

....

Need to get Zack his first shots.

Eden has realized that kids are different from grown-ups, too. She finds them enormously entertaining. GL with the shots

mel, love your 'day in the life'

shine, GL finding something to do with dd1. my sil has the same issue with her oldest....he's just very labor-intensive and needs structured play time without mom there, so they do 2 hours of preschool twice a week during the school year and he's taking swimming lessons and art class this summer.

Eden slept until 8 AM!!! I've been so tired lately, it was a nice treat! SIL and the kids are coming this afternoon, maybe brother, too! better get some housework done before lo wakes. have good days!

[emmaegbert]

Originally Posted by momma2be_k

What's the deal with low vitamin D levels? I've read that Ped's often suggest a supplement for BF babies, but my Ped hasn't uttered a word.

Vit D is the new "it" thing to worry about I think, there has been a lot of recent research linking low levels to chronic and autoimmune diseases, as well as depressed immune function. Its in the news a lot this year. Also, apparently low levels are very common even in places and populations where they shouldn't be (fair-skinned people in sunny locales) and there are a bunch of theories as to why (use of sunscreen, sedentary indoor lifestyles, toxins in the environment interfering w/ absorption). The recommended supplement level of 400iu a day is enough to prevent rickets but probably nowhere near the amount people actually need. Other people on here probably know more about this b/c its been something the "natural" health people have been worrying about for a lot longer.

So, I'm not supplementing my EBF baby or anything, but I'm going to get my levels tested b/c what the heck, if they really are very low I guess I would want to know that and go from there. I'll take my current levels as a proxy for during pregnancy too (we live far enough south that there isn't a big seasonal variation in our sun exposure) and won't worry if they are normal.

As for the nose bulb? My son HATED it the one time I tried it, and when he was a newborn with some stuffy symptoms I called the ped office, and the nurse on the phone told me I should swaddle him or have someone pin his arms down to use it, and it just didn't sound right to me. I read up a bit about other ways to alleviate the snots (or just ignore them if he can still breathe). Anyway, I think the idea is that using it can irritate the sensitive lining of the nose and actually just make the bugger problem worse. Saline or BM doesn't get rid of the snot, it just makes the mucus runny so it can just clear out on its own and be wiped away. Obviously you good caring mamas can figure out your own way with this, and neither of my babies have had so much nasal congestion that I really had to do much. Of course if the baby can't breathe at all through the nose they s/he can't nurse, so you have to do something.

Later when my son was a younger toddler he asked me to use it when he'd be so stuffy but wasn't very good yet at blowing his own nose. So, who knows, maybe it feels great to some babies.

OMG, I am totally procrastinating on here and have to go do some work.

[MelW]

We are giving Nora vitamin D- I use Baby D Drops, which are in a coconut oil base and don't have the additives, dyes, etc. that are in D-Vi-Sol (and also, not made by a formula company!). It's a pretty big public health push in Canada, since we get way less sunlight in the winters, and recent studies have shown that deficiencies are quite common.

The mastitis is retreating. The day in bed seems to have helped, though Nora's sleep last night was much more restless. I think because she slept most of the day, too. Hopefully tonight is better. I don't mind the night-time feeds, but am a little bothered by the nighttime playing and grunting.

The EBM works like saline, but it's free (though sometimes a little harder to aim). I just squirt up her nostril and it loosens things up. She usually sneezes or I can wipe the boogers out after that. I don't own a sucker, but did once resort to using my mouth for suction when Neela had a cold as a baby : Otherwise the EBM and tissue have always been enough.

Good luck with your trip Emmaegbert! We took Nora to a conference, and it was great.

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by ShineliketheSon

YES it is HOT here! felt like 102 yesterday...UGH! Lindsay you are doing so great! I'm so glad that you had some uninteruppted time with LO and DD1 had fun at camp. I'm sure it's hard to balance your time betweeen them and get rest, I'm sure your exhausted!. How GREAT to get a smile!!!! It may not seem like it to you but from this side of the computer Sophia's is recovering remarkibly and quickly...to have had the birth she had and then open heart surgery and be not even 2 months yet, this is AMAZING. And that tubes and meds are allready changing for home use...this is major progress LIndsay! I'm sure in it it seems so slow, but she will be home with you soon!!!


ter!

I dont have time to read or write a lot but I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your encouragement!!!!

Shine - Thank you so much for putting her progress so simply. Its hard to step back and see that yeah, she is a newborn who JUST had open heart surgery and many other ailments that have cleared up.

Today I walked in and Sophia was in a bouncy chair!!!!!!: We are slowly trying to teach her to eat and today she was "rooting" and opening her mouth for her paci! HUGE step in the right direction. Her throat isnt as raw so she is actually crying out loud. All amazing things.

Her morphine will be off my tomorrow and then her IV line will come out and Ill be able to hold her. Its been TWO WEEKS since Ive held her. Crazy, huh! (IV out also means that I have to start changing diapers again...dammit )

Im actually making a grocery list. Weve been eating out but Im attempting to make dinner at home one of these days!

[Lindsay1234]

Fairymom - Im borrowing a Medela Lactina from my local WIC program. DO you have a WIC program near you? I cant imagine pumping using a manual. SUCKS about the lawnmower!!! Dawn just got hers stolen too!!

to all the ones with sick babies

momma2bek - Her hair is getting progressively redder and redder and her roots are blonde! I hope it doesn't lose the thickness, its just like mine! And holy crap, I cant believe a DDC baby is TWELVE weeks old!!!!

Emma - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Too bad I dont go further than a few miles from the hospital or else Id hunt you down in SF for some hugs and coffee!

Shine - great job pumping!!!! I think youre storing it fine! Did someone post freezing info? Hold on... from kellymom http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkstorage.html I think those medela freezer bags are 6 bucks for 25 or something. I liked those because you can freeze 6 oz or so flat in the freezer so they dont take up too much room.
As for the love thing, Im there too. Every single time DH even squeezes my hand I snap "Ugh! Im NOT IN THE MOOD!!!" and dd1 is driving me crazy, whining every single second. But you know what? Were allowed to have those times and it will get better!!! Sometimes I think that its not love Im lacking but energy. I literally am expending all my energy on dd2, I have NONE to give to DH or dd1. ITs sad, but well all recover.


goodmomma - I LOVE diaperswappers, Im sure you can find a great mei tai on there!!

fisck - back to work already?! You worked all the way til delivery too, youre an inspiration!!!

racie - no advice, just

Peony - Youll make it!! DH will be home soon before you know it! Do you have friends you can ask for help?

bodhi - Im glad your days got better, nothing like a babies smile to make it better!!

michelle - I dont know if these are bpa free but I saw them at target http://www.target.com/Easy-Baby-Food...e=1&rh=&page=1

Mel - Oh no!! I hope the mastitis clears up FAST!!!! I LOVE the pics!!!!! ANd you made me gag with the nose sucker comment but then I remembered I got some of dd1s throw up in my mouth once, I guess snot isnt much worse!

MsShell - I LOVE the pics of Terran! I love the "2 months old" pic his lips pressed together, reminds me of a cute frog. Dd2 does the same thing

nancy - Zach is going to be so popular, tons of friends!!! Did he get to put his feetsies in the water?

kate - 8am?! Thats awesome!! How long of a stretch is she sleeping for now? Youre posts have been shorter and shorter, hope youre doing ok.

As for the Vit D. Im learning that it also helps in the absorption of other vitamins like calcium.

SO keep this to yourselves (we dont want to jinx it) but tomorrow we might try and start teaching Sophia to bottle feed!!!ait! No jumping for joy, I dont want to jinx it! hehe

Our nurse actually said she thinks Sophias going to head over to the next set of nurseries, the Special Care Nursery soon. This nursery is where babies go when they are going to be discharged soon. They even have a family sleep room that we can "practice" with our baby, spending the night but getting up and talking to the nurses or docs if we have any questions.

Ok Im going to keep the rest to myself, when its the right time, ill spill ALL the great news to you guys!!!

Trying, for the 3rd day, to make a grocery list. sigh

[wobblykate]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

kate - 8am?! Thats awesome!! How long of a stretch is she sleeping for now? Youre posts have been shorter and shorter, hope youre doing ok.

As for the Vit D. Im learning that it also helps in the absorption of other vitamins like calcium.

SO keep this to yourselves (we dont want to jinx it) but tomorrow we might try and start teaching Sophia to bottle feed!!!ait! No jumping for joy, I dont want to jinx it! hehe

Our nurse actually said she thinks Sophias going to head over to the next set of nurseries, the Special Care Nursery soon. This nursery is where babies go when they are going to be discharged soon. They even have a family sleep room that we can "practice" with our baby, spending the night but getting up and talking to the nurses or docs if we have any questions.

Ok Im going to keep the rest to myself, when its the right time, ill spill ALL the great news to you guys!!!

Trying, for the 3rd day, to make a grocery list. sigh

Lindsay, you are so incredible! All this going on in your life and you notice I'm posting less!

I'm fine, just busy and sick of typing one-handed!

Eden's sleeping a 5-6 hr stretch consistently. She's such a good sleeper sometimes i forget to change her b/c she just eats and falls back to sleep. I've got to be careful or she'll get a rash...

btw, AWESOME news about sophia!!! my fingers are crossed! :

[wobblykate]

Oh! we're going to be on the radio saturday around 5 pacific time (somewhere towards the top of the hour). it's on the internet, too.

http://www.krvm.org/

We're promoting a show we're playing that night and we're going to play a few songs.:

[nancy11]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

nancy - Zach is going to be so popular, tons of friends!!! Did he get to put his feetsies in the water?

That is a very nice thought.

His feet stayed in the sand, as the water was too cold.
Mostly, he slept in the ocean breeze and made me happy.

Zack has been amazingly calm, to date.
And, amazingly tremendous.
I need to check his weight...

[ShineliketheSon]

ONLY have a second...HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!!!:

Lindsay: GREAT news on Sophia!!! And thanks for making me feel better about DD1 and DH...energy is probably a factor here too, though not even close on your radar!

[fairymom]

Happy Birthday Emma!

Enjoy some cake!:

[nancy11]

Happy Birthday, Emma. Apparently, I missed that post.

I weighed the monster just now...
14.4 pounds @ 2 months and 2 days. GAH!

[michanders4]

Happy bday Emma!!

We are off to the beach!! If the water is not too cold we will put Cooper's feet in!!

Nancy - did you come to Jersey for the beach??

[bodhitree]

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Lindsay, great news about Sophia! I'm glad she's doing so well.

Kate, I'll try to catch you on the radio. I'd love to hear your band.

Re: Vit D, we are supplementing with drops that I found at the health food store. No creepy ingredients, so that's great. I want to make sure River's absorbing her calcium and building strong bones. I must have weak bones, since I've broken lots of bones. And my mom was diagnosed with osteoporosis in her 40s. So I decided it was important enough to be worth supplementing.

DH has been gone almost two weeks and is coming back on Saturday. He's going to be so surprised with all the new things River is doing. She's using her hands a lot more and making all kinds of new noises. And are any of your babies peeing less frequently? In the last week she has started having a few hours here and there where her diaper stays clean. It's kind of freaking me out because that never happened before.

[nancy11]

Originally Posted by michanders4

Nancy - did you come to Jersey for the beach??

Fenwick Island in Delaware

[emmaegbert]

thanks for the birthday wishes everyone- and yes, I am going to make a nice big tasty cake! (Fairymom is esp sympathetic on that one... we both had very strict diets while preg due to GD). I woke up today to a clean kitchen and DH had made all these cut-out paper decorations for the big sliding glass doors. DS promises he won't whine at me today (we'll see how that goes ) and I even got to take a shower. Great day!

I can't believe I am leaving town tomorrow AM for a solo trip with Phoebe, but I'm also looking forward to it.

Lindsay- if only I had a little more time and Sophia was a little further along w/ her recovery it would be so fun to meet up! Maybe next time. I have tons of cousins in Oakland and Davis so I'll probably be up again w/ both kids, and just to play.

Phoebe is 12lbs4oz as of her 8-week mark (tuesday). Growing nicely but smaller than her brother was, he was a little over 14lbs at 2mos. She's starting to grab, chewing her fist and the fabric on her sling and warp, and she's smiling and cooing, trying hard to get our attention and just being generally very cute.

Baby is sleeping so its time to finish my summary and send it off, almost a week late, for the workshop tomorrow. And do one last load of laundry- anyone else out there dealing with a miniscule wardrobe? Mat clothes are way too big, but my old clothes aren't quite right either or are too hard for nursing. I want to look like a normal grown-up person for the three days I am at the workshop, and thats pretty much everything I own that fits, ykim?

And those of you dealing with colds and other sicknesses, or out-of-town partners- blah. It will be over soon.

[wobblykate]

Happy Birthday, Emma!!!:

I'm dealing w/the wardrobe....biggest issue is pants. If i could just loose this 10 lbs, I'd have a full summer wardrobe:

[goodmomma76]

wardrobe--ha--what's that?? I have a few things I can wear...and when I find an old something that I think might fit..I have to remember to wash it in Dreft first so I don't break Miss K out...and it hardly seems worth it...lol...

I am STUCK at this weight. She has been sick and fussy and I haven't done anything but laundry for 2 weeks. My house is a wreck. I can't even exercise. She screamed while I washed in the shower yesterday. And usually she doesn't mind. BLAH. We are heading to the doctor again today. She woke up with the cold in her eye this morning, it's all pussy and runny. We are seeing someone different this time, her doc is out of the office. It may be a blessing in disguise, and we'll have to switch. She's not sleeping. Eating so little that my supply is low. And I haven't been able to pump for 5 days. Of course I think some of that was my own fever. Okay, enough griping!

Happy Birthday Emma!!!
And Happy Anniversery to me and DH!! 4 years today.

Lindsay-Sophia is great! She looks fabulous. I wish I could meet you guys. I'd bring you a home made dinner! (my friends all expect that now when they're sick! LOL)

Kate--I understand about typing with one hand. I seem to only get to type something on here real quick when I am at work!

My little cousin that just had the baby updated her facebook status yesterday with..."people say you should sleep when the baby sleeps...but what if your baby never sleeps?" Poor thing.