try this again? CHAT! thru Sunday Feb 21st

[smokeylo]

I thought since I think we're all done having babies (??) that we could start chat threads up again to keep the size manageable.

How old is your LO (or ARE your LOs, twin mommies?). How are they doing? What's new in their lives?

What's new with you? How's recovery going? What's happening in the rest of your life?

* * *
Holly is 3 weeks old today and gaining weight like a champ (up almost 2 lb since birth). She is so sweet natured, it's hard to complain. She has a fussy period typically at the end of the night, but that's about it in terms of "unreasonable" behavior. I just adore her.

I'm doing well recovery wise except for a sore back from hunching over to nurse and carrying a newborn. I'm feeling frumpy and worried about my body moving into spring/summer. I've never been much of a fitness person, and I don't know how I'll make that a part of my life... but I probably need to!

In other news, my older daughter turns 2 in one week, and her birthday party is Sunday. My sister is visiting us for 5 days starting tomorrow, which will be great... and the in-laws will be here after that not really looking forward to that, but it has to happen, and they DO make us lots of good food . I am also planning my first trip away from Robin (DD1) next month when Holly and I will attend a professional conference of mine. Oh man, I'm nervous and a little sad to be away from her overnight!!

[paxye]

Originally Posted by smokeylo

Holly is 3 weeks old today and gaining weight like a champ (up almost 2 lb since birth). She is so sweet natured, it's hard to complain. She has a fussy period typically at the end of the night, but that's about it in terms of "unreasonable" behavior. I just adore her.

I'm doing well recovery wise except for a sore back from hunching over to nurse and carrying a newborn. I'm feeling frumpy and worried about my body moving into spring/summer. I've never been much of a fitness person, and I don't know how I'll make that a part of my life... but I probably need to!

Replace Holly with Wilhelmina and that is EXACTLY us here... she has a fussy period in the evening but that is it..

EC is going great and nightime ECing is so much easier than I thought it would be... and she sleeps so well...

I am having so much fun having a little girl too...

Besides that having DH home is great, we seem to get less done during a day with him home, but it makes things so much easier in other ways... the boys love having him home also... I am looking forward to the weather being a bit warmer so that we can get out and do more stuff...

[hakeber]

I've been ECing too! Not at night, though. I just can't manage the potty bowl, and the waking. I tried it for a few nights and I was so exhausted in the morning and then I had DS to handle...not fun. But get this...she is five weeks old, now, and yesterday and today she woke up with a DRY NAPPY after SIX HOURS of sleep! How amazing is that? And I held her over the potty and in about two minutes maybe she had BIG pee and after nursing for a few minutes a HUGE poop.

I'm not calling it a pattern yet, but is that awesome or what, and she is so happy with herself.

In the day time, we catch most of her messes, only a few pee misses, but she's always over a cloth nappy or wearing one, so no worries there. It'sso nice not to have to worry about diaper rash!

Emily is an awesome sleeper. We wake up around 6:00 am with Big Brother bouncing into bed with us, get him dressed and set up with Breakfast, then we nurse while he eats and she gets in the wrap, while I walk ds to school. She sleeps in the wrap until I put her down, so I usually come home and do the chores, laundry, dishes, get dinner started, whatever, and then we hang out until about 10:30 or 11am and she snoozes until about 1pm then we go get brother at 3pm and it's another motion induced snooze until about 4, then she's usually up, tranquil and happy as Larry until about 6 or 7 and she rests dozing on and off through dinner, and then we play and read DS stories while she nurses, and then at about 9:30-10pm I wrap her up, nurse her to sleep, turn on the radio static full blast and I don't hear from her again until 4am. I tried to wake her up the first few nights to feed and she just lay there limp in my arms, absolutely comatose, there was nothing short of a cold bath that could have woken her...I love this kid!

I know it is not nice to brag, but I swear I am more well rested now than I have ever been in my life. Both my kids inherited their father's ability to shut out the world and sleep. I jump at every little creak or bump in the night and he and the kids sleep like death. I wake up more often to check her breathing than she does to nurse...its not natural! If she wasn't alert and smiley and active for the few hours a day she is awake I would be seriously concerned. But she is such a happy baby.

My only gripe with her is that she will only smile for me, and she won't let me catch it on film so I think that no one believes me that she's smiling, but she does!

I am flabby and bored. Ds and DH both come home and just want to chat my ear off with all the exciting things that happened and I am so jealous! All I have to talk about are pooping patterns and drooly smiles that no one else can see. It's so annoying, and I feel totally steamrolled the minute they walk in the door...blah blah blah...What about me?! Oh yeah...I got nothin'!

I know I should enjoy my maternity leave and not take it for granted, that there are heaps of moms who would KILL for six months paid leave to spend with their newborns, but I always feel like it is half a prison sentence...I am ticking off the days until I can go back to work, and I keep making excuses to pop by school and socialize. I'm afraid I just look pathetic and attention seeking. The thing is it's a residential school and it feels much more like a second home than just a workplace, all my friends here in CR work there, and the students are like my other kids, especially my classes and my form tutees...I miss it so much!

This is getting long

I have my first ladies night out this Friday...just two or three hours, but I am so excited! Brazilian food and drinks, half price, with my best girlfriends in the country! Woo hoo!

[sunshadow]

Max is almost 4 weeks old now. The first three weeks went by quickly, but the last week has been slow. I think because I am excited for him to be one month old. He is an easy baby, but for some reason I just want him to grow up quickly. I thought I would cherish the tiny newborn stage more this time, but I really just can't wait until he starts doing things!

He is gaining weight quickly. I don't know his weight, but he has outgrown his xs fuzzi bunz diapers already. He only gets fussy enough to cry when he is getting really tired. Then I know if I hold him off just a bit he will sleep like a rock once I put him down. He does want to be held when he is awake, but sleeps great in the cradle. He sleeps the first few hours of the night in the cradle, which is something I am really enjoying since my daughter never did that. I just love pulling the covers up to my chin! I co-sleep with him after he wakes up.

My DD came down with a cold I think she got it from some visitors last weekend. That has been a debate with my dh. I wanted to wait on visitors for a month, or two, but my dh thought it was rude to tell people to wait. Now I am just hoping Max doesn't get sick.

I recovered really well. I only had a small tear that didn't need stitches. I had afterpains for about a week and the nipple pain *oy*, but all is ok now.

In the rest of my life there isn't a huge amount going on. Trying to get out and walk occasionally and I am trying to come up with activities to keep dd happy during the day. I am also trying to plan my dd's 3rd birthday party. She is really into dogs and we are trying to decide if getting her a puppy for her birthday is completely crazy. Newborn and puppy? Probably crazy!

[hakeber]

oh! we're thinking of getting a puppy for ds' birthday in March! I think it would be fun...my mom said I am crazy! I figure what's little more poo and pee to clean up, right?

[marinak1977]

Hi Everyone, glad to hear that you ladies are doing well. Yay for all the healthy babes and mamas!
Sasha is a little over 6 weeks today and we're doing well. He is a good sleeper (wakes up 2-3 times a night to feed, but then goes straight to sleep and I usually fall asleep with him on the boob) - he does sleep next to me in the bed all night, but that way I usually get enough sleep.
He is a good napper during the day too, (snoozing now) and only gets cranky if for some reason his nap doesn't happen. I'm getting better at catching the cues that he's tired and wearing him down for a nap. He will also re-settle during the nap without needing me sometimes, which is really nice (he just did it as I watched on the monitor, woke up, looked around, smiled, and went back to sleep). He sleeps a lot during the day still, but definitely has more alert and quiet moments when he is learning. He loves being carried around and looking at things, (especially lights). He hates not being able to see so I always have to make sure his hat is not over his eyes and the sling gives him room to see. Can't wait till he is strong enough to really front carry him, he holds his head pretty well already but does get tired and floppy so I have to help support him if he is front facing.
We're doing part time EC and part time CD - it's going well I think. We just hold him over a tub to potty and he loves it. He usually breaks out into a grin when we carry him into the bathroom. He loves having his bum rinsed off too, so we're hardly using any wipes. I'm still getting a hang of CD'ing - he has leaked a few times so maybe I need better inserts. (I have a bunch of used pocked diapers, but only a few small enough for his tiny bun, I think he may just be getting big enough to start using a stash of small fuzzibunz that I scored)
I have a sense that he holds his poo in somewhat until he gets a chance to potty. Although maybe it's just wishful thinking. He doesn't usually poop at night, and lately even his pees are becoming less frequent like he saves them up.
Oh, he woke up - so I got him and put him over the tub - got a pee and a poo. Yay! So now NAK
AFM - I'm doing well, feeling a lot better PP than ever during the pregnancy. Still flabby and have a sore back from sleeping in a weird position, but a lot more energy than before. I really need to get back into yoga and soccer, but haven't had time. Not super excited about the muffin top, but at least I fit into most of my prepregnancy clothes. Still about 10 lbs to go and a lot of muscle to build up.
My major stressor right now is finishing school and finding a job, I will be defending my degree in april, and hoping to have something lined up in may but no luck yet. Sadly I don't have the energy and time to do full time job hunting right now. I'm sure it'll all work out though.
GTG now - bun is tired and getting cranky

[Happiestever]

Baby is great and only fusses when he wants to go to bed for the night. I cannot complain about him at all. My other two..... well I have no patience for them. They are constantly attacking each other- drives me wacko. Then I look at the baby and think wow/ ThenI wonder what he will be like at the same age LOL

[Faliciagayle]

Ilan will be one month tomorrow He was a very content baby until about 4/5 days ago - now the only way I can describe him is "fussy" or "high needs." He definitely needs to be worn all day and nurse when awake. His best sleep is so far 7-11 which is when I should be sleeping, but I'm not tired then. I'm exhausted in the middle of the day when I can't sleep

He is a smiley babe and coos and gurgles like a dream. DD is much more used to him and the idea of him. When he's not on me she asks "where's the baby?" and if she hears him crying she runs to pat his head. We all bathed together tonight and both kids were happy simultaneously which was GREAT.

We have our 1 month ped visit on Monday. I'm excited to see how much he weighs.

Personally, I'm having a much rougher time with the two kids being upset at the same time (often happens) than I thought I would. Somewhere in my pregnancy I said goodbye to my patience and I desperately want it back. I know now is not the time to beat myself up for being uncreative with activities for DD but GAWD! The weather and being cooped up is killing me. I am so afraid of going anywhere alone with the two of them. Tomorrow I *have* to get some groceries so I'm going to suck it up and take them out early morning.

I don't recognize my body. I was a triathlete before and during DDs pregnancy, and with DS I ran in the very beginning... I'm currently soft, squishy, and out of shape and very much doubt my ability to run for 5 minutes without gasping for air.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by Faliciagayle

Personally, I'm having a much rougher time with the two kids being upset at the same time (often happens) than I thought I would. Somewhere in my pregnancy I said goodbye to my patience and I desperately want it back. I know now is not the time to beat myself up for being uncreative with activities for DD but GAWD! The weather and being cooped up is killing me. I am so afraid of going anywhere alone with the two of them.

I'm having a lot of trouble with this as well. If both kids are upset then I have real problems coping, I just get so MAD - but not at them. I get angry at my inability to do anything to fix it, but then me being angry freaks DD out and she gets MORE upset and it's just a disaster. Also I'm totally slacking on activities and games for DD. My husband is home for another 3.5 weeks but he's really not into helping her with things or finding activities.

Originally Posted by hakeber

oh! we're thinking of getting a puppy for ds' birthday in March! I think it would be fun...my mom said I am crazy! I figure what's little more poo and pee to clean up, right?

I think you're crazy, too. Maybe we had a hard puppy (or we're just crappy pet owners, it's possible). It wasn't just the house training- it was the jumping, biting, chewing up everything in the house, exercise, socialization, training to walk on a leash, etc. It's a BIG job. Cleaning up messes was the least of our problems.



As for us, we're doing alright. I feel fine but exhausted. I'm in bed around 8:30 most nights. Orrin sleeps really well at night, he's only up every 2-4 hours to eat and get a diaper change. He's napping pretty well in his bassinet in the kitchen during the day (you can usually assume you'll get a good 2 hours out of him). This is nice because I can clean, find food, play with DD or get some computer time (like now!).

He's eating really well. At 2 weeks old he was up nearly 2 lbs, so definitely no supply worries here. He's a very chill baby, but he doesn't know what he's supposed to do if he's awake and not nursing. Usually he just fusses. If he's with Dad he's happy on and off, but if he's with me then well, obviously, he MUST nurse. It's right there, isn't it?

I've been wanting to do EC with Orrin (I missed with window with Nigella, didn't look into it until she was 9 mo old and not cueing at all) but I'm finding myself almost too scared. Finally decided, "f this scared thing, I'll just do it" and held him over a bowl. He pooped in the bowl and peed all over my lap, so it was a half-success, I guess. That was our only catch, I tried a few more times but it was the wrong time, then he'd go in his diaper 20 min later.

I'm waiting anxiously for him to start being more awake. I'd love to get some smiles and cooing and looking at things, but we're not quite there yet.

As for me, I have good days and bad days. I have days where I want to stay at home and cry and if I see anyone I just want to whine about how awful I feel and how useless DH is (even though he's helping a lot). I have days where I feel good and I feel like I can get something done and I'm really getting the hang of this parenting 2 business. Some days I'm ready for DH to go to work so that we'll figure out a routine here. And some days I'm TERRIFIED of him leaving me, even for a few minutes.

[AfricanQueen99]

Well, we're alive - so that's a good thing.

Right now we have a couple of challenges:
* Griffin has a killer rash that we're working on clearing up. I'm 100% positive that it's yeast so he's in 'sposies right now since it will live in the cloth. I'm creaming his butt and talcing his bits at every chance. I am really interested in hearing if any of you use probiotics *AND* give some to your newbies - how much do you give them? brand? how do you get it in?
* My nipples are still killing me at 3.5 weeks. I've checked out kellymom on latch issues and I don't think that's it. He cluster feeds whenever he's awake and I just want to cry. I've started attempting block feeding to see if it has anything to do with foremilk/hindmilk, but that's not really helping. My milk floweth over - the poor kid just gulps it down and then ends up coughing a bunch up.

He has smiled at me once or twice, but he's just like a curmudgeonly old man - I call him my little Andy Rooney. So freaking serious. Often wakes up crying. Likes it just like he likes it, yk?

My daughter just adores him and wants to kiss him all.the.time. She's almost four and is going through the typical 3.5-4 year transitional stage of aggression, "NO!", looking for boundaries, etc. She's right on track, but when those things come about I want to scream. Man, alive, I so relate to those of you that said it's hard dealing with two that both need attention at that very second. Whew!

[Faliciagayle]

angela, if you're sure his rash is yeast could the nipple pain be due to thrush?

[AfricanQueen99]

Originally Posted by Faliciagayle

angela, if you're sure his rash is yeast could the nipple pain be due to thrush?

Ohmygod! I was too tired to even consider that. You are so right on. Thank you!!

Now I'm going to Whole Foods today!

[Astraia]

your daughter sounds like mine, Angela... except mine is 14 months. Everything is "no" (and throwing herself on the floor) and she's really pushing boundaries right now. Also LOVES the baby and wants to give him hugs and kisses all the time. Unfortunately, she just squashes him so it's a fight to keep her off while letting her feel like she's hugged or kissed him sufficiently to avoid the tantrum that always follows if we tell her "no" or try to redirect.

Probiotics. I dno't know how to get it into him but you can put it on him. If you buy the probiotic powder, mix it with a bit of water into a sticky mess, and smear it on his bum and your nipples. We did that w/ DD with he yeasty bum and it worked ridiculously well.

Also, have you lokked at over active let down? If it comes out so fast it chokes him, it could be that.

[smokeylo]

DD1 seems to be settling down somewhat in terms of the whole psycho-toddler-attention-seeking thing... that's been nice. Family will be in town on and off for the next 2 weeks to lavish her with attention - that will be nice!

I am having trouble cosleeping with Holly. She and I, right now, bedshare in the guest bedroom. But it isn't working great. First, I have a lot of trouble settling her in the evening. She lays down and starts flailing and grunting. Then, after she finally settles and falls asleep, she grunts/groans/wiggles throughout the night, waking me constantly. Although she sleeps fantastically once she's asleep, I'm not benefiting from that!! Suggestions? I really don't know how to NOT cosleep! What do I do?

[mrsfrenchy]

Well, I guess overall we're doing pretty good. DD2 is a fabulous baby. She's 3 weeks right now. She's a great nurser, she's a great sleeper, and overall a really mellow baby. She's only up two or three times a night. And our new king size bed makes co-sleeping fabulous and way easier than it was with DD1.

The only downside to DD2 is that she apparently has a congenital heart defect. We heart an arrhythmia in utero, but were told that it would most likely go away on its own quite soon after birth. Nope. She has a hole between the top to chambers of her heart (called an Atrial Septal Defect) and she's having Premature Ventrical Contractions (PVCs)(creating the arrhythmia). At the moment, we're being told that both are a wait-and-see kind of thing. Hopefully the hole will close on its own in time. If not we're looking at either surgery via catheter or open heart surgery I'm not sure how long they'll give it before resorting to surgery. The PVCs can be treated with medication, but the dr. doesn't think they're bad enough to warrant medication at this point. We go on Tuesday for another EKG to confirm that though.

DD1 is having a hard time adjusting to sharing me. She seems to feel kind of pushed to the side, despite our best efforts to avoid that. We all have cabin fever anyway and its hard to find stuff to do. We got some megablocks though and she's really liking those, so hopefully we can get away from using the TV as a babysitter and start doing more stuff like that while I'm nursing, etc.

As for me, I feel great, just a little stressed at times when I'm home alone all days with both kids. DD1 is still so young (19 months) that I can't figure out how to get out of the house with both. I won the post-partum recovery and body image lottery, so I really can't complain there. DH (who has a job that he really hates) has decided that he's quitting and going back to school, so starting in May or August (depending upon whether he starting in the summer or fall sememster) we'll be living off of loans and grants. We'll still be working on campus, etc. but that doesn't pay much and neither of us have enough time to work more than that while still focusing on school and our kids. The financial aspect of it is scary, but the idea of leaving his current place of work is thrilling!

Ok. enough about me. That was way too long!

Originally Posted by Faliciagayle

I know now is not the time to beat myself up for being uncreative with activities for DD but GAWD! The weather and being cooped up is killing me. I am so afraid of going anywhere alone with the two of them. Tomorrow I *have* to get some groceries so I'm going to suck it up and take them out early morning.

I'm the same way. We tried to visit DH at work yesterday (he's a restaurant manager) and it did not work. I took the kids and left within 5 minutes of getting there yesterday....and cried the whole way home. I'm tired of being at home all day and not being able to talk them out.

DD1 is in daycare 3x/week (so i can do school work) and I've started only shopping for groceries then, so that I don't have to do it with both kids.

[mamakims]

Sophie is 4 weeks old today. I'm feeling a little sad that she's turning a month on Monday, I think because I'm pretty sure she's our last baby and I know how fast they grow up.
She's doing great, a happy baby except for a fussy period at night when she's tired but fights it. But once she's asleep, she's out cold for hours. I feel like a terrible mum though because I am so used to my ds and how he was so high needs and always crying or fussing when he's awake and with Sophie.. I put her down in the swing or the bouncy chair when she's awake so I can quickly change Parker or go to the bathroom, etc and *gulp* I forget about her because she's so quiet and content. When I finally remember her (usually 10-15 minutes) she's happily taking in her surroundings quiet as can be.

AFM, I'm doing pretty good. Parker seems to be getting over his jealousy and has matured SO much since Sophie's been born. It's still a struggle esp when I'm nursing Sophie because Parker thinks it's prime time to get into things he knows he's not supposed to (hello bird seed dumped all over my kitchen floor! lol).

Sophie's awake.... will post more later and do my replies. It's been GORGEOUS here (take that Olympic people! I live a short ferry ride away from Vancouver) and we're off for a walk which is the only thing I feel confident doing on my own with these two.

[mrsfrenchy]

Originally Posted by mamakims

I feel like a terrible mum though because I am so used to my ds and how he was so high needs and always crying or fussing when he's awake and with Sophie.. I put her down in the swing or the bouncy chair when she's awake so I can quickly change Parker or go to the bathroom, etc and *gulp* I forget about her because she's so quiet and content. When I finally remember her (usually 10-15 minutes) she's happily taking in her surroundings quiet as can be.

I'm the same way. This baby is quiet (although, she's beginning to want to be held/not left alone more) and happy to do her own thing. So she gets ignored a lot when DD1 needs things (or when I get the rare moment to myself so I can go online!)

[Happiestever]

Originally Posted by AfricanQueen99

Well, we're alive - so that's a good thing.

Right now we have a couple of challenges:
* Griffin has a killer rash that we're working on clearing up. I'm 100% positive that it's yeast so he's in 'sposies right now since it will live in the cloth. I'm creaming his butt and talcing his bits at every chance. I am really interested in hearing if any of you use probiotics *AND* give some to your newbies - how much do you give them? brand? how do you get it in?
* My nipples are still killing me at 3.5 weeks. I've checked out kellymom on latch issues and I don't think that's it. He cluster feeds whenever he's awake and I just want to cry. I've started attempting block feeding to see if it has anything to do with foremilk/hindmilk, but that's not really helping. My milk floweth over - the poor kid just gulps it down and then ends up coughing a bunch up.

He has smiled at me once or twice, but he's just like a curmudgeonly old man - I call him my little Andy Rooney. So freaking serious. Often wakes up crying. Likes it just like he likes it, yk?

My daughter just adores him and wants to kiss him all.the.time. She's almost four and is going through the typical 3.5-4 year transitional stage of aggression, "NO!", looking for boundaries, etc. She's right on track, but when those things come about I want to scream. Man, alive, I so relate to those of you that said it's hard dealing with two that both need attention at that very second. Whew!

Try coconut oil for the rash!!!!

[nummies]

Hi mamas!

nak

I am ok. Alive. Two high needs babies who want to nurse 24/7. And a high needs toddler who wants nothing more than to wake them up. *sigh*

[CrunchyMamaToBe]

BIG BIG for those of you mamas whose babes are fussy/high needs. We are getting just a glimpse of that, with a baby who nurses and sleeps OK, but is pretty upset if she's awake and not being cuddled.

And... she's awake now. So, Hi for now, we're still alive, I will come back soon!