September Mommies, March Thread - Page 5

[JenInMpls]

Told school today!

I decided to tell the 4th and 5th graders in an unconventional way, since I couldn't figure out how to them. I wrote a riddle:

I got a gift on Christmas Day
I couldn't open it, sad to say
I carry it with me where I go
In the sunshine and in the snow
On my birthday I had it still
Must wait til September to have the thrill
Of seeing it with my own two eyes
What do you s'pose is the big surprise?

Let me tell you how fun this was!!!

5th grade: one had it figured out in 20 seconds (she was the only one who looked at me, physically, closely) but wouldn't tell her classmates... the others ruminated on it longer but eventually they got it after one did the math and said "that's 9 months!" - her mom had a baby (at home) last December, and she is quite clear on how long gestation is!! She made me promise to tell them when the baby starts kicking. They were very excited although one is terribly whiny about me not being their teacher next year. The hardest part for them was keeping it a secret over lunch and recess. The most interesting part is that the kids who got it first were the children without siblings.

4th grade: They heard the riddle, thought about it briefly, asked a few key questions to narrow things down, and then one asked, "Can a machine see it?" - that gave it away. They were happy too and gave me about 8 million suggestions for names. They also were psyched to get the go-ahead to tell everyone possible. The halls were abuzz. It was very exciting.

And I got the first belly rub. A Kindergartner (4-1/2) whose mom had told her my news came up to me and rubbed my belly and said "is that the baby?". Sweet!!!!

In the out-of-school world... I only have one complaint: HEMORRHOIDS. Painful. Bleeding. Sitz baths. witch hazel. ugh.



jen

[badomama]

Jen! That is the best announcement I've ever heard! How clever and fun for everyone. Do you have a copyright on that riddle? Can I pass it on? Cute first belly rub too. I got one last weekend, which was a tiny bit embarrassing because she (acquaintance) had to rub my pubic area to feel anything!

Hemmorhoids...not fun. I've had them too and started to take metamucil daily for awhile. That seemed to help.

Sistermama, hooray for no vomiting for 3 days! And, big thanks to you for asking your mw for me. It is interesting to know how they determine EDDs when they have different measurements (the rational side of my worrying ).

3under3, sorry you donated your stroller away. Too funny though!

Austinmama, 3 cheers for supportive moms! I'm very happy for you and think it is a great idea to do medical transcription. I remember there were SO many jobs a few years ago. I imagine it has only grown in demand.

Happy Tuesdays,

Steph

[greenbeing]

jen-What a great way to pass on the news. I can just imagine your kids trying to figure out the riddle.

Kim-I'm happy for you!. It must be a relief to get to stay in a place you love and how cool that your mom is going to help you get into medical transcription.

Caroline-glad your appointment went well. Could they feel the placenta with their hands??? That's interesting they could tell where your placenta is already.

Joie-hooray for hearing the heartbeat. And your find...nice work.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! It's supposed to be near 70 today!!!!!

[JenInMpls]

Sarah: HOORAY that you're coming out of the 1st trimester! Yippee! *do the no barf dance* I hope you keep feeling good.

The question that we always get from adults after the news is some version of "So, how'd you do that?". There are some, like my dental hygienist, who pose the question in a more respectful way, and then some who just ask outright how I managed to get pregnant, assuming I went out to a bar and slept with some stranger or something. I know it's a learning curve thing... but sometimes people just ask in such a rude way!! I said in my letter to the community that I didn't mind answering that question at all, but that they should think about their questions first and consider if someone asked them that same question, how it would feel.

The question the kids asked me is "is it a boy or a girl?!", then "What do you think it is?" followed by "What do you want more?"

Re what Caroline said about bouncy seats - our nurse at camp brought her 4-month-old with her (was he a doll! mixed-race, kinky dark brown hair with light brown skin and extremely deep brown eyes! And a temperament like sunshine. Everyone fell in love with him!) and she had one of those little baby hammock frame chairs and he would just kick his leg to rock himself and he was happy as a clam. I wish I could find one that was as plain and simple as hers was.

The Britax Roundabout is Consumer Reports' highest rated in car seats! Holy expensive, but we're thinking about getting one too despite the fact that we've got 2 coming used. It would be the permanent seat for my car. The other two used ones would go in Jo's and maybe my mom's. Wow, I wonder what she would think of that! I have the last Consumer Reports with car seat ratings if anyone wants to know anything... I can dig it out.

Jodie good job on the consignment store grab!

Kim, hooray for being able to stay in Austin. That's terrific! My first degree (Bachelor's in German) wasn't worth too much on the job market, either.

The only thing that ever gets me about the infants being carried around in their car seats is when parents hang 8 different distractors from the handle and you look at baby who is craning his neck to look the opposite direction! Also, for you experienced moms: Do you have to re-situate the seat in the car then, every time you take it out? I know that car seats are really difficult to get installed right. Does taking them in and out affect that?

I have a 2-door hatchback and I can't imagine trying to get a car seat out of my car once I got it in...! I think I have to go with a sling or the Baby Björn...

Steph, I have no copyright on the riddle, no, so if you (or anyone else) wants to use it, be my guest! I'm back to doing the fiber thing again, yeah... it was oatmeal with raisins for breakfast for me. The midwife is going to throw up her hands, but I just can't eat as much protein as she wants me to eat, especially if I need to be pushing fiber now, too. *sigh* oh well eat what you can, I guess.

I'm going to wherever greenbeing is! 70 degrees... mmmmm! It's supposed to be 40 today but the best part is that the sun is shining. Yesterday it was supposed to be a plain old cloudy day and at 10 AM (when I leave for work) it suddenly started snowing. Hard. Like 1/8 mile visibility hard. I saw about 8 accidents on the way to work. It was horrible. I was late. And then it ended 45 minutes later! The weatherman called it a "snowburst". Really poorly timed!

Well, I should go convince Jo that she should maybe get out of bed. Best to you all!!

xo, j

[Caroline248]

Jen, that sounds great. What a fun way to tell. And yeah, I guess some people would be a bit surprised!! I think that Jo is missing certain "parts" to assume it could be an accidental thing!!

As for the infant sling seat, yes, that is what I have. The new ones have all these bells and whistles that I don't like. Mine is old and just has the seat, a safety belt, and it vibrates. It was a lifesaver!!

The infant carseats have a base that you keep strapped in the car. YOu can click the seat in and out of the base pretty easily. I only had something on my handle when my kids were older and could play with a toy, and that was just so they couldn't throw it out on the dirty floor. They get the best stimulation just observing the world around them! The thing about using the sling all the time is my babies would wake up as I tried to get them in, and they would rarely go back to sleep when we were out. So if I wanted to run to the dairy and grab some milk, it would be a nightmare if the baby woke up and then wouldn't want to get back in the carseat!


Greenbeing, no, they couldn't feel my placenta, but when she tried to find the baby's heartbeat, all she could hear was the placenta. I have never had that happen before, but it sounds sort of like "shoo-shoo-shoo" slower than a heartbeat. So she knew it was covering the front. I just have to have that ultrasound now to be sure that the placenta is not too low...

Steph, what is the weather like where you are? It is so yucky here, after gorgeous weather last week....

Okay, this is getting long...oh, about the hemmoroids...I had then BAD with my second baby. There is a witch hazel pad that I would leave in my underwear..it felt SOO good!! Also works after you have the baby for future reference. A big maxipad with a layer of the pads on top...

Caroline

[adventuregirl]

Hola mi amigas!

Jen, great riddle! What a fun teacher you are! It must have been a great day. I had to laugh at your most popular question, I'm sure it can be insensitive sometimes, but to picture people trying to figure it out, :LOL . Great pics! Thanks for sharing. I would love to see what everyone looks like, I will try to figure out how to get my pic up somewhere. You know we're going to want to spy bellies over the coming months too!

I want a Britax too, probably the most spendy item on my list, but hey, that's what Grandma's are for, right? Ok, I can hope... I was grappling with the infant carseat dilemma too, but decided that I just want one, I'll deal with the minor inconveniences of having one carseat for my baby's entire carseat career, I just can't deal with more stuff! The book I am reading (Our Babies, Ourselves) is making me feel bad for babies that spend a lot of time in seats/carriers away from their moms. My latest luxury dream is several slings, there are so many kinds and I can see dh and I having favorites, liking one better for infant, older baby, toddler, etc... But we'll just see what we get gifted, handed down and find used.

Kim, that is great news! I am so glad you found a way to stay where you want to! Three cheers for mom!

Jodie, good scores! I need to find that shop in my town! Congrats on a good appt too!

greenbeing, I am loving the warm weather here too! Only in the 60's here, but the snow is melting and its making me excited for Spring.

Hope you are all doing great!

[Caroline248]

Adventuregirl, I know what you mean about the carriers. But, when you have more than child, it sometimes is a neccasary evil! The slings are great, but I never did have that ease with them that others talk about. I am very small framed, maybe that is why. And I can not sit at a table and eat with a baby in a sling. Just can't do it. Bending in and out of a washing machine doing laundry never worked either.

I could see with one child a sling being used more, but there was no way with an infant, a two year old, and a six year old I had that luxury . There is a lot guilt that comes with each child...you just can't do it all!! What is interesting to me though, my third child is WAY more emotionally attached to me...My older two that had a lot more individual attention are more independent emotionally. But physically, my two year old dresses herself and does a lot more for herself than my older two. I don't get it!!


Caroline

[adventuregirl]

Caroline, I hear you, and I can say nothing about having multiple children, I don't even have one yet! Its really hard to imagine what it will all be like IRL, so my visions may all be different when it comes to reality. I'm all wrapped up in my book now, trying to figure out how I will not become the standard American parent, but the truth is, I am American and there are some things I won't be able to fight.

[austinmomma]

Caroline,
I am small framed, too, at 5'5" and only 99 lbs (though I've gained 7 lbs with the pregnancy) and have the same fear about slings. But I want one so much since they seem so convenient. I should also say that I'm the oldest of three and, independence-wise, we are the same as your children... with the youngest being the most emotionally attached to my mom. You can tell the order of our birth by looking at our individual photo albums, with mine being the thickest, and Catherine's (the youngest) being very thin. But I think my mom and Catherine really bonded when my sister Amy and I went off to college.

Also, can anyone tell me where to buy a Britax? And does it snap in and out of the base?

Jen,
I thought your riddle was very clever, I bet you're a great teacher!

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement!


Kim

[4under6]

WOW!
Jen, that riddle was awesome!
I wonder if you minded if my husband used it for his classroom? Though they're 1st graders, so I don't think they can read that much. So nevermind!

I have also heard good things about the Britax. I know you can get them on Babystyle.com but I would wait until they advertise a shipping special. They do it all the time.
Well, since we already have 6 carseats and/or boosters, we will not be purchasing more!

Hemorroids. Yuck. I only had a problem with that once after my son was born.

[sistermama]

As far as getting a Britax online, I just googled Britax and looked through all the results till I found what I wanted cheapest and with now shipping.

I am such a sling junkie! My best friend, who I work with, brought her baby to work for the year before mine was born, so I got lots of slinging practice on him. My suggestion to new mamas though is to go and get sling help at a La Leche meeting. There are always a couple of moms who are really good at demonstrating, and it can make a real difference to get "live" help if it is your first time! I always had ds in the sling at restaurant when he was small. I could handsfree nurse and he would usually fall asleep, so it was such a nice break! I love my Maya Wrap but the Kangaroo Korner slings are great too, and you can have them custom made.

Jen - I wish there was a Waldorf school here! Lots a private schools but all very mainstream and similar...

austinmama - glad you are going to be able to stay and that your mom is being so supportive.

[banana girl]

missing all of you!

Hello ladies!

It took me all day to get caught up on everyone's messages. I stayed home on monday and enjoyed hearing from you all today. Sunday was TERRIBLE! I threw up over 10 times! I was barfing up water, tea, crackers,.. anything and everything! I didn't manage to fall asleep untill after 3 a.m. So i definitely didn't go to work!

Instead I went to my chiropractor and found out i have a rib that's out of place! Too much barfing!!! He told me the muscle's around it are strained, but probably not torn or anything. I would be in more pain if that were the case. Instead it just feels like a deep bruise right under my boob. I think the added weight of my breasts are part of the problem and must shop for a more supportive bra. One that actually fits these gigantic breasts.....

so i got to nap ALOT yesterday and my husband came home early from school and took me swimming. Doctors orders, says swimming will help stretch it out without putting any weight on it. ate like a hog all day yesterday. Ummm...Mashed potatoes and gravy.

Oh yeah and the best news,.. Thanks to Jen and her nerdiness i can celebrate that today at 8 a.m. I officially entered my SECOND TRIMESTER!!!! Yeah! I think it's neat that today is the 9th too, because my husband and i often celebrate on the 9th, yes any 9th! We met on the 9th, had our first date on a 9th, he proposed on a 9th and our wedding was on a 9th. So, i am doubly happy that today is the first day of my 2nd trimester!
Happy Ninth!!!
Love and kisses to all
Anna

[hjohnson]

Jen I am curious. Do you have the consumer rating on the Evenflo Triumph 5 Car Seat? That they car seat that we have for DS. I know that you can purchase Britax car seats at Babies R Us.

I plan on using my sling more with this second baby so I can have my hands free for my son. So far I have a Hotsling Pouch and a Maya Wrap Sling. I am thinking about getting a OTSBH and a KKAFP. I like adding to my sling collection. There's great information about slings at http://www.thebabywearer.com

[JenInMpls]

jeez Anna you poor woman! I take back all of my whining about feeling miserable. I didn't have it half as bad! If there were a reward for going through hell for having a baby, you're definitely in the running!

Newest weird question after telling the news: a 3rd grader, daughter of our enrollment director, asked her mom last night if I were planning on giving the baby up for adoption. Now THAT'S a question I wasn't expecting.

Sarah: yes, in Florida there's one, count 'em, one Waldorf school, the School of the Suncoast. For some reason they seem to be clumped, like Minnesota having 3 of them within 30 miles of each other, and Hawaii having 8 or so. And then poor Iowa has none.

Heather, the Evenflo triumph 5 was CR's #3 rating. #2 was the Evenflo Titan 5 and #1 the Britax Roundabout.

Happy Tuesday!

j

[Caroline248]

The thing about the OTSBH, there is a lot of padding over your shoulder. If you are small (like me) the padding is a little much. It went down my arm and I couldn't have free use of that arm at all. But I love that one with an infant, the babies were most comfy in that one. When that baby is bigger, the Maya was my favorite. (Still couldn't eat wearing it...I will ahve to hang out with you sistermama!!)

Caroline

[hjohnson]

I can't eat wearing my sling either. Laundry is out as well. Mostly I wear my son in my sling when he is fussy. It was helpful for that.

Thanks for the info Jen. If we had to buy a carseat from the very beginning we would of probally bought a Britax. Being that we were replacing an Infant Car Seat, we are happy with our Evenflo Triumph 5. I am surprised that that Titan 5 is #2. I thought that it was crappier than the Triumph 5 when we were shopping.

[badomama]

Hi all!

Anna, OMG, that sounds awful. I'm glad you are nevertheless cheerful. Swimming sounds wonderful.

All this car seat talk is inspiring me to look around! I haven't gotten that far yet, but I did add one more item to my possibly-would-like-to-have-this list: a co-sleeper. I like the idea of having the baby super close at night, but it is essential to have pillows and lots of covers when we get back to the cold Twin Cities. A co-sleeper would allow us to have baby right there, but in its own space. Any experience with these?

Maybe you've been to Africa or have seen photos, but everyone slings there baby here. EVERYONE. No car seats, no front baby soft holders, only a piece of fabric tied around the shoulder. The Maya and the New Native seem to be the closest thing to this. I am only 5 feet tall when really stretching, so I don't know how that will feel to sling a baby about 1/6 or more of my total body size!

Weather report: about 93 degrees, 99% humidity. If you walk 20 steps you will have sweating pouring down your body.

Spring sounds awfully nice about now! I think we will catch it in California and Salt Lake City (my hometown) on the way back. Less than 5 more weeks until I get to eat Pho, tempura vegetables, spicy buffalo wings, lasagna and salmon. At least I think salmon is not on the toxic don't eat when pregnant list. Much check that.

bye,

steph

[badomama]

Surfing for seats

So the Britax roundabout is almost $100 more than the Triumph 5 (Evenflo I think). Could it really be that much better? Opinions? Seems like they have about the same specs.

Steph, who finished annual report yesterday and is feeling very good about surfing today!

[Caroline248]

My friend has the Britax, and I really didn't think it was worth the extra money. I ahven't decided what I am going to get, but not the Britax. I think they kind of guilt you into spending all that money (why shouldn't MY child have the safest??)....but this is my fourth and that makes me a bit more comfortable. I like the Evenflo, that is probably what we will end up with...

Oh Steph, yuck...can you breathe with all that humidty? I am already having trouble catching my breath!! I never used a co-sleeper, I like the thing you put in your bed between you and your partner...I can't remember what it is called. I will have to do a search....the cosleepers came out after I had my first, and I already had a new pac and play and bassinett, so I thought it was a waste of money. I used either the thing in the bed or pulled the bassinett right up to our bed. I should add that all my kids had apnea and were on moniters so they couldn't sleep IN our bed for a couple of months. Of course, now I can't get my
2 1/2 year old OUT of our bed....

Caroline

[JenInMpls]

Ugh, Steph, that weather! But congrats on the annual report being done!

The Britax costs about $250 now, when CR rated it last May it was $230. Their #2 pick, the Evenflo Titan 5, was $70 (maybe why you thought it looked crappier, Heather) and the Triumph 5 was $130. CR rated them for their ease of installation, how they fit into all of the different models of cars they tested, and how their crash test dummy fared in head-on, rear and side-impact crashes. The britax had the highest safety rating for all of the different impacts and was the only one who performed better on the side-impact crash.

But I, too, have to wonder: is it worth $250?! Then I think about the things we add on to vehicle packages to make sure our cars are safe for us - air bags, cars with good safety ratings, etc - and it keeps me thinking.

happy wednesday!

j