Weekly thread, June 13-20 - Page 3

[nikirj]

I want cookies! And brownies!!! And I want to lose 20lb! These things are not compatible

[rhiOrion]

i just made roasted red pepper hummus, cheerio treats (like rice crispy treats but with multi-grain cherrios), and a tofutti cream cheese and marshmallow fluff fruit dip. I have grapes and apples to go with that, plus some cantaloupe. And a bruschetta mix. I'm excited about lunch tomorrow!

[Dena]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

If you're like me it's because you think baby vomit is less than desirable.

So, DH just pointed out to me that I have done the same thing with the cat many times... waking up and thinking he's dead, and then prodding him and realizing he's just asleep. I wonder what that says about me.

Oh, Rhi, I can tell this is your first - I was like that too. Now I just rub off the excess vomit and go on with my day. Poop I'll change for. Probably.

As for the rest, what is says about you is that you're a mom. And clearly your cat is your baby too. I've done that with my animals and my kids. You have to be careful with the kids though - when they get a little older, if you wake them up, they get mad.

LNF I agree, cleaning is dumb. I am thinking I need to do some though. Between dog prints on one side and kid prints on the other I can barely see out my family room windows anymore. Not to mention that dh has cooked dinner two nights in a row now, which is awesome...but you can imagine what the kitchen looks like. Oh, and now I want brownies, too. Thanks a lot.

Jen You are amazing.

Jess I hope the meds work quickly for you! So glad you are getting the help you need.

DTD Uh, no.

afm I think I need to adjust my meds upward again. The lower dose eliminated the side effects, but also the stabilizing influence. Had to convince myself today that it was probably not a good idea to pick Sofia up from school with beer on my breath.

Of course, sleep deprivation may be a factor too. I realized I was pretty tired this morning when I panicked on the way to Sofia's school because I FORGOT THE BABIES AT HOME!!! AAAGH. Then I looked down and realized they were sleeping peacefully in the Moby. On. my. chest.

And feeling rather like a bad mommy because I won't let my kid have Barbies, but I let her get one today for a friend's birthday present. Inconsistent parenting at its best.

[Dena]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

i just made roasted red pepper hummus, cheerio treats (like rice crispy treats but with multi-grain cherrios), and a tofutti cream cheese and marshmallow fluff fruit dip. I have grapes and apples to go with that, plus some cantaloupe. And a bruschetta mix. I'm excited about lunch tomorrow!

What time should we be there?

[Pepper44]

Some of you all are having such a rough time! I feel bad posting about how blissfully happy I have been with this baby. I spent months shuffling around crying after DD1's birth and I was fully prepared for that again, but instead I'm like on some kind of high...still! Unexpected, but for sure not unwelcome.

So I'm sitting here typing and a big black spider falls from the ceiling into my cleavage.

Um...

I almost threw the sleeping baby!

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by jenfl

Dena, sme -- PERIOD?! Argh!!! I didn't get mine with DD for over a year, but she didn't sleep like DS is for over a year, either. So.... I'm worried mine is going to pop up soon, too.

Oh, yes. It's definitely a period. Lasted 5 days and my temps corroborate. Glad I didn't DTD, because apparently I ovulated about 4w postpartum. And I breastfeed 2 babies around the clock! So.not.fair.

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

If you're like me it's because you think baby vomit is less than desirable.

Wait...... I thought baby vomit was a fashion accessory. You mean I'm NOT supposed to be covered in it??

Originally Posted by Pepper44

Some of you all are having such a rough time! I feel bad posting about how blissfully happy I have been with this baby. I spent months shuffling around crying after DD1's birth and I was fully prepared for that again, but instead I'm like on some kind of high...still! Unexpected, but for sure not unwelcome.

Yes, same here! I'm like all the time now. It's really amazing to not have PTSD and PPD after a birth. Like - really amazing.

[jenfl]

Originally Posted by Dena

Of course, sleep deprivation may be a factor too. I realized I was pretty tired this morning when I panicked on the way to Sofia's school because I FORGOT THE BABIES AT HOME!!! AAAGH. Then I looked down and realized they were sleeping peacefully in the Moby. On. my. chest.

Originally Posted by Pepper44

So I'm sitting here typing and a big black spider falls from the ceiling into my cleavage.

[laughingfox]

I need to do something with my hair. I have half-bottles of hot pink hair dye, deep fuchsia hair dye, and fire engine red hair dye. Hmm.
The problem with Special Effects hair dye is that it has to stay on your head for hours if you want the color to last, and I don't have hours.
I also need to cut it.. maybe. I want to cut it too short for a ponytail, but I have a feeling I would regret that decision. A lot.

Speaking of food transgressions, last night I was feeling bad about my weight, so I had chocolate covered graham crackers dipped in a big tub of cheesecake filling. How did that seem like a good idea?

[Knitting Mama]

When I henna my hair, I leave it on for hours and hours. I just slap the stuff on, put a shower cap on my head, wrap a plastic bag over the shower cap, and then go about my business until 4-5 hours later when I wash it out.

[rhiOrion]

Oh yes, Dena, I do walk around with vomit on me frequently. But, I tend to wear my clothes fewer times than pre-baby. Basically pre-baby I wore my clothes until they were either stinky or stained. Now I wear them past that, but still not as many times! Baby vomit is the ultimate fashion accessory. And my reflux baby likes to make sure I'm stylish.

[jenfl]

So we're making a go at potty training around here with the 3 year old. We'd planned to just wait and let her wake up one day and want to use the potty, but we had to make the decision about whether to buy more bumGenius diapers since we currently have to do diaper wash every day. And we didn't want to buy more and have her train soon after.

She's been putting the occassional poop in the potty for months now. She's expressed interest. But it's never all come together.

So today is naked day. We've already gotten one pee and no accidents! If it happens easily, great. If not, we'll just buy more diapers and go on with life.

[GreenTeaGinger61]

Pepper: I'm actually really blissed out with baby (when I'm holding her all seems right in the world), it's the rest of my life that kinds of stinks lately! I realized last night this is not entirely PPD. With the PPD I felt so dark and lonely, and it was really connected to the baby (weird sounding and I'm having a hard time explaining it). This time I think it's connected to life being really out of control. The baby however rocks She's seriously the light in all of this crap. It seems like it would be much darker to deal with this without her.

LF: Dh said if he had that treat in front of him he would eat it. Now he can't stop talking about where would one get a tub of cheesecake filling:P

Jen: Good luck with the potty training!

Food: I'm kind of over the junk as I ate so much of it while pregnant. Now I'm back on WW, and eating pretty decently. I lost a decent chunk of weight last week so I'm trying to not medicate with food.

Hair: I want to cut mine really short but I'm resisting the urge. Cutting my hair off is something I do when I'm feeling down and I usually regret it. I do need to dye it though...lots of grey. I'm waiting on that though as the guy who was doing my hair way over processed and now my hair is coarse. Yuck.

So now we're waiting around the house all day for calls. Unemployment called while we were out yesterday so we're hoping for a call today. And we need to hear from the school district as dh is not listed as being laid off in the system and until he is we can't file for anything. Grrr...

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by jenfl

So we're making a go at potty training around here with the 3 year old. We'd planned to just wait and let her wake up one day and want to use the potty, but we had to make the decision about whether to buy more bumGenius diapers since we currently have to do diaper wash every day. And we didn't want to buy more and have her train soon after.

She's been putting the occassional poop in the potty for months now. She's expressed interest. But it's never all come together.

So today is naked day. We've already gotten one pee and no accidents! If it happens easily, great. If not, we'll just buy more diapers and go on with life.

Good luck! We're at about 75% with DS (2yo). Loving the reduction in laundry.

Originally Posted by GreenTeaGinger61

Hair: I want to cut mine really short but I'm resisting the urge. Cutting my hair off is something I do when I'm feeling down and I usually regret it. I do need to dye it though...lots of grey. I'm waiting on that though as the guy who was doing my hair way over processed and now my hair is coarse. Yuck.

I do that too - short when I feel crappy and then I regret it. DH has convinced me to keep it long.

[Knitting Mama]

GTG, try henna! You can get combinations that won't make your hair red if that's not what you're into, and if you are careful to get 100% pure stuff you can dye over it with regular dye and not having issues. The best benefit though is that it strengthens and conditions your hair!

I get my combos from www.mehandi.com and they have bundles for blondes, redheads and brunettes. All are 100% pure herbs, but not all contain henna since that adds red.

[laughingfox]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama

When I henna my hair, I leave it on for hours and hours. I just slap the stuff on, put a shower cap on my head, wrap a plastic bag over the shower cap, and then go about my business until 4-5 hours later when I wash it out.

That's what I do with this stuff, too, it's just that I haven't had a 4-5 hour block that doesn't involve running errands outside of the house, or seeing family members, etc. for the past few days, unless you count sleep, and I've been getting home pretty late, so that's in short supply. :/

My sister's in town, so there's lots of family gatherings going on, which is nice, but it can get a bit hectic.
I only have 4 days between the end of my sister's visit and our departure for a road trip to see other family. Youch.

Originally Posted by GreenTeaGinger61

LF: Dh said if he had that treat in front of him he would eat it. Now he can't stop talking about where would one get a tub of cheesecake filling

They sell 'em in the grocery stores here. It's near the cream cheese, in a huge tub like margarine. Some stores even sell it in chocolate flavor!

[loveneverfails]

OK, someone kill me now. My almost 2 year old has started taking off his diapers during his naps. Today, however, takes the cake. Hoping to avoid a diaper taking off issue, I put him in a pair of overalls before the nap. However, this did not work the way I thought it would. When I went to get him from his nap, he was still wearing his shirt and overalls, but handed me his dirty diaper which he had somehow managed to get out of while still in his clothing.

Also, I did a clean sweep in the pantry, and discovered that ants have taken up residence in my bread box. That had a loaf of bread I baked just yesterday. :cry

And I'm worse than all of you people food wise! I've been eating nutella straight from the jar, with a spoon. I was so so so good about watching my sugar when I was pregnant that I want to eat everything in sight now.

Mood wise, I'm doing ok unless I start thinking about NICU. NICU is my weak spot, because it is traumatic to spend a night holding your daughter in intensive care, listening to her not able to really catch her breath. I don't think I hit the threshold for PPD or PTSD. I mean, I'm pretty much fine. NICU is what isn't fine, if that makes any sense at all. Anyone know what I mean?

[Dena]

Originally Posted by loveneverfails

Mood wise, I'm doing ok unless I start thinking about NICU. NICU is my weak spot, because it is traumatic to spend a night holding your daughter in intensive care, listening to her not able to really catch her breath. I don't think I hit the threshold for PPD or PTSD. I mean, I'm pretty much fine. NICU is what isn't fine, if that makes any sense at all. Anyone know what I mean?

I know exactly what you mean. My first was in the NICU for two weeks, and I had a very rough time getting over the experience. I actually did have PTSD, and flashbacks to the day of her birth (and the days after) for a year or so. The second year got easier. Talk therapy helped a lot. And Ellen's birth three years later - presided over by an OB who just GETS birth trauma - was incredibly healing.

It will get better. I promise.

ETA: The mainstream medical establishment - well, some of them, anyway, because we had some really great doctors too - seems to have a way of making any of us who don't sign up for every treatment and every shot they offer, and who question their treatment plans feel like complete and utter dirt. I know the first NICU we were at with Sofia we were treated by most of the doctors and staff like negligent, irresponsible parents because we refused the hep B vaccine and had birthed her at home. After being raised to respect medical professionals, their training and experience, it was pretty traumatizing to be treated that way by people we were supposed to respect, if that makes sense.

[GreenTeaGinger61]

Originally Posted by loveneverfails

\
Mood wise, I'm doing ok unless I start thinking about NICU. NICU is my weak spot, because it is traumatic to spend a night holding your daughter in intensive care, listening to her not able to really catch her breath. I don't think I hit the threshold for PPD or PTSD. I mean, I'm pretty much fine. NICU is what isn't fine, if that makes any sense at all. Anyone know what I mean?

I do get this but not in terms of NICU. It's how I feel about my emotional state. I have things that if I think too hard on them, send me over the edge. My son's seizures for one, and my dh losing his job for another. When I think too much about these things, I get that paniced breathless feeling. (((hugs))). It was a rough thing to go through.

[GreenTeaGinger61]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama

GTG, try henna! You can get combinations that won't make your hair red if that's not what you're into, and if you are careful to get 100% pure stuff you can dye over it with regular dye and not having issues. The best benefit though is that it strengthens and conditions your hair!

I get my combos from www.mehandi.com and they have bundles for blondes, redheads and brunettes. All are 100% pure herbs, but not all contain henna since that adds red.

Thanks for the link. I've been thinking about red so this might be the route to go.

[Peace+Hope]

re motherhood, i thought i would feel different, that motherhood would change me. but, i am just myself still. this has been comforting and disappointing

nursing position at night: charlie sleeps beside me, on his back. i still sit up to feed him and burp him, but have started to do some lying down nursing now that he seems to be able to handle not being burped sometimes. i feel better putting him back up higher than my chest afterwards though, so i don't have to worry about what the covers are doing. we have the sheet/coverlet shorter than we would usually keep them, and have him on a wool pad and usually in a (wool or muslin depending on the weather) sleep sack.

pepper, i don't think you should feel bad talking about how wonderful your experience is this time around! i'm so glad you are having it, especially after PPD last time.

jenfl, you are amazing, strong and brave, to keep pushing through to 4 months with the problems you've had.

food: omg, i didn't crave anything but healthy, great food while prego. now i keep wanting ice cream, like every day! and i bought some ready to bake cookies to make while our friends were here. but we ate ice cream every night, so now the cookie dough is just sitting in the fridge, taunting me!!! argh!

medical bills: omg, going from paying homebirth midwives to an emergency admission and labor for me and a week in the NICU for charlie.... scary. we have high deductible health insurance, which we picked and planned for, but it's still tough. anyone have advice about appealing to insurance companies??? the NICU docs aren't actually employed by our hospital, so all of their services are out of network!!! i had no idea that could happen, and it means a crap load of bad for us financially, b/c out out of network deductible is much higher. literally thousands of extra dollars we could have to pay. AND they are trying to assign the first three days of charlie's care to my insurance, and not cover it b/c i don't have maternity coverage. really worried if i can't figure out how to get them to pay out. we'll have significant debt.

charlie is awesome. i'm wondering if i should be concerned that he's not playing with toys at 11 1/2 weeks. he was showing interest in them, but as of about a week ago, has gotten so attached to his thumb he isn't showing interest in reaching or grabbing for other things. he's OBSESSED