September 2011 Whatever Ladies Having Babies! - Page 2

[akind1]

appointment went ok; no cervical check (which is likely a good thing as they really aren't much of an indicator. part of me was kinda curious though!) just a swab. BP is a little high for me, so I go back Monday for a re-check. yay.

Is your wrap stretchy or woven? I forgot. If stretchy, do wrap tighter. Is there an inbetween for the woven? I know generally the method is the same for tying, but haven't used a woven wrap myself.

I am so sleepy.

oh, great that you got some 1x1 time with each boy - it probably does help some.

I need to do some walking, especially now the weather is cooler. Also need some EPO, but need to go to the health food store I guess or GNC. neither Walmart or Target carry it.

[MarineWife]

Glad the appointment went well. I have my 6 week PP check up today. It was supposed to be Tuesday but my MW had to reschedule b/c she was at a birth. I kind of don't even feel like going but I want to talk to her about the mastitis, now.

My wrap is woven. I was trying to put it on looser so it would be easier to get D in and then tighten it if I needed. I read directions on how to tighten it while baby was in it. It didn't work too well for me. It also depends somewhat on which wrap I do. If I do the wrap that crosses and has the band across the body, it's less likely to hurt than if I do the wrap that just crosses.

I'd like to go walking, too. I did take a walk the Friday before I got sick. It was so nice outside. I feel much better and up to walking but I think I'll wait another day or two just to make sure. I don't want to start doing too much too soon and get sick like that again.

Does anyone know if it's normal for mastitis to come on so fast like that? I was literally feeling fine, had just noticed that my breast was a little tender and I was feeling suddenly tired and within minutes I was incapacitated with aches, pains and chills.

[Baby_Cakes]

Yes, mastitis comes on QUICK.  When I got it, I had my 6 week pp visit with Nora.  No fever or any symptoms or signs at the appointment.  They did a breast exam and all was fine.  Driving home from the appointment, suddenly I got chills, sweats, and knew I had a high fever.  Took my 30  min to get home.  My temp when I got home was 102.  

Wraps are tough to tighten once baby is in.  I have a woven wrap, too.  It does feel very tight when it's on correctly.  I worry that Finn's going to stop breathing.    

My RS is a Zolowear.  It feels like a soft canvas I suppose.  It's not rough but it's also not stretchy at all.  

Id love to walk but this week has been very rainy.  I do have the treadmill but I don't trust myself not to start running on it.  What would srsly be the worst that could happen?  LOL!

Re: older kids - I try to spend all the time I can with DD w/o DS, and it's so wonderful.  Some nights I still even put her to bed, which is nice.  I miss those times just the two of us, but since my hormones are starting to level out it doesn't reduce me to tears anymore.  She's awesome with Finn, loves her brother, loves to help.  But SHE is just being a little monster.  It's going to take lots of patience on my part, and DH's.  He doesn't have the same tolerance I have, which these days really isn't much, and is very quick to punish with a time out without addressing the issues first or at all.

I was starting to get annoyed with him though b/c I really don't like that I have to ask him to play with her, or spend time with her.  If I'm obviously busy with Finn, and she calls for him, he gets grumpy and is like WHAT?!  Ive said to him many times, just GO.  Go be with her, go play playdoh, go play trains.  Go dance.  Go BE WITH HER.  WHY is that so difficult??  She needs attention that I cannot give her, you NEED to be there for her right now.  Why is it like pulling teeth??  Maybe b/c I really was doing all the play-parenting before Finn came and how he actually has to DO stuff with is daughter and get off the computer??  Argh.  It's really quite annoying, and I hope he gets on the ball soon.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

I was starting to get annoyed with him though b/c I really don't like that I have to ask him to play with her, or spend time with her.  If I'm obviously busy with Finn, and she calls for him, he gets grumpy and is like WHAT?!  Ive said to him many times, just GO.  Go be with her, go play playdoh, go play trains.  Go dance.  Go BE WITH HER.  WHY is that so difficult??  She needs attention that I cannot give her, you NEED to be there for her right now.  Why is it like pulling teeth??  Maybe b/c I really was doing all the play-parenting before Finn came and how he actually has to DO stuff with is daughter and get off the computer??  Argh.  It's really quite annoying, and I hope he gets on the ball soon.

This is really hard to do for some people. It's hard for me to pull myself away from whatever I'm doing sometimes. So, yeah, I think you being the play-parent most of the time and him just being a guy (most guys just don't get it like we do) has a lot to do with it. My dad came here to help me with the boys and would get himself something to eat and sit down and eat it without asking if anyone else wanted anything. He just didn't think about the rest of us the way a woman/mother would. You probably need to sit down with him at a neutral time and talk about specifically what you need and what you expect from him.

I worry sometimes about D stopping breathing when he's in the wrap and the ring sling. I check a lot.

[akind1]

It's better to be over paranoid about that I guess - keep checking!

I have the same problem with DH; I will be downstairs (working!) and DS is up, I can hear him, and he's upset for like 10-15 minutes, he just wants to come down and eat breakfast. It will take DH at least that long to get up and bring him down. Most days I give up and go get him (FWIW- DS isn't in his room crying by himself or anything, he's in bed with DH, pulling on his hand, and sometimes will be hitting DH trying to get his attention, which frustrates DH more. If he would just GET UP DS wouldn't be so frustrated he'd be hitting him in the first place) - Granted, this hasn't happened in a couple weeks, mostly because DS has been waking up when I do, and so comes down with me.

Carrie, agree, try to talk to him when not in the heat of the moment.

I really hope I never have mastitis. I am glad it went so quickly!

[MovingMomma]

Carrie: W/out seeing the sling in person, from the pics online it looks to me like the Zolowear might be hard to get fanned on the should just right.  It looks like there might be a seam that is a few inches up from the rings & keeps the fabric together.  Depending on how you are built, it might not be possible to have both the rings and the shoulder cap in the right place.  

MW: Yes, that sounds typical of mastitis.  I'm glad you're feeling better!  All my babies have done the rapid jerky leg thing.  It seems to be positional.  DD1 did it in utero!  

Kat: Good luck w/the bp.  I always think that's a hard one, b/c if you're nervous about it then your bp will be higher!  

AFM: We're starting to get out of the house a little more.  DH is back to work; of course it's just a 3 day week this week, so it's a nice easy transition.  But the girls & I are venturing out on our own! Yesterday we went to the library, and today we did a big commissary shop.  It actually went well!  P doesn't like getting in the car, but she falls asleep once we start moving (knock on wood, I hope it continues!).  I'm loving EC!  She had a wet dipe when we got to commissary, but I changed her & then we sat on a bench outside & I nursed her in the sling before we went in.  She went to sleep after nursing, but woke up halfway through the shopping & needed to potty.  She waited through walking halfway across the store to the bathroom!  Then I nursed her in the sling as we shopped & she fell back to sleep.  I did end up w/a milk spot on my shirt, but was able to keep it covered w/the sling.  And we made it all the way back home with a dry dipe.  I'm kind of amazed with how much more relaxed I am w/#3...I was so self conscious w/#1, but I'm just not even thinking about what other people might think anymore.  I think a lot of it has to do with devoting so much brain energy to taking care of three kids instead of just one.  

[MarineWife]

I talked to my MW about the seizure thing and she doesn't think it sounds like that. She said I didn't describe anything that concerned her. D even went into that eye rolling trance while I was there and she commented that he was milk drunk.

Shannon ~ Yay for getting out of the house and having things go so well. How did you know that P needed to pee? (hehe)

Carrie ~ You want to talk about regression? K actually pooped on the rug in the upstairs playroom this morning! WTH?! I don't let him wear a Pull-Up or underwear inside b/c he was pooping in them again. He was doing well going to the bathroom when he didn't have anything on but now he's doing this. He says he didn't know he had to go. I'm beginning to think he's doing it on purpose. Trying very hard not to get upset but still talk to him about using the toilet like I know he can. It's a fine line.

I have to say that I would be really angry if my dh were in bed ignoring ds who was trying to wake him up so he could come down to eat if that was his job, so to speak. My dh is always up before the rest of us when he's home so I would call him when one of the boys wanted to get up and I wanted to sleep in. I couldn't lay there and ignore them, though. I think that's a guy thing b/c my dh can fall asleep in the middle of the living room floor while i can't fall asleep in the bedroom if the boys are up even when i know dh is with them.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by MovingMomma 

Carrie: W/out seeing the sling in person, from the pics online it looks to me like the Zolowear might be hard to get fanned on the should just right.  It looks like there might be a seam that is a few inches up from the rings & keeps the fabric together.  Depending on how you are built, it might not be possible to have both the rings and the shoulder cap in the right place.  

There's a seam directly over the rings, and then it's sort of pleated.  It's very tight when it's on.  I agree, it might not be possible - but I'm going to keep trying!  I love the poppability of a sling rather than a wrap, especially in the heat.
 

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

I worry sometimes about D stopping breathing when he's in the wrap and the ring sling. I check a lot.

I'm glad it's not just me.  

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

Carrie ~ You want to talk about regression? K actually pooped on the rug in the upstairs playroom this morning! WTH?! I don't let him wear a Pull-Up or underwear inside b/c he was pooping in them again. He was doing well going to the bathroom when he didn't have anything on but now he's doing this. He says he didn't know he had to go. I'm beginning to think he's doing it on purpose. Trying very hard not to get upset but still talk to him about using the toilet like I know he can. It's a fine line.

I have to say that I would be really angry if my dh were in bed ignoring ds who was trying to wake him up so he could come down to eat if that was his job, so to speak. My dh is always up before the rest of us when he's home so I would call him when one of the boys wanted to get up and I wanted to sleep in. I couldn't lay there and ignore them, though. I think that's a guy thing b/c my dh can fall asleep in the middle of the living room floor while i can't fall asleep in the bedroom if the boys are up even when i know dh is with them.

Oh.My.God.  That takes the patience of a saint, woman.  Today is a good potty day, and Nora even had a bad bellyache and some diarrhea.  I think it was from too many cashews.  She has issues with nuts -- she eats way too many and then gets a tummy ache.  

I agree w/you.  I'd be pissed - especially if I were busy (as in working) and DH was acting "lazy".  He was so lazy when I was pg.  I always had to get up with Nora early (he never would) and he would *never* make coffee.  He would lay in bed and even check his email in bed so he wouldn't have to get up.  Pissed me off so badly!!

Finn is ELEVEN pounds!  Holy moly!  I knew he was getting chubby but that's awesome!  

[MovingMomma]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 


Shannon ~ Yay for getting out of the house and having things go so well. How did you know that P needed to pee? (hehe)

 

She was still sleeping, but she gave a little yell, and then another, and then another.  

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

That takes the patience of a saint, woman.

i don't think it's patience. i shut down when i get emotionally overloaded. i was upstairs cleaning the poo off the rug while K was downstairs crying about something else and i just had to ignore him. i would not have been nice if i had tried to have any interaction with him.

3 weeks and 11 lbs.!? That's even bigger than my babies. My MW weighed D today and she got 14 lbs. That was with a diaper, t-shirt and soaker on so she said I could maybe take 1/2 lb. off of that. 13.5 lbs. at 6 1/2 weeks. He's gaining about a pound a week, which she said is a lot. I can't help it. He doesn't nurse a lot, about every 2-3 hours during the day and 3-6 hours at night.

I went to Walmart today to buy a Graco highback Turbobooster. I checked on the website and it said it was in the store. Well, all they had in the highback was a pink flowery one. Nothing in a boy or even GN color. They had tons of backless. Talk about false advertising. Grrr!

[Kindermama]

Originally Posted by MovingMomma 

She was still sleeping, but she gave a little yell, and then another, and then another.  

So what do you do then??? Do you bring her to the store bathroom? Do you carry around a little pee pot? I'm really curious! I really want to EC (at least the poo) as early as possible! 

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by MovingMomma 

She was still sleeping, but she gave a little yell, and then another, and then another.  

Interesting. Is that one an universal signal or something you have learned is a signal for her?

Maybe I can use it to know when K has to poo.

On a side note, I am drowning in yarn. I have to put myself on yarn buying restriction. No more until I can get some of what I have knit up. Sean would kill me if he knew how much I had. I didn't even realize how much it was until I went looking for some yesterday. It is bad!

[MovingMomma]

Yup, store bathroom!  Generally if baby fusses & it doesn't mean hungry, hurt, or tired, then it's bathroom.  There are also "potty faces" that all of our girls have made, but I don't know if they are innate or mimicry.  

[akind1]

Shannon - I can always tell when DS is pooping, but not before. and pee is totally random. go you on knowing!

Hearing about potty regression in E and Nora makes me glad I'm sort of waiting to work on that with DS until after the baby is born. It's hard enough being in my MIL's house when trying to do any sort of potty learning (because I not only have to "train" DS, I have to "train" 3 other adults on DS's habits or what have you)

Carrie, I've always found my stretch wrap to be pretty poppable. are woven wraps less so?

DH, thankfully, is getting better - I think I might finally be getting through to him about there being no point in the cycle of frustration, both of them just come out more upset. That and I think the fact that I really am very pregnant and tired, etc is finally coming across. I've had to complain more vocally, but hey, it works! I don't like complaining, but you know, I really am tired, and my back and pelvis really do hurt. Also making strides with my MIL and discipline, sort of. I have continued to tell her that at his age, distractions and positive commands/requests work far better than a million "no" and "don't"s - Yesterday, for example, DS kept wanting to push his bubble mower in the road (it's a cul-de-sac, so really it's pretty safe, but still) and he got very upset. So I brought him inside. She asked if I did so as punishment. I said, not exactly, I'm trying to get him to calm down, which isn't going to happen outside. I finally got him calm and we went back outside. Of course, he tries again to get the bubble mower in the road (he is a persistent little toddler!)

thankfully, breaking out the sidewalk chalk was a good distraction, and the neighbor kids came over to play. MIL was like, yeah, distraction is better. she says she had days where all she did was tell DH no and don't, it made her feel horrible (because it doesn't work!) . . . anyway - I felt like I had a little bit of a breakthrough.

I slept really well last night for once! need some more of those.

Anyone got good weekend plans?

Wonder how Annie and Ava are doing?

oh, Shannon, yay on getting out of the house! I hate being stuck in.

[MarineWife]

I think you have to go for a while with naked baby and pay very close attention to expressions and noises to be able to recognize beforehand when they have to go, right? that's how my friend in HI explained. she kept her baby naked and in the wrap all the time at home so she'd know immediately what was happening.

kat ~ why didn't you walk into to cul-de-sac with him? kids really do know the difference between safe and danger. you could let him go in the cul-de-sac and still not have to be overly worried that he'd just walk out onto a busy street. at least that's been my experience with my kids. that would help teach him how to be safe around roads and cars rather than making a forbidden fruit. KWIM?

i plan to clean as much as i can. i've been afraid to vacuum since D was born. the only way i could do it would be weraing him but my vacuum is so loud.

[akind1]

Well, I had walked into the cul de sac with him down to the neighbors. Then he didn't want to come play in the yard at all, just in the street. I know he has no clue that it's not safe, but I do want him to learn boundaries, as much as he's able to anyway. Because he also has no idea the difference between playing in the cul de sac with me right there and playing by himself in the street.

I want to get a couple more crafty things done; there's a consignment sale I want to go to, and spend time with my parents. I want to be outside enjoying ths weather!

[MovingMomma]

I don't do straight up nakey time b/c I just don't want to have to deal w/ pee & poop everywhere!  Baby in a dipe w/no cover or on a prefold works just as well.  And I don't find that I have to sit & stare at baby to figure it out, either.  Just go about our business & be mindful & present.  I know there are people who quite literally do naked baby & do nothing but watch baby for cues.  I would find that crazy-making!  Plus I think a lot of times people who try that get stuck in only seeing the cues that happen as the potty starts coming out & miss the earlier cues that would actually allow enough notice to make a catch.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by akind1 

Well, I had walked into the cul de sac with him down to the neighbors. Then he didn't want to come play in the yard at all, just in the street. I know he has no clue that it's not safe, but I do want him to learn boundaries, as much as he's able to anyway. Because he also has no idea the difference between playing in the cul de sac with me right there and playing by himself in the street

i wouldn't expect him to know not to go in the street by himself at this age but i assume he wouldn't be out front near the street without an adult anyway so there wouldn't be much chance of him playing in the street by himself. but if he's allowed to go in the street with someone when it's safe, it won't be such a big deal when he can't. KWIM?

i'm afraid i wouldn't be able to be aware enough to notice when baby was needing to pee or poo. as it is i feel like i have no idea what's going on 99% of the time. How often do you take her to the potty?

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by akind1 

Hearing about potty regression in E and Nora makes me glad I'm sort of waiting to work on that with DS until after the baby is born. It's hard enough being in my MIL's house when trying to do any sort of potty learning (because I not only have to "train" DS, I have to "train" 3 other adults on DS's habits or what have you)

Carrie, I've always found my stretch wrap to be pretty poppable. are woven wraps less so?

I'm glad she's trained, b/c now it's just reinforcing what she *should* be already doing.  We've gone back to reminding her many times a day to tell us when she has to go and doing potty treats.  Making a huge deal when she keeps her panties dry/clean.  It's like revisiting the PL'ing method again.  

I guess it just takes that much longer to put it on before you leave the house.  I like just keeping the RS in the car and throwing it over my head really fast before going where I'm going.  But...honestly for longer trips, the wrap is SO much more comfortable b/c the weight is more evenly distributed.
 

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

i plan to clean as much as i can. i've been afraid to vacuum since D was born. the only way i could do it would be weraing him but my vacuum is so loud.

Finn sleeps thru the vacuum!  LOL I think it's b/c I vacuumed so freaking much when I was pg with him!! 

Sigh.  Today has been a DAY.  I'm ready for it to be over, but not before I've had my margarita.
 

[Kindermama]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

kids really do know the difference between safe and danger. 

Not my youngest...at all! She was born without a caution button. Seriously! She's had a few near misses that sent me into a near heart attack. She's had 3 concussions already. Thank God for Arnica because if she was anyone else, she'd probably have long-term neurological issues. Sometimes I get panic attacks when I think over the day and realize how many times she could have killed herself.....and I mean true panic! It's kinda nuts because otherwise, I'm the most chill person (well except for my current pregnancy moodiness! lol)

I finally got myself mostly out of the funk I was in. I think the problem is I have been homebound, almost by choice or maybe it's laziness. I hate doing errands and often give my list to DH but then I was getting bitter that he got to come and go as he pleases to do his errands. I asked him to take the girls more for me and he has. Now I need to figure out what to do for ME...not housework or errands but for me! 

What do you guys do with your "ME" time?