Carrie, gotta love the idea! Nearly everyone we know says their third baby was the easiest addition.
Sippy cups: we do then, but only one's that have a silicon spout or straw.
Yay for sleep! Norah is trying so hard to roll over from
back to tummy.
Yawn! I need more sleep!
What are your guys thoughts on introducing grains? Specifically oatmeal?
I am so tired! Luckily the bug was only about 12 hours start to finish, and Nora is feeling much better. I really hope I don't get it. Ha!
Carrie: I didn't do any rice cereal with Gabe and won't with Norah, but I did use baby oatmeal - earths best, non GMO, to thicken some fruit puree. I haven't decided whether we will do any purée with DD yet.
I didn't delay grains.
I'm thinking I won't delay either, at least not oatmeal. Wheat I might wait with, though. Anyway, we only ever eat steel cut oats with sliced up banana. Nothing else added (sometimes I add agave to mine but that's just b/c I like it super sweet). I'm thinking those mornings when we're up at the crack of dawn before sunrise, sharing oatmeal with my big boy could be fun. I remember Nora eating her oats with us, but she was a little older, maybe closer to one. She loved homemade oatmeal pancakes in the morning, too.
Sigh. My tummy feels a little off today. Ugh, I really don't want to puke. How do people who work with kids or in hospitals deal with getting bugs like this all the time?? LOL.
Sigh. My tummy feels a little off today. Ugh, I really don't want to puke. How do people who work with kids or in hospitals deal with getting bugs like this all the time?? LOL.
I hope you guys feel better! It should be winding down. IME, it has been about 8-12 hours of puking and then another 12 hours of recovery.
And ummmm.......get used to it! LOL With Nora in school I bet you guys start getting it 1-2 times a year. Or at least Nora/Finn. How much the adult gets it varies, but I usually get it at *least* once a year.
This year has been really super bad though (for us). Yuck.
Begin totally OT:
ARGHHH! People can be so thick-headed sometimes. I am 'having it out' with a long time reader of my blog via back and forth notes, because even though she's been reading me for like 4-5 years, she doesn't ever seem to listen to anything I have to say. It's been like this the whole time she's read me. I'll post an entry with an update on my fatigue and talking about good days/bad days, etc, and she'll post a really, truly, insightful comment about how Ij ust need to force myself to go to bed earlier, and get more exercise (I have chronic fatigue). Just... stupid comments like that. And a lot of stuff with parenting. She is a mainstream parent of a 5 or 6 year old, and doesn't seem to agree with anything I post, but still continues to read, and write stupid comments with her opinions on things.
This time, I posted snippets of that long post I wrote the other day when T was sleeping with DH, about how tired I am, and we're looking for solutions, etc etc, and that I won't let her cry it out, but we're starting to kind of limit the lengths we will stretch ourselves to when she's hysterical. She posted and just said that sometimes if all her needs are meant, you just need to put her down and walk away, because otherwise, you're teaching her that everytime she cries, you will pick her up.
I responded back that well... that's exactly what I do want to teach her-- that I will be there to meet her needs, and comfort her, and that CIO has been linked with brain damage lately in the research, and that I don't want her to stop crying that way, because it's only because she thinks I won't help her when she needs it. And that comfort at this age, is a valid need!
So she of course is angry now, and telling me that she 'doesn't believe random things she reads on the internet' (I posted a link to a research journal article with published results!) and that well --I'm-- the one who complained about not getting sleep or being able to do anything, but I'm not willing to fix it, etc etc.
Ummmm hello? THIS is why parents make stupid choices they are forced into by doctors. I presented research evidence, not some mama blogger- but that's what she's treating it as, since it doesn't conform to her ideals. And now she's pissed at me because I won't take her sage advice and let my baby cio so I can have a sandwich. Ugh. People just... drive me nuts. I know it's human nature to only see things that agree with your point of view, but it's just so ridiculous.
--end rant--.
Anyways, T and I just woke up from a wonderful nap, and it's 0 out, so I'm going to try to bundle her in the stroller and head out for a walk!
JJ, ugh that's annoying! That's like my friend on FB always responding to articles that I post. GRRRR!
Baby_Cakes, I hope your DS is feeling better soon! I hate stomach bugs and throwing up. DSD 14 got a stomach bug back in June and threw up mac & cheese all over the living room carpet. I was 9 months pregnant down on the ground trying to clean that up. Blech! Have you guys started probiotics and vitamin D? I think that will help keep some of the buggies away that DD is encountering at school.
Having more babies...oh man, if we had the room and I could stay at home and I knew that DD was done w/surgeries for a very long time, I would totally have more! When I watch DD and she's just so amazing, I think it would be so great to have more, just to see how amazing they would be! I'm not a big fan of being pregnant but I would totally do it again. Who knows, maybe if our circumstances change as far as housing and DH's job then maybe we would consider one more.
JJ: can you link to your blog? I like reading blogs, and wish I were disciplined enough to blog myself. Maybe one day!
It was as good busy weekend spent in the sunshine (sorry JJ and and everyone else in cold weather - you know, I LOVE snow. so I am a little jealous of the blizzard Denver got). It was almost 80 degrees yesterday.
As much as I hate people asking the "good baby" question and stuff, I have to admit, I love compliments on how easy/good/whatever DD is. She pretty much slept through the Super Bowl. Even with all the loud noises and sudden hollers of our friends, and all the kids running around. Not that I can really take credit for her easiness - beyond the breastfeeding, babywearing, etc - some people do all of those things, and still have fussy babies.
There were 4 babies under 1 at the party, and only Norah is breastfed. One mama honestly can't - she is one of those few that honestly lacks breast tissue, so if she was determined, she might be able to get baby partially fed with her own (maybe 1/4 of her needs) and have to do the rest with donor milk or formula. But she has to work FT OH, so I truly understand why she didn't get beyond the first few weeks. the others . . . just feel formula is easier.
Oh, and I don't know if it's because my kids are unvaxed or are/were BF for so long, or what . . .but everyone else's kids, and there were at least a dozen kids, were just got over some respiratory bug or ear infection, and mine haven't been ill, at least not beyond a minor cold. Then again, maybe we are just lucky.
I feel February is going to fly by.
I feel like Feb will fly by too -- heck it's already the 6th!
I'm still not convinced about having more kids. I guess I'm open to thinking about it in the future, but I personally feel ok and done with just my two. I don't feel like anyone is missing and I really do feel done. I'm happy to close this chapter and move on to raising the ones I have, rather than adding more. But, I mean, there's always room to change my mind. I just suppose we aren't going thru with anything permanent right now.
I still really want to take a good vacation either this summer or next fall. I was looking at rental houses in the bahamas and some are nice and not too pricey for a week or so! I need a vacation. DH needs one too. I want warm weather, no dishes/laundry, a beach or a pool, and a cold drink in my hand. We took DD to Puerto Rico when she was 18 months and it was awesome. I think it'll be fine to take a 12-14 mo old somewhere. Easier than taking the 4 year old probably, lol!
I'm ready for spring and warmer weather. Today should get up to 54 so I'm hoping to get the kids out for a walk.
JJ - you walk in 0 degrees!? Oh wait, is that celsius? Ok, not so terrible. Too cold for me though! I don't even try to get out unless it's in the mid 40s (f)!!
Ugh. I'm still wiped out. DS didn't sleep well last night, his tummy wasn't right. If he wasn't chewing on my nip he couldn't settle and would cry. So unlike him. I know it was his tummy so I couldn't be mad. He'd cry and then let out a bunch of farts and then root for the nip again. Sigh. It was a long night and an early morning!
I know I'm not done; that there is one more to add to our family. But I am quite content to let it wait a couple years. I do want to get the pregnancy/nursing/baby years done though - I don't want to get the kids in school (or school aged at any rate) and start over. Heck, for me, I could keep on having babies at a good spacing and be happy I think, but DH is really only open to one more.
Vacation! I wish we had the $$ to take a real one; the closest we will likely get is visiting family in NC; but there is a beach! Much as I'd love to do the Bahamas, it would have to be by boat. DH would be uber uncomfortable on a plan, at 6 foot 6 and 300 lbs or so. (unless we could afford to fly first class).
Hope your family is all the way better soon!
expensive, but all inclusive. you pay for drinks and special things you want to do in port, but at least dont have to worry about a food budget. There are overnights on some cruise lines, but those are the really pricey ones.
I love boats, but I also enjoy flying.
What I really want to do, is take a train somewhere; that is as much for the journey as the destination.
True! I wonder though how much of it would be lost on us b/c we're vegan. I always feel like it'd be a waste. I mean, I'm sure they could whip up special diet meals, but for all that money, I'd rather have lots of options, you know?
Trains are cool. I've only taken them to Manhattan! 
expensive, but all inclusive. you pay for drinks and special things you want to do in port, but at least dont have to worry about a food budget. There are overnights on some cruise lines, but those are the really pricey ones.
I love boats, but I also enjoy flying.
What I really want to do, is take a train somewhere; that is as much for the journey as the destination.
This is why I want to do sandals (or beaches with kids) - you get the all inclusive part without being stuck on a boat. However, I bet being vegan would kind of be hard though. I DO know drinks are included - but who wants to drink a TON while on vacation? Except people on spring break I guess. Springs break scares the crap outta me 
Carrie I am glad you guys are all starting to feel better. It takes a good couple days before you have any energy again. I remember I went to bed at like 7:30 for three days after I got what I am sure is norovirus in May - OMG I have had the pukies before, but this was horrible. There was no feeling better in between puking and I was puking every 10-20 min for 8 hours straight. It sucked sooo bad. I have never been that sick, and I get the stomach bug alot.
JJ - I would like to read your blog too. I always wanted to blog just for me (not a business) - but I have a feeling it would be more like a diary, which I wouldn't want people to read necessarily. But then again, who knows! Maybe I would like it!
JJ: can you link to your blog? I like reading blogs, and wish I were disciplined enough to blog myself. Maybe one day!
Not that I can really take credit for her easiness - beyond the breastfeeding, babywearing, etc - some people do all of those things, and still have fussy babies.
I don't even remember if you can read it publicly anymore, or if you have to sign up for the site, but it's worth a shot... Beautifully.Broken It's not really a public blog, only two friends IRL know about it, and I've been writing in it since I was 17, so some of it is just downright laughable! Also a lot of the more personal, thoughtful entries are set so only certain people can read them. I don't write very often anymore, even before she was born, but I can't give it up altogether, too many friends I've made along the way! I attempted to start a public blog when I got pregnant with T, so that family could follow along, and I only made it two entries, and haven't signed in to it since then. I really should start up again.
I have totally been thinking about this lately! I think in a lot of ways, this first little bit being so difficult makes me angry, because you have this assumption that practicing AP, your baby is just going to be this ball of easy sunshine-- not true! Now, not to say that she wouldn't be more difficult (and sad!) without it, but it makes you kind of go 'what the heck? she's supposed to be happy and securely attached!' lol
I still really want to take a good vacation either this summer or next fall. I was looking at rental houses in the bahamas and some are nice and not too pricey for a week or so! I need a vacation. DH needs one too. I want warm weather, no dishes/laundry, a beach or a pool, and a cold drink in my hand. We took DD to Puerto Rico when she was 18 months and it was awesome. I think it'll be fine to take a 12-14 mo old somewhere. Easier than taking the 4 year old probably, lol!
JJ - you walk in 0 degrees!? Oh wait, is that celsius? Ok, not so terrible. Too cold for me though! I don't even try to get out unless it's in the mid 40s (f)!!
Ugh. I'm still wiped out. DS didn't sleep well last night, his tummy wasn't right. If he wasn't chewing on my nip he couldn't settle and would cry. So unlike him. I know it was his tummy so I couldn't be mad. He'd cry and then let out a bunch of farts and then root for the nip again. Sigh. It was a long night and an early morning!
I'm ready for a vacation! *put hand up* We started going on family vacations in 2000, and I've gone in 2002, then was away for school in 2003 where I took a road trip, and then 2006, 2009... I'm ready for another one! This is the longest we've gone without a vacation :( I am addicted to the beach. We do all inclusives, and I got Rob hooked on them too. He wants to go again, I told him next winter, as long as he can find someone to go with us. He doesn't want to go with my parents, which is my preference. But I won't go alone with a toddler, I want at least one other couple with us.
Be careful with hot destination summer vacations-- we've taken our last two in June, and it was soooo much hotter than taking them Nov-Feb. The first resort had amazing Ac, so no big deal, the second one had practically non-existant AC, and it was a -hard- week.
Ooooh, and I see how that would be more difficult with the vegan diet. I love all inclusives because I'm a really picky eater, so that way there's tons of food, and I can take a bunch and just eat whatever I want. But being vegan I would guess most of it probably isn't stuff you guys could eat... making that a lot less fun!
THIS year, I walk when it's 0 out. Last year, I still would have been huddled inside lol. But it's -amazing- weather for us right now, and being out in the fresh air really helps. She in general does really well in the wrap (if it's colder) or in the stroller as long as we're moving, so it gives me 45 minutes or so of quiet time, and it's exercise, so at least I feel productive. Normal here for February would be about -20, so I really want to take advantage while it's warm!
Sorry about last night :( That sucks, it's hard enough for us during the days when she's needy, but when she's unsettled like that during the night, then all bets are off, and I'm a zombie the next morning.
Alright, Tenley is awake and actually happy, so we're off to play!
At first it felt like morning sickness, and I was thinking, well I got thru 4 months of this with Finn. But then it HIT hard, and exactly what you said, no feeling better between puking. I only puked a few times though. Chris was doing the every 10-20 min thing for HOURS. He started like 4 hours before me and I was terrified. But, although I thought I was going to die, he had it 100 times worse.
Yeah I don't drink a ton on vacay with kiddos either. Maybe one or two drinks here or there, but eh. I just like the taste of a frozen drink and to relax. Not get too crazy! LOL!
Ooh JJ we cross posted. I agree about the whole summer months thing, plus I worry about hurricanes. But I don't want to wait til next spring, haha!!
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