February '09 Mamas ~ Childhood Chat :) - Page 8

[Everrgreen]

Welcome to the world Coraline!!!  I'm so happy for you and your whole family Courtney!!  Huge congrats!!  Enjoy your babymoon :)

[Thursday Girl]

thanks Ladies.

[Nillarilla]

Congrats Courtney she is gorgeous! Welcome Coraline to your tribe of little women. 

[starling&diesel]

Courtney ... Come tell us all about it when you can!  And more pictures!

AFM: I'm thrilled to report that E has fallen asleep ON HER OWN for the last three nights!  She told me that she wanted to keep the light on and read until she fell asleep after listening to her audiobook.  I figured it was worth a shot.  I told her that she wasn't allowed to call me unless it was to turn off the light.  It worked!  I'm thrilled!   We're heading off to Vancouver Island on Tuesday to go to Tofino ... Yay for whales and hot springs and crashing waves! 

Kate ... You're next, Mama!  How are you feeling?

Sue ... How's F's yeast infection?

Nilla ... Has your sense of dread eased up?

[Thursday Girl]

nak

cindy- that is a cute baby

kate- i'd wait, i truly think babies know when they are supposed to come although waiting can be hard. what's the other top contender? i love Mallory.

nilla- soothing vibrations your way.

everr- how exciting about a potential.

AFM my milk already came in,  i thought t had b/c she was already having wet diapers and the poo wasn't all black tar, then yesterday milk dripped out of her mouth. Juniper is super excited about being a big sister but Josie is having trouble adjusting. I explained that i have to lay down and rest so Daddy has to do everything and it makes it so things are different but tey will go back to normal soon. i think i need to get her out with a friend for a special day or something. okay pictures- my birth photographer took some amazing shots.

this one makes me cry.  I can feel her head and it was so amazing!

and my four daughters

[justKate]

I know you all are right and the membrane sweeps.  Its just so tempting!  I'm going to have her check me on Tuesday, then we'll see how I'm feeling the following week (assuming I'm still pg).  Right now I'm feeling NOTHING except a couple of stronger BHicks in the evenings and some awkwardness going up and down the stairs.  Its weird that this pregnancy feels easier than the last one, in some ways.  Hopefully the birth will be too!  Name-wise, I think DH decided last night that baby will be Mallory, so Mallory Jean it is.  Seems so strange.  Aubs was just "baby" for so long, despite having a name...but we'll need to differentiate between babies this time, so maybe M's name will get used earlier.

Starling, the trip sounds fun!  I hope you all have a great time.

Ever, exciting!! Keep us posted.  I miss that rush that dating brings.  And I love that you're staying open to it--you really never know what might happen if you leave your heart open!

Courtney, I really love the photos, especially the first one.  And yay for milk!  Are you feeling alright otherwise?

[Thursday Girl]

I am feeling okay. Trying to ignore the mess in my hou. People came over and we have tons of dishes and the faucet broke while hubs was washing tgem. Next person who comes over might be asked to do a load of laundry. (Probably not, but it'd be nice.)

[Vegan Princess]

Courtney: Your photographer did an amazing job of capturing the emotion of the time! Gives me chills! :-) 

Cindy

[Nillarilla]

Well I cried during the interview. They asked what the worst moment in my nursing career was and it was pretty terrible and I hadn't prepped for that question and well... I was wound too tight so I cried. I got over it but I felt completely embarrassed. I also had another tearful moment yesterday. I was running, slipped and dropped my brand new iPod onto the cement and smashed the screen.  I got it as a birthday present and I felt terrible. On the plus side the exercise and diet are working. I am losing weight and when I went interview clothes shopping I fit into a smaller size pants. 

My mom left today for a week so I'll see how I cope on my own with no help and 2 papers to write. 

We ordered the kids bunk beds yesterday with a trundle bed underneath for sleepovers or that possible third child. I can't wait for them to get here it will free up some room and allow me to put some stuff on the walls around them and hopefully give me the push to get that room ultra organized. 

We got the whole family out running today. Ds was grumpy about it but he came. Dee was in the stroller until the end but even she ran a bit. 

Courtney: Those pics are amazing. Your little tribe of women is gorgeous. 

Kate: I hope the babe decides that it wants to come sooner rather than later for you. 

Starling: Yay for child initiated sleep! and vacations!

[mckittre]

Nilla - Hugs!  I'm sorry you're having such a hard time of it.  Hopefully the running helps you calm down a little - exercise always does for me.

Courtney - Wonderful pictures.  I'm so happy for all of you.

Starling - Sounds like a fun trip. One of my favorite memories from my year-long hike was coming across a coastal hotsprings in the middle of nowhere during the chilly spring.

Kate - Hope baby comes soon for you!  After hearing my story about how my second came 15 days late and with a much longer labor than the first, I had one of my best friends completely pessimistic headed into her second delivery.  Then she had the baby one day early with a super quick and easy labor.  Hope it goes the same for you.

AFM - I think we've finally started melt season here (though it's snowing again right now), and our under-yurt space (gravel floor, we store tools and bikes and the freezer there) has been flooding.  I've been bailing buckets full of water out for a couple days, but I'm still happy for the melt.

Computer obsession - Katmai is still absolutely ridiculously obsessed with typing on the computer.  Sitting in front of a blank word document, typing letters, numbers, symbols, and occasionally words (he especially likes to copy the word "MacBookPro"), counting the numbers of gs he just typed, etc...  I do limit it, but it's a fight every time, and he knows how to open the computer and will if I'm not paying attention.  I never imagined this activity could become so engrossing (it seems kind of boring to me).  What limits would make sense for something like this? I don't really need to squash his interest in letters entirely.  It doesn't seem like that harmful an activity, and I wouldn't care if it was Legos he was wanting to play with all day.  And it's the best thing ever if I need to tend to L or get something done around the house. But really, he doesn't need to be glued to a screen too much either. Sometimes I give him a time limit and tell him to set himself a timer (he loves using the timer on the microwave), but he doesn't seem any happier to stop to the beep than to my arbitrary command.  What I end up doing is some combination of letting him type away, using the timer, distracting him into another activity, ordering him into another activity, hiding the laptop on a high shelf, or getting us all outside (best option).  Which doesn't seem like a very well thought out strategy.  And certainly doesn't prevent him whining about it constantly.  Help?

(Of course, here I am on a screen.  And he sees both me and his dad work on laptops A LOT, since all our work is on them, and much of it is while he's around  - when the other parent is watching him)

[Mal85]

Courtney: I love those pics! I can't wait to hear more about the birth. She is as beautiful as all your girls. You are certainly one lucky lady!

Starling: Your trip sounds awesome! And I'm so jealous of E putting herself to sleep! The other night, I told Owyn that she needed to stay in her bed until the sun woke up. I said if she woke up, she could look out the window. If the sun was still sleeping she needed to lay back down, but if it was awake then she could get out of her bed. Well, she woke up screaming at 2:30 in the morning. Stayed in her bed, just screaming her head off until I laid down with her. When we got up the next morning I asked her what made her cry in her bed and she said "I looked out my window and the sun didn't wake up". Oh well, I guess that idea didn't work so well!

Kate: I had my membranes stripped with Owyn at 39.5 weeks and the day after my due date. Not sure if it did much. I started losing mucous after the second time, but I was already past my due date, so who knows if that was what did it. I was scheduled for an appt the day I went into to labor with Greta and was going to have her strip my membranes at that appt, just didn't make it there! Also, I love that you're using Mallory!! I feel honored!

Nilla: I'm sorry you're so stressed. I probably would have cried over the new iPod too if it makes you feel any better! The bunk beds sound awesome!

Erin: I have no advice on the screen time. It's still a battle here with Owyn. We use her TV time sticker chart, but she sees all the other days in the week and wants to just keep filling the boxes with stickers so she can watch more TV! This weekend was good though, she really didn't watch any TV because we were out of the house all weekend. She whines and throws a fit about it too when we're home. We deal with it a lot like you do and it's no fun. But once she gets over it, she can go play by herself for an extended period of time now. She's been going into her room playing with her toys for hours at a time when we're at home. It's really wonderful!

A full day at work today, then Easter parties Wednesday and I'm off for a week! Better start getting ready to go!

[Everrgreen]

Erin - I limit R's screen time as much as possible but have to deal with tantrums when I do.  It's really frustrating.  He watches shows/movies occasionally at home and almost constantly at my moms house :/  It's hard because he doesn't play on his own at all so if he's not watching a show he's bothering me in a whiny/bored kind of way.  I really wish he would play!!  The only solution is to be out of the house and busy.  Or sit and play with him but I find that to be the most boring thing in the world (hate to admit that, but it's true!)

Nilla - *hugs*  I'm sorry you're under so much stress right now.  I had a mock interview a while back and almost cried in the middle of it .  The woman doing it kept asking me questions that I would never be asked in my type of work and I guess I wasn't answering them the way she would and she seemed annoyed with me.  My big interview is tomorrow and I'm so nervous about it.  I hope it goes ok :/

Courtney - Your photos are gorgeous!  You have such a beautiful family :)

Kate - I'm thinking of you!  I keep waiting to sign on to fb and see an update :D  I have two other friends on fb that just had babies (both on March 31st).  These are friends from a baby group I used to go to during R's first year.  It's been exciting see all the updates on fb!

AFM - R gets his first vaccine today (DTaP-IPV).  I'm feeling ok I guess.  It's hard studying public health and having mixed feelings about vaccines.  My profs are all very pro-vaccine and very adamant that the diseases are horrible, vaccines save lives, and the risks are minimal.  Statistically I agree with all of that.  But there are real risks, some kids do have side effects, and when it's your one child that is in that 'minimal' group the statistics don't matter.  I also partially agree with the argument that a lot of the diseases aren't seen any more and that most people recover.  But again, I don't want my child to be that one rare case of the disease and especially that one rare case with serious complications.  So I guess that's why my decision is to go with the vaccines.  I do feel better about it knowing he's a healthy 3 year old...  And he's not getting the full schedule, only DTaP-IPV and MMRV (then a couple more when he's 12-13).

Okay, that was just some rambling that I needed to do lol!

Edited by Everrgreen - 4/2/12 at 8:10am

[Everrgreen]

Just to update, R had his first vaccine and didn't even notice.  He had a great time at the appointment.  Crazy kid.

[AKislandgirl]

Courtney: love those pictures. Got all teary eyed over them on fb and again here! Makes me want another baby! :)

Everr: Awesome! Glad he was unfazed. Vaccines are so hard for us parents to figure out aren't they

Starling: Have a great break! Hot springs sound divine! How is the writing coming along? 

Erin: We are in serious melt mode here too! Woo Hoo! We have a yard- well patches of a yard here and there! And DH got his car out which has been trapped by a giant snow burm all winter. Loving having my car back and getting out more with the girls!

[Everrgreen]

My interview went just ok.  I won't say great.  I started getting a bad cold on Monday and yesterday my head wasn't as clear as I would have liked.  I messed up some technical questions.  And he told me that everyone else being interviewed is graduating this year.  But I'm the only one from the area and my GPA is high, so maybe that will help (well, those are the reasons I got an interview even though I'm not graduating this year).  I should find out soon, maybe tomorrow.  

I'm still sick too which sucks.  I stayed home today and kept R home because I was too tired to drive him to daycare.  One more day of class tomorrow and then a nice long weekend :)  Yay!  

And also, I need to stop reading about vaccines.  Just stop.  I've made my decision, I feel it's the right one (maybe?  Agh!)  I need to just stop, right now.

[Vegan Princess]

Everr: I hope you get it! You never know. I'm sorry you are sick. And I'm sure R is fine from the vaccines. Did he have any fever or anything? Amazing that he didn't flinch or anything! 

Starling: Have a great trip! I love hot springs. 

You ladies in AK always put things in perspective for me weather wise. :-) I've been complaining about lots of rain and temps in the 50s. I guess you guys would be thrilled. LOL. The sun is out again but still a bit chilly in the low 60s. Still need a sweater. But lovely to feel some sun on my skin! 

Cindy

[justKate]

Ever, sorry you aren't happy with the interview outcome.  Maybe think of it as good practice?  Or maybe they'll think they can offer you less money because you're not immediately available, and it will work out in your favor.  Who knows?  As for vaxes, great that R didn't mind.  Aubs minds the "prep" but not so much the shot.  As soon as we stop restraining her she is fine.  Maybe things will be easier as she gets older.  She hasn't been to the doc for nearly a year (last time we got IPV only, I think) so I'm planning to make her an appointment at our first "meet the pedi" visit for new baby.  Which I dread.  I mean, assuming she's gaining weight, is there a reason to take a new baby to a pediatric clinic full of germs? Especially since she'll be born in the hospital....  I guess they'll check her hips or something?

Erin and Sue, so glad things are melting for you! 

Mal, hope you're enjoying the beginning of your week off. Anything specific planned?

Nilla, sorry about the stressful interview.  And the ipod. What a rough week!  But congrats on the weight loss--sounds like you've been really busy.

AFM, still pregnant, obviously.  I'm so irritable right now, I feel like a pretty bad mommy.  Just want to curl up on the couch and wait for labor, but that's really not an option just yet.  Aubrey is going to pre-school tomorrow morning, and I might send her on Friday too, just because she's been out of control.  I'm thinking about going to walk the mall tomorrow while she's at school and then see if I can get a reflexology appointment Friday while she's there.  Friday will be 40 weeks, which is when labor started with Aubs.  I was a stretchy 4 cm and 40% effaced on Tuesday, so maybe a bunch of walking will do the trick. I've lost lots of chunky goo, but no idea whether its from the cervical check or something more exciting. DH has promised to take her out of the house for a while on Saturday, too, so that's something to look forward to.

[Vegan Princess]

Oooo Kate - you are SOOO close! And that labor is going to go quick when it starts!! Yay!! You're not a bad mommy - you're just doing what you can right now. I sort of feel bad lately too bc I am just so tired and lazy - but I don't have that great of an excuse yet. I just hit the 2nd tri - isn't this when all that energy is supposed to come back or something?

[mckittre]

Kate - Hang in there!  Maybe you'll have an Easter baby.

Everr - Sorry the interview didn't go as well as you hoped.  But sometimes it seems worse from your side than theirs.  Hope you get it anyway.

Cindy - I would love 50 degrees and raining!  That would make a wonderful dent in the snowpack. Instead, I sprinkled wood ash on the garden today (on the snowy plain that has the garden buried somewhere beneath it, anyway).

I took L to Headstart along with K today, because all the little kids in town were visiting to help dye easter eggs.  She had a total blast, and dyed pretty much her entire hands and face yellow in the process (K liked it too, but not quite so vigorously).  She's always so pissed off when he gets to leave for school in the morning without her, so it was nice to give her a chance to be with the big kids.  Do all younger siblings try to be "big" so desperately? Looking forward to our tidepool egg hunt this weekend!

[Everrgreen]

Kate - I hope you are doing well!!  I've been stalking you on fb to see if anyone posts about the baby on your wall :P  R didn't have a well baby visit for a long time.  Maybe a year old or even 18 months?  I can't remember.  But he did have doctors check him right after birth (after my transfer for the placenta) and again when he was hospitalized for jaundice at 3 days old.  I'm not really sure how important it is.

Cindy - Hopefully your energy comes back soon!  It must be so much harder with number 2 because you can't nap as easily :)  And, no, R didn't have a fever or anything.  He didn't even complain about his arm being sore after.  Maybe they gave him a placebo vaccine lol.  I, on the other hand, felt like I was getting sick at the time (I had my dtap booster) and it has turned into the worst cold ever that won't go away.  I'm still sick.  Luckily I don't need another booster for 10 more years.

As for my job, I didn't get an offer on Thursday which is when he said he'd decide by.  So I'm not optimistic that I got it.  It'll probably be a little longer before I get a definite 'no' though as he's probably given the others time to say yes/no to their offer.  We'll see :/