December Chit Chat - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[MrsKatie]

Joanie - KJ doesn't drink from a sippy cup at all but she LOVES drinking from a straw.  Have you tried that with Sora? I just bought KJ this cup:

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Sprouts-Aqua-Bottle-Colors/dp/B005QNPF7E/ref=sr_1_7?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1354594145&sr=1-7&keywords=green+sprouts+green+aqua+bottle

She loooves it, she'll drink SO much water when it's in this cup!

Amanda - that work situation... I would CRY.  Like EVERY DAY.  Especially because I love Christmas as much as I love my own child (I am exaggerating.  Maybe.).  And also because I was desperately unpopular/teased/pranked until High School and that kind of exclusion would bring out my old insecurities like nothing else could.  But you are soooo not over-reacting, that's incredibly messed up, I don't understand how NOBODY in that circle would think to include you.  That hurts.  I'm so sorry.

[dashley111]

Hearing that you were bullied breaks my heart . Still, even as adults...I just hate hearing it. I worry so much about my ODD getting bullied because she is a quiet, bookwormy, on the nerdier genius side of things and she has a lot of problems making friends. Any wisdom for me?

[birdhappy85]

Originally Posted by MrsKatie 

Joanie - KJ doesn't drink from a sippy cup at all but she LOVES drinking from a straw.  Have you tried that with Sora?

Yes, we do have one straw sippy! Sora took to it right away and does fine with it for a little bit until she tries to tip her head back and drink from it like a normal sippy. Then I have to take it away from her because she gets frustrated. lol.

Maybe I'm the one who isn't ready to give up feeding her bottles... Is that weird? I got emotional one day when I was putting clean bottles in our cupboard and thought about the idea of packing them up for storage. After our breastfeeding relationship ended so abruptly, I came to enjoy feeding her bottles to maintain that closeness. *sigh* Yet another thing I'll have to give up now! 

[seraf]

Joanie, I think the concern about bottle feeding past a year has more to do with toddlers walking around chugging from a bottle all day. If you're sitting with her and the bottle, that's totally fine for a while longer (remember, the same people who knock bottles past a year frown upon nursing past a year). There is a toddler formula once they pass a year, but I don't have any idea what's in it.

[TalkToMeNow]

Originally Posted by MrsKatie 

Amanda - that work situation... I would CRY.  Like EVERY DAY.  Especially because I love Christmas as much as I love my own child (I am exaggerating.  Maybe.).  And also because I was desperately unpopular/teased/pranked until High School and that kind of exclusion would bring out my old insecurities like nothing else could.  But you are soooo not over-reacting, that's incredibly messed up, I don't understand how NOBODY in that circle would think to include you.  That hurts.  I'm so sorry.

Yeah, I have to really fight not to go there. It's pretty easy for me to slip into that mindset of, "Oh, those people are laughing... they must be laughing at me!" But I am really, really good at fighting off negative thinking now. Time + therapy + antidepressants!  Now, I seriously just tell myself that I am so awesome they are just jealous... Ha! I'm serious.  I'm with you on the Christmas thing. Totally. At least I have my stocking now. I think part of it is that I am not technically in the department and part of it is that I am part time. So I'm not here quite as much. Also, since I really have to work during my time here, I don't go to lunch or anything. It's just not feasible when you are only working 20-25 hrs a week. So I'm not really able to socialize much. 

Originally Posted by dashley111 

Hearing that you were bullied breaks my heart . Still, even as adults...I just hate hearing it. I worry so much about my ODD getting bullied because she is a quiet, bookwormy, on the nerdier genius side of things and she has a lot of problems making friends. Any wisdom for me?

Well, with my dd that was recently diagnosed with Aspergers, she does not socialize well and will be an easy target for bullies. We had an incident earlier this year with bullying. But, she doesn't really get it all the time. She also really enjoys being alone. So that takes away some of the pain of not having a lot of friends. She does get bummed that no one comes over to play, but she copes okay most of the time. One awesome thing IMO is that schools will not put up with it if you make it a big deal. The county my girls go to school in (and I taught in) has a zero tolerance/ three strikes rule. Three reports of bullying and the kid is out. So with dd had a problem, I made sure I reported it and repeatedly used the word bullying. They got his parents involved, kid had to see the principal, he was moved away from my dd, and he had to have sessions with the school counselor. So, my best advice is to be proactive. Set up the idea now that if kids are mean, it is not because of her! Try to get to a place where she will tell you if she has problems. That way, you can be an advocate for her. I never told my parents because I was embarrassed. It would literally never occur to dd1 to be embarrassed... she thinks there must be something wrong with anyone who would say rude things to her. 

That is one of the main reasons I am going to get her in the Spec Ed program. If she has an IEP and an official diagnosis, the teachers are going to have to be much more vigilant about watching the interactions with the other kids. 

[dashley111]

Originally Posted by TalkToMeNow 

Well, with my dd that was recently diagnosed with Aspergers, she does not socialize well and will be an easy target for bullies. We had an incident earlier this year with bullying. But, she doesn't really get it all the time. She also really enjoys being alone. So that takes away some of the pain of not having a lot of friends. She does get bummed that no one comes over to play, but she copes okay most of the time. One awesome thing IMO is that schools will not put up with it if you make it a big deal. The county my girls go to school in (and I taught in) has a zero tolerance/ three strikes rule. Three reports of bullying and the kid is out. So with dd had a problem, I made sure I reported it and repeatedly used the word bullying. They got his parents involved, kid had to see the principal, he was moved away from my dd, and he had to have sessions with the school counselor. So, my best advice is to be proactive. Set up the idea now that if kids are mean, it is not because of her! Try to get to a place where she will tell you if she has problems. That way, you can be an advocate for her. I never told my parents because I was embarrassed. It would literally never occur to dd1 to be embarrassed... she thinks there must be something wrong with anyone who would say rude things to her. 

That is one of the main reasons I am going to get her in the Spec Ed program. If she has an IEP and an official diagnosis, the teachers are going to have to be much more vigilant about watching the interactions with the other kids. 

I'm so surprised they never suggested an IEP for your daughter until now.  Hopefully after that gets done it offers her the tremendous amount of help it gave my nephew when I set him up with his.  Of course we are in different areas, but our district even has social skills groups. 

I have already spoken to her teacher, and it prompted her to start a whole teaching series on taking care of each other and treating each other with love and respect.  These kids are only in first grade, and she said they are already having a problem with bullying :(

[Jaimee]

Wow, a  ton going on around here!

Joanie... I still don't bother with sippies much b/c Avery just spills them on himself (yeah, our sippies are old and leak).  Toddlers will figure it out soon enough- no reason to force the issue.

Becky.... also no reason to force the issue unless Levi is failing to thrive.  Breastmilk is sufficient nutrition up to like 15-16 months.  Really, no worries!  Keep offering him foods 3 times a day or more and continue to experiment with how and what you offer.  I would try a wide variety from salty to sweet, from smooth (like yogurt) to hard (like crackers), hot to frozen, self fed to spoon/fork fed, outside or inside the house, in a chair to on the floor to in a stroller... He will get it.  Like Ash said, babies will eat if they're hungry, you certainly are not starving him!  And you'll know soon enough about his iron levels, but I seriously doubt it will be an issue.  I think that whole breast milk anemia link is exaggerated.  I know it's hard when you've had other experiences with your other kids and when society, friends, and family are making you feel like something is wrong or you're not doing something right... he's your kid and you know him best.  Stick to your gut!

As for cow's milk, we don't do that with our kids.  They've had it and like it, but it's not really a significant source of anything and often is not tolerated well, allergy or no.  My MIL is always pushing it and asking why we don't give it to the kids.  I just explain and if they specifically ask I usually let them have a little, but never full glasses with each meal like a lot of people think you're supposed to do (and how I grew up).  We stick with fermented milk products.  How about smoothies with yogurt instead?  You could make up a batch and keep it on hand for a few days or freeze it into popsicles for older kids.

Amanda... your work situation sucks!  How hard was it for her to include you?  Whatever happened to the meaning of the season?  Is it exclusion or giving and inclusion?  Hmmm...  I'm glad you stood up for yourself and got included!  I hope it clues them in from now on!  And I'm happy to hear how things have improved with your dd and how you're able to move forward with the school.  Sounds like this diagnosis was a really positive thing in the end- moving you all in a good direction!  ((HUGS))

[Becky Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Abraisme 

I've had a couple of friends whose kids didn't' eat until around 14mo.  Really, there is NOTHING you can do to force a baby to eat if they aren't interested.  Keep offering whole, healthy food (do not offer sweet crap just because he might eat it!) and he will eat eventually.  A baby can live on breastmilk for as long as 2 years, so he has plenty of time left.  Again, don't offer starchy or sweet crap just because he'll eat it.  My best friends toddler was a later eater, she stressed out about it and now he will only eat a handful of high-carb foods.  You could try HOMEMADE bone broth/stock in a cup or bottle though.  It's VERY nutritious and a wonderful first food.  It's better than pasturized milk if you ask me.  Coralie loves it, although she will eat just about anything.  Beef broth is a source of iron, although I really don't think his iron is an issue.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/369817-beef-broth-nutrition-facts/

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2011/11/homemade-beef-broth.html

I'll try the broth! I have ham hock broth and beef broth and he seemed to like the taste of the beef stew I made the other night, even though he didn't really EAT it, he gummed it and spit it out. lol

Edited by Becky Wheeler - 12/5/12 at 10:29am

[seraf]

Becky, how small of pieces are you giving him? My boys <3 meat but they don't really swallow pieces if they're bigger than a pea.

Amanda, I'm glad you got your stocking. It is hard working part time and being apart from the social aspect.

[CDsMom1031]

Conner doesn't really eat meat unless it's mixed into other stuff... The only meat he'll eat by itself is hotdogs and chicken fingers. He'll eat chicken alfredo, Hamburger Helper, Chicken and Dumplings, etc.

Amanda, I'd be really upset, too... But that's a touchy subject to bring up. I'm sorry they're doing that to you. It's not fair at all. =(

I got a second job today. Hopefully with these extra few hours I'll be working, my poor DH can quit working so much. I feel so bad for him, working 60+ hours a week while I work 20...

[Becky Wheeler]

Originally Posted by seraf 

Becky, how small of pieces are you giving him? My boys <3 meat but they don't really swallow pieces if they're bigger than a pea.
Amanda, I'm glad you got your stocking. It is hard working part time and being apart from the social aspect.

They're pretty small. Mostly bigger than a pee though, but not by much.

[glassesgirlnj]

I just wanted to pop in since I know there were some people who were concerned about my family and me during Hurricane Sandy!

We lost heat and power for four days, but were otherwise okay.  We did have to take my mother (who has severe RA) to the Red Cross shelter, after she showed signs of hypothermia. The shelter was actually in a local zoo and they placed her in "the warmest room", otherwise known as the reptile house!!  Luckily my mom loves all animals, including snakes and Komodo dragons. ;)  And wouldn't you know, about three hours after we got her all unpacked and settled in at the shelter, our heat came back on, so we brought her home anyway.

Annamaria was a real trooper the whole time.  Cosleeping definitely helped keep her warm at night! 

And I agree with whoever said it would be easiest to breastfeed during a storm like this - warming bottles was a pain, since even our stove is electric.  (Of course, a nursing mom in a natural disaster would need to stay well fed, and hydrated with bottled water, and then there are the effects of stress on one's milk supply... but you know what I mean.)

Anyway, since then, Annamaria has celebrated her first birthday (which I need to write up in the Birthday thread).  She is walking all over the place, but only talking a little ("mamamama", "dadadada", etc.)  She claps, points, and waves, though, and will bring things to us.  I just plan to keep minimizing her exposure to battery-operated toys and to screens, and if she doesn't start talking more in a few months, we will get it checked out then.  Does that make sense? 

She's also taking a music class at church (http://makingmusicprayingtwice.com), which she seems to be enjoying a lot, and she's "socializing" (really parallel playing) with the other kids. We're not exactly a model Catholic family ;) , but it's nice to have an activity within walking distance of our home, which is NOTAFLOF, and which is friendly to dads and all types of caregivers.

As far as feeding - Annamaria eats cut-up bits of most table foods (even palak paneer and Singapore mai fun!)  But she also enjoys the organic "pouches" when we're traveling somewhere. She loves Greek yogurt, but I haven't given her any other dairy products yet.  Might try her on goat's milk, though.

I am looking forward to hearing more about what you're all doing for the winter holiday season!

[Becky Wheeler]

I'm so glad all is well with you!!!

[CDsMom1031]

Thanks for the update on you and your family! I'm glad everything turned out okay.

My little sister is 38w pregnant and just learned that her son also has Hydronephrosis (What Conner has). Her doctor called her on the phone and told her... Then said that the pediatrician should be in touch. I'm flabbergasted at how laid back the doctor was about it. Granted it's quite common, but it CAN be serious. I just feel like her doctor should have told her face-to-face or something. I don't know. I feel bad for my sister. Her insurance doesn't pay for any lab work and that's all that's done for this. Conner's had 4 U/S and an x-ray... She'll have to pay all of that out of pocket.

[seraf]

GGNJ, I'm glad y'all are well. I think it's awesome that the zoo was an emergency shelter.

Nicole, I'm sorry your sister got bad news in such a casual manner. I hope you are able to help her out with the knowledge end of it.

Not a lot going on with us. Soren started pulling himself to standing yesterday. Shay climbs on everything. Here he is sitting on the spider cage to look at the rabbit.

[dashley111]

How stressful for your sister, Nicole. Does she qualify for any state aid or assistance? Sometimes they have special stipulations for kids or kids with medical conditions, so that even if she would not normally qualify her baby could still get benefits.

[dashley111]

Getting a Christmas tree will ruin my "yes" environment. I'm not excited :/

[seraf]

Ash, the tree at our house is outside of our living area and all the ornaments within his reach are un breakable. Maybe it will be better than you think? Shay has taken one ornament off so far and the train was really old, all he did to break it was pick it up.

[glassesgirlnj]

Thanks, Becky, Nicole and Sara! 

Nicole, that's so messed up that your sister will have to pay for all of those tests out-of-pocket.  Can she call the lab and set up a monthly payment plan?  I've done that several times, successfully, with larger medical bills...

Congrats to Soren on standing!  ...And how do the rabbit and the spider get on with each other?? 

ION, Annamaria is now taking small amounts of nut butter and seems to be doing okay with it so far.  Her dad is allergic to Brazil nuts, cashews and walnuts, but other types of nuts and seeds are just fine.  We'll keep an eye on her over the next few days, though.

[CDsMom1031]

Originally Posted by dashley111 

How stressful for your sister, Nicole. Does she qualify for any state aid or assistance? Sometimes they have special stipulations for kids or kids with medical conditions, so that even if she would not normally qualify her baby could still get benefits.

She probably would, but we grew up in a household that... How do I word this... Basically, my parents raised us saying that if we can't do it on our own, we shouldn't be doing it. My Mom was 19 when she had my sister and worked her way through college with no help, yada, yada, yada. So even if she WANTED to, she wouldn't. The back lashing she'd get from my parents wouldn't be worth it. Luckily though, she works at the hospital, so the hospital gives her everything at a discount, and she can set up a cheap payment plan so it comes right out of her check bi-weekly.

Originally Posted by dashley111 

Getting a Christmas tree will ruin my "yes" environment. I'm not excited :/

Haha. Not necessarily. You should see my tree. The decorations don't start until right above Conner's reach, LOL. It looks retarded, but it's better than dealing with him breaking things. Our ornaments are also plastic, so if he does get ahold of one, at least we don't have to deal with glass.