Beautiful, beautiful babies! 9/18 to 9/25 - Page 9

[MamaAcorn]

Linda, that picture is absolutely precious! I also haven't figured out a night time solution yet, which reminds me that I need to strip the sheets off the bed AGAIN and do more laundry! Let me know if you find a system that works! I've done Kissaluvs with a wool cover, PUL, and fleece, all with wetness leaking out the side. I've also done Fuzzi Bunz with some success, but I only have three of those, so maybe I just need to order a couple more of those.

My parents are coming later on today, and I'm dreading their visit! When I talked to my mom on Thursday, she had absolutely no intentions of doing anything to help us out around the house. When I mentioned that I'd put her to work by doing dishes or something, her response was, "Don't you have a dishwasher!?" Sigh! Oh, and she's already started criticizing us about Jackson not sleeping in his crib. Give me strength to get through this visit!

Jackson is doing great! Nursing is going well. Sleeping is going well with him sleeping in 4 hour spurts at night, which I'm sure will not last long. He's a wonderful baby! Alex is also starting to adjust to life as a big brother. He'll even kiss the baby and sit next to me while I hold little Jackson!

Well, Jackson is letting me know that my computer time is up, so have a good weekend everyone!

[mum2tori]

41 Weeks and 5 days

Still pregnant. Not much happening. The occasional twinge pain. Mostly when I try to relax and lay back on the couch with my feet up. Then it feels like my lower ab muscles are going to shread apart so I sit back up. Sitting on the birthing ball makes my feet swell. It's a no win!!

MIL wants to take both kids for the weekend again. So they are leaving this afternoon until Monday morning. We were talking about it last night. It's that catch-22, they love to go and we love having the house quiet... but we miss them so much too. They are so great to have around and we aren't going to see them much while I'm in the hospital... someday. We decided to let them go, especially since it looks like we are moving to Austin very soon (within the next month) so it will be a little harder for MIL to see the kids. One of the downsides to the move.

Linda-

my daughter is insistent that we name her “George”.

:LOL :LOL "I will love him and pet him. Hug him and squeeze him and I will call him George..." :LOL Love that Bugs Bunny cartoon with the Abominable Snowman.

Awesome birth story.

Chrissy-
Ugh, I hate that "start... stop" rountine. It gets so annoying. Is this it??? No not yet... Soon though soon. At least that's what I keep telling myself. :LOL :LOL

oh, i think i've found a way to cope with this looooooooooong early labor- diaper buying. i have enough newborn and small diapers so i've started buying mediums. i told brian i was going to buy one every day until the baby comes. he freaked.

:LOL :LOL That could be VERY dangerous!

Meredith-
Labors been known the just START without any prep-contrax. Most commonly first births. Yum pumpkin cheesecake!! Sounds like it's time to start making pumpkin cookies...

Leigh-
I know its tough but have you tried pumping at the same time you are bottlefeeding/nursing Anna? Pumping and then nursing is actually better. Anna can trigger the milk re-letdown better than the pump so you can get more initial milk from pumping (your initial fullness) and she'll still get enough from the breast. It would also trigger her to get more Hindmilk which is what she needs most right now. It isn't surprising that you are only getting an oz after nursing her 25+ minutes. I rarely was able to pump much after nursing. Also if you tandem (pump & nurse) at the same time it will do a couple of things,
1. saves time
2. Anna's suckle will trigger a better letdown and more milk
3. makes your body think you need to produce more milk because there is a greater demand.
Try to relax (I know I know its so hard). Try to rest and drink lots and lots of fluid.
You are become sleep deprived. What you are feeling is very normal. Try to get a couple of hours of straight sleep. Have your DH give her a bottle and you rest for a couple of hours. If you keep at the pace you are going, you will be start to get sick, it could effect your milk supply and you won't be of ANY use to anyone. You have to get some rest.

Jen-
Eat OATMEAL. Drink lots of fluids. Rest!!

Pam-
A for you and a for your mom. Hope the visit is short!!

Anna-
Let them cup feed her a little bit. You need to take a little bit of a break. About the gentian violet. :LOL I had a friend that fought Thrush for a long time with her DS, she nicknamed him her 'Purple People Eater'. He had the pertetual purple mouth.

I so remember those days when I was like "You are going to work?!?!? Can't you stay for a little while??" I think it was hardest with Tori because he had such a long commune too. He'd be gone for at least 12+ hours each day and that's with GOOD traffic.

Use that SITZ bath!! It makes the booty feel better.

Suggestion for laying Mielle down. Jerome needs to put one of his tshirt that he's worn for a little while down where you lay her. She doesn't smell him anymore when he lays her down. Another suggestion, a hot water bottle or a couple of long rice filled sachets wrapped in a receiving blanket to create a snuggle spot. Warm them up and lay her within them. She's going from a nice smelling (Daddy) warm snuggle to a strange smelling (no Daddy) cooler spot. Wakes them up almost everytime. Right now her sense of smell and temperature are highly tuned.

Tracking food... pretty much start writing down the foods that you've been eating and watch for a reaction. You don't want to have to do the full elimination diet. That's a nightmare and a half. Watch Mielle's reactions after you've eaten something. You should see a bit of a pattern. Everone is different but here's a couple common ones to watch for:
Dairy (milk, Ice Cream, yogurt and cheese) and sometimes Soy too.
Wheat and Corn
Eggs
Peanuts
Leafy green veggies (spinach, broccoli, brussle sprouts and such)
Acidic foods (orange juice, apple juice, lemons and such)


Those with babies that roll already... that is awesome. Shows those strong muscles. A friends baby rolled over on the scale at the hospital. Freaked the nurses out. :LOL They really weren't excepting that. :LOL Both Tori and Jack rolled over "early", they also preferred to sleep on their tummies. It was a "war" to keep them at least propped on their sides with blanket rolls for the first couple of months. (on their backs wasn't an option if we wanted more than 20 minutes sleep from either of them) And both had really strong neck muscles from birth... held those heads up from day 1. Some babies are like that.

[mum2tori]

Okay all still pregnant mamas'... post here. It's time for Mickey Mouse rollcall...

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=198537

[JenInMpls]

Samantha - I love oatmeal, but what's it going to do for my milk supply? But you'd better believe I will try it! I think George is a great name, remember Nancy Drew had a sidekick named George! Tristan is also a strong little guy who does NOT like sleeping on his back unless he's in your arms. He will sleep on his side (can roll over onto his side from his back) but honestly his favorite way to sleep is on his tummy on top of one of us. I feel very unbothered about him sleeping this way because we are constantly breathing and moving and I know our heartbeats soothe him. He does not roll around or off, he just drops right off to sleep. Also the cats are much less apt to disturb him if he is there; they can come up and get a pet or even lie down next to us.

A friend from school and former La Leche League Leader came by this afternoon and helped rebuild my confidence about nursing. She brought her LLL leader handbook that looks to be totally full of tricks of the trade. She told me to knock it the heck off with the regimented feeding and pumping if it feels wrong to me and nurse T when he wants to nurse even if it is all the time. While it still seems odd - funny - wrong - to me that I am a week postpartum today and I don't have the big milk let-down or any kind of leaking, and we would REALLY like to see T have more wet and messy diapers, she was very reassuring to me that I am doing what's best for him and that he is obviously thriving. Yesterday we managed to get through the day without any blue poodle streaks (Anna, I've adopted this phrase, I hope you don't mind, I love it) and only .25 oz of formula when I was at my wit's (and tit's?) end at 4 AM. Jo gave it to him off of her pinky. I have banished the bottle. It compromises his sucking.

T is happy to announce that he now has a belly button instead of an umbilical stump.

We tried out the Maya wrap this morning and he just LOVED it. I took a short walk up and down the street. What a glorious day today, pure blue skies and 70 degrees!

The food train has begun and there is Middle Eastern food waiting for us downstairs, so I guess it's time to eat!

xo j

[mum2tori]

And interesting side effect of oatmeal... boosts milk supply. Don't know why but it does. I agree, don't get catch up in rigorious schedule feedings. Let him latch as much as he wants. I got really comfortable sitting in my computer chair with the Boppy and let Tori latch for as long as she wanted... sometimes it seems like hours and sometimes it was hours. Got really good at NAKing and reading on the computer. That's when I discovered the alternate universe of AP and cloth diapering. :LOL I think letting her comfort nurse and nurse as much as she wanted really helped my supply. It was like gangbusters with her.

Both Tori and Jack were tummy sleepers on David. Their personal sofabed. :LOL Still are. :LOL

[CdnAloha]

nak!

quick note to say Angus joined the family yesterday at 5:26a.m. It was an intense 41/2 hour labour, but it was great to be at home. Nursing has been great from the start.

I love being a mom, and I love my boy!

Hugs to all.
Julia

[Mom2baldie]

Meredith,

Labor can start either way! Ive only had 1 vaginal birth/labor (with Paityn) and what happened was that one night I woke up with contractions that werent very strong or consistent. I stayed awake for a few hours to see what would happen then got bored and went back to bed. I slept for several more hours without any contractions at all, woke up, went to the bathroom, had bloody show, lost mucous plug, went on about my day and in the late afternoon I finally started having contrax again. By evening I was "in labor", active labor lasted all night and Paityn was born at 8:17 in the morning.

Before that 1st night of contrax I hadnt had ANY at all! No nausea, no diareah, nothing. It was a total surprise. I LOVED the way my labor started and keep hoping it will be that way again. Looks like it will because Im not having much going on!

With Riley I had a scheduled csection for persistent frank breech presentation at 39 weeks and I hadnt had any contractions with him either.

Linda,

I really like that picture of Willow and the baby. Very sweet. They kindof look alike in it.

Riley told me the other day that if I have a boy he wants to name him Bob or Bubba and if its a girl the name should be Verina. Dont know where he came up with those, but I hope hes not too disappointed if we come up with something different!

Samantha,

I hope you are enjoying a weekend of peace and quiet. Honestly I would kill for a little alone time.

[Mom2baldie]

Wow! Congratulations Julia! Welcome Angus!

[sistermama]

Don't really have enough time to post, trying to finish up last minute hurricane prep AGAIN!!!! Is this not the most ridiculous thing? I'm sure we'll lose power again, so it might be a while before I can get back on. Just wanted to say that I really do love you mamas. I'm feeling so stressed and it is nice to get a break and catch up on your lives and your sweet babies.

Lucy is doing really well. She is so darling and lovey! I think she is about to really chunk up too, she has been nursing like crazy. I love a chunky breastfed baby!

Send me electricity stay on vibes!!!!!

[HeatherB]

a little vent...

So many posts I've been wanting to reply to, but I just need to vent for a second... Not many places to do that, so hope you don't mind!

Last spring, two of my friends and I were all pg with our second babies. So one day, several of us sat down and planned when we'd have showers for everyone. The other friends were due in the summer, and I hosted one of their showers. I told them I wanted to have a shower after the baby was born, in part because we didn't find out the gender, and in part because it's our second and I thought that would be nice. So, one friend said she'd host it and we put it down for early October, but obviously we'd have to set a date after the baby's born. (We did the exact same thing almost two years ago when her second was born, and I hosted the shower.)

Anyhow - so the months go by and I really don't hear anything about a shower for us, though I'm not too surprised. For one, no one will really think about it until the last minute, which is after the baby's here. Secondly, the friend who was going to host occasionally gets less-than-communicative, and we were going through some of that. I had to blame myself for a lack of communication, too, as towards the end of my pregnancy I got very internally focused and forgot to call or visit with people.

I started thinking that perhaps we'd just have a "shower" here - some sort of "Welcome Baby" party is all I want. We had friends get married out of town (on the same day Iain was born!) who sent an invite for an "open house," and I decided I liked that kind of an idea - something casual, easy, and at our home sounded nice. Sure enough, the friend who was supposed to host emailed me and said she wouldn't be able to due to family situations (she's also pg now and her DH is working out of town a lot right now).

So, I've told people maybe we'd just do something here - but now I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the idea. I desperately want to do SOMETHING to commemorate my baby's birth. Sure, gifts are nice, too - I can't deny that! - but the point is to acknowledge and celebrate that this is a special baby and such a wonderful thing that he's here now. KWIM? But how totally out of whack would it be to ask people to come to our house for a party of that sort? I'm having the feeling that the "open house" term is really common in the got-married-out-of-town scenario, and might not be appropriate for this. But is it okay to just say, "Come over for a party to celebrate Iain"?

If anything actually happens, I want it to be before he's all that old. Today is 3 weeks. You can't invite people to something with much less than 2 weeks notice. So he'd have to be 5-6 weeks old minimum. Except the friend who was going to host will be out of town in 5 weeks, and at 6 weeks two other little girls will be having birthdays. I don't want to wait until he's 2 months old. I thought part of the point for guests would be getting to see Iain, but by 2 months old most people will have seen him already. Right?

Anyhow, I'm finding myself looking at the calendar and feeling sick because I don't feel like anything's going to happen. There's some itty bitty chance that someone would actually be planning something, but I find that to be extremely slim. But on the other hand, I don't want to totally go against what people would consider "proper" by doing something myself. I know several families in our church who haven't done anything for second babies, who probably don't feel it's right. I, on the other hand, feel EVERY baby should be celebrated because they're a gift in and of themselves. So all I'm asking for is a celebration of some sort - not a "shower." I don't need silly games and favors and all that fluff. Just people who care about us and Iain coming to see him and thank God that he's here.

Of course, now that I've mentioned to some people that maybe we'll just do something here, I'm afraid everyone's just waiting on me to do something and won't do anything themselves. But will I be breaking every rule of etiquette (and does it matter?) if I do that? But how uncouth is it to say to someone, "I'd really like it if you hosted a shower/party for me!"

Okay, so I just want to go and bawl now... Probably time for bed anyhow (yeah, don't look at the time stamp!). Thanks for letting me vent... Maybe if I vent to DH we can come up with something that will work. I'm just so upset at the idea of *nothing* happening.

[greenbeing]

Heather, I think a "Welcome Baby" party is a great idea! The birth of your little one should be celebrated. We thought of doing that, but all of our relatives/good friends are out of town. Are you not wanting to give the party or you just think it would be easier if someone helped you???? I think you should go for it!

Sarah, another hurricane??? I feel for you mama. I hope it bypasses you so you can come chat with us some more. You'll be in my thoughts.

Congratulations Julia on your little boy!!!!!

[chrissy]

Julia! Congratulations on Angus' birth. I can't wait to read your birth story and see pictures.

Linda, Loved the pic of Willow and your new babe. So sweet!!

Heather, I'm sorry for the way your friends are acting and the way it is making you feel. I can truly see what you are saying and feeling. I think it would be totally appropriate to have a little gathering to celebrate Iain! I say call it an "open house" a "birthday party" or whatever you like. If it makes you feel better you could add "no gifts please" or something like that.

I'm sorry this is so rushed. I wanted to jump in with a few thoughts but I need to go- massage in 20 minutes.
More later,
Chrissy

[cottonwood]

"But is it okay to just say, "Come over for a party to celebrate Iain"?"

Absolutely! A woman I know who had her baby a month ago has been planning all along to do just that. I think it's becoming more common, and I personally think it's just as nice (and appropriate) as having a shower before-hand. I wouldn't care one whit what other people think -- some people are so bound by social convention that they can't see past that to actually *live*, you know? And that's *their* problem that you should feel no need to be responsible for working around. It would be a different matter if what you were planning was inherently offensive or harmful, but celebrating a baby's birth is certainly neither!

[indiana ima]

nak. 18 days old.

Originally Posted by HeatherB

... I desperately want to do SOMETHING to commemorate my baby's birth. ... will I be breaking every rule of etiquette (and does it matter?) if I do that? ... I don't want to wait until he's 2 months old.

oh you poor thing! i'm not really a total etiquette guru, but i am %100 certain and completely positive that throwing a "welcome baby" party for your own (already born) child is completely wonderful and good thing to do -- etiquette-wise and every other way, too!

what is kind of funny is that etiquette actually frowns on baby showers for second and subsequent children, because showers are for the mother, to welcome her to motherhood and help her with the transition. (no pun intended ). but a welcome baby party - unlike a shower, is not an automatic request for gifts (attending a shower requires bringing a gift). a welcome baby party is exactly what you said you want to have -- a celebration for a particular new, wonderful child. so you can feel comfortable throwing one for your new son!

can't really help you with timing issue, except to say we'll be having our baby's "birthday party" when she's at least 4 or 5 weeks old.

[Boobalicious]

Congratulations Julia!

Linda, I love it that your boys want to name the baby Coco!

Jen, great news about the breastfeeding. I am not much of a leaker or squirter either, but Oz is just fine.

Sarah, I can't believe you've got to deal with another hurricane. Sending you electricity vibes.

MIL leaves today, then I'm on my own. She's been lovely in spite of the constant not-so-subtle comments: I feed Oz too much; I'll never get him out of our bed; I shouldn't hold him so much; shouldn't bathe with him, etc. Luckily the hospital "manual" backs me up on all of it,so I just handed it to her to read.

nak, oz gets a little panicky when he loses the nipple. Eats just like his father--like he's starving.

steph

[JenInMpls]

nak and mom arriving any second -

heather we actually were in the exact same position, my friend who had offered to host a shower somehow forgot and we decided to throw ourselves the "anti-baby shower" - a bbq with friends and family, presents optional (but everyone brought something!!).

off to change a diaper (wish it were wet or messy but it just has a little bellybutton ooze on it -anyone have experience with this? I don't like how it smells)

j

ps congrats julia!

[JenInMpls]

new thread

here's the link

greetings!

j+j+t