week of October 25 - almost all done! - Page 6

[mirthfulmum]

nak

Raise your hand those of you who have compromised your original parenting plan to adjust to the realities of parenting .

With Alias I wasn't going to use a swing. MIL bought him one wfen he was 4 months old. Ended using it almost every meal time. We'd pull the swing up to the table, Alias would swing happily and Dh and I could actually eat a meal together. I could go on and on with my "compromises".

[Piglet68]

nak all night....up every 2 hours last night

katie, you sound happy. we were all so worried. we were all obsessing about you! you are amazing and a true inspiration!! i'm so glad bf-ing is going well...

thia - congrats on your dd! i added you to the list finally - sorry! i thought you were on it already.

meli - i feel the same way alot. i have a bassinet and bought a bouncy seat the other day - something i swore i'd never use. its different with 2, thats all i can keep telling myself. now wondering if i should think about introducing a bottle: never used one with dd, only own 1 - it came with my pump. sigh! still in mental block over the idea, but know i should consider it.

yay red sox!! (dd was born in boston - its a special place for us)

[mtnjenny]

Full moon didn't work for me either! I even went outside at 3:00 am and had a little talk with it...the moon, that is.

Meli, I agree with everyone here who has stated the most important thing about parenting is meeting the needs of your child, and YOU. You are doing fantastic, by figuring out what works for you and your Willow.

Teacher talk ahead...it does relate, I promise...feel free to pass. This AP discussion makes me think of my job as a Montessori teacher. So many people (schools and teachers and parents) misinterpret what "Montessori" means, and they get hung up in the details, the materials, the lessons, the training. Some people see it as too strict, while others see it as too loose. When you go back and read Maria Montessori's vision, it's to "follow the child." Meaning, it's my job to meet every child's need in my classroom. Perhaps skipping materials b/c they don't click, providing more structure to those who need it, allowing more freedom to those who can handle it, basically tweaking things as I see fit for each child to be successful, using the amazing tools that she has taught us - that's truly Montessori education. I see it relating to parenting. I think, to use AP as the basis of our parenting, but still be willing to tweak things to meet our needs is key. Many times, in my job and in my opinion, I've seen "A" of AP taken way overboard, so I personally plan on being very careful about that. OK, philosophizing over for now... sorry!

Congratulations Katie and Thia! You ladies really had things buzzing around here! Welcome babies!

The next round of babies needs to get movin'! Come on babies!!

[True Blue]

I agree with all the previous AP stuff. YOu have to do what works. Plus, if you are tried and frustrated, how are you going to act towards your child? (something I was considering last night as DS kept me up a ton again....time to work on going to sleep on his own again, though I know the timing is awful with baby due any second) Personally I see nothing wrong with the bouncy seat, swing, exersaucer...as long as your child doesn't spend ALL his/her time there! I have friends whose poor second babies just kind of hang out all alone all the time bc they are with the older child...it's not fair. Some of them think holding them too much is spoiling them. I wore DS all the time when he was little, to comfort him, to help him sleep. But, I also let him hang out in his bouncy seat, swing, and exersaucer when he enjoyed them. I think fostering a little independence is good too! And it gave me some time to feel like me.

Soogie, yes we can commiserate! What are our babies waiting for, a written invitation? :LOL

I'm off to Sam's to stock up!!! I know, it's not exactly fresh homecooked...but I don't have the energy to cook a bunch of meals up to freeze!! And it's better than starving!

[flitters]

2 days till due.

First, congratulations on the new babies!!! They are happening so fast I may have missed somebody (sorry!).

Yay Katie and Thia!!! Welcome Levi and Emily!!!

I'm relieved to hear that you sound like you're doing well Katie, and amazed at your strength.

Thia, I hope your tear heals well and quickly.


Well, I'm another one who was really hoping the full moon (and eclipse) would do the trick of starting labor. In fact, I think I had fewer contractions yesterday than the previous two days... having a good one now though. I'm reaching the point where I'm slightly insane thinking I'll be pregnant forever (despite all evidence to the contrary) and I'm not even at my due date yet. Learning a new kind of patience here. The baby is really active right now too... Hopefully pushing itself even lower.

The eclipse was absolutely beautiful though. Did anybody else get to see it?

labor vibes for all of us still waiting!



i'm off to check the yahoo pictures!

[Thia]

As for giving in to things that I said I wouldn't do.... Count me in that group. I previously decided to do the pacifier instead of letting her suck her thumb, but wanted to wait a few weeks to introduce it...well, the night after she was born was a long tough night, especially with my sore nips, so I gave in. Two minutes after plugging her in, we were both sound asleep. She doesn't even like it very much and we barely use it, but sometimes, it is just what she wants.
Congrats to Katie. You are a very brave woman!!! Welcome Levi!
Last night we went out to visit dh's grandmother with the baby. While dh's mom stayed in the car with Em, we went into wal mart real quick. All that was enough to remind me that I am still recovering! My stitches were sore for the first time in a couple of days.
Guess what? We slept for almost 5 hours straight last night! She was up, wide awake all evening, guess she was tuckered out. I sure appreciated that.
Well, labor dust to all the laboring mammas. Wasn't the moon beautiful last night?

[ameliabedelia]

We have compromised lots of AP things too. The important things is to listen to your baby and respond to them,

Well this whole having 2 kids things is easier than I thought it would be. Heidi has been amazingly good with Greta, no jealousy at all, she is very sensitive and gentle and gets upset when Greta cries. She has no problem with Greta nursing, and has just been great. Yesterday and today I was/am on my own all day since DH is back at work and mom went home. Things have been going well. We have gone out both days, yesterday we went to a moms club meeting and today we went to the library. I have been managing to do a little bit of housework, cleaned the bathrooms and vacuuming. I find I feel so much better now than I did pregnant and have much more energy. I didn't realize how tired I was at the end, but I feel better now and am sleeping so much better, even with a newborn waking up to nurse a lot.

Just posted some pics on the yahoo group.

Sending labor soon vibes to those who need it.

[Lucysmama]

I am now the proud owner of the biggest set of nursers in Ohio! Levi spent the entire night nursing last night - no exaggeration, we nursed almost non-stop from midnight to 5am. I woke up with two huge moutains on my chest! Yowza! Maybe my lil guy knew he needed real milk - he has lost almost a pound. I'm sure he'll be gaining now that my milk is in, though.

Amy - sending you lots of labor vibes. We have so many still-pregnant mamas! We REALLY took that job of cookin our babies seriously!

[momadance]

Well, I started an October mama's thread in life with a babe. I didn't really know if anyone else was interested in it or not! But there it is!

Piglets threads are much nicer though

[JoAida]

LETIA HAD HER BABY!!!

I did some detective work and found Letia at a hospital in her area. Little Mikayla Danielle was born at 9:16pm on 10/27/04. She's 8lbs 7oz and 20.5" long.

I'll save details for Letia to post, but I wanted to let everyone here know. Mama sounds great over the phone, and despite some disappointment about not getting her homebirth, she sounds like she's in total baby bliss!

[AnnR33]

Oh yay for Letia! And it's a girl! What a wonderful surprise Congratulations!

No moon labor vibes here either I'm starting to think this babe is getting awfully comfortable in there-thinking we'll be at least another few days.

Take care
Ann

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Yeah Letia! Thanks for the info JoAida!!

So in a dilemma. DH and I are stuck on which name to use for the middle name for a boy. We've decided the girl is Tara Grace but they boy we are still stuck between Kyan Andrew, Kyan Lucas, and Kyan Robert. Maybe that is why this lil one isn't coming out yet. Sounds silly but which one do you all like?

I think I'm going to try and get things going this weekend. I'll be at 41 weeks on Sunday. I just feel ready to try and it would work out great for my support for Liam if I went into labor this weekend. My sister's husband will be home to help her out. That way she won't have 2 toddlers all to herself.
Nobody but Letia had their baby yesterday. Oh well I'm sure we will be there soon!

Off to scour the TP for more diaper covers.

Happy Laboring and Happy Babymooning.

Carrie

[kraftykathy]

Woo-hoo!!!! Congratulations Katie and welcome Levi. Love his name! Your kids look so sweet!!!


Hey I just knew Letia was off having her baby!!! Congratulations, Letia and welcome Mikayla!!!!!!
Thanks for the update JoAida.


Things are going great here. I'll definately be over posting at Life with a Babe. Thanks for starting it momadance!

K

[kraftykathy]

Momma2Liam - Of the three I like Lucas the best.

[weetzie]

Yay for Letia!!! I was just on here lurking, looking for her.

[bluehalo]

Letia!! How wonderful Welcome little Mickayla ... can't wait to hear the details!

[True Blue]

COngrats Letia! Can't wait to hear your story. And you stole my baby's birthday!! I was really hoping this baby would come on the 27th, there are 4 of us with birthdays on the 27th of the month, the "27 club" as I call it (I'm part of it ). I thought it would have been cool to add another member....

It's so quiet around here. I don't think I like being at the end of the baby train!

[Ekatherina]

41 weeks...:sign

good morning everyone......

Yay Letia.!!!!!! can't wait to hear more news from you....!!!!
Momma2Liam, I am with Kathy liked Lucas most.. we are also stuck with girl's middle name (if she is a girl.. maybe they are waiting for us to make up our minds...
mtnjenny..s due date sister.. so funny talking to the moon...i wonder what else can we try to bring those stubborn babies out....
Meli, I totally agree with everyone about AP...i don't have experience myself and it may be silly but i just remembered what they tell us on the airplane : "put the oxygen mask on you first so you will be able to help your baby"... maybe T
Here everything is the same...i slept so well last night and actually thought it means still long time till labor...but thanx Soogie for mentioning that it actually means the opposite.....much happier now...:LOL
No news from Nancy....
I just wanted to say that please don't disappear on the life with the baby october thread, new mamas...we will miss you terribly.!!!! : do keep on checking on us!!!

[Ekatherina]

truebluexf!!!! we x-posted.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! a little late though....
: :
you meant it was 27th of october right?? ...

[Jillerina]

I've been lurking only the last little while but all the good news from Thia, Katie, and now Letia has brought me out. Congrats Mamas on your wonderful babies!

Katie, I was also worried about you and am so happy to hear your and Levi are doing just fine - what an expereince his birth must have been!

Everything is still pretty topsy turvey at my house. DH is doing his best but I'm constantly feeling frustrated by him (things he's done or more likely things he hasen't done), Clara is acting more 2 every day (ahhh!) and I'm feeling overwhelmed by the idea of caring for 2 kids the way I want to.

Which brings me to the discussion of the use of "baby gear". I am using the swing and carseat an awful lot these days but I'm also using the sling more than I ever did with Clara. I think as mamas we have to use whatever we think is best for us and our baby. If we need to rest/get stuff done/etc then we've gotta put baby down right? I don't think there is anything wrong with using the swing to take care of yourself Melli and I'd be concerned about anyone who felt that way...

OK, gotta go mr hungy boy is a calling