Llyra - I had Eli sitting on my lap onthe recliner last week, and DD climbed up to sit with us. I was tickling her and playing with her - when Eli rolled right over the arm of the chair. He landed on the Boppy, and it was a very soft landing, but I felt awful. He was fine... i felt like a bad mommy though. ANd about grumpy James, I really wouldn't worry. My nephew and DD are 3 days apart, and she was little miss sunshine and early on every milestone. He was much less expressive, smiled much later, made little eye contact those early months, etc. SIL was worried he had some developmental problem or that something was wrong, but it was just his personality and developmental curve. They are 2 1/2 now, and he's clearly perfectly normal. DD has always been quicker on the milestones, and is much more verbal and a clearer speaker, but my nephew is normal, happy, and his own unique self. And unlike my DD, he's got an intensity about the things he loves (totally devoted to trains) and is fantastic at playing by himself. It's super hard to not compare them when you have 2 same-aged kids side-by-side. Just remember they are individuals with different personalities, and will develop at different rates.
Karen - With RObin, I would look at the variious developmental milestones for her age in The Baby Book, and would randomly incorporate those activities into our day (like, when she was supposed to be able to start mimicing facial expressions, I'd look at her and stick my tounge out, and when she was supposed to start grasping, I'd offer her small things to hold). I suspect I'll have less time on my hands for poor Eli. But I agree that generally, the best thing to do is to include your DC into your day as much as possible, and narrate to them as much as possible. I talked to Robin nonstop when we were interacting (liek during bathtime, I'd tell her what I was doing and what parts I was washing, etc.). Just narrating what you are doing and why over time can help them understand their worlds and eventually develop their own verbal skills. And it never hurts to read to a child or just show them pictures.
SeeingStars - How is your recovery going? So sorry to hear your surgery didn't go as smoothly as planned. you really did an amazing job pumping so much milk so early! I know it's disappointing to have to supplement
. But truly, you pumped a lot - I had to pump for my DD at 1 week pp, and I got such scant amounts. You couldn't have predicted the complications, and even if you had, would you have been able to pump and save enough emb? Be proud of what you were able to do! Hope you are feeling better.
LotusDebi - sorry your DS is having trouble adapting. Don't beat yourself up about not homeschooling - it sounds like it's not a workable situation at the moment. I personally don't think homeschooling is the best option for every child. That's a whole other conversation, though. But your son sounds like he might blossom in a school setting, and that you'd be totally overwhelmed homeschooling him at the time being. Good luck, and hope his adjustment improves.
ANybody else on reflux watch? My DD had it pretty bad, and I'm worried for Eli. He clears his throat/grunts a lot - it's his primary noise. I'm trying to be watchful as to whether it indicates discomfort, or if it's just his noise. He's started spitting up this past week - mostly it seems normal, but he's had 2 high-volume, almost puke-like spit ups this weekend. DD spit up so much, and so forcefully, and cried and screamed from the pain of just nursing. I just can't remember how old she was when in first manifested - i think it was when she was 3-4 weeks. I'm crossing my fingers he dodges the bullet.
Karen - With RObin, I would look at the variious developmental milestones for her age in The Baby Book, and would randomly incorporate those activities into our day (like, when she was supposed to be able to start mimicing facial expressions, I'd look at her and stick my tounge out, and when she was supposed to start grasping, I'd offer her small things to hold). I suspect I'll have less time on my hands for poor Eli. But I agree that generally, the best thing to do is to include your DC into your day as much as possible, and narrate to them as much as possible. I talked to Robin nonstop when we were interacting (liek during bathtime, I'd tell her what I was doing and what parts I was washing, etc.). Just narrating what you are doing and why over time can help them understand their worlds and eventually develop their own verbal skills. And it never hurts to read to a child or just show them pictures.
SeeingStars - How is your recovery going? So sorry to hear your surgery didn't go as smoothly as planned. you really did an amazing job pumping so much milk so early! I know it's disappointing to have to supplement
. But truly, you pumped a lot - I had to pump for my DD at 1 week pp, and I got such scant amounts. You couldn't have predicted the complications, and even if you had, would you have been able to pump and save enough emb? Be proud of what you were able to do! Hope you are feeling better.LotusDebi - sorry your DS is having trouble adapting. Don't beat yourself up about not homeschooling - it sounds like it's not a workable situation at the moment. I personally don't think homeschooling is the best option for every child. That's a whole other conversation, though. But your son sounds like he might blossom in a school setting, and that you'd be totally overwhelmed homeschooling him at the time being. Good luck, and hope his adjustment improves.
ANybody else on reflux watch? My DD had it pretty bad, and I'm worried for Eli. He clears his throat/grunts a lot - it's his primary noise. I'm trying to be watchful as to whether it indicates discomfort, or if it's just his noise. He's started spitting up this past week - mostly it seems normal, but he's had 2 high-volume, almost puke-like spit ups this weekend. DD spit up so much, and so forcefully, and cried and screamed from the pain of just nursing. I just can't remember how old she was when in first manifested - i think it was when she was 3-4 weeks. I'm crossing my fingers he dodges the bullet.
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: Glad to see everyone here! It's going to be weird when they close our DDC, I'm so used to checking in here.
Off to see why ds1 is so quiet...
I am looking forward to a little less pee and poop. TYhe poop seems to be constantly coming out of her poor little butt.
i stayed up with him so he could sleep on me upright, but of course now i'm absolutely exhausted.
) -- anything else i should be doing?
I can't believe she's growing up so fast. She's about 8 1/2 or 9 pounds by now. She was only 6 lbs 1 oz at birth, so she's growing slowly but surely. (I can not believe paisley birthed a 12 pounder!!!) My DD is so smiley and she's cooing to us all the time! She's so mellow and wonderful, we're having so much fun with her. I pumped this morning and left her with her daddy while I went grocery shopping with the 4 yr olds (an adventure in itself!), and she took the bottle just fine. My DS never took the bottle and would scream insanely without access to the breast, so this is a nice change. DH is enjoying it for sure!!! 
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