May '04 Mamas: Welcome to September! - Page 10

[jstar]

Originally Posted by fiddlefern

We visited with Jstar today and if her house was messy before I came, her standards of messy are different than mine because there's no way I could get mine as clean as hers in the amount of time she had. A good time was had by all. Jess is a birth goddess, because that 3.5 mo of hers is much bigger than my 7 mo, and I cant imagine having had to push that babe out . Ebin is a sweety, and he even took a nap in the midst of preschooler chaos. I got to hold him for a bit . I didn't want to give him back. Isaac is talking up a storm these days! He was a great host.

well i tidied up but it was still pretty dusty and doghairy. but the kiddos don't mind right?

i'm still laughing about isaac saying 'i AM home' (L was saying 'go home' because he wanted to go home)

and i wouldn't wish birthing ebin on anyone except my worst enemies. if i had another babe i really would seriously consider getting induced early. and i'm pretty much against inductions unless someone is pre-e. but i would do it!

Originally Posted by fiddlefern

Sarahbee - I totally want to hang out with you but don't want to fill up your last week of freedom.

: i'm sure your last week is busy busy but we'd love to hang out sometime too when you get in your school groove and need a little playdate diversion

i think lily will be a great inquisitive little homeschooler. i don't know much about freeschooling but my former office manager's 3 kids went to MLC. i think it is a freeschool or at least has some freeschool elements because i know it was very self-guided education for them. are you thinking about the village free school? i suppose at some point i should start touring schools so i can get a feel for them. another friend of ours is considering the village school. i liked MLC's building. and i've been in buckman. but that is about it!

happy bday heather. i like your rule of no grumbling or grumpiness today

i'm at work for a bit today. i'm at my old office but my boss will be moving out soon and then i will be sad but i'm the only one here so it is already kinda sad. it is also good to be doing a little work! and i hope ebin is being a good baby for the sitter today. ok...back to work.

[KKmama]

Happy birthday, Heather! (Hope you get the no whineys/no grumpies... and pass a serving of that around here!)

Juice, re the biting: my friend's dd who bit *always* did it during "busy" times. We'd all be really good at watching her, she wouldn't be biting, then there'd be a commotion to distract us, and of course, that was her time to bite. There was stuff going on there (the family was getting ready for a big move across the country, and there was a lot of stress and upheaval), but I also wondered if beyond the communication issues (she wasn't verbal yet), she was using biting to "ask" for more attention.

Gotta go get T....

[A&L+1]

Happy Heather Day!

I hope your day is full of blessings, smiles, and chocolate cake!

[Jacqueline]

Happy Birthday, heather! Sister Virgo : Hope you get all you've asked for!

Thanks for the comments about Annie, all. So far the curls are staying. I'm sorta glad, cause I grew up hating my curls and have just come to accept them in the last few years. I'm eager to go through A's childhood with curls and "do it right" so to speak. Though, I have no idea what to do with curly hair for a young girl as my mom just cut it short. I'll figure it out, I'm sure.

Fiddle, I'm glad your boys turned out okay. It does feel awful when they fall...a pit of the stomach sort of feeling.

Claudia, great pics! Wow, Stefan is one. It seems to go faster the second time. Glad he had a good bday.

Napping: G does still nap. He went through a phase around 2 1/2 - 3 where I thought he might be giving them up, but he didn't. He can go without a nap if needed, but then we just try to be earlier with bedtime. I'm so grateful he still sleeps...

Lunch Bunch went great. He had a good time and wants to go back, so I signed him up through the end of October (it's the 2nd & 4th Thursdays). I found out I get him in 1/2 price, too, since I'm an employee. Though, I haven't worked for over 8 weeks. I need to talk to my boss about that, but she knew it all depended on if A took a bottle. She will take one, but we've never really tried it where she needed to. So, I'm thinking one short 3-4 hour shift a week might be doable. We'll see.

I've discovered that if I lay A down on a play mat/gym or in her Baby Papasan, she sometimes goes to sleep. Sometimes she'll do this in her bassinette, but she's more likely to do it in the other. I sat with G in my lap during his naps for months, and I told myself I wouldn't do that this time. Thing is, sometimes she'll nap, sometimes she won't when I put her down. I'm just trying to figure out where she'll sleep best and so far I haven't figured it out. I also tried laying with her in our bed, nursing her till she falls asleep and then leaving. This worked like a charm with G; alas, not with her. It takes more than an hour to get her to sleep and then, often, she'll wake up when I do and I can't get her back to sleep. So, I've left that plan behind for now. Just trying to figure out what works for this unique little creature!

Well, she's been fussing on the playmat for a while, so I better get her. That, and G woke up from his nap and had to go see her. Good thing I don't need a nap today!

Oh, we finally got G's new car seat...a Britax Boulevard (thanks all for your suggestions). Plus, we moved it to the middle of the back seat and put Annie's bucket behind the passenger seat (all finally installed via LATCH since dh figured it out in our newer car). G loves being able to see more....I'm not sure I like his feet being right there by me, but it's better than kicking my seat, I guess.

[Mama Faery]

I wanted to wish the wonderful Heather the happiest of happy birthdays!!
:
Hope it was a wonderful, glorious day!!!

I will Morning-Goddess you all tomorrow! I need to get to BED!

[DucetteMama21842]

Happy Birthday Heather! I think I'll be the last to tell you. I was preparing for my first class of a new childbirth series. I get really nervous each new class to teach new students- so forgive me for being gone so long that I missed it was your birthday until this late!

Doing good at the preschool... interesting occurences... tell ya'll later...:

[fiddlefern]

Alas, Danile, I am afraid I am the evening goddess again, though I wish I was already in bed.

Happy Birthday Heather!

Jacq- maybe A will be the type who prefers to sleep on her own . I had the kids' carseats next to each other for a very short time. Technically, it's safer to have one of the car seats in the middle, but not when you're constantly turning around to say, "I told you to stop grabbing your brother's arm- he doesn't like it! That's why he's crying!."

I've been reading "Raising Cain" and the stuff about boys and education and the culture of cruelty seriously makes me want to homeschool, though I probably won't unless L asks to. I don't think I could freeschool or unschool, though. I really feel like L does better when he has some routine and some structure (and so do I). I think Lily is a GREAT candidate for unschooling though, and I can totally see both Sarah and her dh as being great at suggesting and supporting inquiry.

[Mama Faery]

Oh MAN, I would let Elmo, Ernie, Bert, and Big Bird teach my kid if I was home/un/freeschooling. : : :
At least, it feels that way sometimes...*sigh* I've been not-so-motivated lately, tired every morning, and Rowan is cranky and doesn't want anything to do with me until he's had breakfast and at least an hour with PBS. And I figure this is another phase and I threw my hands up and said "Whatever!"
Like my friend L. says "Dude, it's PBS! We were watching soaps with our mothers at this age, and this can't be as bad as that!" The lady has a point, I admit.
And yes, I know the vegan nuns would be mad at me. See Renae, thumbing her nose at the vegan nuns!
:nana: :nana:

Oh NO I didn't! OH YES I DID!

So ANYway! I haven't been thinking of school much. I was talking to DH while we were all on a walk yesterday evening, about how I wish Rowan was going to preschool this year, that we could afford it. And he asked me if the zoo/children's museum, etc had any sorts of programs starting this year, and whether we could maybe do that during the week; that way Rowan (and me!) gets some structure some days, but we also have plenty of free play time at home or outside. The man had a point, I was just feeling the ennui that is still stemming from a very busy summer, so I haven't gotten off my butt to do anything about it yet.
Because I think Rowan needs a bit of both. He needs to know SOMEthing is happening from day to day, but he also needs time to wake up in the morning, play quietly, be left alone with me to read, or cuddle, or just run around outside.
So, I guess, we're effectively homeschooling this preschool year anyway! Not like I have a curriculum or anything...

This morning, though, my friend M. comes with her son L. who is Rowan BEST friend, and I get to give him the AWESOME early birthday gift I found him at a faire in NYC last weekend:
http://www.revobaby.com/images/rev_7w.jpg
I got it in red for him!
Seriously, revobaby.com is my new favorite online baby place!

And DH and I woke up late this morning, so we're having lunch this afternoon because he didn't have time to make anything. Besides that, I have NO plans with my free time today. Haha.

So I hope everyone else is having a great day. I would write more, but Rowan keeps demanding breakfast. Kids, ya know?

Much love to my May Mamas!

[orangecanoe]

renae---that tee is awesome! C totally needs a schedule or to know what we're doing every day. I actually made her one w/ laminated activity cards and set it up at the beginning of the week. It even has a badly drawn chalice for Sunday.

I had the best adjustment today. The baby seems more content and in a better position already. yay! I'm going back again on Monday and however often I need to thereafter to keep things where they're supposed to be!

Also updated over yonder on the pp doula thang.

Thanks for all the bday wishes! :

[jstar]

i just had one of those poo up to the eyebrows experiences. everything including the blanket he was laying on was so poo-ey that you feel like you'll never get him clean because he just keeps kickin and smiling and getting more poo everywhere

he pretty much should have just gone in the tub but i sponged bathed him instead. phew

isaac was soooooo clingy last night. he didn't go to sleep until i went to bed with him. he is so heavily into a MOM DO IT stage right now. he is rejecting all attempts from doug to help with bath and food and whatnot. i know it is a reaction to the baby brother that he is clingy clingy to mom, but if you have any advice i'm all ears. doug is trying a few different approaches and i'm not sure what the best thing to do is. doug really *is* getting his feelings hurt by it too. it has been getting really bad in the last couple of weeks.


ooh mr baby is falling asleep in his chair. i might get a chance to go sew!

jacquie - i know what you mean about trying to figure out a new creature. they're so different. with isaac the swing was indispensible around this age. and ebin really hates it :

[jstar]

me again???

ebin woke up at 5:30 and since i was planning on getting up at 6:30 anyway...here i am at least i get my 'me' time! i just pumped for ebin before i poured my cuppa our babysitter is coming at 9

i should read raising cain. i just read an article on size and the various pressures on kids. and tall kids (esp boys) get a lot of pressure to be tough. i think it cited some statistic about tall boys being more aggressive and hypothesized it is the way they are treated that reinforces that behavior in them. i worry about isaac and aggression because he seems like a naturally feisty child. ebin on the other hand i can already tell will probably be a gentle giant : he just has a sweet disposition.

i subscribe to parents magazine because it is so cheap ($10/yr or so). and it is useful for arming myself with the mainstream info. how can i rebel unless i know what the dominant paradigm is?? just kiddin. i actually find some of their information useful because it is just general 'kid' stuff that i don't know....like what you can expect at certain ages. and the rest i take with a grain of salt. (isaac and i actually 'read' the magazine for his bedtime story last night because he wanted to look at the halloween costumes and decorations...silly)


thinking of the lentil and the peanut and hope the household is adjusting to becoming 'family of four'

[mcsarahb]

Originally Posted by jstar

i should read raising cain. i just read an article on size and the various pressures on kids. and tall kids (esp boys) get a lot of pressure to be tough. i think it cited some statistic about tall boys being more aggressive and hypothesized it is the way they are treated that reinforces that behavior in them. i worry about isaac and aggression because he seems like a naturally feisty child. ebin on the other hand i can already tell will probably be a gentle giant : he just has a sweet disposition.

That is interesting about the size thing. I think both of your boys are going to be gentle and amazing. Isaac is sooo sweet toward his younger brother. And Ebin does have the sweetest disposition! What a cutie.

I'm wondering about emmalola, too...hello?

Fun day today. Morning with Lily, meeting with my clinical preceptor this afternoon, friend with younger babe over to go through Lily's clothes after that, then dinner out with same friend and two others sans chitlins. Wahoo!

Sarah

[KKmama]

Originally Posted by heatherfeather

I had the best adjustment today. The baby seems more content and in a better position already. yay! I'm going back again on Monday and however often I need to thereafter to keep things where they're supposed to be!

Dude, after my pg with L, I *totally* think that if your pelvis etc is not in the right shape/conformation, it affects the baby's position (and vice versa... vicious feedback loop). Glad *that* is better...

Originally Posted by Mama Faery

Oh MAN, I would let Elmo, Ernie, Bert, and Big Bird teach my kid if I was home/un/freeschooling. : : :
At least, it feels that way sometimes...*sigh* I've been not-so-motivated lately, tired every morning, and Rowan is cranky and doesn't want anything to do with me until he's had breakfast and at least an hour with PBS. And I figure this is another phase and I threw my hands up and said "Whatever!"
Like my friend L. says "Dude, it's PBS! We were watching soaps with our mothers at this age, and this can't be as bad as that!" The lady has a point, I admit.
And yes, I know the vegan nuns would be mad at me. See Renae, thumbing her nose at the vegan nuns!
:nana: :nana:

Oh NO I didn't! OH YES I DID!

So ANYway! I haven't been thinking of school much. I was talking to DH while we were all on a walk yesterday evening, about how I wish Rowan was going to preschool this year, that we could afford it. And he asked me if the zoo/children's museum, etc had any sorts of programs starting this year, and whether we could maybe do that during the week; that way Rowan (and me!) gets some structure some days, but we also have plenty of free play time at home or outside. The man had a point, I was just feeling the ennui that is still stemming from a very busy summer, so I haven't gotten off my butt to do anything about it yet.
Because I think Rowan needs a bit of both. He needs to know SOMEthing is happening from day to day, but he also needs time to wake up in the morning, play quietly, be left alone with me to read, or cuddle, or just run around outside.
So, I guess, we're effectively homeschooling this preschool year anyway! Not like I have a curriculum or anything...

All of this really speaks to me or amuses me . I needs me my cup o' Renae first thing to get my head adusted.

Originally Posted by Jacqueline

Thanks for the comments about Annie, all. So far the curls are staying. I'm sorta glad, cause I grew up hating my curls and have just come to accept them in the last few years. I'm eager to go through A's childhood with curls and "do it right" so to speak. Though, I have no idea what to do with curly hair for a young girl as my mom just cut it short. I'll figure it out, I'm sure.

I've discovered that if I lay A down on a play mat/gym or in her Baby Papasan, she sometimes goes to sleep. Sometimes she'll do this in her bassinette, but she's more likely to do it in the other. I sat with G in my lap during his naps for months, and I told myself I wouldn't do that this time. Thing is, sometimes she'll nap, sometimes she won't when I put her down. I'm just trying to figure out where she'll sleep best and so far I haven't figured it out. I also tried laying with her in our bed, nursing her till she falls asleep and then leaving. This worked like a charm with G; alas, not with her. It takes more than an hour to get her to sleep and then, often, she'll wake up when I do and I can't get her back to sleep. So, I've left that plan behind for now. Just trying to figure out what works for this unique little creature!

Re A's hair... My friends with curly hair/curly haired kids do much the same routine *you* do with your own hair (IIRC from talking with you about it). There are a couple of little girls in Z's preschool class with super curly hair, and they're so cute!

And re sleeping... I definitely think there's variation b/w kids, and if A can sleep/nap more independently, go with it!

Originally Posted by jstar

i should read raising cain. i just read an article on size and the various pressures on kids. and tall kids (esp boys) get a lot of pressure to be tough. i think it cited some statistic about tall boys being more aggressive and hypothesized it is the way they are treated that reinforces that behavior in them. i worry about isaac and aggression because he seems like a naturally feisty child. ebin on the other hand i can already tell will probably be a gentle giant : he just has a sweet disposition.

thinking of the lentil and the peanut and hope the household is adjusting to becoming 'family of four'

I worry about this stuff, too... T is my super big kid, and he reminds me (utterly and completely) of Ferdinand the bull. I guess more like Ebin...

Thinking of Emmalola (and Elsanne), too....

Speaking of preschool stuff... Renae, I have some of the same concerns you voiced above. Part of the reason we've done preschool at 3 is that our co-op preschool is *verrrrrrry* reasonable. (And then I feel like we have enough money left over to do things like go to the zoo, the museum, and other "enriching" things, like you.)

BUT. I don't think I mentioned that I took over the enrollment position (volunteer, of course) at the preschool (it's a big task). And I don't think I mentioned that it seems like there's been a fair amount of upheaval that's gone through the school (in the year that we were gone). Enrollment is down quite a bit... I did some filing this morning, and I see that six kids from last yr's 3 yr old class didn't enroll in this yr's 4 yr old class. I talked with the departing enrollment person, and it sounds like a couple of years of not-so-great parents went through (one of them being T's cohort--and I can vouch for that). It makes me kind of sad. The structure is good, the teachers are excellent, but there've been some flaky/pissy/can't play nicely *adults* who've screwed things up. Guess I have my work cut out for me...

And... I had a nightmare about the crazy neighbor/fence thing last night (no, it's not resolved... they're out of town, who knows when they'll return...)

[elsanne]

:
things are cuh-RAZY in elsanneland, I am thinking of youguys and no time to write because I'm on hyperalert for my children destroying other homes. no relaxation involved whatsoever.

[Miss Juice]

elsanne. How long until you get home?

KK, I don't know what the problem is with the fence, but that would drive me bonkers. I would have lost it if someone came charging into my house. I'd be having nightmares too! I hope it gets resolved soon.

Originally Posted by jstar

ooh mr baby is falling asleep in his chair.

Allison dubbed Ethan "Mr. Baby" not long after he was born, and it's stuck. Too funny!

Raising Cain is on my list (actually it's on my bedroom floor : ). I also want to read Protecting the Gift. Right now I'm reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and LOVING it.

Once upon a time we were talking about worm bins. Can someone tell me more about this, or point me to a good place to get some information? We have a tiny yard and a tiny kitchen, but I'd love to make some tiny compost - would a worm bin work?

[Jacqueline]

Juice, I was just going to reply to say that I'm on the waiting list for Animal, Vegetable, Miracle at the library...then I got a phone call from the Library just now saying the book is there! Isn't that weird timing (cue spooky music)!

I just finished reading "I was a Good Mom before I had Kids" and am now reading "Waiting for Daisy" about a woman who tried to have a baby for five years. But, I've been wanting to read some of these books about boys/men in our society. We have a good one at home already called "Real Boys" that I want to read.

re: chiropractic adjustments.....I need one bad! I had some major pelvic pain while pg and they increased during labor. I'm left with one hip obviously lower than the other! I just don't really care for the chiro I was going to...too poppy/cracky IYKWIM. We don't have any gentler types around here, though. Also got a massage certificate from dh for my birthday, so that would feel good too!

Off to take some of G's old winter clothes to the consignment store...I'm hoping it can help me get him a fall/winter wardrobe. He's needing 4T size pants in length!

[orangecanoe]

I'm a copycat....I just requested it from the library too!

[mcsarahb]

Me three! OMG, BOOK CLUB!!!!



Unfortunately I am hold #567. :

[A&L+1]

I have a copy of A, V, M by Barbara Kingsolver I could loan to someone by mail. Lemme know.

And Sarah, I have Pushed which I think is the BEST new book on American maternity care. Wanna borrow it?

[mcsarahb]

Yes, and yes. Book rate! Thanks!

S.