June 2007 Moms ~ Welcome to October - Page 6

[jstar]

yep - painful sex is from the thin vaginal tissue. estrogen 'plumps' up the tissue and while you have low-estrogen from breastfeeding it can be uncomfortable. my doc gave me estrogen cream at my annual exam after isaac was born. i never tried it because it seemed to get better right around then anyway when i nightweaned him.

we had a good wbv yesterday. ebin is 21 lbs 3oz and 29 1/2" long (!). he's SO tall he is about an inch above the curves (which is a higher percentile than at his 2mo visit). he's steady on weight percentile. i asked about the yeasty stuff behind his ears. (it is like cradle cap behind his ears and it recently cracked and looked painful).

adinAZ- i took my 3yo to the wbv yesterday and he had a bit of that 'not the center of attention' thing going on. in fact he acted out terribly all day long and i am feeling a little ----> : about how to handle him right now. it sucks

i don't know anything about muscle relaxers, awallrising, but do you ever pump and use bottles? if you are you could plan to bottlefeed for the period of time a few hours after you took a pill. maybe doing that a couple of times to stop the spasms would help the spasming stop longer term? (i don't really know anything about it...just thinking aloud here).

[dara00]

Jilian, I'm addicted to the babywearer and I see you over there! I want to try out carriers too! I don't have enough money to get a wrap yet though. I'm loving my ellaroo mei tai. I am working on the back carry, so far he hates it.

[todavia]

umm...has anyone else's baby discovered their vulva/penis? for the last few days carina has been grabbing at herself in the bath and she's really intense about it. when i move her hand to wash, she kind of pushes my hand away and goes right back to it. i know it's all good but i was a little suprised.
i can't remember when ds started doing this but i thought it was later...

[willoLevin]

So, I've been self-analyzing here, and I'm realizing part of my long-term holding-onto-the-baby-weight thing is that, really, EVERY other pleasure in my life is so stymied during this stage... I think eating something yummy is all I have left for the moment. I mean, I can't get a decent sleep. I don't get any alone time with my husband, so both emotional and physical intimacy are trashed. I can't even accomplish the necessary chores that I need to do--never mind doing anything time-consuming that I *want* to do--without hearing my cherished little guy scream and cry for attention.

Well, okay, so I do get to enjoy those little looks of adoration from my baby, and obviously my preschooler desires my time/attention, because he acts out if he doesn't get it! But, well, can anyone else here relate?

I don't feel depressed, like, in my BRAIN... but I do feel very, VERY limited in my ability to act (or even feel!) how I want to. Hmm...

I find myself pondering the possibility of starting to supplement A. for convenience reasons as opposed to desperation. He still nurses every two hours during the day, and usually every 2-3 hours overnight. Now, I fought like hell to exclusively BF this child--most of you probably remember that! But, how do I do anything else if I don't give in to temptation? Most especially getting a little time with DH, who feels like our choice to have a second child "just when things were getting manageable [with our firstborn]", means we chose parenthood over our marriage... He's too much of a man to be threatening me (with affairs, etc.), like some guys seem to do, but he is really hurting, I know, because he feels so alone (and so do I, maritally!)

Then, I think, in two more months, I can give A. solid foods, and that will start to free me from a feeding or two pretty quickly... At least, it did with S.

Mostly, I think I'm SO glad I have you guys to talk to. When A. refuses to be put down, I spend so much time stuck holding him on the couch
('cuz he gets real mad if he isn't nursing in his preferred horizontal position!), my butt actually aches from all the sitting!!!

--willo
(we've had a string of never-more-than-two hours of sleep nights, so I'm admitting freely to being tired, grumpy, and chasing a sugar buzz...)

[StephNelson]

Oh Willo **BIG HUGS**

I know I posted about Perrin sleeping well at night, but during the day I think I am going crazy... The last two days(Daddy just went back to work) he will NOT nap, NOT be put down and wants to eat ALL the time... I am exhausted and it is starting to get to me...

I am a 1st time mom and had NO idea how much you have to give up and yes it is worth it, but somedays I just want to do what I want to do... I feel guilty... and now we will shortly have 2!!!!

Well no advice or really anything, but I hear you and feel for you!

~Steph

[momtokay]

Well, I took Lulu in for her 4-mos WBV even though she's only 3.5 mos because I noticed that one side of her head was looking a bit flat. The doctor said it was no big deal though, that if I hadn't brought it up as a concern she wouldn't have even mentioned it to me it's so mild! Good news!!Lucy continues to grow well. She's nearly 24" and 12.5-lbs! Okay, so she's not as big as some of the babies around here, has continued to grow nicely. And the doctor was impressed as Lucy showed of her rolling skills. This kid loves to roll and did it a soon as the doctor laid her down.

Hugs to those suffering from bad sleep deprivation. Hooray for those whose kids are sleeping well. And a big kick in the pants to all the DH's who are not being more sympathetic. I think this is a hard age for the marriage. I mean when there's a brand new baby in the house it's understandable that the marriage gets put on the back seat, but now it would be nice to be able to focus on that again, but baby's needs can make that so, so hard!!

I want a Beco or a buckle tai. Anyone have a favorite? I love my babyhawk, but it rains a lot where I live and I'm finding it hard to put on in a parking lot without getting the straps wet. Or any tips on not letting the straps hit the floor? They are so long!

This thread moves so fast I'm sure there was more I wanted to respond to, but Lulu needs me, so I've gotta run.

[herbmama3-7]

Willo, just remember that this is not how it will ALWAYS be!

Steph, don't feel guilty that your baby is sleeping well at night, you're pregnant and you deserve the rest!! Also I can't imagine trying to nurse and care for such a fast growing baby and GROW a baby at the same time, you are an angel, truely, truely!! I think it would be neat to have the babies so close, they will be great buddies, and you have the "baby phase" over with quickly.

Thumb sucking-DD is a big thumb sucker, I love it though, I have several reasons in my life to "encourage" it. I think it is cute when she tries to get it into her mouth while nursing, YEEOUCH, but cute

Ds is starting to not nap, I can't accept the fact that he is giving it up though, he is only 2 1/2, and I can't imagine why he wouldn't need a nap, oh well, I think I need it more than he does. He talks and talks, this AM DH and I were sitting on the couch talking enjoying our minute together and DS stumbles out of his room talking about activities he did the day before, it was like he opened his eyes and just started talking:, oh I love him, but do need to be able to think without chatting for just a short time each day.

AidenAZ, I like your Beco, I would like to try all those pretty ones, but to be honest, I just like the convenience and ease of the EGRO, plus dh puts it on without me having to ask him, so even though it is a not so pretty color, I think it looks very handsome on dh

[vannienicole]

*

[Jilian]

Some mamas on TBW sell the DIY wraps too, fairly cheap. I've seen them for $15 ppd. I didn't have the $$ for expensive stuff either so I sold off what I had (ergo, MT and a RS) and used the funds to try new things. I've been doing that ever since. I'm dying to try a yamo or beco next, I didn't care much for my older style ergo but hope another soft carrier will do it for me. I always make myself sell something (diapers, nursing tops, etc) to fund a new purchase so I'm not spending $$ out of pocket too often.

Willo: I sometimes feel like I cannot do a thing too. I was in a car accident a few mos back and have a heck of a time even going to a physical therapy appt because I have to bring Evan with me. Tonight I had to cut my visit short cause he would not stop crying and now I'm in a lot of pain. I do not have anyone to leave him with because DH works a million hours and my mom freaks out when he cries. : Sorry to hijack, just comiserating. Your not alone in your feelings, I'm looking forward to solids too :

[dara00]

I found an ellaroo on fsot for $40. not sure that's the best wrap, but at least I'll get to try it!

[acp]

jstar, what did you doctor tell you about the stuff behind ebin's ears? We just noticed that Willa has developed something similar - unlike the yeasty stuff she's had before in her many neck folds, behind her ears it just seems really dry and cracked and reddish. I'm not sure if it's just dry cracking skin, or a sort of cradle cap, and it doesn't seem to bother her at all, but it sure doesn't look great.

We had a rough day today - all day (and part of yesterday) Willa has just seemed really uncomfortable and gassy, and she grunts and groans constantly (she's a big grunter anyway, but this is way more than normal). Almost like she's constipated. She pooped a few times, and one of the times I noticed some odd greenish things, almost like fuzzy pellets - it made me wonder if somehow she got something in her mouth that she shouldn't have and ate it. it's made nursing times really hard - she'll start to eat, then scream as though she's in pain, need to be burped for a really long time, then eat a little more, then scream again - very uncharacteristic. She seemed much better tonight when I just fed her before bed so I'm hoping whatever it is will go away on its own. If not, I suppose I'll call our doctor.

[mama2Bin07]

Wow! I can't keep up! LOL!

Steph--I am utterly amazed that people would actually say that to you about being pregnant again. That is one of the rudest things I have ever heard. Sorry you have to deal with that, I hope it gets better with time.

Someone asked about thumbsucking, Little Ron is trying to work that out yet. He LOVES to suck, and won't take a pacifier. So he loves to have his hands and fingers in his mouth a lot. He is trying to figure out how to suck his thumb, but can't quite get the fingers to cooperate yet. It is so cute to watch him! So for now, I am his "pacifier"! He loves to nurse, a lot!

I am hoping to get him in for his 4 month doctor visit next week. He is growing like a weed! And really getting more vocal and laughing and trying to figure out his toys and other things that catch his eye.

He started a new thing though, maybe some of you can relate to this. Just last week he had a huge meltdown right when we got into a store. He cries hard and loud, like he is mad. It not like he is in pain like colick, but just mad! Nothing I do will comfort him. I hold him, swing, rock, sway, hum, sing. He has to wear himself out and fall asleep. And he has done it every day since. It seems to happen when he gets tired. Are any of you going through this with yours?

[AdInAZ]

Ok, well we survived our 4 month wbv. Sean is 16 lbs, 10 oz, and 27 1/4 inches long. I love my ped. She is so nice. When dd#1 was wanting to be part of the action, she let her play with her stethescope to keep her busy. Yay for docs who have been mamas!! She also had seen us on tv and in the paper when the applebees nurse-in took place last month and said she wasn't suprised to see our involvement. She said that cloth diapers always give away the lactivists.

So I've been thinking a lot about lambskins. I would love to get one. Any recommendations? I'm thinking maybe a shorter cut one so ds doesn't get a mouthful of wool when he rolls over -- if he ever does, that is.

[StephNelson]

Well I finally found a homebirth MW to interview...We are going tomorrow to meet with her and I am really hoping it is a good fit **Fingers Crossed**

[awallrising]

I just ordered an Ergo carrier. Do you think I need the infant insert? Ian is already 3 mths & is very strong (standing up, almost rolling over, etc). I'd rather not spend an extra $25 on it if I don't really need it. I'm excited to finally have a carrier that (I hope) is convenient to use.

[Jilian]

Wow, some of these babies are BIG! Aiden was a gigantic baby, I think he was over 18 lbs at this point, so it is strange for me to be carrying a tiny one around. I forgot to reply to the penis-grabbing question Evan has grabbed it once during a diaper change and it surprised him. He usually grabs his thighs and holds them back when I change his diaper and it reminds me of a mama pushing in the hospital

He's napping right now by himself in the big bed I covered him with my wrap and put a huge bolster pillow on the side so he wound't roll. We're working on project nap here, trying to get him to nap well alone so I can get things done.

Steph: I hope your appt goes well!

Amy: I don't think you need the insert, if you feel like you need something I've heard of mamas using a baby blanket instead of an insert.

[momtokay]

Originally Posted by Jilian

Wow, some of these babies are BIG! Aiden was a gigantic baby, I think he was over 18 lbs at this point, so it is strange for me to be carrying a tiny one around.

Lulu who was my biggest baby at birth is now my smallest baby at 3.5mos old. She was 8-lbs at birth and is only 12.5-lbs now. Both of my other two doubled their birthweight at 3-4 mos. If Lulu continues to grow like she has been she's going to be 8-mos old or something before she doubles! Maybe she'll have a growth spurt. The funniest part is she is actually following the growth curve. Both of my other two went well above their curve line and then dropped way down once they go mobile. It'll be interesting to see if Lucy stays on her curve when she gets mobile too or if genetics kick in and she drops percentages too.

[awallrising]

CD advice

So we finally started using CDs (Ian is already in Size 3 7th Gen sposies & would have grown thru 2 sizes in CDs already). So far we've been doing well, CDs come clean, etc. How do you manage the dirty CDs until you get them into the wash? Do you soak them? Diaper pail? I'm in the experimentation phase trying to figure out which works best for day, night, etc. I've basically been doing wash every evening, luckily I have a front loader that uses only a little water.

[Jilian]

Evan is still sleeping

We put our CDs in a happy tushies zippered wet bag until we wash them. I wash every 2-3 days. I tried several wet bags and happy tushies was the only one that held the smell in for us. The wet bag gets washed with the diapers once a week and has held up for several yrs (I used it with DS1 too).

[acp]

Amy: On the Ergo, don't bother with the infant insert. We started Willa in it when she was just 2 1/2 months old (without the insert) and she was fine. I think some babes probably have to wait longer, but she's always been strong and on the big side (another big babe - she was 16 lbs at her 3 mo checkup several weeks ago) and has great head control. It sounds like Ian would be fine.

On CDs: We use a wet bag (I think it's a bummis one, but I can't remember for sure) inside a small plastic trash can (which i think was actually made specifically for CDs, though that's not necessary) with a lid that can be shut. We got a mini shower (which I *highly* recommend) that we attached to the toilet and we spray the poop off with that, then throw the dipes in the pail. Every couple days or so (whenever we're out of diapers) we do them all in a cold pre-wash, hot/cold wash/rinse with a bit of charlie soap, then dry on medium-low. It's worked great for us, and i've had almost no staining. I do think it's good to get a lot of the poop off before you put them in the wash, but I far prefer the sprayer to having to soak them.