September 2007 mammas--December thread - Page 11

[Plaid Leopard]

Love the pics, Katie and Jazzy!

We are leaving for France tomorrow. I won't get to spend much time on the computer there but I will read when I can and try and stay caught up.

So, Happy Holidays!
Merry Yule, Solstice, Christmas and Hannukah!

Peace and light to all of you!

"May your days be merry and bright...."

[~Katie~]

Jazzy - Aww what a cutie pie! I'm going to have to check out the snapfish cards and see if I can get a better deal on there.

Sabo - Thank you, its the first picture of all three of us together and I think it turned out pretty well considering we used the automatic timer . I say the same thing about Liam! Even the day he was born, we both said he was a blend of both of us. Very much his own person in terms of looks.

Plaid Leopard - Have a great time in France and happy holidays to you and the family!

[AdalynsMama]

KatieJ and Jazzy- the pics are soo cute!

What are everyone's plans for the Holidays? How do you seperate the time between your families? We all have colds right now so the thought of being out and about for the entire day of Christmas is not exciting.

Here's our plan: Christmas eve we go to my Nana's (my mom's mom). Christmas morning we will open our presents here and then make a mad dash to DHs family's house. Bring the kids back home after lunch for naps. Have my parents come over early afternoon and then go to my dad's parents house Christmas evening. Ugh... I can't believe the holidays are so stressful!

Anyone looking forward to them being over? We made everyone a 2008 calendar for Christmas. Here are a few of the pics I included. Hope everyone is doing well!

http://rmontgomery.shutterfly.com/action/

[mommajb]

Jazzy, I am sorry you are dealing with so much right now. Talking things through is important as is standing up for yourself. Very sweet photo and card.

Katie, you have a very attractive family there.

I usually do a family photo card but struggled to get it together this year and sent out many cards with a snapshot tucked in. Then I couldn't believe that for baby's 1st I wasn't doing a photo so I decided to get a couple dozen photo cards (using a photo of just Linus) at the 1 hour place to finish up. After all this dh reminded me what a waste of paper he thought it all was environmentally speaking. Next year I just won't tell him about it (unless he sways me to his perspective).

[jazzybaby9]

I'm half asleep, but suddenly felt the need to share something.

Sleeping in the family bed- DP was at my back, his head bowed at my shoulders, his hands tucked, as if praying, beneath my side.. his legs curled around my bottom half. At my front, DD was sound asleep, suckling at my breast. I felt her tiny ball of warmth reaching for me, thanking me for the booby milk that filled her tummy. I felt like a goddess...so needed, so loved. My support system was there, dreaming beside me, sharing this bed. It was beautiful....a picture of perfection.

Have any of you ever felt this before? As a new mother, I finally felt what it is to be a woman. A creature of nurturing love. I was needed and it felt wonderful.

[SweetTexasgal]

Originally Posted by jazzybaby9

I'm half asleep, but suddenly felt the need to share something.

Sleeping in the family bed- DP was at my back, his head bowed at my shoulders, his hands tucked, as if praying, beneath my side.. his legs curled around my bottom half. At my front, DD was sound asleep, suckling at my breast. I felt her tiny ball of warmth reaching for me, thanking me for the booby milk that filled her tummy. I felt like a goddess...so needed, so loved. My support system was there, dreaming beside me, sharing this bed. It was beautiful....a picture of perfection.

Have any of you ever felt this before? As a new mother, I finally felt what it is to be a woman. A creature of nurturing love. I was needed and it felt wonderful.

What a beautiful mental image Jazzy!!

Katie-lovely family photo...Liam is adorable and looking straight into the camera.

Safe travels Plaid.

I am going to try and get some photos of Lucy posted...I can't believe I haven't posted any yet....but I'm really not to techie....we will see if I can figure it out.

[KurumiSophia]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

Check out the forum at thebabywearer.com if you havent already. They have a great DIY section. Mei tais are super simple to make, that is how I learned to sew! You can get lots of pointers and "tricks of the trade" there for using the maya as well. Also, the have a for sale or trade forum and you can try out different carriers at a reduced rate that way and if is doesnt work, just sell it For my children, its pretty much wraps and mei tais as they like to be upright(plus you can safely get young babes on your back with both of these). Neither one really tolerated the cradle hold ever. I only used a ring sling with dd for hip carries for quick in and out errands, and eventually I even preferred a mt for those

Thanks! I'm totally about DIY type of things. Getting various carriers @ reduced rates would be waaaaay shiny. I'm still looking at used pumps trying to find one I like that's not so much on breaking the wallet, yanno?

[KurumiSophia]

Originally Posted by mommajb

KurumiSophia, somedays just call for staying home and it is hard. Could you maybe invite someone over? It is amazing how much better the afternoon is if you are having a warm drink and conversation with a friend while you take care of baby.

I use different carriers for babies, ages, stages, lengths of time for a given wearing. I don't have two of any one type but I do have several. I usually want more of any current favorite but my favorite changes before I can talk myself into spending money on it. The easiest, most versatile for me has been the ring sling but I prefer a two shoulder carry if it is for more than quick in and outs. You can check the trading post here. They do come and go but it doesn't move as quickly as TBW. TBW is FAST!

I'd love to invite someone over, really, I would. Fate seems aligned against me however since my friends are either out of state or waaaay far away in state. *insert the "woe is me" moment* So most of the time, if I want to go out, its w/my MIL and I have to hear it about cosleeping and how I'm "playing doctor" by questioning vaccines, etc. Not fun times, kwim?

I'll have to check out the Trading Post here and at TBW. (Just registered there...waiting for my acct. activation email) I really need to find a carrier that will work w/my LO. (Of course, now she decides she wants to start teething and have a tummy bug @ the same time. Shoot me now. )

[~Katie~]

Jazzy - So sweet, thank you for sharing

I don't know how many of us are ECing, but it seems to be the answer to all of our problems over here. We started pottying him at night to see if he would sleep better and got results immediately, now we're doing it during the day as well and its even better. When he wakes up at 5am I potty him and he goes right back to sleep, now when he's waking up at 8:30 I potty him again and he goes back to sleep until 10! He's never done this! I just wish I would have known about doing this sooner. I told my mom about it and she thinks its the coolest thing ever, she thinks if its working we need to keep it up.

KurumiSophia - In addition to checking out those places, check out your tribal area on here to see if there are any groups that get together in your area.

[IntuitiveJamie]

Happy holidays everyone!

Our lovely DDC is closing today. I said goodbye in a little post over there, but wanted to let you all know it would be gone soon.

[HeatherB]

I just wanted to post the Christmas pics we took last night, and then will hopefully get more time to read up and post more! nak with a fussy baby now!

http://gallery.mac.com/hvbarrett#100...w=mosaic&sel=1

As you can see, Judah was a little tired for this! Had we done it an hour or so earlier (you know, when we started setting up!), he would've been more smiley and himself - but oh, well! He's still too cute! (If I do say so myself! )

Loving everyone's pics!!

[clevernamehere]

Originally Posted by jazzybaby9

I felt like a goddess...so needed, so loved. My support system was there, dreaming beside me, sharing this bed. It was beautiful....a picture of perfection.

Have any of you ever felt this before? As a new mother, I finally felt what it is to be a woman. A creature of nurturing love. I was needed and it felt wonderful.

I had a moment like that a few weeks ago.. The three of us were lying in bed, LO nursing and DH facing me, peacefully sleeping. I could see the faces of the two people I love most, and it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I had a true sense of what it was like to be a FAMILY.

Originally Posted by mommajb

I usually do a family photo card but struggled to get it together this year and sent out many cards with a snapshot tucked in. Then I couldn't believe that for baby's 1st I wasn't doing a photo so I decided to get a couple dozen photo cards (using a photo of just Linus) at the 1 hour place to finish up. After all this dh reminded me what a waste of paper he thought it all was environmentally speaking. Next year I just won't tell him about it (unless he sways me to his perspective).

This year we sent out a letter with two photos tucked inside each one (one family picture and one of just LO). I think in the end, I sent out about 55 letters. I didn't want to mess with photocards (although the result is nice for those who do).

Originally Posted by KatieJJ334

I don't know how many of us are ECing, but it seems to be the answer to all of our problems over here.

I've figured out most acronyms, but can't decipher what EC means. Help?

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by clevernamehere

I've figured out most acronyms, but can't decipher what EC means. Help?

Elimination Communication

[clevernamehere]

Originally Posted by KatieJJ334

Elimination Communication

What is that? I've never heard of it.

[swellmomma]

Originally Posted by clevernamehere

What is that? I've never heard of it.

EC is learning to communicate with your baby to help them with pottying to reamin clean, dry and diaper free. There is a forum on here for EC that can give you detailed information

[~Katie~]

What swellmomma said, here's the link for newbies explaining it: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=488048

[nikkihoi]

Hiya Mamas!

I'm behind on this thread more than usual b/c I haven't been pumping as much.
I went to see the LC last week for some help with DS and his crazy crying fits at the breast. First of all, he was a PERFECT nursing angle at the appointment. Can you believe it??? I'm sending this kid directly to the Actors' Studio. But after giving her the low down as to what really happens, she seems to think it's not my let down at all rather, that the flow has slowed down and he's being impatient. The other theory she had was lack of napping during the day. We do have a problem there. So I've been working on trying to get him to nap. Boy, does this baby fight sleep!
Anyway, the LC also suggested an experiment that I was elated to try... exclusively bfing for a 5 days!!! She thought that Marshall was ready. So we weighed him at the peds office ( we weighed him at the LC's office too but the ped scale has been our main scale) on Thurs. and we go back tomorrow to check his weight.
Keep your fingers crossed ladies! I'm really nervous b/c DS has been really fussy the past couple of days. DH and I are afraid might not be getting enough to eat from just the bfing. Of course, the is the other list of stuff it could be: teething, gassy, he had one of his shots on Thurs., he's tired b/c he won't nap, etc. etc.
The other thing that tells me it could be the food issue is that his poo has been greenish the past couple of days. Could that be from the vax shot? or extra salvia?
I'm really hoping he gained. I'll be beyond bummed if I have to go back to pumping all of the time again.

On a somewhat related note, I have been pumping a couple of times a day and started to stash some milk. When DS got really fussy at dinner time tonight, I just alright, let's give him a bottle (with the Haberman nipple). I warmed up the oldest milk (from a few days ago) I tasted it and it was soapy. Does this mean I have to do something special to my milk before I store it? I only have few bottles in the fridge but still, I'd hate to have to throw it away.

Babycarriers: I just received my Beco and I love it so far. I was always having to adjust the ringsling and never felt like I could really let go with both hands. The Beco, I just click adjust and go. The only extra adjustment I have to make is to roll up a small towel to give DS a little boost.

Jazz, you gave me the warm fuzzys. Glad your family unit is doing better

[Danielle13]

Can I join the September discussion? I had my baby girl on 9.24.07 and her name is valley. She was born at home and I live in Alaska! : Looking forward to getting to know ou guys!

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by Danielle13

Can I join the September discussion? I had my baby girl on 9.24.07 and her name is valley. She was born at home and I live in Alaska! : Looking forward to getting to know ou guys!

Welcome

[~Katie~]

Howdy Danielle!

Nikkihoi - I'm sooo so glad you saw an LC! I'm glad she was able to help you and give you some tips. I would say that napping in the carrier is probably your best bet if you can get him to do that, we gave up on trying to get Liam to sleep anywhere but the carrier, and he will sleep an hour or two in there. The green poo could be a number of things, but is indicative of a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. He may not be nursing long enough to get the hindmilk, so try keeping him on longer and see if it improves. Not sure about the milk tasting soapy, maybe the pump had some soap residue on it from cleaning it?

Also, if you were experiencing forceful letdown, over time babies become accustomed to it and will become impatient when the milk doesn't flow fast enough for their liking, which would explain why he's getting frustrated that it's not coming fast enough. Liam is doing this right now because my let-down has slowed as well. Fingers crossed that his weight is up, keep up the awesome work mama! YOU CAN DO IT!