In our 40s and due in January - Page 26

[veganmama719]

Hey Janis, any tips on watching the diet? I am veg too (obviously with my user name, LOL)
I stay away from white carbs (bread, pasta and rice) and juice. I don't eat junk food.

Thanks!

[jrabbit]

Veganmama - yeah, stay away from the white carbs & junk food! i ate a ton of protein during the last 3 months. and i worked really hard at curbing the cravings for sugar. i love bread & pasta, but i didn't eat much unless it was whole grain - and i didn't eat any carbs in the evening. sugar in evening maybe once a week. i'm surprised how many people don't pay much attention to their diet during pregnancy. but it sounds like you're on top of it. one thing my mw said was to add a protein to every meal & snack. i eat eggs, so i ate a ton of them, but there are plenty of vegan sources.

i guess when i suggested watching your diet, i was brainfarting and forgot you're vegan! a lot of veg ppl eat a very fatty diet, though - just make sure that every calorie you eat has value. if there hadn't been such a significant weight difference with dd2 & dd3, i might be less convinced. (i was 3.5 weeks late , and I weighed 6#11 - sure that was a different era, but i think we do have *some* control over the weight of our babes.)

[veganmama719]

Thanks Janis. So far this baby is not measuring ahead like DS did and I think I have the weight gain under slightly better control but I will try to add more protein too!
But you are right, I don't eat too many "fluffy" calories as a rule. Most everything has nutirtional value. I probably did eat more late night cereal with DS than I am with this baby so far.

[hockeylover]

VM, I'm excited that you're having a boy. I hope you're getting excited now too. I'm not sure how your family could be "disappointed" that you're having another boy. Isn't a healthy bean, which you've got, the only real thing that matters? I know they're so happy for you. I'm totally with you on the politics of being a 6 year old girl. I got one myself. Crazy isn't it? And while girls clothes are more fun than boys, your one daughter can be the princess. There's something to be said for that too. I have no diet advice, sorry, but other than that, I hope you're feeling great.

How's everyone doing? Is anyone getting any sleep? Once again, I've been MIA. Not a lot of quality computer time plus I'm doing the yearbook for DD's school. Not sure what I was thinking when I signed on for that. I think I figured I'd have plenty of sitting on my butt time. Yeah, I was clearly insane at the time I said "yes". But I've got my mojo so it's coming along. I have to finish it in about a month and then I'll be able to do things for me, like keep up here among other things.

Maya and Hayden are almost 11 weeks. They're doing great. It's funny, about 2 weeks ago when I was changing their clothes, I noticed how much they're filling out. They don't have that "sharpei" extra skin like a newborn. Amazing how sweet they are. My girls are doing better on the sleep. Going longer periods but we still have some issues and sometimes it's hard to get them both asleep. Or to stay asleep. Overall, they're doing great. I won't even guess at the weight but we go back on the 27th so I'll get an idea on how we're doing. I'm still having to supplement one bottle a day. I don't think they're getting enough from me. When I pump, usually after missing a feeding or being out and too long between, I get about 6-7 ounces total. So if they're nursing, it's only about 3-4 ounces each. That's really not enough. I know it's the total amount in a day but it's no wonder that they're hungry after feeding sometimes. The only other thing I have to watch is what I eat and how it effects my breastmilk. I never had that with DD. But I had a burrito the other night and last night was brutal. Maya was hating life and screaming for hours. That happened once when she was about 2 weeks old but didn't happen another time I had Mexican. As I posted on Facebook, "I forgot that beans and babies don't mix."

What's the latest with everyone? How are all the girls??

[veganmama719]

Oh Juls, I am in so much trouble if beans and breastfeeding don't mix! Since I don't eat meat or dairy, most of my protein comes from beans, legumes and nuts!

However, DS is still nursing once a day and it doesn't seem to both him.

It sounds like you are doing great with the breastfeeding. Don't forget that a baby will get more milk from you than even the best pump would. I could never pump more than 3-4 ounces at a time when I went back to work when DD was 4 months and she was exclusively BF until 6 months. Of course, she had and still has the smallest appetite on earth! 6.5 years old and she weighs 41 lbs. Her brother, who will be 5 on Saturday weighs 50 lbs.

I had to LOL about the yearbook. You are crazy!

The girls sound adorable, I bet you could just eat them up. I can practically smell the baby smell through the computer.

Thanks for the update!

[jrabbit]

beans don't bother my babies nor does mexican, booze, or caffeine :

[veganmama719]

Originally Posted by jrabbit

beans don't bother my babies nor does mexican, booze, or caffeine :

Tee hee!

[juneau]

Originally Posted by jrabbit

beans don't bother my babies nor does mexican, booze, or caffeine :

same here :

Actually, Eliza Jane (or, as dd1 says, that's her nickname and she'd prefer that I use her real name, "Fred") is a great sleeper. She's regularly sleeping seven or eight hours a night : at two months, and was going five or six as early as a month. Now before you hate me, dd1 did not sleep that long until she was two or three YEARS old! And trust me, if I knew the secret, I'd make a billion bucks!

Sorry I haven't been here much, I've given into my new obsession: Facebook. Hockeylover, I see you're on too. Janis and I are friends. PM me for my user name.

6-7 oz sounds great, Juls!

[veganmama719]

Oh golly, my DS will be 5 on Saturday and he still doesn't sleep through the night!
He starts the night in our bed, is moved to his own room when DH comes to bed, then comes running into our bed around 2-3 am and pretty much sleeps on my head for the rest of the night.

DD started sleeping through the night the week after DS was born. She was 21 months.

[jrabbit]

sleeping through the night is a sham. it doesn't happen til they are 8-9 years old.

[wvmommy]

sleep??

what is that?? juice has gone from sleeping 1 to 1 1/2 hours at a time to 2 to 3 hours a time, which has made a big difference. i'm able to work now and have been back to work full time this week. it's a little hard to reach around him to type and draw. i'm thinking maybe i should replace my chair with a bench that would have room for the both of us? ideas? and putting him down someplace else isn't an idea, it's a totally different parenting style, so ideas where he stays touching me are the kind i could really use if you've got any!


juneau, i'm hooked on fb, too, i hate to admit. pm for user name if you'd like to connect there.

one thing i would appreciate is some freaking casseroles. i wish people would bring me food and lots of it!

o, and my midwife came over yesterday to check on us. juice is five weeks and six days, today. as of yesterday he had gained 3 1/2 pounds and grown 3 inches! all those people who want to tell me how fast he's going to grow and threaten me to enjoy him now can keep their advice. as a mother who has two sons she will never see grow, seeing him get bigger is the farthest thing from sad to me. i am delighted.

mommy to arthur, erik
AND baby juicy!!! born 2-5-09
erika

[wvmommy]

Originally Posted by jrabbit

sleeping through the night is a sham. it doesn't happen til they are 8-9 years old.

hell, **I** have never slept through the night!!!!! even pre motherhood!

mommy to arthur, erik
AND baby juicy!!! born 2-5-09
erika

[juneau]

Originally Posted by wvmommy

i'm able to work now and have been back to work full time this week. it's a little hard to reach around him to type and draw. i'm thinking maybe i should replace my chair with a bench that would have room for the both of us? ideas? and putting him down someplace else isn't an idea, it's a totally different parenting style, so ideas where he stays touching me are the kind i could really use if you've got any!

I've spent some time in Guatemala, where babies go on their mother's (or sibling's) backs from a very young age. (Not that I know how to do it, mind you, just that it can be done...). Maybe you could wear Juicy on your back and sit on a stability ball?

[Maybe I should look into that -- NAK now with Fred on a Boppy -- it's a challenge!]

[veganmama719]

I was just thinking the same thing. A back carrier and one of those chairs you almost kneel on, they are supposed to be really much better for your back than regular chairs.

Erika, WTG feeding up that juicy little man!

Me , HUGE even though I have only gained 10 lbs at 22 weeks. Cannot fill my lungs.

Interviewing 2 caregivers for the summer today as our long time nanny is leaving us and it doesn't make sense to bring in another new one from overseas since DH and I will be off on parental leave for a year (me 4 months, him 8 months).

[veganmama719]

Hey mamas, I guess you all have had a busy week!

Getting frustrated with my new babysitter search. I had one that I was going to offer the job too but she called me and said she had found something closer to home so she wouldn't need a bus pass. Oh, and her mom said she should get $7 per hour per child, so $14 an hour.

That seems like a lot for a university student, especially when the kids are in school for 2 of the 4 months she'd be working for us. Am I crazy?

Anyway, back to square one.

[hockeylover]

Hi Everyone!

M&H are 3 months old as of Monday. Holy crap. They're at such a yummy age 'cause there's lots of smiles going on. Whenever they wake up from sleeping, after a stretch, there's always a big smile and it's just adorable. We go to the doctor tomorrow for the 3 month check up so I'll post the stats over the weekend.

No, they're not sleeping through the night yet but we're going longer stretches which is most important. They generally go down around 1AM and have been sleeping 'til about 6 or sometimes 7 if I'm lucky. I don't really expect them to make it through consistently until they're over 10 pounds. That's what happened with DD. They don't have enough meat on their bones to last that long. Soon, I hope. DD only now sleeps through the night, mostly. She still comes into our bed occasionally but she's a lousy sleeper in general.

Erika, I wouldn't worry about Juicy's weight gain. Run with it. Who cares at this point how much they're gaining? I'm sure obesity is not an issue at 2 months so who cares? Enjoy it and watch those chubby legs grow. They're so cute.

VM, sorry you're having babysitter issues. How old is this girl that her mom is involved in negotiating her rate? We pay our nanny $14 an hour for nights, $12 during the day. My babysitters that I had and used before the twins we paid $15. So yeah, we give our nanny as many hours as she's willing to work and we're all looking forward to moving to the full time day shift. One of my sitters, when she'd sit for multiple kids would charge us $5 per hour per kid. So if she had 3 kids, she'd get $15. If she had 5 (with some older siblings) she's get $25 an hour. It worked out great for her and since it was split out over a few moms, it never was a huge hit from our end. And remember, I live in Los Angeles where everything is more expensive.

I'll update after we go to the doctor tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well.

[juneau]

Veganmama, sorry to hear about your babysitter troubles. We pay $8 an hour here for one child in a small college town, which is above the going rate of $7 an hour but no one complains and we get good help. $15 sounds a bit excessive, and I wouldn't consider paying double my $8 for two kids. I'd go up to $10 or $11 maybe, but haven't had anyone watch the baby yet, so I haven't tried it out. Actually I find that two kids are easier than one in some ways -- at least two who play together, like my older dd and her best friend. Playdates are great for me!

Juls, definitely let us know how the girls are doing. EJ is close to 12 pounds now and still gaining at a rate of about 7 oz a week (I weigh her every week at my breastfeeding support group). We are selectively vaccinating and she had her first ones last week. She ran a bit of a fever, slept long and hard and then fussed, but it was all over in about 12 hours and then she was fine.

Now we both have a cold. Second one for both of us since her birth! Not fair! Poor baby.

Other than that, I am dying to get out and work in the garden but the weather is not cooperating. Also I have decided I'm basically not starting seeds this year, first time in as long as I can remember. I'm a bit sad about that but have to be realistic. I even have a greenhouse but the winter took out some of the panels and I haven't had time to repair them. Maybe I can barter with someone who is starting seeds but doesn't have a greenhouse...

Things are basically going great for us but I just learned of some friends whose newborn baby girl died March 8 just over 24 hours after birth (full term). I cried all night when I first heard. Light a candle for Lila.

[veganmama719]

Juneau, I am so sorry about Lila. I am tearing up just thinking about it. Gosh.

Juls, so great to hear an update from you, it sounds like everyone is doing so well!

The babysitter was 19 so yeah, I think $14 an hour is a bit much. My kids are 5 and 6.5, they are at a fairly easy to look after and in school a lot of the hours we;d be paying her. I ahve some other good candidates now.

23w2d. Up 12 lbs.

[juneau]

$14 an hour to watch kids who aren't even there? Jeesh!

In-laws were here this weekend. Don't get me started. Actually, it was one of the more pleasant visits. But ... well, no, I won't start. Dh and I fight more when his parents are here than almost any other time. Ugh.

I started tomato seeds after all, and a friend came over yesterday and helped with the greenhouse and planting garlic. We got the panels back on (blew off in winter storms) and now I need is a door for the greenhouse (the supports broke, ). But the garlic is in the ground! Only four or five months late but at least it will keep the crop going another year. I love my garlic. Maybe I'll even eat some this year.

Today: cold, wind, rain, and snow. No more gardening.

I feel so lucky to have my baby. I wish I could help my friends but although on the one hand, I know better than most people what they are going through, I also have the one thing they wish they had more than anything else.

[veganmama719]

We can't plant up here until late May, by which time I will be 7 months PG. Probably not going to happen! I am jealous!

How crazy am I to be thinking I might actually want another one after this?

I am absolutely not paying a teenager $14 an hour when my kids are not even at home!