February mamas, it's July! - Page 6

[lovetobemama]

Originally Posted by noordinaryspider

I was very nervous about posting the story, but I kind of had to. I halfway expected to be flamed

Instead of flames, you deserve a trophy! And even though I "know" you are older, it's not something that pops into my mind when I think of you. But remembering it now makes me want to thank you even more, because it IS hard to make the right decisions for your LO when people undermine you, especially for new moms. And I LOVE that you told her that next time she sees a mom nursing she better shut up! If we don't form a community of support in this world, no new mom will trust herself to nurse...and its mom's like you who have stopped letting the world tell them how to care for their babes that are leading the fight!
I've been blessed to have had not one single NIP confrontation...but if/when my turn comes, I will remember you and speak up and speak loudly!!

Originally Posted by operamommy

Someone please remind me that he will, in fact, roll.

Don't you fret, mama! One day soon you will long for the days when he was stationary Oh, and I'm totally jealous of your blueberries!!!

Peace: How are you feeling? Hope you are hanging in there!!

Jusie with Kaia, Birthmomom with Henry, and CDwoodard with Alex: on the sleep thing. I am right here in the thick of it with you guys. Molly sleeps at night, but wakes every hour to hour and a half looing for either some nursing or a pacifier. The longest unbroken stretch of sleep I have had in a long time is 2 hours. DH sleeps in the room with DS now so that he can be functional at work. I have to admit, though, that its nice to know there are a few of us AP moms in the same boat. I don't worry so much that it is my fault that she wakes up so much. I am trying to read NCSS to figure out if there is something I can do to encouage at least one 4-5 hour stretch each night. I think the pacifier might be the culprit. We'll see if we can start to pull it away a bit.

Jusie: congtats on the yeast victory!! And is Kaia's monkey really named Josh??!

Applecore: thanks for the herbal infusion suggestion!

Playamama: glad the visitors came to you for once!! Hope it was a lot of fun!

birthmommom: no words of wisdom for you and your sis. Just keep in mind that there are a LOT of societal pressures to bottle feed instead of nurse, and, while it would be nice if we were all strong enough to resist the pressure, it is still a LOT of pressure, and it is great that the LO at least got colostrum and other good early milk!!

Helen: sorry about the weekly poo thing!! I have always had multi-poops a day kids, so i can't relate at all! I'll admit it!

Jezzy, great pics of Ashlee! Hope her naps get a bit better!!

Oh, for those who were confused: the "vanilla matrix with pralines" is a reference to my little tantrum about being too vanilla last month. Rynna suggested that, even if I might be a bit vanilla here and there, it was more like a vanilla matrix with pralines...and THAT is plenty interesting!! Not boring at all!!:

[flapjack]

NOS, in my sleep-deprived state I forgot to respond to your point about Terran's sleep. We have a mellow baby after three on the spirited/intense/high needs spectrum, but his sleep is going a bit tits up too. : Not including the day of four green nappies, varying in colour from key lime pie to olives. If anyone has an explanation (that won't involve an elimination diet for me) LMK. Oh, and to respond to your later posts, I've noticed that it's not about the age of a mother: there's a significant difference in the way people treat me when I'm out and about with Skye and River to the way people interact with me with all four.

Jezzy, your daughter is gorgeous I know you know that, though.

Juise, I've had precisely ONE negative comment about NIP in five years. Swindon isn't as crunchy as the area I used to live, which was commuter-belt near London, but breastfeeding is positively mainstream. The right to NIP should be protected by law in England soon as well (it already is in Scotland and Wales. A lot of the companies that get criticised in the US, like IKEA and Starbucks, have caught on and are pro-BFing over here.
Allyn I know it can be so frustrating when you know how good breastfeeding can be, and someone is determined not to get it: just think of it as spinach. It has a seriously bad press as something unpalatable, but is both delicious and good for you. So's breastfeeding.

Sorry, twenty-million cross-posts. Emily, someone still needs to tell me what a matrix is? Google is just Keanu-ing me, which is fun and all, but not the answer to the question.

Isn't it nice how so many of the fourth babies are so mellow? Except mine, of course, who has just woken up. Gotta go.

[Juise]

Originally Posted by noordinaryspider

holy carp, Terran too! just now after i read your post and dug out our bblp and i'm serious, we hadn't had a single catch all week, just instant arches, naughty looks, and an "i'm not even gonna try" attitude.

I guess they're just growing up.

Okay we're going to go pick up one of these pottys today :

Originally Posted by lovetobemama

Jusie: congtats on the yeast victory!! And is Kaia's monkey really named Josh??!

Oooh mama I hope you get some sleep soon, too!
And, er, yes. His name is josh. We're dorks, so it's because of this, although I think it's really only funny if you are already into it

Originally Posted by flapjack

Juise, I've had precisely ONE negative comment about NIP in five years. Swindon isn't as crunchy as the area I used to live, which was commuter-belt near London, but breastfeeding is positively mainstream.

You can't even buy alcohol on Sundays here, and I think that's probably all I have to say.

Originally Posted by flapjack

someone still needs to tell me what a matrix is? Google is just Keanu-ing me, which is fun and all, but not the answer to the question.

Dictionary.com:
1.something that constitutes the place or point from which something else originates, takes form, or develops: The Greco-Roman world was the matrix for Western civilization.
11.Mathematics. a rectangular array of numbers, algebraic symbols, or mathematical functions, esp. when such arrays are added and multiplied according to certain rules.
12.Linguistics. a rectangular display of features characterizing a set of linguistic items, esp. phonemes, usually presented as a set of columns of plus or minus signs specifying the presence or absence of each feature for each item.

And, interestingly enough,

14.Archaic. the womb.

[cwoodard]

NOS - Way to go! Good for you for sticking up for yourself and NIP in general. I've been lucky and haven't gotten any comments. Lately I have been using a nursing cover because Alex has been so distractable, but before that I'd just hike up my shirt and nurse. Never had a bad experience. I've planned in my head what I would say though if someone did say something negative. I have been kind of surprised about how open people in this area are to less "mainstream" options. Nearly every single one of the close to 20 moms involved in the mom's group I go to breastfeeds and uses a sling or carrier of some sort.

Oops, I was going to write more in response to everyone's news but Alex just started fussing. BBL!

[nolonger]

*crossposted redundant info

[smokeylo]

Ladies,
Sheesh, I'm only a week behind and we already have 5 pages!! I will try to catch up but Robin is being cranypants tonight.

Chorewars sounds like fun -- are we doing a little group there? I have done sort of flyladying in the past -- I need a ROUTINE so we stay on top of stuff!! The best I've done so far is to put dd in the bumbo after I pump in the morning and completely do the dishes and wash the sink. And I'm good about keeping up with laundry (but not putting it away). That's about it.

SO.... DD is so interested in food (she's 4.5 months). She has been lunging for my spoon and licking it, so I thought we'd try some solids. Just tastes; nothing super serious. I got some sweet potato (organic/etc) baby food and have given her a little bit over the last 3 days every day. She eats it and seems to enjoy it but she seems more constipated and has diaper rash. So, does that mean sweet potato is not going to work for her? Should I forego the solids for now (I know it's a little early)? Or is this sort of typical of transitioning to a partially solids based-diet? Guide me, mamas... I'm feeling kind of guilty giving her solids before 6 months . I wouldn't have done it if she wasn't showing just about every single readiness sign and if she didn't react so well to being fed.

I finally figured out that Robin was really cranky because she was simply not napping enough during the day. Our old routine of napping in the sling every 1-2 hours was not at all happening. I started taking her into our bedroom and nursing her to sleep and thankfully it is working really well. She's napping much longer and going down pretty easily. And she's had a 1+ hour nap in the afternoon every day for about a week. : Her bedtime is also a little earlier (between 7 and 8). This is great news! I'm hoping that once we're moved to our new (smaller, 1 floor) place (the 27th ) she will nap without me lying next to her in bed. But I'm getting a lot of pleasure reading time in !

xo.

[slgt]

Originally Posted by smokeylo

Ladies,
Sheesh, I'm only a week behind and we already have 5 pages!! I will try to catch up but Robin is being cranypants tonight.

:

Y'all are chatty! I've just set myself a limit of NOT coming on MDC while I'm working - I am on a computer most of the day and working from home, so I have gotten a bit lax, but need to be more disciplined about my work vs. personal time. I'm sorry - laughing - "personal" time. All 5 minutes of it every other day.

It's hard to believe that there are people who would actively comment on NIP. Granted, I live in a pretty crunchy state - one that is at least tolerant where it is not liberal - but still. To get into someone else's business like that - unreal. I probably would have just looked calmly at the woman and said, "Huh" in my most dismissive voice possible. I don't have NOS's chutzpah!

So DD is not yet rolling over. She did tummy to back 4 times about a month ago, and nothing since. She is certainly strong enough to do so, and can prop herself up in a sit for about 5 seconds, hold her head up great, holds her weight when standing, spins herself in circles (usually counter-clockwise, oddly), does great on her tummy, but does not roll. Anything to worry about?

Oh - and I think a tooth is working it's way through. There is a discernible spot on her lower gums where she's had a bump for weeks, and my oh my is she a fussbudget.

And she wakes up every 1-2 hours at night if she is sleeping anywhere but right next to me in bed. Crib. Tomorrow night. We're determined. Sleep necessary for mama's well-being.

[flapjack]

slgt, all of my others flatly refused to roll until they could sit independently and were ready to think about crawling and/or getting into a sitting position from their tummy- there was just this outraged look of "do WHAT? No WAY" Too soon to panic, I reckon None of the three did tummy time either.

Lauren, I posted the CW link a page or two back, I think, but LMK if you want it again. I'm knackered after this weekend: I did heavy cleaning of the two worst kitchen cupboards, cleaned, de-moulded and decorated the front porch (which is a glorified cupboard, not what you guys call a porch at all) and five trillion loads of laundry. Isaac isn't feeling too great, bless him- his asthma's playing up- so we've stuck close to home.

[applecore]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Urgh. Crap night's sleep- River did his weekly poo at 1.30am, after two hours of screaming at daddy and two hours of biting mummy's boobies, as Skye puts it.

Marley used to do that, too. Not fun!

Originally Posted by birthmommom

grr...please help me step back and support my sister, and be ok that her babe got at least 6 weeks or so of breastmilk.

That is so hard. My SIL was 18 when she had her baby, and was very gung-ho about nursing, but it lasted a month at most. When I asked why she stopped, she said, "No reason, really." : It was really hard for me to let go of that feeling that I failed to make her understand how important (and wonderful!) bfing is. So, not much advice, but sympathy.

Originally Posted by Juise

really? I've been asked to go to the bathroom a few times, asked if I want a blanket / their jacket, actually asked, "ain't ya got a bottle?" feeling her in a store once. And I seriously barely get out of the house kind of doesn't encourage me to.

WTF?! I can't believe your luck! I've even stood leaning against the freezer in the middle of Meijer (MI based grocery chain) nursing one of my kids and only had one comment, which was positive! So strange.

Originally Posted by Juise

Okay we're going to go pick up one of these pottys today :

You're gonna love it! We actually have three. I keep one in the car, one inside, and one on the porch to take in the stroller when we walk to the park. And I would love to get together sometime! I'll pm you when we get back from up north.

Originally Posted by smokeylo

SO.... DD is so interested in food (she's 4.5 months). She has been lunging for my spoon and licking it, so I thought we'd try some solids. Just tastes; nothing super serious. I got some sweet potato (organic/etc) baby food and have given her a little bit over the last 3 days every day. She eats it and seems to enjoy it but she seems more constipated and has diaper rash. So, does that mean sweet potato is not going to work for her? Should I forego the solids for now (I know it's a little early)? Or is this sort of typical of transitioning to a partially solids based-diet? Guide me, mamas... I'm feeling kind of guilty giving her solids before 6 months . I wouldn't have done it if she wasn't showing just about every single readiness sign and if she didn't react so well to being fed.

I'd just hold off. Sounds to me like she's interested in what you're doing, and is trying to explore that with all of her senses. Babies want to put EVERYTHING in their mouths, not just food. I'd bet that I could hand Twyla a dog turd and she'd try to put it in her mouth! If she's getting constipated and rashy, I would assume that her gut isn't ready for solids yet. Sweet potato is a pretty common starting food, so I would tend to think it's solids in general rather than that.

I'm doing the last of my packing now so we can head out to Lake Michigan early tomorrow morning. So I'll be out of the loop for a few days, and I'm sure I'll come back and there will be 10 more pages. Hasta la vista, mamas!

[Writerbird]

I've been in restaurants nursing with no cover, listening to people who are grossed out by a nearby nursing mother who has herself draped in a tent. I don't usually bother saying much, as their minds are quite made up, but the mate usually can't resist... "helping to educate."

I love how he's clambered about the bus

[cwoodard]

For everyone having sleep trouble - anyone ever heard of crib bumping? Just had a couple emails come through on my NCSS email list. Not sure how applicable it might be to co-sleeping babies though.

Bump the crib a little bit, just enough to cause them to stir, but
not wake fully- supposedly it resets their sleep cycle so they don't
wake at the typical time (for E it is 40 minutes). If you do it a
few times it's supposed to help break the habit of waking at that
time... Alex actually had a good night last night - yay! Took me 40 minutes to nurse him to sleep, but then he stayed down and only woke up once to eat like normal. He went down on the first try tonight again too. So maybe it was just his teeth bugging him. I still dream of the day when he starts sleeping until at least 7 in the morning. I'm such a nightowl and 5:30 am wake-ups every single day is just cruel and unusual punishment imo!!! Is it really evil that I feel like dumping a bucket of cold water on DH so he has to wake up then too?? I never thought I'd be jealous of his 7 am wake-up time during the week (and even later on weekends)...

DH blew bubbles for Alex today, and he was sooo enthralled by it - a really drastic change since we tried bubbles last week. He was reaching out and touching them.

I've read/heard that you shouldn't worry about rolling over - that some babies just don't care for it much and go straight to crawling. Alex has rolled over from tummy to back, but doesn't do it often. He'll wiggle over on his side a lot now and has managed to turn himself about 90 degrees, but that's still the limit of his mobility.

It's interesting that so many other babies are singing, squealing and getting louder. Alex spent the past two days experimenting non-stop (or so it seemed at least ) with the higher pitches. Kind of sing-song trilling mixed in with the occasional squeal.

I'm sorry to hear that some of you have been having trouble with your LO not liking the car. We've been lucky that Alex has liked it all along. Car rides were a godsend the first 3 months when he was colicky in the evenings. I still take him for a ride some afternoons when he needs a nap, and I don't feel like sleeping too. He doesn't fall asleep as quickly anymore though; but seems content to chatter to himself and play with a toy until he nods off.

[BabyBump]

Sounds like everyone has had interesting weekends. Eli is feeling much better. He's got a new trick too. Lately he's into using his feet for everything. This is how he plays with his toys now. Check it out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28348581@N06/2643997553/


We had a good weekend. Did the normal 4th of July routine except watching the fireworks from our house instead of at the park. We only live a block away so our view is still good. Eli slept through the entire thing. I was worried that the booming would wake him up.

My husband who works out but is not a runner ran his first 5K. Our towns first ever 5K was held on the 5th. He finished in 26 minutes which in his words was good for an old man-he's 41 I'm 30, therefore many jokes are made about age.

Got lots of flannel cut for diaper wipes, now I need to sew them. Did some knitting. Started spinning for the Tour De Fleece. I also managed a little bit of house cleaning. Thank you Eli for taking awesome naps this weekend. Mommy loves you to pieces.

Birthmommom-Sorry to hear about your sister. I can understand hitting a hiccup and wanting to give up. Been there myself a couple times-most recently when I had problems letting down at work for the pump. I know it's because I can't get totally relaxed because I've got a million things going at my desk. I've thought about quitting nursing because of it. Why go through the hassle. But I don't because even when I can't provide all the milk at least I'm providing most of it. I have come to terms with having days where Eli has to have a bottle or two with formula in addition to those with breastmilk. I can't call into work every time I am not able to pump out enough for the next day. 6 weeks is still somthing be proud of her for. It's more than some do.

[eilonwy]

I'm home! The boy and I had a spectacular time. It was absolutely brilliant. He ran around and made friends, I ran around and chatted and had a blast without getting messed up at all (I think I had a grand total of half a cup of wine/mead, and all over the course of four ceremonies ). It was all splendiferously fun, and could have been made better only by the presence of the rest of my babies... and a real freaking mop & broom for the tent. Oh yes, and an air matress. I found myself desperately wanting an air matress, especially when Bean kind of pushed meout of the sleeping bag. I may try to talk Mike into getting two for us for Stones Rising, as one of my primary arguments against an air matress was that Mike would kill it in one visit to the Farm. (Yeah, he's a fat man. I mean, I'm fat too, but he's got damn near a hundred pounds on me. )

I'll freely admit here that I've only scanned, so forgive me if I miss or repeat things.

Bear is a very tall baby. He's skinny, but tall-- as I've said before, three hobbits and a half-elf. He sleeps pretty easily, though; I'm very lucky to have been spared infantile sleep problems, for the most part. Now that I have energy again, I'm awake more than the kids. For a while I needed more sleep than they did (Bean needs remarkably little, and I spent several years being pregnant ), but these days I'm up on them.

In this particular instance, a matrix is a suspension. It's like... okay. You have a bathtub, and you put water in it. The water isn't a matrix, it's just water... but if you toss some toys, some bubbles, and some kids, you've got a matrix-- a bunch of stuff all together. It's a water-based matrix, and it's got kids and bubbles and toys in it. A matrix can be anything; in The Matrix, Morpheus explains it pretty clearly when he says, "The matrix is all around us." It's a created environment, with all of the trappings of late 20th century Earth-- a mixture of stuff. Matrices of all varieties are fun, because the words "matrix" and "matrices" are fun (among other things).

I have received a couple of negative breastfeeding comments. One woman, a clerk in a store, asked me to go to the bathroom to nurse Bean when he was about 2.5. "Do you eat in the bathroom?" "No." "Neither does he," I said, and then I crossed my legs and turned my head to indicate that the conversation was over. Sometimes, it's important to pull out that Big Grownup Voice and use it on unsuspecting weak-willed folks. When people politely ask if I'd like to "go somewhere else" or "have something to cover up," I usually say, "No" and smile politely. "Some women are uncomfortable doing that in public," they say, eyeing me warily. "I'm not one of them," I say, smiling sweetly and so genuinely that they are put off their feed entirely. It's freaking hilarious to me. Ah, the things I miss about breastfeeding! :sigh:

There are lots of looks, though, regardless; Apparently I still look young enough to be a teenaged mother, and that's just never cool. Of late, it's more the "you've really lucked out" variety of comment; Teenaged mothers, you see, are not supposed to have children who are particularly a) beautiful b) intelligent c) well-behaved or d) noteworthy in any positive way. I just love confounding the masses. It's always fun to pretend that I don't realize that they're upset/confused because I look young, and that they're just truly astounded by the magic of my babies. : I'm so mean.

[Jezzy]

operamommy he will roll

eilonwy glad that you all had a great time!

BabyBump cute pic!! Ashlee has noticed her feet but she doesn't seem interested in them. I think it is soooo cute when babies play with their feet. You got a lot of things done! You must have a super napper!

smokeylo My lo is really interested in food too. I am going to hold off a while though. I know it is tough when they open their mouths trying to "grab a bite" but applecore is right, Ashlee too would stick a dog turd in her mouth so I don't think that it is the food so much as it is just sticking things in the mouth.


Can someone please explain Chore wars to me? I want to join but I am just not a computer game freak. Do I need to be in order to enjoy it?

[flapjack]

Heather, I din't know you were doing the Tour de Fleece? Me too, though I cheated and started a bit early.
Jezzy, I promise, gaming freakdom not required. Basically, you get points for doing housework- that's it. It works wonders on getting the housework challenged (like children, and me) to do stuff.

I'm in laundry hell. I'm on my third load of the day already and its only 10am. I shouldn't be here, I should be sitting with my feet up surrounded by tea and coffee at breastmates. Instead, I have squirmy on my knee, screamy in my ear, wheezy bouncing off the ceiling and the laundry mountain plus cause for it. It's not good, I tell ya Steve has a late finish tonight as well, so I'm on my own till bedtime.

[slgt]

Originally Posted by Writerbird

I've been in restaurants nursing with no cover, listening to people who are grossed out by a nearby nursing mother who has herself draped in a tent.

Is it nursing, specifically, or is it the general American issues with nudity that cause discomfort for people who disapprove of NIP? Not a very practical people, we Americans. No matter what the cause. Grumble.

Originally Posted by cwoodard

For everyone having sleep trouble - anyone ever heard of crib bumping...It's interesting that so many other babies are singing, squealing and getting louder. Alex spent the past two days experimenting non-stop (or so it seemed at least ) with the higher pitches. Kind of sing-song trilling mixed in with the occasional squeal.

Never heard of crib-bumping - sounds...interesting? I'll do some research on it. Rosebud definitely wakes up with her sleep cycle, anywhere from 45min-1.5 hours. Unless she is next to me. Sigh.

Also - yup on the higher pitches - entertaining and ear-shattering, both! Rosemary practically cracked a few windows last night!

Originally Posted by flapjack

I'm in laundry hell. I'm on my third load of the day already and its only 10am.

Good for you, Helen! Laundry is never-ending, with one mess-making DH (he's a boatbuilder and gets dirty a lot), 2 large dogs, and one baby girl. And I know that toddlers only make more mess! Hope your day goes well, sounds like you have a long one.

Rosemary would like me to let you all know that she is cutting a tooth. Loudly.

In addition to the following haiku, we are working on a children's book called, "Rosemary's Loud Morning".

Tooth growing today;
Loud yells start in the morning.
Breaking through gums, ow.

[nausicaamom]

ack! I can't beleive how big this thread is. super fussy babe so have to come back later.

[Teenytoona]

My First Multi-Quote! I'm sure I've missed someone over all of these pages, so I'm sorry in advance

Originally Posted by noordinaryspider

Don't sell yourselves short, married mamas! My DPs took a lot of time and energy and I have been constantly amazed at how much easier things are with this little one than the previous babies, who were all born while I was partnered. I blame a lot of my teenaged son's problems on the energy I poured into an ill-fated relationship during his preteen years that should have gone to my children.

NOS, so glad you wrote this. I feel sometimes like that would be true, but then wonder if I'm just imagining. However, your words give me hope for something I feel is inevitable. You rocked out with your fourth of july! You're so bold! I owe you a package now. I'm getting to it one of these days!

Originally Posted by Juise

Oh, and another thing! I don't remember if I've really posted about it here, but I've been struggling with yeast since early pregnancy ( your way, salt_phoenix) and I think it's really, really starting to leave my milk-ducts!!! : : This is a really, really big deal for me. The topical spots suddenly faded and turned white a couple weeks ago, and it encouraged me to add something else to my routine (added GSE) now nursing is starting to be less painful. My nips are less red than I feel like I can remember them at this point! I had pretty much been resigned to dealing with it until I had finished nursing and could do a cleanse. I am SOOOO happy and keeping my fingers crossed! Maybe it really *can* be beaten

Oh Juise! Another inspirational Post!!! We've been fighting thrush since the stupid hospital, which I figure is my scourge for not believing in myself and staying at home. But hey I'm so glad to see you're winning the battle. I've been using GSE this past weekend and this week in the hopes to eradicate it.

Originally Posted by operamommy

Hey mamas!

All is quiet here right now. Dh and ds2 are down in the workshop, and Peter is napping in the bedroom.

Someone please remind me that he will, in fact, roll. I've never been one to really watch milestones, but sheesh...could the boy at least try? I'm reminding myself that he's so incredibly mellow that he just doesn't feel the need to try and move about much yet. It's hard not to compare his development with the development of the other 3.


Peter has been all about his little knot doll lately. It's definately his favorite thing to hold and gnaw on. And he's getting some chubby little legs.

NO worries, Nara isn't rolling over yet either. I mean she always gets to her side, and sometimes a bit further, but never all the way. Mr Toona says it's because of her cloth diaper, to which I say, so how did all these generations of people ever do it before now?

Gen I hope you're finding some health and healing your way! What an ordeal!!

Allyn, ugh, I hate to see other's breastfeeding relationships end for no reason. My SIL is off the charts on this one. She had supply problems because of nipple confusion and a 3-hour-a-feed schedule that she swears didn't exist (after the fact - she did have him on a schedule but she denied it last time I gave her feeding advice). I told her over and over again to come to LLL or call a leader, gave her TONS of advice, links etc. Now my nephew, who's 5 mo, is on alimentum, for no reason really that I can see. He didn't have any problems with breastmilk, she never needed to go on an elimination diet. It's just that momma didn't do what she needed to, she never wants help because she knows it all. He's not colicky, he doesn't seem to have any stomach problems, nothing at all like what a kid who's on alimentum should have. AND she's feeding him foods like canned baby food green beans, and other heavier vegetables. She worried because he's always puking this stuff up. (no duh?) I mean if the kid really needed alimentum, then he shouldn't be anywhere NEAR solid food yet. Oh and my little brother is busting his butt working and she continues to treat him like her slave. Ugh another story for another time, but I can empathize with you, Allyn. It's so hard to see someone do something so wrong and know that they won't take any helpful advice because they have it their way. So I see this little boy go through this and know that I can do nothing about it. Nothing at all, I tried, but you can take a horse to water, ya know?

Nara is really interestedly watching people eat. Ya know, she's studying how it works, figuring it out. SO everyone insists she's ready to start eating. Well everyone except my older sis and mom, they agree on the sitting up, pincer grasp stuff. She's only 4 mo for crying in a bucket. Thankfully they've got heads on them. I mean she loves her toys and puts them in her mouth, but it's not like she's ready to eat them... She totally LOVES the phone though. She is fascinated that people's voices come through it and when she sees one of the cordless phones hanging around she stares at it, reaches for it across the room and smiles this little joyful smile.

I find it harder and harder to NIP as she can't stand to not see what's going on. ugh. I can't manage those cover-up things so it's a bit of a struggle, I usually end up lying down on the floor to feed her, distractions seem more controllable that way. She's coming close to sitting up on her own. If she's sitting and leans forward (as if to pick something up off the floor), she usually does ok for a bit. I think I see the bulge of a tooth making it's way down on her top gums, so we shall see how that fares. We're still fighting the yeast battles, but ah well.

Nara apparently loves Tennis, my youngest sis is ALL about tennis esp Rafael Nadal (she's soo happy that he won Wimbledon - Vamos Rafa!), and she and the baby watched a whole lot of it weekend, and sis lectured on what's happening. heh.

My brother mentioned yesterday that Nara sometimes looks like our late brother's baby pictures. He's right, sometimes I look at her and know she looks like someone but can't put a finger on who, it's him. It's like he's popping back to say hi through a cute little baby girl. Hi back at you "Monkey!"

[Jezzy]

Ok Helen, I created a character. Are we doing this as a group or do we start our own group?

[slgt]

A tooth - i can't believe it! I'm going to miss my baby girl's gummy grin...a sharp little point is poking through, already through more than it was this morning. I just can't believe it. This is all happening too fast. Sniffle.

ETA: TWO bottom teeth, coming in at once! How long does it take these wee teeth to poke all the way through? We are not a happy baby!