Anybody else?

This will be my 3rd baby born in DECEMBER. My children will be 4, 2 and just born. Not planned, by the way. I would love to have a baby in the summer, but reading the above I am rethinking that statement. i never thought about the heat factor. i just wanted to be able to take the baby out and not think about cold/flu season. Being pregnant through the summer was not fun because I did not feel like going out in the heat and the kids wanted to be outside ALL DAY LONG. At least in the winter, you really can't go out.
I have been stockpiling Christmas/birthday gifts for the kids to get us through the season (activities, toys, you name it). With my last birth, I parked it on the couch with my 2 year old dd at the time and the new baby and we read book after book.
As for the PPD, take your cod liver oil - Vit D is good for depression.
Its not that bad - there are bad days, sure, but its nice to just have that time with just you and the kids and getting into a new routine. Not as many interruptions. My dh would make it a point to take all of us out on the weekends ANYWHERE and it got that need out of my system.
Its great that you have a friend that is in the same boat as you - you and she will be able to lean on each other when you need to.
Good luck!

I'm looking forward to a winter baby. This way by the time we are settled in to our routine it will be summer time and we'll be able to do a lot of summer activities like camping and hiking. My son was born in August and so we felt like we lost that whole summer.
Do you have indoor places geared towards families? Like indoor play parks, coffee shops with play areas, etc?
We have a ton of these here. So I plan on spending my time going to coffee shops and play dates

why not go outside even when it's cold? i'm genuinely confused!

i'm out there walking the dog even in 0 digits and i expect to still be doing it after LO is here. i've been looking at what kinds of coats will cover a sling.

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Sounds like Houston where I live! My last child was born at the very end of August, and that summer being outside was NOT fun. I had a 2 year old also, and had to go out occasionally or go insane with him, but dang, it was HOT! I much preferred when he was born in December, and even then I got hot! Like 85 degrees F the week after he was born, really weird. So to me, January sounds perfect! Usually around here during that time of year, the highs vary from 40s to 70s, with 50s-60s being more common. So pretty nice to bring baby out wrapped up well.

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Me too! Depression sucks! That is why this time my midwives recommended I see a psychiatrist to help monitor things and adjust my meds as necessary. We try to spend more time at the pool, indoor places like the children's museum, library or bounce house place, watch movies, and do outside stuff in the early morning or evenings. Keeping the kiddos busy and getting out some helps, but I hate getting all sweaty from just going to the mail box to check the mail!

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Where I am, it's so cold that when you breathe through your nose your nostrils freeze closed and it feels like you've inhaled a million needles that are stabbing through your lungs. I wear long underwear and warm pants and 2 pairs of socks and after a loop around the block I still can't feel my toes and where you need a block heater (or a lot of patience!) to start your car some mornings.

Definitely not weather to bring a baby out in! I did last year (DD was born late November) but she wore a onesie, socks, sleeper, sweater, leg warmers, a hat, my scarf, wrapped in a fleece blanket in our home-made flannel wrap underneath DH coat. And *I* was still cold, and we couldn't be out more than 10-15 minutes or she'd start screaming due to cold.

I just got out- a lot- regardless of cold. I found a mommy playgroup and I went for dinner with MIL at least once a week and went to visit SIL twice a week and I managed to survive.

I get depressed in the winter as well, and I was REALLY worried. Now I'll have 2 little ones in the dead of winter so I hope I can keep up the routine of going out nearly every day to help combat it.

I find even getting out where there are people helps- be it the mall, the library, whatever.

I have a late December baby & an early February baby--then this one may be born in late January. I LOVE : winter babies!!

I live in North Texas & it gets hot hot hot during the summer. I don't know how mamas manage being big pregnant in August & Sept. I am miserable during the summer when NOT pg

Our winters are somewhat mild, so we don't get much 0 degree weather. We still walk to school (bundled up of course), go to the park and I plan to do the same when this one is born.

Sometimes the cooler weather can get me down, too...I'm hoping being super busy with two LO will help keep my mind off things!

I really enjoyed having DD in December, though. Granted, it doesn't snow here...but we snuggled in bed all toasty. The Christmas tree was up when she arrived (12/22) and it was so wonderful snuggling her next to the lights. This time, I told DH we're not getting the tree until 12/24 so it can still be up with DD2 arrives! It was really magical - kind of like being little again. I always get nostalgic around the holidays and having DD at the same time was really exciting and special.

We spent the first six weeks in our little "nest" of my bed and I know I can't do that this time...I have no idea how I'll be able to bypass that. Maybe introduce DD to the concept of movies? I'm just looking forward to being toasty warm with the heater and a new baby to snuggle. Hopefully I'll only have to leave the house when absolutely necessary and will be able to do it when DH is home with the girls.

I hear you! Both ds and dd were born in the winter, it was super snowy and icy outside when I gave birth both times. With ds it was a little different because it was right before the holidays so we were out all the time with Christmas parties and get togethers. Dd was born in January, right after the holidays, and it was a lot more isolating. I am definitely not the type to bundle up and go outside in the dead of winter!

I like to do a lot of cozy, feel-good things. Like baking, making hot cocoa or cider for me and the kids. Spreading out some comforters and blankets on the floor and watching movies. Have other kiddos over for a playdate. Arts and crafts. Forts. Warm, mid-day bubble baths with tons of bubbles and toys, followed up with a super warm sweatsuit, cozy socks, and popcorn.

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I *LOVE* the idea of this, but know that the reality of our day is quite different

I'm not looking forward to bundling everyone up to get out the door....although, getting outdoors at least once a day is essential to my mental well-being.

ya, and without any family close-by to help, I'm afraid I'm going to feel overwhelmed and isolated....I have some acquaintances/friends, but they all have young kids and can't drop everything at a moment's notice to help out.

oh well, it is what it is....

cheers,
charlene

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OK, you're making me look forward to winter now....I had no idea it was possible!

That sounds FANTASTIC!

DD was a summer California baby, and this one will be a winter New York baby (could have been Wisconsin).

I've talked to my WI winter mama friends who say that 1) a baby bucket style carseat is priceless (I had been considering just getting a convertible for this LO) since fussing with a wrap/mei tai/carrier in -30F weather is Not Fun, 2) library story times are a Gd send, 3) Peekarus or Kindercoats make all the difference in the world.

For me, living in WI last winter was a lesson in learning how to enjoy the outdoors when it's Really Freaking Cold. We got snowshoes. Built snowmen. Made snow angles, went sledding, make hard cider :

I know a lot winter sports activities are out when you have a NB in tow, but pop junior in your carrier, cover with a kindercoat, grab the older kids and go for a walk!


I love the bubble bath and popcorn idea

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I dunno... I have lived in Wisconsin my whole life and I don't think I will EVER learn to enjoy the outdoors in the winter!! LOL!!! Ick Ick Ick. I do occasionally venture out for the obligatory snowman or what have you but I mostly leave that kind of crazy business for dh. I'd rather be in charge of having the cocoa and cookies ready when it is time to come in!!