April showers bring May 04 kids

Thanks Heather. I was reading all those comments last night and I wasn't going to chime in, but this morning, I was still thinking about it and I just had to say something. Too many people cheerleading for CIO for my taste. And I just have a hard time keeping my big mouth shut. I understand sometimes people gotta do what they gotta do, but I can't help but think most people just can't be bothered to attend to their babies at night and it really bugs me how cavalier the general population is about it, especially about starting it at 4 mo old. Very sad, indeed. I find it extra sad that no one seems to be commenting on how Heather/dooce herself said that leaveing Leta to cry was part of what contributed to her needing to check into a mental hospital. Nice how everyone conveniently leaves that part out when they tell her over and over that she did the right thing and thanks for making them feel better about their choice to do it, too. : But anyway...

Jacqueline, hope your back feels better soon. Nice to have a break in the midst of that.

Still waddling around with my big belly. This is the last weekend before my edd and the house cleaning and organizing is coming together quite nicely. DH has been a laundry doing/folding machine this weekend and we are actually 2 loads away from being ALL caught up with ALL of our laundry - a huge feat in our home. : I STILL can not find the power cord for our digital camera (it's been missing since a couple days after xmas : ) and I'm really starting to get irritated about it. I really need/want a camera here for the birth! I guess I can use my mom's camera if I need to, but I'd rather have ours. Ugh.

Anyway, Mia is eating yogurt in her highchair and I have a feeling it's going to be flung all over the dining room in a minute, so I better go.

MMF!

Re tantrums... I usually buy one bagel when we're at the store (and split it--T used to get all of it). It's food, it's new (ie, it's better than something brought with us, of course), it keeps them busy (takes a while to eat), it's not something I mind feeding them, and they can finish it later if they don't want it. That said... I won't go to the store with Z if I don't have T to distract him. (Shopping with T alone when he was ~2 was a nightmare, not going there again with Z.)

Re explaining: yeah, we explain everything, and I think he gets it (because he'll talk about it later). No, they don't get 100% of the complexity, but it has to start somewhere, right?

EL, yea for a BFN!

Jess, I've been told they sometimes save their most challenging behavior for those they love the best. When T was 2-3, *my* mom said something like, "You have to teach him to respect his elders." And I said, "Uh, no... *you* have to not let a toddler walk all over you."

Slotto! Seriously, though--I loved O names for boys when we were pondering Z's name (obviously, dh did not).

Beth, sorry about the HF&M. IIRC, that can make them drool like crazy. Hope he's feeling better soon.

TC, what kind of covers do you have? (We just throw ours in the wash and they smell great.)

Jacqueline, hope you feel better soon. That sounds terrible...

Ah, that post... I just didn't read it. I just don't/can't involve myself in sleep stuff with people I don't know personally.

But yes, Meg, I'm starting to get all excited for you. Find the power cord--you can't go into labor without it!

Here's a question: does your May toddler have opinions about what s/he wears? Z does, and I'm a little freaked out, because it didn't happen this early with T. ("Over. Alls. OVER!! ALLS!!")

And last but not least... my ob said I can have until Mon, May 8th (42w1d) rather than Fri, May 5th (41w5d) (because I'm "so healthy" ). I know it seems trivial, but if y'all recall, I gave birth last time ~41w5d (and that was with the nudging of a little cohosh tincture). I might need those 3 extra days (and I might have to resort to the same nudging).

I found the power cord!!!!!! WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!! Okay, well... DH is really the one who found it, but it was right where I left it in the oh so convenient place I figured would be a great place to keep it so it wouldn't get lost. I left it plugged in behind the tv in our room so I could just plug in the camera any time and the cord could stay put. Yeeeaaahhhh.... good to remember these things, eh?

Okay, so I guess that means I could have the baby any time now, since that was the big thing I was waiting for.

KK, that's cool that you got a bit of an extension on your vbac deadline. I'm sure you're go within that time frame.

Anyone else looking at preschools yet? We saw an awesome Montessori school last week and Mia really loved it. She was engaged in activity and watching with fascination within about two min of us being there. We're planning on having her start in the fall. I'm not sure I would put her in so early if it weren't for the new baby coming, but now that we're on this track, I do think it's the right one. She is so busy all the time and I often feel like I don't provide enough stimulating activities for her. I know she's ready, but it was weird to see her in a "school" setting. How did my little baby get to be such a big girl?????

Anyway, I'm off to download photos from the camera. Will post some to the yg later today! It's been ages since I've done that.

Megan--I had that exact same hold up---I was waiting for my new 2G memory card to get here before the babe came--it worked! We had considered looking at schools for C for next January, but I flaked and forgot all about the preschool fair at the local library. There is only one Montessori in our area and it might work if DH dropped her before work, but I think they only do longer day/5 day programs?? I forget. I do like that approach and have been doing bits of research here and there to do a homeschool preschool version of sorts. Most of the preschools in our area are more of the conservative religious variety and that's not us so we'll see. I'm sure she'll have a blast! DH brought C to MIL's this afternoon while he is at work and I've already gotten a ton more done than I would have with her here so breaks are good!

KK--We haven't put up the poll yet, but I'm going for a May 1st babe! I'm getting so excited to meet her and see if you'll have to add a carrot or a banana to your siggie!

Jacqueline--any more news on the job/house/move front?? Those kitchens are adorable! I can't decide if I want to do that for her for this birthday or as a combined gift for both girls for next Christmas. We never did get her the art easel for Christmas this year so that might be her gift---though I'm pretty sure she'll be more than tempted to paint her sister. She's taken to coloring her own nose with washable crayons lately!

We've got terrible twoness or terrible teeth going on here or something. : DH and I have teamed up on the acknowledge then ignore the drama front, but nothing seems to help avert/dissuade the meltdowns. Does anyone else notice this kind of stuff being worse with both parents around? I don't know if it's the new babe or what and then competing for DH's attention, but our weekdays are always much more mellow than the weekends/evenings.

Okay...going to take advantage of my one quiet napping babe and get some more organizing done!

Sherri- I'm glad you're lovin your cloth dipes. I'm getting excited that L's finally almost in size 2 Kissaluvs. We only by 4 of each size for night time cause they're spendy, but I do love me a good dipe.

Claudia- I'm sending your dh some productive/calming/good luck vibes for getting his product squared away.

Megan- ooooh you're so close! So exciting!

KK- hooray on some wiggle room for your 3rd. I mean really, after having 2 kids, they've gotta acnowledge that your kids just need a little more time in the womb. And no, L hasn't developed a particularity about what clothes he wears yet. Thank GOODNESS.

Heather- both parents around? Happens very little around here while the babe is awake, between our work schedules. But I have noticed an increase in L's ideas of what he wants, and frustrations when that doesn't happen.

I'm almost half way through our wedding scrapbook! (We got married almost 7 years ago!) Then I can start one for L. (insert wry grin here).

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I didn't see your comment, because I had to just close that one out. It was too difficult. I was also really disappointed with dooce for her cry it out entry, and was bummed about the whole situation. But good for you for saying something! I can bet it was good and thoughtful and perfect. The CIO thing gets me down. I feel so strongly about it, and even though we did some sleep stuff with the lentil that was difficult for me, we never. ever. left him to cry it out. And he sleeps the night now. And the world goes on. AND I would do it the same with the next child.

Anyway, I'm off my soapbox and just posting to say hello and subscribe! Hi!

Oh- and the lentil has no preference on what he wears, but he definitely prefers being either completely naked or completely dressed. And he hates going between the two.

We definitely get worse behavior when both parents are around. He's been particularly bad in the mornings when he wants to see one parent but the other comes to him first. that will buy us a thirty minute miserable tantrum if we don't do it just right. grrrrr. :

yay on finishing old projects! I'm just about ready to quilt a quilt I started, oh, three years ago. :

I am so glad to read of others' kids behaving less well when both parents are around. I thought it was just Viet & I and our sometimes antagonistic ways. GAWDS, he just pissed me off just now. Just more of the same, nothing new or exciting. Stupid misunderstandings that just get more stupid.
anyway, it is normal for us to take turns and it works best for everyone that way. ie, when it is toothbrushing time and it's me doing it the way we always do it, no biggie, when he is around she puts up a fight and he will intervene for her, and say if she's traumatized she won't ever want to have her teeth cleaned so just leave her be, she understands that with Daddy she doesn't have to brush her teeth and will "save" her...you know the drill.

Sherri-neat about the dipes. cloth dipes rule, except when they are toddler-poopy. I am sewing up a bunch of newborn size and they just don't seem real, they are so tiny! Like for a doll! Wow.

Today Sol said, "popo" (her word for poop) and ran into the bathroom, sat on her little potty, and went!!! It was incredible! She was nakey butt under a dress. I bought some undies today, we're gonna try this! She often announces Pee Pee or PoPo just before she's about to do it. But not if she's wearing a diaper.

Hot. In. Mexico. Need Rain.

Hey, y'all! Just subscribing for now, Rowan has ANOTHER cold (got it at the LLL conference, which was *awesome*, btw!) and it's been a long Sunday. So, I am going to bed, I think.
I'll write more soon! Much to you all!

Hey may mamas!

Renae, glad the conf. was a blast! hope Rowan's feeling better soon.

Anyone's dc going through a violent stage? Katie's been hitting with increasing frequency lately. I'm trying to teach her to use her words instead of hitting, since she's soooo verbal. Yesterday we were at a birthday party, and a 1.5 year old kept taking her toys, and she'd scream and then hit. So I keep telling her to say "Please stop, N" in a nice voice instead of screaming and hitting. Let's see how it works....

Sherri- *raising hand* Ugh! I think here it's part of her learning to assert herself and it's not off to a graceful start. She has discovered the word no with a vengeance and today when I was washing spaghetti sauce off her hands and got a chorus of "let go let go let go" coupled with getting kicked and hit/scratched. So far I'm the primary target, but little sister did get hit in the head with a book today. : She mostly just grunts/shouts if she gets mad at another kid at the park.

But on the burgeoning manners front she is getting the hang of please, but instead of saying thank you says "welcome" and if you say "excuse me" she'll say "excuse you"

Any suggestions for toddler shoes/sandals for chubby feet?? She's about a 6ish and I had a cute little pair of leather keds put away for her and her feet are so thick I can't even get her toes halfway in! I like the looks of the see kai run shoes, but hesitate to order anything online if it's not going to fit!

Heather - We really like the See Kai Run shoes; Lily has chubby feet, too, and those fit her well. We've gone through two pairs in the last year, and she's getting the little orange Mary Janes for her birthday from one of the grandmas. They are pretty soft leather, and "give" quite a bit, IME.

Well my Spring quarter started today. Ugh. I can't wait to get to the actual midwifery part in September. Not so interested in tracheostomy care. Blech.

Sigh. I am kind of in a funk. Not looking forward to school this quarter AT ALL. Wish I could be home more. I'd like to have class 3 days a week, not 5.

Sarah

Another vote for See Kai Run. We got them for Z mostly because the soles are super flexible. But they've held up well and they run wide (and they were actually the cheapest of the "crunchy" brands--pleasant surprise).

Sarah, do you have to become an RN as part of the whole CNM deal? Sorry this 1/4 sounds like a bummer (at least it's a 1/4, not a semester). Also, I was going to ask you a ? or 2 about the felt pizza--did you make it so that the pizza is one whole circle (that you can decorate), or does it separate into slices, too? (And if so, how do you keep it together when it's the whole pizza?)

Sherri, I don't see it as a violent phase, I see it as being a boy and being a younger brother. : (Ie, guess I'm not that phased by it...) Yeah, we're trying to encourage the words more, and we really push T to honor Z's words when he uses them (if Z says "No!" or "Stop it!", well, T needs to listen and not be bossy).

Renae, sorry Rowan is sick again. It never ends, does it? Dh and both boys are sick right now. I am so ready for the germ season to be *OVER*.

Yeah, the transition between dressed and naked is not good. We do lots of distraction... (and sometimes if the outfit is not looking dirty, well...)

Meg, we'll send Z to the same co-op preschool T goes to. But he won't go till he's 3. Frankly, I'm glad we don't have to figure that one out again. (And BTW, Mia is so darned CUTE!!!)

Starting to get comments IRL about when is the baby coming, people doubting that I'll really go 42 weeks. Uh, people, if the obs and the doula all think I'm gonna do it and I've done it twice before, it's not pessimism, it's realism.

Yoohoo!!! Megan!!! Need update!!!



~claudia

I'm still here, still pg. Not in the best of moods this afternoon due to the near lethal combo of a toddler nap revolt and a surly teen. :

In good news, my parents are coming tomorrow so I'll be getting lots of help and breaks and stuff like that.

Also, had a MW appt this morning and I'm 80% effaced, 1 cm dilated! Progress! We like progress!

Welcome afishwithabike! We're a fairly chatty bunch, often rambling on about lots of things other than our May 04 babes. Jump on in and blab away with us!

I'm off to try to repair my funky mood...