PS Mommies Thread!

[Jas12]

This is thread is quiet--gotta kick it up a notch...how about the possibility of wearing a glamorous Birthing Gown at your next labor?!!...for real

I just read an article about a designer who wanted something chic and comfortable to give birth in (complete with a tie back so that the doc can have easy access when the epi is required!)

My gawd, imagine the poor dry-cleaning service that gets one of these on the counter.

for anyone interested it is called the Dar-A-Luz--here''s the linky
Ridiculous dress


Lili--how did the rice go?

Tgal--do u use your peapod thingy much? i am thinking of getting one to bring to europe

 

[TravelingGal]

Hiya gals!

OK, tomorrow I will do a nekkid diaper shoot, promise! My inlaws are away this week so I have heaps of time and I am happy to spend time alone with my girl before I go to work.

missspinky, welcome! Your angel is adorable! I LOVE the first pony!

Ella, girl crying over polenta is a big sign.

I hope it is the nuva ring so you can stop using it and get back to your happy self. That sounds like way too much in the hormone department, you poor thing. Also, cool on the new seats! I think Britax has their fall sale starting September 1, so I have to figure out which ones to get. What made you decide on the marathons vs the other two?

lili, HA! I saw that nekkid nappy pic of J and thought...hmm...she doesn''t look like a shorty...in fact she looks pretty tall. Hahaha...she''s taller than Amelia! You got yourself a future model there! I''m not surprised at all that she is tall and lean...I don''t think the nurse made a mistake. Love your new avatar too!

Diver, awesome photos. I just love Delaney''s eyes too. Can''t believe she is approaching a year, right? And I love your hair, so I would just enjoy the awesome look. Question, what''s wrong with Yaz? My doc just prescribed it for me. I wanted Orthocept, which was what I took for many years, but he said I didn''t need too much of something rather hormones and that I was getting old.

Gotta love Korean docs. I told him teasingly that he shouldn''t say that to the women, and he laughed and said he is the only one in his practice authorized to say such things.

MsF, good to see you are stopping in. It''s great that work has been enjoyable for you.

snlee, I totally survived with 3 tanks. HOWEVER, you are talking to a woman who didn''t care if she had spit up all over her and wore the same tank for days on end and didn''t take showers. I call this TGal''s special BIRTH CONTROL method because TGuy obviously wouldn''t touch me!

Softly, my PP periods seem exactly the same as my pre-preggo ones (all of which were on the pill because I never got to have a regular cycle). No cramps, light and last about 3 days. I''m pleased...plus I know my cycle is 31 days now...something I didn''t know for 15 years.

Jas, I LOVE my peapod. I use it all the time because even if I go over to a friend''s house for the afternoon, I want to make sure Amelia takes her naps. And since she still goes down every 1.5-2 hours, she definitely needs at least one nap if I visit my galpals. It''s so light and portable, I love it...plus you''ve seen some of the cribs you get at hotels - a la Tacori''s pics with the duct tape. Now, I don''t know how it will be once she starts crawling and sitting up, but for now it''s great and it can handle Amelia spinning donuts in it. One thing I don''t like is that the little mat that goes inside isn''t anchored down somehow...that can be a suffocation hazard! I have bought some velcro and am going to sew it in..or maybe some snaps. I haven''t decided yet. Oh, and the pump included with it is worthless...faster to blow it up with your mouth.

And that dress is hysterical. It''s a nice idea in theory, but I would be so embarrased to wear it because it would be apparent that I am some kind of high maintenance loon! Plus in my L&D case, it wouldn''t have gone well with my oxygen mask.

 

[Burk]

Oooh, things are quiet. I thought I''d be WAY further behind!

Jas~Tori Spelling wore one of those designer hospital gowns when she delivered her little girl. I thought she looked great in it. While I felt less than glamorous while in labor, I don''t think I can blame it to the hospital gown....labor aint pretty.

ALthough, I don''t think a pretty gown could hurt.

Diver~Thanks for the reassurance. I realize that my level of tollerance is different than theirs (he does a lot of things my child will not get away with) but when it comes to T being in danger I have to do something. Oh, and I so wish we lived close so I could come to your cycling class! Our gym doesn''t offer it anymore.

Softly~I think everyone''s body gets messed up after baby. My AF is less painful and lighter, but it lasts FOREVER compared to pre-preggo.

pave~I''m no help with the highchair. I love Tacori''s boon, but I ended up going practical and got an Evenflo. It has toys so T plays while I get food ready/clean up so it is very functional for us...and it was only $120.

 

[TravelingGal]

OK gals...so I am wondering what you skimp on and what you splurge on for your little ones? Thought it would be fun to read and get tips. So far I am finding...

Skimp:
Clothes...I''m done with buying dresses and what not...just a few onesies for each phase AND I am looking at buying used lots on craigslist. I just packed up a box of 0-3 month things where she didn''t even wear half the stuff (most were gifts though)!

Toys - I buy a few little doodads, but I find she loves random things, as all babies do. I''ll buy more stuff later when she cares...although I am looking at buying a jumperoo or an exersaucer, used on craiglist.

Room decor. Well, there is no room decor. Her crib is so sterile, I actually feel bad for her.

Shoes: she isn''t wearing them.

Splurge:
Diapers. I like pampers. What can I say. I''ve tried kirkland and I don''t love it. Of course, this could be because I''ve been forcing my kid into budgie smugglers.

Formula, food. I will probably try Costco generic after reading Diver''s post, but I really don''t mind buying the name brand. And when she starts eating, I will probably buy that organic stuff from Whole Foods. I also have a contraption to make her food and will buy only organic for her. This kid will eat better than we do.

Strollers. I have a fetish. Although I did buy my maclaren used, but still...$100 for a used umbrella stroller?

Bottles: I like Born Free. Plus I only have two bottles (is that weird?) I figure 20 bucks for 2 bottles which she uses multiple times a day for many months isn''t bad. I just wash right after each use so I could honestly get away with one bottle right now (use the other for outtings).

Mattress.

 

[lili]

Jas12
A sure-fire way to get this thread hopping is to post pictures of your cutie

or your beautiful self

That''s a pretty maternity dress.
But do I want to wear something so nice while giving birth?
I don''t know about most people, but I was a wreck even after a 2.5 hr labor.
Nothing look worst than not having your face made up to go with her attire.
I have to admit that it would have been nice to have the hospital gown made of that material.

Anyway, I did try the rice cereal with J over the weekend.
She took it

She didn''t eat much (1 tsp of rice w/ 4 tsp of milk).
Not much, but it is a start. I''m just happy that she''s eating something at least.

I dropped her off at my sister today for a few hours.
She tried the bottle once again with J with no luck, but she was able to get her to eat twice (1 tsp each time).

I think Co will really enjoy.
J did. She was smiling and kicking her feet after she lapped up each spoon (not spoonful of course).

 

[lili]

TGal
Hehe, thanks. I actually got that picture for free from Kiddie Kandid.
They have this coupon that gives you a free 8x10 if you are a first time customer.
I think they still have the coupon.
www.kiddiekandids.com/specialoffers/ad2

After the shoot, they gave us some referral coupon that you can give to your friends who haven't been to Kiddie Kandid.
If they go check them out, they give them a free 8x12 wall treasure portrait.

DH and I wanted to see how professional they are.
They did spend more than the alotted 15 minutes to get some decents shot for us.

Anyway, will be checking tomorrow for some nekkid Amelia pix

 

[lili]

Thanks softly, I thought she had a funny expression on her face.
Anyway, can''t answer you about pp period.
I thought mine started 2 months after delivery, but it was a fluke.

My younger sister BF and hers started 8 mnths later.
Period is same as before.

My older sister didn''t BF and hers started 3 mnths after delivery.
No change to pre-preggo menses either.

 

[lili]

My list is not much different than yours TGal.

SKIMP
Clothes: I agree that you shouldn't spend too much on these(particularly the 0-3 mnths). You'll probably get alot from gifts. Like Amelia, J only wore her going out dresses once and they go into boxes.

Toys: We were pretty fortunate in that my sister and SIL had their kids about a year earlier. Got alot of hand-me downs and loaners (swings, bouncer, pack-n-play, gym mats, bassinet, tub, carseat, exesaucer). She didn't care for the swing or bouncer much. Didn't use the bassinet or pack-n-play. She'll stay in there for 5 min max. She like the gym mat initially, but is now bored with it. Her new toy? the exesaucer. I think she likes this best since she get to sit upright and she can move around.

Room Decor: She's still in my bed.

Shoes: My sisters got her the Pedipeds, but they are a bit too big right now. I guess depending on the season you have your kid, you may not need any foot coverings.

SPLURGE
Diapers: Yup, pampers is the brand. Super absorbent and soft. Smell good too. I tried the Sam's Club brand and they feel like folded up paper towel in the public restrooms.

Formula, food: No formula since she's not even taking the bottle. Will be feeding her organic if we can.

Strollers: Right now we just got the snap-n-go since my sister loan us the baby carseat. DH will researched and get a new carseat and a real stroller later. Knowing me, we probably won't splurge that much since I am not the shopper type and have no need for a really good stroller for shopping and jogging.

Bottles: Think I've spend more than $40 on the different type of bottles and nipples.....and all will go to waste.

 

[lili]

So I dropped J off at my sister today,
and look what her cousin did to her hair.

ETA: Ack, probably more noticable in the avi.

 

[Jas12]

Lili--Jadie looks SO adorable with the tiny ponytails. she is really beautiful.
I need to get an exercaucer, i think Cohen would like it.
Glad J luved the cereal. I have decided to hold off for a while longer. I did a little research and i think because Co is going to be prone to allergies (i have many very bad allergies and so does Charlie) it is best to be on breast milk as long as possible.

Tgal--i was thinking the peapod would be good for that very reason--sketchy sleeping arrangements when travelling. When we go to europe we will be in various locations and it might help him sleep if the bed is consistent. He sleeps in a few different spots now and seems to do fine, but with jet lag and the new surroundings i am sure it wouldn''t hurt to have something familiar.
....

I am surprised ppl kinda like the labor gown idea. Maybe it seems so crazy cuz i come from a small town and as Tgal said, i think it staff would think i was off my rocker if i showed up in that getup. Tgal, i think you could get away with it in LA

My spending habits

SKIMP
CLOTHING--i have maybe bought Co 2 or 3 things b/c hardly a day goes by when one of his relatives have not dropped something off for us. And, they outgrow the stuff SO fast i can''t justify full price anything when it comes to clothing.

FOOD--Charlie is a green thumb and this spring he planted ''baby food worthy'' crops so in a few weeks i will cook and freeze the peas, carrots, zuc, squash etc. for when he is ready for it. Organic and almost free!

TOYS--I bought him Sophie the Giraffe yesterday which was one expensive chew toy, but other than that i am not too into the toys

SPLURGE:

BOOKS--he has hundreds, not all bought by me but since we read each day and i luv reading to him i don;t mind spending some $ in that area. I still vividly remember my favourite books as a kid but few of my toys so that''s how i justify it.

Diapers--the fuzzi bunz were costly initially, but will pay for themselves...when we are on the go i use Huggies Supreme which are too expensive but my fave.

Stroller--the bugaboo--nuff said

 

[Linda W]

LILI: Love this picture, she is just adorable.



T-GAL: Your response in the Ladies in Waiting Thread, had me in stitches. I just had to tell you!!!

 

[Burk]

Lili~Love the pigtails!!! So cute and ironic because yesterday was T's first official ponytail.

So fun. And she looks so happy in the exersaucer. Oh, and yay for luck with the cereal!

Jas12~Since you are breastfeeding and doing great, I can see why you are holding off on solids. Just wanted to reassure you that even though Co is higher risk, doesn't necessarily mean much. T was higher risk due to DH and I's allergies and they believe that has to do with her intollerance to milk, soy and corn. However, she has no actual allergies and has done fabulous with solids (she showed signs of being intollerant to carrots and apples but they think she'll grow out of that).

My list of save/splurge
Splurge:
*Formula (not by choice!

)
*Baby food (I buy organic)
*Some clothes here and there I splurge on-she has some Nike and Puma tennis shoes and some other name brand stuff that I couldn't resist.
*I've gone crazy with books. I agree with Jas re: books.
*Room decor-Wasn't really my splurge b/c MIL bought all of T's furniture and my mom bought the fabric and made all the window treatments ect.


Save:
*diapers-buy Huggies in bulk at Sam's Club
*Sort-of-we went with Evenflo Convertable Carseats. They were rated really well for safety and I couldn't justify buying two Britax's just because they're rated better because of how easy they are to use. Anyway, they were $160 each.

I'm sure I forgot something. I'm at a workshop for work right now and I'm supposed to be paying attention so I better go. Had to take T to daycare this morning....so sad!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Hmm. I thought I''d pretty much skimped on everything, until I had a look around the house. Scary how much cash we''ve spent on one small baby.

Skimp
We got a travel system (chassis, carrycot, car seat, stroller) as a gift.
toys - I have a room full of toys, but all gifts or hand me downs. Ditto books.
Bottles- I''ll just use the one that came with the breast pump if I need a bottle.
Room decor (quick coat of paint) Existing furniture works fine - carved oak chest for storage, (belonged to DH''s great great, great grandfather) and a Victorian chest of drawers that DH modified to use as a changing station. Looks fine. Cute stuff from IKEA to make it more ''baby.''

Splurge
Hand made oak crib & mattress (I love it, but need to have 45 children to make it cost effective)
Clothes. Cannot resist Baby Gap and Zara Mini
Christening gown is being made from my mother''s wedding dress. I don''t even want to think about what that is costing...


Diapers - not sure if this is a skrimp or splurge, because we spend several hundred £ on bamboo fabric diapers, but we won''t need to but any more and don''t need disposables. DH launders them, I''ve never been brave enough to take the lid off the diaper bucket!

And of course, DH had a mega splurge while I was pregnant by buying a new car "to put the new baby in". I still can''t quite believe he got that one past me!

Final splurge? Well, he got a car so my maternity gift better be awesome...

Jen

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/12/2008 2:49:27 AM
Author: lili
So I dropped J off at my sister today,
and look what her cousin did to her hair.

ETA: Ack, probably more noticable in the avi.

Lili, she is precious!!!

Love the hair, sooo cute!! hehe

 

[TravelingGal]

lili...squee!! So CUTE! Love the pigtails...omg...I''ve been waiting to see Jadie''s hair "done!"

OK gals, how did you decide between an exersaucer and a jumperoo? I can only have one (no room around here). I am going to stick Amelia in my friend''s jumperoo to see if she likes it, but wondering if you all are deciding without a try out? lili, I know you got yours as a handmedown, so that makes sense. My friend''s kid was kinda chunky but when he got on that jumperoo, boy did he thin out. That thing is a serious workout!

Jas, that was my thinking as well...I wanted someplace consistent and comforting for her to nap in. If you do get it, definitely use it here and there so he gets used to it. When I first put Amelia in, I think she was a bit discombobulated. And no, I could not get away with the gown in LA because TGuy would divorce me!

re: Books...I love em! I used to read to Amelia more, but in the last few weeks I haven''t. I should start again. My inlaws gave me a ton of books from Oz, which I am totally excited about because there are plenty of kangaroos, dingoes and koalas in em! Hehehe.

Linda...ha...well, I just don''t know what to say anymore I guess...so I suppose I should just keep quiet, but that''s tough to do with my big mouth!

Interesting lists everyone...so fascinating to see what we all like to splurge and skimp on.

 

[divergrrl]

Lili!! Omg...J''s too cute, the piggies are killin'' me! Danes is still too bald to carry it off.

Guess who''s wearing UNDERPANTS right now? Ok, besides me...Jake!! He''s yet to go potty in them, or in the potty for taht matter, but he did take them off & do a sit a half hour ago. Its a start.

Ok so what do you guys think of this ensemble? Nothing I own looks good on me & my 20year hs reunion is this friday. I overnight express ordered these two items in various sizes (to try on) and I think the black dress looks sassy yet comfy enough to accomodate AF who decided to show a week early.

What about this dress:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2977616/0~2376...pbo=6014146&P=1

with these shoes?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2986802?origin=shoppingbag

I LOVE how cheap the dress is, cuz I don''t want to spend money on my fat self...but the shoes are GAWJUSS...I saw them & said "hello luvah..."

 

[Burk]

Tgal~We borrowed our jumperoo from friends so that''s how we chose

....T LOVES it. I like that it has all the toys like the exersaucer so she can move around and play with all of them, but also can jump. When she was younger she played more with the toys and didn''t jump much. Now, she goes CRAZY jumping. Daycare has an exersaucer and she loves it too. I think you win either way.

Diver~Yay Jake!! Hope it continues to go well! I LOVE the shoes but am unable to get to the dress???

 

[divergrrl]

burk----

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2977616/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014146?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014146&P=1

 

[divergrrl]

trying again

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2977616/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014146?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014146&P=1

 

[divergrrl]

skimp & splurge:

skimp:

Toys: she doesn''t like anything we''ve gotten her. Jake''s wooden trains, and assorted non toy items hold incredible fascination for her. Is it so wrong that I''m not even going to get her much for her 1st bday? I''m going to take her into the cool toy shoppe by my house (small & privately owned...all stuff is wood or developmental) and see if she gravitates towards something. She likes hard toys....does not care for anything plush except her blankie.

Clothes: I hardly spend anythign compared to what I did with Jake at first & its all outlets or 70% off.

Shoes: she has 1 pair & never wears them.

Formula: Kirkland brand was fine for both!

High chair: I got the cheapest easiest to clean Graco ($30) after returning my fancy schmancy one that I could not keep clean. it was awful. Love the cheap-o one.

Nursery Furniture: bought refurbed furniture (dresser, mirror, bookshelf & twin bed headboard/footboard/frame) for $400 in a gorgeous french provincial design from a "shabby chic" chick who does nothing but refinish furniture.

Crib: bought a basic, no frills but very nice mission style crib from Target ($200) for Jake & now Delaney is using it.

Splurges:

Nursery Bedding: I just love PBK & super soft blankies are a must I say!

Mattresses (crib & big boy bed) cuz I think a good mattress is essential to a good night sleep.

Well, I think my single bob, double bob, and maclaren tell you what I feel about strollers! LOL!!!

Diaper bags

Organic babyfood & milk

Diapers: Huggies are my fave.

Photography: I will only do high end photojournalistic photos. No maul shops or BRU....I''m a snobberton that way.

 

[TravelingGal]

Ooh Diver...hot hot!!! Love it all!

And your skimp and splurge list is a good one.

Nekkid pics have been taken but the battery died so I am charging it and will upload tonight. Even got a pic of Amelia in a NEWBORN diaper...OMG, it''s so sad.

OK, question for you mommas...I got a few...

1) Does/Did you baby really whack him/herself hard with her fists? Amelia does this a lot and I am thinking...boy, that''s gotta hurt. She flails all over the place.

2) Britax owners/potential buyers - which carseat did you choose and why?

And speaking of first birthday parties, I''m interested in hearing what you plan on doing. I know we have Delaney''s coming up and then it will be bam bam bam through the rest of us I''m sure. I''m not really thinking about it now, but it''s been a topic of discussion with my friend whose son is a couple of weeks older than Tessa. Koreans go all out for these things and it''s like a wedding. My friend''s budget is 5-7K to invite about 75 people. I''m thinking...uh, not gonna spend that kind of money on Amelia''s 1st. In fact, I joked that I am going to take pix of Amelia at her son''s birthday and tell Amelia, "Wow, look at the party your mommy threw for you!"

 

[TravelingGal]

OK gals...let''s get nekkid!

Here we go...Amelia, current size 2 pampers.....

 

[TravelingGal]

I had her in these 1''s until about a week and a half ago...

 

[TravelingGal]

And the grand finale....the budgie smugglers (size newborn, which I had to see how they looked on her). I had to put a pee pad under her because they hardly closed and I was afraid she''d spring a leak on the quilt her nana got made for her!

 

[Burk]

Diver~Yep, the dress is a winner! I am thinking I might have to order it myself....have a couple weddings coming up.

Good list. I didn''t even think of some of that stuff.

Tgal~Cute pics! I have some newborn diapers left and I look at them and think "she wore these once?" As for 1st B-day parties-I got nothing. I can''t even think a week in advance, much less 5 months. I do look forward to getting some good ideas from all you ladies, though!

Not a nekkid pic, but a pic of Miss T''s first pony yesterday. She is sporting her newest weird facial expression. I think she does this because she figured out she has two teeth in there.....makes me laugh.

 

[qtiekiki]

lili - J is adorable in her pigtails. I love her black hair, so shiny and soft.

skimp & splurge - I was starting to do the list, then I realized that I would splurge on everything if I could. I feel like I am wasting a lot of money. I always try to find things on sale, or find the cheapest place/site, or at least tax-free and shipping-free to save some money. I am too embarrassed to post a list full of splurge. hehe. Maybe it''ll change when M gets older and I become wiser as to what/where to splurge on.

Britax - we got the boulevard convertible to begin with. I didn''t want an infant seat because I wasn''t going to carry DD in and out of the car with the carrier. I chose it because of the side impact protection. It''s their biggest convertible, and since I have a SUV, the size wasn''t an issue for us. DD fits well and snuggly in there since birth.

1st birthday - It''s early for me to even think about it, but I had because my SILs had big 1st birthday party for their sons. When I went to the birthday, all I could think about was they (the babies) wouldn''t even remember this. I mean they rent jumper and got pinata, but it''s all for the other kids. The babies didn''t get to play on/with those things. So I think I will wait til M is old enough to know what''s going on before I have a birthday party for her. I do plan to get her a cake and small family dinner to celebrate, just not a big party.

 

[qtiekiki]

Tgal - Amelia is so cute. I love the second pic with her arms moving, look like she is about to take off.

Burk - Tayva is such a pretty girl.

 

[lili]

Those are too precious TGal!!
I love the expression on Amelia''s face with the newborn diaper.
She seems to say "Look ma, those are just a bit too tiny, don''t ya think?"
Thanks for sharing them....I love them all!

 

[qtiekiki]

Ladies,

Did any of you used nursing cover? If so, are they worth it? If not, what did you use to cover up while BFing in public?

I know people say they just cover up with a receiving blanket, but I don''t like that I can''t see her and how it doesn''t stay up or in place. Is there a way to use receiving blanket so it stays up well?

 

[lili]

Hehe, thanks Jas, Linda, Burk, TGal, Skippy, Diver, QT
Her crazy cousin wanted to make her look like "Boo" from the Monsters, Inc.
She even tried to take a picture of her holding Boo''s stuff animal!
Her daddy wasn''t too thrilled with the look though....said that the pigtails look like antennas!

Jas12
I don''t know if J has food allergy either.
She''s got some skin rash on her neck and cheeks.
Not sure if that''s a sign that she''s susceptible to food allergy or that she''s just got very sensitve skin.
Hoping she''ll outgrow it soon.
I''ll have to keep on eye on it the next couple of days and see if anything develops.
I''m not going to introduce any other solids until she''s 6 months.
Will stay with the rice for now.
Her daddy is happy that she''s eating the rice since now he can feed her.
Yeah, he felt a bit left out when it comes to her meal time.

You should definitely get the exersaucer....I''m sure Co will have a ball with it.

Burk
Tayva is such a pretty little thing.
Awwww...her hairtie even matches her outfit.
Hey, are those curls around her ears?

Daycare sucks....but think of it this way, Tayva gets a chance to socialize with other kiddies.

TGal
I don''t think you have to worry about Amelia thinning out

Looks like the jumperoo and exersaucer offer the same activities no?
If I were to buy one, I''d probably get the jumperoo.
Just seems like it would be quieter if the kid is jumping in it.
The exersaucer rests on four plastic legs.....whereas the the jumper is on suspension elastics.
It does sound pretty loud when I push up/down on the exersaucer.

Diver
That dress and those shoes are lovely.
You''ll be a knockout in them.
Did I tell you that I liked how you clipped your bangs up with the barrette?
I''m picturing you in that dress and shoes and matching barrette.

Yay for Jake in big boy pants!

Thanks for your list of splurge and skimp.
I was going to talk DH into getting a fancy shmancy high chair.
Don''t have much time as is....so I wouldn''t want to spend any more time on cleaning a chair.