PS Mommies Thread!

[sasa]

lili, sounds like your officemate is a lot worse than I am.

Jas12, Thanks for the info. Glad your dad is ok now. The specialist will turn the MRI and EAR test report back to my family PCP so when I meet with my PCP again I will bring this up to him to see what he said. Sorry Co isn''t sleeping well...let''s hope he will start sleep better when he gets older.

Tacori, How funny Tessa says "go, go, go" when she walks, it must be super cute.

Burk, I gained almost 45 lbs during the pregnancy. The weight packed on quick in the beginning, it was like 6 lbs/month and then it slow down by 25 weeks. If only the weight I gained will melt off me this quickly that will be wonderful!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Jas12, it is a wonderful feeling. Not only that but *she* is SO proud of herself. That makes a mama feel really good. I forgot do you use a paci? If not you might want to try it again. This book I read explained that sleeping is a skill that needs to be developed. It made sense to me. I think once you break the cycle (and I am sure it will be horrible) EVERYTHING will be better. Could you take turns and one of you go stay with a friend or relative while the other stays home with Co? That way at least one of you get rest. I wish I was there to help. I think it is easier to hear other people''s babies cry than your own.

Burk, hopefully he will. I still need to do some errands and they are SOOO much easier without her. She was being such a crab yesterday which just magnified my need to be alone. DH and I are going to a home show tonight so that will be fun. My friend (who totally owes us b/c DH installed tile in their house) is watching T. I gained more than 45lbs *blush* and am WAYYYYYY shorter than you. I was a sight for sure

MrsM, I don''t think my baby weight started bothering me until T was 6 months. I just keep reminding myself it will come off, it will come off...sorry I am such a complainer

MrsS, the best feeling is when she walking into my arms and gives me a hug

I think that is enough love to stop world wars.

Bobo, how are you feeling? Now you have me worried b/c I get dizzy a lot too. It is a horrible feeling. It is cute when she says "go, go, go!" She also says that when she goes on her walker too. I think she might think walking is "go" b/c whenever we say that she goes to her walker or stands up.

 

[Burk]

mrss and jas12~Sorry you two are both going through sleep troubles. Hopefully your two little men will figure it out soon so EVERYONE can get some sleep!

Bobo~I seriously wasn't worried about my weight when I was preggo-my doctor didn't seem to be so I just went with the flow. What can ya do? We have beautiful babies now to show for it!!

Tacori~ Running errands with T takes twice the time. Must have been a bad day for the T's yesterday because apparently my T was a crab at daycare, too.

I love home shows. That sounds like so much fun...funny you DH installed tile because mine just helped out friends install tile, too. As for preggo weight gain-my mom put on 60 lbs with each of her 3 pregnancies and lost it all every time. My SIL only gained 30 and had a heck of a time getting the last 10 to go. Took her a year. Yours will come. And you are NOT a complainer. It's hard seeing your body different than it's been your whole life.

So, I just went to see T over my lunch hour and I was pissed because she's asleep. Apparently our daycare provider had a doctor's appointment this morning so her MIL came over to watch the kiddos. I have no problem with this except EVERY time her MIL watches the kids she doesn't put T down for her morning nap! My daycare lady is irritated too because she reminds her MIL but MIL always says, "oh but she was playing so nice" ect. My daycare lady was so apologetic, but come on. The girl needs two naps or she's a total crab by 6pm.

 

[puffy]

tacori YAY for ms T!!! that''s so cute that she is so proud of herself!! B isn''t really proud of himself when he takes a few steps, which he has been doing lately. he''s more proud of himself when he falls down on his booty

when he falls down, he starts to clap and laugh. crazy kid! i''m sure you look great even if you haven''t lost all the baby weight. i gained about 25 lbs, and lost it quick. but i still feel like my tummy is NOT flat which i have always been used to. i was kinda lazy about it in the beginning. i kept blaming it on being sore, but once i felt ok again, i would wake up early to workout while B was sleeping. now if i can just do somethng about that tummy.

jas sorry to hear about the rough night. hopefully it was just because he got his vaccines. if he can put himself down for naps and the initial bedtime, he should be ok to do so when he wakes unless there is something that is bothering him. either way, i hope it gets better for all of you soon!

burk awww, sorry to hear about T not getting in her 2 naps at daycare.

lili it''s good to hear that J is taking something at daycare. it is a start. but seriously maybe the girl is just always thinking about where she wants to go next to think about milk. i am sure that the people at day care are amazed by her. she is just a mover at an early age.

 

[Burk]

puffy~Thanks! I think the MIL of daycare provider gets confused because the other baby doesn't take a morning nap (he's almost 1). I'm just concerned because we're planning to take her to a football game that starts at 7pm tonight! Hopefully we'll get her down for a late afternoon nap before we leave for the game. B has been taking steps, huh? That's great. And too cute about the clapping and laughing. Every time my T stands for a second, then realizes she's not holding on and falls onto her butt I say "boom" and she laughs hysterically. Cracks me up.

 

[Burk]

Mommies who are loving the giddy clips: Just got an email and Chloeinstyle's website has free shipping today through Sunday. Code is SHIPFREE. So if you're looking to get some more clips, now is the time!

 

[puffy]

burk i hope that T is able to take a late afternoon nap later so that you guys will enjoy the football game later. that''s awesome that T able to stand without holding on. she''ll be on her way to walking soon, i''m sure.

jas have a wonderful thanksgiving weekend, and hope your cuppies come out well. they sound yummy

B is definitely on the move. he''s taking a few more steps each time, but i think he is a little unsure about his new found skill. speaking of him laughing, he does this thing now when he laughs. he will cover up his face with both his hands and laugh . it is so freaking funny. i just have to get a picture of it. he will either do that or clap. it''s funny how just in a week, he is showing so much more personality. and he is till loving giving kisses and getting kisses when he wants a kiss, he makes the kiss sound and when i give him a kiss after that, he smiles and laughs for a bit. what a sweet little mama''s boy

 

[janinegirly]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I''ve been MIA--but Chloe has been keeping me busy! First of all I really want to post a pic, but it keeps telling me my file (JPG) is too large, any advice? I''m clueless on technical stuff.

As for me, things are good but I''ve a lot to learn. The baby sleeps pretty well at night but is fussier during the day and likes to be carried (uh oh). I had some issues with breastfeeding--basically a low supply so I had to supplement with formula and now she is not interested in the breast. So I''ve tried pumping...went out and bought one of those fancy Pump In Styles, but still only get about 1oz a shot, so it takes forever. I know I shouldn''t feel so guilty, but have my mother and others telling me to keep trying, urgh.

I''m also healing slowly--still in some pain even though I only had one small tear. I hope it''s not an infection---some moments it''s fine, and others moments I have a stinging sensation or general discomfort. I have my 2 wk post partum on Monday.

That baby''s gaining weight which is good, but not too many bowel movements (1x a day). So plenty to keep me worried over, but I think everything is more or less normal. Like SNLEE I''m a bit afraid to take her outside, but maybe I will after reading that Curly hasn''t held back . Speaking of, I bought one of those belly bands too! Mine is the belly bandit (similar to Brooke Burke''s) and have worn it 3 days and it''s tight and itchy, but I''m trying to stick with it! I gained 40lbs total, so my weight is coming off slowly..

Anyway, sorry for the drive by. I have to go read up on everyone else now!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Bobo, I just asked my dad about my dizziness after DH said it was not normal (how funny I just accepted it as part of my life). He asked me if the room spins or if I spin. I spin. He suggested a low salt diet and more clear liquids. I pretty much ONLY drink water as it is but I do eat processed foods. So I am going to try to cut my salt for a week and see if it helps. Not sure if you want to try too.

Janine, sorry BFing is hard for you. Some women just don''t make enough milk...if you decide to give up please don''t be so hard on yourself. I had people give me crap for BFing, then for supplementing, then for weening (even though SHE weened herself. She REFUSED to nurse). So basically my point is just ignore them. Everyone has an opinion...parenting is hard enough. Just find your own path.

 

[snlee]

When did your baby get their first set of shots? My pedi gives the vaccines at 6 weeks but I keep reading that they are given at 2 months of age. Does 2 weeks make a difference?

 

[iluvcarats]

Date: 10/10/2008 5:09:39 PM
Author: janinegirly
Hi everyone,


Sorry I''ve been MIA--but Chloe has been keeping me busy! First of all I really want to post a pic, but it keeps telling me my file (JPG) is too large, any advice? I''m clueless on technical stuff.


As for me, things are good but I''ve a lot to learn. The baby sleeps pretty well at night but is fussier during the day and likes to be carried (uh oh). I had some issues with breastfeeding--basically a low supply so I had to supplement with formula and now she is not interested in the breast. So I''ve tried pumping...went out and bought one of those fancy Pump In Styles, but still only get about 1oz a shot, so it takes forever. I know I shouldn''t feel so guilty, but have my mother and others telling me to keep trying, urgh.


I''m also healing slowly--still in some pain even though I only had one small tear. I hope it''s not an infection---some moments it''s fine, and others moments I have a stinging sensation or general discomfort. I have my 2 wk post partum on Monday.


That baby''s gaining weight which is good, but not too many bowel movements (1x a day). So plenty to keep me worried over, but I think everything is more or less normal. Like SNLEE I''m a bit afraid to take her outside, but maybe I will after reading that Curly hasn''t held back . Speaking of, I bought one of those belly bands too! Mine is the belly bandit (similar to Brooke Burke''s) and have worn it 3 days and it''s tight and itchy, but I''m trying to stick with it! I gained 40lbs total, so my weight is coming off slowly..


Anyway, sorry for the drive by. I have to go read up on everyone else now!!

IF you are really having a hard time breast feeding, but want to continue, I would suggest calling the La Leche League in your area or the Lactation specialist at the hospital. Also, make sure that you are drinking enough water, because if you are dehydrated, your body won''t make enough milk. Good luck!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Snlee, I cannot remember when she got her first set of shots. I would ask your pedi if you are concerned. I know she did get one vac AT the hospital.

iluv, drinking water is a good point. Also making sure you eat enough calories.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

BTW, I broke down (b/c of the free shipping) and ordered a few giddy giddy clips. I still hope to make some but this will give me a better idea of the size and the clip.

 

[ellaila]

I didn''t go back and reread everything, but I had to comment on Bobo and Tacori''s dizziness issues ... as a longtime sufferer of vertigo (benign positional paroxysmal vertigo [BPPV, or BPV] to be exact), I can empathize completely with what you''re going through, and it''s horrible. I don''t think that people truly understand how debilitating it can be to have it unless you''ve gone through it. People will be like, "Oh I''ve been dizzy before now and then, it''s not so bad" but they have no idea! When my vertigo is active, I''m anxious and stressed, so it''s not JUST the dizziness you''re dealing with, it''s a whole new anxiety level. My only comparison is comparing is like telling a migraine sufferer, "Oh I''ve had headaches so I know what you''re going through." Umm, no. No, you don''t.

I''ve had all kinds of tests done, and they never found any cause so they chalk it up to inner ear damage - though they don''t know what caused the damage in the first place. The ONLY thing that ever worked for me was the Epley Maneuver, and if your vertigo is positional (worse when you like down, usually on one side in particular, or when you tilt or turn your head certain ways), I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend you find a physical therapist who can do this for you. And like Tacori said, lowering your salt can also help with dizziness in general. I also found that mine would tend to hit me after I''d be sick with a cold. Unfortunately, the anti-dizziness meds did nothing for me except make me tired (they''re just bonine anyway).

If your vertigo isn''t positional, then I don''t really have any advice other than that I feel your pain and I send you big hugs!! I remember being terrified that I would have vertigo when I was pregnant (I saw an acupunturist before I was PG who told me that my particular qi imbalance would cause to me to have a very dizzy and nauseous pregnancy -- she was SO wrong thankfully!) and then again being terrified that I would get it when the babies were newborns. Thank God I haven''t had it for just over two years now, but I still live in fear of when it will hit me again ...

Anyway if you have any questions on BPV, feel free to ask. I''ve dealt with this off and on since 1997, so unfortunately I feel like sort of an expert in it!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Ella, thank you. I am really bad (and was my recovery nurse''s nightmare) b/c I tend to ignore or belittle any physical pains or annoyances I may be feeling. I honestly didn''t even THINK about my dizziness (other than when it happens) until Bobo said she was having tests done. For me, *I* am spinning not the room. It happens in certain positions like you mentioned. If I turn my head a certain way at a certain speed. When I bend down to pick something up. Sometimes I have to stabilize myself. It is usually worse when I am really tired (like I feel drunk or hung-over). I have never fallen which is good but it did cause stress when I was preggo (b/c preggos worry about everything). It is more than an annoyance for me than anything else. I am having a heck of a time cutting my salt b/c as it is I don''t ADD salt to any of my food. I just broke down and had some cheese puffs (oops!) I couldn''t help my craving!

Maybe I should go get a physical!

 

[janinegirly]

Thanks for the breastfeeding tips. Right now I''m just trying to pump as much as I can so she can at least have something--but it''s hard to keep up since her appetite is increasing!

The past few days have been challenging. At first Chloe was very mellow and quiet and slept non-stop, but now she is much more fussy. Last night it took almost 4 hrs of soothing, rocking, feeding, burping before she went to sleep at 2am. She does this thing where she crunches up and grunts and cries..so I wonder if it''s indigestion and the formula I''m giving her. It''s exhausting and hard to figure out. I guess this is the no sleep phase everyone was talking about. DH goes back to work this week so it''s going to be harder to manage since I''ll be solo.

I keep remembering TGAL saying she didn''t like Amelia much until 6wks, so I know it must get better!

 

[puffy]

janine BFing is tough, but you''re trying, so don''t worry about pleasing everyone. do you pump after you feed her? i''m sure you''re doing what you can. and there are so many formula fed babies on this thread and they are all wonderful, so if you did decide to stop pumping, she will be just wonderful as well. you have to do what is right for you and chloe and not for everyone else.
has she been on the same formula all this time? maybe she is having reflux or gas issues? or she just needs to be soothed a bit more. either way, i''m sorry you''re experiencing a rough few days. it will get better!!

 

[snlee]

janine, are you pumping after you feed her? I know it's difficult keeping up with their appetite. I feeling like all I do is BF. BFing is hard. Hang in there!

I feel your pain about fussy the baby too. After a good week of a good behaving baby, D was so fussy last night. I had a very similar night as you. From 10pm to 2am D wouldn't sleep. He was fussy through feedings too. I had a bad headache from his cries and I just wanted a nap! They go through a growth spurt around now so that's why they are fussy. It is exhausting! D grunts a lot too. I asked the pedi and she said it's normal for baby's to grunt. My DH goes back to work in a week and I'm worried. I don't know how I'm going to take care of D without him.

 

[lili]

Tacori
That's interesting about the dizzy spells.
Mine is more like the room spinning.
I tend to get those if I stand up suddenly after squatting and having my head down for a while.
I will also have the occasional blackout episodes too.
However, I always thought that my dizzy spells were because I have low blood pressure.

Haha, caved on the giddy giddy clips huh?
So which ones did you get? The bubble gum and chocolate ones?
Can't wait to see them on Tessa.

Janine
Welcome to the mommy board.

Sorry to hear that your milk supply is low.
Do you have the Medela Pump in Styles?
If so, it should come with the attachment that you can use as a hand pump.
Try using that? I find that I was able to extract more milk when using that as opposed to the motor pump.
Just a thought.

Good luck on your 2 wk PP.
I hope everything is ok and that you don't have an infection.
Some people takes a little longer to heal.

Re: posting pictures.
You will need to export your picture and save it to a smaller pixel/resolution.
I don't know what program you use to view your pictures, so I can't help you there.
You can probably email one of the admin and have him/her post the pix for you.
We would love to see Chloe.

Re: Chloe grunts and cries in the middle of night.
It could be that she's trying to make a bowel movement.
J was like that initially. She'd grunt and kick in her sleep.

 

[lili]

Just for kicks.
Look how small her feet are.
Mine are size 5 (or under depending on some brands)

 

[Tacori E-ring]

So Tessa walked 10-11 ft today!

She even stopped in the middle and stood for awhile. It was pretty exciting!

RE BFing: Most of the mommies here know I have a rough 6.5 months of BFing. Shear stubbornness is what got me through and I do not regret it at all. In fact I will try again with the next baby. I BFed 95% for the first 4 months (with the random bottle of formula here and there) but started supplementing more when her weight got *very* low at 4 months. I was about 50/50 for the next 2.5 months until she weened herself (diva!). I had latch issues, pain, chronic and horrible clogs, and obviously I made skim milk haha!


Lili, cute picture!

 

[Burk]

Puffy~Thanks. T did get a good nap in so she was a great football fan! So cute about Bcovreing his face with his laugh. I lvoe that they have so much personality now. T does something new every day that makes me go "awww" I don't know about you, but we need to get our video camera out more!

Janine~Sorry about your BFing issues. We've all been there. If you think that Chloe is fussy because she's maybe got tummy issues, I would suggest trying a different formula. My T has a lot of stomach issues and I quit BFing because she didn't tollerate something I was eating and we couldn't pinpoint it so we've been through at least 7 or 8 formulas! Hang in there!

Tacori~What clips did you end up getting? I'm glad someone used the free shipping. My mom is working on trying to make some clips using one of T's giddy giddy clips as a template. I'll let you know how it goes! I'm sorry you're suffering from the dizziness too. And yum to cheese puffs!

snlee~I think T got hers at 6 weeks. I don't really remember for sure, but I would just ask your pedi. They wouldn't give them if it wasn't okay to do so.

lili~Cute feet pic!! Speaking of pics, I took this one just for you! I long time ago I promised one where you could see T's curls. Here it is:

 

[Burk]

Tacori-we must have posted at the same time...have to say Yay to Miss Tessa!!!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Burk, T is so cute and her hair is getting so long!!! I got the garden clip, the white flower, and a cupcake one. They are so overpriced but I figure why not. I was going to get the chocolate one b/c we all know I love dots but I was nervous b/c ella said it blended in K's dark hair too much (and T's hair is getting darker). I figure I will make my own dot one.

Janine & Snlee, I forgot to say it is normal for babies to "wake up" and not be 100% friendly around now. The first week or so they are mellow, they are tired, they are easy. But I promise they will once again be your little angels! I too did not like T until week 5 (when she smiled). Every age since has become my favorite.

ETA: Tessa loves being on the move. I am sure it is a rest for her poor knees.

 

[snlee]

lili, cute feet picture!

Burk, cute picture of T! I have the same rattle (different colors) but D is still too young to play with it.

Tacori, yay for Tessa walking!

I figured it's normal for babies to be fussy now. Boy, do I miss the mellowness!

Bobo, Tacori, and ella, I'm sorry you're suffering from the dizziness. It sounds horrible.

 

[puffy]

burk OMG!!! can T be any prettier?!?! she is a DOLL

i LOVE her eyes and her hair! ok, now i MUST have a girl!!!

tacori YAY for T!!! she must be so proud of herself! and you must be a proud mama.

 

[sasa]

Tacori, Thanks for the info. I will try the low salt diet and see if that helps. But for me it''s more of the room is spinning than me. I will be sitting infront of the computer working and all the sudden I will feel the room starts to spin at a very high speed. Sometime I will be walking and I will start to feel like I''m on a very rocky boat and I had to sit down. Yeah for Tessa!

Janine,BF was hard for me too, I didn''t have much milk. I could only pumped out I think two oz each time so my milk was more of supplement.

snlee, little B got his shots at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months

Ella, thanks for the info. My doctor ruled out Vertigo in my case. I never had this problem until the pregnancy. I hope this will go away in the future.

lili, I love babie''s feet. I kiss and chew on little B''s everyday

Burk, Tayva''s hair is getting so long...She is a beauty!

 

[qtiekiki]

Bobo
So your dizziness is anytime anywhere. That must be tough. I am so sorry you have to deal with them.

lili
If she is into Hello Kitty, it's all hers. DH and I collect lots of toys, so there's plenty for her to choose from.

Is the Medela Pump In Style Advance supposed to come with the manual attachment? Mines didn't. I am going to call Medela if it's supposed to have one.

Cute feet.

Jas 12 & MrsS
So sorry about the mid-night waking up. Hopefully it will work out soon.

Tacori & puffy
Yay for the walking and taking steps. You ladies got a couple fast walker. They are so cute when they are wobbling.

janine
Just keep pumping and nursing. You are doing great. But don't feel guilty or bad if it doesn't work out and you decide to give up. You are trying your best already. Breastmilk is composed of water, fat and protein. So drink lots of water and have lots of protein. You can try to increase your supply by eating oatmeal. I've read that it helps. I had oatmeal for breakfast everyday for the first month postpartum, and I had an oversupply. So maybe it does have an effect on supply. If you don't mean trying herbal supplement, there is fenugeek and Mother's Milk Tea.

Hope the pain goes away soon. I've read women who are sore for quite a while postpartum, so it's probably nothing to worry about.

Oh M used to grunt, scrunch up, bend, twist and kick all the time. I thought she had gas or reflux, but pedi assured me that it's normal. Now she doesn't do it much, except sometimes when she is pooping.

snlee
M got her first set of shots at her 2 months visit. Then it's 4 months, 6 months and 12 months. I don't know if the two months make a difference, but you should discuss it with your pedi if you are concerned.

Burk
Tayva is adorable. She got such pretty hair.

We finally ordered M's halloween costume. I was going back and forth on whether I should get her a costume or not because it's $30 for one night. But DH said just get it if I like it, so I did. She is going to be a ducky. Now I just need to get some orange tights or leggings.

 

[jas]

Hi all -- quick fly by...i just don''t allow myself the luxury of typing these days, especially w/ the daily load of laundry (my babies sure like to dribble milk/formula everywhere!!!)

Babies are delicious. i love em to pieces and want to become the old lady who lives in a shoe...but i say that now as, unusually, the boys are both down & sleeping at the same time!!!

Had 8 inlaws over yesterday, so maybe the boys needed to sleep it off. I Keed, I keed...I want the boys to love their aunties and uncles and cuzzes.

Bobo, I''m so sorry about the dizziness.

Jas12m the post-needle blues must have made your heart ache.
Tacori -- I can''t believe T is walking...my eyes welled up -- she was just born like yesterday!!!

ugh, weight gain... my last few pounds have migrated to my butt and appear to have signed a long-term lease.

puffy, your lo sounds adorable!!

hang in there janine.

Sorry this is short...i need to go back to mommyland, i''ll check in later or w/in a day or 2!

 

[Jas12]

janine--i second what everyone else is saying about BF being hard work. Your description of Chloe sounds like gas. But i am obviously no expert. Have you tried to exclusively BF for a few days to see if it goes away? Formula is much harder to digest so she may just need to get used to it or need a new formula.
Also, don''t assume that the amount you pump is the amount she is getting. You may be thinking "duh, i know that" --but i didn''t. I could barely eek out an ounce sometimes and i started to panic thinking that was all Cohen was getting. However when my lactation consultant paid me a home visit she assured me he was getting *way* more than what i could pump. Really put my mind at ease.
(and P.S. i was NOT a fan of the first 6 weeks either--i think most of us just survived it, but now as Tacori mentioned every new stage is sweeter than the last)

Jas--glad u checked in! Sounds like you are doing wonderfully.

Lili--aww, that is a darling footsie pic.

Burk--wow, T has *really* beautiful hair!!! I wonder if it''ll curl even more or go straight. I had ringlets as a child but lost it all by the time i was about 5 years old

She''ll obviously be beautiful either way!

Tacori--way to go miss Tessa!!

Sounds like occasional dizziness is common with many of us. I''ve always had spells here and there but never thought anything of it b/c they don''t really effect my quality of life. Low blood sugar can be another cause>i''ve tested my levels when i am feeling spinny (my sis is diabetic) and sure enough they would read low. A snack usually fixes that.

I am all turkey-ed out

Two thanksgiving dinners, lunch out with friends and now i am off to brunch at my moms. I need some exercise! It was a beautiful warm weekend here. Went from hats and mitts to tanktops all in one week! The family went for a hike yesterday and Cohen was fascinated with the water flowing in the creek. He''s becoming so aware of his surroundings, it''s amazing to watch.