December is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well You know since I was already here and in a matter of two minutes it will be Dec 1st I figured I would start our new thread.......So here it is. And our very own Dec mommie Shay should be having her LO in less than a week I think it on Dec 5th her c section is scheduled (someone correct me if wrong) haven't heard from her in awhile and one of her posts on Nov 11th she mentioned something about feeling very aware of her innards so maybe she went into labor already and been so busy with baby and stuff..Has anyone heard from her on email maybe? anyhow here is the new thread ladies Happy posting [i]

Woohoo! with december comes going back to work for me as well as quite a few of us. {{{hugs}}} for those going back to work!!! Kim I never saw how was your first day back? I go back monday night hence the being up right now at 3am. Hope everyones turkey day was great and wonderful.

Going back to works suck!!!! But ya gotta do it!!! LOL. My first rotation back hasn't been to bad. Today is my last day on than I am off for two days, go to a training for two days and than am on vacation for two days...so I actually don't have to dispatch again until December 10th! The only day that sucked was yesterday because I was up all night the night before with Landree, she is really snotty and can't breathe. We have her two month check up and immunizations tomorrow.

Ugh! Good Morning Ladies!

I cant believe December is here already. Where does the time go? Oh yeah into this little baby! Soooo worth it!

Joy - Thanks for starting the new thread!

Kim - I am sorry work is sucking. At least you have 10 days before you have to dispatch again. I dont go back to work until January 8th but I am so not looking forward to it. It makes me cry just thinking about it. I never thought I would want to be a SAHM...

AFM - Ok I dont know about you ladies but I was wondering if you feel the same way. Nate has started sleeping though the night for the last 2 days. So he sleeps from about 10:30 to 5:45 in the morning. NICE! Except it freaks DH and I out. He has never slept that much. He is also starting to fight going to sleep -he doesnt want to sleep EVER. He doesnt want to nap he just wants to be up and will do everything he can to stay up. Now he is so tired he is so grumpy but wont go to sleep. Anyone else delt with this? Thoughts?

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I guess that is about it from me for now.

Take Care,

Happy December Joy! Thanks for starting the new thread! :-)

Eileen - I hope all goes well when you go back to work tonight!

Kim - Sorry Landree is sick! You know how everything happens all at once! Hopefully she'll start feeling better and you'll get some sleep soon!

Amy - I was a SAHM with Dawson and I loved it. I"m not so sure this time. All of my friends (their youngests are Dawson age or older) have gone back to work so there isn't even anyone to hang out with...not even for a lunch date anymore! :-( Beyond that, after running my own business for so long I don't know if it is in me this time and it has absolutely nothing to do with Brenden. And honestly, I don't even know what kind of job I would go back to! I sold my bakery in May and I let my nursing license expire two years ago because I never thought I'd use it again. Crazy how we are both on opposite sides of the fence, huh?? Oh and about sleeping thru the night....the first few times it really is very nerve stressing! Brenden has slept a couple of times from about 11pm to 5 or 6am and he got far more sleep then we did! LOL I would just lay there looking at the ceiling and then looking into the pack-n-play to make sure he was breathing. At one point my paranoia (touching his chest to check for breaths) actually woke him up but he went right back to sleep!

AFM- So Brenden has been super fussy all of last week. Finally Friday I called the doc and they made us an appointment for Saturday morning. I thought maybe he had outgrown his Zantac dosage but I wanted to make sure it wasn't anything else. Are ya'll ready for this??? HE WEIGHS 15lbs 10oz completely naked! ***SHOCK*** So needless to say he definately had outgrown the .7mls! So the on-call told me to bump it up to 1ml 3x's a day and then start feeding him cereal WITH A SPOON on Sunday. He said that he is the size of a 4month old and drinking 40oz of formula in 24 hours can give him a belly ache. He also said some of the fussy could definately be contributed to the milk not satisfying him long enough. Yes, people, I fed my 2month old mammoth baby with a spoon last night! This is how it went....mixed 1T rice cereal with the little bit of prune juice he has to drink anyway hoping it would taste better and I fed him in his bouncy because I never thought we'd need any kind of high chair this early! The first bite he just kind rubbed his tongue on the roof of his mouth like "what the hell??" then he swallowed and opened right back up!!! LOL So I gave him a little more and there was only swallowing...no rubbing, no funny face, no pushing it back out, just give me more! Appearantly the spoon feeding wasn't going fast enough for him so I rushed and warmed a bottle and the feeding turned into drinking about an ounce of formula and then eating about 6 or 7 very small bites. It was like running a marathon though...he just couldn't get enough! We were also eating so everytime I'd give him a bite I'd say "you want chicken strips?" and he'd start bouncing the entire bouncy by moving his legs and arms! It was all so freakin' funny! He hadn't slept much during the day but after we ALL ate I gave him a bath and put him down immediately after since he fell asleep in the tub...about 7:30...he's been asleep since...it's been 12 hours! LOL Anyway, we go to the regular doc today for shots and the 2month check up. Dr Pope told me yesterday that his regular doc might not agree with the cereal and spoon feeding but I should talk to her about it. She is a younger doc and he is very "old school" but obviously he was right...my kiddo wasn't getting enough Zantac or food. We'll see what she says but I'm telling ya'...I'm doing what Dr. Pope suggested....I'll let ya'll know what happens! -Michelle

Michelle - WOW! Hopefully you're doc will let you continue what seems to work!

Amy - I understand the desire to be a SAHM. When ODS was born, DH and I made the decision that I would stay home because 1) I wanted to and 2) even if I did go back to work, anything I would make would end up only paying for daycare, so it was financially easier for me to be home. Would you be able to maybe only go back part time? That way you get the best of both?

Joy - thanks for thinking of the dec thread! I can't believe it's December already!! Wasn't it just February???

Eileen- good luck at work tonight. {{hugs}}

Kim - glad you had a decent first day back, even if it was a tired one....it's amazing what we can do when we're exhausted!

AFM: Logan had a pretty decent night last night - slept from about 11ish until 3:30 and then from about 4ish to 7 - not too bad! This is the last month is our room - by the end of the month (hopefully) he'll be sleeping in his crib in his own room! Time to reclaim my bed!! Hope everyone has a happy Monday!!

Michelle- Holy Moly big boy!!!

Amy- Landree has decided to use this week to start sleeping through the night...for me though it is easy right now, as she has a cold so I can hear her breathing. But for many of our LO's this is the time they start doing that so be greatful. McKenna started sttn at 8weeks and I didn't think I would get so lucky this time around but Fri night Landree slept 9-5, and sat and sun it has been 10-6 (which is perfect) I am hoping it continues than around Christmas I can put her in her crib in the girls room.

Question for you all, I am deffinitly going to talk to the Pedi about it tomorrow but, Landree is drinking 6oz...but she goes like 6 hours, between bottles during the day and a full 8 hours at night. She doesn't fuss ever, at the 6 hour mark we feed her regardless whether or not she is telling us she is hungry...if we feed her any more often, say like every 4 hours she will not drink it...so she is getting 20 to 24oz of formula a day...do you all think this is enough, I mean she is growing. It is just I had an issue with McKenna not gaining weight and we had to go to specialists and she ate way more than Landree so I am just nervous about this.

Kim - I would check with the pedi, but she just might not be a hungry baby! My boys have been hungrier than DD. ODS ate constantly (still does) and so does Logan. DD was happier with less, so I would say as long as she is growing okay, don't worry. But check with the doc tomorrow!

Wow.. Dec Already is right. Thanks for starting the thread Joy!

I talked to Shay right before Thanksgiving.. she's doing well, all "sistuations" seem to be at bay and the section is scheduled for the 5th.

Michelle- Wow! I think I might be in the same boat with Dominic.. I bet he weighs at least 14 lbs already.. He was 13 about two weeks ago. I was wondering when we might start adding cereal. I'll be asking his doc at his appt. He's 8 weeks on Thursday (4th), but I probably won't get him in until the 12th.

Kim- I think that sounds like enough. I'm pretty sure that's about what Dominic is eating. I'm only guessing because I've been able to keep up with out supplimenting and I only make about 24oz a day. I know he would eat 6oz or more if I let him, but he is still eating about 4-5oz every 3 hours sometimes 2 1/2. I guess I'll have to start letting him eat bigger bottles. I just don't want to feed him too much.

Amy- I know what you mean about being a SAHM. I wish I could. But today is my first day back. Blech.. and look where I am already..hehehe The job situation is looking a little shakey and if I get laid off I'll be pulling out of daycare and trying to stay home. Right now we are just working 32 hour weeks, so I think I'm going to take off early everyday instead of taking one day off. I'm going to try to use my time to hit the gym ( for the first time in my life!)

I'm sure I'll bbl.. i'm feeling guilty now.. LOL

Wow sounds like a few of us are dealing with the back to work blues...lol

Kim- not sure about landree that is about what danmiel eats but he is 2 weeks behind landree. and he eats 4oz every 2-4 hours but it evens out to the same as you.

thanks for all the hugs about going back to work!!! i appreciate it.

Kim - My first DS was like that but it was because his stomach was small and he couldn't hold any more liquid. Not to say that is what is up with Landree but the doc had us concentrate his formula so he got more calories with less liquid...just a thought. I'd definately talk to the doctor because, to me, that doesn't sound like very much. If you use the 2.5oz per pound per 24 hours then that would serve a 9 1/2 lb baby. But of course that's an average and here my kiddo is drinking me out of house and home! LOL

Okay the doc today - So we went to for Brenden's 2month well check. Today his is exactly 16lbs, 25 inches and I don't even remember how big she said his head is...all I know is his weight, head, and length are all ABOVE the 98th percentile! She said she would be concerned about his unGodly weight but since his ENTIRE self is growing big then he is prolly just a big one! I'll tell ya'll...he wore size 6months clothes to that visit and I had to buy size 3 diapers yesterday! Dude is BIG! She was also on board with the cereal. She said to feed him once a day for a few days and work up to three times per day or as much as he wants. She also said we will probably start him on veggies and fruits when he reaches 4months especially if he keeps growing like this. I was really glad she was on board with the other doctor. This is so strange for us! Dawson grew like a turtle, I mean he is going to be 9 in two weeks and he only weighs 53 pounds!

wow michelle you do have a big little one! good luck keeping him full! maybe that is why he was so fussy. It is always better when there is an end in sight...lol

Ok ladies - help a girl out! Do your babies take naps? Naps longer than 15 minutes? Nate used to take a morning nap and an afternoon nap and possibly an evening nap. NOW- NO NAPS. No morning nap no afternoon nap. Just one fussy tired baby. He will fall asleep on me and I will wait 15 minutes - 30 minutes as soon as I put him in his crib or in his bouncy chair his eyes pop open and he is awake and wont go back to sleep. That and the reflexes keep waking him up. Its a mixture of so much together. Now I put him in his chair at about 3:30 and he woke up. As I type this he is falling asleep but fighting it. He will hit himself in the head if he starts falling asleep. Or he will want his passifier and then play "It fell out of my mouth and I need it NOW" for a while to keep himself up. I dont know what to do. I dont know why he refuses to sleep or if there is a better way to get him to go down. Any advice would help.

Michelle (both of ya! ;-) ) - Wow! What a big boy you have! I dont know if I have even hit 12 lbs yet. Heck Nate can still wear some NB size clothes.

Michelle (mnelson) - That is great you are going to hit the gym. I wish I could. I cant even seem to get on my Gazelle that is less that 10 feet from me. Yeah SAHM is a pipe dream. We couldnt afford it. If I get laid off (which is a possibility) I would have to get out and find a new job ASAP. No staying home for me. Blah.

Kim - Nate drinks 4-6 oz every 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours. Guestimating he eats about 30 - 36 oz a day, but in all fairness I hear he eats a lot! I guess you need a lot of food for all the energy it takes to never take a nap.

Hey Ladies, Sorry I have been MIA lately, We have sold our house to an investor and are moving in with my parents at the end of the month. I've had my post check and everything was good except for my back which is still in constant pain! I have to go back on the 18 to check the IUD!

Took Alyssa to her two month apt today, she is 10.7 lbs and 21 1/4 in long! Her dr told me she is short, chubby, with a big head!! I thought it was funny!! Her head still tilts to the left a little so we still have to do neck streches with her when we can!

I'm with you ladies on the work issues! I have orientation tonight and then training all week long and then I'm off until Jan 2nd! Then I'll be back on until April 15th!

Hope you all have a great week!!

Tera

Oh Alyssa eats 3-5 ozs every 2-3 hours and Sleeps from 10-5/6 at night!! I Love It!!

Hey I forgot to ask. Michelle(creater of MLU) Shannon can't get back on because it wouldn't allow her to grab her password. It logged her out(as it did with me) but i guess she put in a different username or something. Can you e-mail her about that or something?

Amy - that is what Brenden was doing...sleeping for a few minutes and then waking up and fussing. He was diagnosed with reflux at I think 6 weeks old. He started doing the same thing last week and it turns out he outgrew his Zantac dosage and appearantly needs more food! LOL Does Nate spit up alot? Do you hear what sounds like "hard" swallows? Does he fuss all day or just at certain times? It also sounds like he is eating quite a bit...another sign of reflux. The formula makes their throat feel better so they tend to want to eat more. If NONE of that fits....what I do to get Brenden to go down is wrap him loosely in his big plush firetruck blanket, pop a binky in his mouth, and rock him gently until his eyes close....sometimes I don't even go to the rocking chair...I just sit on the edge of the bed and I guess he gets nice and cozy he just passes out. I lay him in bed wrapped like that, too. Sometimes I think they just go in spurts of restlessness and don't sleep much....which makes life really hard because cat naps suck for the LO's too! :-(

hey ladies I made it to work and am actually feeling good and happy about it. it is nice to get away from being mommy, missing kiddos like crazy but everyone is happy to see me and i am showing everyone my pictures so it is nice for now...lol hope all of you are getting a good nights sleep!

Tera- good to hear from you!!! Glad you got your house sold. I think Landree is more like Alyssa's size...we shall see her 2 mo apt is today.

Michelle- Holy Moly! 16lbs already...this must be a huge switch for you from Dawson.

Amy- I am hoping that it is a just a phase that he is going through. It may be reflux though...I hope things get better soon.

Jessi - that is the funniest looking spoon I've ever seen! LOL I'm gonna have to get one out of plain couriosity!! LOL! I'm headed to BRU today anyway...I've got to take back all of the 3-6months winter clothes I bought. The jeans Brenden is wearing now will not fit much longer...they really are a little short right now but I paid $13 for them and he's never worn them until today. I pulled everything out of his closet this morning and about 1/2 of what I have has to go back to BRU, Target and Gap. Even the 6months Gap clothes don't fit him right....too tight in the arms.

Eileen - Glad work is going well! It's always nice to brag on the little ones! I bet it's nice to get a break, too!

Joy - Yes, Dawson was a preemie. He was 4lbs 6oz at birth...which was 31 weeks into my pregnancy. In utero Dawson and Brenden followed the same weight pattern...at 31 weeks Brenden weighed 4lbs 10oz according to an ultrasound. I think Dawson would have been a big boy too had he not skipped the last NINE weeks of the pregnancy! LOL I hope Jeremiah starts eating atleast every 4 or 5 hours at night soon! It sure does make for an easier day when you get a cluster of sleep at night!!

AFM - Today we are meeting a friend for lunch. Brenden has been pretty fussy from the shots yesterday. The nurse was a little rough and he actually has bruises on both of his thighs. She must be new to pediatrics because she didn't hold his legs tight enough and she was right down into his body when she stuck him....he kicked her right in the face LOL! When it was all said and done I felt gratification for him....who bruises a baby??!!? I'm headed to go straighten my hair. It takes atleast 2 hours to get ready to go anywhere anymore since I have to keep stopping for this or that so we'll talk to ya'll later! Have a great Tuesday! -Michelle

Thanks for letting me know Bekah, I emailed her.. hopefully we can figure it out.

Amy- Do you swaddle Nate? That might help with the reflex issue. As for the eye's popping open when you lay him down, Dominic has sometimes started to do that too! It sucks. I always hear that you have to start laying them down before they are all the way asleep so they don't get used to being rocked or held. It works sometimes for Dominic, but it's certainly harder than it seems.
Oh.. and I don't know about your baby, but Dominic likes to be REALLY warm when he sleeps. If he's fighting sleep I just put more blankets around him and he's out like a light.

Here's the 5 S's of happy baby sleep.... Seems simple, but it really does help.
Swaddling - Tight swaddling provides the continuous touching and support the fetus experienced while still in Mom's womb.

Side/stomach position - You place your baby, while holding her, either on her left side to assist in digestion, or on her stomach to provide reassuring support. Once your baby is happily asleep, you can safely put her in her crib, on her back.

Shushing Sounds - These sounds imitate the continual whooshing sound made by the blood flowing through arteries near the womb. This white noise can be in the form of a vacuum cleaner, a hair dryer, a fan and so on. The good news is that you can easily save the motors on your household appliances and get a white noise CD which can be played over and over again with no worries.

Swinging - Newborns are used to the swinging motions that were present when they were still in Mom's womb. Every step mom took, every movement caused a swinging motion for your baby. After your baby is born, this calming motion, which was so comforting and familiar, is abrubtly taken away. Your baby misses the motion and has a difficult time getting used to it not being there. "It's disorienting and unnatural," says Karp. Rocking, car rides, and other swinging movements all can help.

Sucking - "Sucking has its effects deep within the nervous system," notes Karp, "and triggers the calming reflex and releases natural chemicals within the brain." This "S" can be accomplished with breast, bottle, pacifier or even a finger.

Hi Ladies - Well its sounding like Nate has reflux. I called his Dr and they want to see him right away so we have an appt at 1:50 today. He has had some serious spitting up problems. The worst ones are when he is having his bottle and about 2 1/2 oz in he spits up with the bottle still in his mouth and it not only comes out his mouth but his nose too and its everything he ate. I call it the Fountain. Its scary. That and he has been trying to sleep today and is for 10 to 15 minutes at a time and then wakes up with a jerk screaming in pain. He also randomly chokes / coughs with out eating. So... off to the doctor we go. Thanks for all the advice.

Michelle (Chayce) - Have fun at your lunch I wish I was going out to lunch!

Michelle (mnelson) - That list really helps. I have actually been doing most of them (I didnt know I knew to do the lay on his side but I hold him like that sometimes and he just passes out) I do need to get a white noise CD. He wakes up with the lullaby music playing.

Jessi - I think sleeping through the night didnt help the situation. He woke up last night once and he is in a much better mood today and seems to be at least trying to sleep and is in a better mood.

Oh but I did get some great smiling pics today! I am going to post them on the Fun Pics thread. I will let you all know how the DA goes.

Take Care,