The kid thread: Planning, pregnancy & parenting

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I took my mom shopping with me after Dh and I made the registry. I showed her some of the stuff I put on there and she was good at reminding me exactly how small our house is. Quite a bit got removed once it was pointed out we'd be sleeping in the sunroom.

[redwagon]

I am pretty excited to go to my rheumatologist today. It's going to be weird talking out loud to a third party about how we want to start TTC in a year. But I know I have to plan way ahead to get my medications right for pregnancy, so I at least want her to start thinking about what we need to do. Fun!

Not so fun is that it's a 10 block walk to her office, and it's miserable freezing rain outside... I might have to cave and get a cab.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Redwagon, my OB told me it's ALWAYS appreciated when a woman starts talking to them about pregnancy BEFORE she walks in the door pregnant.

I would cave and get a cab, no way I'd walk ten blocks in freezing rain!

[alphayankee]

Our travel system ended up working well for DS#1 because he couldn't stand being in the baby sling, but DS#2 simply won't tolerate the stroller. We have used it twice in the past 9 months and I've ended up carrying him both times. I walk a lot with him, but he and I are both more comfortable with him in the slings and carriers. We started out with the Moby, tried a few others, and now I pretty much exclusively use the Beco (it's like a lightweight Ergo). It is especially convenient for doctor visits and grocery shopping.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Gwen disliked being in the baby carrier intensely. She screamed bloody murder when we put her in it. She kept swinging her arms and legs like she didn't like being pinned to my chest. We tried facing outwards and she still didn't like it.

She's fine and dandy in the SnugRide so we're just going to use that till she outgrows it and move onto the umbrella stroller. DH likes to push her in the stroller anyhow.

[econstudent]

I'm looking for another carrier. I like my Moby but it's kind of a pain to put on for short amounts of time. Plus I don't really like to put it on in the mall or other public places because the long pieces of fabric touch the floor...gross. I think I'm going to get an Ergo when she's bigger, but the reviews I've read say that it's not that good for infants, even within the infant head insert. I'm thinking about getting a Hugamonkey Sling (http://www.hugamonkey.com/baby-slings-carriers). Does anyone have any experience with these?

[moneymaven]

I was just talking to a girlfriend yesterday about slings. I think we're going to get the Moby for home use (especially since I will likely be working and need both hands). I've heard the same sentiments about it dragging on the ground when out and about... ewww...

Did any of you ladies have extreme vaginal/pelvic pressure as your delivery neared? I am 34 weeks, 4 days and in the past two days, DS has definitely dropped more, but every time I wipe my lady parts, I feel tender. Probably doesn't help that I tripped myself up on a rock on Sunday night, and feel like I stretched my groin. Of course, it was on the side that I was already having some ligament pain in.

I am going to the doctor in a few hours to get checked. They told me to bring my hospital bags with me. Sadly, I didn't pack them yet! I planned to do that last night, but I didn't!! Please send out positive thoughts that DS stays put for another week or two!

[muttleynfelix]

econ - I like my sleepingbabyproductions dot com ring sling. It is made by a WAHM who really cares about the work she does. I didn't have it when DS was a newborn, but I do really like and wish I had gotten it when he was a newborn rather than the Sleepy wrap. We used our Beco when DS was 6 weeks old on up, but I prefer my Action Baby carrier (also something I got when DS was older), but it would have worked around 6 weeks as well. It really depends on the baby. You can swaddle them and used a soft structured carrier fairly young. DS had really good head control and tolerated legs out at a really young age. So we did it.
ETA: Here is my source for a lot of awesome babywearing info betterbabywearing.blogspot.com/2010/03/babyweaing-overload.html They don't have the sling listed that you name, but that isn't necessarily bad it just means she hasn't reviewed it.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

insurance ask your hospital what they can provide you with. They may be able to provide you with just about everything you need (pads, nipple pads, mesh underwear, toothbrushes) and check to see if there is a 24 hour Walgreens near the hospital. Then if you forget the bag and get admitted during a check-up your DH or someone can make a pit stop for immediate needs and then since you'd be in the hospital for awhile anyhow someone could swing to get the bag later.

I didn't have pressure but I felt like Gwen was going to fall out every time I walked and I started getting tingly from the waist down because she was compressing all my nerves.

[econstudent]

muttleynfelix, thanks for the sling info and the link! I will check that out.

insurance, my baby was low for quite a while, but I didn't get that strong pressure until a couple days before my water broke. I had her on Friday, and on Wednesday I started to feel like I was sitting on her head. I'm glad you're getting checked out, but hopefully it's just that he's low and he'll stay in for a while more!

[LilBall]

Ladies, not sure if this has been mentioned yet or not, but Target has most of their Infant, Toddler, and Children's stuff at 30-75% off right now. For those of you who are preggo, you can get some CHEAP furniture, strollers, carseats, etc.

[alphayankee]

econ - I used a sling very similar to the hugamonkey when DS was younger, but he outgrew it very quickly. I've also used a Ring Sling, a Mei Tai, an Ergo, Infantino, Snugli and a couple of homemade versions. I'm not sure about how young they can be used because we used the Moby until DS was almost 5 months old. The Beco (Gemini is the model I have) should be fine because it has great adjustable head support. It is also the best carrier for front carrying (no crotch dangling like most of the others).

[econstudent]

alpha and muttleyn - I looked at the Beco's website and it looks really good! They are adorable too. Thanks for the suggestion, I may get one of those.

[alphayankee]

Speaking of wraps and slings... babysteals dot com has the MetroMamma Wraps on sale today. They are basically just a Moby with a fancy pattern. On sale, they are about the same price as the Moby you can buy at BRU or Target.

[muttleynfelix]

Econ - I had a hard time adjusting the Beco and never got the fit just right. I prefer the Action Baby Carrier where I can cross the straps in the back. I am going to sell our Beco Butterfly II. It is just expresso (brown). But if you are interested in buying a used one, let me know. I have to find where DH put the infant insert. When I bought the Action Baby Carrier, I used Heavenlyhold dot com trial program. That is really nice because each soft structured carrier fits so differently for each person.

[redwagon]

My rheumatologist says everything is looking good and that I won't have to go off of everything, which is nice. I am going to try to taper down and get off two of the drugs in the next year. She checked my lab results and I test positive on the antibody that can cause neo-natal lupus and congenital heart block, and so I'd need to be closely monitored with weekly fetal EKGs for the second trimester (when it is detectable), but negative on the antibody that can cause thrombosis and miscarriage, so that's good at least. I'll be high-risk, but good to know she thinks we can get me through a healthy pregnancy. Now I just have to wait a year...

[kgb18]

Econ, I love the Ergo carrier. I used it with the infant insert and didn't have any problems, but Avery was about 3 months old by then and had fairly good neck control. I didn't use it a whole lot last winter because it was so cold and snowy. I just kept her in the car seat, popped it off the base and dragged it around. It was heavy, but she stayed cozy.

As far as baby clothes, you never know what size your baby will really need until he/she gets here. Most people bought us 0 to 3 and 3 to 6 month sizes, more of the 3 to 6 month. We got very few newborn things. It turned out that she was swimming in 0 to 3. She wore newborn clothes for about 2 months, and she wore 0 to 3 month clothes until she was 5 months old. Even now she's outgrowing things length-wise before weight. She's 15-months-old and can still wear a lot of 12 month sizes. She's just to the point where the 18 month sizes are big, but fit enough that she doesn't look like a little ragamuffin. But a friend of mine has a 9-month-old baby who is wearing 18 to 24 month stuff. You never know.

[muttleynfelix]

Jan 18, 2011 15:08:46 GMT -5 kgb18 said:

As far as baby clothes, you never know what size your baby will really need until he/she gets here.

Completely agree with this. DS could wear some NB stuff for a month. Then was in 0-3 month stuff. Basically skipped the 3-6 month clothes and was in 9 month clothes by 4 months. Then he slowed way down on his growth and at 12 months his 12 month clothes still fit him great (and he's been in them for 3 moths). You just never know and it is really hard to predict.

[kgb18]

Along the same line as clothes, even with all the baby "stuff," some people find things useless while others love it. For example, Pack 'N Plays have been a lifesaver for us. Between our house, my parents and my in-laws, we actually have 5. We use all of them on a regular basis. And, yes, I know the idea of the PNP is to "pack" it, but when you're on the move almost every day of the week, it becomes a chore to keep packing it up and unpacking it.

But I know other people who rarely use theirs or never had one to begin with.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Gwen loves her playmat but I read a lot of reviews about babies who hated them or lost interest after a couple of weeks. I love it too because she gets restless now in her bouncy seat for too long. The playmat affords her the ability to roll around as she pleases and I can be free to do chores nearby.

She spent a half hour yesterday trying to rip the crinkly leaf off the matt so she could chew it. She gave up and just rolled over onto her side and gnawed on it. My little problem solver.

[kgb18]

Once Avery hit about 5 months old, the Exersacuer was awesome. We didn't buy one, and my SIL borrowed one from her SIL. When we saw how much she enjoyed it at SIL's house we got one. She would stay in that thing for an hour or more and be as happy as a clam. It was nice because I could put it in the kitchen while I was making dinner, doing dishes, etc. She was entertained, contained, and I could still see and talk to her.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

The daycare had Gwen in an exersaucer, kid was totally swallowed! She though it was great but I had a heck of time pulling her out.

She likes the jumper at MIL's house. We decided to leave it there so she has a toy too and because we're afraid the dogs might bash into it and send her to the moon.

[kgb18]

We're very lucky that my BIL's sister has a baby about a year older than Avery. She still had all of her baby gear and lent it to us so that we have toys and stuff at my SIL's and MIL's house for when Avery is there. It's been really helpful since Avery spends a lot of time there.

Tomorrow is my first night shift. DH and MIL are working out whether or not Avery will sleep at MIL's house or my MIL will come to our house until I get home around 11:30. I will have this schedule every Wednesday from now on. I'm guessing how we handle it will change from week to week depending on DH's schedule.

[alphayankee]

I'm still amazed at how different my boys are. DS#1 hated the PNP. It became the downstairs changing table and diaper storage. DS#2 loves to sleep in it and will play for 30-60 minutes at a time. He loves to be buried in his toys. He'll roll around and squeal at us.

DS#1 loved the exersaucer, walker, and jumper and would stay in them for up to an hour at a time. DS#2 needs to be rotated every 5-10 minutes.

DS#1 hated sitting in the high chair. He would only tolerate it while I was shoveling food into his mouth. DS#2 loves to sit there while I make dinner. He is content just to sit there, but I often give him bits of food to explore. We've learned that he loves celery and broccoli, even though he can't really do much more than gum it up.

We never knew when DS#1 was teething because it never bothered him. With DS#2, he had us and the daycare in a tizzy because he wouldn't eat anything but solids for a week. I finally figured out what was happening when the first tooth broke through. Also, DS#1 starting getting teeth at 4 months. DS#2 is 9 months and just cut two at once.

About the only things they have in common is hating the swing and screaming bloody murder after a bath.

It keeps life interesting and gives me a unique perspective on DS#2. Not just, "yeah, your brother did that too." And it humbles me every time I think I'm ready for the next stage because I've been through it before, then DS#2 does something completely different than #1. Kind of puts me in my place and keeps me on my toes.

[eh230]

For those ladies buying baby/kid stuff online, look at the Amazon Mom deal on the amazondotcom website. You can get free 2 day shipping. It has been a lifesaver/money saver for me and makes it easy to buy things in bulk.

I have my first oral argument in court tomorrow. I am so nervous! Please wish me luck.

[kgb18]

Good luck eh! You'll do great. The first one will be the hardest. Before long it will be old hat!

[kjsh]

eh - Good luck! I know you're nervous but it sounds very cool and exciting to me - I'll bet you do great!
Good luck with your night shift kgb.
That sounds like a pretty reasonable check-up redwagon. We had two fetal echos for DS in the 2nd tri (everything turned out okay for DS). THe fetal echos were pretty neat to watch, although the first one was very nerve-wracking. It's so much better to do everything you can to get yourself in the best place possible before pregnancy - I watched all the work my diabetic friend did to prepare her body for pregnancy and now she has a beautiful baby boy who is two days younger than my son.
DS loves to sleep in the napper in his pack-n-play - and it's so convenient for us to have the PnP (with napper and changing attachments) downstairs and then the bassinet and changing pad upstairs.
DS had a better night last night, but he had a really rough afternoon yesterday. I also went to a BF support group for new moms at our hospital yesterday (after much badgering from my DH) - it was really wonderful to go and just hear about the other problems that some people have. It reminded me that overall Beckett is doing pretty well with BFing. They also had infant scales so you could weigh your baby before and after feeding to see how much they're taking in - that was also nifty and reassuring.

[taz157]

eh - Good luck!

red - Good luck with tapering off 2 of the drugs and in your TTC journey when you and DH decide its time to start!

I had my doctor's appointment yesterday and everything looked good. They ended using the doppler and I got to hear the h/b! I also talked the doctor into doing an ultrasound (not much arm twisting was needed) and got to see the LO moving all around. Even got to see it wave to me, which was really cool. She did take a picture; however, it isn't a great picture. It was just really cool to see the LO moving all around. Unfortunately, DH couldn't go due to work, but I told him all about when he got home.

I go back February 16th and then again for March 17th for the major ultrasound. My DH doesn't care either way if we find out beforehand or not. I'm thinking that if the "goods" are shown while we are there, then we'll find out. If not, then we'll wait until delivery-day.

[ladyki]

Jan 18, 2011 12:00:11 GMT -5 moneymaven said:

Did any of you ladies have extreme vaginal/pelvic pressure as your delivery neared? I am 34 weeks, 4 days and in the past two days, DS has definitely dropped more, but every time I wipe my lady parts, I feel tender.
quote]

insmoneymaven- Oh yes, there was so much pressure sown there that I thought I was going to go in to labor any minute, lol. It was also very uncomfortable to get in my SUV and drive. I just knew that the time was getting closer as my lady part started feeling very pressured and also a little bit painful.

I hope everyhting is okay with you and DS and I will keep my fingers cross that he stays in there for a little while longer.

[ladyki]

Jan 18, 2011 12:00:11 GMT -5 moneymaven said:

Did any of you ladies have extreme vaginal/pelvic pressure as your delivery neared? I am 34 weeks, 4 days and in the past two days, DS has definitely dropped more, but every time I wipe my lady parts, I feel tender.

insmoneymaven- Oh yes, there was so much pressure sown there that I thought I was going to go in to labor any minute, lol. It was also very uncomfortable to get in my SUV and drive. I just knew that the time was getting closer as my lady part started feeling very pressured and also a little bit painful.

I hope everyhting is okay with you and DS and I will keep my fingers cross that he stays in there for a little while longer.