The kid thread: Planning, pregnancy & parenting

[Wisconsin Beth]

The socks matching or unmatching is something I'm refusing to care about. I do insist that socks cone off at night because c gets smelly feet otherwise.

[gs11rmb]

Sept 6, 2017 18:02:44 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Or you could have one like DD who wouldn't wear matching socks. That was a battle I didn't fight. The rule was church you wore them. We only ate out at casual places when they were kids so socks that didn't match was no biggie. But even at home shirts were worn to the dinner table. Regardless of gender.

My just turned 5 year old daughter preferred to be naked even as a baby (we'd find her stripped in her crib and I'd have to wrestle her back into a diaper).  We gave up... our rule is you must wear underwear at the dinner table .

[tcu2003]

Sept 7, 2017 7:41:16 GMT -5 gs11rmb said:

Sept 6, 2017 18:02:44 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Or you could have one like DD who wouldn't wear matching socks. That was a battle I didn't fight. The rule was church you wore them. We only ate out at casual places when they were kids so socks that didn't match was no biggie. But even at home shirts were worn to the dinner table. Regardless of gender.

My just turned 5 year old daughter preferred to be naked even as a baby (we'd find her stripped in her crib and I'd have to wrestle her back into a diaper).  We gave up... our rule is you must wear underwear at the dinner table .

LOL, this makes me laugh. The younger son of one of my friends is one of those babies - he's 9 months old and hates wearing clothes. It'll be fun to see if he's still like that when he's 4 or so.

[andi9899]

Sept 6, 2017 14:58:34 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Abby used to just wear a swim diaper till I became aware that she's like me and goes up like a human torch.  So now she wears a one piece.  I went back to wearing a swim suit that covers my stomach after I got a really bad sun burn at the water park.  More covered surface area means less area to remember to slather in sunscreen.

Meanwhile Gwen tans like her father, jealous.

You can have some of my tan. I just try to stay out if the sun so I don't turn black. I don't burn usually.

[raeoflyte]

Sept 7, 2017 5:43:12 GMT -5 econstudent said:

Oh no, tcu! I hope you feel better and the family doesn't catch it!

[sbcalimom]

Sept 7, 2017 7:41:16 GMT -5 gs11rmb said:

Sept 6, 2017 18:02:44 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Or you could have one like DD who wouldn't wear matching socks. That was a battle I didn't fight. The rule was church you wore them. We only ate out at casual places when they were kids so socks that didn't match was no biggie. But even at home shirts were worn to the dinner table. Regardless of gender.

My just turned 5 year old daughter preferred to be naked even as a baby (we'd find her stripped in her crib and I'd have to wrestle her back into a diaper).  We gave up... our rule is you must wear underwear at the dinner table .

I have two of those! Both girls would generally prefer to be naked even at 6 and 8. My rule is underwear is required because I don't want your but on my furniture. Otherwise, whatever assuming we're home.

[econstudent]

Update on the $5 school lunches: the program was scrapped because they didn't get enough interest to cover the cost. Shocking that we weren't the only ones who couldn't afford $100/month for school lunch. 🙄 They are going to keep working on it, so I hope they figure out something better.

[Deleted]

I missed that, 5$ school lunches? 

[econstudent]

Sept 7, 2017 19:38:32 GMT -5 oped said:

I missed that, 5$ school lunches? 

Yeah. Small private school, not fancy at all. They started a lunch program this year, but were going to charge $5 for each meal. The meals were things like mac & cheese, frozen vegetables and half a banana. It was bizarre and absolutely not worth $5/day.

[Lizard Queen]

My younger son goes to preschool at a small private school. They don't have hot lunches, except maybe on Fridays. Not sure how much that costs. They also did a pre-order for slices of Dominos pizza on Tuesdays as a fundraiser, which was successful. I think they also provided a fruitcup with it, for $2/slice.

[Deleted]

Our grade school had always used an outside caterer but they got a grant and this summer, remodeled the kitchen and hired a food service coordinator and now they're making their own.  Carrot used to love the meals before, so I hope he still does because I hate packing, but they're only $2.90, I wouldn't be thrilled with $5 at all.  Of course, he eats breakfast there almost every morning too adding another $1.55, but easier than getting him to eat something at 6:00 in the morning at home. 

[Sam_2.0]

OH MY GOD.

Mom just sent me a pic of J with wet hair. Apparently he was playing in the toilet and DUNKED HIS HEAD IN TO GIVE HIMSELF A SWIRLY to see how it feels. And then he did it AGAIN! I am alternating between  and

[andi9899]

Sept 8, 2017 10:46:27 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

OH MY GOD.

Mom just sent me a pic of J with wet hair. Apparently he was playing in the toilet and DUNKED HIS HEAD IN TO GIVE HIMSELF A SWIRLY to see how it feels. And then he did it AGAIN! I am alternating between  and

I'm sorry, but I'm totally laughing at your kid right now. That's hysterical!

[Pants]

Sept 8, 2017 10:46:27 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

OH MY GOD.

Mom just sent me a pic of J with wet hair. Apparently he was playing in the toilet and DUNKED HIS HEAD IN TO GIVE HIMSELF A SWIRLY to see how it feels. And then he did it AGAIN! I am alternating between  and

I have considered doing this as an adult. Just to see how it feels.

[Sam_2.0]

Left DH with all 3 kids this morning so I could do a mat class. I told mom ahead of time that he may need help, and then told him she was available to call. He said "Why does everyone seem to think I can't take care of my own kids?" I must have given him quite a look. Lol! I am home now and he's on his way back from church with 2 of the 3. Apparently he pawned Jaydon off on Nana for the day. Hahahaha!

[andi9899]

But he's the funny one! I would have kept him and pawned the other two!

[cael]

Went to NJ with the baby solo (again... sigh) for their cousin's baby shower this weekend, overall it went really well actually. Drove down Thursday night and he slept most of the way and I made great time, but he didn't sleep great once we got there. Had super busy days Friday and Saturday and he barely napped and was up late, but slept well those nights, so maybe I just have to exhaust him and keep him up to get him to sleep? LOL. I barely got to participate in the shower because I had to chase him around the whole time, he just wanted to walk up and down the ramp outside the door over and over again but it wasn't bad, I was just sad I couldn't spend more time w/ cousin, who looks amazing btw for being 26 weeks with twins! A had an epic meltdown in my SIL's truck at their uncle's house after the shower, squirted a pouch everywhere and screamed and cried and kicked, he was like laying on his neck kicking and screaming in his car seat. He was tired and hungry and his last straw was he grabbed his empty bottle to try and drink, then we took it away to go put some milk in it for him... and he lost it. He was fine for the ride home though and slept well that night. Toddlers, man. He did amazing driving home yesterday though, and he was awake probably two thirds of the trip. He really was very good all weekend.

Did anyone's kids get their 2y molars super early? Like around 15 months early? pretty sure that's started due to the drool, fingers shoved way back, the biting and the lumps I'm starting to feel back there. My SIL's kids all got their teeth really early but she can't remember what ages..

[cael]

Oh, and my man finally says mama! makes me die a little every time he says it! Although now he doesn't reply gleefully with "dada!" when you ask him to say mama, and that was hilarious lol.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Abby's birthday was this weekend. She's officially a threenager.   It went really well.   We had problems with Gwen getting super jealous/pissy but otherwise it went fine.   The Peppa Pig house I scored off Ebay was the clear winner, she played with it non stop all weekend.

Took them to  the zoo on Sunday.  It was nice, since we're entering the off season it wasn't nearly as crowded so we could take our time.  Then with less people there more of the animals come out of hiding.  We got to see the sea turtle up close and personal, which rarely happens.

[chen35]

Baby C is teething. He seems a bit uncomfortable, but is fine for the most part. He also learned to clap! It's so cute, DH has been working with him on learning that for a few weeks (I also think it's adorable when DH gives me a list of things they 'worked on' for the day). Shots today, and another appointment with the plastic surgeon. Of course the insurance lost the paperwork so hasn't even approved his helmet yet. I'm almost wanting to just get it done and pay out of pocket. I'm not sure the insurance will approve it, and I'm not sure it will really save us any money if they do. Trying to be patient.

[raeoflyte]

For the past several weeks C has been scared of zombies in the evenings.  It started after the coyote got the chickens, I think that is what started it, but it obviously spiraled.  He'll get better, and then worse, and when he's worse he can't be alone and can't hardly not be touching me.  We've done a lot of coping techniques to varying degrees of success.  His screen time has been reduced to almost nothing and he's sticking to only the tamest of tv shows, or an occaisonal game of mario kart.  I had episodes like this as a kid too and want to let him ride it out, but it's definitely wearing.  He is reading a ton, but nothing scary.  He won't even wear his minecraft pajamas anymore.  

And he's having pain in one of his back molars anytime liquid hits it.  He's barely 3 months out from his last dentist appointment and we've been brushing a ton.  It's just so disappointing.  But we are trying a new dentist in the morning.  

[cktc]

Sept 11, 2017 7:56:57 GMT -5 cael said:

Did anyone's kids get their 2y molars super early? Like around 15 months early? pretty sure that's started due to the drool, fingers shoved way back, the biting and the lumps I'm starting to feel back there. My SIL's kids all got their teeth really early but she can't remember what ages..

I keep thinking the 2 yr molars are en route. Started wondering around 15 months and still waiting for them to pop at 17, almost 18 months. DS tends to have teething symptoms off and on for months before they break

[chen35]

Oh Rae, poor kid! 

[cael]

Sept 11, 2017 11:11:50 GMT -5 cktc said:

Sept 11, 2017 7:56:57 GMT -5 cael said:

Did anyone's kids get their 2y molars super early? Like around 15 months early? pretty sure that's started due to the drool, fingers shoved way back, the biting and the lumps I'm starting to feel back there. My SIL's kids all got their teeth really early but she can't remember what ages..

I keep thinking the 2 yr molars are en route. Started wondering around 15 months and still waiting for them to pop at 17, almost 18 months. DS tends to have teething symptoms off and on for months before they break

Yuck, I know these molars must be brutal, hope we both aren't in for months more of teething before they bust through! He just started the obvious teething again like 2 weeks ago, so we'll see how it goes..

[TheHaitian]

Today was my wife first day of work outside the home, I dropped her off!

Again we got into an argument because she is making it sound like I am forcing her to take a job outside the home and she would be home with Carlie right now if it wasn't for me.

That argument is getting old from the lady that spent $1,700 on outdoor patio furniture she had to have, $700 on new clothes to go back to work, over 2k so far on clothes for Carlie.

When I tell her that she said it is a husband job to support his wife, that I asked her to marry me and not the other way around. So I told her in that case I will ask her to divorce me to undo that problem because I refuse to work 70-80 hours a week just to die broke. Tired of being the one juggling the bills and figuring how everything fits together ...

I have been sleeping in the basement for the past month now or so because I am tired of the arguments and snarky comments. At this point I even started to look at apartments, went on the DC website to check how much I would be paying in child support and what not and how much would be left over.
-----

In other news she informed me that Carlie has another half sister.

She did not tell me but she had signed up to be kept informed when siblings were reported and what not and the other parents did the same.

She had a older half brother born in December before her, she was born in January and 3 other half sisters born after. So 5 from the same donor...

They were emailing each other and thinking about creating a private Facebook group to exchange pictures and she wanted to know how I felt about it.

So it is 2 couples (Us and another couple) and 3 single moms by choice.

I am not sure... yes we are both ok with telling Carlie as she gets older how she was conceived and yes I am ok with giving her the information about her biological father or whatever little information we have (pictures and bio); and she can request more when she is 18.

But I never really considered nor thought about sharing pictures with other families... private Facebook group... what next? Family reunions?

I need sometime to process it!

[chen35]

Sept 11, 2017 13:07:13 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Today was my wife first day of work outside the home, I dropped her off!

Again we got into an argument because she is making it sound like I am forcing her to take a job outside the home and she would be home with Carlie right now if it wasn't for me.

That argument is getting old from the lady that spent $1,700 on outdoor patio furniture she had to have, $700 on new clothes to go back to work, over 2k so far on clothes for Carlie.

When I tell her that she said it is a husband job to support his wife, that I asked her to marry me and not the other way around. So I told her in that case I will ask her to divorce me to undo that problem because I refuse to work 70-80 hours a week just to die broke. Tired of being the one juggling the bills and figuring how everything fits together ...

I have been sleeping in the basement for the past month now or so because I am tired of the arguments and snarky comments. At this point I even started to look at apartments, went on the DC website to check how much I would be paying in child support and what not and how much would be left over.
-----

In other news she informed me that Carlie has another half sister.

She did not tell me but she had signed up to be kept informed when siblings were reported and what not and the other parents did the same.

She had a older half brother born in December before her, she was born in January and 3 other half sisters born after. So 5 from the same donor...

They were emailing each other and thinking about creating a private Facebook group to exchange pictures and she wanted to know how I felt about it.

So it is 2 couples (Us and another couple) and 3 single moms by choice.

I am not sure... yes we are both ok with telling Carlie as she gets older how she was conceived and yes I am ok with giving her the information about her biological father or whatever little information we have (pictures and bio); and she can request more when she is 18.

But I never really considered nor thought about sharing pictures with other families... private Facebook group... what next? Family reunions?

I need sometime to process it!

That is a lot of clothes for an 8 month old!!
I'm sorry Carl, that is a lot to deal with, even before the sperm donor stuff! 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

::tries to add up how much she spent on clothes for Gwen in eight months::

Nope.  I think I did spend that much on nipple pads though.

Carl what is it with your wife not telling you this stuff?   She should have talked to you about it BEFORE she started keeping track.  What if they had decided to contact you?  I would imagine it'd never occur to these other parents that you were not in the loop.

I've said it before and I'll say it again you guys need heavy duty marital counseling if you really are determined to stay married. You ain't going to change and she sure as hell isn't changing.  I'm speaking from experience you got to find some sort of middle ground even if it doesn't make either of you "happy".  You can't operate at such extreme ends of the spectrum forever.

[swasat]

I have TWO growing kids and even I didn't spend anywhere close to $2K for clothes for my almost 13 and almost 10 year old!! 

Thats a LOT of VERY EXPENSIVE clothes for a 8 month old child to dirty at their own whim.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Hope it was $2k worth of Carters and Gerber because if it's anything that requires "hand washing" MIL and Mrs C will be in for the horror of their lives after Carlie has a blow out.

[TheHaitian]

Correction it is about ~1k for the clothes for Carlie so far and her argument is she has purchased clothes for up to 18 months so Carlie is good for awhile.

Sept 11, 2017 13:27:17 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Carl what is it with your wife not telling you this stuff?   She should have talked to you about it BEFORE she started keeping track.  What if they had decided to contact you?  I would imagine it'd never occur to these other parents that you were not in the loop.

That was my thing too but she said it works this way: the sperm bank set up a group for the parents and in that group she is the only one that did not give her email info while the others did.

And they also came up with the idea of the private Facebook group. She reason she was asking me is she would like to give her email so she can exchange pictures with the other parents because she is curious.

But she is not for the Facebook group because she does not want to give them that much information about us (our names, location etc). Because it was easy for her to track down one of the single moms already on Facebook because her email account is her name.

For now since the donor was name Apppollo , they go by Appollo1, Appollo2, Appollo3, Appollo4 and Appollo5.

Again I told her I needed time to think about it because that is one thing I did not consider or really thought off. I feel once you open that door, there is no turning back and then you keep moving further down and you need to be ready for that.

So like I said I feel once you start on the exchanging pictures trail you are basically looking at family reunion/get together down the road, kids getting together and I am ready for that? Are we ready for that?

Yes we are not a normal nuclear family but are we comfortable with her knowing she has 4 siblings out there born within the same year, with 5 different parenting style/approach, kids comparing notes, etc etc.

It is a lot to process...