@ Thursday Randoms

[eclaires]

I posted this on facebook, but I'll be an AW and torment y'all again with it.  Scarlett dressed herself this morning for school.  She has to wear a uniform but she wanted to wear her new shirt and her tall socks so she looks extra adorbs.



She was proud of her outfit so this conversation happened:

Scarlett: Do you like my outfit, Jackson?
Jackson: yeah...
Scarlett: Do you think it looks cute?
Jackson: yesssss!
Scarlett: Cuter than Annie (our dog that Scarlett thinks is the ultimate in adorableness, second only to a white fluffy cat)?
Jackson: You're the cutest thing I've ever seen!  Come give me a hug!  (LOL)

On a related note, my husband is not on board with paying for Catholic schools because our local public school is really good, but man, these two years of preschool at the Catholic school at our church are going to make me want to send the kids to Catholic schools... the uniforms kill me with the cuteness.

[tres3]

she's adorable.

I need to get off the PTO. WTF was I thinking.... I have a meeting at 8:45... ugh

[wawa]

SO MUCH CUTE!

The BAB kills me eclaires.

I mentioned this in the other randoms thread - but for another bit of it here - I'm visiting my sister this weekend because her EDD #3 is in a month and we're going shopping for any last minute needs, making sure she's set for BFing supplies, and I'm cooking up an assortment of things to stuff her freezer.

She's never successfully BF and she asked me a few months ago if I'd stop being careful not to be pushy about it and just give all the advice and help I've got because she REALLY wants to make it work this time. so I wrote a like 3 page email just braindumping all the advice I could come up with. And now I'm going to make sure she's got lanolin and soothies and good nursing tops and one handed snacks and a good (also one handed) water bottle of some sort, and those warm/cold pack thingies and I'm taking her my pump and fresh tubing and valves in case she has latch issues like she did with #2. Anything else I'm forgetting?

We've already discussed that she needs a better chair - she's an itsy person (5'1) and the arms on her standard wooden glider end up being too high for her to actually use them so she can't get comfy and relax. Did any of our vertically challenged mama's here BF and have any specific advice on that aspect? My mama and I have talked about going in together to get her a better chair if we can't figure her out a good nursing spot with the furniture they currently possess.

[omgzombies]

We're taking the kids to Disney next month! My normally cynical and apathetic self is overjoyed at the prospect of Disney.

[eclaires]

wawa I had this chair and it was very comfortable for me, but I think it would be even more comfortable for a shorter lady.

www.walmart.com/ip/Customize-Dorel-Rocking-Chair-with-Slipcover-Your-Choice-in-Color/22988594

I mostly chose it because it was the look I wanted, and fairly inexpensive, but it was surprisingly comfortable and easy for feeding Scarlett. We FF, but we did most nighttime feedings in it upstairs.

(and speaking of BABs... I bought 7 new monogrammed ones and I want to buy more, I might do that today, lol)

[Michelle]

I love that you posted here because I am NOT on CEP Facebook and I would have missed this adorableness. Thank you for sharing.


And I love public school uniforms. I spent less than two hundred and twenty dollars on two weeks of clothes four pairs of shoes (incl. 2 pair from stride rite) and 2 hoodies. Old Navy had $5 uniform shirts and $10 jeans!

[eclaires]

Aug 21, 2014 7:44:06 GMT -5 omgzombies said:

We're taking the kids to Disney next month! My normally cynical and apathetic self is overjoyed at the prospect of Disney.

We're going in October!!!  I'm torn between excitement and dread, lol.  I'm usually very cynical too, but I'm so excited to tell them (we're saving the reveal for their birthdays next month) and think they are going to lose their minds!

I really hate amusement parks, but I'm anxious and excited to take them to Disney.  It's such a weird feeling, lol.

[Deleted]

wawa I did ok with a comfy throw pillow squished against the arm of the chair. Early on I relied on the Brest Friend nursing pillow (not the boppy) and it made a huge difference with positioning.

[Michelle]

Wawa, I am a shorty and nursing in the recliner was most comfortable for me. I didn't have a boppy pillow and just used a regular one but a boppy would have been better. A GC for nursing bras might help if she is busty. I went up to size H and never expected that. You may have put this but I loved Lily pads that sort of sealed my flow off rather thuan nursing pad inserts.

[omgzombies]

Aug 21, 2014 7:42:24 GMT -5 wawa said:

SO MUCH CUTE!

The BAB kills me eclaires.

I mentioned this in the other randoms thread - but for another bit of it here - I'm visiting my sister this weekend because her EDD #3 is in a month and we're going shopping for any last minute needs, making sure she's set for BFing supplies, and I'm cooking up an assortment of things to stuff her freezer.

She's never successfully BF and she asked me a few months ago if I'd stop being careful not to be pushy about it and just give all the advice and help I've got because she REALLY wants to make it work this time. so I wrote a like 3 page email just braindumping all the advice I could come up with. And now I'm going to make sure she's got lanolin and soothies and good nursing tops and one handed snacks and a good (also one handed) water bottle of some sort, and those warm/cold pack thingies and I'm taking her my pump and fresh tubing and valves in case she has latch issues like she did with #2. Anything else I'm forgetting?

We've already discussed that she needs a better chair - she's an itsy person (5'1) and the arms on her standard wooden glider end up being too high for her to actually use them so she can't get comfy and relax. Did any of our vertically challenged mama's here BF and have any specific advice on that aspect? My mama and I have talked about going in together to get her a better chair if we can't figure her out a good nursing spot with the furniture they currently possess.

The "My Breast Friend Pillow" despite the incredibly stupid name, is a godsend when learning how to nurse.  It's like the boppy but more firm.  Much easier to manipulate the baby on so that you can adjust to get a good latch.  Also don't be afraid to roll a small receiving blanket and position it under the baby to help get a better position.

Most of these things you've probably addressed but here are the things that I think really helped me:

1)  Appointment with a lactation consultant both in the hospital and a week after discharge.  Having an expert there who could help specifically a week out really helped me feel less overwhelmed, and more confident that baby was getting enough.
2)  Drinking enough water.  Most people don't get enough water to drink, and I would not be surprised to learn this affects supply.  Guzzle it those first couple weeks.
3)  Don't even keep formula in the house.  When it's 3am, and you are hormone ridden and can't think straight, and are having a panicky moment because baby is not sleeping, and what if you are doing something wrong, it's easy to reach for a bottle, which starts the never-ending struggle with supply.  If in the morning in the light of day you decide it's what's best, you can always go out and grab some, but things always seem to look so bleak at 3am.
4)  This is the best piece of advice I ever received, "Remember, the baby has to learn how to nurse too, you are not the only one learning here."  Breastfeeding is a two man job, and even if you are doing everything perfectly, baby still has to figure it out, and it may not go smoothly right at first.  This piece of advice helped keep me calm, and helped me remember that it was not all on me.  

[taratru]

eclaires you've saved me from going to school today, because I'm dead from cute overload.

[Deleted]

ack eclaires. the cuteness. I love the socks and then the bow. adorable!

wawa the one handed snacks are a good idea. People brought me a lot of food post baby but it wasnt always practical since I was usually nursing around dinner time (chili sounds like a great idea, but its hard to eat while nursing a newborn). also I know I've touted this book on here before but "Nursing Your Baby" by Karen Pryor is a great resource. It was written in the 60s originally so some of the stuff is a bit outdated because it came out at a time when BFing was not popular at all but it was really helpful for me.

I mdae the mistake of asking DS last night if he wanted a quesadilla (H wasn't going ot be home for dinner) and he said yes so we went to Qdoba. 40 minute wait. and then DS knew he was getting a quesadilla (which he loves - calls it a "quesa-DILLA!!!!!" lol) so we couldnt leave or go somewhere else. So we waited. DS was surprisingly an angel and clutched his menu the whole time and waited holding my hand.

I, on the other hand, almost lost it when three teenage boys cut in front of me. WHO CUTS IN FRONT OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN WITH THE TODDLER. (they were joining their group of friends but STILL).

however, because I am wimp, I didnt say anything, I just internally "lost it" and stewed for the next 30 minutes over it. lol.

[Vespasia]

I saw the cutest little boy when I was getting coffee this morning. He was dressed in a cop uniform and he kept telling his mother that he was "handsome." He was clearly a patient which made it even more adorable but sad too.

[pamela]

DS was not happy this morning at drop off. He's starting PK3 at the Catholic school and is all excited about big school. Except that with phase-in days, he had to go to daycare Mon/Wed. Then today is his first day of before/after care. So we dropped him off in the cafeteria with a new teacher. All he wanted was to go to his big school and this wasn't it. We'll just pile on the confusion tomorrow because we typically don't work Friday's so he'll get dropped off in the carpool line.

Also, we rescheduled our adoption home interview for next week (delayed because of our move). Which I was all excited about, then realized that it is going to screw with DS's schedule, again. The interview is at 9 so he won't be able to get to school until almost lunchtime. I'd be tempted to keep him out all day, but we really can't afford another day of vacation and I think he'd be mad at us. He's already going to be annoyed which will make the interview less fun.

[eclaires]

Aug 21, 2014 7:56:53 GMT -5 taratru said:

eclaires you've saved me from going to school today, because I'm dead from cute overload.

LOL!  This is how I feel this morning; I can't get motivated to do anything and keep looking at that picture.  I'm stunned from the cute.  haha!

[wawa]

Aug 21, 2014 7:56:15 GMT -5 omgzombies said:

Aug 21, 2014 7:42:24 GMT -5 wawa said:

SO MUCH CUTE!

The BAB kills me eclaires.

I mentioned this in the other randoms thread - but for another bit of it here - I'm visiting my sister this weekend because her EDD #3 is in a month and we're going shopping for any last minute needs, making sure she's set for BFing supplies, and I'm cooking up an assortment of things to stuff her freezer.

She's never successfully BF and she asked me a few months ago if I'd stop being careful not to be pushy about it and just give all the advice and help I've got because she REALLY wants to make it work this time. so I wrote a like 3 page email just braindumping all the advice I could come up with. And now I'm going to make sure she's got lanolin and soothies and good nursing tops and one handed snacks and a good (also one handed) water bottle of some sort, and those warm/cold pack thingies and I'm taking her my pump and fresh tubing and valves in case she has latch issues like she did with #2. Anything else I'm forgetting?

We've already discussed that she needs a better chair - she's an itsy person (5'1) and the arms on her standard wooden glider end up being too high for her to actually use them so she can't get comfy and relax. Did any of our vertically challenged mama's here BF and have any specific advice on that aspect? My mama and I have talked about going in together to get her a better chair if we can't figure her out a good nursing spot with the furniture they currently possess.

The "My Breast Friend Pillow" despite the incredibly stupid name, is a godsend when learning how to nurse.  It's like the boppy but more firm.  Much easier to manipulate the baby on so that you can adjust to get a good latch.  Also don't be afraid to roll a small receiving blanket and position it under the baby to help get a better position.

Most of these things you've probably addressed but here are the things that I think really helped me:

1)  Appointment with a lactation consultant both in the hospital and a week after discharge.  Having an expert there who could help specifically a week out really helped me feel less overwhelmed, and more confident that baby was getting enough.
2)  Drinking enough water.  Most people don't get enough water to drink, and I would not be surprised to learn this affects supply.  Guzzle it those first couple weeks.
3)  Don't even keep formula in the house.  When it's 3am, and you are hormone ridden and can't think straight, and are having a panicky moment because baby is not sleeping, and what if you are doing something wrong, it's easy to reach for a bottle, which starts the never-ending struggle with supply.  If in the morning in the light of day you decide it's what's best, you can always go out and grab some, but things always seem to look so bleak at 3am.
4)  This is the best piece of advice I ever received, "Remember, the baby has to learn how to nurse too, you are not the only one learning here."  Breastfeeding is a two man job, and even if you are doing everything perfectly, baby still has to figure it out, and it may not go smoothly right at first.  This piece of advice helped keep me calm, and helped me remember that it was not all on me.  

#1 and #2 were in my email to her - so totally agree there.
#3 is what got her with her second baby.  He had a ROUGH latch and during a tearful 2 AM feeding where she started bleeding she just gave up, picked up the can of sample formula that my BIL oh so helpfully left on the counter and never went back. 
#4 - is SUCH A GOOD POINT.  I'm going to C&P directly into my next email...

It's been interesting, because with #1 and #2 I hadn't had Shorti yet and was just in full on cheerleader mode so I had no advice to offer and just stuck with "you were FF!  Formula is good!  you're awesome!  I'm sorry you're bummed, but it's ok!"  - but now she's telling me that she's still pissed at herself for giving up so early with them and she wants my 100% support to MAKE BREASTFEEDING HAPPEN.  So we send these emails back and forth where I offer all the advice and links and info I've got - with random footnotes of "but dude, if it doesn't work out this time - YOU ARE STILL AWESOME."  Also my sister has like 30000000000 more feels than I do so it's always a bit of a tightwire act to not stomp all over her little squishy heart.

[irishbride2]

Jack has started the terrible twos at 17 months.

I'm *this close* to giving him away to whoever wants him.

Yesterday, the first day of school so I was already DONE, I turned to him and shouted "YOU NEED TO STOP YELLING AT ME!"
Cate looked at me like I was nuts and said "Mommy, he's only 1."

I should let her be the mom.

[ringstrue]

This AM DD told me she had a baby in her tummy and that a boy in her class was the father. I might have reacted negatively. 

[irishbride2]

Aug 21, 2014 8:49:50 GMT -5 ringstrue said:

This AM DD told me she had a baby in her tummy and that a boy in her class was the father. I might have reacted negatively. 

That doesn't sound very sex positive. SHAME!

[laurenpetro]

jack woke up crying at 1.15 last night. i went in and calmed him down. then he took a dump and then wanted to cuddle for half an hour. he was still awake when i went back to bed at 2. then he woke up and H went in. then he started screaming at 2.30 so i went back in and basically told him to STFU and go to sleep. then i couldn't fall asleep until after 3.

i am so tired.

[pescalita]

Aug 21, 2014 8:38:44 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

Velar Fricative look at this ham this morning

STOP IT.

STOP.

wawa I don't think I have any particular short lady advice. I think it made it easier for me because I'm short-waisted with giant boobs so I can just sit a baby in my lap without much support.

[terpsfan]

I wish we had public school uniforms too.

Tomorrow my ILs are taking my kids all day to an amusement park about 1.5 hours away. This is the first time they are taking them for so long and so far away. I love my ILs but they are a bit clueless, so I kinda wish I had HP's invisibility cloak to follow them around all day. Not because I think my kids are in danger, but just watch the hilarity around the million potty breaks, snack breaks, random kid-isms that happen when you spend an entire day at an amusement park with a 6.5 and 3.5yo. This was totally their idea too...I wonder if they'll be one and done.

[2curlydogs]

Had our new parent orientation last night. Met another mom of a kid in B's classroom.

The security info they talked about made me sad that it even had to be addressed.

Up at 11 for 20 minutes and then from 2:30 - 4:30.

S has his 9 month appt today! I am excited about this largely because it means we will get our new ibuprofen and acetaminophen doses!

[tres3]

Did you enter her in the MJ $1k gift card contest?

[StrawberryBlondie]

Cute!!!

ETA: when is a good time to start baby swim lessons? Both the Y and the swim school in my city can start at 6 mos, but I'm not sure if that's actually a good age or if I should wait till closer to 1 year.

[eclaires]

Aug 21, 2014 10:28:20 GMT -5 tres3 said:

Did you enter her in the MJ $1k gift card contest?

I didn't... I might though.  I didn't even realize they were running one until someone asked me.  I'm not sure if her top is classified as a basic though.  I'm sure people will be posting all sorts of outrageously staged and styled photos though, lol.  

[tres3]

Aug 21, 2014 10:56:56 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Aug 21, 2014 10:28:20 GMT -5 tres3 said:

Did you enter her in the MJ $1k gift card contest?

I didn't... I might though.  I didn't even realize they were running one until someone asked me.  I'm not sure if her top is classified as a basic though.  I'm sure people will be posting all sorts of outrageously staged and styled photos though, lol.  

I think it does... you should do it just to see if you can win. 

I was just at my trunk keepers house and got some culottes for me ;-)

[Cicero]

This board has a lot of first birthdays next month. Any party plans coming along? MrsAxilla Velar Fricative pescalita 2curlydogs who am I forgetting? Yes. I plan on mooching ideas.

[MrsAxilla]

Aug 21, 2014 14:01:14 GMT -5 Cicero said:

This board has a lot of first birthdays next month. Any party plans coming along? MrsAxilla Velar Fricative pescalita 2curlydogs who am I forgetting? Yes. I plan on mooching ideas.

We're trying to plan a roadtrip to see DH's grandfather around her birthday. If that happens, we'll host a luncheon-type party with all DH's family. We'd have her naming ceremony at the same time. If we stay home, I think it will just be us at home with a cake and some presents.

[ajj]

DS cried at drop off this morning. :-(. I know this will get better, I'm just slightly questioning starting him early with Kindergarten. I know he was ready though. I think it's just going to take a bit because of his shyness.