Children Updates

[amaranth]

We don't talk about kids much on WC but how about a quick update thread that people can choose to read or not as they please.

What's going on with your Littles? What have they accomplished lately? Any challenges you're facing? Any funny stories or quotes? Pregnancy updates from anyone?

[wanderingenough]

R is about to be 15 months. He got ear tubes (and tongue/lip tie clips) just over a month ago. We have seen some incredible advances in his development in the last month, which I'm confident can be attributed to the tube surgery. The ENT says his hearing still isn’t where it should be, but it’s improving. So that is good. Suddenly he is doing all these new things and responding in all these new ways. He is signing and trying to talk more. He still isn't walking, but H and and I are trying not to worry just yet. We figure his balance/equilibrium were off for so long and he cruises like a dream. I think he will get there soon. It's just a matter of getting over his fear of falling now.

A couple funny stories:
So his hearing was impacted by having ear infections all the time. He had like 9 before his first bday. Basically the fluid would never drain between infections and it was like being underwater. He could hear, but it was muffled. So the day of his surgery, we go into the children's hospital. The elevator has this cartoony voice saying each floor. "FLOOR 1!" "FLOOR 2!" etc. So on the way in, the voice doesn't even phase him. After his surgery, we get in the elevator and he is coming out of anesthesia but he hears the voice. He is totally startled and he gives H this look like “tell them to turn that crap down!!!”

Related to signing-- We are pretty sure he was doing it for a couple weeks after his surgery and we had no idea. His daycare gave us all these sign language cards when he started and we just set them in a drawer or something like "yeah, yeah sure." We never noticed him doing them, so we didn’t think much of it. Then all of a sudden like two weeks after his surgery, he is sitting in his high chair and runs out of goldfish and does something with his hands. I’m like “is he signing?” I grab the cards and look for “more.” I’m like “shoot, how long has he been communicating with us?!” Turns out he knew a whole bunch and being that we are parents of the year, we had no idea.

[grover]

As of tomorrow I'll be 30 weeks!! Never thought I'd get to this point!

[amaranth]

grover congrats! Such great progress!

wanderingenough he was probably thinking "mama needs to go to daycare and learn to sign!" Haha. It's so neat that he does the signs though it's a good way to bridge the gap between understanding and talking. So glad he is dnot better now with the ears. Must be such a relief to you.

[wanderingenough]

amaranth - seriously! i'm sure he was like "everyone there asks 'more?' and does that with their hands, why doesn't she get it?!"

[MrsMB]

suzv Share away!!!! Moms should always show off the babeh

So I had a great NT scan...now just have to wait on bloodwork results. I'm trying to decide when to tell work. Boss hasn't been super supportive with my first baby...and as ironic as this is with me being in HR, I feel that I'm being treated differently. I can tell her now...since I'm SO excited to share the news with the world! OR I can wait until we have our one-on-one on Friday. The only pro to that is she'd have another month to forget to come up with snide remarks or comments designed to "makes sure I can still handle my workload" with two. All of this may be a moot point...heck, I could be imagining it. But darn it, it sure does feel that she is way different in handling me with all kinds of situations now....

I just want to tellllllll everyone! Excited about this baby!!! WWWCD???

Lila has been so sick with colds and chest congesiton this month. I do love how she will crawl to people in church then quickly come back to me. Makes me feel all Mama loved and all. She has gotten so funny and laughs at us all the time. I got impatient trying to get her to bed last night. It was DH's night with the monitor, but he has a man cold. SO, I've been taking the brunt of everything this weekend. I wish I had been more patient. Sweet girl just wanted a little more milk and to snuggle with her Mama. I feel such Mama guilt. It was really frustration at DH.

SO, question....those on WCM. When you finally transitioned to all WCM, what do you do on the go? Like if you are going somewhere, do you pack a sippy of milk depending on how long you'll be out? I feel so dumb asking this...but my main anxieties as a parent have been how to handle food...going back to when she was itty bitty.

[wanderingenough]

MrsMB - We mainly do milk with breakfast/lunch/dinner and snacks at home, so we don't often need milk on the go (just water). When we do, I'm comfortable offering a lower percentage than whole which is easier to find while out and about (Starbucks/McDonalds/Restaurant menus/etc.), since it's just a one-off thing.

[MrsMB]

Jan 16, 2017 11:50:26 GMT -5 wanderingenough said:

MrsMB - We mainly do milk with breakfast/lunch/dinner and snacks at home, so we don't often need milk on the go (just water). When we do, I'm comfortable offering a lower percentage than whole which is easier to find while out and about (Starbucks/McDonalds/Restaurant menus/etc.), since it's just a one-off thing.

Ok, cool. I carried a sippy with water to church yesterday...so that works. 

So, snacks on the go...I've had a little thing with cheerios in it. Any other remotely healthy options? I feel like my Ped just gives me a blank look when I ask questions like this!! I could do fruit...just worried about stains...which may be dumb.

[estrellita]

Jan 16, 2017 11:50:26 GMT -5 wanderingenough said:

MrsMB - We mainly do milk with breakfast/lunch/dinner and snacks at home, so we don't often need milk on the go (just water). When we do, I'm comfortable offering a lower percentage than whole which is easier to find while out and about (Starbucks/McDonalds/Restaurant menus/etc.), since it's just a one-off thing.

This is what we do. Milk is with meals and if we're out I'm ok giving him 2% or whatever they have if we stop to eat somewhere.

[estrellita]

E will be 2 in just about a month! I have no idea where the time went! His newest things are jumping (with both feet) and he has been talking up a storm! I swear he learns a new word every day and his sentences are starting to get longer. He says "I got it" a lot which is adorable and he's demanding. "Mommy, sit down" is a common thing I hear, lol. He also can count to ten but he always skips 5 and usually he just days "one, three, four, six" over and over. He loves puzzles, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and raisins. And he's getting really good at names! When he's not screaming over something small he's the cutest

We are also sort of TTC #2. I'm not temping/charting (other than tracking AF) like last time so it's more of a see what happens thing right now. I'm nervous but excited! Some days I think we're insane but other days I can't wait for E to have a sibling!

[wanderingenough]

MrsMB - In terms of store bought stuff, the HappyBaby stuff isn't terrible. They have like freeze dried yogurt drops and veggies bites. Raisins (yuck!), cheese, and fig newtons are also a big hit around here.

[amaranth]

MrsMB I did the opposite of other people I guess. I did water with meals to make sure they were filling up on food and not milk. I did a sippy of milk twice a day as a snack componant. We are slightly dairy sensitive in my family so we varied what kind of milk (whole, cashew, almond, etc.) was served and that is also why only twice per day. I haven't given S any milk yet and now I'm trying to figure this all out again because I can't remember when I'm supposed to start.

I'd probably wait to tell work until you're really showing because I hated the questions and like to avoid them as long as possible. If you're fine with every person and conversation asking how you feel, go ahead. Haha.

[MrsMB]

Jan 16, 2017 12:09:04 GMT -5 amaranth said:

MrsMB I did the opposite of other people I guess. I did water with meals to make sure they were filling up on food and not milk. I did a sippy of milk twice a day as a snack componant. We are slightly dairy sensitive in my family so we varied what kind of milk (whole, cashew, almond, etc.) was served and that is also why only twice per day. I haven't given S any milk yet and now I'm trying to figure this all out again because I can't remember when I'm supposed to start.

I'd probably wait to tell work until you're really showing because I hated the questions and like to avoid them as long as possible. If you're fine with every person and conversation asking how you feel, go ahead. Haha.

The problem is that I feel I am....slightly. EVERYONE is staring at me even when I wear black and items designed to NOT be form fitting. I really want to be able to announce publicly and can't until work knows. It would be too difficult to tell everyone without work finding out another way and getting ticked....

[ewall]

MrsMB , like others have said, we just roll with whatever is available while we're out and about. One time I forgot to bring a sippy so he had nothing to drink with lunch. He didn't complain I have since invested in this for our diaper bag and like it quite a bit: www.amazon.com/dp/B002UJGK1C/ref=twister_B008AD1MA6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Snacks on the go are pouches (messy!), raisins, or goldfish. 

[wanderingenough]

ewall - that's our favorite thermos too! pooh8402 turned us onto it!

[ewall]

When people ask me how DS is, I tell them he such a joy. He really is. I don't have any other word to describe the awesomeness.

He's super chatty and now we can have conversations. Last week he told a story about his classmate throwing a book in the trash can and the teacher saying it was bad. Things weren't quite lining up with his story so we asked his care teachers. Turns out, he's the ringleader of the throw the books in the trash game. Weird because he doesn't do that at home so now we talk about how he shouldn't throw things in the trash at school.

We took away the pacifier last weekend so now he wakes up super early each morning. I'm trying to embrace it and view it as special quiet time together rather than "OMG it's too damn early!"

At his two year appointment, his pediatrician was concerned about a lazy eye so he has an eye appt soon. He may need glasses. I don't know if I can handle that cuteness!

[wanderingenough]

MrsMB ewall ps! keep your eyes peeled because sometimes the non-insulated plastic kind are available as an add-on item for super cheap (like $4) on Amazon. I scoop them up since they are like $8+ at Walmart.

[ewall]

Random: I read "I Know How She Does It" by Laura Vanderkam. It was a great read on how to balance motherhood and your other obligations. Basic message was lower your standards, you're going great already, don't be afraid to advocate for what you want/need, don't forget to take care of yourself. I thought it was very practical advice, but your mileage may vary!

[rockinrobyn]

L is 10 months old. He is crawling everywhere and started on his 9 month birthday. He learn d how to pull himself up to standing this weekend so I am sure cruising is. It far behind. I am having a hard time with him sleeping through the night. He will wake up and scream and so of course I am going to pick him up and nurse him. The doctor told me he should not be nursing at night so I really need to stop this bad habit, but he is in our room so it is really hard to just lay there and listen to him. We were doing well with only waking and nursing 1x per night until Christmas when he got sick. So, this week I plan to be strong and work on it again. Say a little prayer for me and L.

[ewall]

Good luck rockinrobyn!

[ewall]

estrellita I feel like our two would be BFFs. Raisins, jumping, sort of counting, and Mickey Mouse? Count my DS in! Those are all his current faves Two year old demographic is easy to please, except when they're not lol

[estrellita]

Jan 16, 2017 13:17:59 GMT -5 ewall said:

estrellita I feel like our two would be BFFs. Raisins, jumping, sort of counting, and Mickey Mouse? Count my DS in! Those are all his current faves Two year old demographic is easy to please, except when they're not lol

Yes, easy to please until it's time to brush his teeth or do something he doesn't want to do, lol. He's been getting possessive lately (mine!) but he's mostly good

How did you get rid of the paci? E only uses his at night and we've been trying to hide it hoping he falls asleep without it but he digs around to find it. He's a great sleeper so I don't really want to mess with it but I also don't want him having that thing forever! I'm thinking it's about time since he's almost 2!

[MrsMB]

ewall Book added to my wishlist!

[pooh8402]

wanderingenough is right. I love that cup, and so does E. We do milk in the insulated ones. The plastic non-insulated ones are $5 add ons on Amazon right now.

E is 18 months old today and so busy! He is very active and still loves to play with balls of all kind. He prefers to throw and eat with his left at the moment, so FX he'll be a lefty! He seems to be in a verbal explosion right now, I feel like he's picking up several new words a week. I've lost count.

We weaned last week, and DH did bedtime for the past 5 nights. We'll see how tonight goes with me at home to see how E does. So we went a week shy of 18 months! Yay!

[ewall]

Great job pooh8402!

estrellita with the paci, we tried cutting off the tip the first night, but that just caused him...anxiety? He kept standing up in his crib with the paci in his hand, wanting us to fix it. So I went in and asked if his paci was broken. "Yep." Do you want me to take it away? "Yep." and that was it. He's done great at bedtime since going cold turkey. He usually stands up and cries once, then all we do is go in, lay him back down, say goodnight again. Naptime has been less than successful. He does fine at daycare, but needs one of us there on weekends to get him to sleep. Oh well. I figure we're close to him dropping his nap anyway

[Blue Moon]

B update:
B is now 28 months. She is just coming off another pneumonia diagnosis but is otherwise doing great. She transitioned to a toddler bed over the holidays and did much better than I anticipated. The two year sleep regression hit us hard but we may be seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Her verbal skills astound me every day. She has full conversations on the regular and remembers things that even I don't. She can identify all letters (capital only) and knows what word is associated with that letter (M is for Mommy!) She can count to 20, but skips 15, lol. I think she's going to be a great big sister, but worry a little about jealousy since she's very possessive of me.

Funny story:
I was telling luv2rn4fun this the other day- B was building a tower and it fell down. She sighed and responded"oh my God, are you serious?" 🙈

Pregnancy update:
23 weeks with a baby boy. Everything is going well so far. I am much bigger than I was with B, though I've gained the same amount of weight. We haven't done a single thing to prepare for this baby though, so I'm starting to get anxious and would like to order his furniture soon.

Pictures:
What kind of thread is this without pictures??
Here is B the other morning. She wandered away while I was on the phone and I couldn't find her for a minute. I was running around the downstairs calling her name but it was silent. I turned and saw her silently sitting on the dining room chair, watching me search for her as she calmly enjoyed strawberries (that she helped herself to from the fridge). As soon as I saw her she busted out laughing. This captures her personality so well :-)



And a bump update:

[ewall]

B is too cute Blue Moon! Those stories are so funny.

[amaranth]

M is just now two and a half and potty trained this past weekend. It clicked so fast my husband and I can't even believe it. He's only had 2 accidents in 3 days.

He is such a sweetheart and so imaginative. He plays pretend basically all day long. The tantrums are lessening each week, thank god.

S, 10mo, is more joy than I can even handle. If a heart could burst, mine would. She is seriously so happy, sweet, and smart. She still doesn't sleep well at night, but she is so wonderful all day I'm not bitter like I was with M

[estrellita]

ewall I've heard about people cutting them, maybe that wouldn't be a bad idea. Might have to try that on a weekend in case it doesn't go well, lol. He hasn't used one at daycare in like a year (it broke there and they never even told us, lol) so this is the last thing he needs to break!

[awick14]

wanderingenough- I'm so glad he's getting better since the surgery. I'm also glad he's signing and you are able to communicate with him.

grover- 30 weeks already, where has the time gone!

suzv- is the formula to supplement what he's not getting from you? (Ignore my question if you want to. I'm just curious why your going both.) I also hear you on the sleep problems. I've had a few nights of good sleep but I am still battling my normal insomnia most nights even when she sleeps.

MrsMB- I would wait to tell your boss, but that's just me.

estrellita- good luck with TTC, I think that's probably what we will do when we decide to try again. (Not for at least 2 years from now, lol) One of the first things I did say after labour was over was that I could do that again. My OB started laughing at me.

ewall- I think little kids with glasses is so cute! But DH and I both have glasses and our kids are probably going to need them too. I am adding that book to my list as well!

rockinrobyn- good luck trying to wean him off of night nursing.

Baby wick is doing great! She's holding her head up longer and longer each day. She's getting so strong.

She's currently cluster feeding which is so much fun, lol. She's been sleeping 2-3 hr stretches every night, just wakes up to feed and sometimes she gets a diaper change.

I've been waking her up every 2hrs during the day to feed in order to try and get her days and nights to go back to normal. (She will sleep 4+ hrs at a time if I let her)

I am loving being a mom. And seeing DH with her is making me fall more and more in love with him every day.