@ Randoms 3/12

[Deleted]

I had to stop myself on some C related travel things for our March Break plans so I'll put them in @ randoms instead!

I'm nervous about going with C to the city 2h away. Last time we went she got car sick & I overpacked so I was exhausted by the end of the day. My Mom's car was in the shop while we were there so I ended up carrying two diaper bags around the outlets as the outlet mall didn't have storage lockers. They did have strollers, I was super unimpressed to discover this through a sign in the washroom and seeing another Mom with one when customer service never mentioned them while I was in there saying I needed a locker. 
So help me: I know how to efficiently pack one diaper bag for the day, but I don't really want to carry around a hefty diaper bag all day if I don't have to. This time we'll have the car so I could do the two bag system and refill the bag if necessary. If I wear her, then I'd prefer to just carry a small bag around since having her & a full backpack is tiring and makes me worry about knocking things over in stores. The other option is to just do the backpack & the stroller. It's way easier for the outlets BUT Costco means we need trunk space. WWYD? 

C is almost 1 so we need to book her check up. The clinic she's a patient at only does bookings the week of or week before so I'm getting antsy, especially since it's the next town over so I need to plan ahead to go. DH has an intake appointment on Tuesday with our new clinic so I'm hoping he'll get them to take her as a patient so that I can book her check up there. I'll miss the Nurse Practitioner Clinic, the two I've been to have been way more helpful and have better comprehensive care but the drive is just impractical and they wouldn't take us as patients (C is in a baby program meant to ensure children always have health care).

[estrellita]

We only ever pack one diaper bag unless we're staying somewhere overnight. At that age, I'd pack: extra outfit (and keep another in the car if you want to be extra prepared), bottles or sippy if needed, enough diapers for the time you'll be gone plus a couple extra, wipes, a few snacks (pouches, cheerios, stuff like that), extra paci and a clip for it, maybe a couple small toys. Oh and maybe a blanket (but that could stay in the car). I think that's about it, and for us that all fits great in our backpack diaper bag. A lot of times I also put my wallet and phone in here so I don't need to carry my purse.

[Deleted]

estrellita: I'm the same. It fascinates me that there are Moms who carry purses on top of the diaper bag. It will definitely all fit in the backpack. I guess it's more so what to do with the baby & backpack. Should I carry them or try to shove the stroller & Costco purchases in the trunk?

[estrellita]

Mar 12, 2018 10:19:31 GMT -5 @opal said:

estrellita: I'm the same. It fascinates me that there are Moms who carry purses on top of the diaper bag. It will definitely all fit in the backpack. I guess it's more so what to do with the baby & backpack. Should I carry them or try to shove the stroller & Costco purchases in the trunk?

Depends how much room you have. We learned the hard way yesterday to be more aware of that, lol. We bought a shelf and had the double stroller in the back so H had to open the packaging and take out a couple of the shelves so it would all fit. Oops! Personally I'd probably do a stroller in that situation but if you don't think you'll have space, then I'd use the cart at any stores that have them (like Costco) or wear. Would you possibly park close enough to not need to carry the diaper bag and just run back to get stuff from it if needed? Or a smaller backpack (like a drawstring one) with just the essentials like a couple diapers that would be easier to carry while wearing her? A lot of times we don't even bring the diaper bag into the store if we're not planning on being there long.

[estrellita]

Anyone have a manual pump rec? I have the one that works with the medela parts but I don't have the right size flanges since I primarily use my spectra pump. I wonder if I should get the bigger flanges for the medela (actually a good idea if I ever need to use my PISA as backup) or get a different manual pump. I do also have a Haakaa but have always had trouble keeping it on. We're going on a little road trip in a couple weeks and I have a car adapter for my pump but wouldn't mind a manual for in the car instead (or to get a quick pump in if needed and I don't want to go to the car/hotel).

[pooh8402]

Ugh, E has pink eye AND strep. I took him to the pedi for the pink eye, and being thorough, she looked in his throat add said it was red. Swabbed it, and 5 minutes later, "yep it's strep." Poor kid. He had been sick off and on all weekend but has been in such a good mood.

estrellita, I loved the Medela hand pump. However, it's the only one I've used, so... Flanges in the correct size will really help with your milk production, so if you need a different size, then get them. You won't regret it. I needed smaller flanges, and had to order them from Amazon and it was well worth getting them. ETA: I found the manual to be easier in the car rather than using the electric with the adapter.

@opal, I've always only packed one diaper bag unless we're going somewhere overnight. Extra outfits and everything. You gotta be ruthless and creative with the packing. I also liked the backpack diaper bag when I was wearing him.

[estrellita]

pooh8402 It definitely helped when I got the bigger flanges for my spectra! Now my dilemma is that the sizes are different.. I use 32 for my spectra and the medela has 30 or 36... I'm not sure which would be better? Or is there some sort of hack so the manual pump fits my spectra parts? I tried but it definitely doesn't fit at all. I'm just afraid the 30 is going to be too small and 36 too big!

[pooh8402]

Mar 12, 2018 11:34:34 GMT -5 estrellita said:

pooh8402 It definitely helped when I got the bigger flanges for my spectra! Now my dilemma is that the sizes are different.. I use 32 for my spectra and the medela has 30 or 36... I'm not sure which would be better? Or is there some sort of hack so the manual pump fits my spectra parts? I tried but it definitely doesn't fit at all. I'm just afraid the 30 is going to be too small and 36 too big!

Hmm, that is hard. If 32 Spectra fits you, then I imagine 30 Medela will be too small. So I would get the 36 in your case.

[Deleted]

estrellita: It took me a while to get the Haakaa to stay on, it still comes off pretty easily when it has more than 2 oz in it. The instructions that come with it are terrible, the internet is full of suggestions on how to get a better "latch" with it. I have 2, and no other pumps so otherwise I'm no help.

[estrellita]

Mar 12, 2018 11:43:10 GMT -5 @opal said:

estrellita: It took me a while to get the Haakaa to stay on, it still comes off pretty easily when it has more than 2 oz in it. The instructions that come with it are terrible, the internet is full of suggestions on how to get a better "latch" with it. I have 2, and no other pumps so otherwise I'm no help.

Ugh yes, horrible instructions! First time I tried it, I kept trying to pump it without real realizing you're supposed to just suction it on and leave it, lol. I've never really gotten much from it but I've only really used it when I was still trying to nurse.

[krystee]

After a very rough night last night, in which the baby didn't go to sleep until after 12:30 a.m., I am feeling much better today and once again think E is an adorable, sweet, wonderful baby instead of a sleep-defying demon.

He gets his eight-week vaccinations this week and then I am making lots of plans to go everywhere! We have been staying in a lot because the flu has been terrible here. First up is the outlet mall on Thursday!

I also just signed J up for soccer, and I can't wait to see him do it. He's such a little boy now, instead of a toddler. I get sad sometimes, but it's also so fun.

pooh8402 hope your little guy feels better soon!

[HoneySpider]

We're having our first night away from R this weekend, only took 19 months. We're only going to be 10 minutes away so not a huge deal but I'm excited and sad all at the same time.

[pooh8402]

Mar 12, 2018 13:57:46 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

We're having our first night away from R this weekend, only took 19 months. We're only going to be 10 minutes away so not a huge deal but I'm excited and sad all at the same time.

If it makes you feel better, our first night away from E was when he was 22 months.

[Deleted]

HoneySpider: I’m sure ours will be something similar. We want a sleep-cation through lol!

[luv2rn4fun]

Mar 12, 2018 14:12:33 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Mar 12, 2018 13:57:46 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

We're having our first night away from R this weekend, only took 19 months. We're only going to be 10 minutes away so not a huge deal but I'm excited and sad all at the same time.

If it makes you feel better, our first night away from E was when he was 22 months.

The boys are only 21 months apart. We should have escaped for a night before L was born. With him still nursing and my parents not offering for more than an occasional date once they are in bed (let alone caring for them an extended amount of time, including while they are awake), we have yet to get away since C was born.

Have a blast HoneySpider! Your night away sounds absolutely amazing!!

[luv2rn4fun]

Today was busy! Did our usual bagels and groceries, spent a couple hours at DH BFFs house with BFFs mom and their kiddos, who are almost the same ages as our boys), came home and ran, nearly sewed a sleep sack for C while they napped, went to another grocery store and Michaels. Resting now before bed!

[Blue Moon]

I am having the hardest time finding coordinating Easter outfits for my son and daughter. I want something simple/cotton in coordinating patterns/colors but everything I'm finding is for sister or brothers separately.

[bk1]

Yesterday I took G to the doctor's office to get a shot. I told her while we were still home what we were going to do. She did so well! She would say she didn't want a shot and she was scared but I kept telling her it was okay to be scared. She sat on my lap and even watched the whole thing. No tears! So proud of my girl.


C has gone from being so cute and fun to screaming constantly and throwing lots if fits. Come on kid!

[luv2rn4fun]

bk1- good job G!! Also, L’s tantrums are escalating too...and now the boys fight more when things are taken away etc. I think a lot of it is the lack of being able to communicate buts its frustrating, especially when I am trying to cook dinner (which seems to be when he is hanging on me and screaming to be held...I am wearing him more now than I have in a long time).

L was up at 3 and again 3:50-5:30 (he will sleep some day, right!?!). It’s going to be a LONG day here. I need to run so hoping I can get a few miles in. Also want to finish C’s sleep sack while they nap...but might be wiser to rest during that time.

[Blue Moon]

luv2rn4fun, so sorry friend! You have been sleep deprived for SO long. L is a stubborn little guy! No change after night weaning, huh?

I totally hear you on the whining to be picked up while I'm cooking dinner. G has a meltdown every night when I am trying to cook. He WAS pacified by free access to the tupperware cabinet to play with while I cooked, but now he just crawls over and pulls on my legs to be picked up. He is HUGE and too heavy for me to wear comfortably, so I've been sticking him in the high chair with snacks. Sometimes I can get 10-15 minutes to quickly cook whatever I can manage, but often I'm balancing him on my hip while I try to stir rice or something with my other hand. Not the safest, for sure!

[luv2rn4fun]

Mar 13, 2018 10:20:15 GMT -5 Blue Moon said:

luv2rn4fun, so sorry friend! You have been sleep deprived for SO long. L is a stubborn little guy! No change after night weaning, huh?

I totally hear you on the whining to be picked up while I'm cooking dinner. G has a meltdown every night when I am trying to cook. He WAS pacified by free access to the tupperware cabinet to play with while I cooked, but now he just crawls over and pulls on my legs to be picked up. He is HUGE and too heavy for me to wear comfortably, so I've been sticking him in the high chair with snacks. Sometimes I can get 10-15 minutes to quickly cook whatever I can manage, but often I'm balancing him on my hip while I try to stir rice or something with my other hand. Not the safest, for sure!

I night weaned about 2 weeks ago and he has yet to STTN (he has only STTN 6 times and will be 18 months old in 2 weeks). Mostly he wakes up a few times but it doesn’t last long (but still enough to disrupt my sleep)...but night like last night are so hard at this point because it’s been going on for so long.

Yeah, L is 25ish lbs. I mainly wear him on my back. Not ideal but better than him pulling at my shorts.

((Hugs)) friend

[estrellita]

A is officially a horrible sleeper. I rocked her, let her fall asleep for a few min, put her in the bassinet. She slept for about 10 min so I thought hmm, maybe I could lay down for a few min. Literally as soon as I reclined back, she starts crying. So I put her in the swing where she sleeps better. She's just been fussing the whole time. I know she needs a longer nap than maybe 20 min? She does this most of the day. I usually don't even try the bassinet but she really needs to sleep somewhere other than the swing, chair or my arms during the day. She's going to be absolute hell at DC. She is just starting to fall asleep again (maybe..) but by the time she actually does I'll have to pump or she'll wake up again hungry so no mini nap for me. Ugh. Help!!!

[luv2rn4fun]

Mar 13, 2018 15:42:17 GMT -5 estrellita said:

A is officially a horrible sleeper. I rocked her, let her fall asleep for a few min, put her in the bassinet. She slept for about 10 min so I thought hmm, maybe I could lay down for a few min. Literally as soon as I reclined back, she starts crying. So I put her in the swing where she sleeps better. She's just been fussing the whole time. I know she needs a longer nap than maybe 20 min? She does this most of the day. I usually don't even try the bassinet but she really needs to sleep somewhere other than the swing, chair or my arms during the day. She's going to be absolute hell at DC. She is just starting to fall asleep again (maybe..) but by the time she actually does I'll have to pump or she'll wake up again hungry so no mini nap for me. Ugh. Help!!!

How old is A?

We sleep trained for naps and bedtime at 4 months for C and 3.5 months for L. C wouldn’t nap unless he was in the baby carrier and L didn’t nap well unless held.

Things that worked were RNP, swaddle, white noise, dark room, pacifier and making sure awake times were realistic and there was a routine.

Sleep didn’t get really good til 7-8 months old though when they were on a two nap schedule. Even now, L naps well but is up all night. Even after lots of sleep training. He’s just a really bad sleeper.

[estrellita]

Mar 13, 2018 16:16:17 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

Mar 13, 2018 15:42:17 GMT -5 estrellita said:

A is officially a horrible sleeper. I rocked her, let her fall asleep for a few min, put her in the bassinet. She slept for about 10 min so I thought hmm, maybe I could lay down for a few min. Literally as soon as I reclined back, she starts crying. So I put her in the swing where she sleeps better. She's just been fussing the whole time. I know she needs a longer nap than maybe 20 min? She does this most of the day. I usually don't even try the bassinet but she really needs to sleep somewhere other than the swing, chair or my arms during the day. She's going to be absolute hell at DC. She is just starting to fall asleep again (maybe..) but by the time she actually does I'll have to pump or she'll wake up again hungry so no mini nap for me. Ugh. Help!!!

How old is A?

We sleep trained for naps and bedtime at 4 months for C and 3.5 months for L. C wouldn’t nap unless he was in the baby carrier and L didn’t nap well unless held.

Things that worked were RNP, swaddle, white noise, dark room, pacifier and making sure awake times were realistic and there was a routine.

Sleep didn’t get really good til 7-8 months old though when they were on a two nap schedule. Even now, L naps well but is up all night. Even after lots of sleep training. He’s just a really bad sleeper.

About 3.5 months. She finally fell asleep in the swing after an hour of off and on fussing. Decided to start pumping and now she's crying again. She sleeps great if I hold her but I can't hold her all day! Like I said, she normally sleeps great in the swing. Lately though she's been getting a lot of broken sleep. Half hour here, 20 min there. I don't want to sleep train this early but idk what else to do but let her fuss, especially while I'm pumping. I can't keep shutting the pump off, disconnecting, replacing her paci, reconnecting, turning the pump back on, then repeating every time she cries. She won't get food if she won't let me pump. Which I'm already stressed about because I'm not one of those magical people that pumps more than they need to. I'm just feeling really frustrated and can't wait to go back to work so I can get a break from 24/7 baby. I'm sure that sounds mean and selfish. I should be enjoying this time and all since I'm sure someday I'll miss it but at the same time I just can't.

Sorry, that kinda turned into a brain dump. Anyways, I'd love for her to nap in the crib but that would mean constantly going back in to replace her paci. And she hates being swaddled but also can't seem to sleep without being swaddled. We've been trying the Merlin suit at night but every morning she's back in a swaddle sack (H does 99% night time care). It's pretty quiet in here, the TV is on really low and not many other noises. I also have the shades closed since I'm pumping so it's not that bright in here. I don't remember E ever being this fussy, although she also smiles a lot more so she's just way more expressive I guess.

[luv2rn4fun]

((Hugs)) estrellita. Totally normal and understandable for wanting a break. I hope A naps for you so you can have some down time.

[pooh8402]

My kid is a freak who doesn't like the bubblegum antibiotics. Wut. I have to mix it in chocolate milk.

[pooh8402]

((estrellita))

E was basically same. A terrible napper, 30-45 min was usual, and his best naps were on me, in the car seat, or sometimes the RnP. I did a lot of driving and car naps, or would sometimes put him in his seat and hook it to his stroller, and we did laps around the living room. He was never unattended when I did this. He wasn't much better at daycare, unfortunately.

His nighttime sleep wasn't great either until we sleep trained at 6 months, and his naps didn't really improve until he went to 2 naps a day.

Honestly, I would continue with the swaddle. E hated when I put it on, but he would calm down once it was on, and I would then nurse/rock to sleep. So in your case, you could swaddle then rock to sleep. Hopefully that could help with connecting those sleep cycles.

[estrellita]

Mar 13, 2018 20:05:12 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

((estrellita))

E was basically same. A terrible napper, 30-45 min was usual, and his best naps were on me, in the car seat, or sometimes the RnP. I did a lot of driving and car naps, or would sometimes put him in his seat and hook it to his stroller, and we did laps around the living room. He was never unattended when I did this. He wasn't much better at daycare, unfortunately.

His nighttime sleep wasn't great either until we sleep trained at 6 months, and his naps didn't really improve until he went to 2 naps a day.

Honestly, I would continue with the swaddle. E hated when I put it on, but he would calm down once it was on, and I would then nurse/rock to sleep. So in your case, you could swaddle then rock to sleep. Hopefully that could help with connecting those sleep cycles.

She's seriously going to be horrible at DC, lol. They aren't allowed to let them sleep in the swings or other equipment so it'll be interesting if they can get her to stay asleep in the crib. Hopefully they can "fix" her.. lol. Her nighttime sleep is better but not great. I'm not expecting her to sleep all night yet but I know H would appreciate it if she did! I've noticed though that when she does wake MOTN she doesn't eat a ton though so maybe she'll stop waking at some point to eat?

[bk1]

I really need to buckle down and potty train G. Last week she would follow me to the bathroom and sit on her little potty and pee a couple of times a day. She was open and eager to do it. Two days ago she hid in her closet after bath time and peed on the floor. Ugh. She was crying telling me she didn't need to potty right before that. I hate potty training. 

[estrellita]

Mar 14, 2018 7:07:45 GMT -5 bk1 said:

I really need to buckle down and potty train G. Last week she would follow me to the bathroom and sit on her little potty and pee a couple of times a day. She was open and eager to do it. Two days ago she hid in her closet after bath time and peed on the floor. Ugh. She was crying telling me she didn't need to potty right before that. I hate potty training. 

FWIW E will tell us he doesn't have to go, then 2 min later he's running for the bathroom saying he has to go, so I think that's just a kid thing. Kids always wait until they are about to burst! I'm trying to think of what might help her since you want her to do it, but you also don't want to make it a huge thing because if she's so against it, it's not good to force it either. Bribes? Sticker chart? We really talked up the underwear and being a big boy and I think that helped. Definitely keep it more positive, which it sounds like you've been doing. I have a couple friends whose daughters are just turning 3 this month and in May and they aren't PTed either yet. She'll get it eventually!