Week of 3/12

[thoseareradishes]

How's everyone doing?

I'm trying to sell some diaper covers, and I know I have them priced high, but they are practically brand new, used maybe 2 or 3 times each.  I got an offer for $8-10 a piece - I paid $18/19 each.  Ughh.  I should probably just sell them but it annoys me that she's expecting over 50% off perfect diapers.  Plus, she doesn't want the inserts, so then I still need to sell those, and I doubt I'll get a lot of offers for inserts with no diapers.  

[kellikans]

I'm having a baby Friday! Ahhhh!

[oneslybookworm]

kellikans, OMG!!!! It's so close!!!!

Things are going well here...G is 7 months adjusted now, and our PT thinks he'll "graduate" soon!! It'll be nice to not have to do that every week, even though they come to our house, but it'll free up some time. J has put in for a leave of absence from work to be a SAHD, so that'll be a change for us. Going down to 1 income scares me, but we'll be ok. I'm more concerned for the change in the everyday normal more than anything...so it'll be an adjustment, but I think it'll be fine in the end.

Otherwise, I'm just trying to hold on until the long Easter weekend. I don't think we're going anywhere, but that means we're one step closer to May. We've booked a trip to Puerto Rico for our 10 year anniversary, and I'm so excited to take G to the ocean!

[loira]

kellikans, I can't believe it's finally happening this week! So excited for you!

[shauni27]

kellikans, THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!! Enjoy your last few days!
oneslybookworm, such a great trip. We used to have a house in PR and I loved it. We are taking S to the beach in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait!
thoseareradishes, around here people sell just the diaper covers and around 8-10 is the price I see them for most often. Sorry :/

S slept GREAT twice last week but we have been unable to recreate it. Both times he made it onto his belly on his own and got himself to sleep and then slept all night. But the other nights he was still up every other hour crying. We tried letting him cry it out--last night he got so mad he kicked his legs through the crib slats onto the wall and pushed his crib away from the wall. I just am at a loss. I meet with the sleep specialist on Wednesday and I am so excited. We also had our first counseling session today to work through some marriage issues and I am feeling really hopeful, though I know it will be a lot of work and there will not be a quick fix.

[King26]

kellikans so exciting!

oneslybookworm good luck with the one income. Th is sahd here then works part time for himself and it works for us. Yay for graduating from PT

[scm1011]

Good luck, kellikans!!!

shauni27, I'm glad you've reached out for some guidance on both the sleep and marriage issues. I think being proactive itself helps reset your mindset. Marriage counseling has worked wonders for us in the past. It is a lot of work, and sometimes not very pleasant in the moment, but it was so worth it in our case.

Yay for J graduating, oneslybookworm! Best of luck on the SAHD adjustment.

I've been applying for jobs like a fiend lately. All of a sudden I'm desperate to move on. I had a great phone interview yesterday and they've already scheduled me for a 2 hour in-person interview Friday. I'm excited about the potential new opportunity, but I've been at my job almost 9 years (OMG) and am a little freaked out about moving on as well.

We're currently getting a blizzard. Since DH is a teacher he's home to take care of Cal while I work from home. We have our next door neighbor coming over today for the first time as a mother's helper. She's 13, and we plan to have her start out just playing with DS and then hopefully at some point I can leave her to go for a run or other short local stints away. We'll see. I made the mistake of asking her her rate and she said $12/hr, which seems a little steep for an 8th grader, but I gotta admire her hustle lol.

[pandora89]

kellikans - So close! I am so happy for you!
oneslybookworm - good luck! I hope you guys have a seamless transition.
shauni27 - Hugs, I am glad you reached out for the support/guidance you need.

I had my first US since my anatomy scan yesterday and baby looks good. TMI but I have been having a lot of discharge and always panicking that its fluid, fluid levels were on the high side of normal (17 cm) so obviously that has not been the case. They are estimating that he's measuring 4lb 7oz and gave him an 8/8 health wise. OB says I likely wont get another ultrasound unless I go over.

[shauni27]

scm1011, I already feel better after just one session yesterday. I am really hopeful, though I know it will be a lot of work and might not be pleasant work. Also, exciting about the interview Friday! And yes, $12 is a lot for a mother's helper! Yeesh. I think I would see if she would do $8 (and she will. She is a kid with no other options lol)

pandora89, I remember feeling that way as well and asking for them to test my fluid levels. It can feel (TMI) like a friggin faucet but it is totally normal. I cannot believe you have less than 8 weeks to go; I don't know that I have ever been so excited for a stranger to have a baby before, lol.

[scm1011]

Mar 13, 2018 8:18:44 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

scm1011 , I already feel better after just one session yesterday. I am really hopeful, though I know it will be a lot of work and might not be pleasant work. Also, exciting about the interview Friday! And yes, $12 is a lot for a mother's helper! Yeesh. I think I would see if she would do $8 (and she will. She is a kid with no other options lol)

Lol, good point! I think I'll tell her we'll start at $8 or $10 and once she works up to us leaving the house we'll bump her up to $12. 

[thoseareradishes]

Mar 13, 2018 8:18:44 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

pandora89 , I remember feeling that way as well and asking for them to test my fluid levels. It can feel (TMI) like a friggin faucet but it is totally normal. I cannot believe you have less than 8 weeks to go; I don't know that I have ever been so excited for a stranger to have a baby before, lol.

About a week before I had E (so about 23 weeks), I starting having a ton of discharge.  I thought it was normal, so I didn't call the doctor.  The night before she was born I went to the hospital because I was having some cramping and spotting,  and I remember the midwife checking me and being surprised at the amount of discharge.  I never asked whether it was due to the infection, but it's definitely something I tell any pregnant women to tell their doctor about just in case.  Of course, maybe discharge in 2nd trimester isn't normal while it is in the 3rd.  I don't know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

[shauni27]

thoseareradishes, that is a good point. I remember my midwife saying it was normal when I asked in the third tri, but of course it never hurts to ask your doctor!

[Mushe]

Good luck, kellikans!!! Hoping for a smooth delivery and a short stay in the NICU.

So glad everything looks good, pandora89! It’s good you checked, but also common to have a lot of discharge in third tri. I remember it being called swamp vag in my baby group.

[pandora89]

shauni27 - you are so sweet, thank you! I feel like this pregnancy has flown by but I am sure I will say otherwise over the next few weeks lol. My friends keep warning me that the last trimester always feels like the longest.

thoseareradishes - thank you! I mention the discharge to my OB each time I go in and once they actually had me come in to get it swabbed since I told them it seemed to have increased. They did the swab and checked it under a microscope and said it wasn't fluid a few weeks ago but I still find myself running to the washroom all the time to make sure.

[scm1011]

@daylily, oh man, I hope you don't go into labor! If I remember correctly you live near the jackpot area? We've been lucky to not lose power at all recently (KNOCKS ON WOOD). My sister lives in Cohasset and is without power for the 3rd time in the last two weeks, oof.

So cute about the tee

[shauni27]

pandora89, I felt the opposite! I thought the pregnancy dragged by except for the last 6 weeks.

@daylily, EEEEK! So exciting. I hope you do not go into labor until the storm is over.

scm1011, our friends in Dartmouth JUST got their power back a day or two ago and just lost it again. Poor things.

[thoseareradishes]

Mar 13, 2018 11:50:23 GMT -5 pandora89 said:

shauni27 - you are so sweet, thank you! I feel like this pregnancy has flown by but I am sure I will say otherwise over the next few weeks lol. My friends keep warning me that the last trimester always feels like the longest.

thoseareradishes - thank you! I mention the discharge to my OB each time I go in and once they actually had me come in to get it swabbed since I told them it seemed to have increased. They did the swab and checked it under a microscope and said it wasn't fluid a few weeks ago but I still find myself running to the washroom all the time to make sure.

I'm so glad everything is okay!  Good to know it's pretty normal, maybe I can stop worrying so much whenever someone mentions excessive swamp crotch!!

[kellikans]

FX you don't go into labor until the storm passes, @daylily!

I just bought this for Leo's newborn shoot. I hope it'll fit him.

[shauni27]

kellikans, SHUT UP that is so cute.

[shauni27]

When did all of your kids get their first teeth?

[scm1011]

shauni27, Cal was a week shy of 8 months. I remember exactly because it was July 4th and he was kind of a monster, and then later that day his 2 bottom teeth popped thru and I was like "OHHHH...that's why you've been a turd today" lol.

[pandora89]

kellikans - that is adorable! You have to post the pictures here after

shauni27 - don't have an outside baby but my friend has a 6 month old who just cut his first tooth.

My mom is the worst when it comes to the stupidest baby purchases. There is this local lady that makes customized baby blankets, I sent a picture of it to my mom and she was going on and on about how we MUST order the baby one. A $100 blanket, with his name on it lol. I couldn't justify the purchase so she ended up ordering it for us.

[shauni27]

S is going to be 8 months in ten days and shows zero signs of teething. I mean he has been drooling and chewing on things/putting things in his mouth CONSTANTLY but for...5 months now? No change in that.

[thoseareradishes]

E got her two center bottom teeth at 8 months actual/4.5 months adjusted.

[Mushe]

kellikans that is amazing!! Perfect with his name.

shauni27, DS was about 11 months. 😫

[shauni27]

ok here is another set of questions (using you guys as my sounding board today and always!)

S eats pretty well. Soft foods that crumble or dissolve easily (banana bread or graham crackers for example) and things that do NOT break up easily (pizza crust, bagels, quesadillas etc) we give him in large pieces that he can pick up and chew on. Just about everything else we break into little pieces and give him. We try to mix up his dinner to include a pouch (served via spoon), maybe an egg, some puffs, bits of fruit or veggies, noodles, simple things that we cook (corned beef and cabbage) etc. Variety and new flavors are the goal.

The questions are:
If you were to hypothetically be having pizza for dinner, would you give the baby a large piece that he can hold on his own and chew on? What about cheese and toppings coming off easier than the crust itself? I worry about choking. Or would you cut the pizza into really tiny pieces instead?
How small are the pieces of food I should be giving him? I sometimes thing I am making them too small but I get so nervous!
When did your babes get good at feeding themselves with their hands? S can pick up puffs and bring them to his mouth, but only like 35% of them make it in. He can pick up the larger sized food we give him with no problem, but if I put a part of a grape down he cannot get it (too slippery?)
Should I be letting him feed himself everything other than spoon fed items? I usually feed him because it is faster and cleaner than him doing it himself but I do not want to fuck up his development, you know?

Ok, lots of questions. Just trying to figure out this whole eating thing

[oneslybookworm]

Mar 14, 2018 10:01:37 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

S is going to be 8 months in ten days and shows zero signs of teething. I mean he has been drooling and chewing on things/putting things in his mouth CONSTANTLY but for...5 months now? No change in that.

Still no teeth here either.  I've started researching baby dentures.

[oneslybookworm]

Mar 14, 2018 11:45:58 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

ok here is another set of questions (using you guys as my sounding board today and always!)

S eats pretty well. Soft foods that crumble or dissolve easily (banana bread or graham crackers for example) and things that do NOT break up easily (pizza crust, bagels, quesadillas etc) we give him in large pieces that he can pick up and chew on. Just about everything else we break into little pieces and give him. We try to mix up his dinner to include a pouch (served via spoon), maybe an egg, some puffs, bits of fruit or veggies, noodles, simple things that we cook (corned beef and cabbage) etc. Variety and new flavors are the goal.

The questions are:
If you were to hypothetically be having pizza for dinner, would you give the baby a large piece that he can hold on his own and chew on? What about cheese and toppings coming off easier than the crust itself? I worry about choking. Or would you cut the pizza into really tiny pieces instead?
How small are the pieces of food I should be giving him? I sometimes thing I am making them too small but I get so nervous!
When did your babes get good at feeding themselves with their hands? S can pick up puffs and bring them to his mouth, but only like 35% of them make it in. He can pick up the larger sized food we give him with no problem, but if I put a part of a grape down he cannot get it (too slippery?)
Should I be letting him feed himself everything other than spoon fed items? I usually feed him because it is faster and cleaner than him doing it himself but I do not want to fuck up his development, you know?

Ok, lots of questions. Just trying to figure out this whole eating thing

We do BLW, so he eats everything we eat (unless it's super processed or heavily salted).  I just cut it into strips and he does the rest.  For a pizza, I'd cut it into strips the size of my finger and let him go at it...just let it cool down so he doesn't burn his mouth.  G will eat pretty much anything this way.

[scm1011]

shauni27, Cal's daycare has Pizza Fridays and they cut up the pizza into little bites for the infants who opt in, so that's what I did until recently. Now I cut it into more manageable pieces that he can pick up and feed himself (cut a piece into 3-ish portions usually)

[thoseareradishes]

Mar 14, 2018 11:45:58 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

ok here is another set of questions (using you guys as my sounding board today and always!)

S eats pretty well. Soft foods that crumble or dissolve easily (banana bread or graham crackers for example) and things that do NOT break up easily (pizza crust, bagels, quesadillas etc) we give him in large pieces that he can pick up and chew on. Just about everything else we break into little pieces and give him. We try to mix up his dinner to include a pouch (served via spoon), maybe an egg, some puffs, bits of fruit or veggies, noodles, simple things that we cook (corned beef and cabbage) etc. Variety and new flavors are the goal.

The questions are:
If you were to hypothetically be having pizza for dinner, would you give the baby a large piece that he can hold on his own and chew on? What about cheese and toppings coming off easier than the crust itself? I worry about choking. Or would you cut the pizza into really tiny pieces instead?
How small are the pieces of food I should be giving him? I sometimes thing I am making them too small but I get so nervous!
When did your babes get good at feeding themselves with their hands? S can pick up puffs and bring them to his mouth, but only like 35% of them make it in. He can pick up the larger sized food we give him with no problem, but if I put a part of a grape down he cannot get it (too slippery?)
Should I be letting him feed himself everything other than spoon fed items? I usually feed him because it is faster and cleaner than him doing it himself but I do not want to fuck up his development, you know?

Ok, lots of questions. Just trying to figure out this whole eating thing

I decided to do traditional weaning with E rather than BLW.  So we started with purees (stage 1 and 2), then mashed stuff, then stage 3 purees, then table food, cut into bits about the size of a puff or smaller.  Because she is traditionally weaned, I do not give strips like BLW, because she could bite off too much and not be able to handle it, since she was used to purees which don't really require biting and chewing.  I'm in a couple of facebook groups for weaning - "baby-led, combo, and traditional weaning" and "feeding the littles", and they have helped a lot in understanding choking hazards and techniques for weaning.   Since you started S on purees (I think, right?) I would give him small pieces of table food the size of a puff or a little smaller.  So for the pizza, I would cut it up small.  

It took E a few weeks to get good at getting stuff in her mouth.  I will say she uses a raking grasp to pick up her food more often than a pincer grasp.  She has a decent pincer, but it works better for puffs than soft stuff like avocado and fruit.  

I would encourage him to feed himself- it's really nice to sit and eat my food while she eats hers.  I still feed her yogurt and oatmeal with a spoon, but am working on letting her take the spoon after I put the food on it.