PCP/TTC/ATP Wednesday

ctbride08

Whats new this week? Highlight? Lowlight?

QOTD: What kid age are you best with? What age do you like the most?  Baby whisperer? Fabulous with 5?  Terrific with tweens? 

JoySeattle

PCP: Not sure if it's a "highlight," but I'm getting my thyroid levels checked this week to see where that stands (it was still two low 6 weeks ago). After losing weight, I'm still waiting for my hormone levels to re-stabilize and my cycles to get back on track. I hope it happens soon because if it doesn't we may not ttc until 2013.

QOTD: I'm great with newborns, always have been and have lots of professional experience. I also love ages 4-6. I'm the least confident about tweens/teens, but have a ways to go until I'm parenting my own at that stage, so hopefully that will change (although based on many parents of teens, that's not very likely).

2mommiesinoh

ATP: Ky is a toddler...that pretty much sums it up. She started this new behavior that is oh so annoying but she thinks is hilarious. She bites the couch. Yeah the couch. Now my kid was a BAD biter when she first got her teeth. Now she knows she can bite when she is angry like when she wants us to let go of her hand. She does not bit other kids....yet...thankfully. But my couch?  Really? and she is not even angry, she LAUGHS! All my usual things to stop the biting 6 months ago are not working. sigh

TTC: No smiley for me. DW started testing even though we overlap by a week. She should be getting hers by the end of the week and more than likely we will inseminate since I did not this month.

QOTD: I really do not have a favorite age. toddler is probably my least but with one or two at a time even they are okay.

 

 

Kershnic

Impatiently 2ww-ing.  I'm analyzing every little thing thinking it could be a sign, and then frantically trying to manage my expectations in case it doesn't work out.  There haven't really been any exciting high points, which I think tells me I need to work on adding some more non-baby excitement into my life.

QOTD: I pretty much love (and think I'm best with) babies through early preschool years.  My favorite baby age is about 9-12 months where they're exploring walking but still very dependent on their caregivers for a lot of mobility, and favorite preschool is late 2 - 4ish after speech is really blooming.  

In the last few years my job has brought me close to several teenagers though, and I've developed more of a fondness for them than I expected.  They lack the cuteness and silliness that I love about younger children, but they have complex thoughts about interesting adult topics and they crave attention and nurturing just as much as any other child.  

mandykatie

Highlight: This isn't parenting related, but falling in love with my city all over again.  It isn't very often that I get to feel proud of Indiana. 

Lowlight:  I didn't O this month, again.  The foster/adopt info meeting we went to on Saturday (that we both rearranged our schedules for)... nobody ever came.  I was so disappointed.

AOTD: I used to think preschoolers, but after student teaching I realized that I adore older kids, too. (You can talk to them like real people!  They get jokes!)  K is awesome with babies.  So we're covered until about age 13.  I love teens at a distance (so much angsty passion and energy).  It's the day-to-day I worry about.  I'm hoping we'll be up to the task!

2brides

Parenting highlight of the week was sitting in a meeting with what felt like half of the kids' school only to tell us that their behavior is normal (not acceptable at school, but normal) and they are making great strides in Kindergarten. Though I have to admit, that sometimes I just do not feel old enough to be sitting in the principals office as the parent and not the student (and yes, I am plenty old enough. LOL.) Bedtime has become a challenge recently. Since they share a room, they sit in there and chat and laugh and (sometimes) wrestle. I still am not sure what we are going to do with the room situation.

QOTD: I am really comfortable with newborns/young babies. What I am not good with is lack of sleep. Unfortunately, they go hand in hand. I am loving this age (5) of somewhat self sufficiency, but they are also cuddly and ADORE their moms. I am not a teen fan. We'll see how I am with my own. Plus, I think it is going to be difficult seeing them go out and try on independence, knowing that part of that process is failing and trying again.

leapgirl8

Dreading Jen leaving on Monday. When we made this plan early in the pregnancy, it didn't seem like a big deal to be apart for 2.5 weeks - yeah, annoying and kind of sad, but not a big deal. Now it feels like a huge deal. Normally it would be fine and we've done it before, but now I need to hang out with my belly everyday and see it grow and feel the kicks! And just know that she's OK because she's right there. Boo. There will be a lot of phone calls

QOTD: I'm not sure that I'm good with any age of kid. I love babies, and I'm pretty comfortable with 3-4 year olds - I know how to play with them and like talking to them. But I don't know how they feel about me

tdmklm

PCP: We had a good talk last night, and K heard me on why I want to consider having another child. It's nice to feel heard. By the way, CT, the letter is a great idea. I'm working on it. Thanks!

ATP: I really miss J when I'm at work... I always have, but now it's... different. Maybe because he interacts more now? (Like inviting me to dance yesterday... Melt my heart, kid!) I wish I had more time with him.

QOTD: I loved the squishy baby days... I'm loving the toddler, super interactive days... With my godchildren, I loved it when they were 4 - somewhat independent, but not too independent. I've always been good with teenagers (I specifically asked for hard teen groups at the school where I taught because I knew I could make it work), but I'm not sure how I'll deal with my own 24/7 teen, if you know what I mean.

tdmklm

Kershnic:

Impatiently 2ww-ing.  I'm analyzing every little thing thinking it could be a sign, and then frantically trying to manage my expectations in case it doesn't work out.  There haven't really been any exciting high points, which I think tells me I need to work on adding some more non-baby excitement into my life.

Thinking of you. 2WWs are hard. Fingers crossed.  

butterflygrooves

Iz - Her behavior has been good overall, a few lies here and there, plenty of not listening but I can't complain too much.  I put in a request for the ADD assessment I've been lagging on getting, the referral is being submitted today and we will hopefully have a nurse out here within the next 2 weeks.

A - She has been disrespectful lately, talking to me like she would her friends, not as she should to a parent.  She's gotten really into playing with the little girls and is helping Owl to open up.

Owl - I put a tutu on her last night and she started playing!!!!  She was picking up toy cars and throwing them and taking Apple's clothes out and strewing them across the house, not fun for me to clean up but SHE.WAS.DOING.SOMETHING!  Of course as soon as J got home she reverted back to her old self (she doesn't like people to watch her) and got whiney.

Apple - I am working on getting her to sleep in the pack n play instead of our bed (our bed = against foster rules but the only place she would sleep).  She did really well last night, waking up twice for a bottle/to be comforted and she actually ate less (4oz less) than normal.

PCP - Our agency called to get our adoption preferences to submit to LA County, a county that is notoriously hard to adopt from unless you live there, I guess they have so many kids in their system that they need to open up more to matching in other counties.  I let the agency know (again) that we want to adopt Owl and Apple and aren't ready to be matched while they are in our care but if they go home we would be open for a match.

QOTD - I loved 3-4 with A, it was such a magical time. 

hlke

PCP: I went to C's benefits orientation on Monday with her.  Her organization doesn't have maternity leave, just generous sick time that can be taken as FMLA leave.  That means the earliest we will start TTC is May.  We also found out we can be on the PPO plan (they previously told us only the HMO was available to same-sex couples), which is good for TTC.

Really, we need to wait until I get a job and see what my available leave will be like too.  If I can only use FMLA (which is likely), we'll need to wait a bit longer to start TTC. 

TTC: C's first cycle of temping is done, with a 10 day luteal phase.  A little on the short side, but we'll see what happens next cycle.  KD had his checkup and scheduled his tests for next week.

 

hlke

ATOD: I really love babies and teenagers, although like many others, am not sure what having my OWN teenager will be like.  I've nannied for infants and am a bit of a baby whisperer, and really can't wait to have my own.

bluedaisyus

highlight: my baby is awesome.

lowlight: I am 99% sure this cycle did not work.

QOTD: I have no idea what age I'm best with. maybe toddler to pre-k? I'm not sure.

LV1979

BAPP (becoming a parent planning)- 

Highlight...all the great adoption conversations we have had lately.  Spoke to an agency this week and we are going to start working with them this summer.  We would really like a baby first and we know the wait for this can be longggggggg so we figure if we start working on it now the timing should be good school wise.  

Lowlight...my primary care doctor gave me a fit about wanting to have fertility baseline testing done because TTC is not completely off the table for us.  He went on for like 20 minutes about how women who have had gastic bypass should not have children blah blah blah.  This is contrary to what my surgeon (from Johns Hopkins for cripes sake), GYN, nutritionist, and RE have said.  I am aware of the increased nutrition difficulties but I have done so well nutritionally that I was given the go ahead by 4 other doctors.   Ohhh he ticked me off.

QOTD:  I really just love children in general.  I have had the opportunity to work with kids from birth through early adulthood and really do not have a favorite time period.  

Kershnic

tdmklm:

Kershnic:

Impatiently 2ww-ing.  I'm analyzing every little thing thinking it could be a sign, and then frantically trying to manage my expectations in case it doesn't work out.  There haven't really been any exciting high points, which I think tells me I need to work on adding some more non-baby excitement into my life.

Thinking of you. 2WWs are hard. Fingers crossed.  

Thanks!  I can use all the finger crossing I can get.   

ctbride08

We've all had a good week despite the craziness surrounding us.  Sprout took his final visit with mom very well (I'll post a full recap on my blog eventually) and the girls seem to be getting over their illnesses.  I'm very proud of the troopers they all are.

My highlight and lowlight are the same: Sprout got his haircut.  And i mean allllll cut - buzzed off.  He LOVES it and is so excited for everyone to see it.  And it really does look very handsome on him.  But every time I see him it surprises and startles me.  He looks so grown up! There is absolutely no trace of baby left in my baby boy    Last night I said to him "my goodness you look like such a big boy.  I'm going to have to stop calling you my baby."  he shook his head and said, "no mommy! you can always call me your baby. thats because i'm your son." awwww

QOTD:  I'm not really sure...I like squishy babies and I'm pretty good with them, but i wouldn't call myself a baby whisperer or anything. I'll be honest and say that I dont love early toddlerhood...months 12-20ish are not my fave.  2 is a lot of fun with language and personality development.  3 is rough. 4+ is good   Whenever I talk to people with kids that are 7,8,9 I always look at them whistfully and think "wow, those ages sound awesome."  I dont want to rush early childhood, but I'm really looking forward to all the travel we will be able to do with the kids when we dont have to factor in diapers, strollers, and naps!  TBD on the tween/teen years though i have little patience for drama so that might not go well

thiswillbe

Accidentally posted with my wife signed on...oops! Sorry C!

seattlekari

Highlight: E's been asking me if my friends from my old work site will be here at my new work site. I told her no, I'll have to make new friends. Yesterday morning (my first full day here) she made a point of telling me that she hoped I would make new friends and that when I picked her up she would want to know their names. Sure enough, when I got to school and she ran to me for a hug and kiss, the first thing she asked was if I made any new friends yesterday. My sweet little girl is concerned about her mommy having friends!!!

QOTD: I am absolutely loving 5. I really enjoyed 3-4 too, but 5 is just AWESOME. I love her semi-independence and her constant questions about the world and understanding the meaning of words and learning to read and write. I am a bit scared of how things will go when we hit the teenage years but I am hoping to establish a really open and comfortable relationship with E before we get there in hopes that it will make things go better.

nevr2amazin

thiswillbe:

Accidentally posted with my wife signed on...oops! Sorry C!

QOTD: I love the love that babies and toddlers give, but must admit I am probably best with ages 5 to 15. I love school, activities, going to games...I think that that is when my love and pride really shine (even though it has been there all the time).

Fabi&Nita

This is my first TCC month and i feel like a ball of emotions.

QOTD

I'm the oldest of 7, the little one is 6yrs and the one after me is 23yrs. so i like to think i'm good with all ages. But who doesn't love babies cant wait for our little girl to arrive.

Jazibel

New: I feel like my bump is huge, and I proudly strut around the living rooms showing it off.  And every evening EV will speak into the "Biskiephone"  and say "Hellloooooo Biskiebean!!!"  Well that's not new - but alteast I have a bump and not only a bloat/bump

Highlight: hasn't happened yet but we're going to Guerneville, CA to an LGBTQ valentines days dance/show to celebrate EV's birthday with friends and I rented a hotel room/cabin for us to stay the night (with the dogs). If I can scrape the funds together for a massage then this will be the highlight of next week too..

Lowlight: Ummmm trying to be a good little student despite the fact that I'm having a hard time prioritizing.

QOTD: Little babies scare me, so I'm nervous about having a newborn (I forced myself to hold my friends baby when she was a week old, as practice ).  I love kids though, and worked for years as a camp councelor with 5 -7 year olds when I was a teenager - what a fun age range.

ball.and.chain

TTC: Just waiting to ovulate.  First b/w ultrasound appointment is Monday morning.

QOTD: I'm actually child-phobic.  That probably sounds weird coming from someone who is actively TTC, but I've just never spent a lot of time around kids -- no little siblings or cousins nearby, no nieces and nephews until I got married (and they all live out of state), limited babysitting.  I do fine once I spend enough time with a kid to form some kind of relationship -- I got along famously with my 2yo niece when we vacationed together this summer -- but random kids weird me out a bit.  It's getting easier as my friends have kids and I get to know them.  Still terrified of causing mortal harm to infants.  Individual teenagers can be cool -- I taught high school and was driven mad by my students but loved working with my GSA kids.  In between toddlers and high school, I don't have much knowledge or experience.