Good Morning Everyone :-)
Tell us a little about your LO(s). How was your week? Any new developments, challenges, accomplishments?
QOTD: Inspired by a post I read over this weekend. How and when do you make quality time for yourself (or you and your spouse). What do you fill this time with?
Include a PIP if you want :-)
Re: Parenting Check-In
skefhail4ythab .dg ... that's all my brain can manage today. UGH!!!
S and I went to the JT concert last night (it sounded like a great idea in May/June when the tickets went on sale). It took forever to get home in the freezing stinking cold, so we got to bed just before 1 and S had to be up for work at 4:30. There's lack of sleep and then there's lack of sleep!
Gabe had a great weekend with my Sis who flew in to help out for the weekend because we had tons going on (including the concert). He's such a neat kid around her. Very patient and calm. She can get him to do anything, it's amazing.
This is ear tubes week. So I'll likely just spend most of the days worrying about that until it's over with on Friday afternoon.
QOTD: Honestly I don't get much/any quality time for myself. I know it sounds ridiculous, but lately the only me-time I've had is while I'm pumping in the Mothers' room at work! And I should be working while I'm in there, but I'm so fried right now that I've been allowing myself to bump and also to play freecell. With no family close, and the fact that we have an aggressive dog (makes having a babysitter damn near impossible), we don't get much quality time just the two of us. It's not necessarily healthy, and we're both exhausted. We need to figure out how to do better.
Thanks for starting the thread @Jazibel!
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
Ash did beautifully on the two flights here. I was a bit anxious, but things went really well.
Ash is getting all sorts of loved on - makes my heart so, so happy. We're missing Z, of course. Sending her lots of pics while we're here.
A sleep update - had a pretty crappy night on Saturday. But last night, he slept from 8-2:30!!!! Then 2:30 to 6:00!!! Winderful. Of course, I woke up with every peep he made, but that's ok.
I do have a question about what pumps folks use. I've been renting a hospital grade pump (started once we started having weight problems). It's $55/month. I received an Ameda Purely Yours from my insurance, which I brought to MS and used for the first time since I started using the hospital grade Ameda. It is pretty terrible and is not going to work. So now deciding whether I should continue renting the hospital grade or just buy a new pump. I've heard good things about the Hygeia. If anyone has any input, I'd be interested in hearing it.
QOTW: Not much at this point. I did manage to get a facial and go for a run while Z watched Ash, but those separations always start with trying to time a nursing session right before and right after. Will be a while longer before even short separations from baby are more relaxing. I do think it us super important to have me-time and me-and-Z time. Just not quite there yet.
Since the kids turned 4y, we take them to Parents Night Out at our gym once a month. It gives us time to have a kid-free dinner/see a non-kid movie/or even go to the grocery store sans kids and stroll around! And we've been doing a lot better hiring sitters so we can go out. Unfortunately, paying $12-$15/hr for a sitter isn't something that can happen too often! It stinks when just going to dinner and a movie costs over $100 (with over half of that going the sitter!)
We have a big week this week since I go back to work on Friday. Today we had a "practice" day where @lifebylauren gave Oliver bottles all day and I pumped to get an idea of how much he eats and how much I can pump. Overall it went pretty well. He did nurse for 30 minutes at bedtime... Not sure if he was really thar hungry or enjoyed the comfort of having the boob. My mom is coming into town Friday to help with me transition back to work. Sleep is still hit and miss for us here. Some nights are great (we will get a 5 or 6 hour stretch) other nights he is up every 1-2 hours. We see the pediatrician tomorrow for more shots and I am curious to see how big he is now. He is only 2.5 months and I had to pull out 9 month pajamas today because the 6 month PJs were getting tight. Sometimes I feel like I am growing a toddler!
QOTD: @lifebylauren and I usually find time to connect during naps and after he first goes down for bedtime. We are often too tired to do much more than watch some TV and chat. Tonight we chatted while having some wine and vegan cake from Chicago Diner (they sell it at our Whole Foods down here). Yum!
Baby Oliver born 11/27/13
TTC stats with donor sperm...
IUI #1 with trigger, 1/4/13 - BFN
IUI #2 with trigger, 2/1/13 BFN
IUI #3 with tigger, 2/28/12 BFP EDD 11/21/13
Every single Dr. in our office (Family Practice, not Peds specific) is gentle and playful with our guy. I would have a huge problem if they told me to just hold his arms back. I would say that you should follow your instincts on this one. Especially given their sleeping advice. There's such a range of opinions and methods out there, at least throw out the names of some books that give alternative solutions, right?
Also, thanks @stringy813 for the well-wishes. Friday can't get here soon enough for me.
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
@jrtmom, We did BLW only because N hated all pureed baby food. So I was insanely scared about choking since I wasn't prepared for "real people feed". Avocados went over really well and mashed potatoes have always been a hit Also, I'm very jealous that Henry is clapping already. N didn't start clapping until like 9 months. B and I just looked like crazy people cheering and clapping EVERY TIME she did anything that she finally caught on. lol I'm sure people thought we were nuts!
@stringy813, the only time I have to hold down N is when they are looking in her ears and that's because we've learned she likes to rip the looker thing (what is this called?!) out of the doctor's hands and then laugh. The doctor always talks to her and tries to befriend her before doing anything. I'd be worried if they didn't try to be nice to N first.
This week is going ok. N is one tomorrow! I can't believe that she's already one!! She's at R's house tonight and I'm incredibly sad that I don't get to tell her happy birthday when she wakes up. For the past week or so I've been feeling incredibly sad about N being at R's house and not with me. As I try to describe how sad I've been I can't even find words to show how bad it's been. I feel like it's constantly on my mind and I can't enjoy anything else. I've been turning down events even when N isn't home because I just feel too sad to even be around happy people. I'm afraid I'm missing out on so much. I really thought by the time we got to a year old that I would be in a better place with the custody and I'm just not getting there. I'm really thinking that I should see or talk to someone about this because it's not getting any better.
N's birthday party is this weekend and I still have TONS of things to do for it. I normally love everything about party planning but have been procrastinating starting the planning for this party. It's a joint party with R, B and my families. I hope everything goes well and there's no drama.
QOTW: B and I typically do the grocery shopping and only plan "us" time for when R has N.
Good luck finding a great fit. I've relied on Yelp reviews and asking other parents in my area who they see.
Thank you for the pump feedback. I've heard great things about Medela pumps. I was leaning towards the Hygeia because it is more green in that it is a closed system and the warranty covers multi-use vs the Medela warranty that is only valid for one year/one child. I'm glad to hear that @jrtmom has a good experience. Still debating on whether I should continue renting or buy a new pump.
Regarding the pediatrician - I agree with PPs. You would think a pediatrician would have good "bedside" manners with children. I can't imagine why in the world you would want to be a pediatrician otherwise. Our pediatrician seems to remember us and him and is pretty good with him. Haven't had any concerns in that regard. It's too important of a relationship to invest more time in if you are that concerned.
@newmompeanut - I'm so sorry you are having a hard time. It sounds you and B have an incredible co-parenting relationship with R, but that doesn't take the sting away when N is gone. I hope you are able to find some peace. N is a lucky girl to have three loving parents who all want to spend time with her! ETA: Happy Birthday to N!!!