Parenting Roster:
(Please let me know if you
would like to be added or have your information changed)
@2brides – G & C born 5/18/06, other Mom is L
@Themommymonster – C (DS) born 2/18/09
@Mystjava – Little Bear (LB) born 3/31/10, other Mummum is Shawn
@winstan1 – J (DS) born 9/10 (currently 3.5 years old)
@Trisholio and @trisholiosboi – Proud foster parents to M born 2/6/12 and K born 8/22/13;
baby Adalyn born 8/29/14
@jazibel – Kaden born 7/13/12 and Owen born 5/2/14, other parent
(Aya) is EV
@newmompeanut – N (DD) born 2/12/13, other Momma is B
@CageyMack – W born 3/16/13
@JGY – Gabe born 3/24/13, other Mama is S.
@Stringy813 – M born May 2013
@Clairmeij – Alarico born 6/28/13, other mama is V
@Wallace323 – J and L born 8/8/13, surviving triplets born at 31 weeks
@Jrtmom – Henry born 8/15/13, other mama is L
@ATXmommas – Sebastian (“Ash”) born 11/21/13, other Momma is Z
@mwagner25 – Oliver born 11/27/13, other parent is L
@herbabymama – C (DD) born 12/10/13, other Mama is K
@Sarahtrpt – C born February 2014
@AmandaG47 – Twin girls born 2/22/14, other Mommy is J
@Mamosey & @Karlamo – R born 2/25/14
@shameless370087 - Anthony and Sati, born 3/9/2014, Other mom is S
@Filmfanatic82 – Charley born 3/15/14
@2momsinCA - B & O born 5/27/14
@KH826 – Will born 6/4/14
@redrockmama – M born 6/19/14, other Mama is J
@ball.and.chain – B born 6/28/14
@Flygirl1228 – Twins 7/25/14
@KLeigh1 - S born 7/25/14
@shelly2314 - Elise and Olivia, born 8/19/14, wife is M
@2MamazInSeattle - S born 8/21/14
@rkbo - Amelia born 9/22/14
@pauljl - Callie born 11/5/14
@doodah1013 & @firstcomeslove2013 – Hayden born 12/20/2014
@RobertJane33 – Twins born 12/24/14
@Andstilltrying – Mathew and Andrew born 12/26/14
Re: Parenting Check -In (12/29/14)
No, seriously: sleep? That's about it. We are cooking a nicer-than-usual dinner after we put B to bed, because it feels festive. But nothing too elaborate. My wife works on NYE and NYD.
As for resolutions, most of mine revolve around losing my baby weight. All I wish for B is that he continues to be healthy and happy.
B is 6m old as of yesterday!
He had a great first Christmas. We don't do any major traveling so we were spared that ordeal. He was spoiled with gifts by our families and got lots of auntie and grandparent time, which he enjoyed.
His sleep has gotten a bit messed up between illness and the holidays, so we have committed to getting him back on track. Last night involved lots of crying and not as much sleeping as we would have liked, but it could have been worse.
The big deal right now is solids. We gave him a few spoonfuls of apple sauce on Christmas and he seemed confused but receptive. The next day I gave him a little more and he was genuinely interested. We were going to try again yesterday but he was kind of spit-uppy -- not related to the applesauce, I don't think -- so we took a break. We'll give some baby oatmeal a try this week and maybe some BLW-style "stick" foods. If there was any question about him being ready for solids, it's been answered. On Saturday he actually grabbed an apple slice out of my wife's hand and started sucking/gnawing on it. On Christmas he tried to grab and drink my wine -- twice -- and this morning he reached for my tea. And when I was feeding him applesauce the second time, he wanted to use his hands to get it out of the bowl, to hold/push the bowl, and to hold the spoon. He's paying a lot of attention to us when we're eating and this morning my wife said he was making chewing motions as he watched her eat.
His 6-month appointment is next week so I'm eager to hear how he's doing!
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
NYE plans? Well, we're planning on pulling our grill out and grilling some steaks, veggies and making a bunch of sides. We'll probably get some wine and champaign but that will be the extent of our 'plans'.
DS is growing so quickly and is like a sponge! He gets so excited when he sees J or her dad pull out their tools because now he has his own set! It's adorable!
His vocabulary isn't growing as quickly as I wish it would. He still only has about 6 words total. He talks gibberish constantly but real words are coming slowly. I keep telling myself that at least he's making (some) progress.
My parenting resolution. Work on my patience. Toddlers are tough lol.
I have more but I need to start getting ready for a play date. I'll post more later if I get the chance
*DS 6/28/2013*
Feeding is going well! But I will let @firstcomeslove2013 say more about that.
We are just counting our blessings. Some days it seems like we are still just playing house! But I am loving the pace and routine (what we have developed) of each day!
QOTD: our goals for Hayden this year are just to be the best we can be as a family!
Our New Year's Eve is going to be watching football (me) and watching Gilmore Girls (A) and us taking turns getting baby snuggles! We also got a fancy Brie we have had our eye on! Wow... Lookout! Crazy times!
Baby Hayden Frances born 12/20/14 at 11:11 a.m... Our perfect little miracle. Here's how we got here:
My lovely wife:
5 IUI's January 2013-June 2013- 3 Cycles with Clomid- BFN
Myself: Genderqueer guy who hopped in the driver's seat of the baby making train
IUI #6- 7/23- Monitored and Trigger on Day 12, with one 16mm follicle and one 18mm follicle- BFN
IUI #7- 8/21- Not monitored, 50mg Clomid- BFN
September and October: Missed Cycles due to vacation and a Half Marathon
IUI #8- Monitored and triggered on day 15, with one 23x18mm follicle- BFN on 11/19/2013
December: Moved onto to see an RE to make a good plan.
IUI #9- 1/1/2014 Natural Cycle, BFP on 1/15/2014, 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
IUI #10 3/21/2014- Natural Cycle- BFP on 4/1/2014 (please don't be an April Fools. Beta #1 13dpiui- 48, Beta #2 16dpiui- 416, Beta #3 1018...
1st Ultrasound- 4/22/2014- 6w4d HB- 134!
Check out my Blog at: http://pregnantboithinksoutloud.blogspot.com/
@Jazibel I'm with you there. This morning I told J we should quit our jobs and stay home. It's so much easier, and fun, when we are all home together.
@Flygirl1228 I'd say go ahead and start solids. Did you ever find out about any food reactions with the reflux? I think I read most spitting up will stop by a year, but I guess it depends on why. I hope it gets better. M has days where he still spits up a ton, and others where he hardly does at all.
@Flygirl1228 - I have no idea if solids will help with spitting up, but also not sure why your doctor would insist on starting solids before the next visit. Certainly nothing wrong about it, but I don't see the need to rush it if you would prefer to wait. I guess the only thing to sway me to start earlier is if either W or Q already seem really interested in food. Otherwise, I don't think it's a big deal to wait. Other than giving him tastes off our finger tips a few times, we waited until just a couple of days before 6 months to offer solids. Do what feels right for you and A.
G is 21 months
Wow, I feel like it's been a year since I was able to post! Look out, this could be a long one ...
I'm so excited to read about the recent births (@RobertJane33 & @Andstilltrying), and to know that everyone is healthy despite some seriously scary moments ...
The holidays in IN with S's family went really well. I knew they would. G was ecstatic to get to run around and wrestle with his 2 cousins (ages 5 and 9), and was really pretty flexible and (mostly) well-behaved the whole time. We had a few sleep issues, but nothing too major. Mostly I was just so excited to have 4 days with S and G together.
I feel like G aged a whole month in just a week. His vocabulary had another explosion, he's now repeating just about everything that everyone says - look out! His favorite phrase, or maybe it's our favorite, is "All day long." And he screams it. For example ... "Hey Gabe, do you like to play with D and B (cousins)?" His response: "ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!" We had a hilarious moment in the hotel last weekend where it was morning and just about time to get up. He'd been rolling around in the portable crib for a while, but not really making that much noise. All of a sudden he jumped up, leaned over the side, and screamed "All day long!" Needless to say, we were up for the day at that point, and got to start the morning laughing.
Yesterday S had another long day of work so I was by myself, and after naptime (which was unusually short) G was just a whiney mess. All he wanted was to be "UP!!!" and since I had strained my back shoveling snow, that just wasn't happening. Anyway, at some point I really started to feel like this wasn't normal for him and perhaps there was something wrong. Duh, Mom. After a full body check, and a false alarm for gas pain, I had the brilliant idea to look in his ears and whammo. Another ear infection. Seriously, it's like we haven't been battling this for almost his entire life. It didn't even occur to me. Ahh well. Two phone calls later and we had a prescription in hand and he's feeling much better today for his first day back at daycare.
QOTD: My immediate goals pertaining to G are to get through this hitting stage. We need to figure out how to help him redirect his anger and frustration and successfully communicate what he needs without violence. My longer term goals involve continuing to find outlets for him to release his energy that won't break the bank (thanks to @winstan1 I did indeed find myself at the McDonald's Playland 2 weeks ago - $0.99 cuppa joe in hand). As for NYE, S has to travel for work so G and I will be flying solo with the dog and cat. Normally I'd stay up and enjoy some quality beer but that isn't an option this year. So I will likely watch as much Anderson Cooper/Kathy Griffin as I can on CNN and then pass out when I get sleepy (I'm betting it'll be about 9pm). NYD I will watch football come hell or high water. Additionally, we've been invited to a brunch open house, and a good friend (who has a young daughter) invited us over for popovers. Should be fun! Just wish S could be with us.
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!
Anyways, our GI and pedi both say that spitting up (if the baby is not in pain) is more of a laundry problem than a baby problem. Also get the cheap prefold cloth diapers as spit rags. More absorbent than swaddle blankets.
A & K, married 7/1/13.
After 10 months of ttc via medicated IUIs and two early losses, we finally got our boys- Perfect premie twins born 5/27/14.
Last Monday feels forever ago! Since then, we had a lovely Christmas morning as a family of 3 in our own home. Although Ash is too young to understand anything about Christmas or gifts, it was a lot of fun to watch him exploring his new toys. And even though it was technically his second Christmas, it felt like his first - he was just a little blob at this time last year and I was still in a postpartum fog. All in all, just tons of fun.
We traveled to MS to visit my family on Friday. The first leg of the flight from Austin to Dallas was only 40 minutes, but Z and I were separated while I had Ash solo, so it felt a lot longer. Thankfully, I was surrounded by super sweet grandmothers who helped me entertain him. Hopefully we'll be so lucky in our return on the 3rd (Z flies back tomorrow)!
When we arrived on Friday, my brother and his four kids were here and Ash had a great time playing with his cousins. It was so wonderful. The two oldest were over today again - they are 9 and 7 - and were so great with Ash. They have two littles at home, so know to be and are capable of being very patient and sweet with babies.
Ash has also had a great time playing with the two dogs at my dad's house. One is an elderly lab who just needs hugs, and the other is a 9 month old lab that has energy to match Ash's! I love that Ash loves dogs and will grow up with Bama. :x
Developmentally, I'm noticing more things. Mostly, I'm picking up on things that we say that Ash understands. He can follow certain directions. He also point to his nose when you ask him where it is (when he feels like it!). My stepmom and sister swear Ash was saying the puppy's name (Delta), and it certainly sounded like it - but I'm not totally convinced. When I told my mom, she said that he must have been saying Tita (her grandmother name).
I feel like there's more to say, but I'm mobile and its getting late, so I'll add more later or just wait until next week if more comes to mind.
QOTW: NYE plans - will watch some football and drink some champagne with my parents before hitting the sack well before midnight. We're fancy. Goals/wishes for the little one - haven't really thought about it. I would love for him to sleep through the night, but I might just have a kid who won't for a while and I'm ok with that too. Other than that, we'll just keep on rolling with the punches!
Both boys are doing amazingly well to be born at 32 weeks. Sarah having a hard time as we are bein discharged tomorrow without them.
They are syringe and NG tube feeding. Both are getting phototherapy for bili levels.
Qotw: New Years...hmmm pumping?!?! Lack of sleep? Maybe a trip up to be with them for the count down.
Seems so unreal that I'm a mommy!!! To 2 little cuties!
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
QOTD: I hope that the kids continue to be happy and do well in school. I hope that they continue to make good friends, awesome memories, and grow into older elementary ages kids *gasp*. I hope L and I can get our finances under control and take the kids on vacation this summer - we've been talking about taking them to California to see friends spread all over the state for a few years.
We are going to Medieval Times for NYE. This is the 4th year we've gone and we are going with new friends this year. It is perfect because it is early (6:30) and we aren't home too late, the kids love the show, and it is something special. The kids are excited to go with their new BFF from school. I rarely stay up till midnight.
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
Feeding has been a challenge. I promise to go into more detail in her birth story (which I am determined to write this week) but breastfeeding is NO JOKE and is not as magical and easy as everyone seems to think (or at least as I thought). We are getting the hang of it but I didn't have the best help in the hospital and we are paying for it now. BUT C is being really supportive and great.
QOTD: No resolutions. I don't make them because they don't stick...I'm terrible! As for NYE we are staying home, eating good food and snuggling our baby.
BONUS PIP!!!
Queer coupled and having a BABY with the love of my life! Love my life and wouldn't have it any other way!
First IUI 1/22/2013 BFN: 2/7/2013, Second IUI 2/21/2013 BFN: 3/9/2013, Third IUI 4/23/2013 BFN: 5/8/2013, Fourth IUI 5/24/2013 BFN: 6/7/2013, Fifth IUI 6/24/2013 BFN: 7/8/2013
C began IUI's
7/23/2013 C's first IUI BFN, 8/21/2013 C's second IUI BFN , Took a break in September and October, 11/05/2013 C's 3rd IUI (TWW...we meet again...) BFN, Took off the month to switch to an RE. 01/01/2014 C's 4th IUI...BFP!!!!!!!! Beta #1- 17, Beta #2- 34, Beta #3-140.... 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
03/21/2014 IUI #10...BFP!!! Beta #1- 48, Beta #2- 416, Beta #3- 1018. GROW BABY GROW!!!
1st Ultrasound 4/22/2014 Baby Squints is PERFECT! Measuring at 6w2d with a heartbeat of 129. EDD: 12/12/14.
Ultrasound at 18 weeks on 7/14/2014. Baby is healthy and growing just as she should!
Check out my blog at: http://journeytoparenthoodandmakingmilk.blogspot.com/
A & K, married 7/1/13.
After 10 months of ttc via medicated IUIs and two early losses, we finally got our boys- Perfect premie twins born 5/27/14.
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!
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
A & K, married 7/1/13.
After 10 months of ttc via medicated IUIs and two early losses, we finally got our boys- Perfect premie twins born 5/27/14.
@sarahtrpt - hope you have fun tonight! I'm trying to wait another couple months before weaning Ash, but I'm nervous about it too. I hope it goes to well for both of you. Please share any tips you have once you start!
I exclusively pumped for their first 2 months home. I still would try to breast feed but I had to work with a LC quite a bit to check their ability to transfer milk from the breast through weighed feeds. It was not until they had been home a good 2 months that I started to feel they were satiated by breast feeding. It was also around that time that they could breast feed and drain my boob in about 15 mins or so. Before then it would be like 45 minutes- the effort of breastfeeding seemed to be burning more calories than they were taking on. And then they would still need a bottle.
One of my twins was a natural at breastfeeding and has always preferred the breast over the bottle. However to insure good weight gain I would breastfeed and still offer the bottle for the first two months. The other twin was exclusively bottle fed with occasional breast feeding when he would root on my chest. He then began to prefer the breast right around 4 months old. I know that is rare, most babies start on the bottle and stay on the bottle but it does happen. For the last 2 months, my tandem nursing pillow has gotten a major workout. I tandem feed about 4-5 times a day.
They have been home about 5 months now and I only pump once a day, at night when they are sleeping.
All this will change when I go back to work on Monday. I will be pumping a lot and the boys need to be okay with the bottle.
Anyways, don't give up! I found pumping to be easier and more efficient in the beginning and perhaps you will too. That way both you and your wife can simultaneously give them bottles and they can be on the same feeding schedule. That doesn't mean that they will stay exclusively bottle fed. Keep offering the breast. Their suck-swallow will get stronger over time. Don't throw out the tandem pillow, it may get more use down the line.
Edit to add: my boys were bottle fed a ton in the NICU. I breastfed them there when I could. I thought for sure they would never take the breast. Pumping and bottles is a headache. The tandem pillow is a dream in comparison! They will get there. And if they don't it's okay- feeding in general is so tough in the beginning with twins but once a routine is established, whatever that routine maybe, it gets better. A well fed baby (by boob, bottle, or formula) is usually a happier baby.
Edit again to add: pumping for twins is no joke so I hope you have a good pump! They will start taking more and more milk over time and it has been so hard for my supply to keep up with demand. My insurance covered the rental of the symphony. Once that coverage ends I'm going to pay the rental myself. Since it totally drains me in 15 mins, I don't have to spend too much time hooked up to it. Also get a hands free pumping bra. Makes life easier when attached to a machine.
A & K, married 7/1/13.
After 10 months of ttc via medicated IUIs and two early losses, we finally got our boys- Perfect premie twins born 5/27/14.
A & K, married 7/1/13.
After 10 months of ttc via medicated IUIs and two early losses, we finally got our boys- Perfect premie twins born 5/27/14.