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December 2015 Moms
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What do you do all day with LO?

Alyssaerin996Alyssaerin996 member
in December 2015 Moms
So I'm home on maternity leave until April, DD is 4 weeks old tomorrow. We've mostly figured each other out at this point (breastfeeding is still a struggle but we're getting there). My question for other moms: what do you do with your LOs during the day? I'm so paranoid that I'm not stimulating her enough or I'm missing something crucial because our days are mostly just really boring. I try to do tummy time 2-3 times a day but that's only a whopping 15 mins of time carved out. It's winter here so I can't get out with her much to walk around. In between her naps, we just sort of stare at each other... Should I have Baby Einstein on at all times or be piping Ted talks into her nursery while she sleeps!? I'm afraid she's going to get to daycare and the other 3 month olds will be playing instruments and revising their thesis after nap time while DD drools on herself and plays with her feet.  :p
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Re: What do you do all day with LO?

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  • Alyssaerin996Alyssaerin996 member
    @misamima Mine loves the fan too! Mesmerized. I'm glad I'm not alone in my boredom. I feel better already. I mean I love staring at her little face but for 10 hours a day...zzzzz

    Do you watch tv? I try not to have it on too much but I'm going crazy. I have reached the end of the Internets at this point...
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  • Mizuiro007Mizuiro007 member
    Like PP I've got DS keeping me busy but around 4 weeks there isn't much. There's no need to have Baby Einstein or Ted talks going all the time. Babies actually need some quiet time. Talking to them at this age is great even if it seems silly. Sing songs and play music, watch some TV if you want (I'm one of those moms). Reading out loud is really great too. With DS I would hold up a stuffed animal and move it like it was dancing with music or me singing or talking. I'd move it as I did to see how he was tracking. I've been doing this with DD and her Fan Fan the Fawn and at 8 weeks she started reaching for it.

    When they start making noises it's food to repeat them back. They learn imitation this way and are more likely to copy you sooner. Also doing some back and forth so they learn the flow of conversation.

    If it helps, think of it this way. To newborns everything is stimulation even if it seems boring to us.
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  • Court11152325Court11152325 member
    DD loves Gilmore Girls. I sing the theme song to her all the time now. Sometimes I shake a rattle in her face and try to get her to follow it. I also bounce on the exercise ball a lot with her. I talk to her about becoming president. And I breastfeed a ton.
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  • Mizuiro007Mizuiro007 member
    Court11152325 said:
    DD loves Gilmore Girls. I sing the theme song to her all the time now. Sometimes I shake a rattle in her face and try to get her to follow it. I also bounce on the exercise ball a lot with her. I talk to her about becoming president. And I breastfeed a ton.
    I watched Parenthood a lot with DS and would sing the theme song the same way. He seemed to love watching the faces.

    Now he LOVES Lilo and Stitch so we watch all four movies a lot. I don't like it's a coincidence DD likes Hawaiian music and Elvis Presley.
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  • chillmama1518chillmama1518 member
    I play my own type of music on my phone and sing along to that to him: more entertaining for me ;) sometimes in silly voices but mostly not. I also read my own books out loud to him sometimes. One can only read goodnight moon so many times to a baby who doesn't understand anyway! It's the communication and sounds that are important at this stage, not the content. Doesn't have to be baby appropriate!
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  • MomofEv+1MomofEv+1 member
    I have 3.5 weeks of maternity leave left. I feel really bad that I haven't done a lot with the new baby because a lot of time has been devoted to my 3 year old who was diagnosed with cancer when I was 33 weeks pregnant.

    A lady from our district's early childhood development program came over and gave me suggestions on what we could do. They Are pretty simple things like tummy time. Showing her simple pictures like shapes with lots of contrast was another suggestion. She also suggested giving her tummy time on a deflated beach ball and moving her around. She said it's good for brain development. But like I said, we haven't done much because in the moments that the baby would be happy enough to do this stuff, we have chores, medications, appointments, chemo, blood transfusions, bills, etc., etc., etc. I'm pretty sure she will probably develop just fine without all this stuff but it would be nice.
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  • groovylocksgroovylocks member
    We go for drives or walks. Other than that we listen to music, watch tv, I talk to her. 
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  • blended10blended10 member
    @MomofEv+1 I am so sorry to hear that. Keeping you & your family in my thoughts & prayers. What a terrible thing to be going through.
    to op - ditto that you needn't do much- the happier & more entertained you are the happier & more entertained baby is.
    also my tv is on more often than not & is more like background noise. My lo needs to sleep through noise bc my house is full of it! 
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  • pupsicle23pupsicle23 member
    DD is 8 weeks and we do our best to follow the eat, play,  sleep pattern. She still eats every 2 hours so after that we will read a book, she'll play on the play mat and do tummy time,  we will cuddle, or I'll play music while I do something else and she'll hang out on my legs or in the bouncy chair and look around.  Then I have to start soothing her by the time that hour is up. It's very redundant, but she becomes pretty angry if we miss her sleep window.  If I'm feeling adventurous,  I'll try to get her to nap in the crib and then spend a long amount of time dealing with that fallout   :D DD LOVES the cloth books that crinkle. She'll bat at that for a while while I tell her how brilliant she is. When we don't have a foot of snow, we will take walks. 

    But yeah,  it's boring and so lonely. 

    @MomofEv+1 You all are in my prayers. I'm glad it's been going better 


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  • misamimamisamima member
    @MomofEv+1 So sorry to hear that! T&P's your way. I'm glad she's doing great!
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  • navyblueladybugnavyblueladybug member
    I'll talk to her a lot and get her cooing and babbling. She does some tummy time on her mat and when she gets annoyed I'll flip her over and she will look at the toys hanging from above. Then we will do tummy to tummy time on my chest until she starts to get sleepy, then she goes in her bouncy chair, naps, wakes up to eat and then we repeat. She LOVES sitting up on my leg and watching TV. She's almost ready for the bumbo I think... Her neck control is really good now. But yeah... It's not the most thrilling entertainment. 
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  • ammnam14ammnam14 member
    I talk to her all day. Yesterday we watched the neighbors try to dig themselves out of the snow and we were both occupied for a good hour. I'll put her in her bouncer while I'm cleaning and sing to her, she seems to like it. Oh, and recently we both became very addicted to Making a Murderer. Lol
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  • angelicac06angelicac06 member
    8am-Start day-change diaper, strap him on bouncy chair while I brush my teeth then eat oatmeal while talking to him about whatevers going on.

    8:30-9  Nurse
    9-9:50 1st Nap woth help of baby Mozart
    9:50-10:10 Change Diaper then sing songs such as Sesame with Usher ABCs.
    Streethttps://youtu.be/SWvBAQf7v8g
    10:25-11a Nurse
    11-11:20 LO Usually cap naps on boppy
    11:20-Noon Diaper change, Tummy time then more songs while on lap in motion such as Apples N Bananas (to learn vowels) or Raindrops (For fun, don't judge I was a Barney child lol) etc
    Noon-12:30p Nurse
    12:30-1:20 2ndNap Baby Mozart background
    1:20-1:45. Diaper change, go for a walk, get the mail. Go on bouncer and dance the Nae Nae (don't judge he moved like crazy in my belly when it came on the radio and he likes doing the stanky leg, :blush:  lol)
    1:45-2:15p Nurse
    2:15-3:15 Tummy time, flash cards with letters, numbers in English then Spanish. Then hold him infront of tv, put Mickey Mouse club and bounce while singing. 
    3:15-3:45 Change diaper then Nurse
    3:45-4:30 Nap w/ Baby Mozart 
    4:30-5p Diaper change, chat about life, our future trips, sing more songs like the Wheels of the bus then nurse.

    DW arrives at 5p and they hang out while I make dinner. Feed LO every hr and a half. 
    8:30p Bath then bottle of pumped milk and LO is out for the night! 

    That's an example of my day. Keep in mind I do all this because its the only way my LO doesn't cry for long. Of course its not always exact and theres some deviation. Im working on incorporating a play gym mat currently. 

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  • momotheflyinglemurmomotheflyinglemur member
    We wake up from our morning nap around 10-10:30 and that is when the "day" gets started. We play on the activity mat, then we have tummy time, then we go for a walk. By the time we are done with that it is time to eat again and then he naps. When he wakes up we repeat that routine and when he wakes up from the next nap, he hangs out on my lap and we sing songs and move our bodies. 
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  • teachmegs817teachmegs817 member
    DS is still doing a lot of sleeping during the day.  He's 7w old today, but 1w adjusted. He gets up anywhere from 6-8am for his first morning feeding. I change his diaper, put him in an outfit for the day and then feed him.  I just sit and talk to him while he eats. Usually he's falling asleep towards the end of his bottle. I will put him in his swing and turn on some music.  He is up for another 20-25 minutes in the swing and then out like a light.  He is getting onto a 4 hour feeding schedule at this point. Sometimes it's still every 3 hours. Once he wakes, I change him, feed him and if he's more alert towards the end of that bottle, I'll take him upstairs and do tummy time and put him onto his play mat.  This usually only lasts 15-20 minutes and then we just spend time cuddling and rocking in his glider. To which, he then will fall asleep and we repeat the routine.  I try to get him on the play mat every day and doing tummy time at least once a day. 

    We are now trying to establish a solid bedtime routine so starting tonight we are going to bathe him every day, but only use soap on him every 2-3 days, but just to get him into a warm tub and used to winding down his day. By 6-7pm we will begin this process, depending on when his last nap for the day ends. 
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  • dec15mumdec15mum member
    I do what I usually do, read, play video games, watch TV or clean but I wear him and always narrated what I'm doing and tell him what's happening in the latest episode of whatever- he loves it 
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  • groovylocksgroovylocks member
    @MomofEv+1 I didnt' realize your eldest is battling cancer. I'm so sorry to hear your family is struggling with cancer and in somebody so young. Do you want to talk at all about it? Dear little tyke, i hope she comes through just fine.
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  • angelicac06angelicac06 member
    @MomofEv+1 I didn't either. Your family is in my prayers! I am very glad she's doing great!
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  • suchaglencocosuchaglencoco member
    @MomofEv+1, your family is in my thoughts. 
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  • ammnam14ammnam14 member
    @MomofEv+1 Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!
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  • BostonBaby1BostonBaby1 member
    @MomofEv+1  Definitely keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.  You were doing what you need to do at this point which is taking care of your babies❤️

    angelicac06 said: 8am-Start day-change diaper, strap him on bouncy chair while I brush my teeth then eat oatmeal while talking to him about whatevers going on.

    8:30-9  Nurse
    9-9:50 1st Nap woth help of baby Mozart
    9:50-10:10 Change Diaper then sing songs such as Sesame with Usher ABCs.
    Streethttps://youtu.be/SWvBAQf7v8g
    10:25-11a Nurse
    11-11:20 LO Usually cap naps on boppy
    11:20-Noon Diaper change, Tummy time then more songs while on lap in motion such as Apples N Bananas (to learn vowels) or Raindrops (For fun, don't judge I was a Barney child lol) etc
    Noon-12:30p Nurse
    12:30-1:20 2ndNap Baby Mozart background
    1:20-1:45. Diaper change, go for a walk, get the mail. Go on bouncer and dance the Nae Nae (don't judge he moved like crazy in my belly when it came on the radio and he likes doing the stanky leg, :blush:  lol)
    1:45-2:15p Nurse
    2:15-3:15 Tummy time, flash cards with letters, numbers in English then Spanish. Then hold him infront of tv, put Mickey Mouse club and bounce while singing. 
    3:15-3:45 Change diaper then Nurse
    3:45-4:30 Nap w/ Baby Mozart 
    4:30-5p Diaper change, chat about life, our future trips, sing more songs like the Wheels of the bus then nurse.

    DW arrives at 5p and they hang out while I make dinner. Feed LO every hr and a half. 
    8:30p Bath then bottle of pumped milk and LO is out for the night! 

    That's an example of my day. Keep in mind I do all this because its the only way my LO doesn't cry for long. Of course its not always exact and theres some deviation. Im working on incorporating a play gym mat currently. 

    I hope this is MUD.
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  • angelicac06angelicac06 member
    edited February 2016
    suchaglencoco said:
    angelicac06 said:
    8am-Start day-change diaper, strap him on bouncy chair while I brush my teeth then eat oatmeal while talking to him about whatevers going on.

    8:30-9  Nurse
    9-9:50 1st Nap woth help of baby Mozart
    9:50-10:10 Change Diaper then sing songs such as Sesame with Usher ABCs.
    Streethttps://youtu.be/SWvBAQf7v8g
    10:25-11a Nurse
    11-11:20 LO Usually cap naps on boppy
    11:20-Noon Diaper change, Tummy time then more songs while on lap in motion such as Apples N Bananas (to learn vowels) or Raindrops (For fun, don't judge I was a Barney child lol) etc
    Noon-12:30p Nurse
    12:30-1:20 2ndNap Baby Mozart background
    1:20-1:45. Diaper change, go for a walk, get the mail. Go on bouncer and dance the Nae Nae (don't judge he moved like crazy in my belly when it came on the radio and he likes doing the stanky leg, :blush:  lol)
    1:45-2:15p Nurse
    2:15-3:15 Tummy time, flash cards with letters, numbers in English then Spanish. Then hold him infront of tv, put Mickey Mouse club and bounce while singing. 
    3:15-3:45 Change diaper then Nurse
    3:45-4:30 Nap w/ Baby Mozart 
    4:30-5p Diaper change, chat about life, our future trips, sing more songs like the Wheels of the bus then nurse.

    DW arrives at 5p and they hang out while I make dinner. Feed LO every hr and a half. 
    8:30p Bath then bottle of pumped milk and LO is out for the night! 

    That's an example of my day. Keep in mind I do all this because its the only way my LO doesn't cry for long. Of course its not always exact and theres some deviation. Im working on incorporating a play gym mat currently. 

    I'm sorry, but I have some questions. 
    1, is this for real because that seems ultra scheduled. 
    2, when do you eat, poop, shower?
    3, what future trips have you been discussing? This I'm wondering because traveling with an infant/toddler seems terrifying to me.
    @suchaglencoco yes its for real. As I've posted on several threads my baby boy is very high needs and through trial and error it takes all this for him not cry. The times are approximate. If he wakes up after 8  everything gets pushed back. And I don't sing those songs in that exact order lol.Some times he finishes nursing at 15 mins and not 30. Sometimes he sleeps for 25 mins and not 50. But yes it takes every min and ounce of energy to keep my spirited baby tear free. 

    If I have to run to the bathroom, if its a quick pee usually after a diaper change if he's content I'll lay him in his bassinet as I know he's safe there. If it will take longer than a min like today I placed him in his car seat and put him in front of the bathroom door where I could see him. 

    I shower around 7pm, after dinner when DW is home to take care of him. 

    And lastly we are going to San Diego at the end of the Spring with my in laws. Then Mazatlan, Mx at the end of the summer. One is a 30 min plane ride and the other 2 and a half hrs.
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  • BrookeBrown2015BrookeBrown2015 member
    Like Dec15mum said, I mostly do what I would normally do but wear him in his carrier. He does NOT like to be put down. I have tried putting him in his bouncer and his swing and he is not impressed by either. We don't have any kind of routine. I just bf when he seems to want to and give him a bottle of formula if he's too fussy and acting like he's not getting enough out of the boobs or is frustrated with them for whatever reason. I live in South Texas and we have had some warm/nice weather lately but it's been going back and forth. If the weather is nice we may go to the park and walk around with my aunt, go to the library, out to lunch. I go to the YMCA some days and he goes to the day care there for 2 hours while I work out and then take a shower. My husband and I just watched season 1 of Better Call Saul on Netflix and it's really good! I have online classes that I have worked on a little- with lo in the carrier breastfeeding- but haven't been working on them as much as I should be. If it's cold I am super lazy and just want to lay in bed!
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  • chewie5990chewie5990 member
    We usually get up around 10-11am after nursing I usually read DS a book, hang out and talk to him or do silly faces. I'll shake rattles at him or a few toys to see if he will follow them with his eyes or react. He loves his activity mat so I'll usually lay him down on his back on his mat in the living room and he will occupy himself for a good 30 minutes while I drink coffee and eat breakfast. I try and get hin to nap at least 45 minutes between each feeding and during his naps I try to shower and do any household chores. We usually go on a walk or go out somewhere each day even if it's just walking around target. 
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  • Mother0fDragonsMother0fDragons member
    angelicac06 said:
    8am-Start day-change diaper, strap him on bouncy chair while I brush my teeth then eat oatmeal while talking to him about whatevers going on.

    8:30-9  Nurse
    9-9:50 1st Nap woth help of baby Mozart
    9:50-10:10 Change Diaper then sing songs such as Sesame with Usher ABCs.
    Streethttps://youtu.be/SWvBAQf7v8g
    10:25-11a Nurse
    11-11:20 LO Usually cap naps on boppy
    11:20-Noon Diaper change, Tummy time then more songs while on lap in motion such as Apples N Bananas (to learn vowels) or Raindrops (For fun, don't judge I was a Barney child lol) etc
    Noon-12:30p Nurse
    12:30-1:20 2ndNap Baby Mozart background
    1:20-1:45. Diaper change, go for a walk, get the mail. Go on bouncer and dance the Nae Nae (don't judge he moved like crazy in my belly when it came on the radio and he likes doing the stanky leg, :blush:  lol)
    1:45-2:15p Nurse
    2:15-3:15 Tummy time, flash cards with letters, numbers in English then Spanish. Then hold him infront of tv, put Mickey Mouse club and bounce while singing. 
    3:15-3:45 Change diaper then Nurse
    3:45-4:30 Nap w/ Baby Mozart 
    4:30-5p Diaper change, chat about life, our future trips, sing more songs like the Wheels of the bus then nurse.

    DW arrives at 5p and they hang out while I make dinner. Feed LO every hr and a half. 
    8:30p Bath then bottle of pumped milk and LO is out for the night! 

    That's an example of my day. Keep in mind I do all this because its the only way my LO doesn't cry for long. Of course its not always exact and theres some deviation. Im working on incorporating a play gym mat currently.

    *QBF*
    I would like to know how you schedule diaper changes, what if he pees or poops before the allotted time for his changing? Do you just let him sit on his own mess until it's the appropriate time to change him?
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  • sharonholck28sharonholck28 member
    Usually around 730/8 she wakes up but half the time only wants a diaper change then I can put her in her swing and she will let me sleep til sometimes 9-10/30. I set up my bed to be like a couch so I pretty much nurse and watch Netflix. She's usually pretty awake until 12/1230 so I try give her tummy time. I'll walk around the house and let my dad and his girlfriend play with her. She usually goes down for a nap til 230 though sometimes she will go til 430. She's usually awake again until 6/7 so tummy time again, nurse, sometimes bath here, nurse and sleep. Usually up again by 1130 (which is my favorite) where then it sets up her normal night feedings are 1130, 3, and 5. If she wakes up earlier than 1130 the night is not as fun for me lol

    i feel like I don't do enough for her either. I'll sing and talk to her when I'm changing and rocking her to sleep and encourage her while she tummy time but even so today was our first good tummy time session. For right now I just follow her lead on nursing sessions and she usually naps after besides her two very awake times. 
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  • angelicac06angelicac06 member
    @Mother0fDragons they aren't scheduled. OP wanted to know what we did all day, I gave her an example of mine. I change my LOs diaper after he wakes up because its never more than an hr or I check no more than the hr and a half before his next feeding if he hasn't napped. If he obviously smells like urine or poop he is changed immediately. But that's a given. No good parents allows their child to sit in a soiled diaper until a certain time. As monotonous as it is, that's what I do all day. I could have said we sing songs, play with flash cards, watch Mickey Mouse club, go for a walk every day. I just simply gave a more detailed example of my day.

    @bostonbaby1 Not sure why my response didn't go through earlier. I haven't heard someone use MUD around here in a very long time. Why would you hope it is? The struggles with my son have been really sad and its taken a lot to keep him from crying and screaming daily. All that I do has reduced it significantly. The women here have been amazing in giving me suggestions on how to help him self soothe/ entertain. For the third time, it was merely an example of our day. No those things aren't "scheduled.
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  • ammnam14ammnam14 member
    @angelicac06 You do you mama! What works for one doesn't work for another. As long as baby is happy that's all that matters. I too thought it was a joke and now I feel bad! 
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  • misamimamisamima member
    @angelicac06 That sounds exhausting! I'm glad you're able to find ways to soothe and keep him from crying all day. I'm glad you get a break as soon as your DW gets home. Hopefully the days get more relaxing for you and your son soon!
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  • Alyssaerin996Alyssaerin996 member
    @angelicac06 I appreciate the detail! I thought maybe you were kidding because it's SO detailed but God bless you if that works for you!! Seriously. Also, now I know that Usher sings the ABCs and that is fantastic.   :)

    Loving all the responses. I Feel less alone and even got some new ideas. Yesterday DD and I had a country music dance party in the K'Tan. I burned some calories and she maybe-sorta-kinda smiled during. Victory!! 
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  • angelicac06angelicac06 member
    @ammnam14 thank you. I can see how it sounded like a joke, lol. Don't worry about it. Honestly it does feel like a comedy act some days. I'm certain I will look back in the future when I'm not so exhausted and out of this phase and laugh about it. :smile: 

    @misamima Thank you so much! It's gets better every day so I am optimistic.
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  • Gingermom15Gingermom15 member
    @angelicac06 I don't think it was anyone's intention to laugh at your response, I'm sure you know it does seem ultra scheduled and unrealistic to a lot of people. I said WTH to myself when I read it lol. But knowing you have a very demanding baby it makes perfect sense that things need to run somewhat on a schedule to keep you from losing your mind. Glad you found what works and hopefully your little man settles down when he is a couple months older :wink: 
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  • pupsicle23pupsicle23 member
    @angelicac06 Seriously, go you.  You actually have inspired me to do more activities when DD is hand a bad day.  Usually if she's having many crying fits, her stimulation comes from me carrying her into the kitchen to stuff my face with cookies. So I'm going to try some other things, ha.  I hope your little guy starts to settle. In the meantime, it sounds like you're doing great.  
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  • groovylocksgroovylocks member
    @MomofEv+1 you didn't hijack anything :) I'm so happy to hear she is in remission (? Did i understand that right? Or close?)

    You know i've been making an effort to get Olive out of the house most days. Ask your pediatrician about local classes or groups where babies meet. It's interesting for them, it helps them get used to other kids and parents can come together and support each other. But even taking her for a walk around the mall is teaching her about the world around her. They like getting out. 
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