Nothing important but a funny moment for me. Last night we got home late and DS has shot up a clothing size this week so by the time I went to grab him zippy pajamas (kid knows how to take off all other PJs), I realized the couple pairs that still fit were dirty so I caved and just put him in a pair of his sister's pjs.
Fast forward to this morning and here comes DH down the stairs and DS immediately runs over to say hi. DH had forgotten about the pajamas and seeing Davey in pink, fluffy monkey pjs unexpectedly - he gets hysterical. DS is so excited by DHs laughing he starts dancing and hopping, which is only making it worse. DH couldn't even unlock the babygate he was laughing so hard. Great start to the day
Oh my gosh, I'm actually so glad to see discussion on bibs. We didn't personally use them until he was eating real food, but we had the same problem as @mslynn2012 and kiddo would NOT keep them on. As soon as we turned our backs, he'd be undoing the Velcro. I wish I'd had suggestions because we ruined a fair number of clothes with big stains that just won't come out.
We finally ended up using smocks. Basically washable, sleeved bibs with Velcro around the beck and a tie at the waist that completely cover him. We bought them on Amazon for almost nothing and they are such a life saver. My son can't get them off because they tie behind him, so he can't just pull them off. It's save a LOT of clothes (especially since kiddo LOVES strawberries, and strawberries stain like no other!)
Married 25 May, 2013 William Alexander born 18 September, 2015 Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017 Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017 Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
@Dcwtada same on never using the nursery. Lol. That's why I'm not doing a darn thing for nursery this time around. I was worried about clearing a spare bedroom out for a while, now I'm like WHY?! We used the living areas of our home. And we have an area in our master bedroom for night time with baby. That's all you need.
Re bibs, we used the Aden and Anais burpy bibs when he drank milk (they absorbed spit up really well) but switched to bumkins jr bibs for actual food. They have short and long sleeve, are machine washable, and some have ties rather than Velcro. Can't recommend them enough!
All of DD's teeth came in rapid fire (had a full set by 13 months) so she was constantly in those fabric bibs because of her drool. Her shirts would be soaked to her skin without it. She never undid them so I guess that's a win. She still wears them to eat because she is Pigpen and gets dirty just sitting around.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Guys, I was that mom with the messy kid today. Gave DS chocolate milk with a lid and straw, we drove 3 miles to the grocery store I get there and he dumped chocolate milk ALL OVER his pants and adorable new vans shoes. It was all over his face and worst of all in his hair. What's the best part? I just had my car detailed this morning so I took the diaper bag out and didn't remember to put it back in the car. Yep. You guessed it I went in and let everyone stare.
@virginiaunicorn11@chiquita928 It would be nice if some STMs like you would chime in on those threads with this advice and some suggestions about what is actually necessary. Save us from ourselves!
I'm with @virginiaunicorn11... I kind of thought we did. I don't want to be this negative Nancy screaming, "You don't need all that!" over and over again. Many people have given a number of excellent suggestions. It's all so personal, and the "musts" for one are the "nopes" for others. I think the point is, like PP said, to cover the basics - eat, sleep, wear, bathe...and then see what works for your baby and your lifestyle. My main point is that there are a lot of people who are convinced that they will definitely need one thing or will never need some other thing...just don't be so sure. You may be surprised by how little you "know" when baby comes, and how much of it we learn while flying by the seats of our pants. Whether you buy all the things! immediately, or wait until they're needed, you'll be figuring it all out as you go.
I'm having a girl this time, whereas I had a boy the first time. This is what I'm pulling out of the attic, and plan to get or have already gotten: crib and sheets, changing table pad and cover, glider chair (didn't have this last time, but wished I did because the back is tall), infant car seat and base, stroller that said seat snaps into (I got a sit n stand, but I also have the single), swing, bath tub, bottles and pumping stuff, boppy, clothes, pacifiers, receiving blankets (for burp cloths, swaddles, blankets...everything), diaper bag, diapers, wipes, aquaphor. I also have baby washcloths and towels already, but if I didn't I would not bother with them. We still use the diaper pail for DS's overnight pull-ups, so we'll keep that out. Same for baby soap/shampoo. We have a pack-n-play for travel, but not everyone needs that. I'm sure there will be other things I get, but they aren't things I'll need - just fun stuff that I want to get. Learning from the first time, I would only add the basics to my registry where brands and compatibility mattered, and see what happened for the rest.
We use the nursery daily. Just to chime in for FTMs who might get perplexed. Our nanny prefers to play with DD in her baby-proof nursery where all the toys and books are. Plus we have a cat and the nanny doesn't want DD to get covered in pet hair.
I also use and have used the nursery daily. We personally have found it easier to change and dress our son in there because we have a dedicated area that is safe for him and hay entertains him enough and corrals all of his clothes/diapers/etc. Also, as @plumpous said, we have cats, and I still don't feel comfortable having them near him when he's sleeping. Easier to have a designated area I can shut the door to and know they aren't in there. And at almost 18 months, it's nice to have a quiet area set aside for him upstairs and in the back of the house that he can't hear us when we have people over (we have a video monitor). Personally, it's what works best for us.
Married 25 May, 2013 William Alexander born 18 September, 2015 Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017 Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017 Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
We also used the nursery daily. I know there are those that didn't, but we definitely did. We still use it and DD is 3! All of her toys are in there. The comfy rocking chair for reading books is in there. It's kid-proofed. It keeps all of the stuff contained to one room and it's nice. We plan on using the new nursery just as much.
@virginiaunicorn11@chiquita928 It would be nice if some STMs like you would chime in on those threads with this advice and some suggestions about what is actually necessary. Save us from ourselves!
@plumpous We also used the nursery all the time. I didn't want baby stuff everywhere, so it all stayed in the nursery.
I guess I just don't have that much baby stuff?! I had a little basket on the counter with stuff we might need in it. Lol. And activity pad on floor. But also we have a large open concept home with lots of living area, so space was never a problem. But we mainly just used the set up in the master bedroom. But yeah, DS just started sleeping in his nursery at 14 months old. Flame away but it worked for us. LOL.
We also used the nursery daily. I know there are those that didn't, but we definitely did. We still use it and DD is 3! All of her toys are in there. The comfy rocking chair for reading books is in there. It's kid-proofed. It keeps all of the stuff contained to one room and it's nice. We plan on using the new nursery just as much.
I'm confused...nursery is just bedroom, right? So, of course it has all her stuff in it and she uses it daily at 3 years old? No snark, I just don't get the comment "we still use it and DD is 3!"
Also wanted to add my son has a fully babyproofed bedroom/nursery with all the bells and whistles from day one....but we didn't use it until year one. Of course we went in to play or 'hang out'. Not saying people don't need nurseries/bedrooms, just saying the baby doesn't 'need' it the second they are home from the hospital. I just wanted to clear the anxiety of FTM's who think 150% of the nursery has to be finished way before baby comes.
@GreenBean No worries...hopefully it all helps. My comments were probably in this thread, not the Registries one, because I don't like raining on the parade. Baby shopping can be fun, and so can registry-building. So much of it is stuff you want, not need, and if you know that, then you're already in a good place.
@LoveLee85 By "baby stuff" I mean the changing table and clothing. Plus, DS slept in his crib at 3 weeks. I nursed in the nursery before putting DS for a nap or to sleep. Also, all of his books and toys were in there. We have an open concept, but our house isn't that large. We are mostly on one level, and the rooms are close together (it's a bilevel), so going down the hall was easier than making a changing station in the living room.
@LoveLee85 It's still the same set up at 3 as it was when she was born with the exception of the changing pad, diaper pail, etc. All of her stuff is housed in that room, including toys, just as it was when she was a newborn. That's what I meant.
Random of the moment: Dirty Dancing Havana Nights is on. Man, I forgot how much I like this movie. Yes, it's cheesy, but it's dancing. Plus, young Diego Luna.
Married: 10/13/2013
TTC #1: Mirena removed 5/26/2015; DH - normal SA, me - diagnosed with PCOS 8/4/2016 - on Metformin; BFP - 10/29/2016!!!, EDD - 7/8/2017; DD born 6/29/2017
I think I always confess this, but when I was 5, my uncle got me Cinderella for Christmas, and I already had it. I got to pick the replacement, and chose Dirty Dancing. I memorized the whole movie from watching it so much, and only in high school did I realize what the plot line was actually about! I just loved the dancing and thought Patrick Swayze was dreamy, LOL
I'm so excited! I'm finally getting a car tonight! No more ride sharing! Last year around this time I had no car and lost my job because of it. Let's just say 2016 can go down in the books as one of the worst years EVER. At least the first half, the second half was when things started getting better.
I think I always confess this, but when I was 5, my uncle got me Cinderella for Christmas, and I already had it. I got to pick the replacement, and chose Dirty Dancing. I memorized the whole movie from watching it so much, and only in high school did I realize what the plot line was actually about! I just loved the dancing and thought Patrick Swayze was dreamy, LOL
I had the same thing happen to me with Seinfeld! My parents loved the show and I've seen pretty much every episode multiple times just by hanging out in the living room when it was on. Even though I could tell you every detail of the plot line, I was in college before I realized what the "contest" was really about. Same thing with the sponge birth control episode. (On that topic, shoutout to my girl @SpongeWorthy for the best username ever!) I love the show and had so much fun rediscovering it as an adult.
@LoveLee85 I think I see the nursery as DD's room. Up until 3 months, she and her changing pad were in the master with us. The only time I went into the so called nursery prior to 3 months was when she wouldn't fall asleep, I'd go there and rock her because that room had a vibe she liked. Which sounds bananas but she was just more calm there as an infant for no obvious reason. Then, since we moved her to her crib, it became fully used. She was very happy to move there. That was my personal experience.
Random: My neighbor brought over a Little Tikes slide for DD that she wanted to get rid of. I literally had one in my Amazon cart because she has nothing to play with outside and the one she gave me is the bigger/nice one. DD already played all afternoon with it and loves it! Saved $70!
My friends and I have been waiting on (the amazing) Ed Sheeran to release tour dates (which were released yesterday). Baby will be roughly two months old when Ed is in my area. There is a show about 1.5 hours away from me. I'd be gone for about 8 hours with drive time + concert time.
Im a FTM and have NO clue what to expect. I'm already having anxiety thinking about it. Is that too soon to leave? Will baby be taking a bottle by then? I have no idea how I'll feel emotionally or physically. What would you guys do? I know many women are back at work by 8 weeks, but I feel like that's different, as working is necessary.
Tickets are on sale next week, so that's why I'm already freaking out about it. I'm thinking about buying a ticket and then selling it if something doesn't work out.
I know none of you are me and everyone has different feelings. I just wanted to hear some thoughts. Is it stupid to have anxiety about leaving for just part of the day?? Or am I stupid for wanting to leave my baby for a concert?
Thanks!
eta: my MIL would probably stay at my house with baby until DH gets home from work (probably only 2 hours or so) so childcare isn't an issue. Right now leaving baby with MIL doesn't cause me stress, especially knowing DH will be home fairly soon.
@ginger1228 You're right, everyone is different so I would definitely keep in mind that you could change your mind when it gets closer, but we left DD around 2 months old for a wedding. We dropped her off in the morning and picked her up around mid night. She stayed with my mom who I completely trust and love and did perfectly. I made sure to introduce the bottle before then and had to bring my pump since I was breastfeeding so as long as you've got that part figured out I don't think it's stupid to want to go to a concert at all. You still have to do things for you! I say go for it.
@ginger1228, go!! You're going to need some time to yourself to maintain your sanity and if you're able to leave baby with people you trust and you're not even gone overnight, you absolutely deserve some time to feel like an adult and to do something for yourself. You'll probably think about baby a lot, and you are totally allowed to check I and have MIL send you pictures. But seriously, 8 weeks is a LOT longer than it seems with a newborn. GO!!
Married 25 May, 2013 William Alexander born 18 September, 2015 Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017 Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017 Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
2 months is not too young, most moms go back to work around then, with a similiar time frame. I went on a 2 night vacation (sans infant) right at 8 weeks after my first and while at the time I was besides myself EVERYTHING was fine. If you plan to breastfeed make sure to pump and stockpile extra. And my advice for what it's worth, is introducing a bottle (whether breastmilk or formula) by 3-4 weeks is such a good idea. Once you have established a good and productive breastfeeding routine if you go that route, introducing a bottle helps them adjust and less likely to have bottle rejection issues later - plus they get used to someone else feeding them. I know we started out with DH feeding them a bottle before bedtime.
Thank you. You guys have made me feel better about it already.
I was wondering at what point I should introduce a bottle, so extra thanks for that. Baby will start daycare when I go back to work at 12 weeks, so we'll have to switch to bottles then anyway. (Plus I want DH to be able to give some feedings.)
I think what freaks me out is the unknown. Plus this all came up yesterday along with my mother criticizing yet another decision of mine (see long post in wtf Wednesday) and it all just piled up!
@ginger1228 go! Or at least get the tickets. Something like Ed Sheeran will definitely keep its resale value.
My parents left my sister and me with a baby-sitter when she was two weeks old. Only for a few hours, yes, and they were local, but still. Your husband will be able to take over from MIL. Everything will be fine!
@ginger1228 I went and saw Justin Timberlake when DD was around that age. I'm not going to lie, it was super hard to get me to go, but I was so glad I went after I was there. I needed the down time and it was nice getting some time to myself that night. The venue was about the same distance from our house. Everything was perfectly fine.
@ginger1228 I completely understand. With my first it was that exact fear - the unknown. Things would change but how...what would the day to day be? what would it be like to handle a helpless human 24/7 and what would come up that I didn't prepare for? I am such a laid back person too so I was having anxiety about having anxiety.
Its normal and actually shows you are already on the path to being a good mom. If you weren't a little (or a lot) freaked that would be concerning lol. And as far as your mom, this is your baby and your time. Truly the best advice is to ignore unwanted opinions and remember comparison is the thief of joy - enjoy the milestones don't stress over them. Your baby may sleep more/less, eat more/less, they may not be tap dancing by 16 months like your friend's prodigy but remember there is no correlation between early milestone achievement and child/adulthood success and the only opinion that matters is you and your doctors (and even then make sure you have a good doctor - But that is another story).
@ginger1228 I like the idea of buying the tickets and giving yourself permission to sell them and not go if you don't feel ready when the time comes. It would have been hard for me to do that at 8 weeks. As you say, everyone is different, so it's hard to know how you'll feel, but buying the tickets will certainly make it more likely that you get to go than if you don't!
@ginger1228 I like the idea of buying the tickets and giving yourself permission to sell them and not go if you don't feel ready when the time comes. It would have been hard for me to do that at 8 weeks. As you say, everyone is different, so it's hard to know how you'll feel, but buying the tickets will certainly make it more likely that you get to go than if you don't!
@Dcwtada - you get an award for saying all the right things. Thank you!
and thanks @mamadcb & @virginiaunicorn11! I've decided to go ahead and buy them and if I just can't go, I can't go.
But you guys are all right - I'm so used to getting out and going to concerts or other things that I think I'll need a night off for me. Thank God for technology so I can easily get ahold of MIL and get pics as needed!
@ginger1228 I'm so glad you feel encouraged to go! Just yesterday I found out someone isn't coming to my best friend's bachelorette because she will be about 2 months postpartum and just feels like she can't go out of the house because she's nursing.
On one hand, I totally respect her decision and I think it's completely up to her. Sometimes you just don't want to go out and new moms definitely get a pass.
On the other hand, I wish there were a way to make her more comfortable going out because I think she could use a break and I know that the bride feels bad about her being left out. I'm the weirdo who would have no problem pumping in a bar bathroom or my car but to each their own!
@ginger1228 I'm so glad you feel encouraged to go! Just yesterday I found out someone isn't coming to my best friend's bachelorette because she will be about 2 months postpartum and just feels like she can't go out of the house because she's nursing.
On one hand, I totally respect her decision and I think it's completely up to her. Sometimes you just don't want to go out and new moms definitely get a pass.
On the other hand, I wish there were a way to make her more comfortable going out because I think she could use a break and I know that the bride feels bad about her being left out. I'm the weirdo who would have no problem pumping in a bar bathroom or my car but to each their own!
Yeah...it's tricky. For some women it's not a break. I didn't leave DS long enough to need to pump/give him a bottle until he was 6 months old. The suggestion of it triggered panic in me. I wasn't an uptight mom otherwise, but just didn't want to be separated from him.
I know you weren't suggesting that leaving the baby is the right choice for everyone. I'm just thinking out loud.
I can't stop giggling about this. DH is really upset and pissed that our football team is screwing it all up and letting go of good players. He just got in the shower to relax. LOL for days. Yeah, I wish the team would stop letting the stupid owner call the shots, but it's just a sports team. Plus, we've been through this before. LOL.
Married: 10/13/2013
TTC #1: Mirena removed 5/26/2015; DH - normal SA, me - diagnosed with PCOS 8/4/2016 - on Metformin; BFP - 10/29/2016!!!, EDD - 7/8/2017; DD born 6/29/2017
Re: Weekly Random March 6-10
Fast forward to this morning and here comes DH down the stairs and DS immediately runs over to say hi. DH had forgotten about the pajamas and seeing Davey in pink, fluffy monkey pjs unexpectedly - he gets hysterical. DS is so excited by DHs laughing he starts dancing and hopping, which is only making it worse. DH couldn't even unlock the babygate he was laughing so hard. Great start to the day
We finally ended up using smocks. Basically washable, sleeved bibs with Velcro around the beck and a tie at the waist that completely cover him. We bought them on Amazon for almost nothing and they are such a life saver. My son can't get them off because they tie behind him, so he can't just pull them off. It's save a LOT of clothes (especially since kiddo LOVES strawberries, and strawberries stain like no other!)
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
I'm having a girl this time, whereas I had a boy the first time. This is what I'm pulling out of the attic, and plan to get or have already gotten: crib and sheets, changing table pad and cover, glider chair (didn't have this last time, but wished I did because the back is tall), infant car seat and base, stroller that said seat snaps into (I got a sit n stand, but I also have the single), swing, bath tub, bottles and pumping stuff, boppy, clothes, pacifiers, receiving blankets (for burp cloths, swaddles, blankets...everything), diaper bag, diapers, wipes, aquaphor. I also have baby washcloths and towels already, but if I didn't I would not bother with them. We still use the diaper pail for DS's overnight pull-ups, so we'll keep that out. Same for baby soap/shampoo. We have a pack-n-play for travel, but not everyone needs that. I'm sure there will be other things I get, but they aren't things I'll need - just fun stuff that I want to get. Learning from the first time, I would only add the basics to my registry where brands and compatibility mattered, and see what happened for the rest.
monitor). Personally, it's what works best for us.
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
I'm confused...nursery is just bedroom, right? So, of course it has all her stuff in it and she uses it daily at 3 years old? No snark, I just don't get the comment "we still use it and DD is 3!"
Also wanted to add my son has a fully babyproofed bedroom/nursery with all the bells and whistles from day one....but we didn't use it until year one. Of course we went in to play or 'hang out'. Not saying people don't need nurseries/bedrooms, just saying the baby doesn't 'need' it the second they are home from the hospital. I just wanted to clear the anxiety of FTM's who think 150% of the nursery has to be finished way before baby comes.
eta omg to auto correct
@LoveLee85 By "baby stuff" I mean the changing table and clothing. Plus, DS slept in his crib at 3 weeks. I nursed in the nursery before putting DS for a nap or to sleep. Also, all of his books and toys were in there. We have an open concept, but our house isn't that large. We are mostly on one level, and the rooms are close together (it's a bilevel), so going down the hall was easier than making a changing station in the living room.
I think I see the nursery as DD's room.
Up until 3 months, she and her changing pad were in the master with us. The only time I went into the so called nursery prior to 3 months was when she wouldn't fall asleep, I'd go there and rock her because that room had a vibe she liked. Which sounds bananas but she was just more calm there as an infant for no obvious reason. Then, since we moved her to her crib, it became fully used. She was very happy to move there. That was my personal experience.
My friends and I have been waiting on (the amazing) Ed Sheeran to release tour dates (which were released yesterday). Baby will be roughly two months old when Ed is in my area. There is a show about 1.5 hours away from me. I'd be gone for about 8 hours with drive time + concert time.
Im a FTM and have NO clue what to expect. I'm already having anxiety thinking about it. Is that too soon to leave? Will baby be taking a bottle by then? I have no idea how I'll feel emotionally or physically. What would you guys do? I know many women are back at work by 8 weeks, but I feel like that's different, as working is necessary.
Tickets are on sale next week, so that's why I'm already freaking out about it. I'm thinking about buying a ticket and then selling it if something doesn't work out.
I know none of you are me and everyone has different feelings. I just wanted to hear some thoughts. Is it stupid to have anxiety about leaving for just part of the day?? Or am I stupid for wanting to leave my baby for a concert?
Thanks!
eta: my MIL would probably stay at my house with baby until DH gets home from work (probably only 2 hours or so) so childcare isn't an issue. Right now leaving baby with MIL doesn't cause me stress, especially knowing DH will be home fairly soon.
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
2 months is not too young, most moms go back to work around then, with a similiar time frame. I went on a 2 night vacation (sans infant) right at 8 weeks after my first and while at the time I was besides myself EVERYTHING was fine. If you plan to breastfeed make sure to pump and stockpile extra. And my advice for what it's worth, is introducing a bottle (whether breastmilk or formula) by 3-4 weeks is such a good idea. Once you have established a good and productive breastfeeding routine if you go that route, introducing a bottle helps them adjust and less likely to have bottle rejection issues later - plus they get used to someone else feeding them. I know we started out with DH feeding them a bottle before bedtime.
Thank you. You guys have made me feel better about it already.
I was wondering at what point I should introduce a bottle, so extra thanks for that. Baby will start daycare when I go back to work at 12 weeks, so we'll have to switch to bottles then anyway. (Plus I want DH to be able to give some feedings.)
I think what freaks me out is the unknown. Plus this all came up yesterday along with my mother criticizing yet another decision of mine (see long post in wtf Wednesday) and it all just piled up!
Thanks again!
My parents left my sister and me with a baby-sitter when she was two weeks old. Only for a few hours, yes, and they were local, but still. Your husband will be able to take over from MIL. Everything will be fine!
I knew I brought my crazy to the right place.
Its normal and actually shows you are already on the path to being a good mom. If you weren't a little (or a lot) freaked that would be concerning lol. And as far as your mom, this is your baby and your time. Truly the best advice is to ignore unwanted opinions and remember comparison is the thief of joy - enjoy the milestones don't stress over them. Your baby may sleep more/less, eat more/less, they may not be tap dancing by 16 months like your friend's prodigy but remember there is no correlation between early milestone achievement and child/adulthood success and the only opinion that matters is you and your doctors (and even then make sure you have a good doctor - But that is another story).
and thanks @mamadcb & @virginiaunicorn11! I've decided to go ahead and buy them and if I just can't go, I can't go.
But you guys are all right - I'm so used to getting out and going to concerts or other things that I think I'll need a night off for me. Thank God for technology so I can easily get ahold of MIL and get pics as needed!
On one hand, I totally respect her decision and I think it's completely up to her. Sometimes you just don't want to go out and new moms definitely get a pass.
On the other hand, I wish there were a way to make her more comfortable going out because I think she could use a break and I know that the bride feels bad about her being left out. I'm the weirdo who would have no problem pumping in a bar bathroom or my car but to each their own!
I know you weren't suggesting that leaving the baby is the right choice for everyone. I'm just thinking out loud.