@msmonalisavito I'll be bad as well, and say that some days when L is throwing his umpteenth tantrum over something I think 'I love you, but you are being a major pain in my ass right now kid.'
@Secretstapler So far (FX it stays that way) I haven't had symptoms beyond the exhaustion with any of my take home kids. Also, I found giving L a choice in somethings made it better. Such as 'This shirt and pants or that shirt and pants?' or 'If you get in your seat nicely, you can pick dinner/snack/play place.' or 'Can you be a big help and show baby Emma how to sit nicely in your seat?' If I can't come up with a choice, its a physical force. I don't like it, but for things like the 2 hour trip to my parents he can pick the movie on the ipad. He gets to watch and we listen to through the stereo. There are some fights that just aren't worth it.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise? Totally team green all the way!
How old are your other kids? DD is 2.5. another June 2015 baby.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- Rant: DD has been such a bad listener lately. It's really driving me crazy too have to ask her to not chase the dog with her toy stroller. Raves: DH had been amazingly supportive and helpful.
.GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions? My sister and I have started a tradition of getting our girls together to bake and decorate cookies every year.
When there is no choice to give my toddler (eg, you have to get in your carseat now), I give him the choice of doing it himself, or me doing it for him. That seems to motivate him to do it himself usually. Or, he will say, Mommy does it if he's feeling tired or frustrated. I also am sure to reiterate back to him what he's feeling. Sometimes it's me saying "you feel tired" or "you feel mad" and he looks at me through tear filled eyes says "Mad!" and then keeps tantruming. Then, i have to let him tantrum it out and say to him that I'll be right here when he calms down and we can talk.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise? Finding Out for sure. 2 boys now, a girl would be nice. But will be happy either way.
How old are your other kids? 4 and 19 months.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- My 19 month old fell out the crib today. He wouldn't stop crying and
he was breathing weird at first. But he ate his breakfast and 20 minutes
later he was running around and laughing. It definitely scared me and
don't know if it was a fluke thing or if we need to transition him to a
toddler bed. GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions? @princecesslockness We do the Christmas Eve box with the boys as well. We also do Chinese dinner on Christmas Eve and a Christmas breakfast.
Also forgot to add that we don't go out on Christmas Day. Two years after we had DD1, I put my foot down and said no more. I couldn't stand having to shuffle from house to house and not create our own memories at home.
People are welcome to come to us but we celebrate and make memories at home. I guess I can count this as a Christmas tradition?
@msmonalisavito I love that. We are doing that now, sort of. This year I refuse to go anywhere on Christmas Eve, but DH's immediate family is coming to us. On Christmas Day, we are only going to my grandparent's, which we have done every year since I was a kid. I can't stand the shuffling around. Doesn't help that DH has 21 cousins from ONE of his mom's 5 sisters, who has 4 kids. It's a total cluster.
And, for some reason, every year a grown a-- adult decides even if they have the flu or a stomach bug, they "just can't miss Christmas" and infect the entire group. So, yes, we are canceling the hoopla. Lol.
2 things: Thing 1: I'm sorry that others have to do the Christmas Shuffle. It sucks, and I'm so glad that my house is small so no one comes to us. Thing 2: WHAT?!?!?!?!? Explain please!!Firemanswife11 said:
Doesn't help that DH has 21 cousins from ONE of his mom's 5 sisters, who has 4 kids. It's a total cluster.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
@princesslockness so, DH's mom ... has 5 sisters (a couple are step or half, IDK, too much for my brain because his family is the Hot Mess Express and if I don't know after 10 years, I don't care to know). ONE of the sisters has 4 kids (so there's 4 cousins) and THEY all have multiple kids, so there's 21 in all. First and second cousins (a couple are step-kids from other marriages).
Anyone have a toddler who is a picky eater? He's driving me crazy. He'd live on cheese, blueberries, bananas and yogurt. He used to eat so much more of a variety!
Anyone have a toddler who is a picky eater? He's driving me crazy. He'd live on cheese, blueberries, bananas and yogurt. He used to eat so much more of a variety!
At least those foods are healthy! Dante lives on eggs, Avocado, and crackers. He will eat other things, but those are the only guarantee.
Anyone have a toddler who is a picky eater? He's driving me crazy. He'd live on cheese, blueberries, bananas and yogurt. He used to eat so much more of a variety!
At least those foods are healthy! Dante lives on eggs, Avocado, and crackers. He will eat other things, but those are the only guarantee.
Toddlers are weird AF. But I'm digging Dante's choices... avocado toast with a fried egg yummmmm. When I ask DS what Santa is bringing him he says "cheese"
@ecwk my son won’t eat any meat or fish unless it comes from the frozen section. Now he has this new thing with needing the skin off of things. I drew the line when he wanted me to peel his blueberries.
Anyone have a toddler who is a picky eater? He's driving me crazy. He'd live on cheese, blueberries, bananas and yogurt. He used to eat so much more of a variety!
At least those foods are healthy! Dante lives on eggs, Avocado, and crackers. He will eat other things, but those are the only guarantee.
Toddlers are weird AF. But I'm digging Dante's choices... avocado toast with a fried egg yummmmm. When I ask DS what Santa is bringing him he says "cheese"
Yeah, he likes cheese, too, but I don’t give him much since he’s constantly constipated
@ecwk my son won’t eat any meat or fish unless it comes from the frozen section. Now he has this new thing with needing the skin off of things. I drew the line when he wanted me to peel his blueberries.
@Firemanswife11 Ahhh. That makes more sense. I thought you meant that your H's Aunt had 21 kids, and only 4 of them were boys. I guess I assumed that you meant first cousins.
L eats Eggs for breakfast, cheese for morning snack, grilled cheese or tuna melt for lunch, and will branch a bit for dinner. His doc just says get as much as you can into him, so thats what I try to do.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
@ecwk my son when through a phase where he would only eat a few things after being way more adventurous, and then he went back to being less picky. Toddlers ARE weird AF. also @mrs_drc_rn I definitely laughed out loud at the blueberry peeling. I have not been asked to do that, but my son asked me to "pick the peppers" out of his meatballs once (not bell peppers, it was asian meatballs with sambal olek mixed in so you could see the tiny pieces of pepper from the sauce) I actually did it once and DH made fun of me so last time I refused and he actually ate them, lol.
I think our problem is we tried all of these tricks, and they all worked for a while. We went through a magical couple of weeks where I could just start to say "Mommy is going to count to 10 and then she'll help you." and he would promptly and cheerfully obey. But he always loses interest, and now he thinks all of the choices are a game. Now he has great fun with the whole process, changing his mind constantly, until it finally has to end. I've finally realized that I just need to draw the line sooner. If he won't choose, or won't help, then no more chances.
Luckily, DS is a pretty good eater. He does prefer the brown multigrain cheerios, so I sometimes have to make bites of just brown ones.
@ecwk my toddler asks santa for cookies, so at least cheese is healthier than that!
He only eats carbs. It is totally infuriating. Pasta, cherrios, pancakes, pbj, and bananas. Chicken nuggets too. He used to eat yogurt like crazy but is kind of over that now. Last night he ate a few bites of corn and I was way too happy about it. I did make a funny game about eating corn so I guess that helped!
@ecwk my son won’t eat any meat or fish unless it comes from the frozen section. Now he has this new thing with needing the skin off of things. I drew the line when he wanted me to peel his blueberries.
True story: In our infant CPR class, the instructor was talking about choking hazards and said that hot dogs and grapes are the biggest choking hazzards for toddlers. He was talking about cutting them up into tiny bites to avoid this. A woman asked if she could peel the grapes instead of cutting them. The instructor just stared at her for awhile trying to figure out if she was serious. She was.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise? Hubs wants another boy, I am team Girl!
How old are your other kids? Son, 4 years.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- When is everyone telling their kids they will be having a sibling? My son has been asking for a baby brother for months and I would love to tell him on Christmas morning, however I will only be around 6 weeks. I don’t think he will be able to keep it a secret, but I thought about telling him as a big brother, it’s important to keep it a secret for a while. I don’t know. My husband is really wanting to do it on Christmas, but I think we should wait.
GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions? Just a Christmas Eve box with jammies and a Christmas movie or book.
@mdc2013 I’m waiting till at least we have the harmony (or whatever) results in. Being pgal especially, but with kids old enough to understand (and at 4 they do), I was so thankful that they didn’t experience our losses as well. With a recent family death, they don’t need more of that at their ages.
@pghctwife I understand. That is something to think about. A friend recently suffered an early loss and that has had my anxiety high. I think waiting is best as well, the hubs is just excited i think.
We don’t have a ton of traditions with the kids yet. Just all about celebrating with extended family.
@mdc2013 I’m not sure when we’re going to tell our DD. She’s been begging for a sister. She wants to rock her to sleep at night. She does not understand that we don’t get to choose the sex. She’s going to be so excited though. It’s still early, but I don’t mind if everyone knows (except my work) so we might tell her on Christmas Eve
How far along are you? uh....looks for an app to calculate that....4.5w or so?
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise? Team we will find out at 10w
How old are your other kids? Our son is a little over 1. I refuse to count by weeks or months anymore after 1.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- About to take a 4 hour flight later this week with a lap child that doesn't really enjoy sitting still....that ought to be fun.
GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions? I'm from Arizona, so I just look forward to showing him snow for the first time!
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- About to take a 4 hour flight later this week with a lap child that doesn't really enjoy sitting still....that ought to be fun.
When there is no choice to give my toddler (eg, you have to get in your carseat now), I give him the choice of doing it himself, or me doing it for him. That seems to motivate him to do it himself usually. Or, he will say, Mommy does it if he's feeling tired or frustrated. I also am sure to reiterate back to him what he's feeling. Sometimes it's me saying "you feel tired" or "you feel mad" and he looks at me through tear filled eyes says "Mad!" and then keeps tantruming. Then, i have to let him tantrum it out and say to him that I'll be right here when he calms down and we can talk.
This is exactly how I handle my preschooler^
@mdc2013 we're waiting until after our genetic testing to tell anyone, including our son, except for dh's parents. They're my rock and I'd need them if anything were to happen.
* I am somewhere around 4 weeks. I never got a positive ppl, and didn't get my bfp until cd41. I can tell you the bd was December 1st lol
* we will find out the sex after our blood work for genetic testing around 9-10 weeks
*ds is 3
*I'm still just baffled that I'm here.
*I've enjoyed all of the magic through his eyes this yr. Visiting Santa, putting out food for the reindeer, putting out tea and cookies for Santa. (He decided Santa might like tea more than milk)
Oh man it was so much easier to be pregnant with number 1! It's not that bad right now or anything but we definitely don't have the same luxuries as first time around! No napping for two hours after work or sleeping in until the last possible moment. I guess I'm kind of worried about how nursing will go with #2. With DS I would just sit holding him for hours while he slept then nursed then slept then nursed and obviously I can't just do that when I also have to take care of a toddler. Is anyone going to have older children in daycare for a while when new baby gets here?
@ecwk if you are still paying for daycare, I say put him in daycare even when you are on leave. Get that time with your newborn and keep DS’s routine the same. I don’t use daycare, but DS is going to start preschool right after the baby is born, so at least I’ll have some one on one time with the new baby. I figure it will be hard, but people have been doing this since the dawn of time, so we’ll figure it out somehow!
@ecwk DS will definitely be in daycare during my leave! DH will be home for a couple of weeks at the beginning, but it will take longer than that to navigate life with an infant and a 2.5 year old.
Me: 28, DH: 40 Married 9/28/13 DS born 11/12/15 EDD 8/13/18
@ecwk if you are still paying for daycare, I say put him in daycare even when you are on leave. Get that time with your newborn and keep DS’s routine the same. I don’t use daycare, but DS is going to start preschool right after the baby is born, so at least I’ll have some one on one time with the new baby. I figure it will be hard, but people have been doing this since the dawn of time, so we’ll figure it out somehow!
Yeah we'll find our new rhythm for sure! I'm not sure what I'll do about daycare, I think I could take a few months off but I really want some alone time with baby so maybe I could put him in part time. I'll talk to my daycare lady when I'm a little further along and see what would work. But preschool...I hadn't even thought about anything like that, I assumed our kids would be too young!
@ecwk when I was pregnant with #2 I still had to pay for daycare, so there is a strong chance that if things had worked out differently, he would have been there almost every day even though it was a drive for me (it was by my work, not my house). This time, DS is gonna be in preschool a few days a week, so I'll have time alone, but otherwise its jumping in feet first with both! DH will work from home a bunch/take some time off so that will be a help.
@ecwk around here there are a lot of Day School/Mother’s Day our programs. The one I’m looking at is just two days a week from 9-2. My niece and nephew have both gone to similar programs and they love it. They learn a lot, too. The one I’m looking at is only $250 for the whole year! That’s cheaper than his swim lessons for one semester
When I had my son, we still kept my daughter’s schedule. Daycare 2 days a week and my MIL’s 2 days a week. My DH is in school now, so its really semester by semester what we do. DD is in preschool but DS is just Home with my husband most days
@ecwk yes that first pregnancy and newborn phase is divine, although hard to appreciate at the time. I was just over at my friend's who is 7 months pregnant and I realized being pregnant prepares the older siblings a lot. Her toddler wanted to be picked up, and she physically couldn't. The toddler was actually fine and just continued on her way.
None of mine are in daycare and I homeschool my oldest. They play well together by themselves. I read to them while nursing or nurse the baby in the carrier if we are doing something.
TTGP December Siggy Challenge: Favourite Holiday Movie Moment
You guys are so sweet worrying about quality time with the new babies. Here I am freaking out over how to juggle two kids. DD will be going to daycare still, but we'll cut it back to two or three days a week to save money. I like the idea of mother's day out. I need to check that out.
I have never been so glad that we have an in-home DC. She watches her 2yo grandson, and my 2. It will be wonderful to know LO3 will be going to Nana’s house once I go back to work. She takes such good care of the kids and is willing to work with us on 1/2 days or weekends.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
@ecwk around here there are a lot of Day School/Mother’s Day our programs. The one I’m looking at is just two days a week from 9-2. My niece and nephew have both gone to similar programs and they love it. They learn a lot, too. The one I’m looking at is only $250 for the whole year! That’s cheaper than his swim lessons for one semester
DS is in Mother’s Day out right now Tues/thurs from 9-2. Next year will be preschool and I’m he still goes Tues/thurs 9-2, but will also go Wednesday from 9-12. They run on a school schedule though and are out for summer break, which lasts until mid to late August. I think I’m due at the beginning of August so he’ll be home those first few weeks. I’m worried about quality time with both of them & how nursing is going to go as well .
Re: STM+ Dec 13
@Secretstapler So far (FX it stays that way) I haven't had symptoms beyond the exhaustion with any of my take home kids. Also, I found giving L a choice in somethings made it better. Such as 'This shirt and pants or that shirt and pants?' or 'If you get in your seat nicely, you can pick dinner/snack/play place.' or 'Can you be a big help and show baby Emma how to sit nicely in your seat?' If I can't come up with a choice, its a physical force. I don't like it, but for things like the 2 hour trip to my parents he can pick the movie on the ipad. He gets to watch and we listen to through the stereo. There are some fights that just aren't worth it.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
5 weeks
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise?
Totally team green all the way!
How old are your other kids?
DD is 2.5. another June 2015 baby.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
Rant:
DD has been such a bad listener lately. It's really driving me crazy too have to ask her to not chase the dog with her toy stroller.
Raves:
DH had been amazingly supportive and helpful.
.GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions?
My sister and I have started a tradition of getting our girls together to bake and decorate cookies every year.
https://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/07/what-to-do-when-toddlers-say-no/
When there is no choice to give my toddler (eg, you have to get in your carseat now), I give him the choice of doing it himself, or me doing it for him. That seems to motivate him to do it himself usually. Or, he will say, Mommy does it if he's feeling tired or frustrated. I also am sure to reiterate back to him what he's feeling. Sometimes it's me saying "you feel tired" or "you feel mad" and he looks at me through tear filled eyes says "Mad!" and then keeps tantruming. Then, i have to let him tantrum it out and say to him that I'll be right here when he calms down and we can talk.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise? Finding Out for sure. 2 boys now, a girl would be nice. But will be happy either way.
How old are your other kids? 4 and 19 months.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
My 19 month old fell out the crib today. He wouldn't stop crying and he was breathing weird at first. But he ate his breakfast and 20 minutes later he was running around and laughing. It definitely scared me and don't know if it was a fluke thing or if we need to transition him to a toddler bed.
GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions? @princecesslockness We do the Christmas Eve box with the boys as well. We also do Chinese dinner on Christmas Eve and a Christmas breakfast.
People are welcome to come to us but we celebrate and make memories at home. I guess I can count this as a Christmas tradition?
And, for some reason, every year a grown a-- adult decides even if they have the flu or a stomach bug, they "just can't miss Christmas" and infect the entire group. So, yes, we are canceling the hoopla. Lol.
Thing 1: I'm sorry that others have to do the Christmas Shuffle. It sucks, and I'm so glad that my house is small so no one comes to us.
Thing 2: WHAT?!?!?!?!? Explain please!!Firemanswife11 said:
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
L eats Eggs for breakfast, cheese for morning snack, grilled cheese or tuna melt for lunch, and will branch a bit for dinner. His doc just says get as much as you can into him, so thats what I try to do.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Luckily, DS is a pretty good eater. He does prefer the brown multigrain cheerios, so I sometimes have to make bites of just brown ones.
He only eats carbs. It is totally infuriating. Pasta, cherrios, pancakes, pbj, and bananas. Chicken nuggets too. He used to eat yogurt like crazy but is kind of over that now. Last night he ate a few bites of corn and I was way too happy about it. I did make a funny game about eating corn so I guess that helped!
True story: In our infant CPR class, the instructor was talking about choking hazards and said that hot dogs and grapes are the biggest choking hazzards for toddlers. He was talking about cutting them up into tiny bites to avoid this. A woman asked if she could peel the grapes instead of cutting them. The instructor just stared at her for awhile trying to figure out if she was serious. She was.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise? will find out. I hate surprises
How old are your other kids? 15 months
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- I have nothing right now.
GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions? just new pajamas on Christmas Eve for now. Maybe next year we will do more.
About 4 weeks 6 days.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise?
Hubs wants another boy, I am team Girl!
How old are your other kids?
Son, 4 years.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
When is everyone telling their kids they will be having a sibling? My son has been asking for a baby brother for months and I would love to tell him on Christmas morning, however I will only be around 6 weeks. I don’t think he will be able to keep it a secret, but I thought about telling him as a big brother, it’s important to keep it a secret for a while. I don’t know. My husband is really wanting to do it on Christmas, but I think we should wait.
GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions?
Just a Christmas Eve box with jammies and a Christmas movie or book.
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w
Team Green!
My DD is 3, and my DS is 2
My 2yo seems to finally be STTN!
We don’t have a ton of traditions with the kids yet. Just all about celebrating with extended family.
@mdc2013 I’m not sure when we’re going to tell our DD. She’s been begging for a sister. She wants to rock her to sleep at night. She does not understand that we don’t get to choose the sex. She’s going to be so excited though. It’s still early, but I don’t mind if everyone knows (except my work) so we might tell her on Christmas Eve
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Surprise? Team we will find out at 10w
How old are your other kids? Our son is a little over 1. I refuse to count by weeks or months anymore after 1.
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- About to take a 4 hour flight later this week with a lap child that doesn't really enjoy sitting still....that ought to be fun.
GTKY: Fun Christmas Traditions? I'm from Arizona, so I just look forward to showing him snow for the first time!
@mdc2013 we're waiting until after our genetic testing to tell anyone, including our son, except for dh's parents. They're my rock and I'd need them if anything were to happen.
* I am somewhere around 4 weeks. I never got a positive ppl, and didn't get my bfp until cd41. I can tell you the bd was December 1st lol
* we will find out the sex after our blood work for genetic testing around 9-10 weeks
*ds is 3
*I'm still just baffled that I'm here.
*I've enjoyed all of the magic through his eyes this yr. Visiting Santa, putting out food for the reindeer, putting out tea and cookies for Santa. (He decided Santa might like tea more than milk)
Married 9/28/13
DS born 11/12/15
EDD 8/13/18
ETA he has to be 3
None of mine are in daycare and I homeschool my oldest. They play well together by themselves. I read to them while nursing or nurse the baby in the carrier if we are doing something.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.