Hellobee Boards

Hey mamas! Long time, no talk. I've been keeping up with you all during my middle of the night wakings and am happy to hear that everyone doing well!!

Things with us have been great overall with the exception of A's sleep. I think its a combo of the 4 month sleep regression and a bunch of other changes (work has been nuts and I haven't been able to spend as much time with A, our nanny is now FT, we transitioned him to the crib and he may be teething). Anyhow, I think things are getting better. He had a 4 hr stretch last night and only woke up 4 times a vast improvement.

I too have been feeling mommy guilt. DH and I had a date last night (the first since A was born) and we were both sad to leave. I've also had moments where I have wondered whether A will love his nanny more than me, fortunately the other day he had the best laughing session as I threatened to kiss A. It was the best and totally melted my heart. It was also great because DH was home to video it (one benefit of the absurd amount of snow we've been getting).

Also wanted to mention that I pump at night. A usually nurses a little around 2 am and that's one of the few times I can pump to build. my stash

Has anyone flown with their LO yet? We will fly cross country in a couple of weeks for my work. I am very nervous for the 6 hour flight!

@Sadieloo: Arthur and I flew over Christmas to Indiana. It's a 3 1/2 flight, a layover, and an hour flight. Overall, he did amazing! Sleep through most of the trip. I flew without my DH and was super scared. Thankfully I prepared myself. I took him in the baby carrier, which I didn't have to take off at security (score!). We formula feed. Instead of taking loose formula, I bought some of the similac travel tubes (each make a 4 ounce bottle). That way I just bought some bottled water at the airport to fill the bottles. I took a few toys for him to place with and a thinner blanket. He's getting more interested in books, so I put a few kids books with colorful pictures on my iPad. It wasn't as stressful as I thought it was going to be. And if all else fails, the flight attendants usually let parents with fussy kids walk the aisle. Good luck!

I just did a double take - there is an October 2014 group now! Time flies.

We've had some horrendous sleep lately but I think it's because I was away at bedtime two nights in a row. I am so exhausted.

@Sadieloo: We are flying soon & I am hoping all the people & white noise will keep her content. But yes, I am not opposed to nursing for the whole flight if need be.

@daniellemybelle: omg October 2014. I die.

I found out I was pregnant on 2/4. That day is sneaking up! What about all of you!? Did you know you were pregnant a year ago?

@daniellemybelle: @kjpugs: @Chillybear: October 2014. I'm not ready!

I found out I was pregnant a year ago tonight! I didn't believe it until the next day though when I took a FRER.

As for solids, I'm excited to try them, but I'll talk to our ped at her 4 month check-up. I know it's going to throw my parents for a loop when I am still (hopefully) breastfeeding past six months. I'm not ready for solids poop though. BF poop is easy; just throw the diaper in the wash. With solids I'll have to do a liner.

@kjpugs: Thank you! I dont think I've felt this sleep deprived since the first month. I guess i got too used to her sleeping 5-6 hours at a stretch and if i was lucky 7-8

@avivoca: Hard to believe right! Have you looked into liners at all? I bought a roll of bummis during my last amazon order but i've heard mixed reviews

@kjpugs: Free for kids under three? SOLD. I'm coming to Florida in April, so I may have to talk my husband into a day or two of Disney.

@avivoca: @Chillybear: we are not starting solids or cereals until 6 mths. Our ped told us there is new research that suggests less food allergies and probs if you wait until then. I asked at my 2 mth because she was going through a bad growth spurt and my parents were pushing us to start cereal. We got past it and now they've gotten off my back. My mil is pushing me to start formula supplementing again, but LO doesn't need it.

We went to a lactation club meeting and it was awesome!!!!! LO was great---she weighs 14 lbs and 1.8 oz at 3.75 months. It was nice to have that support and talk to people that get your bf probs and worries.

So I saw this little survey on the September '13 postpartum thread, and I thought it would be a good one to start here as well, since our babies are nearly 1/3 of a year old!

Weight: 14 pounds even at the doctor last week

Height: ??? The nurse said she was 23" still, but I'm measuring her taller than that.

Sleep: H sleeps consistently in her crib at night, but naps are iffy.

Eating: We are still EBF, which I am extremely thankful for. She loves the boob but will take a bottle from anyone, even me, which is amazing.

Likes: baths, swinging, her bug toys, butterflies, and trying to roll over.

Dislikes: tummy time, having her boogies sucked, co-sleeping
Latest milestone: This morning she grabbed her feet when I was changing her! She has also started laughing.

Biggest challenge: We're trying to roll over now, and she is not a fan.

Most fun thing about your LO: The talking! She's so vocal now, I love it.

Describe your LO's Personality if it's starting to show?: Fun and flirtatious. She needs to rein in the last one. She's not allowed to date until she's 35 (kidding...I think).

Mamas:
Back at work? Still on Mat leave? I'm back at work now, and while I miss H during the day, it's so nice to have the adult interaction.

Any post-partum issues? The hair loss. OMG, it looks like I killed a small animal in the shower every day.

How are YOU doing? I'm okay for the most part. I'm working through some postpartum body issues. I'm not able to lose weight right now, which is unsettling, but I'd rather BF than wean right now for vanity.

Current LO picture:

Great idea on the "survey!"

Weight: A week or so ago we weighed her ourself (the scientific weigh us then subtract just me) and she was about 12 lbs. Our next appt is at 4 months, 2/15. She was just about 11 lbs at her 2 month appt.

Height: ??? She was 23 1/2 at 2 months, who knows what she'll be at 4!

Sleep: She's doing decently well. Sleeps from about 8 til 9, give or take a 1/2 hour on both sides, with usually 2 wake ups, sometimes 1 if I'm lucky. Since she started teething, a lot of wake ups (especially after the last night wake up) to fuss and get her paci back in. Usually around 3 naps a day but no set time for them yet.

Eating: It looks like she's FINALLY moving up to 4 oz every 3-ish hours now. She always takes 4 at nighttime before bed now too. 100% formula now. Not pumping has completely saved my sanity.

Likes: blowing raspberries, Sophie the Giraffe, sitting up like a big girl, the spinny thing on her jumper, being held, people watching.

Dislikes: Being hungry, TUMMY TIME, being in her swing when she doesn't want to be, losing her paci, TEETHING.

Latest milestone: Not sure if this counts, but she started imitating us when we blow raspberries at her. IT IS THE CUTEST! She can also roll herself back to belly sometimes, and back to side a lot, and loves it.

Biggest challenge: Getting her to do tummy time, and teething. Teething sucks so damn much.

Most fun thing about your LO: The talking!! Playing airplane, she LOVES that. Seeing her laugh. Watching her light up when she recognizes us. Her happiness is like crack.

Describe your LO's Personality if it's starting to show?: A lot like us, actually. She makes hilarious faces which we both do. She has something we call "Effie mad face" and then she sometimes furrows her brow in the cutest way when something upsets/confuses her (like when she accidentally squeaked Sophie the Giraffe with her leg) and I can just see that she'll do taht forever. We can tell that she is going to be SASSY.

Mamas:

Back at work? Still on Mat leave? I went back at 6 weeks (November!) but I work from home so I can get my fix anytime.

Any post-partum issues? Major PP anxiety that I'm still working on. Still feel really achy and like my joints are messed up but I think that's also lack of sleep And then of course, THE HAIR LOSS. I have to clean the shower drain daily. I have not a lot to begin with, and my hair wasn't great during pregnancy, so I was hoping I would skip this. BOO!

How are YOU doing? Trying to lose the weight (about 25 to get to PP weight) and get healthy, both physically and mentally. Working on things with DH, since it's a LOT harder to balance having separate schedules with a kid. Overall, this is the most stressed and most happy I've ever been!

Pic of Effie from Friday!

@kjpugs: The pants have a tail! I never put her in them because they are so ridiculously wide-legged, but it's pretty much the cutest thing ever. Holy crap, E is TALL! I can't handle the picture. She looks like such a big girl! I hope that tooth pops through soon for you.

@kjpugs: B'Gosh baby is the brand! It's not a puffy tail, just an embroidered tail. I wish we did monthly appointments too. I've been stressing since she's only gained a pound in a month and a half. I'm afraid they are going to yell at me. They won't really yell, but I'd hate for her to fall off her curve.

@kjpugs: She looks right on target! H loves to stand too. She's getting an Exersaucer for Valentine's Day. Though, she may get it early if she doesn't settle down. My arms are getting quite the workout.

@kjpugs: H is the youngest in our circle of friends right now, but I don't get to see my mom friends that often.

Jumping on the survey bandwagon!

Weight: 16 lbs 5 oz (used our bathroom scale, so maybe not completely accurate)
Height: 26"
Sleep: Slept 9 hours straight last night! But usually it's a 5-6 hour stretch at night followed by another two 3 hour stretches. All naps and night time sleep is in his crib.
Eating: We've now been formula feeding for three months. He takes 4 ounces every 4 hours with a a cluster feeding of 7-8 ounces right before bed.
Likes: Taggie monster toy, jumper, walking, wire ball, Sophie the giraffe, baths, cuddles, mommy, other babies
Dislikes: Tummy time, being hungry, playing alone
Latest milestone: He started laughing this week. So adorable!
Biggest challenge: Rolling from tummy to back. He's got the other way down pat.
Most fun thing about your LO: How inquisitive he is! He stares intently at things, people, and activities and then tries to imitate.
Describe your LO's Personality if it's starting to show?: He can be very serious and intensive. And then he starts smiling, smirking, and laughing. His expressions are very much his father. I'm a little scared at what's to come...
Mamas:
Back at work? Still on Mat leave? I'm now a SAHM. The plan is to stay home for at least 6 months, then re-evaluate. I may get a job and maybe not.
Any post-partum issues? Hair loss, some residual tightness around my c-section incision, still carrying the extra weight.
How are YOU doing? Decent, but I am still attempting to get the DH to help out more. Now that I've joined a few mom's group, I'm feeling more social and connected.
Current LO picture:

We made our first batches of baby food last night. I had some carrots, sweet potatoes and bananas that needed to be used up so I steamed the carrots and sweet potatoes, pureed them and froze them. The bananas we cut up and froze hoping to use them in the mesh feeders i picked up

Another night of not great sleep. last night we tried building a nest under the crib sheet with 2 beach towels she slept from about 10-1:45 in the crib 2:15-3:15 in th RNP..... after that all hell broke loose and by 4:15 she ended up in our bed. Part of the problem is that our house is noisy and when its windy our old windows tend to rattle.

Something else to talk to the Dr about on thursday, but i think we're going to need to try some kind of sleep training it takes me about an hour to nurse and get her into a deep enough sleep for me to move her into the crib or RnP. We havent had much luck with the putting down drowsy. She fights sleep and has never been a baby that just dozes off. she doesnt do her thumb and usually spits out the pacifer as she falls asleep then gives me tight lips when i try to put it back.

@avivoca: Are you using saline? We've battled our way through 3-4 colds so far. I found that using Ocean's Spray Saline drops really helped to loosen the snot so it could be sucked out. I also swear by the nose frida it really clears out the whole nasal passage. gross... but very effective

@avivoca: have you tried the Nose Freida yet??? I swear, so much easier than the bulb! (Sorry if you have... it just was a life saver for us!)

How many ounces are your LOs taking at one time and how frequently do they eat during the day?

I see other mothers saying their LOs take 6 oz bottles by this age but DD is still having 4 oz. The past few days I've been offering 6 oz in bottles and it's hit or miss if she'll drink the whole 6 oz. She eats approximately every 3 hours during the day. DD is getting one bottle a day of BM from my freezer stash but mostly on formula now because my supply took a huge hit and I'm not sure I can bounce back. First it was the holiday stress with MIL, then AF returned, then back to work, then we pulled DD from daycare so now we are hunting for a nanny and I'm trying to WAH and care for her while DH is working crazy hours at his new job, and then I got a cold. When it rains it pours, right?

@avivoca: I wish you lived here, I would let you use ours (post sterilization!) Although if you lived here I bet LO wouldn't be sick! High of 80 today