British Bun in the Oven

[Jewel-8 21]

Yay for first birthday parties. Those are the best ever. You'll need to take about 100 pictures of your kiddos devouring delicious cake.

We only have a few more weeks left. This baby is still breech and I'm trying everything I can to get it to turn. Hanging upside down off the bed and anywhere else I can is NOT fun - especially with heartburn. One way or another the pregnancy is going to be over soon. Not sure I'm ready yet.

Though if I think of it in terms of when I can enjoy a nice cold beer it isn't soon enough.

Congrats on bdays! Glad Mad-Ag is no longer having tummy troubles and she looks like she is getting HUGE. So cute!!

[TracyTN 237]

Gawd the heartburn! I remember that well! I wouldn't be able to hang upside down for long either!!! Jeez. What is your exact due date again, Jewel?

Let me tell you - I think one of the first things I said to my sister after having Emily is 'it feels so weird but GOOD to not be pregnant!' It's even on one of the videos we took! LOL!!! I would call it one of the few nice things about the first few days post partum.

[TracyTN 237]

Emily will be one on Sunday. No, I'm not ready. LOL.

That is all.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Aw! Happy almost first birthday to Em! Make sure you take lots of pictures and post your faves for us.

Mad-Ag just turned 8 months. Unfortunately, she's had a few vom episodes recently that I think are due to teething saliva making her gag (if it's not somethin', it's somethin' else!). She's been miserable and drooly since the weekend. I'm not sure which teeth are causing the trouble...the top four are well on the way in, as are three on the bottom, and a bottom fourth is about to peek through. Could it be her one-year molars already? I can't see or feel anything, but she's been worse than ever (not eating much), and I can't imagine it's just the fourth bottom incisor. Aside from that, she's well, though. Lots of crawling and standing. Sorry to go on about Mad-Ag...this vomiting thing has been extremely trying. I wish I'd known that the first year would be so miserable for her, and us.

[TracyTN 237]

Gosh, I don't know. When do you see the doc again - 9 months? I'd be inclined to ask that about which teeth could be causing it and what the heck you're supposed to do.

They say the first year is the hardest - man I hope that's true! LOL I mean don't get me wrong, Emily is SUCH a good baby. No sleeping or food issues, only been sick maybe twice (and even at that didn't seem to feel very bad) - but I am just not good at guessing what she wants or needs. I go through the 'list' (food, wet, tired, bored) but even that doesn't suffice some days. Makes me feel like it's me or something.

Chas seems to SO have it all figured out but honestly by the end of the weekend sometimes, I am ready to come back to work where I don't feel like a failure every few hours. Chas says I'm being hard on myself, and not to take it so personally but I guess that just isn't my personality. So no baby #2 for me. I'm not sure I could handle it again - with a toddler to boot.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Yeah, she has a check-up at 9 months. It's the lack of ability to predict when she'll be sick that's the hardest part. She seems fine most of the time and has a good appetite. I think she just has a very sensitive gag reflex, which is why she was sick during colds. She nearly went three weeks without throwing up. We were going to celebrate by getting the carpets cleaned but I'm glad we waited! I hope she grows out of it soon. If it's the saliva from the teething, I don't think there's much we can do but wait it out.

I think Jon often has a better sense of what to do, which is sad considering I'm with her more. I could usually distinguish her hungry cry from other cries because it sounds kinda desperate, but the recent teething episode has had her so uncomfortable that I can't figure out if it's the teeth or if she's hungry! That seems like basic momma stuff, and I'm thinking "Duh...could be this, could be that." I know what you mean!

I'm starting to come around to Jon's thinking re: one kid. I honestly don't think I could go through all this again, not to mention another pregnancy. Madeleine is hardly the most challenging baby, except perhaps for the feeding issues, and the early teething will pay off later, but oy...I'm finding myself counting the days until she can eat food (as opposed to bottle feeding) and hold it down. I really can't enjoy this period, which makes me sad. Because of her feeding issues, we generally give her many small feedings, so she's basically eating every 2 hours, solids or formula. It's hard to take her places because of how often she needs to eat. Also, I'm afraid that she'll vomit all over someone or while we're out in public (this actually happened on Mother's Day when were at a restaurant--which seemed appropriate.) It's almost like she's a newborn again. Then again, I had a perspective-changing chat w/ my mother a couple of weeks ago about my cousin's baby, who is a month older than Madeleine. She has major, terrible, painful reflux that hasn't responded well to medication. She's not on any solid food yet and can only eat 3 oz of formula at a time. Needless to say, she isn't close to sleeping through the night. So, at least we don't have that! But it's really tough. If it weren't for this vomiting stuff, I'd say Mad-Ag is a pretty easy baby! But the feeding issues make everything difficult and cause a lot of worry.

[TracyTN 237]

I wish Chas were of the mindset that Jon is, although he has told me repeatedly that he won't be crushed if we don't have a second child. He would LIKE one but he's happy with just Emily. (Can you tell I still haven't initiated the 'talk'??)

I think it's all relative. Sure, your cousin's baby has something way worse than Mad-Ag has, but her issues have been tough on all of you in their own way. And the thought of potty training her and all the new adventures that come with being a toddler on top of being pregnant/having a newborn again - only you can decide whether or not you're ready for that. I know I'm not, but I'm old as dirt.

There's nothing 'wrong' about having one child although I've run across people who seem to think so. Or maybe that's a southern thing - dunno.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I wish Chas were of the mindset that Jon is, although he has told me repeatedly that he won't be crushed if we don't have a second child. He would LIKE one but he's happy with just Emily. (Can you tell I still haven't initiated the 'talk'??)

I think it's all relative. Sure, your cousin's baby has something way worse than Mad-Ag has, but her issues have been tough on all of you in their own way. And the thought of potty training her and all the new adventures that come with being a toddler on top of being pregnant/having a newborn again - only you can decide whether or not you're ready for that. I know I'm not, but I'm old as dirt.

There's nothing 'wrong' about having one child although I've run across people who seem to think so. Or maybe that's a southern thing - dunno.

I'm guessing that Chas probably suspects that you don't want another. Or do you think he's hopeful that one day you'll say, "Why not?" Or are you avoiding the talk because you're not 100% convinced that this is it?

I always imagined that I'd have more than one kid, but I'll be honest: it's been harder than I imagined. A lot of this is due to her ongoing tummy problems, which affect just about everything, but even aside from that, it's just so consuming. I guess a lot of it is my personality. I just figured I'd be something like my mother, who had a laid-back parenting style and enjoyed staying at home with three kids (she had three kids in four years). It sounds like we were pretty easy babies, but still...a newborn, a toddler, and a four-year-old? I can't even imagine. I'd go out of my mind. We couldn't love Mad-Ag more, but I almost feel guilty for not enjoying her babyhood more. And I'm learning that I'm nothing like my mother in this respect. For one thing, I'm basically lazy, and it's hard to be lazy w/ a baby!

Anyhoo, sorry to make this all about me. It's been a tough few weeks, can you tell?

[Fandango 1,439]

Happy belated to Emily!!! How was her bday? What did you do, and where are the pictures????

Empress and Tracy - it sounds like you both are being v hard on yourselves. I think all three of us have been doing a great job! Let's face it, when you have a kid in your mid 30s, it's a bit harder than if you pop them out when you're 21. We have already established lives and routines that have been turned on their heads now. I know it's not easy for me, and I have a job where I can make it up as I go along.

I always have looked forward to Nick growing up, getting off the bottle, etc...and now that it's happening, I'm realizing the bottle feedings were easier, LOL. He's a good eater, and there's no problems that way, but it's more time consuming.

We took my parents to dinner on Saturday night. He was pretty good, but grabbing for everything before I started feeding him some veggies. I did get one dirty look. I whispered to Scott and he was like 'f-em, this is what parents go through'. But he wasn't crying or making a fuss....in fact most of the waitresses and other patrons were telling me how adorable he was. He looked so cute....I dressed him in a Ralph Lauren button down shirt, rolled up sleeves, untucked, with a pair of jeans. He looked like a mini version of Scott, it was so cute. A waitress stopped at the table to talk about how cute he was, and then to talk about her 3 mo old. She told me how long he was, how he was already in 12 mos clothes for his length, his father is 6'4...the father's bro is short, and his child is short too...isn't that funny? Blah blah blah. My mom and I went in the bathroom afterwards, and I said 'am I a horrible person because I truly don't give a ** about how tall her baby is?' My mom lolled and was like 'no, it's pretty random for a stranger, and if you're wrong, I am too.'

Random Q about babies and your attitudes towards money, etc: So our bill came out to around $140. It was one of my mom's gifts from us for her bday. Now, pre-baby, this is not an uncommon bill. In fact, I'd dare say it was cheap. But now? Well, I really am not trying to discuss any particular finances or anything like that - I realize how gauche it is to talk about money....but yes, we can afford it. But it's not like we have a money tree outside either. It was nice to go out and have the experience and sit down and drink wine and whatnot. My parents wanted to pay, and we refused. But I have to say - there's part of me that felt guilty for being so 'extravagant.' This was the first 'nice' dinner we've paid for since Nick was born. And let's face it, $130 is not really swanky these days anyway. But now, I'm like 'Holy #######, we could have bought X amt of diapers instead.' Scott said 'look, you cannot forget that we are also people aside from being parents, and we have needs too, no matter how infrequent they are.'

Still, part of me is like o_O . Not that there's anything I can do about it now anyway...and really, I'd do it again just cos it was my mom's bday. But, have either of you been faced with a similar feeling?

_______________

Anyhoo, for the past week, I've been worried that I'm pregnant - but I'm not, thank God! You both already know how I feel about that, but I'm not ready right now. I need a few more months before I start. But I was contemplating it, pretty worried too. It really wasn't possible as I have an IUD, but I was worried nonetheless. During this week, I've envisioned having to do everything I do with Nick, in addition to being pregnant (if the next pregnancy is anything like mine with Nick, I'm going to be sick 24/7 from conception to birth, lol). I really contemplated it - not in theory like 'oh yeah, we want another', but in the practical ways of realizing every little detail: running after a 2 year old while having a newborn, in addition to working some sort of a job, dealing with hubby, and the rest of life. It made me a bit overwhelmed, tbh.

We're still going to try; our desire for another child trumps all my concerns. I don't know how I'll be able to manage, but at the end of the day, I had no clue how I was going to manage with Nick...and we've figured that out, so I guess we'll just overcome each obstacle as it comes along.

I'm rambling now, so I'm going to go! Happy 4th everyone...have a safe and happy day!

[TracyTN 237]

I'm guessing that Chas probably suspects that you don't want another. Or do you think he's hopeful that one day you'll say, "Why not?" Or are you avoiding the talk because you're not 100% convinced that this is it?

I always imagined that I'd have more than one kid, but I'll be honest: it's been harder than I imagined. A lot of this is due to her ongoing tummy problems, which affect just about everything, but even aside from that, it's just so consuming. I guess a lot of it is my personality. I just figured I'd be something like my mother, who had a laid-back parenting style and enjoyed staying at home with three kids (she had three kids in four years). It sounds like we were pretty easy babies, but still...a newborn, a toddler, and a four-year-old? I can't even imagine. I'd go out of my mind. We couldn't love Mad-Ag more, but I almost feel guilty for not enjoying her babyhood more. And I'm learning that I'm nothing like my mother in this respect. For one thing, I'm basically lazy, and it's hard to be lazy w/ a baby!

Anyhoo, sorry to make this all about me. It's been a tough few weeks, can you tell?

Well we had the 'talk' Saturday night. He had pretty much figured I was done and he has no problems with that. He said if I ever decide I want another, though, he'll be the first in the bedroom. So we're going with 'we're done' but leaving the option open for me to change my mind. Though at 40 years old, that decision would have to come pretty quickly and I just don't see that. But at least we're both happy with our family of three.

I hear you on that second part. I really thought as an 'older' mom, I'd be more laid back. But I am hard on myself - if she isn't happy and I can't figure it out, I get really ticked off at myself. I thought I'd get over that but we're a year in and I'm still that way - so it probably isn't going away anytime soon. And I don't know if I'm lazy, per se, but I sometimes do think it'd be nice to have a break every now and then. Just an hour on a weekend to sit on my a$$ and do as I please would be HEAVEN. Or to sleep until I wake up instead of hurtling myself out of bed at 7 to have time for a shower and some breakfast before she gets up. But all parents go through this so I'm not extraordinary in this manner.

Happy belated to Emily!!! How was her bday? What did you do, and where are the pictures????

Empress and Tracy - it sounds like you both are being v hard on yourselves. I think all three of us have been doing a great job! Let's face it, when you have a kid in your mid 30s, it's a bit harder than if you pop them out when you're 21. We have already established lives and routines that have been turned on their heads now. I know it's not easy for me, and I have a job where I can make it up as I go along.

Random Q about babies and your attitudes towards money, etc: So our bill came out to around $140. It was one of my mom's gifts from us for her bday. Now, pre-baby, this is not an uncommon bill. In fact, I'd dare say it was cheap. But now? Well, I really am not trying to discuss any particular finances or anything like that - I realize how gauche it is to talk about money....but yes, we can afford it. But it's not like we have a money tree outside either. It was nice to go out and have the experience and sit down and drink wine and whatnot. My parents wanted to pay, and we refused. But I have to say - there's part of me that felt guilty for being so 'extravagant.' This was the first 'nice' dinner we've paid for since Nick was born. And let's face it, $130 is not really swanky these days anyway. But now, I'm like 'Holy #######, we could have bought X amt of diapers instead.' Scott said 'look, you cannot forget that we are also people aside from being parents, and we have needs too, no matter how infrequent they are.'

Still, part of me is like o_O . Not that there's anything I can do about it now anyway...and really, I'd do it again just cos it was my mom's bday. But, have either of you been faced with a similar feeling?

_______________

Anyhoo, for the past week, I've been worried that I'm pregnant - but I'm not, thank God! You both already know how I feel about that, but I'm not ready right now. I need a few more months before I start. But I was contemplating it, pretty worried too. It really wasn't possible as I have an IUD, but I was worried nonetheless. During this week, I've envisioned having to do everything I do with Nick, in addition to being pregnant (if the next pregnancy is anything like mine with Nick, I'm going to be sick 24/7 from conception to birth, lol). I really contemplated it - not in theory like 'oh yeah, we want another', but in the practical ways of realizing every little detail: running after a 2 year old while having a newborn, in addition to working some sort of a job, dealing with hubby, and the rest of life. It made me a bit overwhelmed, tbh.

We're still going to try; our desire for another child trumps all my concerns. I don't know how I'll be able to manage, but at the end of the day, I had no clue how I was going to manage with Nick...and we've figured that out, so I guess we'll just overcome each obstacle as it comes along.

Pics now up on FB, Lisa. Sorry - my computer at home is hosed so I couldn't get on to 'share' Chas' photo album until this morning. We just had a get together at my mom's house - cake, presents and food. I was ticked off that Chas' mom didn't even send a gift, but she emailed him yesterday and said she's going to set up a savings account for her instead. I thought that was really nice, and may help lessen our worries about sending her to college.

I do think you're right about waiting to be parents until we're a little older. I think this does change our view on certain things - aside from just not having the energy that a 20 something new parent would have. (Not that I would have EVER been ready to be a parent in my mid 20s. I can't even imagine how badly I would have screwed up a child. LOL)

I feel the same way you do about $. Like you, we're not bad off, but no money tree in the backyard either. We find ourselves justifying money we spend that seems a bit much. For example, we went to Walmart this weekend and plunked down nearly $200. Granted, this included our groceries for the week, Emily's b-day gift and a few other extras - but I think it's natural to question it a bit when you're a middle income family trying to get by. We don't buy each other lavish gifts or spend our $ unwisely 90% of the time, so when we do, we do our best just to deal with it and know we're not going to go hungry because we did. I think Scott's attitude is right on!!

And yeah, you will definitely find a way to do it with another baby, Lisa. It doesn't seem like it now I'm sure, but like you said - you guys really want another child so you'll just find a way. And I bet your hubby will be SUPER supportive, esp. at times when you are PG feel like #######.

PS - Emily's 1 year dr appointment is this afternoon. Anxious to hear how she's growing but DREADING the shots...!

[Fandango 1,439]

Well we had the 'talk' Saturday night. He had pretty much figured I was done and he has no problems with that. He said if I ever decide I want another, though, he'll be the first in the bedroom. So we're going with 'we're done' but leaving the option open for me to change my mind. Though at 40 years old, that decision would have to come pretty quickly and I just don't see that. But at least we're both happy with our family of three.

This is AWESOME news...I am sure you feel like a million pound weight has been lifted!!! You know, Tracy, I've been very vocal in wanting another one, but at the same time, I am so happy for you that you've had the talk and you both are happy with the end result. Being an only child has many advantages, and Em's a lucky little girl!!!

I hear you on that second part. I really thought as an 'older' mom, I'd be more laid back. But I am hard on myself - if she isn't happy and I can't figure it out, I get really ticked off at myself. I thought I'd get over that but we're a year in and I'm still that way - so it probably isn't going away anytime soon. And I don't know if I'm lazy, per se, but I sometimes do think it'd be nice to have a break every now and then. Just an hour on a weekend to sit on my a$ and do as I please would be HEAVEN. Or to sleep until I wake up instead of hurtling myself out of bed at 7 to have time for a shower and some breakfast before she gets up. But all parents go through this so I'm not extraordinary in this manner.

For me, the trick is routine. Nick wakes up at 7, I'm up with him, I feed, change, and play with him for a bit. Then he goes in the pack n play for about 2 hours...he watches his 'shows' (Sesame Street, Baby Einstein, Word World...whatever)...somewhere in there, he falls asleep. That gives me the time to do my work; make my phone calls, do emails, etc. I won't bore you with his whole routine, and I know that Em is older, therefore who knows if Nick will still be doing this routine in a few mos? And of course, you go out to work, so you can't enjoy that 'me' time when she's taking her nap. But how about on the weekends? I'm sure somewhere in Em's routine, there are a few hours where you can kick back?

It's definitely hard, that's for sure. I am the primary caregiver during the week. But I also work everyday, too. So I get Scott off to work, take care of Nick, and do my own work as well. i lean on my mother for a few hours here and there (there are the occasional sometimes it's more like 5 hrs other than a few, but most times I wfh). Anyway, Scott is busy working, and I realize that's also hard, But finding the balance is next to impossible! I don't want to be one of those mothers that greets the hubby at the door with the child and says 'here, the baby needs a diaper' but at the same time, I've been with him all day, juggling so much, and I sometimes DO want to do that, lol. Nick is pretty easy going and in comparison to a lot of stories, he's awesome. But still it's challenging at times.

Scott's job is not hard per se, but it takes a lot. So on the weekends, I want him to relax a bit. But not to the point that *I* don't get some time off too. Where's my weekend? lol

I realize the situation is reversed for you, and Chas is so good with the baby, I'm sure he can give you a few hours on the weekend if you asked.

Pics now up on FB, Lisa. Sorry - my computer at home is hosed so I couldn't get on to 'share' Chas' photo album until this morning. We just had a get together at my mom's house - cake, presents and food. I was ticked off that Chas' mom didn't even send a gift, but she emailed him yesterday and said she's going to set up a savings account for her instead. I thought that was really nice, and may help lessen our worries about sending her to college.

I love the one of the three of you...are there specific party pics? Cos I don't see those! Em is such a beautiful little girl!!!

I feel the same way you do about $. Like you, we're not bad off, but no money tree in the backyard either. We find ourselves justifying money we spend that seems a bit much. For example, we went to Walmart this weekend and plunked down nearly $200. Granted, this included our groceries for the week, Emily's b-day gift and a few other extras - but I think it's natural to question it a bit when you're a middle income family trying to get by. We don't buy each other lavish gifts or spend our $ unwisely 90% of the time, so when we do, we do our best just to deal with it and know we're not going to go hungry because we did. I think Scott's attitude is right on!!

I'm glad others feel my pain, hehe. The transformation in me is pretty cool, albeit somewhat weird at times...I mean, I wouldn't have blinked twice at $600 shoes, and here I am now counting every penny. Motherhood certainly has a way of changing a person!

And yeah, you will definitely find a way to do it with another baby, Lisa. It doesn't seem like it now I'm sure, but like you said - you guys really want another child so you'll just find a way. And I bet your hubby will be SUPER supportive, esp. at times when you are PG feel like #######.

PS - Emily's 1 year dr appointment is this afternoon. Anxious to hear how she's growing but DREADING the shots...!

If it's meant to be, it'll be...and that's how we're leaving it for now. We actually did have a baby talk yesterday; We are planning our honeymoon (Nick was 3weeks old when we got married so we never went on one). It's not going to be anything lavish; just a little cruise - maybe a 5 day, although right now I'm leaning towards 3. My parents will take care of Nick. Anyway, our anni is in Oct, so that's when we were going to go. The plan kinda was that I'm remove the IUD prior to our hols...well, I said to him yesterday 'look, I'd like to keep the IUD in until January' and he was like 'whatever you want'...which was cool. I do feel the pressure of my 'clock' ticking...but at the same time, this scare from last week bothered me so much and made me realize that there's so much we need to get done before even contemplating another baby. I mean, our house isn't even fully baby proof yet. We still have boxes in the garage from when we moved in (I was 8 mos preggo when we moved, so I didn't have much energy to unpack)....anyway, that all needs to be done beforehand...so I've bought myself a little more time. w00t.

[TracyTN 237]

This is AWESOME news...I am sure you feel like a million pound weight has been lifted!!! You know, Tracy, I've been very vocal in wanting another one, but at the same time, I am so happy for you that you've had the talk and you both are happy with the end result. Being an only child has many advantages, and Em's a lucky little girl!!!

Yeah, there are pros and cons each way obviously. But it was that article you linked for me that sort of made me feel 'ok' with it - where it said something about happy parents = happy baby. And the way I am, I'm not sure I'd be a happy mother balancing 2 under 2 and being the breadwinner. I'd probably be stressed out and mad all the time and that's good for no one.

For me, the trick is routine. Nick wakes up at 7, I'm up with him, I feed, change, and play with him for a bit. Then he goes in the pack n play for about 2 hours...he watches his 'shows' (Sesame Street, Baby Einstein, Word World...whatever)...somewhere in there, he falls asleep. That gives me the time to do my work; make my phone calls, do emails, etc. I won't bore you with his whole routine, and I know that Em is older, therefore who knows if Nick will still be doing this routine in a few mos? And of course, you go out to work, so you can't enjoy that 'me' time when she's taking her nap. But how about on the weekends? I'm sure somewhere in Em's routine, there are a few hours where you can kick back?

It's definitely hard, that's for sure. I am the primary caregiver during the week. But I also work everyday, too. So I get Scott off to work, take care of Nick, and do my own work as well. i lean on my mother for a few hours here and there (there are the occasional sometimes it's more like 5 hrs other than a few, but most times I wfh). Anyway, Scott is busy working, and I realize that's also hard, But finding the balance is next to impossible! I don't want to be one of those mothers that greets the hubby at the door with the child and says 'here, the baby needs a diaper' but at the same time, I've been with him all day, juggling so much, and I sometimes DO want to do that, lol. Nick is pretty easy going and in comparison to a lot of stories, he's awesome. But still it's challenging at times.

I would be ALL about that if Em had a routine. LOL She is so all over the place lately - which she wasn't at 8 and 9 months. Some days she sleeps until 9, some she's up at 11. Some days she demands 2 naps, some days she won't take even one. Since she's crawling and pulling up everywhere, there is really no stopping her. Even if you sit and try to play something specifically with her, she's bored with that after two minutes. And she's eating a lot more, although she has days where she isn't so hungry - so even trying to get her into a 'routine' time for meals isn't working well because she's not as hungry some days as others, and the bowls of food end up in your lap. I hope Nick stays 'routine' for you because this is killing me! Generally my 'kicking back' is sitting in the same room as her making sure she plays safely and isn't wet/pooped or hungry.

The only time I get to myself on weekends is when I take her to my parents house and go grocery shopping. But after I'm done with that, it's back to mom's to pick her up. I guess I maybe could ask them if they'd mind me sitting in my quiet house for a few hours instead of being over there w/ them. But that's sort of when I get to see my niece and nephew too so it's a catch .22.

I love the one of the three of you...are there specific party pics? Cos I don't see those! Em is such a beautiful little girl!!!

That kind of was the party, LOL. We didn't go overboard on a day that she wouldn't really remember. Chas has 90 something piccys on his Photobucket account if you're interested.

If it's meant to be, it'll be...and that's how we're leaving it for now. We actually did have a baby talk yesterday; We are planning our honeymoon (Nick was 3weeks old when we got married so we never went on one). It's not going to be anything lavish; just a little cruise - maybe a 5 day, although right now I'm leaning towards 3. My parents will take care of Nick. Anyway, our anni is in Oct, so that's when we were going to go. The plan kinda was that I'm remove the IUD prior to our hols...well, I said to him yesterday 'look, I'd like to keep the IUD in until January' and he was like 'whatever you want'...which was cool. I do feel the pressure of my 'clock' ticking...but at the same time, this scare from last week bothered me so much and made me realize that there's so much we need to get done before even contemplating another baby.

That's the best way to think. I know it will all work out just right for you guys.

[Fandango 1,439]

Yeah, there are pros and cons each way obviously. But it was that article you linked for me that sort of made me feel 'ok' with it - where it said something about happy parents = happy baby. And the way I am, I'm not sure I'd be a happy mother balancing 2 under 2 and being the breadwinner. I'd probably be stressed out and mad all the time and that's good for no one.

I would be ALL about that if Em had a routine. LOL She is so all over the place lately - which she wasn't at 8 and 9 months. Some days she sleeps until 9, some she's up at 11. Some days she demands 2 naps, some days she won't take even one. Since she's crawling and pulling up everywhere, there is really no stopping her. Even if you sit and try to play something specifically with her, she's bored with that after two minutes. And she's eating a lot more, although she has days where she isn't so hungry - so even trying to get her into a 'routine' time for meals isn't working well because she's not as hungry some days as others, and the bowls of food end up in your lap. I hope Nick stays 'routine' for you because this is killing me! Generally my 'kicking back' is sitting in the same room as her making sure she plays safely and isn't wet/pooped or hungry.

The only time I get to myself on weekends is when I take her to my parents house and go grocery shopping. But after I'm done with that, it's back to mom's to pick her up. I guess I maybe could ask them if they'd mind me sitting in my quiet house for a few hours instead of being over there w/ them. But that's sort of when I get to see my niece and nephew too so it's a catch .22.

That kind of was the party, LOL. We didn't go overboard on a day that she wouldn't really remember. Chas has 90 something piccys on his Photobucket account if you're interested.

That's the best way to think. I know it will all work out just right for you guys.

Was Em always that way or did she grow out of her routine due to her growing up? Of course, I'm in the dark as to what to expect, so as the leader of our little group (with the oldest of the three), you have to let us know! lol

If Nick had cousins, it would really factor into our choice in deciding to have another. I know her cousins are a bit older than Em, but it's awesome that she'll have the 'best of both worlds' with being privileged being an only, but having somewhat of 'siblings' to be around with during her life.

As to the weekends, does Chas PU some slack, or is he of the mindset that since you're out all week, that's 'your' time with Em?

[TracyTN 237]

Was Em always that way or did she grow out of her routine due to her growing up? Of course, I'm in the dark as to what to expect, so as the leader of our little group (with the oldest of the three), you have to let us know! lol

If Nick had cousins, it would really factor into our choice in deciding to have another. I know her cousins are a bit older than Em, but it's awesome that she'll have the 'best of both worlds' with being privileged being an only, but having somewhat of 'siblings' to be around with during her life.

As to the weekends, does Chas PU some slack, or is he of the mindset that since you're out all week, that's 'your' time with Em?

Em used to sleep from 9 pm until 9 am like clockwork, with 2 naps during the day of 30 minutes each.

At about 10 months (I blame teething), everything went out the window. She was too active for a 9 pm bedtime and wouldn't stand for it, so it got moved to 10 pm. Not only that but she started waking 3-4 days a week around 6 am, up for play for 2 hours, then back down for 2 or 2 1/2 hours. She seems to be out of that again, but she now has many days where she doesn't nap (like yesterday!) or if she does, it's still only for half an hour max.

The past few weeks, she is back to a slightly more predictable sleep timeline (though later than we'd like); 10 pm - 9:30/10 am. We have tried and tried to push bedtime back to 9 but she'll just stand in her crib and whack that wall. And she's still random on naps. Despite eye rubbing and yawning during the day, many times we put her down for a nap and she just screams and bangs her bedroom wall to get out and play. Chances of her actually napping are 50/50. So this is why we really don't get breaks with her during the day at all.

I sincerely hope both of you don't have this 'schedule regression'. It sucks!

Weekends are sketchy for 'mommy time' for two reasons. First, it is when Chas catches up on sleep (despite my best efforts, the man still rarely comes to bed before 5 am). When he IS awake, it's the only time he has to get 'man things' done, like mowing the yard, etc. or we go out shopping/errand running together. That means really no time to myself except that joyous grocery store run. HA!!

By the by - the 12 month dr appointment sucks! 3 shots (Hep A, MMR and chicken pox) and a finger stick to check for anemia and lead. They did the finger stick first so she was OVER IT and in complete meltdown before the shots even started. She is in the 75th percentile for height (30 inches) and 80th percentile for weight (23 lbs 8 oz). At least she's proportioned though!!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Hi, ladies!

Happy birthday, Em!

Tracy, I'm glad that you guys finally had the talk and that Chas is taking it well. You must be so relieved!

I know Mad-Ag is a bit younger, but she's always resisted the schedule/routine to some degree, especially in relation to feeding. Some days, she's hungry and fussy all day and can't seem to eat enough, and other days, she doesn't eat much at all. Lately she's been fussy about solids and won't eat anything but sweet stuff and yogurt (man, she loves yogurt!). Her naps are all over the place. She hardly naps at daycare, but she's a light sleeper, and she has trouble settling down what with all the excitement (Taylor, etc.). When she's home, she'll nap more. I'm just glad she's sleeping through the night! She's almost always asleep by 8:30 and wakes up around 6. I could do with the 12-hour glory that people talk about, but I'll take 10!

Lisa, how do you get Nick to entertain himself in the pack ' play for 2 hours!? Madeleine gets lonely in her pen thingy after 5 or 10 minutes. Of course, she's very restless now that she's standing and crawling. She can now stand unassisted for up to 20 seconds (they actually counted the seconds at daycare and told Jon when he came to pick her up), and her crawling is getting fast. She just wants to tour the living room all day and find cords to chew on.

I'm not looking forward to the 12-month shots! I hope she can handle them better when she's bigger. With her previous shots, she got a fever that night and was very fussy. The administration of the shots wasn't too bad; she just howled for a few minutes and then was OK. I remember feeling bad that I couldn't give her a lollipop and tell her how brave she was.

Knock on wood, no vomiting since a week ago Monday!