Parenting: June 20

[wittyandwaiting]

Hey parents! What's up?

QOTW: I thought this might be timely based on some of the posts over the last week. How do you and your partner stay connected when family life gets hectic? Successes, tips and challenges welcome.

[cetcar]

Yesterday was busy. We barely had any time just at home.

Sunday evening M had a couple red bumps on her body but we didn't think much of them. But by yesterday she had some more and after talking with the Doctor, we decided to take her in. They aren't sure what they are but think it could be some type of hive or virus. We have a topical ointment to use for 5 days and we need to watch and see if the redness gets any bigger. They don't seem to be bothering her and otherwise seems in good spirits (no fever) so who knows.

M is 5 months today! We've started doing some short walks with her facing out in the stroller (no infant car seat) and loves them. We have a BOB but when we're walking into the sun, evening with the awning extended, sun still gets on her lower leg and feet. Any suggestions?? Anyone have a fan for their stroller?

Even though we live at the beach, we rarely go. July 4th week, we are going to the Cape and have started thinking about sun gear for her. UPF clothing, waterproof diaper and cover, little beach tent. Again, any suggestions?

Overall, we both feel so lucky to have her. I tell her all the time that she's great company. I think I say this every week, but she's so much fun to be around.

She can almost sort of sit up for a couple seconds of her balance is right. I think we're still enjoying her not being mobile yet. And love watching all that she's doing with her toys now and her thought process when playing. She's bringing everything to be mouth (even tries to bring my face into it....haha).

As for the QOTW, we probably could be better about it. We've been staying up an hour or so after M goes to bed so we can have some time just the two of us. A couple times (twice) we have left her with my parents when they were visiting and we've gone out to eat. We were just talking this week about the idea of asking one of our neighbor's kids if they would want to watch her for an hour or so after she goes to sleep and CET and I would go out for a drink. Even though we love being with her, it's important for our marriage if we continue to connect just the two of us. M is still sleeping in our room (in a pack n play) so once we go to bed, we have to be pretty quiet. Would love to hear what others do.

[mahler5]

Thanks for starting us off wittyandwaiting!

This is my first afternoon with both kids alone. I thought I just got c in bed for nap and ran downstairs to take a quick shower with C's baby monitor in the bathroom along with Ellen in he rock n play at eye distance from shower door. Then I heard C " I poopied", so I took the shortest shower possible and ran upstairs to clean her up. Now I'm back down feeding E right now.

I'm so glad my mom was here this morning so I could take a nap! C is still in part time daycare Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I should switch it to Tuesday and Thursday but donT want to until I have things a little more under control.

Before C's nap I ran out on the deck to grab something and C followed and wanted to play outside. I feel bad we have barely been out. It's hard to leave the house wiTh both
. I did take them both to the store last night after I picked C up from school. It went ok except C was covered in a green smoothie and was so dirty! Oh well. I got groceries without having them delivered so I was super excited and C did reasonably well not in the cart. She likes to help push and throw random things in the cart though. That didn't used to bother me but I had E in the car seat in the bottom of the cart (not over top because I'm afraid she could fall). I need to figure out something better. Maybe I will start taking stroller in and putting groceries in it. I don't want to baby carry her in store in case I have to run after C. Maybe when e has more head control that would be doable.

C is super cute with E most time. She wants to hold her a lot. Just sometimes at in opportune times like when I am feeding her. And she wants to physically move her and is a little rough. So we got to work on that. We are going to C's friend's bday party tonight. L is meeting me there so at least I won't be outnumbered. L hasn't wanted to go anywhere with both of them so I'm glad we are going!

QOTW: we were sort of being better at this for awhile. We try to out to dinner maybe once every couple month without C. We should more often but sometimes bedtime is hard for C. We also would take baths together for awhile. I feel like we focus more on each other that way. Sadly, we both are poor listeners at times and are very distracted, so it helps with that. And we watch our favorite shows together. That's not quality time either though. Lately, though that's all we have really done and not much of it with both kids.

[mahler5]

cetcar-- you could try sunglasses too. c will wear hers most of the time now but used to always take them off. I could never keep a hat on her either. Even the ones with the ties after she reached a certain age. We use sunscreen we got at this nature store. I think everything is organic but still has same gunk in everything else do not sure if much better. I think after 6 months though we weren't as concerned about using stuff. Brand is "badger sunscreen".

Maybe bring an umbrella. We don't have beaches in Midwest. And although it gets pretty hot the sun is definitely not as strong as SoCal. I have same problem with bob stroller too. I think I used to cover her legs with a really light blanket at times but now either sunscreen or pants. Or take a short walk early in day.

[bexincanada]

I. is four weeks old tomorrow. Thursday we have a marathon cardiac appointment... beginning with sn echo with sedation at 7am. It's the first time they've sedated her for an echo so I'm a bit stressed. There are all these feeding restrictions beforehand, no breastmilk after 3am, sugar water from 3-5, nothing after 5. Have to google preparing sugar water. The tests will take us into the afternoon so I hope she's O.K. with the sedation and feeds well afterwards. We are then visiting H's parents. It will be a very, very long day - I'm tired just thinking about it.

Good QOTW question. 4 weeks in it's all about baby. We have cuddled, and the most touching moments are when one of us gives the other a break to rest. *lol* I find hormonally I'm verh jot and cold, lack of sleep can't help either... one minute I'm super-affectionate and the next I'm super-irritated. We'll hit our stride eventually. Her going back to work next week may help. I. and I can get into a routine and we'll be extremely happy to see her when she gets home.

[kona]

O is 22 months.

I will have a 2 year old very soon. I can't believe how grown up she is.

I'm feeling like an awful parent because I don't want to spend $$ on a birthday party for her. We did a party last year with snacks and cake for family only in our backyard. It was fine I guess. Our families don't really mingle and it was only family so it makes it awkward. I would like to offer more than just cake but with my gluten allergy I hate having all that food in my kitchen (I know that sounds pretentious). I would really like to do Chipotle catering but it looks like the minimum order is $300. I can't justify spending that on a party I don't want to have anyway. And how do we indicate that we really don't want a bunch of gifts? Everyone wants to buy some kid toy. I would much rather cash or $ for her college fund. I'm so bad at this stuff and I hate that it will affect my daughter. *sorry for that ramble*

QOTW:
We are doing an awful job at this lately. One of us almost exclusively watches O now. We only have the nanny for 4 hours on Monday. I know our relationship is suffering and I know it will only get worse when we have a newborn. It's always the same fight when we try to plan to go out so I have given up rather than fight for now. It's really sad and I worry about our future together.

[kona]

cetcar, I hope M is feeling better!

mahler5, I am so worried about being home with 2 kiddos, sounds like you managed it like a pro!

bexincanada, good luck with all the medical stuff!

[cetcar]

kona- sorry to hear about your relationship stress. As we are just learning now, children really change the dynamics.

mahler5- thanks for the sunglasses suggestion. Do you have a brand you like best? Have you tried one of the UV screens that claim they block like up to 85%?

[kona]

Not to step on any toes and I have no experience with these but they look promising.

www.roshambobaby.com/

[mahler5]

Jun 21, 2016 19:28:06 GMT -5 cetcar said:

kona- sorry to hear about your relationship stress. As we are just learning now, children really change the dynamics.

mahler5- thanks for the sunglasses suggestion. Do you have a brand you like best? Have you tried one of the UV screens that claim they block like up to 85%?

I don't. My mil got her a really cute pair at Gymboree and I got another cheap pair at grocery store! I have not tried the85%. I think I got a stick applier of sunscreen for her that went up close to that. I like that for her face but hard to rub in. Easier to put under eyes though. Maybe someone else will have some suggestions. I haven't researched it much.

[cetcar]

Jun 21, 2016 19:59:41 GMT -5 kona said:

Not to step on any toes and I have no experience with these but they look promising.

www.roshambobaby.com/

Not at all. Thanks!

[cetcar]

Jun 21, 2016 22:40:30 GMT -5 mahler5 said:

Jun 21, 2016 19:28:06 GMT -5 cetcar said:

kona- sorry to hear about your relationship stress. As we are just learning now, children really change the dynamics.

mahler5- thanks for the sunglasses suggestion. Do you have a brand you like best? Have you tried one of the UV screens that claim they block like up to 85%?

I don't. My mil got her a really cute pair at Gymboree and I got another cheap pair at grocery store! I have not tried the85%. I think I got a stick applier of sunscreen for her that went up close to that. I like that for her face but hard to rub in. Easier to put under eyes though. Maybe someone else will have some suggestions. I haven't researched it much.

Thanks again for your reply! I imagine you're quite busy.

Someone who goes to stroller strides recently bought one of these to try but I wonder how well they work-

www.amazon.com/Jolly-Jumper-Solar-Safe-Net/dp/B000UPSVPG