Infant Check-in (2/24)

[dragonfly1809]

age: Oliver will be five weeks tomorrow

milestones: He's alert and wide eyed quite s bit now, tummy time is lasting longer - he's better at half rolling over than holding his head up. While being held in our arms he holds his head up really well.
Still a little small. He's gaining regularly, filling diapers with plenty of wet ones. I read all this stuff about ten pound babies his age - he's still just over 7. Trying not to worry.

challenges: Keeping up with his hunger. He's definitely a growing boy, even if small. He nurses every 2 hours during the day at least 30 minutes each side; every 3 hours at night. I feel drained.
Cabin fever. Spring can not come soon enough.

funny/cute stories: My favourite thing is dancing around the kitchen with him. We don't know what it is - the kitchen is the room to soothe a crying Oliver. We always have the radio playing in there, set to the streaming Jazz station...he loves it, and twirling around the room.
I love dancing in the kitchen - always have. He's definitely my little man.

how are you: I think I'm finally starting to feel less gross. My c-section incision is healing, I no longer need packing or extra bandages. Finally stopped bleeding (I hope)... I still have swelling though - especially in my legs and feet. It's irritating .. I swear I'm more swollen now than I was before he was born.

favourite book: The Little Prince, Where the Wild Things Are, anything by Shel Silverstein.. I could name a dozen more but those are definitely at the top.

[veganlady]

Milestones: He looks like he's really close to pulling himself up to stand. He gets himself set up and tries it, just doesn't commit. Maybe he needs to work on upper body strength more.


Challenges: One cold after another. I've got the mommy guilt bad about him being in daycare, but I understand SAH kids are getting sick too. I want to take this cold and flu season and kick it in the teeth.


Funny/cute stories: My MIL put him in a swing she has hanging from a tree in the backyard. He loved it and his eyes started to droop. I thought I'd never get to swing him to sleep since I got rid of the infant swing but this thing might find its way into my living room...


How are you? Tired. So tired.


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? I like the Boy Who Lost His Name book I got for him for Christmas.

[ksyknelvr73]

Age: 9 months as of Sunday!


Milestones: Crawling everywhere, pulling to "kneeling", not standing, but getting there. We had his 9 month check up yesterday and he is 22lb 15oz and 30 inches. He's my big boy! They also verified that his ears are FINALLY clear of infection!!!


Challenges: Just getting through these two top teeth. They are a NIGHTMARE.


Funny/cute stories: I got a super cute video this past weekend of him trying to play with his night light and I would say "No Lucas" and he'd turn at me, give me this sneaky smile, and turn right back around and mess with it again. It's adorable.


How are you? Meh. Just ready to go home from work. DH and I have a date night for his birthday and I'm just looking forward to that!


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book?
I'll Love You Forever. Except it makes me cry like an idiot every time I try to read it.

[taberbtb]

Age: B was 3 weeks on Sunday

Milestones: She is starting to recognize voices and sounds. When myself or DH approach her talking she looks towards the sound of our voices.

Challenges: Still working on BF'ing and I *think* we are done with the three week growth spurt. Maybe it's wishful thinking. Also nighttime sleeping. B has recently decided she hates being swaddled but if I don't her startle reflex wakes her up when she's in the bassinet
Funny/cute stories: DH thinks it's hilarious how many dirty diapers this LO makes! Also, the gas she passes makes her smile after every poop and he thinks she's laughing at us.
How are you? Ok. Like dragonfly1809 I am feeling very cooped up. I need the weather to warm up so we can get outside!

QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? I also love "I love you forever"!! It makes me cry but I was so happy when a friend of mine gave it to me at my shower for B.

[ClassyMrsA]

Age: 4 months!


Milestones: Pulling herself in a circle during tummy time, carrying toys, turning toys over to inspect, finally got those toes in her mouth, making almost word sounds and talking ALL the time, squealing in the bath/splashing, turning towards her name, "petting" the animals.


Challenges: We are back to nursing every 2 hour or so during the day and every 3 or so at night. I've tried soothing her other ways at night and she just escalates. Luckily, she only nurses for like 5 minutes or less and the rolls back to go back to sleep usually. I just wish she could stay asleep for 4-6 hours straight and do her one big feeding in the middle. Not sure how to get her there... I suppose she'll do it when she's ready. She also still does random crying here and there during the day. Not sure if it's teething pain, boredom, or frustration. It's nothing anyone could really figure out, but it is tiring.


Funny/cute stories: She is starting to want to "pet" the animals. One day it was the cat and she was laughing and grabbing at the cat's fur. Cat didn't care at all and just purred away. Then yesterday, she decided it was time to pet the dog. He came over and laid down next to her and she reached over and started petting him with the back of her hand. Then she found his bandana and started to pull on it. Dog yawned and put his head down. So cute to watch the animals be like "do what you do tiny human" and watching her so clearly loving them.


How are you? A little more relaxed about the sleep thing. I've been reading a lot of stuff on sleep lately and I think I've felt like I have to sleep train her. Or like I'm a bad parent for not making her learn to sleep on her own. But, I've been reading a lot about other cultures and what breastfeeding advocates say and I'm starting to let myself do what makes sense for us which is to keep putting her in the pnp for the first part of the night and then co-sleeping the rest of the night. We are going to get a king sized bed for our anniversary in a couple of weeks which will give us the space we need. Otherwise, just trying to stay busy while DH and I count down to his Spring Break. Cannot wait for those 9 days of him being home with us.


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? Dragons Love Tacos. Lol. It's pretty hilarious. I also like Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Strega Nona. Books for more upper elementary age, I LOVED all of the Marguerite Henry horse books like Misty of Chincoteague and Sea Star.

[ClassyMrsA]

dragonfly1809 We love to dance too! We listen to more pop music when I'm alone with her, but DH likes to listen to John Denver, Judy Collins, James Taylor, and other similar people. I like all of it and she seems to ask well. Sometimes she laughs when I start dancing around and she's in her jumper chair. It's fun and I love music.

[ClassyMrsA]

ksyknelvr73 Yay for no more infection finally! That is great news. Also, happy birthday to your H.

[yummmy]

Age: He will be 9 months on Friday

Milestones: Got his second tooth this past Friday! And can now walk along the couch to get to the toys he wants.

Challenges: We had his 9 month check up on Friday and it didn't go great. His head size is now completely off the charts and his weight went up almost 40 percentile points in 3 months. So now we are concerned about his hypothyroidism and that his meds aren't working right. He also failed his developmental milestone check by a lot. I knew he would fail for not crawling, but didn't realize there were so many other things. So now we go back in a month and reevaluate and call EI if he doesn't pass then.

Funny/cute stories: He was playing ball the other night, and every time you would ask him if he was ready to catch the ball he would tense all up and grunt. Then he would catch it and giggle. It was hilarious! Then he would bite it and let go "throwing" it back.

How are you? Not doing great. Feeling like a failure with him failing his developmental milestone check by as much as he did. I know I've been struggling with some PPD/PPA lately so haven't spent as much time playing with him on the floor as I want to and we've probably watched more Glee then we should, but I didn't think he was as far behind as he is. Now I just want to cry all the time. I don't want to push him but I want him to catch up to.

QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? The Berenstein Bears were always a big favorite. When I got a little older we read the Bobbsey Twin books.

[taberbtb]

vigorousbabymama thanks I will be getting one of those tomorrow! It's such a struggle right now.

ClassyMrsA do what feels right for you and Lillian in terms of sleep. I am only 3 weeks in and have already started so far from what everybody has told me I need to be doing with DD but I don't care. It works for us, and its our child. The decision is ours, I just don't bother discussing this with anyone. I don't need their judgement!

[lingchow8655]

Age: 7 months this saturday


Milestones: she has started officially crawling a couple days ago, can pull herself up on things, can sit unassisted for a few moments if she is focused and is working on sitting up herself but hasn't quite mastered that yet. Very talkative but not official first word yet. Can hold her own bottle most of the time. Has 2 teeth that came up this past week


Challenges: teething is a nightmare!!! But even so, she is a happy baby when i can get her focused on other things than those pesky teeth


Funny/cute stories: the other day in the bath, she was splashing around and giggling all over and she usually will go after my belly ring. And she loves to grab noses cause she thinks they are a great handle. Well my nipple must have been too out there cause she grabbed on and i was like woah! Lol not nice baby, thats not for grabbing. Lol she just started cracking up!


How are you? Im doing ok, tired cause i started a new job so working more than i have for a long time but i know we need it.


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? My favorites are " are you my mother" and "guess how much i love you".

[lingchow8655]

@yummy - I hope the check up next month goes well - and that they find its just him doing things at his own pace in his own time. I know mommy guilt is a strong thing but don't beat yourself up. Your an awesome mom and don't you forget it!!

[eliz77]

Age: 11 weeks, 3 days


Milestones: Loves the bumbo seat! He seems to have pretty good head/neck control.


Challenges: Tummy time is still a bust, he hates it and instead of propping himself up, he slithers on the floor like a snake to get back to me. Any ideas for improving this? I ordered a baby mirror toy thing that can be sat up in front on him-he loves mirrors, so I am hoping that entices him. He does not appear interested in toys, has not made a move to grab anything other than his bib, bottles and my hair, Is this normal? He'll follow toys with his eyes, but that's all.


Funny/cute stories: I think LO has figured out we love when he laughs, so whenever we catch his eye, he smiles and laughs, even when he's nursing or taking a bottle. It is so cute!


How are you? Feeling very fat and unfit all of a sudden. I am wearing my pre-baby "fat" clothes and everything is tight. I work with horses for a living and after not riding for 9 months, am back in the saddle. I surprised myself that after my 2nd day, no more soreness after riding (I keep in short and only ride maybe 4-5 a day), My strength is there but my endurance is way off, and my ab muscles non-existent. I'm hopeful once spring arrives and I can take the baby for walks things will get better.


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? "Wheer The Wild Things Are," "Jabberwocky" and anything by Shel Silverstone.

[docamy]

Age: 11 months


Milestones: He follows commands better now and seems to understand what we are saying. If you ask him how a car sounds he will make a vroom sound. If we ask him to put his toy balls in the bag he will do it........ever.so.slowly, but we are super proud of that!


Challenges: He's making this weird crying, cackling sound that is so annoying but he only does it when he's not getting is way. Probably why it's annoying lol.


Funny/cute stories: Was with a friend and her almost 2 year old and the boys had a blast together. We got a pic of them giving each other kisses. I know they will kill us when they are older!


How are you? I'm doing ok but DH and I are not so much. Been fighting a good bit and he just seems to be none existent.


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? Stone Soup and I Have Rocks in my Socks Said the Ox to The Fox......it's a mouthful

[doglover31]

Age: will be 6 months next week...yikes!


Milestones: Has started making new sounds. He is really wanting to crawl, but can't quite figure it out.


Challenges:Sleep, and tummy time. He hates it. And ever since he figured out rolling over, he won't last on his tummy.


Funny/cute stories:He has started making this really low deep sound. Its kind of creepy, sounds like an alien almost lol. But he's figured out that DH and I will laugh when he does it, so now he does it non stop.


How are you? I'm doing great. Just found out today I got a new job, I've been looking for a new position at the hospital I work at. And had 6 interviews the last 2 weeks. And finally got a call this morning that I got one of the jobs!


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book?
I love "On the Night you Were Born" and I love reading it to DS.

[meagpt22]

Age:
4 months


Milestones:
Grabbing her feet
I've been saying this but so close to rolling back to belly
Jumping in her exersaucer...will be putting together the jumperoo
"Pet" our cat this weekend
Pulls the bib away from her face when I play peek a boo



Challenges:
She's been getting up in middle of night..for her cold then gas and now I hope it's not a new pattern or 4 month sleep regression


Funny/cute stories:
It's funny now but the other night at 4 am she was crying..so I went in to put pacifier back in. She let me put it back in..then looked at me and took it out and threw it done like "nice try Mom but this wake up requires you to pick me up". It's just funny the look she gave me..I know I'm in for it during her teenage years!


How are you?
Tired I got so used to her STTN!


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book?
I loved the Bernstein Bears and Little Critter series

[MoreThanSparrows]

Age: 4 weeks today


Milestones: he is starting to make some eye contact, and sort of turns towards mine and DHs voices.


Challenges: sleep. Some nights he sleeps 3 3 hour stretches, and other nights, like last night, he slept 3 hours, then was up for 1.5, then only slept another 2... I'm one of those people that needs her 8 hours to function like a normal adult, and less than 6 just isn't cutting it...

Funny/cute stories: still loving all his little grunts, squeaks, and noises.


How are you? Utterly exhausted...


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? Where The Wild Things Are, Magic School Bus, Little Crittee, and anything by Shell Silvestein.

[yummmy]

lingchow8655 - Thank you! Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of that. It's so easy to forget!

[KayVeeKay]

Hi! I haven't posted much here, but I thought I'd join in.


Age: 4 months


Milestones: Starting to sit up more on her own and far less wobbly. Still needs some support, but no longer slides sideways in the highchair. Fed her avocado mixed with BM last night. She seemed to like the taste, but doesn't understand swallowing yet. We may shelve the solid foods for a few more weeks.


Challenges: Gets very impatient while nursing, especially during weekday evenings. I think the daycare is feeding her too fast. I also wasn't planning on feeding her solids until much later, but she isn't following her growth curve (now at %), so I figure if she's acting like she's ready, it's worth trying.

Funny/cute stories: She loves to chatter. It's the cutest thing ever. I've been baby wearing and the world is really starting to interest her. She loves to talk to the brightly colored objects and her feet.


How are you? I have a cold, but other than that, I'm doing okay. I'm getting over my depression slowly but surely. It's getting easier to steer myself away from negativity and focus on the good or at least taking action to make it better.


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book?
Either The Lorax or The Velveteen Rabbit.

[birch113]

I'm sorry I've been MIA! I hope everyone is well!

Milestones: We are getting some giggles and it melts my heart! Miles rolled from stomach to back twice on Sunday. Hasn't done it since, but he'll get there!


Challenges: I think Miles' "silent" reflux is no longer silent. He was making great progress with BFing (I'd been EPing until the last couple of weeks) but now he's struggling during feeds at the boob or bottle, is coughing and gagging more, and spitting up all the time. Not epic spit ups, they only happen once or twice a week, but little spits ups that happen multiple times and hour. He seems uncomfortable and I feel terrible. Heading to the doctor tomorrow.


Funny/cute stories: Oh, the giggles and big huge smiles! He loves when I blow raspberries or make silly sounds. I can't get enough!


How are you? I'm heading back to work Monday. Miles starts daycare. I'm a hot mess about it.


QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book?

Over in the Garden, (absolute favorite!) Brown Bear Brown Bear, and Chica Chica Boom Boom.

[meladorie]

Oh can I join?

Age: Liam was 6 weeks yesterday!


Milestones: He is totally tube free now and has moved to all oral feedings!

Challenges: Feeding is still hard for both of us. They had originally hoped he could come home yesterday but sadly he keeps having feeding episodes (where his heart rate drops). It's usually because he falls asleep and chokes. It's hard for me too because I have to pay very close attention and help him pace and keep him awake. It's very stressful for me right now.

Funny/cute stories: Liam is a major farter. He lets out some serious man-sized farts. The nurses tell me they can hear him farting from the hallway outside his room even.

How are you? Ok. Stressed and frustrated. I go back and forth between hopeful and defeated. He only has episodes when I feed him. And every episode he has earns him another 5 days in the NICU. He had one with me yesterday. So of course I'm so anxious about today and of he will have one. And I can't help but feel it's my fault since they only happen with me.

QOTW: I asked about your little one's favorites a couple of weeks ago; what about you? What's your favorite children's book? Not sure yet but whenever Liam is awake I read him Harry Potter.

[meagpt22]

meladorie try (easier said than done) not to be so hard on yourself. Remember those nurses have had lots of practice where this is your first (and hopefully) and only experience with a premie. FX for no episodes today and him coming home in 5 days. You are a great mom and are doing the best that you can. And doing a great job at it.

[birch113]

Feb 27, 2015 12:51:11 GMT -5 meagpt22 said:

meladorie try (easier said than done) not to be so hard on yourself. Remember those nurses have had lots of practice where this is your first (and hopefully) and only experience with a premie. FX for no episodes today and him coming home in 5 days. You are a great mom and are doing the best that you can. And doing a great job at it.

This exactly! You are doing an amazing job! Fx your little man can come soon. Be kind to yourself, mama. (((Hugs)))