FTM outside baby check-in #1

[misstunes]

This may be the first and last of this thread but im so curious how all the ftm are doing?

How old is your LO?

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave?

How's it going?

Best FTM moment so far?

Advice/questions?


Edit to remove weird face...

[abvintage]

How old is your LO? 12 weeks

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave? Back to work with a modified schedule that allows me one day a week at home.

How's it going? Good. B is an "easy" baby I think. He's pretty good-natured but what the heck do I know.

Best FTM moment so far? DH was gone for a weekend and when he got back LO kept wanting me to hold him instead of DH. It just confirmed that we are actually pretty bonded which is really cool.

Advice/questions? Yeah I have no idea what I'm doing.

[arimaythea]

How old is your LO?
12 weeks today

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave?
Back to work tomorrow

How's it going?
I love it - LO has stolen my heart. Life is so much different now, and I look forward to being less tethered down once he's a little older and not eating every 2 hours, but DH and I are so happy with our little guy.

Best FTM moment so far?
When he smiles at me - I melt every time.

Advice/questions?
Anyone else looking forward to siblings? I am definitely not trying to get pregnant anytime soon, but thinking about the little happy things like a positive pregnancy test, heartbeat on an ultrasound, and meeting LO for the first time when they are born makes me excited for the future.

[packmomma]

8 weeks (2 months on Thursday)
SAHM.
It's going very well. W is a pretty happy baby and really seems to like us. We get big smiles and although he favors me (I have food after all) he loves H too and gives him big smiles whenever he sees him.

The best moments are 2 am when he's fussing and I pull him to me and he instantly falls asleep. I can think of no better proof I'm doing a good job and we've bonded.

Advice/questions? Trust your instincts and do what is best for you and your family.

[DSHM13]

How old is your LO?
6w, 3d

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave?
At home and need to find a job - we have daycare set up for Feb 1 but I'm hoping we win the lotto or something so I can stay home

How's it going?
So much better. I was mentally prepared for weeks 3+...bit not weeks 1-2. Getting the breastfeeding problems handled have changed everything.

Best FTM moment so far?
The daily developments blow my mind. And I love her smiles and her toots.

Advice/questions?
Don't think I'm qualified for advice giving yet haha

[packmomma]

arimaythea I think we are actually one and done. I love this guy but I don't know how well I would function with a 2nd or how H would function for that matter.
Eta: posted before I was done.

[queenb]

How old is your LO? Almost 11 weeks.

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave? Still on leave, don't go back until July 25th. Sometimes being a SAHM drives me crazy, I miss work... But we're bonding so much and I know I'm lucky to have this opportunity. I get out a lot and am able to visit with friends, stay on top of housework, and put dinner together most nights, so things are good.

How's it going? If you asked a month ago I would have said that its really, really hard and I'm just taking it day by day. I was NOT prepared for how challenging a newborn can be. Now I'm getting the hang of things and into a routine. I'm feeling a lot more like my old self, but better because I have a son I love so much! He has started STTN, and I'm figuring out his little personality. We're lucky to have people that can watch him, and H has been great, so I'm getting a bit of freedom too, which makes me appreciate our time together even more.

Best FTM moment so far? Best moment was when he was born and I saw him for the first time... No other feeling like that. The smiles and talking (cooing) make my heart melt. And B and I have bath time together and it's really fun. He's such a little water baby.

Advice/questions? I have a million questions but nothing is coming to mind right now. My advice is don't compare yourself (or your baby) to others! It might seem like other people have it all figured out, but people seem to be eager to share the good stuff, and don't always share the difficult parts. And trust your instincts!

[queenb]

Oct 20, 2015 17:11:53 GMT -5 packmomma said:

arimaythea I think we are actually one and done.

Still torn between 1 or 2. But if we have another I don't plan on it for, like, 3 years. Just going to enjoy this kid and hope he makes lots of friends haha.

[ars093s]

How old is your LO? 8 weeks

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave? Still on leave

How's it going? Overall, pretty good! BF seems much easier now (and less painful) than in the beginning. Still have to figure out naps, and she's pretty fussy much of the time, but she's been cooing so much lately it's adorable and I can't stay frustrated for long. I swear this girl has a lot to say.

Best FTM moment so far? She has the hugest smile when I get her up in the mornings. Melts my heart.

No advice or questions right now!

[layloo08]

Oct 20, 2015 17:20:14 GMT -5 queenb said:

Oct 20, 2015 17:11:53 GMT -5 packmomma said:

arimaythea I think we are actually one and done.

Still torn between 1 or 2. But if we have another I don't plan on it for, like, 3 years. Just going to enjoy this kid and hope he makes lots of friends haha.

99.9% sure we are 1 and done.

[DSHM13]

I'd like 2 more but DH just wants one more. We shall see!

ETA I have zero desire to be pregnant again. I didn't find it particularly magical or exciting and had zero bonding with LO. Birth, while challenging, was much more intriguing to me.

[layloo08]

7 weeks today

I go back I work next Tuesday. Hard core dreading it and daycare but we simply could not afford me being a SAHM.

Things are so much better than his first few weeks of life. I had baby blues pretty bad the first two weeks and also a stomach virus his first week of life. I'm used to waking up MOTN but know it'll be so tough once I'm working.

I love that I finally bonded to him. It took me a while, but now I see my whole world in this tiny human and there is no better feeling. His smiles melt my heart and I love seeing him change and learn to do new things.
I also love that he loves me best right now lol.

For those of you back to work already with babies who don't STTN, how difficult is the lack of sleep? Do you just get used to it like we did when they were born?

I like the advice to not compare yourself or your baby to others. That's really hard for me and I need to get better at doing it.

[layloo08]

Oct 20, 2015 17:34:39 GMT -5 DSHM13 said:

I'd like 2 more but DH just wants one more. We shall see!

ETA I have zero desire to be pregnant again. I didn't find it particularly magical or exciting and had zero bonding with LO. Birth, while challenging, was much more intriguing to me.

We always wanted one. The birth and first few weeks reiterated that for both of us. I'd go back and be in the 2nd trimester again though!

[shayr]

How old is your LO? 9 weeks

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave? Back to work as of last week.

How's it going? It's great! T is a "good baby" as my mom says.

Best FTM moment so far? Bedsharing and waking up to her smiling face.

Advice/questions? Speaking of Bedsharing...any advice on how to get LO to sleep in her rock and or pack and play?!? I rock her to sleep and the instant I put her down she wakes up...everytime. the only way we sleep is if she is sleeping next to me with her head resting on my arm. I love it, but I'd also like to sleep carefree again

[ars093s]

Oct 20, 2015 17:31:21 GMT -5 layloo08 said:

Oct 20, 2015 17:20:14 GMT -5 queenb said:

Still torn between 1 or 2. But if we have another I don't plan on it for, like, 3 years. Just going to enjoy this kid and hope he makes lots of friends haha.

99.9% sure we are 1 and done.

I'd like 2 or 3 and H is down for whatever I am. I know he really wants a son...not that we can control that, but we'll be trying for another in a year or two.

[DSHM13]

Oct 20, 2015 17:46:32 GMT -5 shayr said:

How old is your LO? 9 weeks

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave? Back to work as of last week.

How's it going? It's great! T is a "good baby" as my mom says.

Best FTM moment so far? Bedsharing and waking up to her smiling face.

Advice/questions? Speaking of Bedsharing...any advice on how to get LO to sleep in her rock and or pack and play?!? I rock her to sleep and the instant I put her down she wakes up...everytime. the only way we sleep is if she is sleeping next to me with her head resting on my arm. I love it, but I'd also like to sleep carefree again

Are her sheets cold? At my mommy group yesterday they suggested warming the sheets up with a heating pad before setting her down. The cool sheets might wake her up. I'm excited to try this trick. Also, as much as it sucks, I just keep putting her in the PNP and if she screams, pick her up and repeat til she eventually sleeps soundly.

[misstunes]

abvintage sounds like you're doing great!

arimaythea I'm looking forward to a sibling, sometime later, not sooner, I'll need at least 4 years to build my sick time back up. Good luck tomorrow!

DSHM13 +1 for lotto winning!

@missava387 you must share your schedule, I feel like I have one at night but we really don't for daytime.

[misstunes]

9 weeks

Still on leave until Dec. 9th. I don't want to go back ever. But lucky to have my mom to take care of her when I do.

How's it going? Going well, I'm starting to feel comfortable leaving her for a few hours every once in a while. I had major anxiety about this up until a few weeks ago. We have bedtime down, naps not so much. She's not sttn but we are getting there. Nursing is going great and I'm enjoying it most of the time.

Best moment..all of them, but most favorite is getting a giggle out of her. She's been lauging in her sleep since a few weeks old but just recently if I mAke funny noises at her she will give a little giggle.

No advice but just want to say how awesome it is to have a group of women who are experiencing it all along with me and an even bigger group who have btdt to answer all our ftm questions. Sending all the creepy internet hugs to you all

[ampaints]

M is 13 weeks tomorrow, 3 months on Friday.

Tomorrow is 2 weeks back at work.

I feel like things are going alright. I had some anxiety issues at first, but getting better with that day by day. We don't have an exact routine, but getting closer. We've mostly went off of M's cues and it seems to be surging for us.

Best moment is when I get the smile he saves for me. It's bigger than for anyone else and often just pops up simply from him seeing me.

I agree that I'm in no place to give advice. Maybe do what works for you, it will most likely be different than what worked for pretty much everyone else you know.

[ampaints]

layloo08 M has actually started to wake up more in the last 2 weeks so I'm definitely getting less sleep than when I was on leave. I'm kind of getting use to it. I honestly don't mind the MOTN much because I look at it as more time I get to spend with M.

[kaeguri]

How old is your LO? 11 weeks as of yesterday

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave? SAHM, do random consulting work from home. Lord have mercy on me.

How's it going? Pretty good! I think E is pretty easy and chill most of the time. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop though...

Best FTM moment so far? Realizing I can tell whether she's hungry or just tired from her cries. I'm like, officially a mom now! And watching her smile. She smiles a lot, especially when I talk to her. It's awesome.

Advice/questions? Dude I'm totes mcgoats winging this shit. In regard to siblings, we definitely want one more. But just one. I told H if we have twins we have to sell one.

I'm joking. Mostly. Lol.

[carabassa]

10 weeks

SAHM for now, but will gradually start getting studio time in starting next month.

Things are going pretty well! First few weeks were really hard, mostly because of breastfeeding, but now that it doesn't hurt anymore everything feels easier.

Best FTM moment so far? When she mimicked me with little noises back and forth for the first time! And in general, I love when she's sleeping on me and lifts her head up to smash her chubby cheeks against my chest over and over till she's comfy. And she wiggles her little fist like she's starting a motorcycle.

Advice/questions? None right now!

[elvenqueen]

How old is your LO?
12 weeks

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave?
SAHM

How's it going?
There are good days and bad days. Daytime sleep and fussy periods are a nightmare with two, but I can handle both of them on my own, take them out, exclusively breastfeed, and get at least 6hrs of sleep at night (in pieces). It's gradually becoming more manageable, and starting to get fun!

Best FTM moment so far?
Morning smiles of recognition, the kind that come with little kicks and delighted squirms.

Advice/questions?
Advice? Don't have twins, lol.
I'm kidding.
Kind of.

ETA: I spend a decent amount of time fantasizing about how much easier things would be with one. But I couldn't choose between my two, I adore them both so much. And I know the hard work now will pay off when they're a bit older.

[nimfalen]

How old is your LO?
11 weeks tomorrow


Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave?
Combination. I work from home, and she's here with me. 


How's it going?
Not too bad. Now that we have her reflux under control, she's been sleeping much better. Working and taking care of her has been challenging, but we have a routine going now, so I'm feeling better about it. Things are kind of insane when my step kids are here. We try to stick to a schedule as much as possible, but there's so much going on, it doesn't usually happen.


Best FTM moment so far?
Her adorable smiles. And when she falls asleep on me and I realize that everything else in the world can wait a few minutes while I snuggle with her. 


Advice/questions? I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing most of the time, so no real advice. I'm just trying to take moments to breath and enjoy being a mom.

[astheria]

How old is your LO?


We are 9 weeks and 3 days today.

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave?


I've been back to work a week and a half now. It's hard. I've been going home at lunch bc I don't live far away and DH is a work from home dad. But today is the first day where I don't know if j have time for lunch let alone to go home and see them.

How's it going?


Things in general are going ok. DH and I are having some trouble connecting again on an intimate level, but that was kinda coming and developing for a long time. I guess 9 years of marriage can do that. E is an angel. Yes he cries when he needs something but he is a smiley happy baby. When we post pictures people say he is the happiest baby they've ever seen. It makes me feel good inside. I am dealing with some depression and anxiety. I'm not sure exactly if it's ppd related bc I have a lot of stressors in life and our situation right now and had these issues prior to baby. If things would work out in a job for the future it would help the unease a lot. So we are praying hard for our door to be opened.

Best FTM moment so far?
[
This mornings actually. He was stiring waking up and I peaked in on him and he caught my eye and just smiled this huge smile. He recognized me and was happy to see me. I would say seeing him for the first time as well but I am very disillusioned bc of my birth going awry that it's not the happiest for me. But seeing him smile and picking him up and having him instantly relax and stop crying really solidifies that I am his mom and he knows it.

Advice/questions?


Not one to be giving advice.

And on the topic of another kid. I don't know yet. Atm I am scared to death of getting pregnant again. I couldn't find my pills the other night and was having a panic attack searching the house for them. I think part of that is the uncertainty in our situation. DH is having a down time in his freelancing and while I am renewed at my job for another year I need to find my next step. I've been applying for a year already and feel like I'm just not good enough for anyone. Trying to hold on to faith that everything will work out exactly as it should, but I cannot even begin to think about putting myself through another c section with this lack of stability in our lives.

[2dumbdogs]

How old is your LO? 2months tomorrow

Back to work, SAHM, or still on leave? I go back to work on Monday. I'm ready to re-enter that world. I really feel like I needed all of this time though....maybe I could have gotten by with one less week now and one less week before she came, but I would definitely not have had mutt act together enough to go back at 6 weeks. Hell no.

How's it going? She's starting to get far more interesting, so while she's awake interactions are more fun. But I miss the sleeping all day so I can get stuff done.

Best FTM moment so far? I had that moment when she was born. They put her on my chest and I just instantly fell in love. Everything was perfect in that moment. One more, one morning my husband was snuggling baby in bed when she got hungry. So I nursed her side lying while he held her and me, it was super beautiful and special for us.

Advice/questions? I got nothing. I know nothing, just been very lucky with an easy little girl.