It's almost December, let's check in!

[redfraggle]

So I'm as guilty as anyone for not being super active lately. (I'll spare you my excuses...) But I'd love to read what everyone has going on with their lives. Since we aren't probably all checking every day, it seemed appropriate to do this before we get caught up in the holiday season.

Share what you've got going on.

[redfraggle]

I'm 29 weeks pregnant and complication-free so far! Now we just need to agree on a name. (Still team green, girl name is chosen, but boys are proving an arduous task.)
DD has used the potty a few times, but she is really inconsistent, so we aren't really pushing it yet.
DS is starting to read! I can't get over that they have them reading in preschool these days, but apparently that is the new standard. He's also teaching DD a lot.
DH is really happy at the job he took this spring, and I'm so glad I encouraged him to make the switch. He's like a whole new person without that weight on his shoulders.

[sugarkissed]

Everything sounds like it's going well redfraggle! Can't believe that you are already 29 weeks!

DD1 is so much fun these days. The things that she says make me laugh, no idea where she comes up with it. Earlier today I was picking up DD2 and she says "Oh goodness, baby is so cute!" Haha. She has NO interest in potty training. She fights naps, but still desperately needs them. She's really excited about Christmas this year and I'm looking forward to seeing her get more into it.

DD2 is almost 6 months old... what?!? She's so chubby and such a happy baby, always giggling and smiling! She's really interested in food lately, so we are starting baby led weaning next week.

DH has been crazy busy with work. It's hard on all of us with him being gone, but we are just thankful that he's so busy in the midst of mass layoffs in the province. He's currently out of the country so we are trying to keep busy (and sane) without him here. He really needs some time off, so we are planning a vacation for January or February.

[lilqt3929]

redfraggle Yay for a complication free pregnancy!!

Sticking with the pregnancy theme, I am 31 weeks pregnant with our baby boy and am starting to get a bit more unconfortable and I feel the tiredness coming back with a vengeance. I also feel like I have so much stress that just never seems to go away! We moved into our new house 3 weeks ago and are fairly settled and organized but there is just so much to do still. DH has his own list of what he wants to do and I have mine but unfortunately they do not include the same items, ugh. My main focus right now is setting up DD's big girl room so that I can finally prepare for this new baby, it's just so much work when I'm so tired all the time and I know it is just going to get worse over the next couple months. My OB informed me I am borderline anemic, which I was suspecting something with all the dizzy spells/tiredness I have been having. They want me to just eat more iron rich foods til my levels are rechecked in a few weeks. DH went back to work for the 1st time since his sinus surgery and it feels good to be back in our routine again. DD is day potty trained and has been since August because she insisted (I'm not fighting that one ). She has been so good with it (I know how lucky we are) but just the past few days has started regressing with at least one accident everyday, except today (fingers crossed, its only 4pm) so I have stuck around the house today and really keeping on her about using the potty and I hope she can get back on track fairly quickly.

[mommabakes]

I'm doing alright. Sleep deprived due to DS. DD is doing great, she's almost potty trained completely-although this week seems to be regressing. Working on learning the alphabet. We're getting settled into our new house. Painted two rooms so far, with paint ready for a third. I'm so ready to have all the painting done. Wish we could swing for new floors also, but the carpets are in good shape and unnecessarily replacing them isn't in the budget. My little brother (21) just got engaged! They're hoping for a September beach wedding in NC. I'm going they change their mind due to selfish financial reasons. I'm excited for Christmas. Almost all of my shopping is done. My friends are doing a holiday dinner and I'm making a brownie cheesecake which I'm excited for. I just got my holiday goodie list written up and the groceries bought, so I'll be starting my Christmas candy/cookie making soon.

[redfraggle]

Thank you, sugarkissed! How do you have a 6 month old already?!
lilqt3929, I feel your 3rd tri discomforts! I'm sorry to hear about the anemia; I've been there, and it is a real pain. Hooray for a PTed 2 year old!
mommabakes, love the great update!

[fiveohfive]

Life is good! My stress level is the lowest it has been since having the kids. Both are free of their health problems, and working part time means I get to see them more. It's been hard adjusting to less time with my DH, but we are working out the kinks.

DD1 is doing great. She can count to 12 and can sing the ABCs for the most part (a few letters are forgotten). We are working with her on the differences between V and Y and R and P, etc. she loves to play pretend with her baby dolls and play food. I'm excited for Christmas this year since she understands it a bit more... She loves to look at Christmas lights and help wrap presents.

DD2 is 7 1/2 months old and CRAWLING everywhere. I'm so excited that she was able to do it without a big delay since she was in the pavlik harness for 3 months for her hips. She is STTN, loves to eat and is generally happy.


So glad to hear everyone is doing well! I can't wait for new baby updates shortly into 2016

Eta no potty training here! We have the potty, fancy soap, stickers, m&ms, etc and she doesn't care

[redfraggle]

fiveohfive, great update! How is DD2 crawling already?!

That is great that your DD knows all her letters! Mine can sing the song, but her recognition isn't very good when I actually show her letters and ask what it is. DS isn't helping matters by being over-anxious to answer me any time I ask, so she winds up just copying whatever he just said.

[mommytoone]

DS1 is great and amazes us every day! He can count to 10 in Spanish (no idea where that came from since the ONLY Spanish speaking person in our family doesn't speak spanish around him) he can also count to 10 in English and say about half of his ABCs(unless he is singing the song with his train), he loves to sing "rock a bye baby" to his little brother. DS2 is 2 months old already and is a spitting image of his brother. I'm excited for Christmas this year because DS1 is going to be so much more into it and all the lights he has seen he says is "cool". Plus he's obsessed with trains so I'm excited to see him with his "big" gift from Santa on Christmas morning(wooden train table)

[fiveohfive]

Dec 1, 2015 14:05:05 GMT -5 redfraggle said:

fiveohfive, great update! How is DD2 crawling already?!

That is great that your DD knows all her letters! Mine can sing the song, but her recognition isn't very good when I actually show her letters and ask what it is. DS isn't helping matters by being over-anxious to answer me any time I ask, so she winds up just copying whatever he just said.

I can imagine having an older sibling who knew the alphabet would both help/hinder the process! Honestly the foam stick on bath letters are how she has learned most of them. She loves to stick them all on the side of the tub and since it takes her a few tries we talk about each letter for a bit.

Is it hard being pregnant with TWO kiddos to run around and look after? You must be exhausted!

[fiveohfive]

Hugs jnetx--- two kids is a whole new ball game and it sounds like your DH needs to figure out a way to better enjoy his alone time. I've frequently told my husband to get out and do things also and he says he is too tired from the kids.

I'm not sure if this is an option for you or not, but sometimes when my DH seems overly stressed I will take the kids to my parents for an overnight just so he has the house alone and can lounge a bit there since he doesn't want to leave. I don't know. 4.5 months is rough! It took until about 6 months for DD2 to fall into a sleep routine and I was exhausted

[Deleted]

We're doing well here. The girls have started food therapy - well, Ashley has and Kayla starts on Friday, but Ashley's food therapist has worked a little with Kayla. Ashley is a huge pizza fan and Kayla goes nuts for Reeses PB Cups - and since that is a solid food she actually swallows, I let her have like one a day to encourage the trend of eating non-pureed things.

We're talking up a storm. We've been at full sentences for a while now, but some of the things that come out of their mouths are hysterical. And words that I never taught them - like "ooooh, flashlight!" when they saw one. Christmas movies/Santa/snowmen/trees are a huge hit. Christmas lights are just entrancing. Books of any kind/being read to are in high demand. DH and I are thrilled, since we're both bookworms.

We're still in cribs - thank God! - and haven't climbed out since the one time a piece when my back was turned. It totally scared them more than anything, but they haven't seemed all that willing to try again. We're also 100% "free range" now - with rooms cordoned off with gates. The play yard - what a godsend! - has been dismantled and packed away. I've had some limited success in selling some of the winter snow suits and the like that they no longer fit into, in an effort to clear out some things.

Not much else I can think of. Trying to finish my Christmas shopping.

[redfraggle]

Dec 1, 2015 20:13:54 GMT -5 fiveohfive said:

Dec 1, 2015 14:05:05 GMT -5 redfraggle said:

fiveohfive , great update! How is DD2 crawling already?!

That is great that your DD knows all her letters! Mine can sing the song, but her recognition isn't very good when I actually show her letters and ask what it is. DS isn't helping matters by being over-anxious to answer me any time I ask, so she winds up just copying whatever he just said.

I can imagine having an older sibling who knew the alphabet would both help/hinder the process! Honestly the foam stick on bath letters are how she has learned most of them. She loves to stick them all on the side of the tub and since it takes her a few tries we talk about each letter for a bit.

Is it hard being pregnant with TWO kiddos to run around and look after? You must be exhausted!

I am exhausted! The kids are getting sick of me being too tired/nauseous to play.

[redfraggle]

jnetx, DD was the same way at that age, super clingy! Sleep training helped a lot, though we didn't do it until she was 8 months old because I didn't realize it was the issue. As for your H, Five already made the suggestions I was going to make (MH does sports one night a week). Would it be possible for you to arrange a "date" for him with one of his friends, like to go to a ball game or out for pizza or even have some couples over for games and appetizers some night while the kids are at Grandma's?

[redfraggle]

Dec 3, 2015 20:59:40 GMT -5 jnetx said:

Dec 3, 2015 17:01:38 GMT -5 redfraggle said:

jnetx , DD was the same way at that age, super clingy! Sleep training helped a lot, though we didn't do it until she was 8 months old because I didn't realize it was the issue. As for your H, Five already made the suggestions I was going to make (MH does sports one night a week). Would it be possible for you to arrange a "date" for him with one of his friends, like to go to a ball game or out for pizza or even have some couples over for games and appetizers some night while the kids are at Grandma's?

Oh and I am counting down the days until we can start sleep training. I know that sounds mean, but u know we will both be sooo much happier when we are getting good rest.

It doesn't sound mean at all! It sounds practical.

Also, I hope you don't mind, but I asked MH about your H's behavior. He thought it sounded kind of like PPD, but we weren't sure if dads can get that. He suggested getting your H to spend more time with the kids to build more of a connection or see if your H would consider counseling, which doesn't sound likely from what you've said. In any case, we really hope you and he find a solution.

[fiveohfive]

Big hugs jnetx! It sounds like your DH just needs to find an outlet that works. Kids are tough!

[annarose]

Hey hey long time ladies - though I do check the board every so often.

DD is doing really well. Talks a lot and is so excited about Christmas. Her new thing is "go away mommy. Be alone." It's hard not to laugh or smile at her when she says it. She had a small interest in the potty. She has asked about it at school and had recently pee'd twice there

We are also on the pregnant train - I am 17 weeks as of yesterday. Nothing exciting going on there and I like it that way we have our anatomy scan in a week! We are hoping for another girl so it will probably be a boy lol

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!!! Every year gets better with DD

[redfraggle]

annarose, I think I missed your BFP as well. Congratulations!

[lilqt3929]

annarose Congratulations!!

[sugarkissed]

SO MANY BABIES!

Congrats annarose!

[annarose]

Thank you ladies no one missed my BFP, I hadn't mentioned it before. We are excited and of course a little nervous about going from 1 to 2.

[redfraggle]

Dec 7, 2015 17:22:04 GMT -5 annarose said:

Thank you ladies no one missed my BFP, I hadn't mentioned it before. We are excited and of course a little nervous about going from 1 to 2.

Don't be nervous! You'll figure out the whole 2nd kid thing pretty quickly.

[fiveohfive]

Yay! Congrats annarose!

[carli]

Congratulations @annarse! And hey hey hey everyone! I've been MIA for a while! adjusting to 2 kids has been crazy, but I love it. DS is 4 months now and stinking adorable! He's so smiley. We just got through a crazy scary illness that involved 2 trips to the ER, a spinal tap, chest xray, cat scan, blood work, a trip to infectious disease. Turns out it was just 2 nasty viruses working together to hurt my little guy. He's all good now though thank goodness!

DD (2yo) is doing great also. She had her first Christmas program the other night which was adorable. She definitely doesn't talk as much as it sounds like y'alls kids are but she's really smart and so much fun! She's also into the Christmas lights and Santa this year so the whole season is a ton of fun. Oh and talk about the best sister award. She's fantastic with him. Loves him so much and wants to help with everything!

[fiveohfive]

Yikes carli! Those viruses sound TERRIBLE... So glad he's okay!

(The like is for everything else!)

[redfraggle]

Ditto Five's response about the "like", carli.
It is funny how different kids can be.
We had a technical snafu and didn't get DS's first Christmas program on video. I hope you were more fortunate in that dept.

[wowcheezits]

Hi everyone! Hope all of you are well and your babies are doing good. I'm 21 weeks right now and trying to get DD potty trained. She's also going to be to a toddler bed pretty soon so lots going on there. I'm trying to fight off a cold but the cold is winning. Other than that, just finishing up on some Christmas shopping.

[salemkitty]

I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday season. DS2 is due Christmas Day. We have an induction scheduled for Monday. I'm hoping little one will come on his own though.
DS1 is having some typical 2 issues. Sleep regression and tantrums. His asthma has been worse this season he has had 2 hospital stays. He is currently getting over 2 weeks of steroids (see sleep regression and tantrums) H wants me to keep him home during maternity leave to reduce germs but I'm not sure I can handle them both at home all day.
He loves going to DC, he's super social and his speech is coming along nicely. He has a great personality and everyone adores him

jnetx I hope your H is feeling better. I'm worried about MH this time. It's been rough w DS1 lately and H keeps saying how are we going to do 2?

[lilqt3929]

Good luck tomorrow salemkitty . I hope everything goes smoothly and DS1 adjusts quickly for you. Sorry to hear he hasn't been feeling well, hopefully he will start sleeping better for you soon!

[fiveohfive]

Best of luck this week salemkitty! Sorry to hear your toddler has been sick and sleepless... Tis the season for antibiotics!