[jenedens6102]

Anna, I could go on with that rant for you. DH has always been like that. He tells me all the time that if I'm overwhelmed or need help I should just come right out and ask, not hint around. My thought is that I shouldn't have to, he's an equal parent in this relationship. So I try to go to bed within a half hour of putting Ethan down knowing I'll be the one to get up with him. Then DH tells me he's willing to help. He comes to bed at 12 and tells me "if Ethan wakes up in the next three hours I'll feed him." HELLO! The earliest Ethan wakes up is 4:30, normally not until 5:30 on a normal day. So I can only get your help if it's within the first three hours of you going to bed, good luck with that! So I made sure he knew I wasn't happy with his limited assistance offer. He gets home between 6-7 p.m. but still has to stay up until midnight or later before coming to bed. Then he wakes up at 6:30 and is out the door at 7:15 with no time to help me in the mornings either. I've just learned to let it go, one day I'm just going to have to make him do it and figure it all out. He doesn't even know Ethan's cries (ie, hungry, tired, bored, hot, etc).

Anyway, when we started Ethan on foods we also went with an orange because the orange vegetables do have a little sweetness to them. Then after talking to a friend of mine she said when she started with orange veggies her kids wouldn't take the greens. So after sweet potatoes we went to sweet peas (which Ethan LOVED) and just yesterday we started green beans. He wasn't a huge fan at first but seemed to get used to it by the time we were done. We'll see how tonight goes. And you said Mila probably would have eaten the whole jar - Ethan was like that with the sweet peas. But I always cut him off around half a jar but that's because I'm still doing his oatmeal too. Interesting that your doctor said cereal in the morning and veggies for dinner. I'll have to try that.

Oh and yes he's starting to get into his 6-9 month clothes. That onsie is actually 6-12 months but seems small. His pants/shorts are now 12 months because he's so long. Definitely a big boy, always has been!

[lauriej79]

Jen - Nice pictures! Anna is right, he is getting big.

I am no help on the DH rant. I am SOOO lucky. He is the best husband and the best Dad. He never complains about watching them. He loves it. He also will take one of them at night...if need be. Our girls are still really good sleepers but Presley is more restless at night and usually ends up in the bed with us by 5:30 or so.

Question, our babies are still on the brown rubber/latex nipples they came home from the hospital from. I asked the doctor about it at their check-up and he said that eventually they would want something else. Well, they still don't! I have tried giving them the nipples that actually come with the bottles and they won't eat! I finally found some brown rubber ones at BRU the other day that were fast flow and and they wouldn't even try them either. I guess it's not the end of the world but their entire mouth covers up the nipple now because their mouths are bigger than the nipple. I tried to move their pacifiers to a bigger size the other day (they were still using the smaller ones) and they did a little better with that but still didn't like them as much. What do you girls think?

Well, I decided to start food yesterday myself. I started with the green peas. I don't think it really matters what you start them with as long as you do it for a couple of days. My doctor said there were different theories about starting with one or the other but he just let his Mom's choose what they wanted to start with. Avery was all about it but Presley had the most awful look on her face. I think Avery would have kept eating too. She is my big eater. The reason I did it was because the last several afternoon's she has taken her 8-9 ounce bottle and still been hungy. I fixed her another 3 ounces and she seemed satisfied but I was scared to death that I was going to give her a stomach ache. She was fine but I figured she obviously needs a little more so that is what made my decision. I guess we will see how it goes.

[jenedens6102]

Laurie, I'm glad you chose to start them on foods. While formula/breast milk is what they should solely be on for the first 6 months, sometimes it's just not enough for all babies. I tried to back off the food and give Ethan 8 ounce bottles and he was still throwing up an ounce or two of it so we are sticking to 6 until he tells us otherwise. He's doing great on the food. He's a big boy, always has been - food isn't going to change that too much. Plus I'm sure once he gets older and is more active he'll loose a lot of the chub, as with most babies. Don't give up on Presley, while she might not have enjoyed it yesterday it doesn't mean she won't today. Ethan had horrible faces and looked like he wanted to gag or spit the sweet potatoes back out that first day and we stopped at a quarter of the jar. The next day though, he loved them and ate the rest of the jar! It just takes them a little time as it's a different taste and texture then what they are used to.

Happy feedings to us all!

[amfandrmf]

Jen, sometimes men just don't get it.

Laurie, your lucky that you don't have to complain. Oh, and I unfortunately don't have any advice on the nipples or pacifiers. We switched off of them right when we brought them home from the hospital. Our NICU at the hospital also wheened them off the small pacifier right away. You may just want to give it sometime. Maybe they need a couple days to adjust to the difference. Avery sounds like a good eater, just like my Mila. She would inhale food all day if she could. Maddie on the other hand wants to keep her girlish figure. She definitely lets you know when she's had enough.

I think Maddie has also gotten more difficult to feed because of her teething. After a while, she won't drink her bottle, she'll just start chewing on the nipple. She's definitely not a happy camper lately.

[jenedens6102]

Anna, have you tried the teething tablets? We bought these for Ethan and have really only had to use them a few times. They seem to do the trick. You just give them two to three every six hours or so. They dissolve quickly which I love. Knock on wood but even with Ethan showing another new bud he's not been fussy for going on two weeks now. I'm amazed. But yes, when he's having troubles he too chews on his nipple versus drinking.

Laurie, what kind of nipples have you tried? Being that the girls are used to breastfeeding, have you tried the Playtex nipples? I don't know whether they are sold separately as mine came with my drop in systems but that was and still is the best for Ethan. The are rounder, more like the breast. He'll take the others but collapses them down, even the fast flow, but he has to play with them for about ten minutes before he gets the hang of them so we don't use them often. We also have the Advent Flow nipples. There is a difference in flow between latex and silicone. Ethan prefers latex.

[amfandrmf]

Jen, I did buy the teething tablets, but haven't tried them yet. I guess I was a little afraid of putting something in her mouth, even though it does say it dissolves instantly. I'm afraid of her choking. I may go ahead and try it tonight. She's still fussing with her feedings, so I'll probably try it in about an hour. I'll let you know how it goes.

Anyone have any exciting plans this weekend? DH works this weekend, so we probably won't be doing much of anything. Sat I'll be heading to the dentist. My tooth is killing me and of course it happened once DH's insurance ran out last week. His new insurance doesn't kick in until November! I never have problems with my teeth... Then, my mom and I will go shopping with the girls on Sat. Kohls has an employee appreciation day this weekend where we get a bigger discount. I figure I can buy the girls a few new outfits. Mila doesn't have a lot of 3-6 clothes.

[jenedens6102]

Honestly they do dissolve really quick. I try and put them under Ethan's tongue like you are supposed to but it starts dissolving so fast that he ends up sucking it off my finger instead. I too worried about choking.

No major plans for this weekend. Just my friend's son's birthday party, he's turning two next week.

[amfandrmf]

The teething tablets seemed like they worked. She still is having a lot of problems...hopefully this passes soon. They really dissolved fast!

OK...so sick of all this favre stuff. I don't think I can watch him play for another team! This is just gonna ruin the season for me. Sorry, but the only thing you see on the news in WI is all about the favre fiasco going on. I love the guy, huge fan, but don't want him playing for another team. Favre=packers. Sorry, had to rant a little on the subject.

My poor friend had her stove catch on fire tonight! Fire trucks were out there and she now has to clean up her place before her kids can step foot in there. And, she can't get a hold of her DH because he turned off his phone while at a movie. She was just pre-heating her oven for a pizza! The firemen say it can happen to anyone and that nothing was wrong with her stove. Scary, scary!

[jenedens6102]

Anna, I'm glad the teething tablets seemed to help a bit yesterday. They definitely don't take all the pain away but lessening it even a little is sometimes enough. Ethan's teeth are definitely bothering him again too. He had a good two week stretch where he was fine but between being restless Tuesday night and being a bit fussy last night we know that it's coming around again. For the first time yesterday instead of sucking my finger to dissolve his teething tablets he actually chose instead to bite and chew on my finger. His gums aren't as smooth as they were, they feel a bit rigid, so I wonder if he's going to cut soon. Poor guy!

[Laci]

I am so glad to read that everyone is doing well with foods. That is very encouraging. I am sorry for all the teething pain, and I hate that these sweet babies have to go through this.

I need some advice ladies. I took Karson back to the doctor yesterday to check-up for his recent sickness. He is still a little congested, but is much better. He weighed 16lbs and 4 oz, which just blows my mind. He is wearing 6-9 months, and some of them are a little snug. The part that makes me sad is that he has some adorable outfits that he is not going to get to wear because they are out of season, but that is another story. In any event, my big boy still wants to be swaddled, but he is strong enough at this point to get out if rather easily. Then he gets his hands in his mouth. This makes him think he is hungry and he wakes up. Last night he was up at 11:30, 3:00, 5:00, and then woke up for the day at 8:30. Any ideas on how can I wean him from the swaddling? Also, my doctor still has not given the green light for foods. I am seriously considering starting him on rice or oatmeal. I think this might help with the swaddle transition. Since you have all tried this to date what are the most important things I should know?

[jenedens6102]

Wow Karson is a big boy, measuring the way Ethan was at his four month appointment! If you think he's hungry and needs something more then just his formula it's not going to hurt him to try! I started Ethan on oatmeal at 3 1/2 months and he was definitely ready. If Karson is showing you the signs give it a try. If he pushes it all out and doesn't seem interested, no harm no foul. Just put it back and wait for another week and try it again. As for swaddling I don't have any helpful hints for you. Ethan was done with swaddling by two weeks, he hated to be confined.

[lauriej79]

Laci - I don't have any helpful hints for you either. Our girls are both still being swaddled. They absolutely love it although they both kick their legs and get their arms out of it during the night as well. Sometimes it wakes them up as well. As far as getting their hands in their mouths, Avery is far worse doing this. The other night I could hear her "talking" and I checked on her and she had gotten almost her whole fist in her mouth WITH the swaddler. Her hand was still under it and she still mananged to get her hand in her mouth. Again though, she didn't wake herself. Our babies can always be soothed by a paci and within about 5 minutes they end up spitting it out.

Anna- Sorry the girls are having such a time. It makes for long evenings I'm sure. totally agree about the Favre stuff too!

Well girls, we have a big day tomorrow. Our girls are going to their open house for the Mother's Morning out program that starts Monday. It starts at 10am. I am sad but I am so excited as well for them to get out of the house some. It will be more like a Father's Morning out program for us though since it will be from 9am-1pm. It will help DH though by cutting him down to only 3 mornings a week watching them. I know it will help him so much getting more work done. More work=more money so I can't say too much. I am going to LOVE that hour 2 days a week to get to do something for myself. It will be precious. I have already started to think of things to do....hair appts, nail appts, working out at the gym, going to the grocery store, going shopping! Oh, it is going to be nice even if it is only 2 days. They will be going Monday and Wednesday.

Then tomorrow night the babies are spending the night away from home for the first time. I have been putting it off. We took all their things abour 2 weeks ago and had good intentions but after our "date" we ended up going to get them. I just couldn't do it. Well DH surprised me about the trip to Savannah/Tybee Island next weekend for my BD so I figured we had to have a trial run. Well, tomorrow night will be it! I am keeping my fingers crossed that both me and the babies will be okay! I know everything will be just fine.

[Laci]

Good luck Laurie! I know it will be hard, but the girls will be taken care of very well. Are they staying with your parents? Right now the idea of leaving Karson tugs at my heart, but one day I am sure he will be like my nephew and niece. They cry when their mom comes to pick them up following their visit because they want to stay with Nanny and Papa. I think that will break my heart even more, but it means they are very loved and well cared for. As a side note, this would be exactly what I deserve because I did the same thing to my mom when it came to my grandparents, but they did live within walking distance. There is just something very special about grandparents and grandchildren.

[lauriej79]

Yep, they are staying with my Mom and Dad. My 2 nephews are the exact same way. They would much rather be with my Mom and Dad than with their parents. I know they will be fine....it's just doing it. I feel guilty but then I keep thinking, why should I feel guilty?? We have been doign this for almost 5 months and not one single person has spent the night at our house or anything. For that matter we have not left them for more than 4-5 hours. I just want to make sure they are going to do okay before I let them stay 2 nights though. That is going to be hard but we deserve a break and we are lucky that we have my parents in our lives that want to keep the babies. My parents didn't have that option when we were growing up. I know it will be good for DH and I to have some alone time.

[Laci]

Laurie you should not feel guilty at all!! You are amazing parents, and you have not had a break. I have a good friend that had twin girls in May. Her mom stayed with them for the first two weeks, then his mom stayed for two weeks, and then her mom came back for two more weeks. Then our group of friends took meals to them for weeks 7 and 8. So, for the first 8 weeks she had great help. She was able to take naps, and their mothers helped with a great deal of the night duty. My goodnes girl, you and DH are wonderful parents. I know you will miss them and worry, but if anyone deserves a little vacation you would be at the top of my list. On top of all that I am sure your parents are so excited!! I have no doubt they will never be far from your thoughts, but you are going to have a great time with DH.