[jenedens6102]

Oh we love Tony, couldn't have asked for a better man to lead our boys off into battle and victory. He's touched our lives not just in how he coaches the Indianapolis team but his broadcasts on the radio. I haven't bought his book yet but I'm thinking about buying it for DH for Christmas.

Not only were our boys both born 8 months to the day we took our first HPT's but they are also a month a part, ok plus one day!

Have you decided yet whether you are going to wait to introduce foods? I know it's a topic you've brought up before but I hadn't heard anything recently. Ethan is on squash this week, started yesterday, and after that he'll have had all the vegetables for at least a full week and no reactions. So I'm talking about starting to make some myself. I'm also trying to eat more of the fruits and vegetables I like (DH isn't a fruit or vegetable fan) so that he sees mommy eating it too. Maybe this way when he starts eating table foods he won't mix out on the things I gave up because DH doesn't eat them, now I'll have someone to share with.

[akk]

i may have asked this before, but what are all of you doing about swaddling? i have a love/hat relationship with it...sometimes it works...but other times, the kids just want their hands...ugh!

any suggestions on how you handled it?

[jenedens6102]

I haven't swaddled in months. Ethan was never one to want to be confined, he likes to have his arms out and hands up when he sleeps. We laugh because it's almost a security thing for him. He either sleeps with his hands up by his face with arms out or with his arms straight out to the sides and touching his bumper.

Do any of you ladies use bumpers? I'm in the fight of trying to decide whether I want to take Ethan out of his sleep positioner and what that means for the bumper. I don't want his legs, arms, feet or hands to get caught but I also don't want to risk smothering. He's still fine in his sleep positioner but I know those are only good for about another month. He's rolling from back to belly a lot but still has only rolled belly to back a few times so I worry about taking him out, finding him on his belly and him not being able to roll back out. Know what I mean? I am always the worry wart!

[Laci]

Jen-I started a small amount of rice last week mixed with formula once a day. At first he pushed most of it back out, but the last couple of days he has done much better. It is still very messy, but he seems to be getting more in his tummy. I can't really tell if he likes it, but he does not seem to mind. He is back to sleeping all night, and he has not had any constipation etc. I am going to keep working at it, and then when he hits the 5 month mark will try some veggies. As far as bumpers and positioners, Karson is still on his incline postitioner, but I am not sure how much longer it is going to fit his size. My grandmother got us a big wooden cradle, and he still fits nicely in it, so he is not in his crib yet. I did take the bumper off the cradle one night, and he squirmed out of his blanket, down his positioner, and had his legs through the bars. So, I put the bumper back on for the time being. I am laying him down for his naps in his crib now to begin the transition, so once he is there permanently I will have to figure this out. I am a worrier as well, and I constantly second guess myself. Also, Kevin got Dungy's devotional book last year for Christmas and has really enjoyed it. Is that the book you are considering?

AKK - Karson is 4 months and at least 16 1/2 lbs. He still likes to be swaddled. When he is not swaddled he is very restless, and wakes himself up with his arms/hands. DH and I joke that one day when he is in college we are going to have to go every night and swaddle him before bed... If you get any tips on how to transition out of swaddling please share.

Have any of you ladies had a problem with nightmares since having your baby(ies)? I am constantly waking up screaming because I have dreams that something has happened to Karson (ex. dreams that I go to sleep holding him and he suffocates.) DH is prepared at this point and is able to calm me down, tell me I am dreaming, and then I lay down and go back to sleep. Weird...

[jenedens6102]

Laci, I've had two nightmares that woke me up crying but not screaming. One DH and I went to church (this was the night before Ethan's dedication) and left Ethan at home because he was still sleeping. For some reason in my dream it was reasonable to think that we could go to Sunday School then run home and get Ethan ready for church and get him there in time for his dedication. However, there was a tornado warning and they locked us up in the pastor's house and I was screaming trying to get out because my baby was home and alone. Crazy huh?

As for the cereal thing, if you don't feel he quite gets it yet it's ok to stop for another week or two. Sometimes it takes some longer then others. That was my thought when I began, if Ethan didn't seem to get the concept then I'd give it two more weeks. But he got it right away.

Ethan likes to turn from side to side while in his positioner, he's been a side sleeper for months. So my fear is he's going to get mad if he can't stay up on his sides or he's going to end up face down without being able to roll back to his back. Since he likes to lay with his arms straight out that's where I worry about not having the bumpers. Geez!

I was talking about Tony Dungy's devotional book.

[amfandrmf]

OK...I typed this whole thing yesterday and then I was kicked off. I'm glad I saved this before I lost everything I typed...

akk, sounds you were brave with those 12 hour trips! I'm impressed. And, I'm so happy you started posting pics! They are just ADORABLE! Make sure you keep posting those pics. I'd love to see more. As for swaddling, our girls wouldn't be able to sleep through the night without it. When they want their hands, the can break through. It just helps them fall asleep at night and then they're fine. So sorry but I don't know any other way.

Jen, tell Ethan happy 5 months! I feel for ya with the teething. Our girls are just not themselves lately. Cranky, cranky little girls. It seems like nothing works anymore. The teething tablets aren't working and I've been close to giving in to tylenol. Ethan's little teeth have to be close to breaking through, especially with the fever. I love the pics! He looks too cute in his high chair. And Jen, I am so jealous of you! You look amazing! I need some tips. As far as the bumpers and positioner...We decided to stop using the positioners when we put the girls in the cribs at night. So, we haven't used it in about 3 months. We also do not have any bumpers in their cribs, but they really don't move around a lot. But, I've thought about buying the bumper that is like a mesh material. They can't suffocate, but they also can't get through the bars.

Lacie, tell Karson happy 4 months! Another b-day to celebrate! I hope you can get pics posted soon. I haven't really had many nightmares...at least not that bad. I can't imagine what that must be like for you! I'm glad your DH is there for you.

Laurie, how are the girls?

Well, just an update...my cousin is doing fine. He'll be recovering at home for awhile and the pain will be sticking around for awhile. I'm sure he won't get on a mule in the near future.

Can you girls believe the summer is coming to an end soon? I don't know where its gone. Being back at work really makes the time fly even faster. The job is going well, but I have a hard time turning down hours. This week I'm working 39 hours and I really didn't want to ever go over 30. I'm gonna have to start learning to say "No."

[jenedens6102]

Anna, if I knew the secrets or tips I'd definitely share. I didn't get a good luck at that picture until I opened my email at work and I even thought to myself - wow I look pretty good, how did that happen? Must just be running myself raged between working full time and raising my two boys (DH included).

[lauriej79]

Hey girls - Glad to here that all is going well.

Jen - I love the new pictures....sound like you and I might possibly start making the baby food, huh? I really want to try. My SIL did with both boys and she was talking to me about it some tonight. I have just got to get everything together.

Laci/Akk -My babies both STILL love to be swaddled. DH and I were saying the same thing the other night about what we were going to do when they outgrew them! I think we are in the largest size now. Every once in a while they kick the bottoms out and their feet are out or they could get an arm out but they have never gotten all the way out of them. We have the same issues though. Unless I put them on their stomachs (which I only do for naps when I am around) they are very restless and end up waking themselves up with their arms. As far as nightmares, I haven't really had any but if I ever lay down in the afternoons when the girls do and doze off, I always wake up scared to death that they have been screaming and I have slept through it. Also, a couple of times during the middle of the night I have woken up and went to check on them when I was half asleeep and saw that one of them was not in the crib. Well obivously DH had already gotten them up but since I am half asleep I don't realize that.

Anna - Yes, you need to say no! I If you don't they will just keep asking you. Glad to hear that the cousin is doing well. I am with you on the end of the summer. It's hard to believe another summer is almost gone. 2 weeks from today I will be at the beach again. I can't wait. Both sets of parents are coming so we should have some good babysitters between the 4 of them. Hopefully DH and I can get some quality time together.

Avery goes for the appointment with the pediatric urologist Thursday. We were hoping that the RPD (renal pelvic dilation) would correct itself but she has had 2 ultrasounds since birth and it was still there in both. I will be anxious to see what the specialist has to say.

[amfandrmf]

Laurie, I definitely hope Avery's appt goes well? Have they mentioned what possibly may happen if it hasn't corrected itself? Is surgery the only option? I'll be thinking about her Thursday. You'll have to post right away, otherwise I'll be worrying all night. Sounds like you'll enjoy yourself at the beach. That'll be a nice way to end the summer.

[lauriej79]

I will Anna. It will be nice to have a specialist opinion. I doubt they will do anything right now. According to the pediatrician they may wait until she is a year old and re-evaluate. Yes, surgery is the only correction but I don't think they will do surgery on her at this age unless it is causing problems or life threatening.

[jenedens6102]

Laurie, as I posted on the other thread - I did make Ethan's first batch of homemade baby food yesterday and it was a wonderful experience for me. We'll just keep our fingers crossed that he likes it! I'll be thinking of Avery tomorrow. Please do post and give us the update afterwards!

[Laci]

Laurie - We will be thinking about Avery Thursday.

Anna - You are going to have to stay no. Otherwise they will just take advantage of the fact that you won't. Once you say no the first couple of times they will get the idea, and hopefully will stop asking.

[amfandrmf]

Laurie, I hope everything went well. Clue us in as soon as you can.

Jen, did Ethan have the homemade food yet? How did he like it?

Laci, I completely agree. I know I have to say "no" but it just hasn't come out yet...

Well, the clinic I worked for today is so nice. It even has catered lunches for all the employees including Maggianos, Paneras, among many other nice local restaurants. There is also one other clinic that I'll be working at that has catered lunches on Fridays and has catered breakfast on Mondays and Tuesdays.

DH took the girls to the zoo today with his sister and mom. I'm so happy that he loves spending time with the girls. He's such a good dad!

[lauriej79]

Hey Anna - Everything went great. Let me just say that I have the utmost respect for people that work at these childrens hospital. As bad as I hate to say it I am so happy we don't have to go up there on a regular basis. It wasn't bad at the urologist office but in the parking garage, in the elevators, in the hallways, sick, sick kids. People pulling their kids in those wagons because they can't walk and are hooked up to all kinds of stuff. Kids with helmets on their head and braces on their legs. We saw one couple in the elevator that could not figure out where to go and they had a baby in their carrier that was no bigger than P&A are right now and we commented on how cute he was and asked how old he was and he was a year old! Something was definitely not right for him to be the size he was. It really gives you a reality check for what you have.

Anyway, the doctor said that all of Avery's tests were stable. He said that their was the dilation which we all know but he said that right now he was not concerned about it right now. He said any time she has a fever that he wants the pediatricians office to do a urine dip and if it was a UTI they would repeat all tests. He said that it is possible to get worse over time but he doesn't anticipate that. So he said that he wanted to see us back when she was a year old. I asked him then if it was the exact same amount of dilation if he would do anything and he said no, only if it got worse. He said she could always have a little bit of it. He said to go on with life and not worry about it unless she got a UTI. So we felt really good about it. We are very fortunate.

[adwalker]

That is so awesome Laurie!