[lauriej79]

Jen, I just watched you video and I loved it! He is getting so big!

[jenedens6102]

Thanks Laurie, yes he's definitely getting big. I think he grows by the day. He's going to be a big boy like his daddy which is fine with me. However, if he develops his daddy's appetite we might be in trouble. I understand what you mean about breastfeeding. It is definitely such a cost saving and with two I'm sure you are trying to keep costs to a minimum as much as you can. I laughed when you said your boobs are huge. I miss mine! Mine are actually smaller now then they were before I got pregnant. Plus I was so used to having them during my pregnancy and while I was breastfeeding that now I just feel like they don't exist at all. I'm so small now that I keep joking to DH that I need to have plastic surgery. He laughed because never in my life have I cared. I just feel so small all over, no belly, no boobs, it's weird!

[mthomas1012]

Lauri what hard work to be pumping prior to going to work. At least though you are still able to breastfeed yours. At about week four, I got mastitis on my right side and everything completely dried up. One breast does not produce enough for two babies, so that is when we began supplementing with formula. My doctor gave me Reglan to help increase production, but nothing ever happened again on the right side. Now at seven and a half weeks, Maura and Brody are completely forumla fed. They are taking 4-5 ounces 7x each day because they still wake up at 3am to feed in the night. We are paying about $350/month to feed them right now!!! It is crazy expensive, so even though it is tedious work stick with it as long as possible!!

All of the March babies are just adorable. It is tough to think that this time last year we were all going to IVF appts to get started on the meds. How amazing God is!!!!

Happy Late Mother's Day to all ladies!! Wasn't it just awesome!!

Margaret

[evita]

Hello ladies,

I just put Eva to sleep and so got time to catch up with you guys. All my family members have left and now i am alone with my baby, DH being away at work is of little help. It sometimes gets on me. Poor me!

Anna and Laurie, your girls are too cute!!! I loved their pictures.

[amfandrmf]

Jen, I'm glad your brother enjoys banquets. I plan on calling today to check into the position. I also received an email from the local hospital for a receptionist position. They want to do a phone interview. So, kinda excited about that one. I've always wanted to get into the medical field. I actually did a program for medical transcription in the hopes of maybe one day being able to work from home.

akk, it is crazy to see our babies at such different sizes. Poor Maddie, the smaller one, is also the older sister. Kinda funny. I hope your DS starts sleeping through the night as well. It is so nice when they sleep so well at night. Maddie has no problems sleeping through the night, but Mila is only happy when she is sleeping either with me or DH. I have a feeling we'll have a battle on our hands when we finally put them in their cribs at night. Let me know what you thought of that movie! I can't wait to see it. I'm in love with Shia LeBeouf. He's a little young for me, but so cute.

mthomas, its so nice to hear from you. Your little ones are so cute! I love the pics. How are they doing? Are they sleeping through the nights yet? You'll have to let us know how their 2 month appt goes. I know the expense of formula. We pay the same amount and its just crazy! I never thought it would be so much.

Laurie, good to hear from you again. Your girls are just so adorable. I couldn't believe it either that you were using rice cereal in the milk already. They must really enjoy that. We really enjoyed mother's day as well or as DH said the girls call it "Mommy's Day." The girls wrote me a beautiful letter and put their footprints on it for their signature.

Evita, I definitely know how hard it can get. I'm not working right now and some days it just seems like all I'm doing is feeding and changing them and when I'm not I'm either trying to settle down one or the other. To keep my sanity, I take them for lots of walks during the day and try and get out of the house whenever I can when DH is home. DH works a really early shift, so he's home by 2 p.m., which really is so nice. I can't imagine him coming home around 6 p.m. At least the girls are sleeping for most of the time that he's at work. Does your DH work late? I hope you at least have some help when you really need it. Make sure you ask for help sometimes to keep your sanity.

So, are any of you girls trying to get your little one's to sleep in their cribs now? We still have our girls in the co-sleeper next to our bed. We've thought of transitioning because I think I read somewhere that they start developing routines around 3 months. Mila currently always has to sleep with us and we don't want this to become a bad habit. Just thought I see what you all are doing and if I'm just over-reacting.

[evita]

Hello everyone,

Hope all of you are doing great!!

Anna, thanks for thinking about me. I have got a little time today as it is a Sunday and DH is home. Yes, he does work late. He is home by 8 to 8.30 pm and by that time i am totally exhausted. I discussed this with him yesterday and we are considering keeping a help throughout the day. In India, we can get the help easily but i was just wondering whether i would really need it as i do all of Eva's tasks. But now as family members have left it is getting difficult and i better get some me time or i will lose it soon. Today i left Eva with DH and went shopping for a while. We have decided to keep a help throughout the day. But i will have to get the right person and a lot of screening will be required. DH does help but on weekdays he himself is so tired that it is not possible.

Eva has been sleeping in her crib since we got her home. I do take her to my bed once in a while when she is really cranky and it works out well. Otherwise, crib it is. But yes, the crib is right next to my bed so she knows that mommy is around, and i believe in responding to her at her first cry so she has been kind of trusting me now. I read somewhere that for first 3-4 months, a baby should be responded instantaneously to build a confident kid. This is also responsible for my exhaustion. But you win some and lose some. I am a satisfied mom.

[jenedens6102]

Ethan has been sleeping in his crib since about 6 1/2 weeks. We struggled with keeping him in his crib all night though. He'd fall asleep just fine and we'd put him to bed and he'd stay until his first feeding. After that he'd fall back to sleep until we put him back to bed. The second his head hit the mattress he was wide awake again like he wasn't comfortable. So I struggled a lot with that because I was tired and needed to get up for work in a few hours. So we spent a few weeks of him sleeping on my chest after his first feeding and he did well with that. Now though he's in his crib all the time.

[amfandrmf]

I'm very nervous about how Mila is going to handle being left in her crib. She doesn't sleep long by herself before she starts fussing. She sleeps like a perfect angel on our chests. I know with Maddie we wouldn't have a problem. Once you get her to settle down at night, she sleeps perfectly on her own all night. She'll fall right back to sleep even if she wakes up to eat. We planned on trying to transition this weekend, but since they were sick we decided to wait. Well, they're finally feeling better today, so we're gonna see how it goes tonight.

Evita, I'm glad you're getting some help. I couldn't imagine doing it all myself all week. Once DH comes home by 2 p.m., we feed them and I get to go take like a 2 hour nap while he watches the girls. This really helps me keep my sanity. Thanks for the input about the crib. We do respond right away all the time, that's why I thought it would be hard having them in their cribs because I would be up every 2 seconds checking on them in their bedroom.

Jen, thanks for letting me know how you handled it. I think with Mila she really depends on her nook. I know that while she's trying to fall asleep that nook cannot fall out of her mouth otherwise she's wide awake and crying.

Well, I'll let you guys know how tonight goes. I'm very nervous.

[akk]

Hi Everyone,

Laurie - your girls are so sweet.

anna- the movie was good...i haven't followed the indiana jones movies as much as DH so i thought it was good. He thought Raiders was the best.

well, i had to be a downer on such a happy board, but i have been in tears the last 24 hours. My DS has been crying non-stop...my DH has him right now and all i can hear is screaming. I don't know what is going on but i think i may be developing post partum depression. i almost physically am unable to care for DS...i am focusing on my DD while my DH takes care of our son. I think because i have been such an independent person with lots of interests, and i am now limited because my DS is not doing so well, i am starting to get major cabin fever. We are interviewing a nanny on tuesday in hopes that can help me during the day. my mom is going to go home in 2 weeks after being here since march and i am terrified.

also, my DD, who has been so great with eating, etc...started throwing up and i took her to the peds and they think she might now have reflux. i think that is what may have triggered this depression. i just have this emense feeling that i want to get in the car by myself and drive somewhere so i am not here and come back when the reflux/colic is gone. but i can't do that to my DH, he's so wonderful and caring. plus that would be a horrible thing to do to our kids.

i am going to call my OB on tuesday to ask about anti depression medicine. This is very foreign to me, i feel like i have always been a strong and realistic person.

has anyone else felt like this? i just want to feel better and be a good mom. plus to struggle with IF and then not feel happy now is such a let down...i thought i was through the toughest part of my life...but this is the toughest by far.

thanks for reading...it's a long post.

[amfandrmf]

akk, I have to say without DH I would probably be in the same boat. Any day that I feel overwhelmed where I just can't handle it anymore, he has me leave the room and he takes care of the girls until I'm able to calm down and get over the feeling of depression and sadness. I know I cried A LOT in the beginning and these feelings are perfectly normal. Just remember that it will get better and that you have friends and family to help you through this. I would definitely say that a nanny is a great idea. If we could afford it, I think I would opt for help as well. I am fortunate enough to have my mom only 15 minutes away and she only works a few hours a week. So, anytime I feel overwhelmed or tired, she'll come to help out. Post as much as you need to. I know for me when I get my feelings out, I always feel so much better - like a weight has been lifted. I think you definitely should talk to your doctor and see if they recommend medication. It's better to address this than just let it build and get any worse. Please, let us know how you're doing.

[jenedens6102]

Good morning ladies. I hope all is well.

AKK, sorry to hear of the post partum depression but I can understand it being rough. You have two beautiful children and one is as healthy as can be while the other is struggling and you are doing your best to help them. I know it can be frustrating and there is nothing that gets me down more then the feeling of not being able to help my son when he needs me but you really are doing great.

Anna, how are the girls doing after this holiday weekend?

Here is a picture of Ethan from Sunday. It was such a beautiful day out and he loved being in his shorts. He was in shorts all weekend for the first time and last night even slept in them because it was so hot in the house. I kept the bathroom window open but didn't want to open his window for fear of the noise and it getting too cold but it was the perfect day out.


Ethan's dedication is this Sunday. I did find a neat outfit for him on Friday. It's a white sweater knit type outfit that is shorts and short sleeved. Breathable and light. It's got a little blue cross knitted in on the front. I can't wait to see him in it. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that his reflux stays at bay once the outfit is on, nothing like puke to ruin an outfit first thing in the morning!

[amfandrmf]

Jen, that is a great pic of Ethan! I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday weekend. Did you get to go fishing? We had great weather here as well. It was in the 80's and FINALLY by Monday we were all feeling better. My sinuses are still bothering me, but I finally have my energy level back. I'm glad you found an outfit! Sounds adorable. I can't wait to see pics of his dedication. I know that was my biggest worry for our baptism was not getting their gowns ruined by them puking on them right before the service. Mila is one that always seems to be puking up her food and you have to handle her with care right after she eats for about 1-2 hours. We left easy-to-take-on-and-off clothes right up until the service started and then changed the girls in the crying room at the church. It really worked great! No mishaps.

Well, so far our girls spent two nights in their cribs PERFECTLY!! I was just amazed at how easy the transition was. We put them to bed around 9:30 p.m. and they wake up for about 2 feedings (2a.m. and 6 am.) and then are wide awake by 9 a.m. They barely make a peep the rest of the night. I get up maybe once for a little fussing and they go right back to sleep. We really are blessed with such little angels.

Well, wish me luck! I have an interview tomorrow at our local hospital for a registration position. I'm hoping it works out and that I don't have to worry about job searching anymore. It is such a pain to have to worry about if I'll find a job and if it will be what I'm truly looking for.

[jenedens6102]

Good luck with the interview. Sounds like something you are definitely interested in. Congratulations on two successful nights in their cribs. I was surprised with how well Ethan transitioned also. We did deal with issues getting him to go back into his crib after his first feeding but to get four or five hours of sleep right off the bat I thought something was wrong. I still get up if it's been x amount of hours and I haven't heard even a whimper out of him. But he's doing great. I was thinking of bringing another outfit too. It just depends on when he gets up to start the day. We also have to handle him with care after his feedings. Keep him up for 20 minutes after he eats and then be careful with him beyond that. It depends on when he eats, how much he eats and if he gives us a monster burp or not. We play these things by ear. Normally he throws up on me early in the morning before we even start getting ready for church so at least then I know it's out of his system.

[evita]

hiya everyone,

Jen, that is one of the cutest pic of Ethan! i love that smile!! Cant wait to see his decication pics.

Anna, how cool it is that the girls have started sleeping peacefully in their cribs. It is a big milestone, i must say. Good luck with the job interview. Have you finalized any babysitter as yet, i mean who is going to be with Maddie and Mila when you are away...

Things are pretty cool at my end. Eva slept the whole night yesterday! In fact, i got up a couple of times and checked her but she was fast asleep. Somedays things go exactly by the schedule and some days are just choas. I still didn't get any help and managing on my own. Let's see for some more days. By the way Eva is turning three months tomorrow and i am pretty excited.

[amfandrmf]

Evita, my mom will be the main babysitter, but we have other options at this point as well. My mom lives 15 minutes away and only works a couple of hours a week and she picks when she does them. My SIL also only works part-time and she is only 5 minutes away. I also have a friend who lives in the condo building next to us and she's home with her two little one's. She is going to start babysitting twins in September, but she's free up until then for help. My next door neighbor is also free for the summer. She doesn't work, but attends school starting September. So, we're set until the fall with babysitters. It really is so nice not to have to worry right now about it. Congrats on Eva sleeping through the night last night. That must have been so nice for you. I hope you got your rest. Happy 3 month birthday, Eva!

Mila had a rough night last night. She slept with us up to her first feeding. She is having constipation problems again, so we had to start the suppositories again. Basically, our doctor said to just keep using suppositories when we need to since nothing else seems to be working. Once we finally get her cleared out, she's an angel for a few days. But, this will now become her fussy time until then.

Jen, depending on when you have to feed Ethan, you may want to change him beforehand. Sometimes, when we change Mila into an outfit and it is within an hour or two from when she ate, she will puke also. I hope his feedings work out for his dedication so he doesn't ruin his outfit. Was it cold by you yesterday? We had weather in the 40's! I couldn't believe it. The day before was in the 70's. Crazy weather.