New Mommy check-in (FTM and BTDT)

[mia1976]

Hi ladies!! I miss hearing how everyone is doing so thought I would post a thread where we could check in!!!

I'm doing fairly well. We moved to Gaithersburg, MD in mid-June and have been in temp housing while we search for a house (which we *think* we found) and learn the new area. I'm somewhat overwhelmed with a baby (now 7 weeks old!!) and an 2 1/2 year old DD but some days go pretty smoothly. Sleep is still not consistent but I do normally get a 4-5 hour stretch out of Kira most nights and then we're up every 2 hours or so after that. I'm breastfeeding, with an occasional formula supplemental bottle because my supply seems to dip in the evenings (did the same with my older DD). Kira is growing and smiling and doing great. Except she has terrible baby acne. I hate it. I'm planning to discuss it with her Ped at her 2 month appointment in case isn't not acne and it's some kind of rash instead. UGH. But generally we are doing well.

How is everyone else doing????

[keow0508]

Hi Mia!! I love this. I miss you gals too. Congrats on the move. Was it for work or other reasons? So glad Kira is doing great. I hear you on the 2 kids keeping me hopping!! We did our 1st trip to the splash park today and Preston kept me on my toes. Thank God Spencer is a laid back kid as he had to roll around in the stroller most of the day. We went through a growth spurt last weekend (of course it was the weekend that my hubby was at a wedding and I was solo with both boys) and he ate every 2 hours around the clock. I was WORN out! Last night he surprised me and did a 6 hour stretch. Of course, I was waiting to feed him at 10 and he never woke up. Spencer is HUGE though. He is already 13 pounds... Preston took well over 3 months to get this big. it is hilarious, and I love his fat rolls. Well, I will check back for updates on everyone. Again, I can't figure out how to post pictures here, so feel free to message me your full name if you are on facebook and I will friend you so you can see pictures and updates.

[garnet]

Nate is still in the NICU. 2 months now. I think he's up to around 6 pounds. We go see him every day, but it's very draining. Psuedohypoaldosteronism sucks.

[mia1976]

Garnet,

I'm so sorry that your sweet boy is still in the NICU. I can't even imagine how hard this whole journey has been for you. Tons of P&PTs coming your way.

[DebbieS]

Happy 2 month birthday Nate. Garnet, I read through your blog today. I cried quite a bit. You have gone through (and are still going through) so much. Beautiful photos of Nate. So tiny, but he is adorable. Praying for good doctors and nurses, stability and health for Nate and comfort, strength and hope for you and Chase.

[janbabe]

Oh garnet, Im so sorry to hear nate is still in hospital- you poor things, how stressful these last couple of months must have been for you. (((hugs)))

Things here are hectic... I never thought it would be so hard having a newborn and a toddler. Tex has turned into your textbook 2 year old since we brought Jethro home. Tantrums, naughty behaviour, demanding, whining etc... He's still cute and sweet some of the time though which makes up for it

Jethro is doing pretty well, he's gained over a pound since he was born on June 9th. Nearly up to 11 pounds already, but he's really long so he actually looks skinny. He also had the acne Mia but it seems to be clearing up a bit now. Our maternal health nurse said its normal and its because their sweat glands havent developed fully yet, or something like that.

As for me, Im still recovering from my pregnancy (as we all are Im sure) Because I had pre eclampsia my blood pressure is still high so Im on medication for that. I still feel weak and dizzy most days but getting better every day. and thankfully breastfeeding seems a lot easier this time round!! One of these days when I have a spare 5 minutes I'll actually post a birth annoiuncement and story too.

[saskHG#2]

We're ticking along... almost three weeks post partum!! Hard to believe.

Kayah is awful. Typical but draining me empty. Tai will be going to Vancouver on vacation for a few weeks and I'll lose my spare set of hands . I don't want to drain her either, so I'm glad she is going.

I feel like all I've done is nurse for the entire time. But basically that *is* all I've done. Jonas is passed his birth weight finally and still so tiny. I don't remember it being like this with Kayah.

Anyone want to be in my NAK (nursing at keyboard) support group? Lol.

Oh, and my hubby bought a 1973 Volkswagen Bus last week. So we took it camping this weekend, hottest weekend on record in a few years, with no air conditioning, in tents, no shade... it was ok, the nights were nice but the travel and the days were brutal and hot. And the starter went on the bus so we were pushing it to get it started everywhere we went.

Sigh.

Anyway, it's been wonderful otherwise. I feel great, I still can't poop like a normal person but I don't even care. Being bloated really isn't awful, except for the nausea/fullness factor and the pain (god, it all seems to minor compared to even MILD hyperemesis).

I did my post partum look-back - and really the nausea was the worst part of HG this time. I was able to survive it with the meds through the worst of it, and lots of skilled "eating, drinking, etc" through the rest of it. I guess I figured out what made me sick and avoided those things, nibbled on whatever I could, and in general avoided movement other than the basics. I know it wouldn't work for everyone, though.

[E-Mom]

Things in Portland are busy.

Elliott is 4 1/2 and I'm having a blast teaching him to read.

Kate is 2 1/2 and willful, naughty, joyful and demanding.

Cole is 7 months and just dreamy! He is the easiest, happiest, sweetest baby.

I substituted in a classroom (February-June) because a teacher quit in the middle of the school year and I'm still recovering from the working/3 kids combination. Ah, summer! I'm not sure about working in the fall. I make too little as a teacher to justify daycare for three kids.

I hope everyone is well.

[DivineLotus]

I finally got my pump!! Gesh... the manual pump was killing my wrists so I stopped. Noemi's demand is way higher than my supply. For now. I also figured out a way to build back my supply. I figured that she is really lazy to nurse and since she's outgrown me I have to help myself. So I got the Medela Pump N style advance tote. I'm eating the cookies (which are super yummy which hubby eats also) doing fenugreek, drinking mothers milk tea and fennel and pumping like a mad woman. Withing a few weeks I was back to feeling that letdown I so missed. Of course ill still lach her on but that's when my supply is way up. I'm not giving up that's for sure.

[Lori875]

Caleah is 3 months now and doing great! She just recently started sleeping through the night, so that has been awesome. My DS, who is 3, has completely regressed on his potty training, so I feel like I'm constantly cleaning poopy butts. I get overwhelmed at times with the craziness, but I keep telling myself that this too shall pass!

I discovered that there are a couple TV commercials that trigger my nausea. They must have been on when I was sick. It's such a strange feeling. Stupid HG.