November Infant Moms Thread

[bekki]

Beth-- RE: Meatballs, one of my two's favorite meals is this recipe from Everyday Food

At this point, I just make the meatballs and only add the spinach and lemon if I'm also planning on eating it. I use a whole egg, but an egg yolk or frankly no egg would probably work just as well. They freeze well and are fine in the microwave, although the texture (for me) is better if they're rewarmed in broth. I also spice them with some Penzey's mixes I like (lemon pepper, and Rocky Mountain)

1 pound ground white-meat chicken
2 cups part-skim ricotta
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
Ground nutmeg
8 cups (64 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
1 lemon, zest peeled off in wide strips, plus lemon slices for serving
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bag (6 ounces) baby spinach


In a large bowl, mix chicken with ricotta, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pinch of nutmeg until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, combine broth, lemon zest, and thyme and bring to a simmer. Using a spring-loaded 1/4-cup ice-cream scoop or two large spoons, drop meatball mixture into broth (you should have 18 meatballs). Simmer gently until meatballs float and are cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Just before serving, add spinach to broth and let wilt; garnish soup with lemon slices.

[NewMrsG]

Hi all!

I love the pictures - what gorgeous kids, all.

We are doing a bit better. I have days when I'm positive that Ari isn't at all connecting, and then days when I think I've lost my mind because he's doing just fine with it! Sigh. I think I'm also not making enough of an effort to connect with him myself. I've been doing better with watching him when he eats, turning off the tv, etc.

We see his ped on Friday, so I'm hoping I'll feel reassured. It is really hard to remember that he's only a 4-week-old gestationally. He's struggling to eat and keep things down and we're starting to suspect that he might have reflux. The list of things to ask on Friday's visit gets longer.

I think our biggest challenge right now (other than my neurosis, that is) is that I'm feeling really quarantined. Our ped really wants us to keep Ari isolated given his preemie status and everything going around. No restaurants, shopping, supermarkets, playgroups, etc. I'm also unable to drive, so it's hard for me even to get out for a break on my own after my husband gets home. Macy takes gymnastics and I really wanted to go see her. We couldn't take Ari inside, so DH stayed in the car with him while I went inside with her to watch (he could have gone home and come back, but he thought it was easier just to wait rather than driving back and forth). I had a doctor's appt in the city yesterday Thursday. DH offered to work from home for the day so I stopped in at work to have lunch with people and pick up some things. Some of my students (I teach at a medical school) sent gifts for Ari, which was really sweet. It just felt really good to be back out in the world again and to wear something other than sweatpants.

I sound like a terribly whiner, don't I?

I'm going to look at the suggestions you all have for music. I didn't do a lot of that with my daughter but we did play a lot of "adult music".

Ashley - has Matt been better? Macy had episodes like this and it would usually happen a few nights in a row. For the life of us, we couldn't figure out what the heck it was. It always stopped after a few days and there didn't seem to be any other ill effects. I think it happened maybe 4-5 times total and it's been at least a year or year and a half since the last one.

Macy had a swimming lesson and two birthday parties (both at those jumping around places and too much cake) today. DH and I are exhausted. I'm trying to stay awake just until Ari's next feed in another hour or so before I can crash. I'll do better with personals next time!

A picture of my babes:



And Ari not long after he was born:

[acginkc]

Good morning all. I have been trying to pull together a post for a while and just haven't gotten one done so if this is kind of spotty and random, I'm sorry.

So the Dr figured out that Matt had a pretty bad ear infection. So onto the treatment of that. We tried to send him back to daycare later in the week and he was sent home with a fever again. He's been pretty tired and taking pretty good naps during the day, but DH and I are still exhausted. He's still waking up a ton at night and I'm about to lose my patience with that. He screams bloody murder and will literally fall asleep the minute I pick him up out of his crib. If DH goes to get him, he'll take another 30 minutes to go back to sleep, so it really is just me he'll deal with all night. So I was talking to a friend who came into my work yesterday and mentioned that he had been sick and that we had noticed a rash on his torso and head that morning. She is finishing up pharmacy school and immediately had me go call DH and get ahold of our Dr. to make sure he wasn't having a reaction to his antibiotic (it was much less stressful when I though it was just a rash from the detergent my MIL used on the clothes she sent us). So we are on a different antibiotic and hopefully the rash will go away. We have our 9 month appt on Wed so we'll hopefully have a fun appt for once. When I took him in for the ear infection they had H1N1 vac in so he was able to get that.

So thats about all that has been going on here. Despite his illness he's been in pretty good spirits most of the time. Both DH and I have gotten treated with some rough evenings and afternoons, but nothing out of control.

Jori- I'm sorry your having a bit of a rough time right now. After I was cleared from my c-section my car died and I was basically trapped at home for a couple weeks and I thought I was going to go insane. I can imagine you are having some major cabin fever at this point. I hope you can get a break soon. I am sure it is even tougher with 2 little ones to watch after. Beautiful pics of your sweet babes.

BethG- Matt sleeps the same way and I'm pretty sure its a pretty common position for babies. We are going to start meats after the appt on Wed so I'm looking for some good recipes as well (thanks bekki for the meatballs). Hopefully his naps will improve soon. Sadly Matt often goes all day with only 1 30 minute nap. Though he is getting better at us just putting him in his crib and he'll put himself down so hopefully Michael will get back to his self soothing.

Laura- Welcome. Sorry nap time is so rough at your house. Matt has gotten much better once we tried to get him down around the same time during the day (daycare's time). Does Hannah take naps still? Could there be "quiet time" sometime each day so your DH could have a break? Just trying to come up with ideas, I am definitely no expert on sleep.

Tami- So strange that she only likes the sandwiches. Matt has not turned his nose up at much of anything yet. Matt didn't do too much with pasta till we gave him some of our spaghetti. Are you putting sauces and such on the finger foods she's tried? I'm sure you have, but just trying to think of other options.

Beth H- How is Will's ear infection doing? I hope you've found something to help with his upset tummy and frequent diapers. Amoxicillin is what Matt was originally on and he didn't have too many of those problems, but I'll be interested to see what this new antibiotic has to offer. So cute about all his language development. I love littles ones "uh oh"s and such.

Heather- I will repeat what others have said, have you had Quinn checked for an ear infection. Matt's first one just caused a cough, this one caused screaming and no sleep and fever. We've never seen an ear tug at this house. I have thought it was teething before and that may be what is going on with Quinn. We are holding at 4 right now, but I think i see another bud in there. Love that he asks for naps now though. Too cute. And can't remember if I said it before, but I love love love his astronaut picture.

Michelle- Love those sweet baby thighs, Matt has a set of his own. Matt has used the sippy cup fine in the past, but lately does the chewing thing with it as well. You may try a different kind of cup as that has worked for us. He does really well with my Camelback water bottle that has a straw, and we've been working on an open cup that he's getting much better at. Sure sometimes his shirt is drenched, but its less often now and he can even hold it himself now. Just a few other options.

Maria- Have you all avoided the chicken pox? Matt did the same thing with the paci at night. I felt like I was the paci fairy for a while there. and Matt was the same, seriously agitated if we just left him to put himself back down. Hope he choses one or the other soon.

Sarah- Love your pics of Jax, he looks so grown up. Hope you are having a nice time with your parents. Matt has been a strange nurser lately as well. Sometimes he takes forever, but usually he's in and out. He's growing fine so I think its just at this age they are so efficient and our bodies are a bit better about producing on demand. At least that is what I'm telling myself.

Linsley and Mineaston- Love the pics of your little ones. Hope all is going well with both of you.

Ok, if I missed anyone I'm sorry and hope you are doing well. Time to entertain a baby who refuses to nap. Story of my life.

[Sarah45]

Whoa Nelly

On Saturday we got back from Ohio, yesterday he started pulling up to stand on EVERYTHING! Where are my extra grandparent hands when I need them???

[Beth G.]

Michael got the H1N1 shot on Monday. We are feeling relieved, especially since the first seasonal flu case has hit our day care center, and it was in the infant room. I didn't know the seasonal flu had even started, but apparently there was testing. Now I am crossing my fingers that the strain is one that was in this year's seasonal vaccine. Michael has had both shots for that so if it was in there, hopefully we won't have a sick baby on our hands soon.

Michael has also been chewing the sippy so I gave him a different kind last night, the Nuby Flip and Sip with handles. I've been wanting to change to a straw type anyway, as was recommended by a dentist friend. He immediately picked it up and started drinking the water. And this is a baby that refuses to hold his own bottle. He is completely obsessed with it. Tonight he drank 5/8 oz of water with his finger foods (as measured by our kitchen scale, very handy ). Would have had more but I was more interested in having him work on the food so I took it from him.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

[Pony]

Quick question....as I'm trying to keep my head above water these days!!!

Evelyn is 10 1/2 months, eating some breakfast and dinner, but mainly breastfed. She is still having wet mush diapers (more on the wet side) and hasn't had a solid poop in a while. What are you all experiencing? I'm just a bit concerned that it has to do with the reintroduction of dairy in my diet. Sooooo...just wondering what other diapers are looking like these days She poops about once a day.

Thanks!

[helios7]

Originally Posted by Pony

Quick question....as I'm trying to keep my head above water these days!!!

Evelyn is 10 1/2 months, eating some breakfast and dinner, but mainly breastfed. She is still having wet mush diapers (more on the wet side) and hasn't had a solid poop in a while. What are you all experiencing? I'm just a bit concerned that it has to do with the reintroduction of dairy in my diet. Sooooo...just wondering what other diapers are looking like these days She poops about once a day.

Thanks!

Popping in quickly for Michelle. You're describing exactly what we were experiencing before I took out dairy. Very mushy, similar to new baby diapers just composed of solid food (carrot chunks etc) not the yellowy of a new baby. Now that I'm dairy-free, things have firmed right up. Sorry to have to say that but...

Not much new here in our land. Quinn is definitely working on molars, it's definitely hard going, there's definitely not a lot of sleep - he's been in our bed for the past few nights as that has enabled me to get the most sleep but it's still not good rest ...

I just hope he feels a bit better by his birthday!

I hope everyone's doing a bit better then us. Tami - week 3 is almost done! Hang in there!

[Bawstinn]

Quick hello from me too.

We are getting ready for our first road trip in 2 years - driving back to Pittsburgh to Dave's family. Pre-kids this was about a 10.5 hour drive for us. Anway, I have sooo much to do (packing and laundry) but here I sit at work.

Christopher is doing well. Another cold. I have resigned myself to the fact he will be like his sister and not sleep through the night until he is a year. Still wants to eat every 3-4 hours, even with having a fruit or vegetable at night. I weighed him the other day and he is up to 18 pounds, so I guess my growing boy needs to eat.

Full of smiles and laughs and has learned to blow raspberries. He especially likes to do this in the mroning in his crib when he wakes up. Have also lost the 'back to sleep' battle as he rolls himself over even when in the sleep sack to sleep on his belly. Can sit up unassisted for short periods of time, depending on how tired he is.

Ashley - there is a definite preference here for mommy as well. Makes for a tired mommy.

Jori - Macy looks so big! Been a while since I have seen a picture of her. Hard to believe the girls are 3.

Fingers crossed, knocking on wood, has been 3 weeks since potential exposure and no sign of the chicken pox.

Michelle - sorry, no help here since we are 98% breastfed. Kids are so different, Christopher will sometimes go a couple of days w/o going (which the doctor said was OK for breastfed) but yet Madeleine was Miss Regular.

[Beth H]

I'll bet none of us ever thought in our carefree single days that someday we would be having an on-line discussion about poop consistency.

Will's BMs have never been very solid - they often are pretty mushy and soft (although not totally liquid, of course). So that is normal for him. And he's been formula fed since about 2 months old. In fact, when his gets too firm, he gets fussy.

Things here are good - my mom is in town; DH and I are going to Atlanta tomorrow for a concert and a night away! I'm really excited. Will is doing well - he finally got over the intestinal bug, the ear infection, and the diarrhea associated with the antibiotic. So - at least for the moment we are OK. He's started saying more little words, and says "bye" a ton and in context. So that's exciting and cute.

Hope everyone is doing OK and getting ready for Thanksgiving!

[Beth G.]

Soft poop here too, but then, DH and the day care change a lot more of those than I do. Flushable maybe once a week, but a big improvement over the pre-solids complete liquid that blew out a diaper a day. Only one blowout in recent memory.

Maria - what made Madeline sleep through the night when she was one? Michael, for a long time, was a nurse once a night guy and started sleeping through (4-5 times in 2 weeks) about a month ago but since a growth spurt and the time change has been 2x a night. I don't think he's eating that well lately at night and might just be I'm nursing him so I can get him back to sleep quickly without crying. I'm not sure he isn't getting up just to see me since the workdays mean I don't see him much. I am starting to wonder. We are going in the wrong direction, and I intend to wean him at 1. He eats plenty of cereal and yogurt and fruit; he tries on the finger foods but not much going in. Veggie purees are not in vogue at the moment. He is 10.5 months and about 20 lbs, so not that big.

ETA: I think Michael is reading the boards. I picked him up at day care today and he was wearing his spare outfit. He blew out his diaper

[Pony]

hmmmm, sounds like they are all mushy! i think i will continue to do the dairy for now, but talk to the doc at her next appt.

thanks!

[Bawstinn]

Originally Posted by Beth G.

Maria - what made Madeline sleep through the night when she was one?

She gradually cut down to waking up once a night and pretty soon when she would wake to eat would be later and later. Honestly, I did nothing different and it was really close to her first birthday when she must have decided she didn't need to eat anymore during the night. Maybe it coincided with the switch over to milk and the introduction of bigger meals?

I know that people say at a certain age they shouldn't need to eat, but I think she just did. She has always been 95%+ for height and 75% for weight, so it wasn't like she was overeating. Christopher seems headed down the same path she did, size wise.

She was fully weaned at 14 months. When she was 11.5 months, I started only nuring her at night and first thing in the AM. The rest of the time she was getting a sippy with 1/2 cow 1/2 breast milk.

[tholbrook]

Happy Friday Ladies! I don't remember the last time I was so glad for a week to be over!

Nothing new here - just perpetual teething. We've had a rough night here and there, but nothing that becomes a pattern. Maya LOVES books these days ... wants us to read to her non-stop. It is cute because she is completely engrossed in the book and eagerly (usually too eagerly) turns the pages for us. Unfortunately her book of choice is a Sesame Street "Let's Learn Colors" book which consists of about 12 words. When I'm done, she insists that I read it again ("uh uh uh" in her whiny voice). So I have to read it over. And over. And over. Would I be a terrible mom if I hide the book? I enjoy reading to her - just anything but THAT book!

Okay, let me try to do some personals (I actually attempted twice last week, but of course, hit a button and lost everything).

Laura - Welcome!!! I love the name Zoe - and I'm glad that things are going relatively well. 8 to 10 hours at night - holy cow! I hope she figures out the nap thing soon, and gives your DH a break.

Beth G - Glad it turned out to be growth spurt, and things are back to normal! Any sign of a tooth? I'm a little jealous that Michael sleeps in the car for you. If Maya would cooperate, I could arrange my driving around her naptime, rather than trying to squeeze everything into her wake time. Strange how doctors all have different advice, isn't it? Ours is pretty laid back, and since there is no history of allergies or other issues, she gave us the go-ahead to give Maya anything that isn't a choking hazard when she was 1.

Jori - you have two beautiful children! How was Ari's pediatrician visit last week? I'm sorry you're not able to get out much. That must be especially hard for you with another child to care for. I hope you can figure out a way to get the time you need out of the house.

Ashley - hugs to you and Matt. It sounds awful for both of you. Is he any better this week?

Sarah - It won't be long before Jackson is cruising! And then ... walking! Life is never the same after that!

Michelle - mom of another mushy pooper here! Although a few times a week, we have to flip it out of the cloth diaper. I haven't really noticed a pattern related to diet yet... and definitely no idea if it is related to my diet.

Heather - thanks, I'm just happy to be home again (although this is shaping up to be a busy weekend). 10 more days until the big 1! Did you get your brunch menu planned out?
Sorry Quinn is still going through a rough teething phase - but just think, once those molars are in, the worst part is over (and the rest of us will be following in your footsteps!)

Maria - good luck with the trip! Did you ever make the trip with Madeleine when she was younger? We're thinking about driving to NC next month (6 hours each way without stops) - any advice for traveling with a 16-month old? Glad Christopher is such a happy baby, despite the cold!

Beth H - you are absolutely correct: who would have ever thought? Hopefully our kids won't be able to read our discussions when they are older! Glad Will is healthy again. Have a great time at the concert!

Hi to all the lurking moms too - hope everyone is well!