The new rolling ILX parenting thread, since the other one was getting unwieldy

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Congratulations!

― luna, Saturday, 17 March 2007 15:58 (seventeen years ago) link

matt, tell us more! How (heheh), when,...

― nathalie, Saturday, 17 March 2007 16:04 (seventeen years ago) link

Thanks!

Sometime towards the end of january I think. It wasn't really a surprise as we'd started trying (well, in a half-hearted if it happens it happens sort of a sense) in the vague expectation of pregnancy occurring at some point this year. Within two weeks came as a bit of a surprise, though.

― Matt, Saturday, 17 March 2007 16:34 (seventeen years ago) link

The boys, after a particularly draining (hehe) feeding:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/424186895_44074e1d2d.jpg

― schwantz, Saturday, 17 March 2007 20:54 (seventeen years ago) link

I wonder if ILX will still be here when we're withered and gray...

That's a shorter stretch for some of us than for others. The gray is advancing by leaps and bounds, but the witheredness is still holding back, thank goodness.

― Aimless, Saturday, 17 March 2007 21:00 (seventeen years ago) link

Ava, with a nice bit of lens flare, waiting for a bus earlier today:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/424565717_c93142b2ae.jpg

― Michael Jones, Saturday, 17 March 2007 23:36 (seventeen years ago) link

:-)

Fun bunch of photos and stories on here, I have to say (again, I'm sure). While for a variety of reasons I suspect kids aren't in my future (stranger has happened, though), I enjoy the living vicariously as much as I do with my OC friends and relatives. I admit I'm glad I don't have to worry about all the actual child-rearing, mind you, as I am a lazy and selfish bastard. So you all get credit for that alone!

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 17 March 2007 23:42 (seventeen years ago) link

That's a really lovely picture of Ava.

― luna, Saturday, 17 March 2007 23:52 (seventeen years ago) link

It really is. My god Mike, I don't know how you even manage to walk down the street with her without being mobbed by adoring hordes.

Also loving the picture of the super contented twins :)

It wasn't really a surprise as we'd started trying (well, in a half-hearted if it happens it happens sort of a sense) in the vague expectation of pregnancy occurring at some point this year. Within two weeks came as a bit of a surprise, though.

Exactly what happened with us... people called Matt are obviously very fertile!

― Archel, Sunday, 18 March 2007 08:44 (seventeen years ago) link

Stupid cleft-related comment of the week:

Old woman at child health clinic: aw, don't worry, they can operate on that these days you know.

OH REALLY? Thanks for the info TOTAL STRANGER.

:(

― Archel, Sunday, 18 March 2007 08:49 (seventeen years ago) link

I don't know why people can be so cruel. I know they would (correctly) reply that they only want to help, but in return you just want to tear their head off and let your dog chew on it. My husband has a congenital dysfunction in his eyes which has given him terrible eyesight. He's lucky because many with the dysfunction are blind. The times that people have recommended he use glasses or have an operation are just... I just want to scream:"Bloody idiot, don't you think we would if it would help?" So Archel, I feel your pain a little.

Matt, I think *something* was in the water in January because I know, besides you and I, two more couple who got lucky the first try! :-D

― nathalie, Sunday, 18 March 2007 09:27 (seventeen years ago) link

Ava is being touched by the Reading Rainbow!

― aimurchie, Sunday, 18 March 2007 10:38 (seventeen years ago) link

Lovely smile from Alice. And schwantz's boys continue to cause melting in the Jerry-Bones household.

We finally got the nursery into a state where we could move Ava into it over the weekend. She loves her new room and she likes, er, resting on the bed. But sleeping? No way. So we moved the cot in and she's back in that for now. Good God, the screaming out of her when I put her to bed nowadays - it's like she's possessed. But five minutes after I leave her, the wailing ceases, she's cuddled up with kangaroo and is out like a light.

Here she is, expressing misleading enthusiasm for her new sleeping arrangement:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/424560218_d8501a554a.jpg

― Michael Jones, Monday, 19 March 2007 10:11 (seventeen years ago) link

Ophelia doesn't like the daycare at all. I think as a result of my husband leaving her there, she cries whenever he leaves the room now. Or maybe it's just separation anxiety for my husband. I really should not be typing about this,because then I have the urge to go pick her up. :-(((( The problem (for me) is that it's not necessary, I could leave her here, but then again I am now able to work more (so why am I on ILX huh?). Also, I think for her the problem is that she only goes twice a week so it'll probably take a longer time to adapt to the new situation? :-( Poor baby.

I love Ava's room! It looks great! To make you lament the night time routine even more, Michael: Yesterday Ophelia went to bed before I could say:"So let's go to sleep!" She turned around and went to sleep! While I was walking out of the room she kept saying:"Dada dada!" (Here it's colloquial for saying bye bye.) WHAT THE FUCK! My husband had already noticed that when I went out the room, while he started to read/show the picture book, she would say "dada" to me and also wave but now I could hear it clearly. Freaked me out completely.

That said, she wakes up a lot, but usually goes to sleep again. Her damn cold and cough are still not gone after a couple of weeks. :-( Mine neither but I can live with that. Poor thing doesn't realize what she has. Also, her bloody mother always wants to peel the little crusts off her nose which she doesn't like at all. ;-)

― stevienixed, Monday, 19 March 2007 10:20 (seventeen years ago) link

We have not had brilliant sleep the last few nights. H has started making these REALLY loud snorting, coughing and snoring noises when we put him in his crib at night - usually they don't go on for too long (until he wakes for his next feed) but last night he was at it from his 2.30am feed until I gave up trying to get him to settle at 7am and got up with him. (I managed to get some sleep from 2.30 - 5ish but my husband was kept awake all night.) It doesn't sound like he's particularly distressed - he doesn't work his way up to crying unless he actually needs feeding or changing - but it is very loud and I can't help listening out for the next breath to make sure he's OK. Let's hope it's just a phase...

― Meg Busset, Monday, 19 March 2007 11:26 (seventeen years ago) link

Ah Meg, been there as well! Ophelia made these noises as well, and also these sort of clicking noises with her nose as well. The pharmacy gave me some spray which cleared up her nose a little bit.

― nathalie, Monday, 19 March 2007 11:39 (seventeen years ago) link

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/426697630_f56c5612d8.jpg

hey, look at my sleeping kid! I don't think I've mentioned it yet, but a bunch of the sleeping issues seem to be behind us...I took Lou to a chiropractor and she made a couple of adjustments and now he sleeps much much better. I was totally dubious but the proof is in the pudding!

― teeny, Monday, 19 March 2007 13:40 (seventeen years ago) link

That's a wonderful photo.

― Michael Jones, Monday, 19 March 2007 14:35 (seventeen years ago) link

Megan has totally sussed rolling over. It's great when kids hit developmental milestones.

― onimo, Monday, 19 March 2007 19:24 (seventeen years ago) link

Just gorgeous, teens.

― luna, Monday, 19 March 2007 19:35 (seventeen years ago) link

Ours have figured out how to roll from back-to-front, but not the other way. They do this, and then they get REALLY bummed-out. Tracy told me today that she is only going to let one roll at a time to help keep her sanity. We're hoping they figure out the front-to-back roll very soon, so we can remove the swaddlers at night. We got the Miracle Blankets recently, and they work pretty well for about half the night, but at some point the little Houdinis wriggle their way out. I'm getting close to pulling out a roll of duct tape.

― schwantz, Monday, 19 March 2007 19:56 (seventeen years ago) link

Another member of the sleep problem club over here :(

Alice has recently gone from five feeds in 24 hours with a nice long sleep at night, back up to six or seven and refusing to settle after the night time bottles... plus major crying most of the day. I think it's a combination of growth spurt, teething (v early but two little nubbins visible in the gum today!) and the fact that we have stopped letting her sleep in her rocker chair, which she always preferred to the moses basket but is now too big for. I have never been so tired in my whole life - we are also moving house this week so it's pretty hellish.

Will probably have no internet for a while so bye for now, rolling parents and rolling babies!

― Archel, Monday, 19 March 2007 20:19 (seventeen years ago) link

that's awesome Teeny!

holy shit, we had ELEVEN STRAIGHT DAYS OF SICKNESS in our house, culminating with an ear infection. Classic how the sickness laddered from youngest kid to next youngest to oldest. A miracle happened and I didn't get the virus or whatever it was. We haven't been on a barf bender like that in years.

― Dandy Don Weiner, Monday, 19 March 2007 20:39 (seventeen years ago) link

You have my every sympathy, Archel - to top my sleep deprivation, today I have come down with some kind of sore throat / shivery muscles bug type thing. Hope I don't pass it on to the wee fella - don't think it'd be much fun with both of us ill :(

― Meg Busset, Monday, 19 March 2007 20:41 (seventeen years ago) link

Yay for baby slings! The answer to the baby who will only nap while cuddled up to mum. Tried H in his today and, after a few mins grizzling and wriggling, he promptly fell asleep. That was two hours ago and he's still snoring away happily. It's nice not to be stuck on the sofa with both hands full of sleeping baby, unable to move!

Are there any co-sleepers on this thread? This morning we brought him in with us after his usual 6am refusal to settle, and all three of us dozed happily til 7.30 - after which he even went back in his crib for another 45 mins, which made mum and dad very happy. But it still seems a bit of a taboo thing to do...

― Meg Busset, Thursday, 22 March 2007 14:54 (seventeen years ago) link

I had a baby bjorn - the best in my opinion - and I used it so much when she was a couple of months. I don't think I could have survived without it. I also tried other baby carriers but I threw'em in a corner as the Baby Bjorn is very VERY safe.

I still have a cold and so does Ophelia. :-( I went to the doctor after several people advised me to. I am not a big fan of antibiotics, especially for kids, but I figured I better not feed my guilt (of being a bad mommy and neglecting Ophelia) so I went. Was it necessary? No. But I still have to give a few meds (nasal spray and other *concotions*). Hopefully it'll clear up cause she still sleeps very lightly. Me? I wake up because of my own snoring. Urgh. Morning sickness and old BEGONE.

― nathalie, Thursday, 22 March 2007 15:21 (seventeen years ago) link

I never did get the hand of baby slings, but my husband did. They worked very well for him!

As for co-sleeping, we slept with both our kids. It was a choice we made, but yeah, people won't hesitate to tell you you're making a terrible mistake. We transitioned them into their own beds in our room (Julia is still in hers) after leaving ours. Alex got his own new bed and his own room when he was about 5, I think. Julia still wakes up in the middle of the night and crawls into bed with us, which is fine. (She's 4 1/2). Honestly, with nursing, I don't know how anyone can do it and not co-sleep. It was the only way to get any rest, it seemed.

― Sara R-C, Thursday, 22 March 2007 15:38 (seventeen years ago) link

We had our best night yet last night - Owen slept all night (as usual), and Ben made it to 5:30, and would probably have made it further if my wife hadn't peeked in to make sure he was still breathing! Looks like we may be getting close to having both of them sleeping 7pm until 7am, which would be mind-blowingly cool, especially for 4-month-olds. I credit the swaddling.

― schwantz, Thursday, 22 March 2007 16:02 (seventeen years ago) link

This is silly, but I thought you guys would appreciate it. My new phrase for the sounds the babies make when we're trying to go to bed? "Cock-blocking bleats."

― schwantz, Thursday, 22 March 2007 17:58 (seventeen years ago) link

I have a book question for the parents of little girls 5 snd above. My niece is turning six this May. She is an excellent reader, and I would like to give her her first "chapter books". I got my nephew "Lemony Snicket" for his seventh birthday (two volumes, which makes gift-giving easy for, oh, the next five birthday/christmas exchanges, as I continue his collection of the series). But i don't know any girl books, or just fun books that would appeal to a rather pink/princessy type girl that are "longer" and/or in a series.
I have looked on some lists, but a personal recommendation is always great!
Thanks!

― aimurchie, Thursday, 22 March 2007 19:48 (seventeen years ago) link

The ones that sprang immediately to mind--Little House on the Prairie and the Anne of Green Gables series--might be a little too much for a 6 yo, although Little House might work (maybe in a year if not now?). The American Girl series are nice for that age, but clear it with the parents, they might not want her getting hot for the very expensive dolls. Maybe some biographies of actual princesses? I started loving Cricket Magazine at that age too--it has stories for different reading levels.

― teeny, Friday, 23 March 2007 12:15 (seventeen years ago) link

Aimurchie : your niece might like the "Animal Ark" series, by Lucy Daniels.

― C J, Friday, 23 March 2007 12:21 (seventeen years ago) link

Little House series seconded.

― Rock Hardy, Friday, 23 March 2007 13:01 (seventeen years ago) link

There was a great thread along these lines on ILB but I can't find it.

― Madchen, Friday, 23 March 2007 13:14 (seventeen years ago) link

Gotcha

― Madchen, Friday, 23 March 2007 13:16 (seventeen years ago) link

Thank you! I might start her on the "Little House" books - she's too young for Nancy Drew and most of the list sites are really about selling particular books.
I can't buy into the American Doll thing unless she is exposed to it. It's not bad, but it's also NOT GOOD.
I am the "Book Auntie"...
Thanks, rolling parents!

― aimurchie, Friday, 23 March 2007 21:58 (seventeen years ago) link

Tummy time for Ben (Owen looks on, Cat Benatar sits in the sun)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/432043024_f4b077289f.jpg

― schwantz, Saturday, 24 March 2007 04:26 (seventeen years ago) link

aimurchie, is your niece from the Scottish side of your family? I just bought Mairi Hedderwick's Katie Morag books for my niece. They are really aimed at the 5+ age group - a little above her age - but no matter, I just wanted her to have something relating to traditional Scottish life (her father is Scottish, but her mother is American and she is being brought up in Florida).

― ailsa, Saturday, 24 March 2007 12:58 (seventeen years ago) link

("her" being my niece, not yours, re ages)

― ailsa, Saturday, 24 March 2007 13:20 (seventeen years ago) link

Lots of girls like the Junie B. Jones series. A new author, Sarah Pennypacker, has just released "Clementine" and a follow up. This is an adorable and clever book along the lines of Ramona, which wouldn't be a bad choice either.

― Virginia Plain, Saturday, 24 March 2007 15:29 (seventeen years ago) link

Ophelia had her first long tantrum. She wanted another yoghurt and I refused. I realized I should have put'em in the cupboard so she didn't see'em; but that doesn't mean that I should reward her for knowing where they were. So I put her on her back on the ground so she could howl as much as she liked. She eventually crawled onto my lap but then realized, probably, that daddy was a better companion and reached out to him.

― nathalie, Saturday, 24 March 2007 16:13 (seventeen years ago) link

I'm sure Lucy gave her a long-suffering look.

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 24 March 2007 16:14 (seventeen years ago) link

The family is going to Scotland nexy month! Them, not me:(
I will tell my sister in law about the Katie Morag books. Thanks!

― aimurchie, Saturday, 24 March 2007 20:32 (seventeen years ago) link

i've been off thee parente threade for a while, hope everybody's doing well. i do have some new pix.

this was his christmas outfit:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/gypsyfrocksbedlam/0002230-R01-053-25.jpg

at central park zoo:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/gypsyfrocksbedlam/0002229-R01-053-25.jpg

and the ever popular pool of balls:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/gypsyfrocksbedlam/0002229-R01-009-3.jpg

― tipsy mothra, Saturday, 24 March 2007 21:20 (seventeen years ago) link

Why bother building her a bed?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/432863989_6fed17f40a.jpg

She slept like this for two hours (it was her afternoon nap) but - success - she did actually sleep in her bed 8:30pm-4am last night, which is a start. She's in there right now - 3 hours and counting...

― Michael Jones, Saturday, 24 March 2007 23:16 (seventeen years ago) link

Whoops.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/432863989_6fed17f40a.jpg

― Michael Jones, Saturday, 24 March 2007 23:17 (seventeen years ago) link

we bought a miracle blanket today

OMG PLEASE WORK

― sunny successor, Saturday, 24 March 2007 23:43 (seventeen years ago) link

lemony snicket isn't for girls?!

― emsk, Saturday, 24 March 2007 23:55 (seventeen years ago) link

Nope, just for evil stinky boys.

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 24 March 2007 23:57 (seventeen years ago) link

THIS MAKES NO SENSE

i read (some of) them in borders when there were some decent freebie live things happening there and the whole time i was just thinking DAMN, i wish i'd had these when i was 7. and i was an GURL.

― emsk, Sunday, 25 March 2007 00:01 (seventeen years ago) link

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