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Combi Flare stroller
BRU. It often goes on sale. ...
BRU. It often goes on sale.
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Anyone NOT immunizing?
After reading Dr. Sears' book, we decided to immunize, except for the flu and chicken pox. We did delay all his other shots by a...
After reading Dr. Sears' book, we decided to immunize, except for the flu and chicken pox. We did delay all his other shots by a few months. I'm nervous about the MMR vaccine and I think we might delay that as well. I wish the vaccines weren't given in groups, because there are some that I'd forgo for sure.
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Combi Flare stroller
I like it, but I honestly find that the wheels don't turn so well. Maybe it just needs some grease...the only other thing I don't...
I like it, but I honestly find that the wheels don't turn so well. Maybe it just needs some grease...the only other thing I don't love is the shade (not that big) but overall, I like it. It folds down well and it's purdy.
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Can you mix formula and breast milk?
I cannot fathom any reason why this wouldn't be okay. As long as you're storing both the breastmilk and formula properly and not using it...
I cannot fathom any reason why this wouldn't be okay. As long as you're storing both the breastmilk and formula properly and not using it when it's past its shelf-life, I don't know why anyone would tell you that you can't do this.
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Ottawa moms - Baby Health Passport
Yep, I thought the public health nurse gave them out? I got one last September...maybe they've been canceled since then? ...
Yep, I thought the public health nurse gave them out? I got one last September...maybe they've been canceled since then?
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I think BF'ing is coming to an end
It's going to be sad no matter when it happens, I think. Be happy that you had the time that you did, and cherish that...
It's going to be sad no matter when it happens, I think. Be happy that you had the time that you did, and cherish that time. Trust me, as someone who had to struggle with BF from day one, it's important to be proud of what you accomplished!

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Tall mommies (or daddies) umbrella strollers
I find the handle on the Combi Flare is taller than most. ...
I find the handle on the Combi Flare is taller than most.
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Anyone have heat rash when pg -Xpost
I got a rash on my chest when I was pregnant. Are you sure it's not PUPPS? http://dermatology.about.com/cs/pregnancy/a/puppp.htm ...
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How to survive/avoid/deal with tantrums?!?!
I also swing him around until he starts giggling. Lukas has a nasty temper on him (which he gets from his mama, sadly). Good times,...
I also swing him around until he starts giggling. Lukas has a nasty temper on him (which he gets from his mama, sadly). Good times, no?
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2007 September Mommies - let's get an update!!!
Hey Girls! Just popping in to check up. I don't really come around these days, but I wanted to say hello. Lukas is almost 11...
Hey Girls! Just popping in to check up. I don't really come around these days, but I wanted to say hello. Lukas is almost 11 months old now (wow!) He's 23 pounds, has huge feet that no shoes will fit, 6 teeth, and eats like a champ. I feel really lucky, after reading that some of you struggle with this. Lukas eats everything no problem - as long as there's lots of it! Problem is...he eats everything that's NOT edible, too. Dirt is one of his favourites, as are rocks.

I lost my camera so I don't have anything too recent to show, but here's the dude:

With mommy and daddy:

And...those feet:

Hope everyone's well!
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HELP! Still getting a bottle middle of the night!!
We were pretty sure that Lukas didn't NEED his night feeding, since he wasn't even taking the whole bottle before rolling over and going back...
We were pretty sure that Lukas didn't NEED his night feeding, since he wasn't even taking the whole bottle before rolling over and going back to sleep...so we started just rubbing his back for a few minutes and then going back to bed. We'd also only get up if he really started crying - fussing and stirring didn't count. Often we found he'd go back to sleep on his own quite easily.
We sometimes give him a bottle of water instead of milk before bed, when he's especially fussy or needs help going down. The transition was fine. Good luck!
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Exposing them to chickenpox?
Ha! Well, I guess the decision's made for you. I don't know if I would have wanted to expose such a young baby, but if...
Ha! Well, I guess the decision's made for you.
I don't know if I would have wanted to expose such a young baby, but if mine was a few years older, I'd for sure expose them to it. Yep - evil crazy mom here! I won't be vaccinating him against it. There is controversy over how long the shot lasts and it is well understood that boosters are necessary. While it's easy to get boosters for a child, I know that as a teenager and young adult, I never stayed on top of my boosters, so I doubt my child will either. If he can have the chicken pox as a child, we don't need to worry about it later (and I'm not too concerned about a 20% increased risk (not absolute risk) of contracting shingles). If he doesn't acquire chicken pox on his own by the time he's a teenager, we'll talk about vaccinating him so he doesn't have to deal with it as an adult.
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Dayhome getting paid vacation??
Quote: I'm not sure how I feel about this issue. I tend to lean more towards the self-employed opinion.... Me too. Do I want...
Quote:
I'm not sure how I feel about this issue. I tend to lean more towards the self-employed opinion....
Me too. Do I want to find someone who takes good care of my child, and has a great bond? You bet. I don't see how that relates to me paying for their vacation, though. I'm paying for a service. I wouldn't really want to pay my housekeeper for their vacation, either (if I had one...hah!). If DCPs want to cover the cost of their vacations (fair enough), I think a wiser strategy would be to work it into the fee. A couple extra bucks every week would hardly be noticed.
I mean no disrespect to any DCPs here. I know the job you do is valuable, and I have no problem paying a fair amount to have my child looked after. I just feel like it's the same as any other contractor/self-employed business owner. Then again, if I really like you, I'd probably just suck it up and pay.

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no luck with breastfeeding - formula ok?
It's tough, isn't it? I just wanted to say that if you still feel sad about not breastfeeding, you might want to try a lactation...
It's tough, isn't it? I just wanted to say that if you still feel sad about not breastfeeding, you might want to try a lactation consultant. It's never too late to try and get him switched over. Also, there are things you can do to boost your supply, if you want to try.
I always had to supplement with formula and always had to switch between breast, bottle, pumping, and supplementing at breast. It was emotionally difficult for me but I got to my happy place. That's what's most important - that you're comfortable with your choices, no matter what they are.
I'm not sure if you're looking for support, reassurance, or advice, but just know that as long as you make the choice that's right for you and your baby, you'll both be just fine. Our little monster is thriving and always has been! Good luck with whatever you decide!

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camping with a toddler
We bring the playpen and set it up in our tent, with a bug net over it. I also bring Lukas' sleep sack to make...
We bring the playpen and set it up in our tent, with a bug net over it. I also bring Lukas' sleep sack to make sure he doesn't get cold, and when we climb into bed, I sometimes throw a blanket over him too. I used a hat when it was cooler out, but now that it's the middle of summer, I don't bother. I also find our booster is a great help at mealtime, but Lukas is quite a bit younger than your Paul.
Have fun!

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Car Seat Help Needed - XPOST
I guess the plastic casing goes around the actual belt of the buckle? In my mom's car, they twisted the buckle to make it shorter...
I guess the plastic casing goes around the actual belt of the buckle? In my mom's car, they twisted the buckle to make it shorter (and therefore, the seat tighter). Can the plastic casing be removed?
Sorry, I have no advice. I will say that our Britax (we have the Roundabout) was WAY easier to install than my mom's Eddie Bauer. Good luck!
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allergic to Mosquitos!!??
When I was a kid my mom took me to the doctor because I broke out in welts and hives all over my body. Doc...
When I was a kid my mom took me to the doctor because I broke out in welts and hives all over my body. Doc said I was allergic to bites and I had to take benadryl with me whenever I was camping or doing stuff outdoors. I never really had a reaction like that again, though I would get big spots on me at times.
Now that I'm older, I am sensitive to bites - if I get bit on my head it gets all swollen and pussy (gross!) and I feel like crap afterwards.
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Have you ever travelled by train? X-Post (help!)
I'm going by myself with Lukas this week - Ottawa to Toronto. I went with DH and MIL when he was 4 months, but things...
I'm going by myself with Lukas this week - Ottawa to Toronto. I went with DH and MIL when he was 4 months, but things will be different this time around.
Luckily, there's a promo right now and I was able to reserve a seat for him, for free. DH is coming to meet us (by car) later in the week, but I still need to bring quite a bit. Right now, I figure I'm bringing:
- A medium piece of luggage for both of us (mostly for him - who's kidding who?)
- A bucket seat (we'll be driving with relatives before DH shows up)
- A stroller
I plan on 'hooking' the carseat handle through the handle on my suitcase, and pulling it behind me. It's the stroller I'm not sure about. I've got an umbrella that I can carry over my shoulder (if I wear Lukas) - I think it might be hard to maneuvre the umbrella and pull the luggage at the same time. I thought about bringing my BOB because 1) I can push it with one hand, no problem, and 2) we're going camping later in the week and it will do better on the gravel roads. There isn't room in the car for both strollers, so I have to choose one.
So, my question - will it be too hard to bring a bigger jogger-type stroller on the train? Will someone help me carry it (and my luggage) up? Any other pieces of advice, if you've done this?
TIA!
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Question about the BOB revolution - xpost
It was never an issue for us. We rarely used it to keep the stroller closed anyway. My only complaint with the Bob is that...
It was never an issue for us. We rarely used it to keep the stroller closed anyway.
My only complaint with the Bob is that I don't like the seat...I find Lukas slouches in it and he can't see out the sides of the stroller. It wasn't an issue when he was smaller but he likes to look around and I think he prefers our umbrella for this reason.
That said, I really love this stroller. It got me through winter no problem and it's so easy to push. Love it.
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Driving 14+ hours with a 15 month old????
I would also suggest leaving at night and doing as much of it as you can while he sleeps. We're doing a long road-trip next...
I would also suggest leaving at night and doing as much of it as you can while he sleeps. We're doing a long road-trip next month (Lukas will only be 10 months, but we have the same challenges) and we're TRYING to schedule much of the driving around him napping or sleeping. Also, we're trying to break it up as much as possible. Good luck!
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Have you ever travelled by train?
I'm going by myself with Lukas this week - Ottawa to Toronto. I went with DH and MIL when he was 4 months, but things...
I'm going by myself with Lukas this week - Ottawa to Toronto. I went with DH and MIL when he was 4 months, but things will be different this time around.
Luckily, there's a promo right now and I was able to reserve a seat for him, for free. DH is coming to meet us (by car) later in the week, but I still need to bring quite a bit. Right now, I figure I'm bringing:
- A medium piece of luggage for both of us (mostly for him - who's kidding who?)
- A bucket seat (we'll be driving with relatives before DH shows up)
- A stroller
I plan on 'hooking' the carseat handle through the handle on my suitcase, and pulling it behind me. It's the stroller I'm not sure about. I've got an umbrella that I can carry over my shoulder (if I wear Lukas) - I think it might be hard to maneuvre the umbrella and pull the luggage at the same time. I thought about bringing my BOB because 1) I can push it with one hand, no problem, and 2) we're going camping later in the week and it will do better on the gravel roads. There isn't room in the car for both strollers, so I have to choose one.
So, my question - will it be too hard to bring a bigger jogger-type stroller on the train? Will someone help me carry it (and my luggage) up? Any other pieces of advice, if you've done this?
TIA!

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Moving from rear to front facing car seat Qs
A note on height restrictions: at the carseat clinic we went to, it was recommended that you can turn the baby if they meet the...
A note on height restrictions: at the carseat clinic we went to, it was recommended that you can turn the baby if they meet the requirements for weight and age, but they said a better gauge for height restriction is that their head should be no more than 1" below the top of the carseat. Going by actual height isn't as accurate because some babies are all legs, while some are longer in the torso.

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Need answer re: Britax (esp. Roundabout)
Thanks, Katherine, for answering. I just found with his bucket that the straps were tight from the top of his shoulders all the way to...
Thanks, Katherine, for answering.

I just found with his bucket that the straps were tight from the top of his shoulders all the way to the buckle...but with the Britax, I find they're only tight from the tops of his shoulders to the chest clip. The harness is PULLED tight, but the way that it clips into the buckle means that there's a small gap between the harness and his belly.
Next time you're strapping him in, think of me and let me know if yours is different, okay? I appreciate it!
Oh, and I know...I can't believe he's 9 months either.

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Cross post - need answer re: Britax
Yes. Exactly! Also, I find the buckle sits farther away from his crotch (hee) than other buckles, which might also cause the harness strap to...
Yes. Exactly! Also, I find the buckle sits farther away from his crotch (hee) than other buckles, which might also cause the harness strap to be farther from his belly.
I put in a question about it on a carseat forum, and I'll let you know if there's a problem with how they're buckled in. Thanks for replying.

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Need answer re: Britax (esp. Roundabout)
That's perfect. Thanks so much, Denise. ...
That's perfect. Thanks so much, Denise.

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Cross post - need answer re: Britax
Hi everyone, I know I don't post much around here these days, but I know some of you have a Britax Roundabout and I really...
Hi everyone, I know I don't post much around here these days, but I know some of you have a Britax Roundabout and I really want to make sure Lukas is secure in it. It might apply to Marathons, too.
I find it fits so differently than his bucket seat. The lower straps seem to cross his thighs more than his hips, though they are snug. Also, while the shoulder straps are tight at the top and down to the chest clip, they don't hug his belly area at all - they pretty much leave his body to connect with the latch.
Is this how yours fit? I would hate to find out he's riding around and not safe. Thanks so much for your help!
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Need answer re: Britax (esp. Roundabout)
Hi everyone, I know I don't post much around here (well, and really never in here yet, hah!) but I know some of you have...
Hi everyone, I know I don't post much around here (well, and really never in here yet, hah!) but I know some of you have a Britax Roundabout and I really want to make sure Lukas is secure in it.
I find it fits so differently than his bucket seat. The lower straps seem to cross his thighs more than his hips, though they are snug. Also, while the shoulder straps are tight at the top and down to the chest clip, they don't hug his belly area at all - they pretty much leave his body to connect with the latch.
Is this how yours fit? I would hate to find out he's riding around and not safe. Thanks so much for your help!
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wipe warmer for cloths?
We use the Lionheart one. I just wet the cloths and roll them up, and line them up in the warmer. I just use water...
We use the Lionheart one. I just wet the cloths and roll them up, and line them up in the warmer. I just use water - I figure it's best that way for when I want to wipe his face or hands, too. It works great!
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How long after you stopped nursing ...
I've been down to once a day for almost 3 months and I still don't have it. I'm sorta-kinda concerned, but mostly just hapy about...
I've been down to once a day for almost 3 months and I still don't have it. I'm sorta-kinda concerned, but mostly just hapy about it.

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Marathon vs. Roundabout
We bought the Roundabout. I figured that by the time Lukas is over 40lbs, we'll probably have another kid and we'd just buy him a...
We bought the Roundabout. I figured that by the time Lukas is over 40lbs, we'll probably have another kid and we'd just buy him a booster so his younger sibling can have the carseat. I also liked the fact that it was smaller.
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I think it may be time.....
We found the transition surprisingly painless. Sure, they fuss a bit more at first when they go down, but they get over it pretty quick....
We found the transition surprisingly painless. Sure, they fuss a bit more at first when they go down, but they get over it pretty quick. Also, I find Lukas travels quite a bit in his crib now, which is pretty funny - put him down at one end, and he wakes up at the other!
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using formula with both Omegas and without??
DHA/ARA (omega) formulas are a waste of money. From Cochrane (a leading, well-respected medical research review agency): Quote: Two new reviews from the Cochrane Library...
DHA/ARA (omega) formulas are a waste of money. From Cochrane (a leading, well-respected medical research review agency):
Quote:
Two new reviews from the Cochrane Library have shown that the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) added to infant formula do not improve the physical, neurodevelopmental, or visual outcomes in either term or preterm infants. These reviews looked at only high quality randomized clinical trials and concluded that routine supplementation could not be recommended as the data did not support the need for such supplementation with these ingredients.
Simmer K, Patole S, Rao S. Longchain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infants born at term. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD000376.
Simmer K, Schulzke S, Patole S. Longchain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD000375.
http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/news.htm#research
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6 months old already (Shameless photo post!)
I love his eyes! He's super cute! ...
I love his eyes! He's super cute!

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solids: anal, rule-follower me vs. easy-going me
I'm pretty laid-back. Nuts, egg whites, and dairy are out. I have yet to give him any junk food. Otherwise, it's all fair game. I...
I'm pretty laid-back. Nuts, egg whites, and dairy are out. I have yet to give him any junk food. Otherwise, it's all fair game. I know I'll end up giving him some ice cream this summer, or a popsicle. I don't think a little french fry would kill him, either.
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Katie's Results Today
Awww, that's wonderful news! Congratulations! ...
Awww, that's wonderful news! Congratulations!

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Update on Katie (with pics) **Update**
She's such a little cutie...I'm sending you all the good vibes I have. Good luck! ...
She's such a little cutie...I'm sending you all the good vibes I have. Good luck!

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cloth diaper users... what diaper bag
I just use a skip hop bag and keep the diapers in a separate bag, in the main compartment. ...
I just use a skip hop bag and keep the diapers in a separate bag, in the main compartment.

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who supplies baby items for grandparents house(s)?
Why don't you ask them if you can bring some stuff over and leave it there? My parents have bought some things even though we've...
Why don't you ask them if you can bring some stuff over and leave it there?
My parents have bought some things even though we've told them that it's not necessary. The rest of the stuff over there was brought over by DH and I.
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Disposable or reusable nursing pads?
I use reusable wool pads. They helped with blanching. I'm not a fan of disposable anything, though. ...
I use reusable wool pads. They helped with blanching. I'm not a fan of disposable anything, though.

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constantly fussy baby
Lukas went through a phase where he was always fussy - but he was the opposite. If I put him down, he'd freak out. This...
Lukas went through a phase where he was always fussy - but he was the opposite. If I put him down, he'd freak out. This lasted a month or two, and it sucked. Now he's better, but I can't get more than 10 minutes or so when I put him in his exersaucer/playmat/jolly jumper. He's super demanding and sometimes he has fussy days. He cries when I put him in his stroller or carseat. He cries if we go somewhere and I'm not entertaining him.
I figure I just have a really social little guy. I think that when he's able to crawl around and check things out, he'll be easier to handle emotionally. I think it will be the same for you...hang in there!

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How much weight did you gain? Hard to lose after?
This thread is making me feel awful. I gained 25 pounds, and I still have 10 to lose. I walk every day and I don't...
This thread is making me feel awful.

I gained 25 pounds, and I still have 10 to lose. I walk every day and I don't eat too badly, but the rest just isn't coming off. I'm going to have to start going to strollercize twice a week (which I plan on starting next week) and I'm looking into a gym membership too.
I'm not going to lie...I hate my body right now. I feel like six months later, I should have lost my baby weight. I refuse to buy more clothes so I only have a few things that fit me that aren't maternity. Gah.
Okay...I didn't want to make this about me. I guess I just wanted to demonstrate that we're all different after the baby, and there's no way to know how you're going to adjust to life post-partum. That said, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

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Natural baby products?
Earth Mama Angel Baby is awesome. I love the baby wash, bottom balm, and baby lotion. Nellie's laundry soda. Awesome with cloth diapers and baby...
Earth Mama Angel Baby is awesome. I love the baby wash, bottom balm, and baby lotion.
Nellie's laundry soda. Awesome with cloth diapers and baby clothes.
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Fisher Price Aquarium - love or hate?
Quote: Sophie likes it but we can only use it during the day because at night she has woken herself up many times by...
Quote:
Sophie likes it but we can only use it during the day because at night she has woken herself up many times by hitting the button in her sleep and turning it on
I have to ensure that it is turned off before bedtime.
Same here. DH thinks that Lukas adores it; I think he's more 'meh' about it. I do put it on at naptime, hoping that he'll develop an association between napping and the music - I don't put the bubbles on, though. Too crazy.

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Introducing Alessya Isabelle
Congratulations, Sandy!!! Welcome to mommyhood! ...
Congratulations, Sandy!!! Welcome to mommyhood!
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October Mommies!!
We're almost all here now! Mistere, the baby will eventually start to work it out. My LC told me that it's adaptive...moms were usually busy...
We're almost all here now!

Mistere, the baby will eventually start to work it out. My LC told me that it's adaptive...moms were usually busy working during the day (gathering food), so night time was when the baby could eat and 'be' with mom more. Sure enough, Lukas slowly started figuring out day and night.
Shopping - Oliver is so cute and huge! My baby is about the same size, and he's two months old (well, a month if you use his corrected age, but you get the picture!)

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October Mommies!!
Rebecca, those are adorable photos! Congratulations to all the new mommies! Great birth stories, ladies...welcome to the other side! ...
Rebecca, those are adorable photos!

Congratulations to all the new mommies! Great birth stories, ladies...welcome to the other side!

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October Mommies!!
Quote: 1) Sometimes when she's tired she rolls her eyes into the back of her head ... it's only when she's tired but it...
Quote:
1) Sometimes when she's tired she rolls her eyes into the back of her head ... it's only when she's tired but it scares the crap out of me! I find myself wondering if she's going to have a seizure or something (I know, I'm totally paranoid!). Does anyone else's LO do this, or just mine?
Totally normal. I've learned that Lukas makes all kinds of weird faces and sounds. You'll get used to it!

Those are some cute looking babies!

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October Mommies!!
Quote: Quote: anyone else doing cd? I am on a waiting list for a CD trial... I wanted to try them out before I...
Quote:
Quote:
anyone else doing cd?
I am on a waiting list for a CD trial... I wanted to try them out before I bought them.
I did this, but brought them back after a few days because I decided what kind I wanted. I definitely love the pocket dipes the best. I didn't like that fitted diapers were get soaking wet (though they probably absorb the most), and didn't want to bother with covers. The pockets are nice because you can stuff them with whatever you want (i.e. more at night). I picked up mostly some Happy Heinys one-size (will last me until he's potty trained) and some Fuzzi Bunz (which I really like too, but you have to buy more than one size). Diapering at night has taken some time to figure out (he looks like a pear when we put him down, he's so stuffed!) but it's starting to work out well.

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October Mommies!!
Lukas is just a doll these days. He's starting to smile more every day, and he's beginning to entertain himself a bit during the day...
Lukas is just a doll these days. He's starting to smile more every day, and he's beginning to entertain himself a bit during the day so I can shower/eat/pee! Yesterday, though, we had a bit of a poo blowout...on our bed (yuck!) We were napping and I heard this loud explosion, but figured since he was happy and I was sleepy, we could wait two minutes before getting up. Two minutes later, when I took the blanket off us, there it was...the poopslosion. We just started using cloth diapers (which I do love), but I guess I didn't fasten one side tight enough, and the copious amount of poop took the path of least resistance. At least it was ON the bed, and not IN the bed. Yum!!!!
Here's Lukas in his holloween costume...he says "Boo....Hoo!"

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October Mommies!!
Bionic...be gentle with yourself. Lukas HATED the tube and we had a really hard time getting him to latch for the first three weeks or...
Bionic...be gentle with yourself. Lukas HATED the tube and we had a really hard time getting him to latch for the first three weeks or so. Also, as I mentioned in my message to you, the tube you're using might be causing problems...is it soft, or a bit firm? Talk to the LC about a SNS or lactaid, or at the very least, getting the right kind of tube so he'll latch easier. It does get better, though I totally understand your frustration with supplementing at the breast. It's really hard, but I love it now...I just do it when I'm comfortable (i.e. not too tired, or in a mall), and otherwise we give him a bottle with formula and the expressed milk. Talk to the LC about the special bottle (I think I mentioned it?) that will be the least confusing and help him keep that latch!
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