A growing family

Should the average 2.5 year old be able to understand the concept of "being mean"? The concept that hitting/kicking/smacking/yelling at your friends is, in fact, mean?

What are your disciplinary strategies for handling this type of situation?

Is a 2 minute time out and explaining why the time out is happening appropriate?

This is becoming a really huge issue in our home. Our housemate's (extremely smart and verbal) 2.5 year old daughter is only here 3 days a week, and is becoming more and more mean/violent towards our 1 year old daughter. She mostly acts up while her mother is around, and we've tried many different strategies... is following through the key?

Please verify that you can still have a happy peaceful home if there are some rules and discipline too.

After a long pregnancy including daily lovenox shots and a clotting disorder, my son Liam was born on Oct. 31. I had gone to the OB the Wednesday before and he decided to induce me the following Monday. I wasn't keen on being induced but was worried about going into labor while on blood thinners.

Saturday morning (Halloween)I was having trouble sleeping and realized that I was having minor contractions. I wasn't concerned since I had been having them the whole pregnancy. About 7am I woke my husband up because the contractions were keeping me awake. We hung our around the house and around 8 I lost my mucus plug. My OB had warned me that if I had any increase in discharge, not to take my blood thinner. Thank goodness I skipped it.

Around 1pm DH and I decided to go to the mall. I figured the contractions would either pick up or stop. We got a snack and walked a few laps. I started to get more uncomfortable and we headed home. I called the hospital and told them that I was having a lot of contractions but wasn't able to time them. My stomach was almost constantly hard and the pain barely went away. They told me to stay at home and wait until I could time them and they were 5 min apart. Frustrated, I took a hot bath and relqaxed. After a while I got out and rested on the couch. I was able to doze through the contractions at that point. THEN, at 4pm my water broke. My DH didn't believe me! He did soon enough and we headed to the hospital.

When I got there the OB apologized for not believing me about the contractions. They were a minute apart and were coupling. Basically one was starting before the previous one stopped. I discussed pain management with the OB and I knew that an epidural was out. I took IV pain meds. The pain meds did very little since the contractions were so close together. The OB said she sees contractions like that when too much pitocin is used.

I got in the tub and was in there until I got sick to my stomach and too hot. I got out and labored on my side for a while. DH did a great job of not talking or touching me unless I told him to. I needed the room quiet and dark. They put a fan on me and I just I just focused on the sound of my own voice. At one point I sent DH to get the docs because I was pushing. They got everything set up and I pushed for all of 15 minutes. I had only a small tear where my epsiotomy was with my first son (who is 12). Labor was

Liam Zoltan "last name" was born at 8:23pm on Halloween. He weighed 6lbs 15oz. 20". He was born 8 days early despite me having lupus, high blood pressure and a clotting disorder.

Yesterday was my first day back at work. Mom and baby are doing well. Baby Liam is over 10lbs at 7 weeks old! He is my little miracle as we lost a baby last year at 15 weeks due to the clotting disorder.

My tummy hurts, P101, will you be my new mommy?
girlsknowbest 's comments just didn't belong in this post!

I was wondering if any of you know of any active breast feeding communities? or maybe even any forums or something outside of LJ?

So I have this mobile for the babies. I bought it for them last Christmas when they were still sharing a crib. Within a few months the batteries ran out and they were little little at the time, so they didn't care. When they moved to separate cribs, I put it up for decoration on the crib side of one. (The other got this pretty neat sun that lights up.) Well, they're sixteen months now... way beyond the age where a mobile should be amusing. But since they can press the buttons themselves, and it's basically new again (we finally replaced the batteries) they both LOVE IT MORE THAN ANYTHING. So now, they're tantruming every time I try to take them out of their cribs to, you know, eat, or live. And the one that doesn't have the mobile has MOBILE ENVY like you wouldn't believe. And they're not sleeping as well, because they are awake looking at the mobile (they know how to turn it on and everything.)

So, my options are:

1) Take the mobile away entirely and wait out the tantrums sure to ensue.
2) Buy the other one a mobile for Christmas.
3) Take the batteries out of the mobile and wait out the tantrums sure to ensue.
4) Move the mobile to somewhere outside their bedroom... although I'm having trouble coming up with a spot where it would stay put.

Any suggestions?

Newb here, so off the bat I am sorry if I am unwittingly committing any posting sins here.

My 3.5 year old son woke up from his nap today at ~4:30 crying that his stomach hurt. (It should be noted that he is a SUPER tough kid and rarely cries, so when he does I instantly go into crisis mode.) Anyway, the pain progressed and he eventually became near hysterical all the while coughing and puking. This lasted about an hour and a half maybe? Finally I got him to calm down, gave him some tylenol, etc. and he was seemingly okay for a little while. Then at 6:30-7:00-ish he started complaining of the bellyache again and threw up for nearly an hour complaining of pain and not breathing properly from his poor little clenched stomach muscles. All the while he has had a low grade fever. We did some calming activities (deep breathes, rocking, etc.) and he finally calmed down again/ fell asleep but didn't breathe normally the entire time from clenching his stomach muscles. He seems to be somewhat back to normal now- still lethargic- seemingly in (an obviously tolerable amount of) pain.

So my question- WTF!?

My first thought was appendicitis. All his symptoms line up pretty well, and though he cant talk yet (apraxia) he did point to his belly button when I told him to point out exactly where it hurt.

Im guessing since he is able to calm down like this its NOT appendicitis? He had a bm this morning so I know its not constipation... any ideas? Should we head off to the emergency room if he gets another bout tonight or wait until tomorrow to take him to the pedi?

Thanks in advance guys!
Sorry to be so verbose!

I just caved and bought my 4 month old an amber teething necklace. I'm usually skeptical of things like that but right about now I'm willing to try ANYTHINGGGGGGGGGG.

For those of you who have used one, did it work? When did you start seeing a difference? Did you keep it on 24/7?

Also, for anyone that has the fisher price ocean wonders aquarium, is it supposed to be filled right to the top with that liquid inside?? Mine is only slightly over half full, but in the picture on the box it looks pretty much full. To return it or not to return it...that is the question.

Thanks in advance!

So I went to the doctor this afternoon, and actually saw one of the OBs (I had been seeing the practice's midwife). He was very reassuring and exuded confidence. Checked my cervix, which is nice and tight. Said he saw some old blood up there.

Got out the doppler and found the heart beat. "You're little passenger is doing just fine in there."

Everything looked fine, but he wanted to do an ultrasound just to be sure. My next one is scheduled for Jan. 28, so he asked the scheduling lady to find something sooner. She had an opening in 10 minutes, so we took that.

Again, everything looked good and we got some great pics of the baby.

I initially felt a little silly even calling, since it really wasn't much blood at all, but I knew I would worry forever if I didn't call. I didn't expect them to have me come in (and was even more freaked that they wanted to see me -- that meant there really could have been a problem), but I have so much more peace of mind now that I know everything's good.

15 weeks

Hi everyone! I found out I was pregnant about 3 weeks ago. I'm 8 weeks, 1 day and I couldn't be more excited. As this is my first baby, and I'm only 21 years old, I'm also very nervous and feel as if I have a lot to learn!

My main issue at the moment (besides the incredibly sore boobs, contant nausea, and back pains of course) is creating my birth plan. I've always said to everyone that there is NO way I would ever be able to handle a natural child birth and I always assumed I would get an epidural. Recently however I've been doing a lot of research online and reading amazing stories about natural child birth and I've started to doubt my original plan. I would love to be able to do a natural childbirth and even in a birthing center instead of a hospital, but honestly, the thought just terrifies me. I am so afraid that the pain will be unbearable but I won't be able to do anything about it because it will be too late for medication. On the other hand, I've had a spinal tap before and I can say without a doubt that it was the most painful experience I've ever had to go through so the idea of an epidural is almost equally terrifying. I just cannot make up my mind on which is the less scary!

So I have 2 questions for you experiences mommies!

1) How did you make the decision between a natural vs. medicated birth? I've talked to friends and family but it seems that people are either so FOR natural pregnancy (why would you want to let your baby into this world on drugs or be numbed during the whole experience) or SO against the idea (why go through the pain with modern medicine available?) I just don't know how to make up my mind so I'm curious to know how everyone else handled it.

2) What are the most popular alternatives for an epidural? My mom said they gave her demerol back in the day, but I'm pretty sure they don't do that anymore because it seriously drugs up the baby as well. What are the most common forms of medication other than an epidural? What are the safest?

Thanks in advance for your help!

When I told my chiropractor that I had morning sickness, she told me about this stuff called Phosfood, which is supposed to help with it. I bought a bottle of it and just took the first "dose". The regular dose is 10 drops but you're supposed to do 20 for morning sickness.

The official name is Phosfood Liquid, made by a company called Standard Process.

Has anyone heard of this and has anyone tried it? Any stories about how it worked/didn't work for you?

I called to book my 6 week appointment with my OB today and they can't take me till February 1st!  She said that all they will be doing is a pap anyway, and get my family doctor to do it, but because of a 2nd degree tear that I think should be redone (WHOLE other story, ugh) I booked for Feb. 1st anyway.  Plus... I don't have a family doctor, just a ped for my son Cole.

Anyway... during labor I apparently tore all of my stomach muscles so there was a "gap" running down from under my breasts to my belly button.  The nurse told me not to pick anything up that was heavier than my son, or even to vacuum for 6 weeks.  I had a normal vaginal delivery, so no C-Section to complicate things.  And I'm BFing, if that relates to anything.  I was expecting that my OB could give me the green light to start working on my jelly belly, or at least let me vacuum, but now since I can't see her till February I am wondering what to do..?

Has anybody had their stomach tear, and how can you tell if it is better enough to exercise / do household chores?  Pretty sure my DH is getting sick of carrying the loads of laundry up and down the stairs LOL

Thanks,
Courtney

We co-sleep but as the time draws near to our second baby arriving we are trying to transition our 18mth old daughter to be put to bed (still in our family bed) by her Dad.

Since she has been breastfed until this last month (no milk currently), I have always nursed her down or laid with her while she drifts off. I haven't minded being responsible for all sleep times because it's my favourite part of the day with her.

However, knowing that I may not be able to put her to bed once I have a newborn as well, we thought it might be a good idea if her Dad starts putting her down.

She *hates* this idea. We have been trying a number of different techniques but none seem to be working. Please oh please spam me with how you get your little one to go down for someone they're not used to.

We have so far tried my husband coming to bed with us and laying on the other side of her so she is used to him being there. Once she was used to him and happily playing with his necklace while she drifted off, I try to leave room. MELTDOWN. We have tried pretending that I am going out in the car so she knows I am not home and my husband putting her to bed as I would. MELTDOWN. We have tried me putting her mostly to sleep and sneaking away. MELTDOWN.

She just *WILL* not go to sleep for him. Suggestions please!

So I've heard that itching is common towards the end of pregnancy. I have all these weird little red bumps all over my thighs, they itch like crazy. And the past few days it's gotten worse and I'm devoloping a red rash on my legs, my arms, my back... And it itches!! I'm going nuts. I have a few tattoos and for some reason, they're itching like crazy too! I've been googling it but there's soo many different skin irritations that can happen in pregnancy- it didn't really help.

Can anyone recommend any good lotions/creams to help with this? I use coco butter daily and stretch mark cream but it's not helping these rashes at all. I called my doctor and I'm still waiting for a call back.

It doesn't help that I live in WI and it's brutally cold and dry. I have super sensitive skin so normally I get really dry skin this time of year anyways, but never like this. Ahhh. The joy of pregnancy indeed.

33 weeks.

Hello. I have an odd curiousity: For the past two weeks I get this odd feeling around the vaginal area where it feels like there's a string pulling the clitoris up and in (Sort of like a backwards version of the Time Warp-You want to pull inward instead of thrusting out). Anyone else have this happen before?

Also, anyone's kid recognize the dad and environment while in the womb? Mine starts kicking and then stops when anyone other than my S.O. touches my stomach. She only kicked once for his aunt. She also picks up when certain people are around and when she likes where she's at. I met a group of his friends yesterday, and at first she didn't kick at all, but about an hour in, she wouldn't stop kicking. It was like she was saying "C'mon mom! I want to party too!" But whenever grandma is around, she stops. We're tripping out on this because she does the same thing with my friends: If she doesn't like them she won't kick, if she does, I can't stop her.

Okay, my husband and I are thinking about homeschooling our daughter next school year for Kindergarten...The main reason is, we dont like the curriculum that the state of GA has set up for K students...The other reasons are that he comes home for RnR in late September for 2 weeks and then we will be moving to Colorado in the middle of the school year and she will miss at least a total of 6 weeks for the school year due to moving and daddy coming home for RnR and then for good, if she goes to a regular school...I am willing to try anything and everything that you suggest!!! So, can you all please spam me with your favorite homeschooling websites and links for good lesson plans etc...I am researching now and would love to be as informed as possible!! Also, does anyone know if they give homeschooling parents materials to use if I was to go talk to the school board? Thank you so much in advance for all of your help!!! For what it is worth, my 4.5 yo is reading beginner books, spelling, knows all of her numbers/shapes/alphabet, and from her pre-k teacher's perspective, should be in K this current year, but she isnt old enough...she is already doing 1st grade workbooks at home when she gets bored (and during nap time at pre-k) so if there are any programs you can help me with, please let me know!!! sorry for the rambling!!

I'm 33w3d pregnant, and am feeling the wrath that is the third trimester. I miss the 2nd trimester so much! :(

This morning I woke up with a pain in my chest, more in the middle area. It feels like my chest muscles are sore, or like I've been kicked in the sternum. It hurts most when I inhale, as my lungs inflate. Has anyone else felt this before?

Also, I wanted to write on here yesterday about the fact that I feel like I've also been kicked in the vagina. It's just sore down there, and I feel it most at night when I move my legs (even when I sleep with a pillow between). But I also feel it during the day sometimes while walking. Any ideas?

How do you know when your kid doesn't want to be swaddled anymore? What did your kids do?

My kid is about 6 months and I'm not sure. Some night he fights the swaddle, but then when I free his arms all he does is rub his eyes and flail about. We need to wrap him for him to fall asleep. Some nights he will wake up and busted out of the swaddle by himself and goes back to sleep fine and other nights he needs to be wrapped back up. It's a mystery to me.

( Bonus! Video I saw on TV which I thought was funny.. )

When our kids throw tantrums, they are annoying and frustrating, but they are also occasionally hilarious.

My son screams our nicknames for him when he wants something he can't have. He'll say "WAHHHH!!! WAHHHH!!! PIGGIE! PIGGIE! WAHHHH!!!" Yesterday he called himself "FirstName BEE!" because I was trying to change his clothes and he wanted to wander around naked.

What do your kids do while throwing tantrums that make you bite your lip to keep from laughing at them?

Anyone else have a bb that talks/sings in their sleep?


My 13 month old babbles all night long and hums, and not only that but she says words in her sleep she doesn't say during the day (apple, cat) which is odd, and I cant figure out what she's humming either.

weird?

For those with BOB strollers and the adapters, which car seat did you purchase to go with it?

Also, what's the difference between one car seat and another (besides colors and style)?  They all look the same to me.

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