Thanks for all of your stories of accidents that happened to you as well. I know she's in for her share of bumps and bruises, but I will feel better when they are from something she did in learning something rather than my negligence. It was definitely a tough lesson and I'm so aware of it now that I'm sure it will never happen again.

In good news, I got 4 hours of sleep last night! Actually, a little more than that. DH got sucked into a movie so he was up with her until 2am holding her. When he came to bed at 2 I fed her, burped her, swaddled her up tightly and had her down by 2:45. She slept until almost 5! Then we went through the routine again and she slept until about 7:30. It's amazing how much better I feel having had some sleep! Hopefully we're on to something here....

What do you all reccommend in preventing diaper rash as much as possible? I put powder on her butt and in all the places that the diaper rubs her after every diaper change. I know diaper rash isnt 100% preventable. Is it better to use powder or diaper cream??

i was told not to use baby powder as it can be harmful to them if they inhale it, just try and keep her dry by changing her often, and use cream at the first hints of a red booty and you should be good

also, for really really bad diaper rash (kaydee got it whenever she was on antibiotics) i always had to get nyastatin cream from the dr, and that cleared it right up!

Labby, yeah, those baby falls are really common. Don't beat yourself up over it. I know it sounds horrible, but if there is ever a good time to have a baby fall, it;s a newborn.

Nessa, for the reasons Goon mentioned, diaper powder isn't recommended. I wouldn't use any of the creams/powders unless your baby actually has a rash. The skin is so sensitive the products themselves may cause irritation. Not to mention they may be absorbing things the little body just doesn't need. Just keep the baby dry as possible (change diapers often), and as Gutter recommended, use wet washcloths instead of the wet wipes.

Erin, I don't know what to do about Hailey's rash. Maybe a little diaper free time every now and then till you can get her some prescription cream for the doctor?

ive never tried it, but ive heard that soaking a babys but in a tub with some epsom salts will cure terrible diaper rash. just make sure that they dont drink it!

I had to use washcloths on Jasper for weeks because of his sensitive skin. Now I can use wipes and not have to worry about diaper rash, but if he does get one, I'll be back to using washcloths and air time

I agree with just making sure they are clean and dry ( dry is key! ) to avoid diaper rash, I do try not to bother with creams or powder on the rare occasion that he may be in his diaper a while I will add a bit of petroleum jelly or some A&D but putting diaper rash cream on after the rash has started will do nothing for it as it is a preventative between the wetness and the skin not something that will heal it especially if it is yeast it will just flare up and burn.

I have a few moments while Allie is “blissed out” (like that term, DG!) with her new pacifier, in the papsan bouncer. Certainly no time for full personals, but I must address my fellow Oct mommies!!...

Nessa… Bryony’s words and experience say it all!! There still isn’t a day that I don’t get weepy for at least several minutes. My quiet time in the shower is the worst. The first shower I took at home, I just baaaawled! The oil I had been using for perineal massage was in there, and all that perineal massage was for nothing… meanwhile, my c-section incision was so sore, and such a sad reminder of what I missed out on. Everyone says “she is here and healthy and that’s all that matters” – but for me the birth experience was something separate. I was really looking forward to vaginal delivery, I was not at all afraid. I knew plans would probably change, but I really didn’t think “change of plans” would result in the extreme of being another c-section statistic (no offense to the many other women who have also had them, but I do see it that way a bit in our U.S. medical system!). I do not see being totally thrilled with her and very disappointed at my c-section as mutually exclusive, even though I do know how lucky I am that I got pregnant at all, and that she is healthy. So, that disappointment was and still is the focus of my “baby blues,” and frankly something I’m still processing emotionally. It has gotten better over these nearly 3 weeks, but the blues are still there now and then. Another time I fell apart was on her one-week birthday, at the exact moment of her delivery, as I cradled and rocked her. Today I cried as I thought about the fact that 3 weeks ago DH and I enjoyed a rainy Saturday watching football, with no idea she was about to arrive. So, yes… those moments will continue. Give it a few weeks, and it should ease up (but not entirely), but if you are worried it is something more, don’t be ashamed to speak up and get help!!

Labby… First of all… big hugs over the baby fall confession. I keep telling myself it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” and “what” in terms of some kind of minor baby accident (aside from DH spraying her in the face with water during our first bath attempt – she was crying so she inhaled at least a little, and went silent right away… I was worried she wasn’t breathing, we put her on her side and burped her till she started shrieking again!… Poor DH felt SO bad he got teary-eyed, but I didn’t let him beat himself up at all… my own stupid move could come any day now…). I’m so sorry to hear about your really rough nights (though yay for some progress last night, hope you get more like that and better!) and the stress with DH’s job. I’d be so upset too if I were you, just keep the communication open and vent here all you need to!! If you haven’t read the book and/or seen the video Happiest Baby on the Block – highly recommend it!! Allie has been pretty easy to calm overall, but those techniques work well on her. Her sleeping seems OK… no better or worse than I expected, and some nights are better than others. You might also look into the Snuggle Nest for safer co-sleeping (we have an actual co-sleeper, which I really like, but they are still an arm’s length away, so it’s not quite the same). My friend had to do the snuggle nest in their bed b/c her baby girl simply hated being alone. She’s just over 2 months now and sleeping long stretches on her own… it IS possible, hang in there!!!

So, we are using the pacifier, and she loves it! But both DH and I are so worried now that it was a bad move or we did it too early. I’m keeping careful track of breastfeeding sessions now to make sure she seems to be feeding the same amount. Her 2 week growth was good (but not like Olivia!!), right on track. But she never feeds for very long. I hear lots of eager gulping and swallowing when she latches on, so that’s good. But often she pulls off by 7 minutes. I coax her to keep eating, but getting her to stay on for 15 min is rare. Sometimes I can change her to wake her up and feed some more, but it still never lasts long. Now and then she goes 20 or more, but I’d say she averages 10 min. Seems short, even though I read that it’s the low end of normal.

OK, looks like “blissed out” is wearing off soon!...

If anyone is interested in Audrey's 2nd birthday pics, they are in the other topic 1-3 years

Gutter, does it just feel like time has flown since Audrey was born? She's such a big girl now! Love the pics!!

MW, Im glad that you shared your feelings, and your "blues". I get weepy on a daily basis, often times out of the blue, and other times its triggered by something (commercial on TV, etc.) Today I cried because I felt really guilty about being frustrated at Sofia for not letting me sleep last night. I mean, its not her fault!! How can I feel that way towards my own child, even though I love her more than words can explain?? Its gotta be tough feeling down about not getting the birth experience that you wanted. And I can totally relate to you about the one week anniversary!!! The total birth experience for me was such a joyous experience, that I was sad that it was over. I have to say that a lot of my "blues" stems from missing the sensation of her being inside me, combined with the experience of her arrival!!! The time just goes too darn fast! Im glad I have someone to share similar feelings with!

I applaud you on the breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I have definetly given up on it (oh another reason to add to my "blues". I feel like a failure not being able to breastfeed her). I dunno what or when it went wrong, but its just not working out. I do pump, so Im glad that she is still able to get my milk, but missing out on the bonding, kills me!

Desertgirl,
Some days is feels like I can't believe she's 2 years old, but it feels like forever she was a baby because I can hardly remember her as a baby. With Jasper TIME is FLYING by really fast though!!

Nessa,
Don't feel like a failure!!!! I couldn't breastfeed my daughter and the bond is still there I was only able to pump for her too. Sofia is still young, so you can still attempt breastfeeding, I know Ashley had given up a bit I think and pumped for a bit....maybe she's better at saying what happened...

im sooo sick. julie still doesnt want to go to bed, and charles has been asleep for 2 hours already, and im so jealous. i just want to lay down. how is it that i have the flu so i get to take care of the kids when he has a "sore throat" and gets to sleep??? ugh, sorry for the mini rant im so tired.

Awwww! Nika I am so sorry! Men suck sometimes, don't you love how if they have a stuffed nose or cold they can't even so much as wipe their own ass? haha Seriously my DH is so over dramatic when he gets sick and acts like he can not walk if he has a cold or something and needs catering and TLC but the minute I am sick it's "see ya!"

I really hope you get well soon hon!


On a side note I wanted to share this pic of Noah, I finally got a shot of him smiling and his newest teeth in ( He now has 4 and I am about positive his top 2 middle are now coming in as well! )His face is a bit red from all of his drool as you can also see on his shirt!

thanks ash. julie finally went to sleep at around 12:30 in the morning. oye! i feel a little bit better today, so hopefully this is going away now!

that picture is adorable!!! your little man is so cute!

Not all guys are that way.

I take care of my DW and kids when they are sick. We do get sick differently, though: DW gets sick slowly and stays reasonably sick, but not horribly so, for days. I get sick quickly, go down hard and sometimes become almost incapacitated, but then I get over it quickly.

Whoever is a full-up round does the chores. But I'll give you ladies the nod. You usually are better about it then we men are.

Ash - Noah sure is a cutie! Those big eyes are so adorable! I'm sure they will be breaking a lot of hearts in years to come!

Nika - so sorry about your sickness. I think many men are like that, so you're not alone. That's why us women have to go through childbirth - men could never handle it!

I am happy to report we had another good night! I went to bed with Olivia around 10:30. She woke around midnight and we did the whole change/feed/burp routine and she was back down around 12:30. She didn't wake again until 3:50! We did the whole routine again and I put her back down and she slept again until 7am! I can totally handle that kind of schedule, so hopefully it continues. I was really worried she wasn't going to sleep since we were at my parents house all afternoon/night with her so family could come see her. She slept almost the entire time as everyone was holding (including a friend of my mom's who was sick - but don't even get me started on that topic!), so I was really worried it was going to be another rough night, but I was pleasantly surprised. I found that the tighter the swaddle the better she seems to sleep at night, but she hates the swaddle during the day and sleeps all spread-eagle-like. Go figure!

Nika,
I so know what you mean!! If I'm sick I'm also looking after the kids. Not fair is it Did you ask Charles to help you out, seems like that's what they need sometimes because they don't know how to just take charge.

Ashley,
Noah is adorable and I can't believe he's got 4 teeth already!!!

Well I've finally got my 2nd 8 hours worth of sleep without any interruptions, boy does it feel great to finally sleep again. Today I plan on going for another walk wit the kids on my own, but I want to see if DF will look after the kids briefly while I go and buy 2 birthday cards.

Labby,
Jasper did very well and slept most of the time while we were around people too.

I gotta run, Audrey is going to lose my post because she's always touching the mouse and clicking away.

Awww look how big Jasper is getting!! I LOVE the 2nd pic, Audrey is so cute! I love her bashful smile.

OM- No offense but men always seem to think they help more than they actually do IMO, lol! But if you help as much as you say mind giving my husband some pointers? He is actually doing lots of work today, getting some trim and stuff cut and painted for the living room.

Labby- Sounds like you are starting to figure each other out and make a nice routine of things, good job momma! I hope she keeps it up for you!

My baby is being a bit crabby today but one of his top teeth appears to be right under the gums ( Where it looks white but not sticking through) I hope after these 2 we get a break for a while! I am getting his pic by the statue again today and I am going to try and gather them all for comparison!

I experienced this too, Nessa. I only lasted 2 weeks breastfeeding and a month pumping. It just didn't work out for me and at first, I felt like a complete failure. DD would not stay latched on for more than 5 mins at a time and so was feeding every 30 mins. My nipples were torn to shreds even though according to the experts, her latch was fine. I was worried she wasn't getting enough and I just found the whole thing too stressful and painful, as did she.

She was much happier once she was bottle fed and I was more relaxed.

I know there is immense pressure on women to breastfeed but there is absolutely nothing wrong with formula or bottle feeding. Formula is nutritionally designed for babies.

At the end of the day as long as your baby gains weight and is happy, it doesn't matter how they are fed, and trust me, a year or two down the line, once your babies are weaned, whether they were breast or bottle fed is completely irrelevant.