I had my 6 week check up today and am cleared to exercise again. Woohoo! I have been searching and searching for a jogging stroller that I want. Everyone tells me to check Craigslist, and I have, but the pickin's are slim, and I honestly don't want to buy a semi-junky stroller on the cheap if I'm going to use it daily like I did with my single.
Recently I came across a brand new stroller (a 2010 model), Tike Tech CityX3. It has a lot of the same features as the $700 stroller I wanted (BOB duallie) but is only $415 new. Only problem is it is not technically a jogging stroller. The front wheel is a swivel lock wheel, but they have a new sport jogging stroller with a fixed wheel that is for "real" running. I jog about 3 mi., 5 days/wk at most. It's all on paved roads. I am torn because I really would like a swivel wheel for times that I'm just walking, but I don't know if it will hold up to my moderate jogging...
The review at babygizmo said they use it for jogging and even demonstrated it on a very rocky terrain, but they reiterate that Tike Tech doesn't advertise it as a jogging stroller.
Any thoughts from joggers (or non-joggers)? Anyone have a swivel lock stroller that you jog with?
Showing posts with label need advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label need advice. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Would you like cloth or plastic?
I haven't found any disposables I actually like. Huggies Supreme seem plush, but overall the shape isn't working for Dean anymore. Huggies Snug and Dry were not plush and STUNK of chemicals. I've long since written off Pampers. Luvs were probably the worst in leakage I've tried, plus they STINK of baby perfuminess. Costco Kirtland were ok, but you have to buy in such large quantities I'm not a fan. Plus they seemed to run a little small when I tried them. I haven't tried Wal-mart or Target brands.
After seeing these bumgenius diapers on a friend's blog, I've been contemplating using cloth diapers for a couple months now, but the idea of it is really intimidating. It seems like it will be difficult, gross, initially pricey (especially if you get the all-in-one diapers so you don't need diaper covers), time consuming with wash etc. Plus, there are so many kinds I don't want to just throw money down on one type and hope that they work well. (I mean, just think of the Pampers/Huggies competition. Some people love one and hate the other and visa versa.) I really wish that regular stores carried good cloth diapers (not the gerber pre-folds I use as burp rags) so I could look at them up close, compare them, see how the inserts work, see how it all fits together, etc. I hate shopping online because it seems like everything I get is not what I envisioned.
While I was searching this tonight, I found that you can do cloth trials for $10-$20. They send you an assortment of clean (but used) cloth diapers. You put down a deposit of around $100. You keep them for about 2-3 weeks, after which you can either keep them for the deposit price, or send them back and they refund your deposit minus the price to "rent" (the $10-$20).
I also really want to buy a cloth swim diaper since I feel swim diapers are such a waste of money.
Any thoughts on this? Do you think it's gross to use clean, used cloth diapers? Am I crazy for even thinking of switching? If you use cloth, what do you swear by?
After seeing these bumgenius diapers on a friend's blog, I've been contemplating using cloth diapers for a couple months now, but the idea of it is really intimidating. It seems like it will be difficult, gross, initially pricey (especially if you get the all-in-one diapers so you don't need diaper covers), time consuming with wash etc. Plus, there are so many kinds I don't want to just throw money down on one type and hope that they work well. (I mean, just think of the Pampers/Huggies competition. Some people love one and hate the other and visa versa.) I really wish that regular stores carried good cloth diapers (not the gerber pre-folds I use as burp rags) so I could look at them up close, compare them, see how the inserts work, see how it all fits together, etc. I hate shopping online because it seems like everything I get is not what I envisioned.
While I was searching this tonight, I found that you can do cloth trials for $10-$20. They send you an assortment of clean (but used) cloth diapers. You put down a deposit of around $100. You keep them for about 2-3 weeks, after which you can either keep them for the deposit price, or send them back and they refund your deposit minus the price to "rent" (the $10-$20).
I also really want to buy a cloth swim diaper since I feel swim diapers are such a waste of money.
Any thoughts on this? Do you think it's gross to use clean, used cloth diapers? Am I crazy for even thinking of switching? If you use cloth, what do you swear by?
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Teeth.
The bottom two:Ouch and Yowza.
Oh, and by the way, he has been pulling his right ear a TON the last couple of days. He's not crying in pain when he does it, but should I be concerned? Ear pulling often accompanies teething doesn't it? We have an appointment with an ENT (our Bishop) next Thursday to look at his frenulum (the skin under the tongue) to see if he needs a Z-plasty (since his tongue is a little forked when he tries to stick it out). I was thinking I'd ask him about it if Dean's still doing it, but should I take him in to his pediatrician to check it out before then?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Great Expectations
I made one of my students cry today.
Well, kind of. He's a particularly emotional kid to begin. High highs and low lows. He gets overwhelmed easily, especially if he's tired, hungry or worn out. And he was all of those things today. They came straight from school where they'd been taking the TAKS test for two days straight. Starting in 3rd grade, kids are required to pass the TAKS to move onto the next grade. It's heavily stressed here, and I've actually had students cancel lessons (3rd and 4th graders!) so they could study. Weird.
Anyway, we were working on his recital piece. I admit it is a challenging piece for his skill level. He was tired and stressed out. I was a little stressed because Dean was screaming his head off in the computer room with Matt, so I probably had a little edge to my voice. I kept telling him to stay focused, look at my hands, pay attention, just take it one measure at a time. I could tell he was in his Eeyore mode, and about half way through I said, "Forget it. We can't work on this anymore. You're too worn out. Lets just play some music games." I don't know if the tears came from his frustration or relief, but a few slipped out. He enjoyed playing on my large staff mat, and kind of cheered up a bit.
I was always up for a challenge, but I'm finding those students to be rare. It's hard to find the line between high yet realistic expectations and overambitious/outrageous expectations. Any ideas on how to successfully do that?
Well, kind of. He's a particularly emotional kid to begin. High highs and low lows. He gets overwhelmed easily, especially if he's tired, hungry or worn out. And he was all of those things today. They came straight from school where they'd been taking the TAKS test for two days straight. Starting in 3rd grade, kids are required to pass the TAKS to move onto the next grade. It's heavily stressed here, and I've actually had students cancel lessons (3rd and 4th graders!) so they could study. Weird.
Anyway, we were working on his recital piece. I admit it is a challenging piece for his skill level. He was tired and stressed out. I was a little stressed because Dean was screaming his head off in the computer room with Matt, so I probably had a little edge to my voice. I kept telling him to stay focused, look at my hands, pay attention, just take it one measure at a time. I could tell he was in his Eeyore mode, and about half way through I said, "Forget it. We can't work on this anymore. You're too worn out. Lets just play some music games." I don't know if the tears came from his frustration or relief, but a few slipped out. He enjoyed playing on my large staff mat, and kind of cheered up a bit.
I was always up for a challenge, but I'm finding those students to be rare. It's hard to find the line between high yet realistic expectations and overambitious/outrageous expectations. Any ideas on how to successfully do that?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sleep results
Thanks so much for all the sleep tips! I got great responses both by email and comment. I'm pretty sure I got all three types of mothers to respond (no cry, partial cry and comfort, and cry it out), so that was great. Believe me, I don't think anyone is "crazy" for doing what they do, because I know that you're doing what works and is best for you. I love hearing that different things work for different people! That means I have to find what works for me and go forward with confidence that my little boy will one day learn to sleep. That means, he will be ok if I nurse/don't nurse him, rock/don't rock him, let him cry/comfort endlessly etc. I've decided that the important thing is consistency so he can figure out what the heck I'm doing and adapt. Since I haven't been super consistent up to this point, I've decided I need to come up with a game plan and stick with it!
I can tell that as he's getting older, his ability to calm himself is better. This past week for naps I've been wrapping (leaving one or both hands out on the off chance he's going to need to suck on them), nursing (if he needs/wants to), rocking, and singing. Then I put him down in his crib (usually with his eyes open). The first day I did that he fussed for about 20 min., was quite for about 10 and ended up falling asleep. Now he fusses for about 5-15 min. and will fall asleep in about 20. His actual crying during naps is pretty minimal, I've had to go in and do a little more rocking once or twice. If he's just fussing, I'm trying to leave him so he can learn to fall asleep on his own. If he's all out crying more than 10-15 min. I can't stand it and I go back and do what I can to help him calm down. This is a huge improvement over what it used to be like. He usually naps about an hour at a time and gets sleepy within 1 - 1 1/2 hours of waking.
His night time routine needs a little tweaking I think. He's had a bit of trouble going down and I think we might be starting too late. I've started the night soothing around 8 PM (give or take about 20 min.). I do pretty much the same routine as for naps, and maybe that's part of the problem? We've only been giving him baths every 3 days since it's been so cold here and we're all having problems with dry skin (even after using lotion). However, he likes baths for the most part, so maybe I should incorporate it into the nightly routine when it warms up a bit.
Another potential problem is his evening nap after my piano lessons. He's usually pretty tired by the time I'm done with piano (around 5 or 5:30) so I've been putting him down for a nap. He will wake up around 6 or 6:30, but he still shows tired signs by 8. However, after reading Dr. Weissbluth's book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, I think we should try and forgo the 5 pm nap and try to put him down for the night by 6:30pm-7pm. Who knows? Maybe it will be the ticket to happy SleepyLand.
As for the sleeping through the night, I've decided to wait until he's 4 or 5 months before I start doing anything. I can already see improvement in his sleeping, so I won't push him too fast. He's still a little guy. At that point I think I will start completely ignoring certain wakings. If it's only been 2 hours, he shouldn't be too hungry. If it's been 4 or more, I'll go in and feed him. And then by 9 months I will do total extinction of all night feedings and endure the crying then if I need.
Lowdown on me and the methods:
Family Bed
While I know the "family bed" work for some, I just can't see it working for me. First of all, I tried nursing once or twice in bed and it just seemed EXTREMELY awkward. Couldn't get the hang of it and made a big wet mess when we both fell asleep while he was nursing. Plus we only have a queen size bed and that's a little too snug for 3. Moreover, he's a light sleeper and I think it would be our demise. And I won't mention the negative impact it would have on our intimate life! Ok, ok. So I did just mention it.
No cry method
This is where I naturally gravitate. I can't STAND to hear him crying so desperately. I start getting agitated and sometimes even angry. Angry that he's still up crying when I KNOW he's super tired. Angry that Matt's tendency is to let him cry it out for at least 30 min. Angry that I've heard it too much that day. I've tried tuning it out with music or earplugs, but that only works about 15 min. and his crying can last much longer. Constantly comforting is a little draining, but I think I'll keep going this route a little longer. At least mostly. If I've given everything I absolutely can give for a night, I'll set him down and let him cry until he falls asleep or for 30 min. until Matt feels compelled to go check on him, whichever comes first.
Cry and Comfort
This is super hard for me because to be effective, I think the key is not to pick him up during the "comfort" phase. After the 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 min. interval you've set, go in and talk to him or pat him until he's calm and then leave again. The few times I tried this his cries became more intense and I couldn't handle it. I would go back in and pick him up and start all over again. Plus, Dr. Weissbluth said that for super fussy/colicky babies this is a slow route.
Cry and Ignore
While this may seem a little harsh, I think it will have to be the way we go when we DO decide to help him kick his night waking habit. Make sure he doesn't have a dirty diaper, stay near so he doesn't choke to death on his cries, and stick it out. I may have to recruit Matt for this given my tendency to rush in and save, but he's Dean's parent too and can sacrifice a few nights for the greater good. My sister mentioned that in Weissbluth's studies of 2000+ kids, no babies older than 9 months NEEDED food in the middle of the night. So, that is probably when we'd try that if need be.
Start as you mean to go on?
This is one of the philosophies of the Baby Whisperer, Tracy Hogg. Basically, start from day one on your preferred method so you don't have to correct bad habits you've gotten into later. While this may be good and all for a non-screamer, I don't necessarily think it's the best for super colicky babies. Plus, I don't think it's that big of a deal to break a 9- month-old's habit. True, I haven't tried it, but my sister told me that it really only takes about a week or so when they're that little.
I can tell that as he's getting older, his ability to calm himself is better. This past week for naps I've been wrapping (leaving one or both hands out on the off chance he's going to need to suck on them), nursing (if he needs/wants to), rocking, and singing. Then I put him down in his crib (usually with his eyes open). The first day I did that he fussed for about 20 min., was quite for about 10 and ended up falling asleep. Now he fusses for about 5-15 min. and will fall asleep in about 20. His actual crying during naps is pretty minimal, I've had to go in and do a little more rocking once or twice. If he's just fussing, I'm trying to leave him so he can learn to fall asleep on his own. If he's all out crying more than 10-15 min. I can't stand it and I go back and do what I can to help him calm down. This is a huge improvement over what it used to be like. He usually naps about an hour at a time and gets sleepy within 1 - 1 1/2 hours of waking.
His night time routine needs a little tweaking I think. He's had a bit of trouble going down and I think we might be starting too late. I've started the night soothing around 8 PM (give or take about 20 min.). I do pretty much the same routine as for naps, and maybe that's part of the problem? We've only been giving him baths every 3 days since it's been so cold here and we're all having problems with dry skin (even after using lotion). However, he likes baths for the most part, so maybe I should incorporate it into the nightly routine when it warms up a bit.
Another potential problem is his evening nap after my piano lessons. He's usually pretty tired by the time I'm done with piano (around 5 or 5:30) so I've been putting him down for a nap. He will wake up around 6 or 6:30, but he still shows tired signs by 8. However, after reading Dr. Weissbluth's book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, I think we should try and forgo the 5 pm nap and try to put him down for the night by 6:30pm-7pm. Who knows? Maybe it will be the ticket to happy SleepyLand.
As for the sleeping through the night, I've decided to wait until he's 4 or 5 months before I start doing anything. I can already see improvement in his sleeping, so I won't push him too fast. He's still a little guy. At that point I think I will start completely ignoring certain wakings. If it's only been 2 hours, he shouldn't be too hungry. If it's been 4 or more, I'll go in and feed him. And then by 9 months I will do total extinction of all night feedings and endure the crying then if I need.
Lowdown on me and the methods:
Family Bed
While I know the "family bed" work for some, I just can't see it working for me. First of all, I tried nursing once or twice in bed and it just seemed EXTREMELY awkward. Couldn't get the hang of it and made a big wet mess when we both fell asleep while he was nursing. Plus we only have a queen size bed and that's a little too snug for 3. Moreover, he's a light sleeper and I think it would be our demise. And I won't mention the negative impact it would have on our intimate life! Ok, ok. So I did just mention it.
No cry method
This is where I naturally gravitate. I can't STAND to hear him crying so desperately. I start getting agitated and sometimes even angry. Angry that he's still up crying when I KNOW he's super tired. Angry that Matt's tendency is to let him cry it out for at least 30 min. Angry that I've heard it too much that day. I've tried tuning it out with music or earplugs, but that only works about 15 min. and his crying can last much longer. Constantly comforting is a little draining, but I think I'll keep going this route a little longer. At least mostly. If I've given everything I absolutely can give for a night, I'll set him down and let him cry until he falls asleep or for 30 min. until Matt feels compelled to go check on him, whichever comes first.
Cry and Comfort
This is super hard for me because to be effective, I think the key is not to pick him up during the "comfort" phase. After the 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 min. interval you've set, go in and talk to him or pat him until he's calm and then leave again. The few times I tried this his cries became more intense and I couldn't handle it. I would go back in and pick him up and start all over again. Plus, Dr. Weissbluth said that for super fussy/colicky babies this is a slow route.
Cry and Ignore
While this may seem a little harsh, I think it will have to be the way we go when we DO decide to help him kick his night waking habit. Make sure he doesn't have a dirty diaper, stay near so he doesn't choke to death on his cries, and stick it out. I may have to recruit Matt for this given my tendency to rush in and save, but he's Dean's parent too and can sacrifice a few nights for the greater good. My sister mentioned that in Weissbluth's studies of 2000+ kids, no babies older than 9 months NEEDED food in the middle of the night. So, that is probably when we'd try that if need be.
Start as you mean to go on?
This is one of the philosophies of the Baby Whisperer, Tracy Hogg. Basically, start from day one on your preferred method so you don't have to correct bad habits you've gotten into later. While this may be good and all for a non-screamer, I don't necessarily think it's the best for super colicky babies. Plus, I don't think it's that big of a deal to break a 9- month-old's habit. True, I haven't tried it, but my sister told me that it really only takes about a week or so when they're that little.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Help! How to sleep through the night??
K. people. I need help from you seasoned veterans. I am ready to have our room back and a semi-normal night's sleep. I really would love to move Dean to his room, but I'm not sure if he's ready or how I can get him to sleep through the night. Here is his background:
- He doesn't take a pacifier. For some reason he has refused a pacifier ever since we got back from California.
- Recently he's started sucking on his hand, but it doesn't seem to have real soothing power yet.
- He is a light sleeper for the most part. I think he'll benefit from sleeping in his own room so we don't inadvertently wake him.
- I've been putting him down for his day naps in his own room to get him used to that crib.
- He's gone up to 8 hours without waking at night, but that was a rare treat. The last few days he's been waking up every 2 1/2 to 3 hours to eat.
- While it may be partially my fault, he's never really learned how to put himself back to sleep consistently. He'll occasionally fuss himself back to sleep, but more often than not, he gets himself worked up passed that point. Then he's really hungry and wants to eat.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Devil in the Details
I don't really know what the title of my post means, but it sounded appropriate as I'm trying to get the last little details squared away between today and 2 1/2 weeks before I'll consider induction.
Should I email the Primary Pres. and see if they could call a permanent sub for those two months? And if I decided it would be too much after that, the permanent sub could then be called to the position permanently maybe? I really hate asking to be released from a calling for a couple of reasons. The last time I suggested my release from a calling (since I had 2 and many people in the ward didn't even have 1), I ended up getting released from both of my callings (one of which I LOVED) and was called to something I didn't particularly enjoy. Also, what if I'm supposed to be there for some reason I just don't see? Oi. I don't like this situation at all. Any thoughts?
Anyway, I'm getting close to being ready for this baby people. I have to say, I have not been so pregnant that I'm miserable, but with one week left, I am feeling quite pregnant indeed. Just in the last week my hands and feet have started to swell enough that I've noticed (my wedding ring doesn't quite slip on so easily as it used to). My feet are tired after exercising and running errands for half a day. And my belly feels very heavy. In the last 2 weeks I've outgrown pretty much all of the shirts I purchased for pregnancy, so I'm now wearing the shirts I got from my much taller sisters. They work, but they're just a little big for this 5'3" girl. Plus I like them a little more fitted, and that wasn't the style when they were pregnant. At least I have (free) clothes to wear. Can't complain too much I suppose.
On the up side, the weather is finally starting to cool off! This week we've at least been out of the 90's during the day, and nights and mornings have been cooler than 75* so we've been able to open our windows and let the air circulate. I've even been cool enough at night to stay in my bed rather than moving to the couch under the fan. I have been making weird sighing noises when I sleep though. Not quite sure why.
I had a check up yesterday. More effaced and "a good 1 cm" dilated. "Still quite posterior" but the baby is where he should be, and he still seems to be doing just fine in his cramped quarters. He hasn't dropped at all, I haven't had any sort of contractions I've been aware of, and I've really had no indication he's planning on making his debut any time soon.
I'm a tiny bit worried about the hospital I'm supposed to deliver at. I swear the L&D is always packed. Every time I've tried to go in for a tour, all the rooms are full. If the rooms are all full when I go into labor, I'll either be put in triage to wait for a room or, worst case, I'll have to go to a different hospital further away. We at least know where the other hospital is since Matt had his appendix removed there, but I really would like to avoid that if possible. They say the weekend is usually less busy, so maybe I'll shoot for that. Ha! Like I have a say when this baby's coming.
Ah well. It will all work out.
- Quilt finished: check
- Bumper finished: check (ok, so not quite check, but it will be done tonight and I'll post pictures)
- Car seat purchased: check
- Hospital back packed: check
- Pack 'N Play with bassinet inset for our room: check (though I haven't set it up yet)
- Figure out where the Labor and Delivery section is in the hospital: check (just yesterday)
- Fridge cleaned: check
- Nursery cleaned: mostly...once I finish the bumper and get the pack n' play pieces out it'll be dandy
- Thank you cards made and sent out: check on the made. Need to get them out still.
- Squaring away my church calling: .....Ok. So that's where I'm feeling stuck.
Should I email the Primary Pres. and see if they could call a permanent sub for those two months? And if I decided it would be too much after that, the permanent sub could then be called to the position permanently maybe? I really hate asking to be released from a calling for a couple of reasons. The last time I suggested my release from a calling (since I had 2 and many people in the ward didn't even have 1), I ended up getting released from both of my callings (one of which I LOVED) and was called to something I didn't particularly enjoy. Also, what if I'm supposed to be there for some reason I just don't see? Oi. I don't like this situation at all. Any thoughts?
Anyway, I'm getting close to being ready for this baby people. I have to say, I have not been so pregnant that I'm miserable, but with one week left, I am feeling quite pregnant indeed. Just in the last week my hands and feet have started to swell enough that I've noticed (my wedding ring doesn't quite slip on so easily as it used to). My feet are tired after exercising and running errands for half a day. And my belly feels very heavy. In the last 2 weeks I've outgrown pretty much all of the shirts I purchased for pregnancy, so I'm now wearing the shirts I got from my much taller sisters. They work, but they're just a little big for this 5'3" girl. Plus I like them a little more fitted, and that wasn't the style when they were pregnant. At least I have (free) clothes to wear. Can't complain too much I suppose.
On the up side, the weather is finally starting to cool off! This week we've at least been out of the 90's during the day, and nights and mornings have been cooler than 75* so we've been able to open our windows and let the air circulate. I've even been cool enough at night to stay in my bed rather than moving to the couch under the fan. I have been making weird sighing noises when I sleep though. Not quite sure why.
I had a check up yesterday. More effaced and "a good 1 cm" dilated. "Still quite posterior" but the baby is where he should be, and he still seems to be doing just fine in his cramped quarters. He hasn't dropped at all, I haven't had any sort of contractions I've been aware of, and I've really had no indication he's planning on making his debut any time soon.
I'm a tiny bit worried about the hospital I'm supposed to deliver at. I swear the L&D is always packed. Every time I've tried to go in for a tour, all the rooms are full. If the rooms are all full when I go into labor, I'll either be put in triage to wait for a room or, worst case, I'll have to go to a different hospital further away. We at least know where the other hospital is since Matt had his appendix removed there, but I really would like to avoid that if possible. They say the weekend is usually less busy, so maybe I'll shoot for that. Ha! Like I have a say when this baby's coming.
Ah well. It will all work out.
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