Parenting Children

Go check out the two weeks of toys giveaways on 5 minutes for mom!

Finally our baby is here! Through all of my trying to have a VBAC, nothing worked so we went in for a repeat c-section on March 18th, one day before my 40th week. I thought I would share my baby’s birth story here with all of you.

I woke up that morning not nervous at all, although I did not sleep much that night. I left the twins with my mother in law and went to the hospital with E and my mom. We checked in and I gowned up ready for my surgery. I still was not nervous at all. Things moved very quickly from there, I answered questions, got my IV, had a quick sonogram to see where my placenta was located and E got gowned up as well. Then we were off to the operating room.
This is when the panic set in.

E wasn’t allowed in the room until we were ready for the surgery, so I was getting my epidural alone. I was scared, since I had never had an epidural before and once I started to feel the pins and needles in my legs I freaked out. I actually started uncontrollably laughing because it freaked me out so much to have people moving my legs, whcih I could feel but have no control over my legs. The doctors were finally ready to operate and then E came in. I started to cry as soon as I saw him from excitement and fear. E calmed me down and helped me to really not have a panic attack which was right around the corner.

The operation was faster then I expected, and 10 minutes later our son was born, breaking the record of the first 8 c-section that morning all of which produced girls. He is my largest baby weighing in at 9lbs 2 oz and 20 and 1/4 inches. He is named after my father and my husband and is an amazing baby. He only cries to eat, which is often but for short amounts of time. He is very cute and his older brother and sister love him.

Breastfeeding has been …..interesting. I hate that I question everything, is he getting enough, when will he want to eat next, is he still hungry etc. Questions that I didn’t have when I bottle fed my twins. It is demanding and tiring but I think we are doing OK since he gained 5 oz in 3 days. Let’s hope he keeps up on this trend.
So far so good with our new addition, we couldn’t love him more and he really completes our family.

birth story, pregnancy, repeat c-section, parenting, breastfeeding, infants

If I haven’t gone into labor already, right now as you read this, I am probably having a c-section to have my baby. I know I will be quite busy for the next few weeks until routine and schedules are established. I want to thank you all for your comments and emails with well wishes for me and my family. Here are some of my favorite posts that I would like to share while I am taking care of business:

Parenting Tips for every parent or grandparent.

Did you pierce your child’s ears?

Send this post to every expecting mom, I promise they will thank you!

One of my most controversial posts.

I finally realized all children are strange.

This is c-section advice I had to read again to remind myself what I may be in for.
and
Learning CPR is a must for any parents, grandparent, babysitter or caregiver. This CD is a great resource.

infant CPR, child CPR, parenting, parenting children, parenting advice, kids, best posts, new baby, c-sections

As most of expectant mothers do, I read a lot of parenting books. I was not a fan of the ever popular What to Expect When you are Expecting, but I read my share of parenting twins, pregnancy and even baby name books.
None of them let you in on a little secret.
A dirty little mothering secret if you will: Being a mom is boring.

There, I said it.
What no other mother wants to say. Sometimes it is just plain
B O R I N G.

Should I feel guilty for feeling this way? I think many other mothers feel the same way, that if you are not super excited about being a mom and say things like “yes! I can’t wait to change your diaper again today while you try to escape” and “wow, yes, please lets do this puzzle again for the 3439784 time today!”, then you are not a good mom. I feel like you should be able to say that the indoor play park is boring unless you have someone to talk to or that playing with matchbox cars all day stinks, without being judged.

Sometimes being a parent is like groundhog day, the same routine, same lunches, same toys over and over again. Motherhood thy name is monotony. It is ok not to love every aspect of being a parent, I still love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Now if you will excuse me, I have puzzles to put together.

parenting, parenting children, moms, SAHM, kids, motherhood, being a mom, life with kids

If you are anything like me, you do not like traditional parenting books. Of course I have read a few in my day when I had problems with sleeping or potty training but to me, they are usually all the same. Since all kids are different and respond to things differently so, I like to wing it. That made me excited to review “The Gay Uncle’s Guide to Parenting” from MotherTalk, to see if someone who is not a parent at all, can help parent a child.

It takes a village all right, or at least one gay uncle as this book will let you believe. Brett Berk, who was a was a teacher and director and is now a research consultant for producers of children’s toys and media, takes you through the journey on the outskirts of parenting children and what you are doing wrong and right. Everything from real life examples for toilet training, bed time, sibling rivalry and bad food habits and more. He does it in a humorous manner so you will be laughing throughout this book.

I don’t agree with everything he had to say, but I have never agreed with the an entire parenting book before. After all, he is still just and Uncle and gets to leave at the end of the day!

The Gay Uncle’s Guide to Parenting, parenting, parenting children. book reviews, parenting books, moms, dads

Now that I am 37 weeks pregnant the fact that a baby will emerge from my body soon is starting to freak me out. With the twins I knew I was having a C-section early on because my son, who was Baby A, was breech. Now I am facing all new things, like contractions, labor, vaginal birth and epidurals. None of which I had last time.

I have to admit, I am scared to have a vaginal birth but I really do not want a repeat cesarean section either. I have had enough surgeries for one lifetime and recovering from surgery with a newborn and five year old twins doesn’t sound too appealing.

I am enjoying the last few weeks of pregnancy knowing that this is it for me, my last pregnancy, my last baby. This pregnancy was hard at times but now at the end, it is not half as hard as when I was pregnant with the twins. I can still sleep and I didn’t have ONE horrific leg cramp that I had all the time with the twins. I can still get out and do things and I can even still drive! I am going to miss being pregnant and although it is so hard at times, I will remember it fondly.

I am getting very excited about this baby and I cannot wait to see what it is. I have been getting many “girl” things to review so I wonder if it is a sign, or it will never be used. Either way this baby will be loved and his or her arrival will be a great joy to our large families. Especially by his or her big brother and sister.
We are down to the final countdown, so wish us luck!

babies, pregnancy, last pregnancy, nine months, labor, labor pains, birth, birthing, new moms, moms

Here I am 31 weeks pregnant and I don’t have anything ready for the baby yet. Maybe I am not alone, maybe many moms wait to get the nursery ready, or maybe I am just a second time mom and I know there is no rush and things will get done when they get done. I really have only a few things to buy for this baby but I have to get out all of our old baby gear and “things”.
I have a feeling I will have this baby early though, so I am now feeling the rush to get some things done. One of the things I made a list of is what to pack for the hospital. I forgot all the things I had or didn’t have last time around so this is like starting fresh for me. Here is what I have on my list so far:

-cheap slippers to throw away after the hospital
-soft socks
-toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, great lotion, chapstick, makeup, toothbrush, hair brush, hair dryer.
-snacks for my husband
-pads
-ipod
-contact list of friends and family
-camera and camcorder
-outfit for the baby
-comfy pjs or sweat suit
-nursing bra
-treats for the nurses*

Is there anything you think I left off this list? What did you have with you in the hospital that you are glad you did?

* I think this is a good idea to say thank you to all the nurses that help you at this vulnerable time. Bring donuts, candy or chocolate, but bring more then one box because you will have various shifts of nurses during your stay.

pregnancy, bringing home baby, pack for the hospital, what to pack for the hospital, birth, labor, birthing plan, moms to be

I was talking to a friend about kindergarten one day. My kids are almost two years older then her son so she had some questions. I told her I was working with R and L on some skills that I wanted them to know before Kindergarten like writing their own names and buttoning their coats. She couldn’t believe they had to know some of the things that I had seen them working on in preschool. “Well then, what do they learn in kindergarten?” she asked.
Good question. What should kids learn to do to start school full time?

Participation- Kids usually sit in small groups for classes and are asked to participate. They will sing songs, talk about the weather outside, what day of the week it is and have question and answer sessions. Sitting still, waiting their turn are great skills for your kindergartener to have. Practice this skill at home with siblings or at snack time.

Sharing- Easier said then done, I know. Kids with siblings may have more practice with this skill then only children. My kids have had to share everything every day of their lives, so I know they will do well with this, as well as a five year old can do. Make your children ask for things before they snatch it, join a playgroup or go to a children’s museum where they can play with and share toys with other children.

What skills do you think parents need to teach their children before they head to school?

getting ready for school, preschoolers, kindergarten, kindergarteners, toddlers, skills for school, parenting, parenting children

Happy New Year! This year on parentingourchildren.com expect more pregnancy stories from me, since I have about 11 weeks to go, more contest and giveaways, more advice and tips. I also expect more from you, my readers. Feel free to send me a email and let me know what you want to see on this site, ask questions or comment.
Now that I am coming to the last leg of my pregnancy, baby names are a big topic in this house. I want to share with you what I think the best and worst unique celebrity baby names of 2007.

The best:

EVER GABO - Milla Jovovich & Paul Anderson
They say that this is a Scottish boy’s name they used for their daughter, but I have never heard of it. I think it is a modern, pretty name.

STORY ELIAS-Jenna Elfman, & Bodhi
She said her husband suggested this name and she just loved it. I think it is different. Although I think it is better suited for a girl what is better then a good story?

OLIVE- Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
I have no idea why but I really like this name. I wanted to name our cat Olive and was out voted by my family.

The worst:

ZEPPLIN- Jonathon Davis & Deven
Not a fan or band names for kids, but Jonathon has a history of bad name choices, his older son is named Pirate. Aaarrgh.

PRINCESS TIAAMII- Katie Price & Peter Andre
Every parent thinks their daughter is a princess, no need to name her that. Tiaamii is a combination of the grandmother’s first names.

KING JUSTICE - Jaceon Taylor
Enough with royalty names! This baby can play with Princess, Baron Trump and Count and Countess Bonaduce.

What do you think the best and worst celebrity baby names are?

celebrity baby names, baby names, 2007 celebrity baby names, babies, pregnancy, unique baby names

Making mom friends is harder then I thought it would be. I live 1.5 hours away from all of my family and friends and it is hard not having someone to do things with or to meet for coffee, play dates etc. I get lonely and so do my kids.

I did typical “mom” things as soon as the kids were old enough, we went to gymboree, story time, the park, gym classes but all the other moms had friends in those classes or were cliqued up right away. I didn’t seem to fit in and I found out the hard way, my people and friend making skills were rusty. After all I hadn’t had to make a friend since kindergarten, since then it was easy as pie.

Lately I have been scoped out by some other mothers at my children’s school. We have exchanged pleasantries, admired our children’s artwork together and even gave a few up and down looks.
I know what that means. I am about to be asked out on a date.
A mom date.

I mean the pick up lines “what play parks do you usually go to?” “which development do you live in” give it all away.
Finding a mom friend to bond with, with kids or without is like dating. You have to see if you mesh, if your kids get along. You don’t want to go too far, too soon, what if she never calls again?!

It is going to be rough but I am willing to date around until I find the right mom for me.
I have to, I just can’t go to Starbucks alone again!

moms, sahm, toddlers, kids, stay at home moms, motherhood, mom dates

I always loved Thanksgiving as a child. I loved the food, I love the smells that were wafting through my house from the moment I woke up. I love going to my high school football games, helping my mother in the kitchen and the Macy’s parade. The parade would be on our television every year, until the football games came on. This year is the first year that I think my kids will really enjoy the parade on TV. It did not held their interest too long last year.
I am looking forward to watching it with them and one day taking them to see it in person. Growing up so close to New York City it is a shame I have never seen the parade in person either.

Here is the lineup for the parade so you and your kids can watch out for your favorites this year:

Balloons:
Abby Cadabby *New
Dora the Explorer
Flying Snoopy
Mr. Potato Head
Jojo’s Circus
Energizer Bunny
Kermit the Frog
Ronald McDonald
Pikachu
Scooby Do
Shrek *New
Hello Kitty *New

There will also be great floats from Sesame Street, Barbie the Island Princess, Care bears, Snoopy’s dog house and many more.
Some of the performances this year are going to be by Bindi Irwin, Barbie Island Princess, the Rockettes, the Muppets, Ashley Tisdale, The Big Apple Circus and more.

Do you watch the parade with your kids, or are you too busy traveling or cooking? What are your favorite parts of Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, parade lineup, kids, teens, toddlers, Thanksgiving day

I am not a camper. I have never been, nor do I have a desire to go camping. My kids on the other hand, take after their father and cannot wait to go.
We compromise and we go hiking a lot. The kids love to learn about the mountains, animals and trees and we love to teach them. It is a fun family activity that everyone enjoys.
To make it more fun and educational we added some things to the mix.
For Easter the kids got some outdoor toys that they love and are perfect for catching lightening bugs under the stars or hiking through the woods.

Here is a adorable kid size camping chair that comes in 4 different animals including a cat and a panda.
For the bug lovers, here is a bug house for all the creatures you find for observation. This bug vacuum is a huge hit in my house where my son is interested in bugs, but has no desire to touch one, yuk!

How about this animal scat guide for camping or hiking? Cute and small enough for little hands. They also have animal track, insects and fish guides.

Make sure your little one has a cute backpack for the guides, insect paraphernalia and maybe even a water and snack. Finally even I would camp ( in my backyard) in this cute tent. Surely it would scare all the bears away!

camping, hiking, kids, children, camping with kids, hiking with kids, kid’s camping gear, camping gear for kids, tents

Congratulations to Victoria, Alison and Crystal, you eachl won a free annual pro membership to greetingflix.com!

Thanks for playing along and have fun with greetingflix!

You know you are a mom when your dinner talk consists of your children’s bowel movement frequency and you just keep eating.

dinner time, kids, children, parenting, moms, dads