Thread: ~*~ Sarah's (sarahsunshine) Lodge ~*~

OK, I'm back.

On Friday was baby's 2wk (2d) appt. He weighed 7lb6oz, head 35cm (1cm bigger than birth), and still 9cm. I've been trying to keep his neck folds and inner thighs clean, but it seems I was negligent and he's got some gunk accumulating. I need to concentrate on keeping him cleaner - but those areas never seem to dry out. Anyone have any suggestions? It also seems like the birth forms have gone missing. The MW here for the birth said they were left on the fridge, but I've looked everywhere (DH has too) and they are nowhere!

Nursing is going better - not perfect yet, but decent. Baby has burped a whole lot today and is quite fussy and spat up a bunch - which he's never done before, but I'm thinking it might be because I didn't eat very well yesterday (driving 4 hours, birthday cake, etc).

I've also discovered that baby sleeps better in a onsie than just a diaper and shirt. I like the shirt and diaper better because I can change him faster at night (no buttons or diaper cover), but if he's going to sleep for 3-4 hours generally in a onsie, and only 1.5-2 in a shirt and diaper, bring on the onsies!!! I thought I had a bunch of pants with feet in them, but I can't seem to find them. I'd like to try that and see how it goes.

As for photos, I've been delinquent. My camera battery dies over the weekend so I have no photos of Leo's birthday cake, and only a couple of camping. Ugh.

As for camping, we had no heat this weekend, which I discovered (as we were leaving) was due to DH having forgotten to reattach the electric brake after taking the tent trailer off (drains the battery instantly). That was very annoying, especially since it was cold (not freezing but close). A mistake to remember! Anyway, I think that's our last camping trip of the year- time to clean out the camper this coming weekend - if DH is up to it. He's having knee surgery no Friday (arthroscopic), and plans to walk out on his own... We'll see!

As for names, we're back to figuring out spelling. Why? because I discovered that Forrest Gump has 2 'r's, and Forest Whitaker has 1 'r'. DH thought it was the other way around. Neither of us is very concerned about the spelling, but we each have a slight preference for the opposite. Since we haven't had to fill out any forms yet, his name is still in limbo!

This week is going to be wonderful! Leo and Ivy are at the day home today, so it's just me and For(r)est. As much as I miss them, a day of just chilling with baby is fine with me. Maybe I'll even get a little cleaning up done and a nap! Tomorrow Leo has a doctor's appointment (annual checkup), so Ivy will go alone, Thursday Leo will go alone, and Friday they will go together again! Next week they both start their "school" (2 afternoons per week for Ivy, parent and tot for Leo). We're hoping to not use the day home, but for September, and probably October, I'm happy to have little break!

Not that you asked, but here's my opinion on the spelling of For(r)est.

Since his middle name is Reed, which is a thing of nature, I think that Forest should be with one r, because that is how the forest of nature is spelled.

And from personal experience with an unusual name spelled in an unusual way, it will be spelled incorrectly less if you go with the more common spelling -- since forest is a word most people know and Forrest as a name is less common, I'd still go with Forest.

But either way, it's a lovely name.

Janel (who wishes her parents had spelled it Janelle)

Originally Posted by CamelNoodle

Not that you asked, but here's my opinion on the spelling of For(r)est.

Since his middle name is Reed, which is a thing of nature, I think that Forest should be with one r, because that is how the forest of nature is spelled.

And from personal experience with an unusual name spelled in an unusual way, it will be spelled incorrectly less if you go with the more common spelling -- since forest is a word most people know and Forrest as a name is less common, I'd still go with Forest.

But either way, it's a lovely name.

Janel (who wishes her parents had spelled it Janelle)

This is my reasoning... but there's some debate as to what is more "common". As a name, Forrest is more common. But few people know the name, so they would spell it Forest. Either way, Don't know which is more "common"!

Happy belated birthday to Leo!

I think I agree with Janel on the spelling. That's weird about the onesie. T slept better swaddled but didn't really prefer shirt or onesie. Different story now, of course. Picky toddlers.

I'm glad to hear nursing is going well and that you're getting some mama & baby time. How long is your maternity leave this time around?

Don't know exactly what we are doing in terms of maternity leave this time. The original plan was 6.6/5.5mo split for me and DH, but his job has been "impacted" by the government cuts, and we're not sure what exactly is going on. Theoretically his job shouldn't exist here in 2 year's time, unless he moves across the country. If he applies for another job with the feds doing something similar, he may not have his benefits that top up his salary for parental leave, and they may not like "yes, I want the job but I'm taking the first 5.5mo off on parental leave". Then there's the idea of starting a business while on parental leave and working on getting that up and running over the next 2 years so that when his job disappears that we have income. Then there's the idea that maybe he should be a SAHD, or partly....

So basically, we're on a "let's see what happens" plan, and I have to give my work 2 weeks notice for when I go back - plan is mid-feb/beginning March. Maybe!

I hope things work out for your DH and his job. A year split between the 2 of you seems like a dream to me! Right now I'm looking at 6 weeks. It could turn into an entire semester depending upon when Next Baby ends up being due but that would be mostly unpaid. Maybe I can spend the next year lobbying the grad student council to up our parental leave to resemble Canada's.

Originally Posted by sarahsunshine

This is my reasoning... but there's some debate as to what is more "common". As a name, Forrest is more common. But few people know the name, so they would spell it Forest. Either way, Don't know which is more "common"!

I see your reasoning. The next time you go to a gift-shoppe type place, look for personalized objects for children. See which For(r)est they have. Go with that one. Naming kids is difficult!

P.S. I am jealous of the maternity leave you get. I feel fortunate that DH is a SAHD so I don't worry when I go back to work, but darn it, I want to be home!

LOL! but For(r)est is not even in the top 1000 names in the past 5-10 years, so I doubt they'd use either in a souvenir shop!

Yesterday was Leo's annual physical. He's at 26lbs and 84cm (25%)... and head is 48cm (50%).

For(r)est is still undecided in terms of spelling - but the secretary said it should be Forrest, and put him in the computer that way. He's up to 7lb14.5oz! Probably at 8lb today! His head is now at 35.5cm, and they measured his length at 53cm... but it's so imprecise a measurement that I'm not going to hold my breath on that! that's 4cm longer than last Friday! Don't believe it! I wonder how fast Ivy grew at this stage. I thought she was gaining fast if I remember correctly.

When I was there Leo seemed to weigh about 60 pounds! (That is, when I could catch him!)
Why is head measurement so important? It has nothing to do with SAT scores as far as I know.
In any case, I hope he's healthy once more.
Hugs to each and every one!

I think that they measure head circumference just as an index to make sure that the bones of the head are moving and growing, and not fusing too early. Could be wrong, though.