Bouncing Back After Baby: 8/5 - 8/14

[MCmom]

The BF'ing thread (Nummies Challenge) has a whole month thread. Since our thread has been SO slow lately, I'm considering doing the same for September. Wouldn't that be fun?

It seems I'm on the outs again with my mother. <sigh> She was upset with my DH for telling my nephew (her grandson) that she's raising, to get off Elijah's bike (this was at Elijah's b-day party). My nephew is twice as big as Elijah, and had no business getting on his little bike. My nephew is already on his way to being a thug, b/c no one disciplines him. My mom also basically told my DH and I that we're going to hell, b/c our religious beliefs aren't the same as hers. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. So once again we're not talking to each other. I wonder if she'll make amends before her b-day arrives? Probably.

Lee - It's okay hon! Take a deep breath, and take one day at a time. I'm amazed you're even thinking of exercising right now. Sorry to hear about the problems at work. I can only imagine the stress you're under at the moment. Try not to let it all get to you, and make sure to rest, rest, rest! Are you taking a good multi-vitamin? If you're not ready for the Dr. yet, you may want to call and at least get some prenatal vitamins ordered. Should I change the thread name to "Bouncing "with" Baby??"

[SusieQ12]

Hello hello.

Sorry I've been MIA. I've been dealing with this sinus infection, and now I'm back at work (oh happy joy joy). The woman that was doing my job while I was gone had her baby a couple of weeks ago, so you can imagine how far behind my work is! I miss my baby terribly. She is with my mom today, so at least I know she is okay.

Mary ~ I'm so sorry to hear about you and your mom. (((((hugs))))))). I hope you two can patch things up. I agree with your DH though. If the boy is too big for the bike he doesn't need to be on it. Actually, he shouldn't have gotten on it without asking first. JMO. And YAY for Leah cruising the furniture. It won't be long now.

Lee ~ CONGRATS! I agree with Stephanie. Everything happens for a reason, and if we waited until we could afford kids, we wouldn't have them. It will all work out in the end. Hope the shock wears off soon. But you need to slow down and take it easy. No more playing Wonder Woman!

Gotta go for now. My break is over. I'll check back later.

Bye!

Susan

[curlyque]

Lee: I bought the Winsor Pilates tapes after watching the infomercial on tv. Unfortunately I still haven't used them. I bought them months ago. I *will* get to them soon. We have been chancing fate as well. We do not use BC on a regular basis. But I think I have less of chance of getting PG though because I have PCOS. I took ovulating inducing drugs to get pregnant with my babies. I ovulate occasionally on my own.

Mary: Sorry to hear about you and your mother. I have a difficulat relationship with mine as well. It's gotten somewhat better since Roarke was born. I think she is trying harder to not rock the boat so that she can come and see him on a regular basis. She lives in Montreal. Since I see the effort she is making, I tend to let more things slide whereas I wouldn't have before. I think your DH was right in telling your nephew to get off the bike. How exciting that Leah is so close to walking. Roarke is rocking on his hands and knees but tends to lose strength in his arms and falls over. He is much happier just sitting and playing. I try to get him on his belly a couple of times a day to build his arm strentgh.

Susan: Nice to see you! I hope your sinus infection goes away soon. I hate that stuffy head feeling. I threw my back out a couple of days ago so I am struggling with the back pain now. I can't bend my neck downwards because it hurts my lower back when I do.

Where's Kerensa? She hasn't posted in a long time. If you are lurking...Hi!

[Dawn]

HI ladies, I had my baby on July 7th and I would like to join your group.
A little info on me, and a shortened version of birth story. My DH Nolan and I have been married for 3 years, and this is our first and possibly only child. I labored for 26 hours after my water broke. There was meconium in the fluid, so I had IV antibiotics etc. I dilated fully, and tried to push for about a half hour. It was determined that Nathan's head was turned sideways in the pelvis, but I wanted to try to push, and the Dr. tried to get his head to turn. After all this failed, I was prepped for a c-section. The neonatal pediatricians were in the room when Nathan was born, and whisked him away to suction his lungs and make sure he was okay due to the meconium. They brought him back a few minutes later, just as I was vomiting, so I didn't get to see my little guy for 4 hours.

After all this, I tried to breastfeed, it didn't work out well, I think at least in part to him being given at least one bottle of sugar water while in the nursery. My milk didn't come in until a week after I had him. Anyway, we struggled, it didn't work. I tried to pump once we got home, supply was very low. I was able to give him 2 bottles a day for about 2 weeks once home. He was not happy, and was very gassy etc, so I decided to just give up and feed formula. It was not what I wanted and a very difficult decision, but I felt it had to be done. So, now we have been exclusively formula feeding for 5 days, and he is a much happier baby.

Enough blabbing from me for now. I hope all the other moms are having a good day today. I will try to check in as often as I can.

Before I forget

Congratulations Lee! I agree with the others that everything happens for a reason, and I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

[hedy67]

I wasn't paying attention to the dates!
Finally, I have broken through the slump! Whew! It took about 2 weeks! I have dropped a few lbs.
Now I feel motivated again to go on!

Lee A- Sorry about work-hang in there. Can you tell me about the pilates tapes? I heard pilates was pretty good. How is your father doing?
Thanks for your support re: my new scale! Now that it is reading a smaller number, I am liking it more! LOL
Congrats too! My last was a March baby-great time to have one! Hope youe'll have a tax return to help you out then! That was our saving grace while I was out on unpaid leave!

MC Mom-Cool about Leah! They are so cute when they first start!
As for the LCing, I am not giving up. I do like this WOE much better than anything else I have tried. It just gets a bit discouraging when you stick to the plan, and see no results, you know? I will not quit though. That's why I come to you all for support!

Dark Siren- hope your little one is feeling better. It is so hard when they can't tell you what wrong.

Dawn- Welcome and congrats on the birth of your son! You really went through alot! I bet he's a real sweetie!

[curlyque]

Welcome Dawn! Sounds like things didn't go as planned but are working out in the end. That's all that counts. I had plans that didn't pan out either. Our sons were very close in size at birth. My was 8 - 6, and 21". He's now 6 1/2 months old. I also have a 10 yr. old daughter.

Hedy: Good for you! As long as you stick to it, you should see results sooner or later.

[MCmom]

My mom sent me 3 e-mails this morning, all pics of her (nothing else). What is she thinking?? Here this woman lets me know in no uncertain terms that she doesn't like many things about me or my DH, and she wants an apology from us for being us? Okay, moving on...

Nothing new on the weight-loss front.

Leah is now saying, "mama," when she wants me. It's too cute! I know she knows what she's saying, b/c she only does it at certain times (like when she's upset b/c I'm not picking her up). My big girl!

Susan - It sounds like you have your work cut out for you on the job. How nice to have your mom providing childcare! It must be such a relief.

My mom is a frustrating person b/c she likes to give advice, but she doesn't follow it herself. I know she'll eventually call, and pretend like nothing happened.

I hope your sinuses clear up soon! (I've been having terrible allergies this summer).

Stephanie - I usually let things slide, but eventually the criticisms get to me. Instead of having an open, honest, caring, conversation, she gets offended and we end up not conversing for a week or two. It would take something serious for our relationship to improve. I'm glad yours has done so.

Roarke will be crawling before you know it. Leah was rocking up on her hands and knees too, before she got the hang of crawling. As long as their happy, that's all that matters.

I hope your back is feeling better in no time!

Dawn - Welcome! Thankfully, you and Nathan are doing fine now. I can imagine how scary it all was, when you were going through it. I formula fed my older two children, but finally I got to BF my 3rd child (long story). All 3 of my children are healthy, and doing well. Thanks for sharing your story. Feel free to come back and share more!

hedy - Yea for you being so determined and breaking that stall! I'm glad you're feeling much better now.

[curlyque]

Mary: Maybe she forgot that she is mad at you? An ice-breaker?

I'm frustrated with the weight loss. I did so well last week and I have been eating the same way as last week and I am up 2 lbs. I have no clue why. I have not cheated, increased my portions or snacked. Oh well..I'll keep on plugging away. I'm not going to give up, but it's hard to stay motivated at the same time.

My back is getting better. I think in a day or two it will be back to normal.

Roarke calls for me when he is unhappy. If my DH is holding him and he is crying and wants me he says "Mam Mam Mam". If I am with him and he's in the bouncy seat or exersaucer and wants out, he will cry and say "Mam". He's been doing it for almost 2 weeks. At first I thought it was a fluke, but it is consistent during these times. I love it.

[Lee A]

...so FIL wasn't too worried about the leak and we didn't bring it in to BIL's shop.Today on the hwy as I drove into the town where I work,it broke down.6 guys from thePizza Hut helped push it into their parking lot.Then I ran the couple of blocks to work.BIL took it to his shop and will look at it tomorrow.I'm off then.I had another BIL drive me home tonight and I'll have to find a way to work Friday.Sigh...

Hi Mary-well,I'm not getting any rest.I go to bed between1-2am.Cody is up through the night and they are up way too early.I want to exercise so I can be in shape for this pregnancy.My varicose veins have already started acting up.I should think about support hose this time too.Yeah I need to get prenatals.Don't worry

Sorry to hear about your Mom.You and DH have every right to be concerned and say something.Too bad she has to be so defensive of her charge.

Sure a September Bouncing w/baby sounds great

Hi Susan-hope you can get *caught up at work*.Yeah it's hard to leave,but it does get easier

Hi Steph-does salt affect you? I know I go up after a salty dish.Nothing like those sweet Mam's

Hi Dawn-welcome aboard Birth plans etc...nothing seems to go according to plan.Congrats on the safe arrival of Nathan.

Hi Hedy-I worked the entire 9 months with my other 3 kids and hope to do so again,but we plan to move and hopefully I won't be showing when I get out looking for work in the new place.I don't have the tapes and wish I did.I like the looks of some of the exercises as they aren't too strenuous.I can use some of the stretching types for stress relief.Yeah breaking the slump


TTFN

[DarkSiren]

Only have a minute so can't address everyone individually.

Well, what ever William had he's given to the rest of us. Kaylee woke up sick as a dog yesterday. And then I crashed when my DH got home from work so he suggested that I check my temp. It was over a 100 degrees. So, evidently I'd been sick all day but wasn't allowing myself to feel it till I had someone to back me up.

Kaylee was feeling better by bedtime last night so I'm hoping that's a good sign that I'll be feeling better soon. UGH!!!

Other than that not much else going on. My milk is trying to dry up so I've started taking Fenugreek to see if I can increase the supply. I'll give it another week or two and if it doesn't work out the way I'd like I'll probably just go ahead and stop. I figure 8wks is better than nothing.

I've been sticking to WOE for the last couple of weeks. Even DH has gotten on board because he needs to drop some weight for his weigh in (military). But I can't seem to break through the next ten pounds. It's starting to drive me a bit batty. And although I'm starting to get into a routine I still haven't figured out where to fit workouts in on a regular basis. There's always something coming up. UGH!!!

Well, little one is getting cranky so gotta run. Take Care All!!!

[MCmom]

I'm with you ladies who are frustrated with your struggle to lose weight! I'm trying so hard to be patient, and not let it get to me, but sometimes it's hard. Next month Leah turns a year old, and I vow one way or another to have her weaned by then. She still refuses a cup (unless she feels like drenching herself), and I know I have a battle ahead. I'm not going to talk about it, until the battle has begun. I'll give you all a break until then. After that, it will be my constant topic I'm sure.

Exciting news! Leah can push herself up to standing, without any assistance. She just started yesterday. Now she can be sitting in the middle of the room, and the next minute she's standing. I know she will be walking so very soon. On a less than happy note, she also threw her first temper tantrum yesterday. My baby is rapidly becoming a toddler.

Stephanie - Who can really understand my mom. She is one of those people who's best not to understand, or else you'll get a headache (b/c she's full of contradictions). You may be right though.

Let's try not to get frustrated together!

Roarke sounds like Leah! He's such a smart, little guy. He knows who to call.

Lee - I hope your truck gets fixed! We only have one vehicle, and I can't imagine it breaking down. We need it for everything.

You need to get some rest! At this rate, you're going to be up with Cody and the new baby at the same time. Once I wean Leah, I'm going to start teaching her to stay in her own bed at night. Support hose sounds like a good idea.

My mom is defensive about everything, which is funny, b/c she can "dish it" but not take it.

I may try a 2 wk thread, but that would be the longest I'd go. I'm suprised at you encouraging me in a month long thread!

Dawn (DarkSiren) - Sorry to hear you're sick! I hope you and the whole family are feeling better ASAP. Sorry to hear about your milk drying up too. At least if you do have to stop, you can feel good about giving it your best shot.

MaryC

[hedy67]

This week has flown by! I have been so busy at work, that I haven't even had time to obsess about food! LOL I have been really trying to stay at the induction level of about 20 carbs, but eating nuts, cream, etc. I am down a few lbs., but I'm not changing my signature until I see it stay for a few days> I am looking forward to onederland hopefully with in the next week. It would be the first time since I got pregnant!

MC Mom- You KNOW I have a hard time being patient too. It can get very discouraging! Hang in there!
What doew Leah do when you aren't with her? Are you trying to wean her from you, or a bottle? If it is a bottle, maybe try just giving up for a few weeks and trying again. Maybe she just isn't ready yet. JMHO. Great job with the walking!

Dark Siren- I know this is a dumb question, but are you drinking enough? I get drier when I am not drinking, so I try to drink something, anything constantly- fenugreek should help too. Good luck.

Lee- Sorry to hear about the car. Hope it gets fixed soon!
I worked the entire 9 months too. It can be really rough at times, especially when you have kids. Just try to take it easy when you can.

Stephanie- Thanks for the support. I went through the wt. gain too. Could it be TOM? I did loose it after a week of WOE induction style, plus a lb or 2 more. Hang in there. That's so cute about Roarke- how old is he again?

[Lee A]

got a cranky Cody on me...

I'm up late because I'm watching my niece and nephew overnight.My older 2 were out like lights but DN &N couldn't settle til midnight,now it's Cody's turn.I haven't had a moment to myself all day and couldn't get into the shower,so that makes me a bit cranky.

My truck made it home tonight,it had a hole in the rad and BIL patched it up.It's only a bandaid and we'll need a new rad before winter.Hope that was the only problem.I'm a bit nervous about driving it.

Hi Dawn(dark siren)-hope you feel better soon and also break that barrier.Yeah it's hard to find workout time.Good Luck to DH too.

Hi Mary-I thought I'd try reverse psychology regarding the thread Gotta keep you on your toes.My Mom has the same contradictory nature but our relationship is improving.I've opted to overlook alot of stuff and she seems to be letting up a bit,so this is good.My Mom does things that drive me a little batty(like tell me how to drive,literally pointing out which lane to turn in tho I've driven in that town over 20 years )

Yeah Leah I struggle with Cody constantly,lots of battles of wills ! I always prevail of course.So I'll have to cut her off the bottle soon.She'll be the hardest.The other 2 requested but she just gets her own.She comes into my bed all the time too and the time is coming that I'll have to insist despite wee hour wails that disturb the other 2.So much fun to look forward to.Good luck weaning.Pick a date yet? Cody refused other modes of drinking apparatus until she had no choice.She drinks from a regular cup at the table,doesn't like a sippy cup at all(which I hoped she would for bottle weaning)and drinks water from a powerade bottle like her sisters do.

Hi Hedy-at my work there is a constant array of food up for grabs-pizza,fries and a regular customer that brings cookies,donuts,ice cream.I told everyone right off the bat that I am on a diet(whereas before I was secretive about it),now I don't always have to explain my stance.Hope you can change your siggy soon.

So I just had one of those heart stopping mother moments.Earlier today Cody had a pin in her mouth(on the couch) and I freaked out.My niece just found a pin in Chey's bed.So I go and look in my sewing kit(which is up very high in my closet and there isn't even a chair in my room)and out of my circle of pins, 22 are missing! Chey has been doing some strange stuff lately.I haven't figured out if she is curious or actually trying to push my buttons but stuff like this is hugely serious.I've looked for more pins and can't find them.I am so tempted to wake her up but I guess I'll wait until morning.

Anyway I should run.Take care y'all

[Marye]

Hi all!

Hey, Dawn, congrats!!!! Good to see you.

I noticed with my last baby that, while the weight was resistant while nursing the firsst year after that it came off more normally...I nursed him until he weaned on his own at 2 1/2 and I had gotten almost to goal.

I had a difficult relationship wiht my mom...she was also very critical of me over the years. I think it is because when we make different choices from those of our parents moms often see it as rejection rather than a different calling. I find that I have to constantly be on guard to NOT get offended or frustrated with my adult, married daughter's different choices and I understand my mom a bit better...Mom moved in and lived with us during the last 6 months of her life, and, while it was really a very intense and difficult time I would not trade it.

As far as battles with kids...just choose wisely, only the REALLY important ones and only ones that you CAN win.
well there goes the fussbugdet.....have a great weekend!

[MCmom]

I finally broke through my 190's barrier, and I was down to 189 this morning. Yeah! I'm going to claim it (even though I could be up tomorrow), b/c one lesson I've learned, is what goes up, eventually come back down (provided you haven't totally fallen off the wagon).

Leah has a cold today, which is a suprise, b/c no one else has been sick lately. She still seems like her normal, happy self, so that's good.

Hedy - I was stuck in the 190's for about 6 mths it seems. I'm sure it'll take for me to stop BF'ing, and to re-induct, for me to get out of the 180's. I've given up on reaching goal this summer, and now hope to do so by time winter arrives. I hope you get to onderland ASAP!

I want to stop BF'ing altogether. Leah will be a year old next month, and I've been ready to stop for a couple months now. I'm only hanging in there for my baby. She'll have no choice next month.

Lee - You're cranky?? If that's all you are, than you are doing amazingly well. I probably would be in tears, in serious need of a break, and some R&R.

You trickster you, using reverse psychology on me! Just for that, be prepared for a long thread next month.

I hope a new radiator isn't too expensive, but it probably will be, b/c what isn't these days?

My DH has the first week of Sept. off for vacation, and that's when I'm going to eliminate the nighttime nursing sessions. That will be step #1. After that is done, I'm going to push the cup alot more during the day. All I know is, by the end of September, I will be done BF'ing. Be prepared to hear alot from me on the trials of forced weaning! I hope your bottle weaning is much easier.

How scary about the pins, I would be upset to. Did you ever find out why Chey did it? I hope you find them all!

Okay, where is KimATC, Lisa, and Kerensa?? Please let us know how you (and anyone else who hasn't posted in awhile) are doing! Pleeeeaaaasssseee!

[SusieQ12]

Hi all! Don't have much time today. I'm on my lunch break. I'm still not caught up! I probably won't be for a while.

Sorry for not checking in more often. DH is in Chicago, so by the time I get off work, pick up Bria, feed her, feed myself, and get her to sleep, all I can think about is going to bed. I have a whole new respect for single mothers. I don't know how they do it 24/7. DH will be home late Sunday night, so Monday she's all his!

MaryC ~ Good for you for getting into the 180's! Hopefully I will be joining you soon. I keep playing with the same 5 pounds. I got to 190, but then cheated and went back up to 195. Then I got down to 190 again, cheated and went back up to 195 a second time. Now I'm back down to 190 again, and I am not going back up again. It's easier now that I'm back at work. I don't have time to think about food.

Gotta run for now. I'll try to check back in tonight since I won't have to go to bed so early.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

Susan

[Lee A]

finally made it in after a whirlwind weekend...

it was my uncle's 65 Bday yesterday and then I went to work after that.It was an outdoor event.I got to bed at 3am the night before and 2am last night.

so I've been seriously LC and exercising.My weight is up 5lbs anyway.Officially from a medical standpoint I am 8 weeks but I like counting from conception(so I'm 6 weeks).No symptoms yet...

Hi Marye-there is a certain redundancy to the battles I have with my baby : No you can't
-put things in the potty
-stand on the table
-play with the buttons on the TV
-dump things out of the fridge
-etc...
nothing too serious

Hi Mary-Yahooooooo
breaking the 190's barrier
It's all downhill now

About the truck,I spoke with my DH on the phone and he isn't too pleased that his brother didn't just fix it proper.My BIL said it'd be $350 to put a rad in.My DH said he can buy one for $150 and put it in himself whenever he gets home but he still wished he would have done it than have to worry about me.We would've willingly paid the $350 but BIL is charging us a $100 for what he did do.I spoke with my inlaws and said I wish it'd just got fixed as it'll be more expensive to keep bringing it in every time it leaks and they said "it's only $2.80 for *STOP LEAK*".I never mentioned what their son is charging me.

So tonight I finally got through to DH's ex.I've been calling her since April to check on their daughter who was due to be released from prison at that time.So I got my stepdaughter's # and got her answering machine.Her Mom said she barely speaks to her(and they used to be close)but she won't give her money that's why she doesn't hear from her(she's a drug addict).I helped raise her from when she was 6 years old and she was doing well until her and her boyfriend broke up.She has 2 boys 7 & 5 that live with him.She got up with a loser boyfriend and the rest is history.He's currently still in jail.I wished they would have cleaned her up while she was in there the past year but they supplied her with methadone and the addiction continued.It is a terrible shame.My eldest is so much like her as a child that it's eerie....

oh yeah the pins are accounted for.I went to talk to Chey about it and she requested privacy.I forgot her cousins were here.She said "Mom I'm sorry I keep doing these sneaky things...I don't know why I do it?" She realizes how serious it is after the fact.

Cody's been asleep since I got home hence why I've had a little more typing time She cut a molar yesterday so maybe that means there is hope for sleep someday. I should be working out and that is being considered.I've been working tons lately and my body is just exhausted.

I think I'm going to try a new approach with Cody and the cup.I'm going to find a spillproof one and then get one for Chey and Selena too.Seeing her sisters have the same one should be a shoo-in(that's if kids were predictable)

Hi Susan-I so know where you are coming from.Good luck staying cheat free

Hi to all our MIA's(maybe they fell off the LC wagon?)

[LisaBisa]

Hey you guys.

I'm sorry I haven't been here. I've been depressed and not posting much anywhere. The occasional post on the playground has been about the limit of what I've been able to do.

I have no idea why I got so depressed all of a sudden...but, I'm workign to get out of it.

My weight is not good. But, I've been walking eery night.

Nicks weight is awesome though!

Michael is good.

LEE you are pregnant???? Congrats!

Everyone else, I'm go ing to read this thread and get back to you all.

I'm going to try to stick around more.

lisa

[MCmom]

I did a little search, and it seems that both Kerensa and KimATC haven't posted on the boards for awhile. I hope they're okay.

Leah is wanting to walk, but she doesn't quite have her balance yet. One time I saw her take two steps before she fell down. I'm concerned with her, b/c she hasn't been wanting to eat this past week or so. I keep trying to feed her, but she usually just ends up making a big mess, and hardly any goes in her mouth. It makes me really want to wean, when all she wants to do is BF. I'm hanging in there, until she's 11 mths old though.

Lee - I was looking at your DD's birthdates, and is Chey really only going on 6 yrs. old? I thought she was older than that for some reason. You have Cody being born this year ('03), which would make your getting PG a realsurprise.

It sounds like your BIL is ripping you guys off. So much for being family, eh? Nowadays, blood is no longer thicker than water, which is really sad. My mom hasn't talked with me for over a week now, and part of me feels like it's better this way.

Sorry to hear about the troubles with your SD. Drugs are a terrible addiction. That's one of the reasons why my sister is serving her 3rd prison term. Did you leave a message, and did she ever call you back?

Don't worry about gaining weight right now! You just worry your little head about getting enough rest, and eat as healthy as possible. You can bounce back in 8 mths from now.

Let us know how the sippy cup idea works out!

Susan - Aside from the times I was in the hospital having my babies, my DH and I haven't been apart from each other. I can't imagine raising 3 children on my own. My mom had to do it, and she didn't do so well (more like terrible). I know you were happy to have your DH back home.

It sounds like you are determined to break out of the 190's. I'm sure you will before you know it!

Lisa - I wonder why you're depressed. You really have no idea? I hope you feel better real soon.

"Michael is good??" Hey, we want more info. than that! It's been ages since we got an update on him! Please post more when you can.

Marye- Not getting frustrated or upset with my mother is a real challenge indeed. I manage not to most of the time, but about once a year, the dam breaks. Now I'm enjoying a quiet respite.

I can't imagine letting Leah self-wean. She basically only wants to BF all the time, which makes for one tired mama. I hope weaning will not be too difficult, but it probably will be. I'm glad I made it as far as I did, since I wasn't as successful with my other two children.

MaryC

[LisaBisa]

mary, I'm pretty sure I know why.

I'm home all day, I don't have any friends here in ottawa. All my friends are online friends. I can't get control of my weight. My family didn't even think to call me for over a week after my grandma had a stroke. it looks grim for me being able to get a job. I don't have the skills for a good paying 9-5 job that will make enough to even pay for daycare, much less anything else. I'm probably going to have to work a couple nights a week and a weekend day. The cheapest daycare I've seen yet is 700 a month.

The result of this depression has been my house is getting dirtier and dirtier, and I can't find the energy to clean it. Its hard enough getting dressed and Michael taken care of. That makes me more miserable, because I can't take care of my house like I should.

I finally talked to Nick about all this and was feeling better. Then today he went to work and I burst into tears. But, I did force myself to do some housework today, so at least that is something right?

Michael has eigth teeth now. He can stand for a few seconds at a time, but he's afraid. As soon as he realizes he's doing it, he gets down. He's weird. I figure we are still a coupleof months off from walking. He's huge! I dont' know his weight, but, he's definitely healthy. I don't mean fat , because he's not fat, he's just growing tall and healthy. He eats all kinds of food now. After the doctor gave the go ahead we started him on cows milk and he loves it. He has 3 glasses of cows milk a day, and the rest of his food is regular food. His favorite being yogurt, second fav is beans. There are updated pics on our website http://nicko68.dyndns.org:8280/michael/

Nick has been doing really well with LC and I can see a difference in him already. Which is good. Unfortunately, I continually sabotage myself. I'll get a handle on this eventually.

I have my first *public* cake. Its a baby shower cake for a friend. I can't wait. I already know exactly what I'm going to do. I'm making plans to print up flyers and business cards, so I can start my little home-grown business.

Alright, thats enough about me.

mary, I'm glad to hear Leah is doing so well. I know you are frustrated with bf'ing...but, how proud are you going this long?? I admire you

alright, gotta go make dinner

lisa

[MCmom]

Lisa - Your post was very open, honest, touching, and not to mention, nice and long. I appreciate your taking the time to write it.

You mentioned about not having any "real" friends, and I was wondering about your church. There have to be some other mothers there for you to connect with. My friends are friends I met through church. Are there any groups you can join or be a part of? My mom goes to a weight-loss group through her church, and she's also involved in many other things. I know you're part of a worship group (is that right?), so you're not totally alone. How is that going? I read on the Playground, that you're planning on starting your own baking business. If that takes off, you'll not only be busy, but you'll be making money for the family. Maybe you won't need that extra job afterall! If you do end up needing childcare, there are people who do it out of their own homes, and they can be cheaper than daycare centers. You might want to look into that.

As far as energy goes, do you think it has anything to do with what you're eating? Maybe you need to re-commit yourself to LC'ing, and see if your energy picks up. My energy level was much lower before I started LC'ing. You might also want to think about getting a physical done (including bloodwork), to see if there's anything else wrong. Sometimes it's good to rule other possibilities (like low iron levels). Are you still getting out for walks? I know you mentioned that before. Regular excersize is very good for increasing energy levels (as I'm sure you well know).

I can imagine how several things combined are causing you to feel depressed. You could also mention this depression to your Dr., if you are really worried about it. My house isn't normally clean. I try to do some housework every day, but not enough to keep it as clean as I'd like. I feel bad too, b/c there are tons of things needing doing, and I can't seem to work hard enough