Donna -I luv my Lily-

Arggg...I cringe at that word! Personally I don't want to use one but have no beliefs for or against them. I got one a few months ago from someone but have never seen the need or wanted to use it. It isn't a bad one, a monkey book bag with a long tail for the parents to hold onto. Now today we are going to the exhibition with the whole family. My daughter is 18 months. I am bringing the stroller, I can't use the carrier right now, my back went out and is giving me problems. I know she won't stay in the stroller the whole time, she just won't. She will hold my hand but will at times pull away and run. I did lose my stepson there when he was 10- it took us almost 1/2 hour to find him ( he went the wrong way out of a ride and got lost in the crowd). Very scary. So I am thinking of pulling the thing down from the top shelf and bringing it at least. What would you do in this case?

I am getting so excited for christmas! I can't wait to give DD her gifts, let her rip into the paper and let her play with it plus the boxes the things came in, because we know that's what she really wants. Her birthday is the day before so it is going to be lots of celebrating.

Is there something you are looking forward to the most this christmas?

Are you starting a new tradition this year with your LO? If so what?

Or are you a grinch and saying ba humbug?

********30 days to Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!*****************

Okay some lucky ones live where it is always relatively warm or it is going into summer now, but for the rest of us winter has begun. Though I usually make it to January until the daydreaming starts I think SAHM restlessness syndrome has kicked it in early. So though I have always wanted to go to Belize today is a Mexico day. I can just see me there with DD on the beach with a Pina Colada - nonalcoholic- enjoying the heat and the ocean nearby. And since it is a daydream I can imagine that she is happily playing in the sand, not eating it or trying to wander away. I think I will leave boys home, they have been pushing limits lately as they tend to do and have a girls trip-lol I can feel the warmth already and taste the wonderful sweetness of my drink- yummy-LOL Where is your dream place today? What is your escape?

*now back to reality- laundry, dishes and clean up*

Okay so I know this has been posted before but need more clarification. What is a clear difference between the two? My DDs diaper rash is not easing- I am almost positive it is just that. Really red, raw and sore, no bumps but just want to how to tell

Had a super rough night last night. My DD got the flu shot on Monday and monday night was restless. Last night was even worse. She has gotten diarrhea from the shot and her bottom area is burnt from it. So last night every time she peed she would wake up screaming in pain. I washed her with a warm facecloth and put diaper cream on it each time putting a fresh diaper on. Made it for a long night and my heart breaking knowing she was in pain. Today I have been alternating cornstarch and diaper cream for diaper changes.Always using a facecloth to clean her as the wipes burn. We are both exhausted and though she is napping now I don't want to lay down because I don't think she will sleep long. So two parts to this question

First is - Is there anything more I can do to help her diaper rash heal? Is there any foods that can help with diarrhea? ( She won't eat bananas, now toast)

Second is- How do get through being this tired-lol What is your must have to make it through a rough day?

Do you do christmas stockings in your house? What sorts of things do you or are going to put in them? Is there something that is a regular item for you and your family?

We do them here. For my boys who are older we put in personal care items like soaps, deodorants, toothbrushes etc but not just your everyday ones plus a few treats and maybe a very small present. They always get a christmas orange and a tiny box of chocolates, a mix of four in it. For my DD who will be one I think about the same ( no chocolates-lol) for her but geared to her- I really don't know though.

So what do you do?

What is your favorite new song? And what is your favorite older song?

It is almost midnight here and I am exhausted but I am nervous to go to bed. My girl went to sleep at 7pm no problem but then woke an hour later crying, which she never does. Rocked her back to sleep. All evening though she has been crying out once and a while, giving small coughs and clearing her throat in her sleep. She is sleeping because I have been checking her often. She didn't go to bed with a cold and never has had a cough before really. I don't want to lay down if she is having problem because I am scared she is going to have an issue I won't hear, my husband is at work for a little while longer. I really don't know what to do. Would you go to bed and just bring the monitor in beside you? or what would you do?

My husband and I are trying to have another baby. I had 2 miscarriages and a tubal pregnancy prior to having my girl last December. I am very excited to have another one but sometimes I get really nervous about going through something bad again. I think if I was to have another thing happen I wouldn't try any more, I don't know but that is how I am feeling. Has anyone gone through something similar? Have you lost in the past and now nervous to try again? It was hard enough trying again with my girl but somehow my fears are worse this time.

I am starting to feel guilty. I use to go for walks with my 10 month old DD and go a few places often but lately I can't seem to get motivated. I have been dealing with depression for over 15 years but I thought I would do better than this. I would love to take my DD to things at the library and other places but I have only been out of the house twice in two weeks. The first was on last Sat. for an hour and tonight my DD went to grandmas so my husband and I could go to the movies. I feel guilty that I can't seem to do more for her, it is hard even going to new places for me. Anyone else going through something similar or advice to give?

* I posted in parenting but wanted advice from the moms in this section also

I am starting to feel guilty. I use to go for walks with my 10 month old DD and go a few places often but lately I can't seem to get motivated. I have been dealing with depression for over 15 years but I thought I would do better than this. I would love to take my DD to things at the library and other places but I have only been out of the house twice in two weeks. The first was on last Sat. for an hour and tonight my DD went to grandmas so my husband and I could go to the movies. I feel guilty that I can't seem to do more for her, it is hard even going to new places for me. Anyone else going through something similar or advice to give?

Okay so just a fun question but you need fun some days! I am wondering if you have a song of the day? This can be answered many ways, either a song that got stuck in your head and simply won't leave, a song to describe your day or how you are feeling, a song that gets you through a crazy day when baby is having random meltdowns, tearing the house a part, finding the one thing they aren't suppose to over and over, not sleeping or eating, simply a rough day? What is your song today?

Mine is unwell by Matchbox- it is stuck and oddly enough kinda suits-lol

My mom lives with us though hopefully moving soon. The last time she watched my DD I was only going to the store with my hubby. When we returned I could hear my girl talking loudly and fussing. I went up to her room to find her standing in her crib and my mom no where. I found my mom in her own room on the phone- her room is under my girls so she could hear her. She was going to put my girl for a nap when her phone rang. I felt uncomfortable with the whole thing- I don't leave my girl alone fussing period.I didn't say much to mom at the time. Well tomorrow night we won tickets to a movie- yeah!- and my mom wants to look after my girl.I have told her several times my MIL is probably gong to look after my DD. Well my mom won't listen- she gets home from work in time to watch her and can't see the reason why I want my DD to be away from home. Because I didn't tell her how much the last time bothered me I am having a hard time telling her now. My mom is very negative and it will be a big fight if I tell her no. I want to avoid that but there is no way she is looking after my DD, my husband agrees. Any Advice, funny excuses or suggestion?

My almost 10 month old girl insists on eating with a metal spoon. I have been doing mainly finger foods for a while but she doesn't eat much So I offer her the same foods at a meal by spoon to her also- she often refused to take it though. Long story how I discovered it but now know if I try to feed her with a plastic spoon she won't even open her mouth- put it on a metal spoon and she eats lots. Its like she is saying that's not what you eat with! Natural of course but very cute. Does anyone else's LO have something they only want to do like you and if so what is it? Has it made things so much easier for you? This was a great thing for us to discover!

not to pass judgment or start a debate but was surprise recently by some answers. so I was wondering

Are you for or against physical discipline ( spanking, tapping of the hand etc,)

We live in a drafty older farm house with open prairie land around us- the wind seems to blow through the house. My girl's, she is almost 10 months, room is cool. Its great for SIDS reasons but not for her sleeping. The last little while the nights have gotten cooler and my girl keeps waking up between 3:30 a - 6 am cold because she kicked the blanket off. If its close to 6am then she rarely goes back to sleep and struggles through out the day being tired. I was wondering about sleep sacs for older babies. Would this be a good idea for her? Does anyone use the older babies ones for their little ones? Do they mind sleeping in it? Would it be a good idea to try? Any you can suggest? I am in Canada and really searching to find a way to keep her warm, I thought this might work because she can't kick it off.

Okay so I am rarely bored when my daughter is awake.Too much to do and way to busy to stop-lol She is lots of fun. Lately I have been finding though when she is napping or sleeping at night I am restless. My husband was off for a while and just went back to work so I have time for me. I was looking forward to it, now I am lost! I read and go on the internet but you can only read so much, or do the same thing for so long before you get antsy. Cleaning the house would be a change-lol But energy is another problem- my nine and 1/2 month old wears me out ! So I am wondering what others do to to feel not so restless. What is that makes your day different from the rest? I am loving being home but realizing I am not the most interesting person for myself. If you don't have any suggestions, maybe tell a funny story, or brag about what your little one is doing, something you want to share? Please help a restless mommy (can you tell she is napping now)!

So my girl has been teething all week, poor little one has been struggling with it. Today I noticed that one top front tooth has broken through- so excited for her and hoping her discomfort eases for now. Anyways I have waited to tell my hubby about it before I told anyone. He is on his way home from work so I just spoke to him on the phone, he is as happy as I am. Even when she took her first step I waited to tell him first. Its hard when you get so excited about things-lol I just feel its fair that way. Does anyone else always make sure to tell your s/o about new things first? Do you find it hard because I do, she does something and I want to tell family because I am so proud!

I feel like I should be skinny and have great muscle tone for how busy my girl keeps me. I mean I am lifting my 18 pound daughter countless times a day, making mad dashes to scoop the next weird thing she has some how found out of her mouth plus the crawling around, chasing I do to play with her and sometimes rescuing her from her adventures. Lots of us talk about how little we manage to eat because of how busy we are. This should be a fantastic diet plan , being a mom should it not? But instead I still need to lose a FEW pounds. Yeah right more like 20 ( actually that's all I will admit to!) Anyway since this active Mom thing isn't doing the trick I am wondering what are other Moms doing to get healthy. What is a favorite quick snack or lunch? What is it that is working for you to shed the new mommy weight? Or are you mainly just hoping one of these days it all disappear on its own like me-lol?