International Nesties
MouseInLux
member
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Mums Bumps and BBTs
Morning, Congrats Expat ! globalwife you're up next!! How are things going for everyone?
Ups? Downs?
QOTD: Did/ will you breastfeed or FF, what influenced the decision?
Did/ will you use cloth or disposable diapers, what influenced your decision?
~BUMPS~ globalwife (Colombia) - Due September 5 - team PinkLadyMadrid08 (Spain) - Due November 2 - team PinkMarista99 (US) - Due November 17 - team Bluebeannie (UK) - Due November 25chelbel7 (UK) - Due December 16 - team PinkShekels831 (Israel) ? Due January 2 -team BlueCtgirlingermany (Germany) - Due January 3titicole (Kora) - Due January 14Fififa21 (Mexico) ? Due January 16Brit's Luna154 (India) - Due January 16rpic81 (UK) - Due January 24txlioncub() - Due MarchJohlise(US) - Due April 18 ~BUMPS-TO-BE~bail229 (Australia) ? TTC #1LoopyNoodle (Ireland) ? TTC #1Treesapplaud (Sweden) ? TTC #1Blueberries8 (Israel) ? TTC #1Mavjen (UK) ? TTC #1sushisamba (UK) ? TTC #1 http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/308f00ondjima (Namibia) ? TTC #1 http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/26f699 StumpyG (Japan) ? TTC #1oneslybookworm (Netherlands) ? TTC #1 in 2012Just Peachy (Qatar) ? TTC #2mrshooi (Indonesia) TTC#2Mrs. DRJ - TTC #1txlioncub - TTC #1 ~BIRTHDAYS~January5: Melaina25's (Scotland) DS, 20107: LizzieandGar's (Ireland) DS, James, 200921: LAChurch's (USA) DS, 200923: lyvienna's (Vienna) DS, Owen, 200823: titicole's (UK) DS, Micah William, 2010February6: beannie's (UK) DS, T, 20098: lyvienna's (Vienna) DS, Everett, 201010: andrea922's (US) DS, Finlay, 2008March1: Irishgal (Ireland) DD, Niamh (pronounced Neeve,) 20112: Nanner's (Singapore) DD, Hannah Jeanne, 20074: kellibelli04 (Guatemala) DD, 20116: bahamasbride.04.07's (Germany) DD, Luisa, 200911: katrina_pharmd (NZ) DS, Michael, 201112: cee-jay's DD, Lina, 2008April5: andrea922 (US) DD, Lila, 201116: kelly321 (Germany) DD, Rebecca Vivian, 201121: nestinginjapan's (CA) DS, Levi, 201022: twopeasinapod's (Netherlands) DS, Quint, 200828: stephanieVM's (ARG) DS, Lucien Andre, 2007May9: vivjek's (Australia) DD, Isobel, 200910: dubliner's (Ireland) DS, Henry, 201020: pandi02a (Germany) DS, Dominic, 201121: rocket2japan's (Poland) DS, Anders, 201024: Bananas0827's (Scotland) DS, Daniel Alexander, 201031: hamilton.ja's (US) DD, Evelyn Therese, 2010June12: KimiCas's (UK) DS, Sebastien, 200822: Linnya's (Germany) DS, Seamus, 200822: ExpatFamily06's (UK) DS, Leo, 200923: Nanner's (Singapore) DS, Samuel Ezra, 200525: MouseInLux's (Luxembourg) DD, Eleanor, 201127: welshgirl's (UK) DS, William, 200827: brainie's (UK) DD, Elizabeth Jane, 201029: cakenbake's (Italy) DS, Jonathan Wesley, 201029: xnickerx's (the Netherlands) DD, Sabrina Rachel, 1999July2: bigfatgreekwedd's (Netherlands) DD, Una, 20072: newporter's (Ireland & NYC) DD, 20093: plainjanie1's (Japan) DD, Aeris Noelle, 20105: expatjen's (India) DS, 20105: MoniqueJW's (Australia) DD, Genevieve Joni, 20105: newporter's (Ireland & NYC) DD, 200715: stephanieVM's (ARG) DD, Rose Margo, 200921: azure_azure's (France) DS, Morgan, 200825: stever's (USA) DS, Mikey, 2009August1: sarahkelly's (Netherlands) DD, Sadie, 20087: ExpatFamily (UK) DS, Ajax, 20119: Tofumonkey's (UK) DDs, Kaitlynn and Lochlynn, 201012: Emily523 (UK) DS, William, 201013: FayeD's (Italy) DS, Baby D, 200916: alwyzbsy's (Germany) DD, Alexandra, 201021: Just Peachy's (Qatar) DS, EM, 200831: Linnya's (Germany) DS, Owen, 2010September10: bugabean's (Denmark) DD, Bean, 200814: LAChurch's (USA) DD, Zareen, 201015: northgal's (Qatar) DD, Vesper, 200921: mrshooi's (South Africa) DS, Otto, 200926: Amy726's (Australia) DS, Benjamin Ernest, 201027: cakenbake's (Italy) DS, Jeffery, 2008October13: bugabean's (Denmark) DD, Bug, 201015: xnickerx's (the Netherlands) DD, Florence Rebecca Maria, 201026: bigfatgreekwedd's (Netherlands) DS, Nestor Arthur, 201027: jillana's (UK) DS, Costa, 2008November?: hamilton.ja's (US) DS, 20072: traveling turtle's (Germany) DS, William, 20109: gblake's (Australia) DS Thomas Cole, 201010: EnidFalcor, DD, 201010: Choensa's (Korea) DS, 200912: MarlaDossett's (USA) DD, Irene Caitlin, 200812: lelia's (Germany) DD, Frances Caroline, 201028: amwallac's () DD, Georgia, 2010December6: welshgirl's (UK) DD, Matilda Jane, 20108: lorilane4's (US) DD, Stella Lane, 201016: northgal's (Qatar) DD, Neve, 200620: BlushingMama's (UK) DS, James Edward, 200720: ashleynicoles's (Netherlands) DD, Chlo? Isabella, 201023: sandradpage's (Australia) DS, Brayden Luca, 201026: kahleorourke's (US) DD, 2009
Re: Mums Bumps and BBTs
Ups: M is a joy to watch develope into a little boy. His vocabulary expands it seems like everyday. And I love to watch him problem solve.
Down: I had SPD with my first pregnancy at 30 weeks. After sightseeing in Seoul I was in a world of hurt and I was so frustrated as it is so much earlier this time around. I have to not overdue it, but you don't realize what overduing is until its too late.
QOTW: I breastfed really because I could not be asked to make bottles at all hours. I really hoped I could do it and I am pleased that I could, but it isn't easy. It's not like you and your baby know how to do it automatically.
As for cloth diapering we gave it a go, but M has extremely sensitive skin and M got rashes around where the wraps touched his skin. I will try again with the new baby. Saving money was the reason why.
Ups: Watching my little baby boy enjoy everything in the world is the best. He's fascinated by everything and just cracks us up.
Downs: He gets into EVERYTHING constantly. It's beyond a complete wear out.
QOTD: I BF up to 8 months. I did it because it's supposed to be best for the baby. It was the hardest thing in the world in the beginning, though. I almost gave up.
We do disposable diapers mainly for the convenience of them. I really don't care to clean cloth diapers daily. We seem to make enough dirty laundry without adding cloth diapers to it.
Alexandra is almost a year old. They grow so fast!
QOTW: I breastfeed, and plan to stop around one year, which will correspond with me going back to work full time. I supplement with formula and have regularly since 6 months. I chose to breastfeed because I wanted to boost her immunity and for bonding. It was hard, and I didn't really enjoy it until it became more convenient (read older baby, leaving the house regularly), but I'm glad that we did it.
I use disposal diapers. I looked into cloth diapers, but with my small washer/dryer didn't want to do it unless I had a service to clean them and there wasn't one in our town. I've found disposal diapers really easy, but might look into cloth diapers next time.
Ups: Bean talks all the time now and I even understand her a lot of the time. Bug is cruising one-handed but hasn't let go yet. She scarfs down food like it's going out of style.
Downs: Bean's nosebleeds. And she keeps asking for her friends all day long. This is going to be the longest month EVER while we wait for her daycare spot 1 Sep.
QOTW: Short answer- Did/do a mix of all 4 because they all have their advantages depending on the situation.
Slightly longer answer- I started out EBF because that's the most logical default. Introduced formula and combo fed because EBF makes me crazy. Tend to do CDs for daytime at home and DDs for going out and overnight, or if I'm unusually behind on laundry.
Time sure is flying. I'm excited to be next. And it looks like it is going to happen sooner than anticipated.
Last night I had an appointment with my perinatologist since it seems that I have pre-e. They are monitoring me really strictly now and I am on bedrest. I'm kind of down cause I don't get to start the school year with the students but am relieved not to have any stress and just be able to relax from here on out. The peri told me that if LO doesn't come on her own or in a case of an emergency prior to an appointment I have scheduled for Aug 22, we are scheduling delivery for the Aug 23 (38 weeks). The peri said she is really low and in perfect position to come but my cervix is completely closed thankfully. I can't believe that is two weeks away! I hardly got any sleep last night thinking about it.
QOTD: I plan to BF. Many factors made me decide on that route. Expense, availability, time off provided by the gov't here, health benefits to me and the baby.
I plan to use disposable diapers. We have recently started discussing using some cloth diapers during the day later on and definitely while she is being potty trained. I don't handle body fluids well and know throwing it away will be much easier than cleaning a dirty diaper and my puke.
Ups? V is becoming more and more hilarious, walking along things one and two handed, and generally just developing more personality. As of late, sleeping well, too.
Downs? DH is gone to Japan and we won't see him for two more weeks.
QOTD: Did/ will you breastfeed or FF, what influenced the decision? Yes, still BF'ing. And although there were some growing pains at first, I am happy to say it was not a huge struggle for me and I really LOVE doing it (only adding that because with things like TTC/birth/bf'ing you often only hear the negative stories) I did it because it is incredibly convenient for me, I didn't have to worry about going back to work, helped me bond with the baby, is healthy for V, and cheap. At this point adding in formula for my own independence/convenience would just be more hassle than I can imagine being worth it.
Did/ will you use cloth or disposable diapers, what influenced your decision? We use a combo of both, for both economical and environmental reasons.
My Blog
We are still TTC. But I am feeling more hopeful (no clue why, just am). We are now on our fifth cycle.
If we are not pregnant this cycle, we are going to have to take a break due to my brother's wedding in the States. I would really like to be at his wedding and don't want to miss it because I can't fly or we just had the baby. Plus I really want my parents to be able to come and they won't if the baby and wedding fall in the same month!
TTC overseas seems more complicated than domestically!!
Ups: Georgia just learned to crawl the correct way yesterday and is all over the place. It is SO fun to watch her learn and grow! She also got her 8th tooth, and I'm hoping for a break, but her smile is just adorable.
Downs: She did really well for a bit, but has started biting again while nursing. It seems to be when she's tired and not hungry, but I don't like it.
I did BF which was really painful for the first 2 months, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. Georgia is a very picky child and will not eat unless it is the perfect conditions, which makes it difficult. Although I do love the convenience of not having to bring bottles or water or anything with us when we go out. I'd like to make it to one year, and have not given her formula and would rather not.
I do a combo of cloth and disposable diapers. I do it just to keep the cost down. Now that she's eating solids and has very hard poops, it is very easy to do as the poop just rolls right off the diapers.
Good morning!
Alwyzbzy- Alexandra is almost a year already?! Where on earth has the time gone? It must be so much fun watching your little girl grow!
Ups: 19 weeks today! I've been noticing a lot of activity in my stomach when I lay down to go to sleep. One night, it was like a storm, last night, my belly button area was vibrating. I always put one hand on my stomach to feel my heartbeat, but there is a ton more movement than just my heartbeat. It is soooooooo cool! (And yes, the 12 year old, 10,000 "o"s needed to be there for emphasis!)
Downs: This week has been horrible for heartburn. I read that it starts often in the third trimester, but I am miserable.
QOTD: I plan on breastfeeding. Of course, being a first time mom, and a worrier, since I haven't had many breast changes, I'm worried.
I would like to try cloth diapering. I'm not really an environmentalist, but they do seem sensible. Plus, they do seem to be a savings.
We are doing good, ds starts back at school next week and dd is just the sweetest baby ever. She is going to have to have surgery on her head in the Fall and I am a little nervous about that but I am sure it will be fine.
I tried to BF with both, and was completely unsuccessful with ds. I had a breast reduction 5 years ago and think that was why I had such a hard time. My milk never came in with ds but did with dd, and I did bf her for 6 weeks but also formula fed. I had tremendous guilt about formula feeding with ds but really made sure this time I didn't feel that way, and at the end of the day, for me, the most important thing is feeding my children, period.
We use disposables.
F.C. is doing the backwards crawl and getting into more things...here comes trouble! She has re-discovered her love for the dog and enjoys running her hands and feet through his soft fur. We?re teething again...ugghhh. She has six teeth and seems to be working on 4-6 more...ouch.
I EBFed her until she was seven months old, introduced solids and am still BFing her. I plan to continue as long as we?re both interested. Maybe 2? It was super important to me to BF and I did it. It was tough int he beginning, but I?m glad I stuck it out. I enjoy having the time with her and being able to calm her when she?s fussy.
We were 100% CDing before our trip, but are using DDs at night. I need to get back to our 100% routine. I guess I?m hard core like that. Call me weird, but I find washing her CD?s strangely satisfying.
What do you mean by breast changes?
My Blog
My heartburn has started as well darling. Sucks.
Ups: Little man is a mover and shaker. I've been feeling new types of movements this week--almost like he is stretching his whole body in there. Don't know what he's up to, but I like it!
Downs: None really. I'm getting a little stressed about the upcoming move, but other than that I feel great!
My OB is kind of driving me nuts lately with pushing the genetic testing. DH and I decided we wouldn't terminate no matter the results, but my OB is constantly pushing expensive random tests we don't need or want. I have to wonder if it is because I have private insurance. I like the man, but he is so damn pushy sometimes that I am kind of glad to get back to my OB/Gyn at home to give birth.
QOTW: I plan to breastfeed. My first goal will be 6 months, but I'm hoping to make it a year.
I don't plan to use cloth diapers. ::Runs from impending flames::
My Israel Blog!
Hello!
Ups: M's weight is definitely up! 19lbs! (She's now th e75%, and for those of you who remember 4-5 months ago when they were so worried about her weight and she was around the 2%, it's a HUGE change.) W's weight is exactly 2x her weight, which is funny. W is a sweetie and I love every day wth him - although sometimes I wish he'd be happier to play on his own.
Downs: M's sleeping has been bad: 20 min naps, up every 2 hours after midnight... but I think it's been down to teething. Hopefully those teeth will pop thru soon! She's getting close to figuring out how to get from sitting to all-fours, but isn't close enough that she doesn't get supremely furstrated by it. And she still hates tummy time, so how she'll crawl, I have no idea!
QOTD: We BF and mostly use CDs. I chose BFing because it seemed better for baby (marginally, admittedly), easier, and becasue both DH and I were BF, my sister BF, etc - it was my micro culture. The first 6-8 weeks were soooo hard though, even with M. But now, despite hating it with W, I love it.
In terms of diapering, it was environmental and cost. But I use disposables at night because I dont' want her waking up for any reason besides hunger - which is enough. When she's sttn, I plan on trying cloth at night again, but at the mo we cloth during the day and paper at night.
No ups or downs too speak of.
I BF'd for 18 months. I did it because I could.
Ups: My little boy is almost 2. My bump is getting bigger.
Downs: Been a rough couple evenings with BabyD. His favorite horsey broke and Dr. SuperGlue can't fix it well enough so it keeps breaking. Also still dealing with his eating. Overall there is progress. Tonight I left horsey broke and he's figuring it out. After a time out for tantrum at the table he was much better and even ate well.
QOTD: Did/ will you breastfeed or FF, what influenced the decision? I did for BabyD for five months and will for this one for at least a month. We'll see how it goes, how my supply is this round, when we are moving, and what kind of arrangements I can make with work/daycare. Also have to see if I have the same issue with getting lightheaded every time.
Did/ will you use cloth or disposable diapers, what influenced your decision? Disposable diapers for us. Last time was laundry issues, tons of travel, etc. This time it will be laundry issues, daycare issues, international move with an infant, etc.
Ups: M started swimming lessons yesterday, he loves it. He is talking all the time now and pretty fluent in both languages. He will say a sentence in English and then repeat in French. I was concerned that he would forget his French for starting school in Sept after spending so much time in Canada. Luckily he hasn't.
Downs: He is a holy terror. He doesn't listen to me at all. I guess this is the terrible threes?
QOTW: I exclusively BF until about 3 months and then started giving him formula when we were out and about. I BF until 16 months. I just felt it was beneficial for his health to BF. If I ever have another one though I wouldn't do it for so long. It was extremely useful during flights to keep him calm!
We used disposable diapers. In Vietnam the diapers were cheap and there were no cloth diaper services there (I didn't want any more laundry then we already had). I just continued what I was used to when we moved to France.
Ups and Downs - the normal stuff. Kids are sometimes crazy and sometimes wonderful. Evelyn has started this really lovely habit of shrieking. And I don't mean like a cute little yell once in a while - I mean full on shrieks like someone is holding her down and cutting off a limb, that go on for 10-15 minute sessions. She could be happy, sad, angry, tired. Who knows. Bruce is getting better about the hysterics that have marked the 3's. We instituted a chore/reward chart and he earns 5 minutes of screen time for every sticker he gets - screen being the tv, ipad, iphone or his leapster. It's going pretty well.
QOTW - I did BF both of them. I am a full time stay at home mom so it really made the most sense. I didn't have trouble with either of them beyond the normal growing pains so there seemed to be no point to do anything else. Plus, I enjoyed the bond it gave us. Bruce was much more attached to it than Evelyn and I had planned on letting him self wean but he was still going strong at 2 and then during my second trimester with Evelyn I developed a really bad aversion to nursing (which is actually quite common during pregnancy) and had to wean him. I think I still have a ticker on here from when he stopped. Evelyn has already weaned. It's only been about 4 days that she has been 100% weaned but its lovely. I do find myself missing just being able to pick her up and soothe her instantly but its definitely got its benefits and its nice to have my body be just MINE for the first time since Feb. 2007.
We've done a mix of CD and disposables with both kids. Bruce went into cloth full time at 18 months and then potty trained around 2yr4mo. Evelyn was in cloth on and off from birth but we could never find a routine that didn't end up with a horrible rash for her so she's been in disposables full time for a few months now. It really does make life easier. We use cloth wipes for her, though, because the disposables give her a rash. It's annoying to have to wash just the small bag of wipes. I keep meaning to post over on the CD or EF board on the Bump to see if anyone washes their wipes just with their towels....
Mine got really tender at the beginning, but not much bigger...half a cup size maybe? Breast size isn't related to ability to lactate or milk supply. Chin up!
My Blog
I totally forgot but I meant to respond to this as well. With Bruce I noticed a change in breast size but really didn't have much leaking or anything prior to him being born. I had an oversupply. With Evelyn I mentioned to the midwife that I was concerned becuase I'd seen absolutely no change during the pregnancy and was worried because it was different from my experience with Bruce. I had the same oversupply with her that I did with him. She assured me that breast changes during pregnancy really do little to predict what kind of milk supply you will have once the baby is born.
Hello ladies!
Ups: DS is growing up so fast! At our 5 month Plunket appointment yesterday, he weighed 9.65kg, 68cm tall. He got his new convertible carseat delivered yesterday too. He's doing really well with elimination communication (no poopy diapers in over a month) and seems to be understanding our signs.
Downs: 5 month immunizations tomorrow. DS didn't handle the 3 month ones well, so I am not really looking forward to a cranky baby.
QOTW: I tried BF for a month. DS had a tongue tie and lost a lot of weight in the beginning and we had to supplement with formula. BF has been the most difficult, humbling and heartbreaking experience of motherhood for me. After about a month and a half of a rigorous BF/pumping/supplementing routine, my lactation consultant told me that I should really bottle feed b/c I was not producing any milk (like only 5-10ml expressed in 24 hours), even on fenugreek and domperidone. I was and still am very sad and heartbroken over it. I still feel guilty about it all. I didn't think I would not be able to BF my child.
We do a combo of CD and sposies. CD at home and sposies while out and about, as well as overnight. He sleeps 12-14 hours at night, and CD don't have the holding power for all that wee! We did it for economic and environmental reasons.
B is walking! He also just got his first tooth and the second is just popping through. And he's saying mum!
B is still breastfed and I plan to continue until he self weans. I wanted to BF because of the convenience and it's cheap. Thankfully we had no real issues (besides both of us learning how to do it).
I use CD during the day and DD at night. I tried CDing at night but he kept leaking so I gave up. I chose to CD because it's cheaper in the long term and I loved how cute they are. I can't wait until it's summer and warm enough for him to wear just a diaper.
Haven't done one of these in a while!
Ups: He's walking. Downs: He's walking all.the.time!
Even in his sleep, he wants to get up and walk.
QOTD: Did/ will you breastfeed or FF, what influenced the decision?
We BFed and still do (he's 13 months). He BFs only 3-4 times a day now and I'll continue to do so until he self-weans.
Did/ will you use cloth or disposable diapers, what influenced your decision? We use CDs at home, but disposables at night (heavy wetter) and while out 'n about.a girl from Hawaii, living the expat experience in India.
Alwzbzy, awww Alexandra is almost a year already! Unbelievable! Though it should be since Chlo? will be 8 months soon.
Girls, sorry that your heartburn is starting already. That can be awful. Sheks when is the date of your move? September right?
Amy, Congrats on B walking! I'm so excited for my little ladyto weeble and wobble on her chunky little legs.
Ups: Almost everything. C is still STTN, developing more personality every day, and growing like a weed.
Downs: She's shrieking! Ugh, H and I find the sound so irritating and mostly she just does it for attention. We noticed the little girl do it at daycare when we picked her up and then C did it right afterward, as if they were communicating, so we think that's where she learned it. Haha.
QOTD: BF for 3 months. Had a huge sense of guilt when I switched to bottles but really it was the best decision for us. My lactation consultant was great but we had weeks of appointments and all of the methods she suggested just weren't helping.
Disposables. I wanted to do cloth but my MIL refused to have dirty diapers laundered in her machines, she found it gross, and because we live in her home we needed to respect her wishes. When we move out I believe I'll get a set of them to try for as she's getting bigger. I'll definitely need your advice on them then.
J, just to let you know, I wash cloth wipes, CDs (after their first cold wash) and towels together without problems. I wash them all at 60C.