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Archive through May 31, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2004 Nov. - 2005 Jan.: Parenting Place {ARCHIVES}: New Parents to be........Tips and advice for us (ARCHIVES): Archive through May 31, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Kimmo
Member

05-02-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 11:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, everyone! :-)

Rupertbear, if it's a girl, Ada; if it's a boy, then it's DH's turn to pick a name, and it will be Thomas. I hope it's a girl!! :-)

Herckleperckle, I am hoping it's a February birth, but who knows! It should be January or February. Rowan "began" in late Feb and came out mid December.

Jewels, I did find out about Rowan as soon as possible; I really wanted to plan things out. Because I wanted a boy so badly, when the time came to find out or not, I wanted to know ASAP so that if I was "disappointed," I'd get over it in time for the baby's birth. Of course, I wasn't disappointed! And I don't know if I really would have been disappointed, I just needed the prep time.

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 2:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ada....hmmmm, I like it it, Kim :-)

So Rowan was a little reluctant to emerge, huh? Sounds like me...guess I made my Mum wait two weeks past the due date. ;)

Have you explained to him that's he's going to be a big brother?


Kimmo
Member

05-02-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 3:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Rupertbear, do you really like it? :-) We got a lot of flak from my side of the family because Ada sounds "too German" (everyone on my dad's side is of Irish descent), but I've always really liked that name and think it sounds nice with Rowan!

Well, with Rowan I was induced 1.5 weeks past the due date-- I wouldn't have minded waiting a little longer! But then "they" say that a typical gestation is considered 10 months now, not nine months. I think I was so panicked about leaving work for 3 months that I actually willed myself to not go into labor, despite walking up and down stairs 3-4 times day, etc.

I wonder if that will happen this time; probably not. I was kind of disappointed that I didn't "really" go into labor, etc, the first time.

When we found out, I brought up being a big bro, but Rowan acted distraught and just wanted to hug, so I am trying to ease into it. I did mention, "It could grow up to be a boy baby, so you have a baby brother, or a girl baby, so you have a baby sister," and Rowan said, "A brother, just a brother!"

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 3:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'll tell you why I like it and I hope it doesn't put you off the name but...the reason I like it Kim is, well, it's an old fashioned name.

To each his own of course but to me the generation after myself, who were having babies went totally overboard with strange sounding names, names that you can't tell the sex of the child...I dunno, to me they ran amok, even making them up, as they went along...lol lol lol.

So, when you said 'Ada' I thought, 'wow, here's a simple, nice, old-fashioned name'...one I can 'relate' to. :-)

Maybe a book or two from the library or store about Mummy bringing a new baby home, might help Rowan with the idea. And include him in all the 'decisions'...lol ;)

p.s. Rowan is a beautiful Irish name, so you've already given your side of the family 'their' name, lol. Time for a choice for Kim.

Kimmo
Member

05-02-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 5:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
No, thanks, Rupertbear! I too like "Ada" because it's old-fashioned. It's feminine but not really fussy, etc. I have gotten "old lady name" comments as well, but I feel pretty certain that once there are more little people with this name, it won't seem "old lady" anymore! :-) People do not seem to be react as strongly as they did last time-- I guess because the 2nd birth isn't as big a deal as the first?

It's also the one girl name we DH and I could totally agree on; Frances was the other finalist but DH did not like that name. But since Brooke Shields named her daughter Rowan Francis, that would be weird to have 1 child named Rowan and the other named Frances, anyway!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 5:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well, Kimmo, Ada is an old-fashioned name, and I agree with RB in thinking that is a very nice thing.

I remember 7 years ago, a friend named her baby Hannah and I was aghast (but never said anything). As you know, it turned out to be very popular choice. And now I really like the name! So, if you do have a girl, I'm betting your relatives will come around quickly!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 6:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I've been meaning to pass along this tip for parents when changing their babies' diapers.

I had made (a very clumsy) cross-stitch of a turtle --using lots of colors in its shell--and placed it in a small wooden frame. I hung it over the changing table and handed it to my baby when he was old enough to hold something in his hands. My idea was to keep him occupied so he wouldn't squirm.

While I changed him, of course, I'd talk to him. He'd focus on the bright colors in the turtle's shell and point to each individually--as if to ask what it was. So I'd say the name of the color. Of course, this went on for months and months. And unintentionally, I taught him all his colors--simply from the babble play we did at the changing table. He was 18 months old.

My next door neighbor, who was a director of a pre-school, said no child could learn his colors at that age. But one day she took him with her on a short visit to her school, and came back shaking her head in disbelief and admitting she had been wrong. He had shown her that he did, indeed, know all his colors. (Course I knew that, so I wasn't surprised! But I was proud of him.)

What a great byproduct of our little diversion! I'd highly recommend that mindset to other parents of little ones.

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 6:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wonderful story HP.

My youngest was fascinated with the Fisher-Price magnetic alphabet and we got to playing like that and he knew his alphabet by 18 months.

My Father couldn't get over it. He'd come for a visit and take my son for a walk and he's be having him 'read' the letters on license plates, as they went!



Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 1:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow, RB, that is something! How old is your youngest son now? Did he turn out to be a brainiac?

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 7:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
He's early 20s Herck and he is an avid reader...stuff I wouldn't tackle like Joyce's Ulysses. Reading is food to him. The kid is a walking mass of trivia, too. He'll study facts about a subject and retain them all.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 7:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ahhh! How wonderful, a reader. And a remember-er! <Secretly thinking: Some people! And I am pleased to just remember where I laid my cell phone last . . . which is what I am doing right now.>

Kimmo
Member

05-02-2003

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 9:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Herckleperckle, good tip! I put a mobile of different shapes/colors over the changing table and do things like, "Where is the square? Where's the red stripe?" etc from the time Rowan was born. He knew the basic shapes around 1 year, and colors too. He had a favorite "Colors" chubby book (got in a neat 4-pack at Toys R Us) that he wore out, so that I got him 2 more after that! :-)

I also made a big felt board with velcro-backed paper plate alphabet letters to stick on it (though I've since heard that used fabric softener sheets work as well as velcro), and had other alphabet stuff, Rowan also learned his alphabet in the 16-18 month range.

I put 100 poker chips in an old wipes box for us to drop in and count-- For a new toy for when he started sitting up. He could count to 13 around 18 months as well!

It's funny how much babies can learn. It makes me feel good to hear that it sticks, Rupertbear!

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 4:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just want to interject a little point here and it is directed at parents who do not teach their toddlers alphabets and counting, dont worry... they will learn when they learn and knowing your alphabet by age 2 is not a sign of genius nor is not knowing a sign of lack of intelligence.

I am sure there are people out there who are thinking OMG, I havent taught my kid this stuff are beginning to feel pressured to teach their toddlers abc's and 123s and you don't have to.

Speaking from my personal experience, my son didnt learn to read till first grade, knew his alphabet but it meant nothing other than a song. Math skills he learned in first grade too and he is now been invited to apply for an academic scholarship this summer. He is an avid reader and scores well on tests.

I am not criticizing anyone but I just wanted to say it is ok to leave babies and toddlers alone too. If they dont want to know the difference between 1 and 9, play with lego.

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 6:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I know you aren't implying anything with your comments Maris but sometimes children indicate to a parent that they want to learn.

My son was the one who indicated to me that he wanted to know what the letters were, not the other way around.

Learning something at a young age is not an indication of genius...only of curiosity.

Kimmo
Member

05-02-2003

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 8:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I don't think it's a big deal when people learn to read, etc...I didn't mean to give that idea. I just wanted to point out a couple other things, like Ruperbear and Herckleperckle did, that were fun.

I just kept showing/doing more things with shapes/numbers/letters because Rowan liked it so much, and it's fun seeing he would find fun. Now that Rowan is older and can play on his own, I just follow his lead (now mostly involving playing with stickers!). It's true that how you develop early on doesn't necessarily say anything about how a child develops later on. I'm sorry if I offended anybody.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 6:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Maris, you're right, moms and dads should relax and let their babies be babies. But don't dismiss that babies are curious about everything and need stimulation. Plus, any close interaction between parent and child rewards both.

My son turned out to be learning disabled, but I didn't know that when I taught him phonics and he learned to read early and well as a result. He loved books and still does as an adult.

I think the early work I did with him (always using a play/game-like approach) saved him academically and personally in so many ways because, as it turned out, he couldn't learn in the traditional 'listening' style (used in typical classroooms) because all the other stimuli were distractions and too much for him. So his verbal skills were a life preserver.

I only wish I had done the same thing with simple number things. (He did not have the same success in math.) I found the following so fascinating when I thought about it later: A friend I met in college who was a math major told me that he got interested in math and thinking puzzles because his beloved grandpop always played number/math/puzzle games with him as a toddler. That piqued his interest (and possibly his natural inclination) to explore that area more.

So, I've concluded that whatever positive intellectual stimulation a parent presents is a good thing. The important thing is how it is done--by responding appropriately to the child's cues.

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 7:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Nobody should dismiss a child's curiosity and it certainly is nothing I would ever do. We all do the best for our children and I was just pointing out with all these wonderful achievers here that it is ok if a two year old is not expressing an interest in learning to read and it is not necessarily a sign of intelligence. I wasn't criticising anyone and I hope nobody took it as such.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 7:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh, Maris, I didn't, for sure. Just taking the discussion another step.

Enbwife
Member

08-14-2000

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 11:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Congrats Kimmo! When is your due date? I'm due on Nov.18th. I haven't really said anything to Nathan yet since he's only 21 mths old. He loves little babies though and is so gentle with the 3 mth old at daycare so I hope it goes well.
I was on a business trip last week from Sun-Fri and missed him soooo much. It was too long to be away. Unfortunately I go again for 5 days in June. I got the results of my bloodtest and got good news that I've had Fifth Disease before in my life and will not get it again - thank God!!! Load off my mind. Now I have a horrible cold and can't breathe through my nose. Urghhh. Going to the Dr. in 1/2 hour to get checked out.

Danzdol
Member

04-21-2001

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 11:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
hope you feel better ENB.

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 1:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Congratulations to you Enb, on your pregnancy! :-)

Kimmo
Member

05-02-2003

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 2:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Maris, I wasn't offended by what you pointed out about different interests/etc. I just felt bad that I might have come across as thinking "My way" was the only way, or placing undue importance on early learning, which wasn't my intention or belief. Thanks for bringing it up!

Thanks, Lisa! I don't know when the due date is yet-- I think it's January or (I hope) February 05. I'm horrible at keeping track of "cycles." I can't wait for the 20-week ultrasound to know the "real" age (though Rowan was still "overdue").

Rupertbear, I will get a book about new sibs as you suggested....Rowan doesn't seem to want to hear about a baby. I'm also worried that the idea of a new baby is going to make him want to NOT potty train (so he can be a baby). Even before the baby news, Rowan would often say after a bath, "I'm a little baby!" (when wrapped up in a towel) or say about another baby at daycare, "Janie is a little baby, she still drinks out of a bottle!" It makes me wonder if he wants to be a baby or...?

It would just be great if Rowan were potty-trained before the baby was born! But, you never know. He acts completely uninterested and gets very irritated if I ask about the potty. He had been very interested until recently. I'm now thinking of just getting the Mr. Rogers potty book and seeing if that sparks anything. Sigh!

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 3:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
There is a great potty book, Once Upon a potty, red cover. Kids love the book and as I recall they even had a tape and a doll for the little one. They have little girl and little boy versions.

Kimmo
Member

05-02-2003

Friday, May 28, 2004 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Maris-- I have "Once Upon a Potty" on my Amazon wish list, I should just go out and get it along with the new baby book.

Last night, Rowan came to me and said in a rather desperate emotional tone, "Mama, you don't have a little boy in your tummy!" So I said, "No, it might be a little girl."

Then DH told me he thought Rowan might think I had eaten a baby to get it in my tummy-- Great! Of course, I have no idea if that's true. If I ate a baby, I'd know if it were a boy or a girl.

But I asked Rowan if he wanted to hear how the baby got inside me and he said, "Yes," and I explained it as outlined in the "What to Expect" for toddlers book. I hope that makes him feel better, as he has been very emotional lately. :-(

Enbwife
Member

08-14-2000

Monday, May 31, 2004 - 9:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ah... cute. My sister is due on Jan.20th. Just completed IVF and it worked - again! Lucky. So we're 2 months apart this time. First time the kids were born 1 day apart in the same room.. ha ha. I was sick as a dog the past week. Coughing so hard and up half the night. The Dr. gave me codeine syrup to use at night. Safe for baby but I still feel that horrible guilt when I take it. Urghhh. I'm definitely getting better though now that I can get a few hours of straight sleep, and am back at work today.