Comments for Raising Dakota

Comment on Seperation anxiety by Elissa

Elissa — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:50:09 +0000

Totally understand, Carrie. I cried on my way to training last week, on my way out of town for the weekend earlier this month…pretty much any time I leave him. And side note, diapers also work well for soaking up ice cream spilled in a car seat!

Comment on So whaddya do when… by Elissa

Elissa — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:58:22 +0000

I can totally relate to the “what ifs.” They are what keep me up at night! And I’m sure it gets worse the older they get!

Comment on Raising Dakota T-shirt by Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:09:46 +0000

This is TOOOOO cute…and I know for a FACT my kids think that same thing.

Comment on Sam’s got a new best friend by Carla

Carla — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:56:58 +0000

That has to be the cutest video ever!

Comment on Helping out by Kelda

Kelda — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:45:02 +0000

I try to put an emphasis on – if you are part of the family then you help the family and that is why you do chores/help each other. I’m finding it harder and harder to do the real work of following through to get them to finish cleaning their room or wash the dishes – just gotta keep telling myself it will pay off. Maybe not for me in getting a clean house but it will help them be a better independent adult/roommate/spouse if they become self-sufficient in those ways and don’t just think someone else will take care of it.

Comment on Yeah for PBS Polka Hour, ughhh for more nebulizers by Elissa

Elissa — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:25:02 +0000

If she’s a heavy sleeper, you can hold it in front of her face when she’s sleeping. She’ll automatically breathe it in without even knowing!

Comment on Our first illness by Elissa

Elissa — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:28:32 +0000

Wow, did that bring back memories for me! Jack was sick sooo much at that age, and I remember how scary that was. (I believe we had three ER trips within the first year and a half.) It sounds like you guys did great! Nebs and meds are no fun, so way to go for figuring out ways to make it work!

Comment on TOO FAST! by Kelda

Kelda — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 22:01:07 +0000

Go Libby Go!! We didn’t exactly baby-proof as much as we confined. We’d section off a room and kept that picked up and protected. We also utilized a walker type thing – then the biggest danger was getting our ankles run into. And if it could be possible, I think we held them even more during this stage.

Comment on Baby names by Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 01:30:49 +0000

My parents nicknamed mine “JJ” as is “Jackie-Jamer” or “Jamer-Jackie.” Even after Zach was born I caught myself wanting to call him JJ. Luckily that’s passed and now he’s simply “Zach,” “Zachery,” “Baby,” or “Little One.”

I like Peach for yours since you’re having a girl (at least that’s my guess).

Comment on BS: Bullied Student by Elissa

Elissa — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:04:07 +0000

Amen. I would immediately pull my child if things got that bad — you can figure out alternate arrangements later, but you can’t keep putting your child in danger.

Comment on Baby names by jake

jake — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:16:28 +0000

Well my father uses Peanut. But I can remember him doing that to about every one in the family when they were pregnant so I guess that is just him.

Morgyn and I jokingly call it Georgie. Why I don’t know. I think one day she told me the baby was hungry and I said it couldn’t be hungry because it didn’t a name (GO figure me being a smartass!), so the said Georgie was hungry.. Now I hear that all the time.

Comment on Cut above . . . or below by Tracy

Tracy — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:34:00 +0000

Wow…how grown up and handsome he looks!!! But I grieve at the loss of those beautiful blonde curls…

Comment on Cut above . . . or below by Elissa

Elissa — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:50:36 +0000

It is super cool! I bet he looks so much older!! I know what you mean, though…it would be hard to see someone else do it. I think Jack would not freak out as much if we took him somewhere, but it would be hard to see him pass that milestone. They grow up too fast as it is!

Comment on Shots for everyone! by Elissa

Elissa — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:46:13 +0000

Whooping cough? Geez, usually my internal worry radar alerts me to anything I should be remotely concerned about, but this one fell through the cracks somehow. Thanks, I’ll have to check with the doc to see if Jack and/or I need a shot!

Comment on Speech session No. 2 by Kelda

Kelda — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 01:47:50 +0000

You are being too hard on yourself. Remember, the therapist went to specialized training for this. I, too, have been mesmerized by how easy a teacher or child-focused professional interacts and guides even the most audacious kid. Sometimes patience is all you can give your child and that can be one of the hardest things to muster.

Comment on Another appointment by Elissa

Elissa — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:07:09 +0000

You are an absolute rockstar for only having gained a pound! I am way too embarrassed to say how much I had gained by then!

Comment on SOUND OFF: Standing up to bullies by Kelda

Kelda — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:14:27 +0000

From the story I get the impression that he didn’t try school administration channels (should be first step). But I’m not condemning what he did either. I’ll never forget how awful kids can be to one another. I’m sure all of us can remember instances from our school days – here’s hoping the school takes its place and follows up as well as the parents of the bullies.

Comment on Car Seat by Elissa

Elissa — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:56:45 +0000

My best advice is to check out its safety rating with Consumer Reports or something. Or be lazy like me, and get the same car seat as a friend who checked Consumer Reports for the best-rated seat.

Comment on A little holy humor by Kelda

Kelda — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:21:30 +0000

Cheese is pretty awesome – cute!

Comment on Buying things by Kelda

Kelda — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:24:38 +0000

Sometimes they just want a chance to participate on their own accord. Maybe give each other a weekly allowance, like you $50 and he $20 that you can splurge on baby gear – ha! Remember too that you will get a ton of gifts. I don’t think we needed to buy our oldest anything until she was passed 1 year old. That tapers off a bit with the subsequent kids.

Comment on Independence by emily

emily — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:01:53 +0000

Novella is such a doll. I can’t believe how blonde her hair is getting.

Comment on Like father like son by Kelda

Kelda — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:41:44 +0000

As long as he doesn’t take to flipping off the camera

Comment on First-time mom by emily

emily — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:49:25 +0000

Thank you everyone. We’re really excited. And we feel so blessed.

Comment on By a hair by Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:47:50 +0000

I’m also shedding and will probably need to chop the hair off. The other day chuck told me that I’m shedding more than the dog. A very nice comparison.

Comment on The totally-worth-it moments by Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:36:42 +0000

The only thing sweeter than a sleeping baby is a sleeping baby with her big brother. Love this photo.

Comment on First-time mom by Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:26:37 +0000

Wow, what a great post. You brought tears to my eyes! I’m so excited for you guys, you’re going to be great parents!

Comment on First-time mom by Kelda

Kelda — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:05:50 +0000

Congratulations! Now, onto the tireds, crazy dreams and all the other delights of pregnancy, soundslike you’ve definitely earned it!

Comment on First-time mom by Jackie

Jackie — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:12:25 +0000

I’m with you. Hearing Zach’s heartbeat for the first time made it real. I remember that first appointment. The tech had a hard time finding it. Beat……….. beat…………. beat…….. beat……… (that’s you, she said) ………… beat……….. beat……….. beat…………. (then suddenly) beat. beat. beat. beat. beat. beat. It was amazing.

Comment on First-time mom by Elissa

Elissa — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:35:03 +0000

That was a beautiful post…and you are so right, your baby’s heartbeat is the most beautiful sound in the world! Congratulations again to both of you…I’m so happy for you!!

Comment on By a hair by Kelda

Kelda — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 05:10:58 +0000

It happened with all three of my kids, I don’t remember it quite this early with the first two though. They were summer babes and before the next summer my long hair would be bobbed. Yes, gingers are totally cute – hers just won’t stop changing, so I’m not holding my breath. I think sometimes boy’s red doesn’t show up except in their beards – Redbeard – arghhh matey!

Comment on Ok first question…. by Kelda

Kelda — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 05:06:46 +0000

I think I ate while sleeping quite a few times, not hard at all. Also kept a snack by the bed quite often. I had evening sickness. There are lots of cliches of pregnancy which makes having any sort of expectation hard. For some the sick never comes and for some it lasts nearly the whole pregnancy. Good luck to you both!

Comment on By a hair by Sierra LeBeau

Sierra LeBeau — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:32:09 +0000

I totally thought I was the only one losing my hair!! Now I’m not as worried. Seriously, I’ve been freaking out about it all week. I can just run my fingers through and take dozens of hairs with them.

Lucky you!! Ginger babies are gorgeous I’ve been hoping my kids would be redheads (my father and brother are both VERY prominent redheads), but I’m not sure if it runs in Trev’s family. Little Ira is showing a bit of orange, though.

Comment on By a hair by Nick

Nick — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:17:49 +0000

examples of the eye thing she was talking about…
the elder two kids have this eye type.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Human_Iris_JD052007.jpg
the youngest has this eye type (the same as me but mine is usually much more bloodshot).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blueye.JPG

Comment on Own worst critic by Kelda

Kelda — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:35:12 +0000

Um, thanks cheeky monkey.

Comment on Own worst critic by Nick

Nick — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:15:59 +0000

Have you looked at your boobs lately? I guess I’ll never understand…

Comment on mmmoommmilk by Kelda

Kelda — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 07:04:47 +0000

Shoot I’ve done it while preparing an entire spaghetti dinner. Most of the time backwards when dealing with the stove and oven. It could be a new olympic sport.

Comment on mmmoommmilk by sottney

sottney — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:22:49 +0000

So I just got back from visiting a friend in Costa Rica, and this reminded me that I actually thought of you and this blog while I was there because I saw lots of public breastfeeding and no one blinked an eye. Which I think is cool. Not even attempting to disguise or cover up. I even saw one lady do it while getting on a city bus and handing the driver her ticket.

Comment on Suspiciously active by sottney

sottney — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:20:02 +0000

haha! oh no! that is too funny. but, you know, NOT. silly people…

Comment on Shout out to the Daddios by Nick

Nick — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 07:46:42 +0000

See? This is why I don’t celebrate myself. Pain for you and confusion for the kids.

Comment on mmmoommmilk by Nick

Nick — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:56:21 +0000

It does a body good. However, sticking your tongue in your nose repeatedly is not so much.

Comment on Being a Mom by Nick

Nick — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:54:21 +0000

Yes. Thank you… all i can say now.

Comment on Breaking bad habits already? by Kelda

Kelda — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:52:37 +0000

When nursing, pick a stuffed animal/blanket (always use the same one) – hold it between you two every time you nurse, or as often as possible. Just pick something she can sleep with. Cerelia had stuffed leopard (Rawr-Rawr), Quade had his blanket (bimby). Then, this item will become a comforting constant no matter if you are at home or on the road. Human pacifier isn’t so bad . . .

Comment on Breaking bad habits already? by Jessi Stucke

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:21:18 +0000

We did the one thing we knew was most likely to work and would get the crying out of everyone else’s ears – we got in the car and drove. That’s what works for Evin, ESPECIALLY when he is overtired. An oldy, but a goody:)

Comment on Suspiciously active by Nick

Nick — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:52:59 +0000

There was one instance that I was sitting at the park and was asked to go away… until one of my kids ran up addressing me as daddy. You would think I’m making this up but alas, I am not

Comment on Suspiciously active by Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:58:46 +0000

Just realized I’ll never look cool enough to be considered a “suspicious” person
Love the AWESOME photos – you’re kids are possibly the cutest / most photogenic I’ve ever seen.

Comment on Suspiciously active by Elissa

Elissa — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:32:27 +0000

Darn hippies being all suspicious with their hippie cameras! I find this all pretty hi-larious.

Comment on Welcome to preschool by Kelda

Kelda — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:29:07 +0000

Go Jack! There are some adults I know that should’ve kept their sippy cups

Comment on America’s favorite pastime by Kelda

Kelda — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:27:35 +0000

Great, seasonal tips. When traveling with kids it can quite often be worth it to buy the better seats/get VIP tickets/rent a decent hotel room rather than trying to cut corners. Adults can stomach their traveling inconveniences, kids can’t! But, yes, stay out of gift shops if you want to cut costs. That said, she is really really cute in her Twinsie!

Comment on From the bottle by Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:29:25 +0000

I missed the nursing class, so some of this info is really helpful. I reallllly wish I’d have started storing / freezing a long time ago. Now that I’m back at work I feel like I’m playing catch-up. I’ll remember that on the next go-round.

Part of the reason I waited so long was because of the STUPID bags I bought with my pump. They didn’t have zip-locks, and came with this weird snap/zip tie system(in other words, a real pain in the a**).

I’m going to start pumping after feedings. And I never thought about freezing just one or two ounces. Great tips!

I’ve also just recently realized the joys of nursing while laying down. Last time I did this on the couch we both ended up taking a 2 hr nap!

Comment on It’s potty time by Carrie

Carrie — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:50:00 +0000

My sister knew someone that put a gumball machine in their bathroom. Every time their son used the potty, he got a piece of gum from the gumball machine. (I know, food in the bathroom sounds gross, but it worked for them!)