FYI, the Teal Center (Ballston location) did not have the maternity (pillow with the hole so you could lay on your stomach) padding when I was there a few months ago. I can't recall if the one at VA Hosp. Center has one (it's been over two years since I've been there). IMO, the best prenatal massages are those where you can lay down on your stomach.

FWIW I think pretty much all places offer prenatal. I haven't been to a spa or massage therapy location that didn't offer prenatal. I even tried Massage Envy (Falls Church location) and they offered prenatal, no padding though and it certainly wasn't the best massage I've had. I'd actually rate it as mediocre at best compared to every other massage I've had thus far, but for $49 I felt like I couldn't complain much.

-CK

DD is now 25 months old, and I was horrible about doing tummy time. I wish I had done tummy time more, DD wasn't a big fan of it and I wasn't very persistant about it either. I will however make tummy time more important with my next child (due in 9 wks). DD's head had a slight flat spot and I feel that because we didn't do enough tummy time she didn't have the muscle strength to pull herself to a sitting position as most infants did. Also, she was delayed in other aspects as well, pulling herself up, and crawling too. I think those were linked to not having enough tummy time. She was a late walker, but talked very eary (and is a very excellent communicator now) which I don't think was due to less tummy time, but looking back I think it is quite important.

-CK

We went to Atlantis in Nov 2009 with DD (who was just shy of 2 at the time). Stayed at the Reef and it was fantastic. DD enjoyed the water and there are so many water attractions it was overwhelming. Not to mention going to the aquarium, that was lots of fun for her. They do have kids programs but she was too young for that, but we will definitely go back when she's older.

DH and I went there before without DD and stayed at the Cove and had a great time. There are plenty of things to do within the property and it's completely safe and they offer shuttle services around Paradise Island. I was actually amazed at how many kids (ages 9 and up) that were riding the shuttle without parent supervision in the evening. I personally wouldn't allow it, but from what I understand it's very safe there. We didn't venture off of Paradise Island our most recent trip since we couldn't take advantage of any kids programs, but honestly you don't need to leave the Island/property.

FWIW - I did hear that some people stay on Paradise Island at some of the other properties (not owned by Atlantis) and can get a day pass to use the facilities at Atlantis. A much cheaper alternative. Although Atlantis does have deals where you can buy 3 nights and stay a 4th free, and we also had two rebates of $300 (totalling $600) from our stay in November (but I think that was because we had 2 rooms). You just need to see if they are offering any discounts or tourism deals to help boost travel to the country.

Also, went to Grand Cayman in May of 2009 (without DD) and wasn't all that impressed with the Island. The Ritz was indeed nice, but the town wasn't much to write home about IMO. Their turtle farm was really sad, very overpopulated with turtles. Neat to see the turtles at different stages (babies, etc...) but the adult areas were grossly out of control with turtles.

If we hadn't just been to Atlantis for Thanksgiving, we'd be heading there in August ourselves. That's how SUPER kid friendly they are there.

Happy travelling!
CK

When we travelled with our DD (shortly after she was 6 months old and on some jarred foods) we took packets of cereal and jarred baby food. Didn't want to take any chances on purchasing baby food that was possibly expired (or close to it) while on vacation. We didn't have any problems (this was in Aug of 08). Also, since they were small enough we had some in our carry on bag as well. Should mention that we checked most of our bags as we took enough diapers, toys, beach stuff etc...for over a week. Long gone are the days of only travelling with carry on bags with children.

Have fun on your vacation!
-CK

OP, does anyone within your current department know that you're pregnant? If so, you may want to mention it so that you're potentially starting off on the wrong foot or burning any bridges early on. If it were a new position with a new company or not within the same network I wouldn't divulge any information about being pregnant. If you do mention that you're pregnant (and assuming that you're planning on returning after maternity leave) I would be certain to mention that you are planning on returning to work.

Best of luck on the new position!
CK

Anonymous wrote:I would get my nails done, a facial or some relaxing massage, get some highlights/color, haircut, go to the groceries and roam around thinking of stuff I would like to eat (I love doing groceries). Call friends and talk for a long long time, get a housekeeper, do all the laundry and REST!

PP knows what she's talking about!!! Ditto to all of that and enjoy the last bits of alone time - maybe even catch a movie or have a nice lunch out too.

CK

BF DD and was bad about pumping (had returned to work) and at 6 months (DD was also eating solids) my menstral cycle returned.

CK

Funny, I thought this thread was asking if it's okay to play with toy guns at playdates.

CK

When I was at Buy Buy Baby a couple of weeks ago to order furniture (after their recent coupon expired - 2.4.10) I asked when their next coupon would be out. They told me the middle of April.

CK

We had problems with DD taking whole milk, mainly because she was so accustomed to the BM being warm and the whole milk was cold. If we warmed the milk she was okay, now at age 2 she drinks the whole milk cold but it took about a month or so for us to get her to drink cold milk.

I would try warming the whole milk and giving that alone to her.

Best of luck!
CK

For us we're putting our toddler behind the drivers seat and the newborn behind the passenger seat. This will allow whomever is driving to be able to look back on the baby to make sure all is okay. We're also leaving space between the two so that someone can sit there if need be to tend to either child.

CK

I had an amnio with my last pregnancy in late 2007 (I was almost 38 at the time) and had mine performed by Dr. John Larson at GW. He had some difficulty in that the needle had to be manuvered to obtain fluid, and it was extremely uncomfortable. I think the biggest thing was that it was freaking me out as I have a decent threshold for pain. I was extremely stressed about the thought of the needle hitting DD or worse, having a miscarriage.

I vowed if I got pregnant again that I would not do a CVS or an amnio if my nuchal came back fine. Well, FF to 2009/2010. I'm 40 years old and in December I decided to do the amnio again. I didn't feel pressure to get it done (I did more so with my previous pregnancy, by not only my OB but by the people doing the screening). Even though the odds weren't super high that something was wrong, nor was I opting to terminate should the amnio show something, but rather I felt for me that it was important that if there were some genetic abnormalities that I wanted to be prepared as much as possible. Basically it's a personal decision - and no matter what there are risks associated with performing the amnio. I should also mention that with my current pregnancy I had the amnio performed by the same doctor at GW (Dr. John Larson - believe he's the head OB person at GW) and all went well. If you do decide to have an amnio, I would make sure that the person performing the amnio has extensive experience.

CK

Well that makes me feel better. I was just Googling it and it was mentioning vitamin deficiency which I don't believe to be the case. She's an excellent eater (veggies, lots of fruit, starches, dairy and meat), so I'm hoping it's just a fluke.

-CK

This morning I was getting ready to do my DD's hair and thought she had a white cat hair in her hair. Nope, she actually has a grey hair! I was amazed, and it's fairly long too. She doesn't have a pigment problem (aside from the fact that she's very pale) or a birthmark on her head but I was surprised that she has a grey hair. DH started to grey in his 20's and I started in my mid 30's. Has anyone ever experienced this before?

-CK

I'm a horrible person for using disposable diapers so if you want to bash me for using disposables so be it.

I used a Diaper Champ for DD who's 25 months old and am expecting a boy in May. Liked the Diaper Champ since it used regular kitchen trash bags so I never had to worry about buying something specific for the disposal system, which was very convenient. However, as DD got older and was no longer BF and eating solids even when we only disposed of pee diapers the amonia smell would knock you out. Is this the case with all pails after they reach a certain stage/age? I got rid of my Diaper Champ at least 8 months ago and just throw everything in the trash now, but with a newborn I'd rather have a pail in his room for the late night changings.

Many thanks for the recommendations.

-CK