MOMania

By With pink and blue...

January 15, 2009 7:47 AM | Link to this

…towels!

Use the chemical remover first! And, you do not punch holes; you use a “scrubber” to loosen the paper and then utilize the steamer.

By ebaby

January 15, 2009 7:52 AM | Link to this

I think monkeys are unisex- as well as frogs. Target, BBandBeyond, and Kohls have some cute collections.

I would skip removing the paper, glue down the loose edges and paint over it.

By lakerat

January 15, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this

Sorry, off topic for today, but related to yesterday since I missed it!

We had the ADD/ADHD debate about 6 months ago on this site - please note that, per WEBMD and other sites, there is no longer a condition known as ADD; it has systematically been replaced by the moniker of ADHD, so we can all drop the ADD aspect and just argue about ADHD.

While I still have my belief that this is “labeling” by the medical profession, I do not doubt that the symptoms exhibited by the child exist and are disruptive; I just disagree that “labeling” and then treating the child with a drug is the way to treat the “symptoms”. Many wrote about my position, some agreeing and many disagreeing, MJGoose and Theresa among those who disagreed most vehemently. I do agree that the medication works - heck, you, too, would calm down if you were zoned out medically. Heck, when I was in college in the 70’s it was thought that you could study better if you just toked up a little and kids swore by this reasoning (and activity)!

Theresa, regarding your concern that the cold weather contributed to your little one’s sniffles, I am glad that you said you really understood that germs cause colds and its symptoms; hence, you need to look back at where you took her the previous 48-72 hours before the onset of the sniffles to determine where she was exposed to the germs, thus alleviating your concerns that her exposure to the cool weather was the cause of her current condition.

By DB

January 15, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this

If your wallboard wasn’t primed before they slapped the wallpaper up, then yes, you are going to have a mess on your hands. Two things to try: if you don’t have one, rent or borrow a wallpaper steamer — they work beautifully. If you don’t want to do that, use DIF, a chemical you can spray on. BUT — warm it up first, that seems to do a better job of softening the glue. And be patient — use LOTS of spray, and don’t get carried away with ripping off wallpaper if it’s not quite ready to come off. Let the spray do the work.

Can I brag a bit? My 17-year-old daughter surprised me on my birthday with a “While Your Were Out” style weekend. I went to visit my husband for the weekend where he has been working, and she (in cahoots with my husband), arranged for four friends and our next door neighbor (he’s a contractor) to come over and redo two of our bathrooms, repaint our entire entrance foyer, stairwell and upstairs hall, and refinish the leaded glass-and-wood front door. Omigosh! They did a beautiful job, and did it all in 48 hours. In one bathroom, they steamed off 20 year old wallpaper and installed beadboard, painted and installed new light fixtures. In the other bathroom, they steamed off old wallpaper and repainted it a persimmon color, with black and neutral accents, new window shade, and new linens and cabinet hardware. It was a gorgeous surprise!

By Jeff

January 15, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this

Theresa:

As far as colors, red and black are unisex… and you wouldn’t have to worry about your side of the family using that particular bathroom… :P

By JJ

January 15, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this

The Wallpaper Queen used to live in my house. I have wallpaper up EVERYWHERE, and I hate it. Home Depot doesn’t even sell Wallpaper anymore. NO ONE uses it.

Use equal parts white vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the wallpaper and let it soak about 10-15 minutes. Then with a putty knife start scrapping. It comes off so easily. We put old sheets down on the floor and just let the stuff fall. Then scoup up the sheet and throw the scraps away.

The other suggestion I have is paint over the wallpaper with Kilz. You will need to do at least one coat. Kilz also works on water stains. You can find Kilz in the paint department.

By motherjanegoose

January 15, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this

My 16 yo daughter decided that her bathroom needed updating….her brother has moved on to his own apartment.

Since I am the one with the pockets of $$$ LOL she asked me about it.

I told her that I would get her the supplies and she could do it over the summer. I was in Texas for a week and that would be the perfect time. She used the DIF and that rolly thing with the points on it. Our agreement was that if SHE started it…SHE would finish it…Dad would paint.

Let’s just say that SHE will not be undertaking another wallpaper project in the near future. It got finished but was more work than she was expecting.

It was certainly a learning experience and one that will be stuck in her mind for a long time.

DB…that was a WONDERFUL surprise!
I cannot blame you for being proud. It shows you have one fine daughter and that did not happen by accident….KUDOS.

Theresa…what about oceans with fish?

By motherjanegoose

January 15, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this

JJ…Home Depot does sell wallpaper in their web site…are you telling us that they have NONE in the stores…I had no idea…hmmm, guess I need to pay attention.

By JJ

January 15, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this

Yea, MommaJane, I was in the paint department not too long ago, and was chatting with the guy mixing the paint. He informed me they don’t sell it anymore.

Also, does anyone other than me buy the “Oops” paint? It’s paint that has been returned. Home Depot sells a gallon of Oops for $5.00. Most of the painting in my house has come from Oops paint.

By Becky

January 15, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this

I had wallpaper once & will never have it again..JJ, you’re right about Kilz, paint that over it & paint the color you want..

DB, sounds like your daughter is a really good person..As MJG said, that didn’t happen by accident..

By Layla

January 15, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this

Ditto on the vinegar and water. Just make sure it’s HOT water. That will make it work better. It worked really well for me when I had to scrape about 6 layers of wallpaper (not kidding) in my bedroom. The original wallpaper dated back from 1920 and everyone who owned the house just kept adding more without taking the previous one off. The last person decided to add wooden paneling. Oh so fun!

Make sure you use a really good primer before painting. Kilz (sp?) will cover a multitude of sins, but you may still have to sand the walls, unless you like the textured look.

Regarding the decorating- I don’t have kids, but a neutral background with accessories in bright primary colors might be fun and not keep the bathroom stuck in a timewarp when the kids are older. (The neutral background is because any bright colored paints are a pain in the tuckus to paint over. Especially red/black/dark purple.) Just my two cents. Have fun!

By Greg

January 15, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this

I will second the vinegar and water in a spray bottle solution mentioned. That really worked well for me, too. The key is don’t rush into trying to scrape. Let the vinegar and water do the work. Give it the time it needs to work. You’ll find it comes off really easily once you do.

By JJ

January 15, 2009 8:52 AM | Link to this

AND the kids will love helping scrape the wall paper off. It’s so fun and messy.

May I hi-jack the blog for a few minutes? Can anyone give me inexpensive ideas for my daughter’s 18th birthday?

We usually go out of town for the weekend, but we are unable to do that this year. She wants to do something with her friends, and that’s fine with me, but I want to do something special with her, just the two of us.

Any suggestions? And please keep it clean. And don’t suggest dinner somewhere. We don’t really go out to eat. Although I did think about taking her down to the Peachtree Plaza and having dinner at the Sundial.

Thanks.

By Stacey

January 15, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

JJ…My sister-in-law turned me on to the OOPS paint counter. She is addicted to painting and will just go see what they have and decide which room to paint based on what she finds! :-D

Theresa…I agree with MJG about the oceans & fish. Didn’t you say your kids love the beach? Try painting the walls a pale blue and/or sand. They probably already have tub toys that could double as assessories. You can use the same color scheme and change out the decorations as they get older (instead of sandcastles and seashells they can have lighthouses and anchors).

Someone else mentioned a jungle or zoo theme and that’s also a good idea. I don’t have any natural decorating talent so I just look at magazines and catalogs and “tweek” it to fit my needs. Check out the Better Homes & Garden website (I think it’s bhg.com) and they have a lot of good ideas.

By Becky

January 15, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

How about penguins? The black & white theme can grow with them..

By Theresa

January 15, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

My girlfriend from church just sent me this Web site for wall decor for kids. It’s got some really cute stuff. It’s called Wallies. Here’s the link.

By Stacey

January 15, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

JJ…What is your daughter’s personality like? Is she really serious? Silly & fun-loving? Girly-girl?

Maybe she would like to do something like spend the morning at a day spa getting a massage, facial and being pampered, buy a nice new outfit then capping it off with dinner at the sundial. I can’t say for sure about you guys, but a lot of Atlantan have never been to some of the tourist hot-spots (or if so, not since elementary school field trips). Maybe y’all could buy city passes and take a day and just be tourist in Atlanta. You can create a ton of memories (for both of you) before she heads off to college. My husband was born and raised in Metro Atlanta (I’ve been here almost 18 years) and there’s so much they we haven’t seen or done yet. Either way, take lots of pictures!

By JJ

January 15, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

Stacy Thanks, we did that last year. Spent the day downtown, went to the Aquarium, Olympic Park, etc. Then we hit Atlantic Station.

We aren’t Spa types. Don’t care for facials, etc.

She does like to get her nails done, but hasn’t for a few months now.

But thanks for the suggestions….

By Mil Mom

January 15, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

The ocean and fish idea is always good, and there is plenty of extras out there to accent it. Another theme could be Noah’s Ark, maybe write some bible verses on the walls, if your into that sort of thing. Another thing my cousin did was paint the childrens silouettes(sp?) on the walls, and every year they would add another in a differnt shade, its kinda neat for the kids to see how they’ve grown. If those aren’t what your looking for, I’d try Target, they have some nice colorful and retro looking themes, like poka dots in a pretty blues and greens, those work perfect for boys and girls, and isn’t too kiddie themed so when guest come over it not like WOW! this is the kids bathroom. Also, a little off topic of bathrooms, but for perhaps a kids bedroom, they have out a new paint that acts like a chalk board, also they have a magnetic paint. it kinda nifty, and perhaps a deter to writing on the walls. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

By Becky

January 15, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

Don’t use that paper tiger thing. It is a disaster. We have used a mixture of half water and half liquid fabric softener wiped down on walls. Works fairly well, just use a scraper to peel wallpaper off wall. A messy job not matter how you look at it.

By A&Z Mom

January 15, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this

We have a girl/boy bathroom too and when guest are visiting they use it too. We decided to go with a fish, underwater theme. I picked up some cute towels, the shower curtain and border at Kohl’s. My sister made towels with fish and their names embroidered on them. I’m sure it will be redone in a few years, but for now since they are toddlers it’s works fine.

By Stacey

January 15, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

JJ…I’m not the spa type either (don’t like massages, don’t wear makeup, etc) but I had Glamour Shots type pictures made several years ago and it was a lot of fun. They did the hair, makeup, “prop” clothes and jewelry, etc. People look at the pictures and say “Wow, she’s beautiful! Who is she?” Not quite as much fun to watch their chins hit the floor when they find out it’s me, though. LOL I’m not suggesting that for her birthday…just thought about it and it brought back memories.

My coworker told me that for her daughter’s eighteenth birthday they did stuff like play paintball and laser tag. Her daughter is really petite and girly so it surprised her that she wanted to do that.

By JJ

January 15, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

Stacey you are giving me some great suggestions, bet we’ve already done them. But keep ‘em coming….

Glamour shots is a great idea, however, she just had her Senior Pictures taken. She had Glamour Shots come in to her day care when she was like 5. I still have that picture on my wall here at work….

Where did the time go?

By Theresa

January 15, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

JJ - now I am tearing up about the glamour shots from age 5 — How can she be that big now?? Now full on tears!!!

What about going to the High Museum or another museum with her — It would give you time to talk and connect while doing an activity?? Or doing a quick weekend trip like to HH or St. Simons. There’s probably lots of deals right now — Or to the mountains for snow — We were talking before about going tubing in North Carolina — would she like to spend a day with you like that — that would be fairly inexpensive — one other thought — what about a show at the Fox or Opera house — play or orchestra - something older —

By Liz

January 15, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this

JJ-

My oldest daughter just turned 18 on the 12th. We bought her a new Canon digital camera and photo printer/scanner/ printer/copier from Costco. They are sold together in one box. Originally they were $229, but have a $30 instant rebate, taking them to $199. She was quite surprised and really loved it.

A nice gift for not too much money. Hope this helps.

By JJ

January 15, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

Theresa YOU are tearing up? What about me????? I cannot believe my BABY is turning 18, graduating from high school, and leaving for college, all in less than 8 months. And thanks for the ideas too. I like the idea of tubbin in NC, but we are doing Gatlinburg in April. The High is a great idea. I’ll run that one past her.

On average, when she isn’t working, we do spend alot of time together. I’m so glad we do, we have a great relationship.

Like I said, we usually go out of town, but this year, we are saving for her to get a car. Bless her heart, she is working two jobs and going to school, and putting ALOT of miles on my 10 year old vehicle.

liz Thanks for that idea too about the camera. She already has one.

I went through all this at Christmas when I was asking what she wanted. She has the camera, the computer, the cell phone, etc.

By Jesse's Girl

January 15, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this

Not even commenting on the birthday thing…..my oldest AND youngest have b-days back-to-back Monday and Tuesday. The tears started this morning…..

By Kate

January 15, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

I don’t know anything about removing wallpaper, but I have some unisex decorating suggestions! We had 2 girls and a boy growing up and my mom always had kind of a beach theme in our bathroom…lighthouses, fish, pictures of us on the beach as babies, etc. After my brother and I moved out to go to college my sister redid the shower area in rubber duckies. It was blue and yellow, but I think it was still really cute for both sexes. I just redid my guest/kid bathroom in penguins. Target has the cutest bath stuff! Here is a link to the penguin shower curtain…if you scroll down the page it has the matching stuff that goes with it. My stepdaughter is 10 and she loves it.

http://www.target.com/Penguins-Shower-Curtain/dp/B00113NWKA/qid=1232037084/ref=br114/192-9949816-8135631?ie=UTF8&node=14019121&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=14019121&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=5

By LM

January 15, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this

JJ I am right behind you by 18 months.

AS to the Birthday, when is her birthday, this month or in the next couple of months?

Have you thought of maybe going on a trail hike or ride, there are a lot of places that offer new riders to experienced riders a place to slow down and get back in snyc with nature and it is a lot of fun on the back of a horse.

Go camping for a weekend, just not when it is so cold.

She a show or a exhibit. Not sure if you into that but it can be fun.

A shopping day, okay she leaves for college next August, but start looking for dorm items she could use. My daughter stresses out if she has not gotten her school supplies early (like June). Mine loves to window shop and make plans.

Go antiquing, you don’t have to buy things, but just looking at the old stuff can be a lot of fun.

Take a class together, crafts, photography, cooking, building something.

By JJ

January 15, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

Great suggestions LM. The birthday is in about two weeks.

Traditionally, I’ve always checked her out of school the friday before her birthday and we usually went out of town, Helen, Gatlinburg, etc.

We went horseback riding one year, we have done the Atlanta touristy thing; Gatlinburg, etc.

Maybe dinner at Peachtree Plaza, and she can bring a friend. I think that would be fun. That’s something we have NEVER done.

By Becky

January 15, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this

JJ, pick a small town off the map & go site seeing..Eat at a small Mom & Pop place..Look in stores that are so cluttered that you can hardly walk thru them..

Give her a “coupon” book of things that she can cash in 2-3 months after her B’day..Go to Borders & read books to each other..

By DB

January 15, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

My daughter (the “While You Were Out” genius) turns 18 in April. We were discussing birthday ideas and she said that she really didn’t want a party — what she wanted was to go skydiving — with ME. ?!!!? Hey, I’m game! I had been thinking of getting her a flying lesson (they do introductory lessons), but she would rather jump out of a plane than fly it, so if you hear a loud “SPLAT!” in April, it’s probably me!

By JJ

January 15, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this

DB OH HELL NO. I aint jumping out of an airplane for no one!!!!!

I remember my 18th birthday. Legally, we could drink beer and wine at 18. My parents bought me my first 12 pack of beer, and allowed me to have a few 18 year old friends over.

My daughter says she wants to go “clubbing” with her friends. They can get into clubs at 18, but not drink until 21.

So maybe the car will be part of her birthday present.

By Becky

January 15, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

DB,good luck & better you than me..LOL

By Cammi317

January 15, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

Theresa I think an aquatic/under the sea theme would work for a unisex kids bathroom. It’s colorful and most children seem to love aquariums.

By Cammi317

January 15, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this

Theresa I think an aquatic/under the sea theme would work for a unisex kids bathroom. It’s colorful and most children seem to love aquariums.

By Theresa

January 15, 2009 12:56 PM | Link to this

I am currently leaning towards a lighting blue (in the aqua family called Sea Breath) background with those new vinyl stick on polka dots, picking up the colors of their rooms on the bathroom walls with the dots. However, I like the blue paint so much we may not need the dots. I did pick up at Target two bath fluffy rugs — bright clear blue with white dots and towels with pink accent on the bottom and toothbrush and soap dispenser in a clear acrylic blue — so that’s what I think I’m doing —- I started stripping the wallpaper last night and three-fourths came off in whole chunks — Now i’m down to the hard part - the steam must rise making the top easier to get off — they had more wallpaper underneath but it’s still very flat and prepped very well so I think I will prime that again and paint over that layer — I flipped back an edge and the underwall seems far less smooth than the layer of paper — The professional wallpaper lady painted over paper in Rose’s room so i think it should be ok but I’m not sure on the primer because it’s going over old primer —-

Also Walsh cried over the pink ribbons and flowers coming down —- I’m doing this change mainly for him and because large pieces were falling down and he’s the one upset about it — I don’t think he does well with change — He’s still asking about our red car we traded in two years ago when we got our minivan — he says “i miss that car.”

By Penguinmom

January 15, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

We did a fish theme in the bathroom shared by our 3 kids (2 boys and a girl). It’s been fine for 8 years or so.

We’ve used the wall paper scorer and never had a problem. I think she must have pushed too hard. It’s not supposed to be used with heavy pressure; just lightly running it over the paper worked for us.

Hope you have plans for someone to take care of your kids for the weekend. Bathrooms are small but with all the corners and having to get around toilets and bathtubs, they can be a bigger pain than a bedroom.

By Theresa

January 15, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

good point Penguin Mom!

By JJ

January 15, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

Penguinmom That’s funny. I remember my parents painting my bedroom when I was a kid. My brother and I both asked what we could do to help, and the reply was “go outside and play so you don’t get in the way”.

You didn’t have to tell us twice…..

By Becky

January 15, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this

JJ, whatever you do for/with her, I’m sure that she’ll love it..Tell her happy b’day from your blog family…

By new mom

January 15, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this

Hey everyone! JJ, have you and your daughter ever been to Chattanooga? Before our daughter came along, it was our favorite weekend getaway city. There’s a bed & breakfast there that was wonderful (at least it was, years ago) called the Mayor’s mansion. The city has so many fun things to do, the aquarium, an imax theater, restaurants, ruby falls is close…It’s just an idea!

As far as bathrooms go, we need to work on our daughter’s soon. It had been our guest bath, and even though it still is for guests, she uses it far more then they do! But we probably should wait a few more months, to find out if it needs to be a bathroom for two girls or a girl and a boy…. ;)

By Becky

January 15, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this

new mom, are you telling us something??

By new mom

January 15, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

Um, I guess I am! :) We’ve only known a couple of days, but I had to share it with my blog friends!

After going through everything we went through to finally have our daughter, it is just such a blessing to get to do it again!

By Georgia Girl

January 15, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

Hey! Congratulations, new mom! What wonderful news! So glad your little girl will get to experience being a big sister!

By Becky

January 15, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this

new mom, that is so wonderful..Congratulations…Looking forward to hearing about how the “baby” now feels about the new addition…

By JJ

January 15, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this

NewMom CONTRAGULATIONS!!!!

I am so excited for you. That means you are due what, September?

We will have to figure out how to have a Blog baby shower…….

Becky Thanks, I’ll pass the birthday wishes along.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas for her 18th.

Ya’ll have a great evening. I’m outta here……

By new mom

January 15, 2009 3:55 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Georgia Girl & Becky! We are thrilled :)

We think our newest one will be arriving right around our girl’s second birthday, so she’ll still be too young to realize what’s going on or (hopefully) get too jealous. I told here there’s a baby in mommy’s tummy, and she tries to lift up my shirt and wave at it! It’s so cute…Just as long as she doesn’t do it in public…

By Vicki

January 15, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this

Theresa -

Use your colors and add a dark color (like brown) and do vertical stripes. You can add sea shells and ocean art. That will last through their teens.

By new mom

January 15, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this

Thanks JJ! Didn’t see your post till I wrote mine!

By Theresa

January 15, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this

Hey New Mom — that is so great! Congratulations! rose and Walsh were 25 months apart so almost exactly what your two will be. I think that separation is really great for the kids. They are very close and there really wasn’t any jealousy because Rose was so little when he came. We have the best photo of her examining him in his car seat when he came home from the hospital. Rose had gotten a fever the day I went in so she never got to come to the hospital to see him so it was her very first time. Michael loves that photo. I think the closer age gap is harder on the mommy though. You pop out right away because you’re stomach muscles aren’t strong yet and it’s hard to be toilet training and nursing — Just don’t even start the toilet training unless she is really interested because she will revert when he/she comes. But then they are ready to do stuff togehter like go to Disney — Now Lilina is sooo far behind (4 years from Walsh and 6 from Rose) that it’s hard for us to do activities with all of them. the other two are ready and she is not. Keep us posted on how you are feeling!!

By motherjanegoose

January 15, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

newmom….WHOO HOO! I really missed the fireworks! Since your daughter’s birthday is on my birthday , do you want to shoot for my husband’s birthday…a week earlier…LOL!

I AM THRILLED FOR YOU AND KNOW HOW EXCITED YOU MUST BE!

Some folks like theirs close and some not…mine are 5 years apart and I love that arrangement. Ihad 5 years with my son and now have the same five years with my daughter, only at the end.

My sister’s are boys 16 months apart and they are very close but she has 2 in college at the same time and 2 who jumped on her insurance at once…WHEW.
She had a empty nest before me but it’s a good thing she has more money because they get expensive once they get to be teenagers. Her boys shared and sill do ONE CAR, I cannot see that happening around here in the metro but who knows!

Stay warm everyone!

By DB

January 15, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this

Woohoo!! Congrats, newmom! That’s wonderful news!

By Stacey

January 15, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this

Congratulations New Mom! I was in a meeting all afternoon and just now had a chance to check back in. Your news just warmed up this freezing cold day for your blog family!

By cofthenight

January 15, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this

DO NOT paint over the wallpaper. I have seen this done several times by people I know and it looks awful! You WILL see the seams! And I don’t see how you think you’ll get this done in one weekend with 3 kids! And I have bought “oops” paint from Home Depot… what a great deal if you get lucky and find colors you want!

By motherjanegoose

January 16, 2009 7:31 AM | Link to this

Went to the new Lowes in Suwanee, Ga yesterday and they had NO wallpaper books out. I asked the salesclerk and he had them somewhere and said that you could order but the newer stores did not allot space for them as in the past.

JJ was right…whooda thunk it…LOL! I like some wallpaper but I guess I am not in the latest home decor trend.

We had pink wallpaper with black poodles in the guest bath ( called the powder room) when I was a girl in the 1960’s I will never forget it….haha!

By jct

January 16, 2009 7:54 AM | Link to this

Congrats your news newmom. You and your husband must be very excited. Blessings to you and your family.

By Me thinks that New mom...

January 16, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this

…needs to update her online blog name! Her kid is now older than some of the “new” radion stations!

By motherjanegoose

January 16, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this

me thinks….if this is the best you can do today, your brain must be frozen….LOL. Leave newmom alone…that is her name and she can use it as long as she wants. Some nicknames stick with adults their entire lives!

By JJ

January 16, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this

I’ve painted over wallpaper twice now. In the kitchen I used Kilz first, no problems. In the bathroom, we just painted right over the wall paper, no Kilz.

The kitches does look textured, but I like it. You can putty up the seams.

By Jeff

January 16, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this

Congrats newmom!

I’m coming to some conclusions about some things that have recently been happening, but I’ll wait till next week to discuss here so that I don’t rain on your parade. If anyone knows my email and wants to know now, feel free to email.

By JJ

January 16, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this

MotherJane Did you like the new Lowe’s in Suwanee? I haven’t been inside just yet, but it sure it pretty on the outside.

By new mom

January 16, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this

Thanks again everyone, y’all are so sweet!

Theresa, I have been wondering about the popping. It seems like the preliminary fat-roll has appeared earlier than last time!

Jeff, I hope everything is OK with you. If you need to talk about something, I can share my parade with you. I have nine months of ups and downs that I’m sure everyone will tire of hearing about!

And I have wondered about my ‘name’. But then, if I changed it, who would know it’s me? ;)

By Jeff

January 16, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this

Suffice it to say that my news is in the same vein as yours but not as positive. (And right now it is simply a strong suspicion that I still need confirmation of.)

southwestgalibertarian@gmail.com or ajc_jeff@yahoo.com (I don’t check the yahoo address as much anymore)

By JJ

January 16, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

Give it up Jeff!!! Is T pregnant or not? Don’t leave us hanging over the weekend. There’s enough love in this blog for two pregnant mammas…

By Jeff

January 16, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this

JJ:

Quite the opposite actually.

Since I’ve already told newmom privately, I guess I’ll go ahead and say it here:

If what I suspect is happening is actually happening, soon T and I will not be able to have a child of our own. I could be wrong, and I’ve been proven wrong on many things many times before and DESPERATELY hope I am now, but based on the information that I have it is the most likely conclusion to draw. I keep telling T she needs to go to the doc and she keeps refusing, because deep down she shares this fear. One way or the other though, I need to know.

By JJ

January 16, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this

Jeff I’m sorry to hear that, and I sincerely hope it is not a medical condition for either of you.

Get T to the doctor if you have to drag her ASAP. You MUST keep up your health, and nip ANYTHING in the bud as early as possible.

Had I not gone to an Internist last January for a physical, I would never have known about my extremely high calcium levels. Left untreated, I could have suffered kidney disease later on down the road. I didn’t tell my blog family I had to have a second surgery two weeks before Christmas. They removed 2 glands in July and had to go back and take out 1.2 of the remaining two glands. Had I not gone to the doctor, I would have never known, but we got it, and I’m healthy!!!

YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR WIFE’S TOO. You two are young enough. And you won’t know for certain until you are told by a doctor.

Please, please, please get her to a doctor. I cannot tell you how important it is to take care of ourselves.

And you know you have our love and support.

By Jeff

January 16, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this

JJ:

It is a medical condition, but one that it may be too late to prevent. Briefly: She had a surgery two years ago shortly after we first met that went far worse than we thought it would.

She is presenting with the same symptoms now. (Few systems specific to females - and specifically, that are REQUIRED to produce a baby - have two of the same thing, so I’m assuming y’all can guess what happened - and what I fear is happening again.)

By new step mom

January 16, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

Congrats newmom!!! I hope to be sharing similar news in the not too distant future.

Jeff, I have had a myriad of female probs and will email you the name of my physician. She is fabulous. Get your wife there if you can.

I have peeled wallpaper and painted over it and find it easier to paint over. Also, Sherwin Williams has a product called Pro-Block that is much like Liz and has no odor. I have used it frequently.

By new step mom

January 16, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

I somehow wrote Liz when I meant Kilz. Sorry for the weird post.

By Brooke

January 16, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this

Congrats newmom!

By FCM

January 16, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

WOOO HOOOO New Mom will be New Mom again!!! “Theresa, I have been wondering about the popping. It seems like the preliminary fat-roll has appeared earlier than last time!

” I am not Theresa…but this is normal. First time around your tummy hadn’t been ‘stretched’ so the muscles faught it different. Even if you went back to a flat tummy after baby girl, the muscle ‘memory’ is there so stetching again is not as difficult. Don’t be surprised if you feel the ‘fluttering’ earlier too….somewhere deep in your psych is buried the memory of what that is so it is likely you will recognize it faster.

Jeff—-get T to Doc. What is worse her health going down so that she is not the wife to you she wants to be or never having a baby. Just remind her that she is going to be loved and cherished whether she is a Mom or not…..she may be one of those ladies who feels that if they cannot have a baby they are not really a ‘whole’ woman….reassure her of your love and that her baby making skills are not why you fell for her or asked to share your life with her. I will keep ya in my prayers.

Thanks to everyone about the natural cleaners…poor kid hasn’t got an ‘out’ now.

MJG—-thought you would like to know I took President’s Day off (just like I do most school holidays) to spend time with my kids (rather than ship them to day camp)…but I still think the school would do better to hold class that day. I think on this kind of thing we just have to agree we don’t agree. I still like hearing from you.

By Becky

January 16, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this

Jeff, I can only agree with what JJ said..PLEASE get T to a Dr. If you really want chidren, do whatever you can now to make it happen, if it’s at all possible..

I have a niece right now that is pregnant for the 3rd time in less than a year (miscarried 2)..I hate for anyone to go through that, so please drag her by the hair if need be..LOL

By DB

January 16, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this

@Jeff, I pray that you and T can find a way to deal with the problems you face. Drag the girl to the doctor — better to face your fears and deal with them, than to let them fester. Make the appointment for her, pick her up, throw her over your shoulder and take her, if you have to. Fear can be paralyzing, but action is needed, here. Please know that our prayers are with you both.

By JJ

January 16, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

Amen DB!!!

By Michelle

January 16, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

Theresa-we used a steamer to remove the wallpaper…worked like a dream! However, it’s a $$ saving issue, I’d try hot water and plain old dishwashing soap! It does have to soak in though to loosen up the glue!

JJ-Something that I think would be absolutely beatufil for your daughter is this (but you better start now or you’ll never get done)…get a journal and start from when you found out you were pregnant. Tell her how you felt, how it was being pregant, your hopes/fears for her. Then progress through all the things you can remember about her childhood, your love for her, the things she has done to make you proud, scared, embarrassed, etc. As she goes off to college, I can guarantee this will be a most cherished gift for the rest of her life. You could even add a few special pictures to the pages to emphasize a point! I know it hard to pack 18 years into 2 weeks, but if you start now…. LOL!!

Newmom-congrats to you! Even though you been here once before, I hear each pregnancy is different! Good luck!

Jeff-Get T to a doctor for any testing/confirmation. Sometimes there are some conditions that “mimic” others. Something to keep in mind, being a mother doesn’t require you to be pregnant first! It’s easy for all of us to say “relax” but unless you are experiencing it firsthand, it is just not the same. However, it does make things go much easier when you don’t focus on it all the time. Until you face the fear or reality head on, you will never move past it. You will be stuck in a rut of “wondering & worrying.” Just make sure that she knows having a baby with her is not why you married her! You loved her long before and will long after!

By Clotheschic

January 16, 2009 1:22 PM | Link to this

My friend just redecorated her second bathroom with a cute jungle theme that she got at Kohl’s. Her daughter loved it and it will work well for a boy too. Her bathroom also had a very girly butterfly theme when she bought the house. She kept this when she was single and also when she had her first child because it was a girl. But when she decided to have another child, they decided to redo the bathroom gender neutral. It’s a good thing too, because she got pregnant a few weeks later and just found out that she is having a boy.

By new mom

January 16, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this

Jeff, sounds like the ladies have spoken! :)

I understand how T feels though, after our years of trying, I almost didn’t want to face a doctor and possibly hear bad news. But for me, going to a specialist (finally!) was the best thing, I had apparently had endometriosis all my life and had never been diagnosed, and it was a relief to at least KNOW.

And what several have said is really true—being a mommy and daddy can happen many ways, and it sounds like both you and T need to be reminded of this. We were at a point when we thought pregnancy would never happen for us, and considered adoption. At that time it wasn’t what we decided to pursue, but I know that I would not be any less of a mommy if our child(ren) were adopted. My cousin just had a baby, and holding a newborn in your arms is just heart-melting. Even though she wasn’t my daughter, I fell in love with her!

By Jeff

January 16, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the support and advice ladies.

Honestly, when I first suspected what was going on, I started looking at adoption. T and I both want to be parents, and if this is the only way then so be it. It actually is something that I had thought about for years, simply because there is so much in my genes that I’d rather not pass on.

It just sucks that it may actually come down to it.

By JJ

January 16, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this

Michelle That is an EXCELLENT idea.

However, I have beaten you to the punch. Every year on her birthday, we pull out her baby calendar. You know, the one with all the “Firsts”, and milestones, etc.

We sit in the living room and read what I wrote on certain days. At the end of every month, there was a little comments section. I always wrote her a little letter at the end of every month about how she had changed and what was going on in my world. (It’s always just been the two of us).

My father wrote me a letter on my 18th birthday, and my Mom still has it (Dad died 16 years ago, my parents were married 40 years). I haven’t read it lately, because I can’t get through it without crying (I’m getting misty just thinking about it).

Maybe I can come up with something like you suggested in the next two weeks. Thanks.

By JJ

January 16, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this

Jeff There are SO Many kids who need loving homes. Kids of ALL ages.

Putting a child up for adoption is probably the hardest decision ANYONE has ever had to make, but it is done out of pure selflessness, in order to give that child a better life.

Love is love when it comes to a child. Whether that child is of your body and genes or someone elses, makes no difference. You will love the child you are given.

Surrogates are very popular, and you get to know the Mother and go through everything with her. You can be present at the birth too. Just be very careful.

If you do decide to adopt, please don’t go to a foreign country. We have plenty of children here in America, and Atlanta, who need good loving homes.

You are only a newlywed, and you have plenty of time to explore other options.

But, in the meantime, get T taken care of, and get her healthy so she can be a healthy Mom (and wife) for your children.

The best thing a man can do for his children, is to love their mother.

By Grayer

January 16, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this

Jeff, I also encourage you to get T to a doctor sooner rather than later.

Your story (and new mom’s) strikes a chord with me. After 5 years of trying to conceive and my regular OB/GYN being unable to find any issues with me or my husband I finally visited a specialist. He told me at the first visit he suspected endometriosis and I had a lap procedure done in November which confirmed his suspicions and he diagnosed stage 4 endo. I even had to have my appendix out due to the severity of the problem! Even though we still have not conceived, it is a big relief to finally know what our issue is and why all of the other treatments weren’t working. My biggest regret is that I didn’t go to a specialist sooner. I feel like we spent 5 years spinning our wheels and being disappointed each month and not knowing why. Get T to a doctor!

By motherjanegoose

January 16, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this

Wow…I just got home… Jeff…you and T are in my prayers… FCM…WE do not even have President’s Day off in Gwinnett County Ga. What is up with that? I made my daughter an appt. for getting her braces OFF ( hoorah) thinking she was off of school and she is not. Guess she will go after the appointment.

The new Lowes is nice. I am not a home improvement shopper so my opinion may not count but a lady walked in after me and laughingly said, ” I live here…” So maybe that is validating? Stay warm…

By new mom

January 16, 2009 5:39 PM | Link to this

Grayer, our stories have a lot in common!

I was diagnosed w/ stage 3 endo after my lap, but they couldn’t remove all of the endo that was behind my uterus (due to the risk of damaging it!) So I was then placed on a horomone treatment, lupron depot, which was HORRIBLE. It lasted three months and basically forces your body into early menopause. I begged for another surgery instead! We won’t know if that ever really worked, because it took nearly two more years to get pregnant.

As difficult as infertility is, I have learned things along the way that I now wouldn’t trade anything for. I know nearly everyone cherishes their children, but for us, we have a level of appreciation that, I think, only comes from not having something for so long! As painful as it can be, I often let myself remember the days when I was at my lowest. The days when I couldn’t hardly get out of bed because another procedure hadn’t worked, and I couldn’t stop crying. Those low points make even my most difficult parenting moment complete joy! :)

The one thing I’d like to express to those who might be trying to become parents, is to not give up. There were many, many times when we were told it wouldn’t happen, or that we shouldn’t get our hopes up. I know it doesn’t always work out for everyone the way it did for us, but I was always encouraged when I heard about others who had gone through what we had, and had come out on the other side as parents.

Have a great weekend, everyone! :)

By catlady

January 16, 2009 7:52 PM | Link to this

Jeff, I am one of quite a few people who were told they’d likely never have their own biological babies. Wrong! Times 3. So, first get the problem named, if there is one. Then find out what the options are. Then, realize that there can be mistakes made in diagnosis and pronosis. Decide on the steps you want to take first, recognizing that God may have a surprise for you.

To get to any place, you have to take the steps that go in that direction. As a computer programmer, you know that. T will feel better once she gets over the inertia of fear. Pry her fingers off the steering wheel and get going. Do it, in all ways, as a couple.