IconBaby update! One giant pic:

[iconoclastic cat]

Hello everyone! Thanks for all the well-wishes! I'm just stopping at home to feed the cats and clean up around here, but I'm emailing this pic to my family and friends, yourselves included. Here is Iconcolastic Baby, about 20 minutes after she was born:



When I asked IconBaby what she guessed Tom "I'm Shocked!" Delay was doing right now, she immediately responded by needing a diaper change.

By the way, do any DU parents have a favorite way to calm a fussing baby at 3AM? I'm "series" </DUgeekjoke> in this request.

Gotta go! I'll check in tomorrow.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. She is gorgeous. Congratulations.

Make sure she isn't hungry or wet and then rock her in a darkened room. That will usually do the trick.

[bicentennial_baby]

2. awwwww...congratulations!!

:toast:

i want one! :bounce: sooo cute!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

3. Wow. That is hugh! I am series!

[Bullwinkle925]

4. Goodness - she has the very same look on her face that I have whenever

I see BushCo (ANY of 'em).....


What a cutie-patootie. Congratulations.


:toast:

[flamingyouth]

5. She's beautiful! Congrats to you!

:hug:

[Arugula Latte]

6. Welcome, Baby!

And congratulations to the proud parents!

[redqueen]

7. Awwww... look at all that face!

She looks so mad! Those mean, nasty nurses... bothering her like that.

Congrats again, IC... what always worked for me was holding her snugly against my chest and singing softly. I sang the same song throughout the pregnancy, and it usually worked like a charm.

[BikeWriter]

8. AAAAAAAAWWWWW! One word of advice...

Hold that lil' critter and have a little talk with her. Tell her you love her more than life and vow to tell her you love her every time you touch her or talk to her. Repeat often! :)

[jane_pippin]

9. Oh, what a sweetie--looks like she knows more about this world than we do

Congratulations to you, and happy birthday Iconbaby!

:hug:

[MissMillie]

10. Sing to that beautiful baby

low and sweet. It doesn't matter what you sing as long as your voice is soothing. (I've been known to do a muzak version of Inna-gadda-da-vida.)

Low heating pad on the tummy, and holding her up on your shoulder.

But singing... for sure.

[fleabert]

11. Beautiful baby!

congrats!

I highly recommend co-sleeping/ family bed and breastfeeding for a less fussy baby. Dr. Sears is a great resource if you want to get some great help in these areas, and really ANY information about childcare. If co-sleeping isn't for you, there is plenty of info offered in his books that is awesome.

I also recommend HIGHLY getting a sling. they take a little practice, but are a godsend for getting anything done with an infant/toddler. Here is my favorite and some others. I do not recommend the front carriers sold at major baby stores- totally different animal from slings.

www.mayawrap.com
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sling.html (resource for questions and suppliers)

http://store.peppermint.com/ multiple suppliers.

and here is a pic of me with a baby in a sling, this was my postpartum doula clients baby- she started in the sling at one month old and LOVED IT. (not immediately, took some practice) (I'd be happy to help with any questions you might have, just pm me!)



I have a better one, where her full weight is in the sling, but I can't find it. I picked her up a bit to get her to look at the camera...but you get the idea. I routinely loaded the dishwasher, swept the floor, etc.. while the baby slept in the sling. Mom and baby both got a nap, and I got chores done!

[BikeWriter]

14. Damn, you're beautiful, Lady. That picture is maternal to the nth power.

:)

[fleabert]

15. :smooches: you are sweet!

it is way past time for me to have my own. I have cared for other people's babies long enough, and seen enough births to know it is my time.

The day I find out I am pg, DU will never hear the end of it. I promise to behave as if I am the first women to ever concieve a child and go thru pregnancy. Expect plenty of belly pics, at least one a month!

(anyone who wishes to can send me fertility vibes) :-)

[BikeWriter]

18. You would probably believe this. My Sister...

had had cysts on her ovaries during her teen years and had difficulty conceiving. They tried all sorts of advice and schedules. After about ten years of their trying my Dad told her to take a pair of his khaki pants and hang them on a post at the foot of their bed.
Within a couple of months she was pg. Dad knew she had supreme faith in anything he told her. That was their only child. :)

[fleabert]

19. that is awesome... can you send me the pants?

:rofl:













no, seriously, can you send me the pants?

[BikeWriter]

22. ROFL! No, but I could send you a pair of mine.

:rofl:

[fleabert]

24. if you think it would help...

I've warned the dh that if things don't happen soon, I'm going to start an auction on ebay or start hitting up his friends...

[BikeWriter]

28. I'm firmly convinced a woman's mental state is vital to the process...

Stress, tension, and fear may be a natural birth control. After seeing your picture in this thread I can easily visualize you preggers. You adore children, it's in your eyes. :)

[fleabert]

30. I have always thought you were brilliant...now I am certain!

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

42. I love you, Sweety. You are a Doll.

:hug: I predict you and your husband will reproduce soon. If not, we will devote more time and energy to the project. :-)

[SoCalDem]

53. couch medicine with guiafenessin (sp)..

I read an obscure article about it once..a friend who had major fertility problems, said "Hey why not try it".. 2 months later she was pregnant :shrug:

She cracked: "We spent thousand of dollars and many tearful nights and in the end a $5 bottle of cough syrup "may" have worked"..

[LynzM]

12. I second Fleabert's suggestions!

As well, you can look into the 5 s's... shusshing, swaddling, sucking, swaying, and something else I forgot. But also realize, sometimes you do all you can, and it's not enough. You will get through those times, as well :hug: Peace and congratulations to you all!

[LaraMN]

13. Vacuum cleaner, if all else fails! The above suggestions are great, tho.

My first was colicky and no amount of holding, rocking, feeding, etc. helped, but if we walked around the apartment with him in a front pack and vacuumed, he would stop crying.

[fleabert]

17. it's either singing or swinging, I think....

and your suggestions are awesome! proper swaddling can do wonders for when baby gets startled easily. some startle more than others, but they all do it at least a bit. The sling helps with that too, I cannot say enough good things about slings. It is my standard baby shower gift.

[LynzM]

20. Same here!

Our daughter has spent more hours in the sling... :) It definitely can be awkward with a newborn, but it's a skill well worth acquiring. FB, I wish you were nearby so we could hang out, dude!

[fleabert]

23. anytime you are in NorCal, let me know!

I feel the same way about you!

:hug:

[LynzM]

25. Cool, will do

I haven't been out to California since I was too long to remember... but I'm starting to know enough people out there that I'm going to need to plan a big 'ol adventure! :bounce:

[Arugula Latte]

35. Our kids slept with us 'til they were toddlers

I don't see why this society makes such a big deal about the importance of babies to sleep on their own. A baby in the wild would never be left alone. Why not let them feel secure? Plus, there's none of that get-out-of-bed stuff; I just pulled my babies over, let 'em feed, and we all drifted back to sleep.

I have lots of warm memories of snuggling with my kids that I wouldn't trade for memories of letting them "cry it out" in a crib for anything in the world.

Today they are confident, well adjusted kids who have no problems sleeping in their own beds.

[fleabert]

38. the majority of families that co-sleep have experiences like yours...

it's usually the minority who are louder, and usually don't fully practice attachment parenting on all levels who have the most problems with the family bed.

around the world, the majority of families co-sleep, it is only in the west and western-ized societies that this has become so controversial. Historically, we all co-slept for safety and warmth. The advent of disposable wealth in the Victorian times started the idea of a separate room for children, before that, it was considered crazy to think of building a larger home just to have a room for kids.

that said, co-sleeping is not for everyone, and I support any family not choosing to do so if it doesn't jive with their idea of what works for them. I just wish that more families would consider it fully, with a fair bit of research into it...before making that judgement. :-)

[fleabert]

16. here's a pic of a daddy using a sling!

newborn to about 35 lbs is the life of a sling!

(this is from the peppermint link I posted...)

[greatauntoftriplets]

21. She's beautiful!!!!

When was she born, what does she weigh? Congratulations.

[Pithlet]

26. Congratulations!

She's beautiful.

Lots of great suggestions already. Swaddling really did help with my secondborn, who was very colicky the first couple of months, but even so, sometimes nothing worked and we just had to get though it. If your little one turns out colicky, just remind yourself that it only lasts a short time. You'll do great!

[fudge stripe cookays]

27. Congrats icon dad!

She's a cutie (it's those pink ears!)

FSC

[radwriter0555]

29. At 3am all they want is a warm bottle or a dry bottom and a cozy cuddle...

not a lot they can get upset about at that age!

Congrats, lovely liberal you have there! Well DONE!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. Congrats on your beautiful new daughter!

Newborns are so miraculous.......

I know you will love and protect her all her days.....such a cutie pie......

:grouphug: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Cathyclysmic]

32. awww!

Congrats!

I love the look on her face. It really just says 'Get me out of this damn hospital!'

My mom and dad said I was a fussy night owl. They used to put me in my car seat and drive me around the neighborhood until I fell asleep. I'm Seris!11! Later on, I guess they realized they could have the same effect by putting my car seat on top of the dishwasher while it ran at night. Slept like the proverbial baby.

Good Luck!

[BigMcLargehuge]

33. congratulations!

I love the "get that goddamn camera the hell away from me" Lawrence Tierney face she has in the picture. :)

Good luck with the new baby! Learn to live without sleep!

[miss_kitty]

34. Cutie pie!

She looks like she's wondering WHY you would bring up Tom 'Must be motivated by partisan politics' Delay at such a beatiful moment. I'm glad she's already forming the appropriate opinions on politics in a demonstrative fashion.

Congrats on a fabulous baby!

[bertha katzenengel]

36. Awww, look at her! Isn't she precious!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

[u4ic]

37. She is GORGEOUS!

:loveya:

Congrats to you and Mrs ICat! :bounce: :toast: :bounce:

[Dastard Stepchild]

39. Wonderful... a very healthy little girl!!

Congrats!!! :toast:

[5thGenDemocrat]

40. Polly (mom of one, grandma of two) says

Put a little rice cereal in the formula. She'll suck it right down and sleep and sleep.
John (and Polly)
Cute baby. Good luck from Saginaw.

[nicknameless]

41. YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!

What a beautiful baby!!! Congratulations! Hope Mrs. IconCat is finally getting some rest. :)

I'll chime in with those recommending singing and the sound of a motor, such as a vacuum cleaner. There used to be a teddy bear on the market that was designed to make womb sounds. Sounded to me like a dishwasher :D

I did know a new mom who could best get her baby to sleep by vacuuming. She figured out later to make a tape of the sound and just ran that.

They like what's familiar, it seems. The womb is a tight, snuggly environment, so many babies want to be wrapped tightly. Slings sound like they'd work great. The baby gets lots of familiar closeness too.
Motion they felt in the womb: rocking, swaying, etc.
Sounds they heard: whatever reminds them of the womb. Plus your voice. Singing is very soothing.

I'm so happy for you! Great times ahead!

:toast: :toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast:

[Ksec]

43. Babies are cool and they cry alot

I once had two of them. Now they are teenagers . Trust me here Iconoclast. That crying is a cakewalk compared to the tribulations coming in the following years.

So be happy, sing to yer baby. Youll miss these days when they grow up.

[Whoa_Nelly]

44. Congrats! on you new little one!...and check out this book

Just got this one for my DIL...and read it before giving it to her...it IS a great book full of common sense and great advice and method:
http://tinyurl.com/7sgqy

The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night


ANOTHER SITE THAT HAS THIS BOOK:
http://www.enotalone.com/books/0071381392.htmlEditorial Reviews

Book Description

A breakthrough approach for a good night's sleep--with no tears

There are two schools of thought for encouraging babies to sleep through the night: the hotly debated Ferber technique of letting the baby "cry it out," or the grin-and-bear-it solution of getting up from dusk to dawn as often as necessary. If you don't believe in letting your baby cry it out, but desperately want to sleep, there is now a third option, presented in Elizabeth Pantley's sanity-saving book The No-Cry Sleep Solution.

Pantley's successful solution has been tested and proven effective by scores of mothers and their babies from across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Based on her research, Pantley's guide provides you with effective strategies to overcoming naptime and nighttime problems. The No-Cry Sleep Solution offers clearly explained, step-by-step ideas that steer your little ones toward a good night's sleep--all with no crying.

Tips from The No-Cry Sleep Solution:

Uncover the stumbling blocks that prevent baby from sleeping through the night
Determine--and work with--baby's biological sleep rhythms
Create a customized, step-by-step plan to get baby to sleep through the night
Use the Persistent Gentle Removal System to teach baby to fall asleep without breast-feeding, bottlefeeding, or using a pacifier

[Left Is Write]

45. Well....my way of calming a fussy baby at 3:00AM...

was to offer her the boob. :)

Congratulations on your new addition!

[deadparrot]

46. Kick for great news and a beautiful, healthy baby!

Hope she's not too colicky. :)

[iconoclastic cat]

48. No, she's not colicy yet... n/t

[iconoclastic cat]

47. Thanks, everyone!

And let me just say: this is more work than I had anticipated--and she's definitely a genius.

[KitchenWitch]

49. Get a baby swing

the rhythmic motion soothes them....

The look on her face is priceless...:)

[iconoclastic cat]

50. How about this one:

That was earlier today.

BTW, we had one of those swings on the baby registry, but nobody bought one. We need to go get one tomorrow.

Right now, she is swaddled and snoozing in my lap in a "milk coma." This is one of the few times I've been able to relax all day. Despite the fact that she sleeps all day, I have only slept fifteen hours since Tuesday morning--and yet, I am totally wired right now. Go figure.

[KitchenWitch]

51. They are so beautiful when they sleep

not that they are not when they are awake, but there is such a peace that shows in their faces while sleeping!

She is gorgeous...

[tigereye]

59. oh, so precious!

you are making me sniffle... mine is now 9 and 1/2. It is pretty crazy and exhausting at first, let people help you and sleep when the baby sleeps. My son did the 12-3 am crying thing for a while.... I still remember how he started to wail at midnight the very first night and how stunned we were. :)

I used to put the carrier on top of the running dryer or carry it around rocking it when he was colicky. I agree with the sling, I think they relax most when they are close to you. I loved the sling, so handy and easy.

Have fun.

[wiley]

52. Beautiful Young One

:bounce:

[auntAgonist]

54. Heartiest congratulations

from our house to yours! May she enjoy good health, love and much happiness all the days of her life.

start saving now for that big wedding :) j/k.

aA

[MrScorpio]

55. Oh, you had Truman Capote... Just in time for the movie

Congratulations on the birth of your little doll

[auntAgonist]

56. How about some stats? weight, length, etc ..

have you chosen a name?

:)

[ofrfxsk]

57. Beautiful baby!

The look on her face is just priceless in the first photo. She looks like OMG! What the hell just happened? Put me back!!
The second photo looks like she's accepted the whole life thing just fine.
I'm sure you'll make great parents. You're very lucky...she's healthy & gorgeous. Best of luck to you all.

:loveya:

[henslee]

58. Hello Newman. (bad joke) but the look on her face....

congrats.