new orleans bound

Do you have a copy of that approval? If so, you should be OK but please do consult an immigration attorney when you have a complicated case.

I have a copy of the 601 waiver approval. And I really don't want to use an immigration attorney as they really bleed us dry with the I130 application and waiver application (that i did all the work on) there's got to be an easier way to get my documentation.

Hello fello VJ members. I desperately need help. It's that time, I can file for Naturalization, however I have a huge problem. On question 16 where it asks if you have ever been arrested, cited or detained by any law enforcement officer including USCIS etc--- I have. My problem is: that I was previously detained by USCIS and got a 3 year ban for changing jobs and waiting too long to change TN Visa. So I filed a 601 Waiver and it was approved however I do not have any of the supporting documentation that I received at the border. What am I suppose to do??? I tried contacting the Detroit office but I'm getting now where. What now? HELP.

SC&TF,

I'm high jacking the thread for a moment. I notice by you time line that you filed for your naturalization a year after receiving your greencard. My understanding was that you had to have your greencard for three years before applying? Can you steer me in the right direction-where you got your inforamtion. I already downloaded all the naturalization forms and the literature stated that one needs to have their greencard for 3 years prior to filing. Am I misinformed, or did I just read it worng? Thanks

I gave him teething tablets and he was able to eat half a pack of ramen noodles. He wont drink from a cup but I let him drink 6 half frozen freezepops. I know its disgusting but I didnt know what else to do. He has had 3 pee diapers since this morning and the fever has been down with motrin/tylenol.

Stef, Im thinking its hand/foot/mouth now. Zaids feet broke out in a rash. I know the viruses are very similar, I just hope it clears up soon.

On a good note, got my labs back today. Pap, Ultrasound, and Labs are perfect, baby is measuring exactly as I thought. 7 weeks now. so exciting

My daughter had the same thing- I think it's called mouth and foot disease. It's a viral thing and goes away on it's on. I had to take her to the ER when she came down with it. The mouth blisters are the worst. She wasn't eating nor drinking. The ER doctor gave us a prescription for lidocaine viscous. It numbed her mouth and she was able to drink and as the blisters decreased in size she started to eat. I think it took about 6 days for it to clear.

I'm wondering if any of you moms can help me. I'm having a problem with my toddler, she's 19 months now. My daughter hasn't always been a good sleeper but I was able to get her to sleep in her crib for most of the night. She'd wake up once or twice during the night but go back to sleep. Now she's waking up every two-three hours screaming. Not a whine but screaming at the top of her lungs and nothing is working to comfort her. I'm finding that she's waking every two three hours and screaming at the top of her lungs. Nothing is working to comfort her. I'm getting to my breaking point. I'm getting less sleep now than when she was an infant. I'm wondering if she could be having night terrors. Anyone had/have this problem? Any suggestions. Insight?

Hi, guys -

Quick q for those that have gone through it. How long did it take from sending off your application to your American-born baby receiving their Canadian citizenship card?

We sent ours in sometime in mid-September. The website says it takes roughly 12-13 months? Is that right?

Merci!

I applied for my daughter's Canadian Citizenship card January 2009 and she finally got it the end of November 2009. So it took us 11 months and I used my Canadian address. That might have sped it up but not by much. When I was home in August and called the citizenship office in Sydney they told me that in August they were still processing Decemeber 2008 applications. Good luck.

ANy of you who have applied for canadian citizenship for your children-has the paper work been approved? How long did you have to wait or are you still waiting. I mailed off my paperwork in January of 2009 and still haven't heard a thing. Starting to get worried now cause I need to get the baby a SIN number ASAP.

Babies don't work by the book so I wouldn't necessarily listen to that. Allie didn't roll over until last week, some kids do that by 3 months. Adam still doesn't talk much, some talk at 12 months etc etc.

Your baby is ready, whenever it is ready. I doubt that Allie will sit by six months and there's not hurry. Some kids don't sit up unassisted until 8 months, some never crawl.

Anyway, Adam sat up at around 6 months and he started crawling by 8 months and cruising around a week after crawling. He walked by 12 months.

exactly - the books are just very very general guides. for example , my son walked at 10 months and my daughter at 14. My son only crawled for like a week or 2 before he was up and about but my daughter crawled for months and months before she bothered to work on the walking...

I do have a little trick I learned from my mom for the sitting up though, line a laundry basket with a nice blanket and put a couple of toys in it then put baby in with her back against the side of the basket, its a perfect size to keep her propped up and my kids held on to the little holes in the sides too. also a walker or bouncer is a good way to help them strengthen those core muscles and still have a lot of support. but dont worry, once they get crawling and walking you will find yourself missing the days when they were still stationary

Thanks Sara, That's a great idea and I'll give that a try.

I know I'm 4 days late but Happy Belated birthday Kavi!

I think Kristen's comment about sums it all up! this is too cute!

Quick question for the mommie with kids. When did your baby sit uo by themselves and start to crawl. Mine's 6 months old today and I got a monthly news letter form a parenting site that said the baby should be starting to crawl and sit up by herself. She's not at either of those mildstones. When did your baby sit up by them selves unassissted and crawl? I'm wondering if I should be worried. Probably not, but this is the 3rd news letter I got about mild stones that mine has yet to do.

Hi y'all... Was lurking in the old thread before, and just thought that I'd say hello here your babies are adorable!

Anyhoo, tomorrow is my medical, part 2... Part 2 coz i am told to wait for my period to come or else do urine test (the doc even gave me a take home bottle for tomorrow morning to bring in!) to see if im preggers or not... Me and hubby hoping that Im not yet, as we're not sure how this will affect our plan of me going there soon... And my interview is on Tuesday to boot. I know that they have these protective gear to cover the tummy area during Xray, not sure how i feel about that tho... And I dunno if they will allow me to get the visa without completing my vaccinations... I'm excited as this (if it is to be) is our first baby, but we've been married 9 months and we're almost there.. After all these months of waiting, I dont want to have to go through pregnancy away from my hubby... Do you think they can waive the vaccines for CR1s cases too?

I was pregnant when I had to redo my medical and the vaccination requirements had changed. The doctor ticked off that they were refused due to pregnancy and all was well during interview.

Hi NewOrleansBound,

Thanks for your reply. Good luck on getting your baby's Canadian Citizenship Certificate soon, in the 6 month timeframe that they said you would receive it in. I agree, that you shouldn’t have to pay extra for a Citizenship Certificate for your baby, nor should you have to wait that long for it. Oh well, it could be worse though, as there are other immigration processes in Canada and in the USA that costs more money, have a longer waiting time, and are even more completed to complete. So in that sense, for your baby to get Canadian Citizenship Certificate is the best way to go for them to have Canadian Citizenship.

As for your parents’ education fund for your baby, have you also considered asking them to get an American education fund instead or in addition to the Canadian one, as your baby is living here in the USA now, and more likely than not will study here in the USA in the future too? As well, you might not have to worry about it as much later on down the road if you get an American education fund, for example, in converting Canadian funds to American funds or whether or not the school will accept those funds as forms of tuition payment.

Good luck with your baby’s Canadian Citizenship and good luck with the rest of your US immigration journey too.

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC, Still waiting for Baby…)

I haven't been waiting all that long. I sent of the paperwork this week. I was told it would be around 6 months. I personally feel that we shouldn't have to go through all of this but the government needs to get their $$$ out of us. I need a citizenship certificate inorder to get a SIN number for the baby. My parents have started and education fund and I have a year from the time they open the account to get a SIN number or less my parnets lose the funds. Yikes. That's why I have my fingers crossed and have said a few prayers.

i hope for her to study in canada

@CSK: I hope you get good news on Kavi's head today. Good luck.

@Nessa: Our ped said that co-sleeping reduces the risk of SIDS because baby doesn't go into that very deep sleep but is always a little aroused to smell mommy or daddy so they're always halfway awake but still asleep. I didn't want Eric to sleep in a bed with Allie but he is doing surprisingly well. He won't get near her and slept on 4 inches at the edge of the bed so that she and me have more room. We had both kids sleep in their beds at around 3 or 4 months. first, they move a lot or want to nurse all night when they smell the milk right there. I can't stand that because then I don't sleep very good but wake up every 10 minutes and second, they move a whole lot, which again, woke me up all the time. Allie wnats to sleep alone anyway. There's no way she'd take a nap in the carrier, a sing, the couch etc. She wants to be in her bed, stick her thumb in her mouth, stare at the wall and eventually go off to sleep. She's weird like that.

oh my god eveline you are so lucky. if only my monster did that. i'd be in heaven! sleep by herself-what a laugh.

I've done the distraction thing. I even have a carrier. I guess I'm just so tired of her being so needy. I'm probably stressing out about this way too much but I just wish I could get her to amuse herself and allow me to do a few things without having her attached to my hip.

I'm visiting my parents and it's so cold here right now it makes it difficult to take her anywhere. The closet neighbour has a 9 year old in school and the other neighbour has two little ones but they're never home. I wish there was a mommy and me play group but there isn't. Oh well, I guess I stuck with misss whiny untill we get home and than daddy can take over.

Looking for help what do you do when all your baby wants to do is be held? I try to get her to play with her toys, her exerciser, gym mat, sit in her bumbo chair, jolly jumper. They only work for a few minutes and than she starts crying. There are times she really works herself into a states. She gets all sweaty and red in the face. What am I suppose to do. At 5 months my baby is more clingy than at birth. Help.

We're going home today! Yea! The babies passed their car seat test and bloodwork this morning. They are just getting another hearing screen sometime before we leave. I imagine I'll be released from "prison" sometime before noon!

Twila, congrats on your new bundles of joy. They're cute and so big for twins. I love their names. All the best during this busy time- going home and settling into a routine.

Hi NewOrleansBound,

I agree with you there. Lol..on the other hand, applying for a Canadian citizenship card is easier than getting a Canadian passport for Canadians who are already Citizens...go figure....

Makes no sense at all, really, in terms of the way the Canadian citizenship and immigration officials handle paperwork. Funny, how things make no sense on this side of the border either, in terms of dealing the the USCIS....oh well..that's the way it is with the government, regardless of country...a big long waiting game...grrrr....

And yes, do update us all here as to how quickly you get your daughter's citizenship certificate. By the way, if you don't mind me asking, how long have you been waiting so far, and how long do you expect to be waiting still?

Good luck on the rest of your US immigration and baby Canadian citizenship journey too....

Ant (Still waiting at the VSC, Still waiting for Baby...)

I think there needs to be an easier way to apply for Canadian citizenship for babies! I finally filled out all the stupid paper work and now I wait. I'll let you guys know how quickly we get her citizenship certificate.

I haven't been waiting all that long. I sent of the paperwork this week. I was told it would be around 6 months. I personally feel that we shouldn't have to go through all of this but the government needs to get their $$$ out of us. I need a citizenship certificate inorder to get a SIN number for the baby. My parents have started and education fund and I have a year from the time they open the account to get a SIN number or less my parnets lose the funds. Yikes. That's why I have my fingers crossed and have said a few prayers.

Thanks Joanna. I've babysat kids and my sister, my brother and all, but it's one thing change diapers and lie close to them so till they fall asleep for a couple hours and it's another thing having to do everything by yourself. But I guess I'll learn like everybody else does.

It's all a learning curve. There are time when my daughter wants nothing to do with me except feed her and than pass her along to someone. AND there are times when all I want to do is pass her along to someone. I was lucky the first 5 weeks my mother was there to help. She got to look after my daughter from 3am to 8 am and I got to sleep. Wonderful glorious sleep. I enjoyed my pregnancy but I'm enjoying having her here much more. It's hard to imagine that she grew inside me for 9 months. And than she finally arrived. Every day is a joy, I love watching her. I'm sure once your son is here. you'll be the same way. Awe struck and amazed at the bundle of joy you have.

I think there needs to be an easier way to apply for Canadian citizenship for babies! I finally filled out all the stupid paper work and now I wait. I'll let you guys know how quickly we get her citizenship certificate.

Nessa, I wanted to address this to you. I was going to do it a couple pages back but with the baby being sick it was hard to type and hold her. I understand your fear about looking after a newborn when you come home from the hospital. But like a lot of the gals here have told you, you will get to know the different cries. I'm only speaking of my experience here, but my baby cried a lot when we got her home from the hospital. She mainly cried cause she was wet and hungry. When they're that little you check to see if they're wet and than you feed. That's really all they do, sleep, eat and poop, oh and cry. I have found that as my daughter grows her cries have changed. She now has a different cry for when she's hungry, wet, bored, frustrated, when she wants attention and when she's tired. For her/me there's a slight variation in her cry and that's how I know what she wants. It's hard to explain but you just get to know their different cries. I was one of those unfortunate people who had a colicky baby who cried from 6 pm at night to 2330. Every night without fail. She started with the crying at 6 weeks and finally ended at 4 1/2 months. It was so hard on me cause my husband worked nights and I was home with her and all she did was cry. It's frustrating listening to your baby cry and not being able to help. We finally figured out what to do, I changed my diet and baby got some medicine from her doctor and her colic was so much better. It amazing how quickly your baby boy will grow once he's home. In a blink of an eye they'll be 2,3,6,8 months. I just wanted to let you know that it is natural to have those feelings of how will I look after a baby. How will I know what to do etc. It does come and there are books out there to help. I hope my input might have helped. Joanna

To those of you who replied to my low milk problem. Thank you. I went to the doctor and got a script for domperidone and by golly I have milk again. It's beautiful. I can either pump or breast feed depending on my daughter. I can't say I love breast feeding but I do like the fact that the baby get immunity from me. Plus she has a slight allergy to the milk proteins found in formula. I never thought my body would fail me when it came to breast feeding, but now I feel much better. I love being able to breastfeed her at night. I am guilty of co-sleeping with her but it works for me right now. I can get her to sleep through the night, except for those 2-3 times that she feeds while in a light sleep. I'm hoping of an easy transition into her crib in the next few months. I'm wondering if anyone has any insight here- when my breast milk got really low I started my menses. I thought that my menses would only come back if I stopped breastfeeding completely. I was still breastfeeding at the time. Is that common? I haven't found a new doc yet, so I have no one to ask this question to.

Those boogers have got to be good for something...

But if she can't breathe she likes to bite my nipple while nursing. She kinda clamps down, takes a breath through her mouth and starts sucking again...ouch.

My pedi calls Adam a 'germbag' and it is true. He has been sick ever since daycare started in September. There wasn't a week without a runny nose, except for Christmas.

Hey Eveline, my daughter does that too. Clamps down on my nipple while feeding. It hurts like heck. And the worst thing is she smiles at me after doing. I wish there was an easier way to breast feed my monkey.

Have a quick question for those of you with babies already. My little gem is 5 months old and has caught her first serious cold. Her chest rattles and she has a stuffed/runny nose. Runs a low grade temp on and off, plus she's teething. So here's my question-what do I do for her. I'm already doing the Vic's baby rub on her chest and back. Sucking snot out with nasal aspirator, Tylenol when she needs it. Is there anything else I can do to help her get rid of this darn cold?

I had a baby (I'm canadian, DH is american) this past September (2008) and am about to start the passport process. I contacted the Canadian consulate for my area and was advised to get the US passport, then apply for his citizenship certificate from Canada then apply for his Canadian passport (need the canadian citizenship certificate in to prove he's Canadian for the passport). I have no idea about timelines, but someone I know who also had a baby in Sept applied for a US passport for her baby and got it in 2 weeks. I'm hoping we get the same treatment. Good luck!

Hey Karly, I'm trying to apply for the Canadian Citizenship certificate for my baby too. I'm wonderign if you've already started the application process. I have the forms filled out but having a lot of trouble with what they need as supporting documents. Can you give me any advice?

Joanna

We had Ilyas' 4 month check-up yesterday--he's doing great!

He now weighs over 13 pounds--still a bit small, but double his birth weight, and the doctor seemed pleased with his growth. He's also getting tall--25 inches (but how accurate is measuring a squirmy infant?).

My question for y'all: when did you start feeding your babies cereal? My doctor said we could start anytime between now and 6 months. I am still breastfeeding and hope to continue until he is a year old. I don't feel any big rush to start him, but am wondering how babies react at different ages. TIA!

Cool pics, Nessa!

I didn't start my daughter on cereal till she was nearly 5 months. I don't spoon feed it to her, I just give it to her in a bottle at night to top her off because my breast milk supply has diminished to less than ounce a day. I'm going to start her on veggies in the new year.

Hope all the babies enjoyed their first chrismas....(or 2nd or 3rd for some)

Goodness Zaid is so cute. I love his pics.