S10.E04: Welcome Home, Monroe

[meep.meep]

23 hours ago, Sprockets said:

Good gosh, yes!  And then sharing it with a client!  Does anyone have boundaries on this show?  (Other than Heather, who is about to be dumped for her assertiveness.)  Megan should have said "I have an urgent family situation" and then left.  But of course Jeff would have needled her until he found out what it was and then belittled her for thinking it was more important than work.  

I am NOT liking Jeff at all.  

This was all taped months ago, so it's not like she was announcing it to the world in real time.  She didn't have a car so leaving was going to be tricky.  She was needed at the meeting because she had the lighting presentation.  And, if you don't give Jeff Lewis every little detail, he just keeps pushing.  Or he calls you unprofessional in front of the entire office and sulks and moans until you finally do tell.  And Megan was freaked out because her daughter never calls her during the day, so she knew it had to be something important.

Poor Gage.  He must have expected some of Jeff's reaction to parenthood, but he couldn't have expected the colic and acid reflux.  And then to be attacked about not paying his fair share of the bills?  That sounded like something Jeff might have heard from his father growing up.  There have to be some major issues why all of Jeff's siblings don't want their father around their own children.

[biakbiak]

1 hour ago, meep.meep said:

There have to be some major issues why all of Jeff's siblings don't want their father around their own children.

I believe Jeff just said that his dad and stepmother weren't at the hospital for the birth of his brothers kids which is not that weird to me and clearly isn't something that was treated as a big deal in the family since Jeff said he wasn't even aware that it was an issue.

[booboopbedoo]

Jeff has become absolutely horrible! It goes beyond sarcasm and is nasty,mean and bullying.

Run Gage and take that asshole for all he has!

[CathinAZ]

Why do people stay on the show? MONEY and FAME.  Being recognized from the show and getting better tables at restaurants, etc. is a nice perk.  Why are some things (revealing menstral cycles, drama between J & G, etc.) shown on the show? Money, ratings, scripted "reality" to make a good story and have people want to watch, talk about it, and even discuss in forums like this one!Everyone appearing on this show gets a Bravo paycheck, with the regulars (Jeff, Jenni, Gage, etc)  getting a hefty one. Plus Jenni gets more as producer. I think we would be surprised at how lucrative it is for most of the people on the show and that some of the items and work can also be claimed/ considered when doing taxes because because they are seen on the show.  Including clips of Jeff making rude/ controlling statements about Gage make for good TV and get people talking!

[Willowsmom]

2 hours ago, CathinAZ said:

Why do people stay on the show? MONEY and FAME.  Being recognized from the show and getting better tables at restaurants, etc. is a nice perk.  Why are some things (revealing menstral cycles, drama between J & G, etc.) shown on the show? Money, ratings, scripted "reality" to make a good story and have people want to watch, talk about it, and even discuss in forums like this one!Everyone appearing on this show gets a Bravo paycheck, with the regulars (Jeff, Jenni, Gage, etc)  getting a hefty one. Plus Jenni gets more as producer. I think we would be surprised at how lucrative it is for most of the people on the show and that some of the items and work can also be claimed/ considered when doing taxes because because they are seen on the show.  Including clips of Jeff making rude/ controlling statements about Gage make for good TV and get people talking!

In L.A. low level reality stars are barely noticeable. Jeff is also an executive producer.  Since this is supposed to be "normal" life there really isn't anything that would be deductible. Clothes would have to be purchased specifically for and worn only when filming. Travel is paid by production.

[chenoa333]

The baby is f'n adorable!

But I can't watch this show anymore. Jeff's OCD, control issues, narcissistic personality etc just isn't funny or endearing anymore. He's a Class One Asshole and unbearable to watch. I hope the baby does well in life despite Jeff being one of her parents.

[athousandclowns]

16 hours ago, Grneyedldy said:

I could so relate to having a colicky baby. It just broke my heart remembering the experience with my own daughter. They didn't know it was acid reflux back then. They wouldn't even admit that colick was even a real thing. Instead they tried to blame it on me being a new mother.  My poor daughter was in pain ALL THE TIME. Hearing your baby cry in pain and not being able to comfort her, is like a knife going through you. Poor Gage, I know how he feels. I was a walking zombie and an emotional wreck. Thankfully, my daughter did get better, but the first 3 months were hell. No sweet cooing and first smiles, just pain and exhaustion. No one truly understands unless they have experienced it themselves.

My son had it also many moons ago.  He was discribed   as a "difficult feeder" . I didn't comb my hair or brush my teeth or get out of a rocker for 3 months. I would hold him up against me to comfort him and he'd stiffen up with stomach hurting and push away and with my lack of sleep I thought he didn't like me. My first baby died at 5 days then miscarriage thank goodness my mom was an RN  had I had good pediactric Doctor. but treatment was phenobarbital which made me feel like a drug pusher  

oh and when I was taking child psychology early beliefs were austism was caused by the distant mother too. 

[dleighg]

I also had a difficult baby, in his case continuous ear infections from 4 m to 1 year. Looking back (he's 21 now!) I can remember loving him, but not really liking him much then. Funny enough once his infections ended he was the most easy going child/teen/young adult imaginable. It's very tough as a parent, so I have so much sympathy. 

[SunnyBeBe]

I tend to be rather tolerant of outrageous behavior on reality shows and have been that way with Jeff, but, when kids are added to the mix, it's different for me.  Not sure how much is for the camera, but, it looks like Jeff may have true unresolved issues that are just screwing up a lot of his life. I don't care for it.

 And how much does Gage have in the way of rights? Is he the legal parent of Monroe yet?  Also, is he legally married to Jeff? And, what rights to property does he have pursuant to CA law as a partner?  They may have a contract on property division.  I hope he's getting some legal advice.  The way he's just doing nothing.....makes me wonder if he is limited in his legal and financial rights. I hope he has some options.  At this point, it may be too late.  

[dleighg]

I was really upset by Jeff's tirade about Gage needing to "earn" his way if he wasn't going to do the early morning care of Monroe. Even if from a purely selfish point of view, shouldn't Jeff want to be involved as a parent-- you know that whole bonding thing that should start from the beginning? When I was on maternity leave my DH would come home and dance with our colicky daughter so that I could get a break, and he could "be a dad." I guess Jeff just wants the "good parts" of parenting.

[Grneyedldy]

9 hours ago, athousandclowns said:

My son had it also many moons ago.  He was discribed   as a "difficult feeder" . I didn't comb my hair or brush my teeth or get out of a rocker for 3 months. I would hold him up against me to comfort him and he'd stiffen up with stomach hurting and push away and with my lack of sleep I thought he didn't like me. My first baby died at 5 days then miscarriage thank goodness my mom was an RN  had I had good pediactric Doctor. but treatment was phenobarbital which made me feel like a drug pusher  

oh and when I was taking child psychology early beliefs were austism was caused by the distant mother too. 

Oh how heartbreaking. I am so sorry you went through all that. My daughter also spit up way more than average, even though she was thriving. They had me put her on soy formula (I had problems breast feeding) and now I'm sure the soy has contributed to her endometriosis. Oh if I could only go back in time.

[Lady Writer]

On ‎9‎/‎9‎/‎2017 at 3:57 AM, crgirl412 said:

The Nanny left early but there are so many people around to help for x number of hours so I don't understand the despair.  I know that it takes 2-3 of them to go to a client's house for anything but maybe only Jeff could go. 

Jeff should be the one who stays. It's his kid, not Jenni's, Megan's, or Cat's. I wouldn't expect to be changing diapers unless my job title were nanny.

[Gam2]

My niece's son had horrible reflux and gastritis from birth. That poor baby screamed all of the time unless he was feeding/right after. He saw a specialist at 4 weeks old because it was so extreme. It also turned out that he had many food allergies so he's been on a special diet of food ordered from specialty food sources, stomach meds, reflux meds, etc. He's six years old now and doing well but they constantly have to tweak his diet and will always have to according to his specialists. Just knowing that tiny baby was in so much pain helped mitigate the sleeplessness, short tempered snappiness between my niece and her husband and overall terror about their baby's condition but it was still a nightmare. I could slap the holy living shit out of Jeff when he made it all about him, how he wanted to walk away after two weeks, etc. They had a damn NANNY for heaven's sake. My niece and her husband didn't have anyone but themselves most of the time. It killed me to hear Monroe scream because we used to walk our baby around for hours bouncing him up and down which actually did help him and he'd finally fall asleep on our shoulders. 

[Mama No Life]

I think it bears remembering that yes, Jeff is always expecting more from people than they can do, but he also carries the weight of this whole enterprise on his shoulders.  If his business flops, they all lose their way of life.  I would think keeping Jeff's work on a even keel is a priority for all of them.

Even if we didn't know the father it is clear that Monroe is Jeff's....hair, lips and scream are all Jeff.  

[Gam2]

Carrying the weight of this enterprise on his shoulders is a huge burden but he's tried for YEARS  to have a baby and now she's here. Take care of her even if she's difficult and cranky. She has a horrible illness and she's a BABY. GROW THE HELL UP, JEFF.

[Willowsmom]

If the burden is so great on Jeff why does he spend so much time working to screw it up? He's deliberately horrid to people and shocked when they leave? If Monroe is so much of a distraction why not move Gage and the baby into a small apartment until they can solve her medical issues? Why try to force Gage to ignore their child?

It's obvious  it never occurred to Jeff that Monroe would be the center of Gage's universe (as she should be the center of his). He's too selfish, too petty and too sick to understand.

[Gam2]

Babies come with all kinds of problems. You never know before your child is born if he/she will be an easy baby (had one of those) or a baby with problems (had one of those too). You take care of each child according to her/his needs. That is your child.  An innocent, defenseless and helpless newborn. Hello, Jeff? Are you listening?

[crgirl412]

9 hours ago, Lady Writer said:

Jeff should be the one who stays. It's his kid, not Jenni's, Megan's, or Cat's. I wouldn't expect to be changing diapers unless my job title were nanny.

I only meant that since Jeff is the lead designer and it's his company, he may be the one that needs to go.  I am taking into account the dysfunction of the very blurred lines between working for JLD and doing things for him personally so if he needed to leave he would appoint one of them to watch Monroe.  Really if he needed to leave, it should be Zoila and leaving the others to work.

All of that being said,  in a perfect world, he should stay and the others go and meet with clients. 

[SunnyBeBe]

I thought that years ago, they decided that it was Jeff's sperm that would be used for the baby, since he is older and it's best to get that done, before sperm gets older.  It seemed they expected to use Gage's next time, since he is younger. .......Now, I can't imagine there will be a next time and I can't even imagine Jeff and Gage staying as a couple.  If Gage has parental rights, it can be worked out, Jeff would pay him child support, I can see them separating and sharing joint custody.  I even thought this BEFORE Monroe was born.

Edited September 11, 2017 by SunnyBeBe

[eurekagirl mOo]

I have always liked Gage. Even when he was new to the craziness I felt for him. I'm an only child and that level of "teasing" in not something I'm comfortable with. Normally I just cry. (sad but true) So, yeah, I like Gage. He is SOOO good with Morgan (who is the cutest baby!) but Jeff needs to shut his dam mouth. "I pay the bills" OK so what? He's taking care of your CHILD. Why do you expect him to work and take care of the baby while you think it's ALL on you. News Flash Jeff---Once you have a child YOU are no longer the king of your home. The BABY is! And please, move that poor kid out of a construction zone! Geesh.

[SunnyBeBe]

Not defending Jeff, but, I think that he was upset that Gage wouldn't just let the nanny take care of the baby while they are there and it's their job, instead of constantly going to check in, do it himself and basically, prevent the nannies from doing their job.  I get it.  Still, Jeff is so wrong on so many other levels.  There are so many layers of parenting decisions when you have a child that requires so much focus, but, having it interrupt your entire office is just unnecessary.  Rent separate office space or take her to a child care provider's location.  There are other other options.  Not sure why they didn't explore them.  

[Sprockets]

15 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

There are other other options.  Not sure why they didn't explore them.  

Because this is the option that causes the most chaos and heartache.  

Edited September 11, 2017 by Sprockets
typo

[SunnyBeBe]

4 minutes ago, Sprockets said:

Becasue this is the option that causes the most chaos and heartache.  

Yeah, you're probably right about that. 

[maggiemae]

Wondering why they do not have a full time day nanny and one for the weekend.....and a back up for times they can't be there - and for crying out loud what took so long to move out of a construction zone? Jeff? Jeff? - You are the decision maker (right or wrong, after all - you control the purse strings.

I was disgusted with him last episode. Actually this season.

[SunnyBeBe]

10 hours ago, maggiemae said:

Wondering why they do not have a full time day nanny and one for the weekend.....and a back up for times they can't be there - and for crying out loud what took so long to move out of a construction zone? Jeff? Jeff? - You are the decision maker (right or wrong, after all - you control the purse strings.

I was disgusted with him last episode. Actually this season.

I thought they did have full time nannies.  Well, Jeff said that they had 2 of them.  They weren't shown on camera, but, they were there trying to care for Monroe when Gage kept leaving the workroom to go to attend to her.  

[iwasish]

11 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I thought they did have full time nannies.  Well, Jeff said that they had 2 of them.  They weren't shown on camera, but, they were there trying to care for Monroe when Gage kept leaving the workroom to go to attend to her.  

If the nannies are there, turn off the monitor and let them do their job. 

I do think Jeff appreciates Gage tremendously. We have to remember he is talking now, several months after Monroe was born. We don't know and havent seen what went on in the early days. I think Jeff did plenty then and now they are back to work and he may feel that Gage needs to rely on the nannies more and get back into the work routine. The business seems to be split between Jeff and his talents as a designer and Gage's running the day to day operation of the business. If he can't or isn't able to devote proper time to the job, it will affect the bottom line negatively.

[biakbiak]

1 hour ago, iwasish said:

We don't know and havent seen what went on in the early days. 

This was all filmed in the early days when Monroe was recently born. She only had the colick and the acid reflex in the first four months. 

[Sprockets]

1 hour ago, iwasish said:

If he can't or isn't able to devote proper time to the job, it will affect the bottom line negatively.

And if Jeff keeps being a rat bastard it will really affect the bottom line.  

[Willowsmom]

2 hours ago, iwasish said:

If the nannies are there, turn off the monitor and let them do their job. 

I do think Jeff appreciates Gage tremendously. We have to remember he is talking now, several months after Monroe was born. We don't know and havent seen what went on in the early days. I think Jeff did plenty then and now they are back to work and he may feel that Gage needs to rely on the nannies more and get back into the work routine. The business seems to be split between Jeff and his talents as a designer and Gage's running the day to day operation of the business. If he can't or isn't able to devote proper time to the job, it will affect the bottom line negatively.

If your child wailed in pain the way Monroe did could you sit in another room crunching numbers? I couldn't.

Why didn't Jeff rent an office for the duration? Or stay in a house that was finished for her first year? Because it would make Jeff unhappy? Because Jeff screwed up the Living Spaces and paint deals and lost that income?

[SanDiegoInExile]

4 hours ago, Willowsmom said:

Why didn't Jeff rent an office for the duration? Or stay in a house that was finished for her first year? Because it would make Jeff unhappy? Because Jeff screwed up the Living Spaces and paint deals and lost that income?

And miss the chance to feature a dramatic manufactured plotline for 4-5 episodes of a 10-episode season?

[dleighg]

8 hours ago, biakbiak said:

This was all filmed in the early days when Monroe was recently born. She only had the colick and the acid reflex in the first four months. 

I think the caption did say "Three months later" (after the birth). So we can argue what "early days" means, but she was at least 3 months old.

[Happy Camper]

On 9/10/2017 at 10:06 AM, dleighg said:

I was really upset by Jeff's tirade about Gage needing to "earn" his way if he wasn't going to do the early morning care of Monroe. Even if from a purely selfish point of view, shouldn't Jeff want to be involved as a parent-- you know that whole bonding thing that should start from the beginning? When I was on maternity leave my DH would come home and dance with our colicky daughter so that I could get a break, and he could "be a dad." I guess Jeff just wants the "good parts" of parenting.

I love that Gage is a hands on Dad! Monroe is a newborn and needs continuity in who is taking care of her, not a parade of nannies.

[goofygirl]

Old Lea Black was a blast from the past! Wasn't she the OG of the RHOM?? Wasn't she the person that had it ALL in Miami? Married to mega-lawyer Roy Black? Think so.  So, WTF is she doing in the Hollywood Hills in a house to be styled and remodeled by Jeff? Thirsty much Lea?  And seriously, that dog on the shoulder thing? Just weird. Strange. The dang dog isn't even that small.... I DID notice that once she put the poor thing on the floor,, it seemed to RUNNOFT.  What is up with all that?

Wonder how the Black mansion in Miami fared during the hurricane?

Edited September 16, 2017 by goofygirl
questions, questions...

[crgirl412]

21 hours ago, goofygirl said:

Old Lea Black was a blast from the past! Wasn't she the OG of the RHOM?? Wasn't she the person that had it ALL in Miami? Married to mega-lawyer Roy Black? Think so.  So, WTF is she doing in the Hollywood Hills in a house to be styled and remodeled by Jeff? Thirsty much Lea?  And seriously, that dog on the shoulder thing? Just weird. Strange. The dang dog isn't even that small.... I DID notice that once she put the poor thing on the floor,, it seemed to RUNNOFT.  What is up with all that?

Wonder how the Black mansion in Miami fared during the hurricane?

Lea is the OG of Miami.  Jeff said that Lea is in LA three months a year.  I remember she said (on WWHL, I think) that she and LVP were friends which I thought was odd since she lived in Miami but now it makes sense.  I wonder if they had to run after the dog?!  He seemed like he was escaping!!!

[crgirl412]

I would not be at all surprised if they broke up.  Jeff is such a fucking asshole on tv and I can't even imagine what it's like offscreen. 

Just have poor Gage be a SAHD -which I'm shocked Jeff supports- and hire someone 3/4 time so Gage can be 1/4 time to keep working a little too.  

[walnutqueen]

2 hours ago, crgirl412 said:

Lea is the OG of Miami.  Jeff said that Lea is in LA three months a year.  I remember she said (on WWHL, I think) that she and LVP were friends which I thought was odd since she lived in Miami but now it makes sense.  I wonder if they had to run after the dog?!  He seemed like he was escaping!!!

I'd believe LVP is friends with Lea's dog.

[crgirl412]

Just now, walnutqueen said:

I'd believe LVP is friends with Lea's dog.

I totally thought of LVP and Jiggy watching Lea and her dog!! 

[walnutqueen]

1 minute ago, crgirl412 said:

I totally thought of LVP and Jiggy watching Lea and her dog!! 

Sir Giggy has few waking hours to devote to Bravo; I'd wager Lea is low on his list.  Jeff's adorable animals, however, are probably part of the Gigolo's hit parade (or maybe I'm just projecting).

[Juliegirlj]

The high pitched screaming is a concern. It can be related to reflux and colic, but also, more serious issues. Sadly, breastfeeding may have helped prevented Monroe's distress. Neither Jeff, nor Gage are physically nurturing people, and that is very sad to think about that little girl growing up without snuggles, cuddles, etc. 

I have extensive experience with infant reflux and colic, and I have at times placed a baby in an infant seat after feeding to be upright, but, never fed a baby without holding them.....

I wonder if having a bio baby was more about their ego's than it was building a family. Perhaps adoption would have been worth considering? 

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎9‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 11:30 PM, biakbiak said:

Yes, it's Jeff's sperm. If they want another child it will be Gage's and the embryo is a boy. Jeff has mentioned all of the lawyers involved there is no way that Gage isn't legally Monroe'sdadas well 

Has Gage adopted Monroe?  If not, he has the rights of a typical step-father.  

On ‎9‎/‎8‎/‎2017 at 2:11 AM, rideashire said:

I hope the surrogate doesn't watch this show. If I was her I'd be feeling some kinda way about how that baby is crying. I'm not saying Jeff and Co. are doing anything wrong, just as the woman who birthed that baby I bet it would make her quite sad :(

Come to think of it, just watching that child grow up on tv would probably be rough. I've never had kids but I can't imagine it's easy to part with one after you do all the hard work of growing it and pushing it out.

In other news, I don't know how Gauge has stayed long as has with Jeff saying shit like that to him."What are you bringing to the table if you don't feed the baby. Go pay some bills." WTF?? Jeff is very lucky he found someone willing to put up with him.

Most, if not all, states now require gestational carriers.  The difference between surrogate and gestational carrier, is the latter doesn't use her own eggs.  A traditional surrogate uses her own eggs, which means she could potentially fight in court for custody.  Plus, traditional surrogacy is considered by many states to be akin to buying a child.  Since a gestational carrier uses a donor egg, she is not biologically linked to the resulting baby, and has no claim on custody.  However, I'm sure there's a deep bond formed by carrying this child for 40 weeks.