Ten Things Tuesday!

ball.and.chain

What've you got this week?

AandStilltrying

1. Being back at work sucks and I can't WAIT to be a SAHM. Whole new stress, but at least I won't have to be with the dragon lady (my boss) who is showing true colors today.

2. Tryin to teach 6 classes back to back with no break sucks since planning period is first thing in the morning.

3. I'm feeling jealous of S being pregnant.

4. My youngest nephew started middle school yesterday.

5. It's only Tuesday????

6. Can't wait to see more pics of all these cute babies from our group. Ready for pip Thursday!!!!

7. Starting to freak a little about multiples. 2 babies....are we gonna sink or swim?

8. Missing my family and really want to go see them. Hope Sarah recovers from this SCH so we can go soon (and because everyday she bleeds I freak out still).

9. Worst part of being an elementary school specialist is repeating yourself everyday for a week. The first week of school as you go over rules and expectations it gets old!!!

10. Time for morning carpool duty.

Amber&Reva

Let's see if I can make it through 10 things

1.  My stomach is not happy with me this morning.  Although lately my stomach hasn't been happy with me.

2. Oliver is putting his weight back on and is using both hind legs.  It would be amazing if he doesn't need surgery. 

3.  Since buying my mothers house she just stops by ALL the time.  The entire time I lived in my old house (2yrs) she came by once but here I see her at least twice a week.   What bothers me the most about this is that she won't even acknowledge R.  She just walks in and ignores her even if R is the one that opens the door for her.

4.  Crazy that there was a tornado in Revere yesterday.  Also so glad no one was seriously hurt because Revere is pretty densely populated.

5.  I worry I am not drinking enough water but it is so hard to stomach to much.

6.  I have to find my one cat so I can put her in the downstairs room with the rest of the animals.  Until Oliver is allowed to have free range all animals have been getting locked downstairs while no one is home.

7.  I am loving our new king sized bed but it makes it so much more challenging to wake up and cuddle because there is so much space between us now.

8.  Xander is pacing around trying to find somewhere to lay down.  He is one of those dogs who refuses to just lay on the floor so he wants to climb in the dog bed with Oliver but Oliver isn't having it.

9.  I need to go brush my teeth before leaving for work.

10.  Happy Tuesday!  And like Aandstilltrying said....It is only Tuesday

 

ATXmommas

1. My grandmother was moved to hospice this week, so Ash and I are hopping on a plane to MS tomorrow morning and returning on Monday. May miss the funeral depending on when she passes, but it's more important to me to be able to say goodbye than attend the funeral if that's how it works out.

2. This grandmother is an 88 year old, conservative Southern woman who has showed nothing but love and support towards me and Z and Ash. For that and a million other reasons, she is a very special lady.

3. This is a pic of her and Ash from February.


4. Z can't come with us and I'm really anxious about flying alone with Ash. This will be our third time flying, but the first time since he's been this mobile. Thankfully, the two legs of the flight are relatively short.

5. I think I need to buy some packaged baby finger foods to use as a distraction. The food I typically give him is too messy for a plane. Thoughts? Cheerios?

6. Thankfully this work week is much more manageable than last week, so it's not a terrible time to miss work. I should be able to get by with just checking my email from time to time.

7. Very proud that I ran 3.5 miles straight on Sunday. After a year of almost no running, I've been able to build up by running once a week over the last 5-6 weeks. Two thumbs up for muscle memory.

8. I'm officially decided that the amber necklace isn't doing anything. Or all the oil rubbed off on day one because that night was awesome. Oh well.

9. The parenting thread this week is inspiring me to instill a napping routine. He typically takes one short (30 min) and one long (1-1.5 hours) nap at daycare. And he sleeps in the car to/from. We are lucky that he does great in a car seat (knock on wood). But, he's an early riser - like 5:30 typically. Should he be sleeping closer to 10-12 hours? He's sleeping bless than 10 typically (8-5:30).

10. All my fingers and toes crossed for @StacyLH24‌ & everyone else in their TWW!

ball.and.chain

1. It's really cool and breezy and beautiful out this morning, so cool I am drinking hot tea and had to shut the windows.  I love it.  Today and tomorrow are supposed to be gorgeous.  It's been pretty warm and very humid for the last couple of days, so this feels amazing.  Maybe not the best beach weather, but great I'm-at-home-with-a-hot-baby-and-limited-AC weather.

2. B and I had a great day yesterday.  He slept in his swing for several hours in the morning, allowing me to get the kitchen cleaned up and spend some time online.  We had fun while my friend visited, and then he slept in his bassinet from 3 or 3:30 to 6:30, and I was able to get a nap in and clean our bedroom, which had gotten gross.  There are days when I don't get anything done except feed/change/soothe/repeat, so I felt triumphant!

3. He also slept pretty well last night -- I think I got about 6 hours of sleep.  Not in a row, but I'll take it!

4. One-month pediatrician visit tomorrow.  Curious to see how big he's gotten and hoping all is well.

5. My parental leave is basically a third over.  Weird.

6. People keep telling me I need to get out of the house more.  They are probably right, but it is such a production!

7. Tomorrow is one of my wife's days off.  I so look forward to them.  Not so much that I get a break from sole B responsibility, but I love seeing her spend time with him and I love hanging out as a family of three.  Plus -- yes, it is nice to have help and get more stuff done! 

8. I could really stand to rein in my eating a bit.  My wife and I are big-time comfort eaters, and even though things are going pretty well, life is still stressful and exhausting and we eat to make up for it.  I am 20 lbs lighter than my last pregnancy weight, which is probably mostly baby, fluid, placenta, etc, but I seem to be maintaining that weight even though I'm bfing.  I only gained 25-30 while pregnant, but I gained while TTC and ultimately would like to lose 50 lbs to get back to my WW goal weight.  The plan was to go back on WW around 6w postpartum, but that doesn't mean I need to go crazy in the meantime.  And oof, that's in less than 2 weeks and I'm feeling less than motivated.

9. How is it after 9 already?

10. I'm done.

2MamazInSeattle

1. I'm waiting to do my pregnancy check in until after our Dr. appt this afternoon. We usually go Mondays but held out to today to see our favorite doc. It's a big appt: growth scan, cervix check and birth planning!!

2. I'm so hungry lately, including now, and its not even 7am.

3. My blood sugars have been fantastic! They said it'd even out around 36w and it did. Still lots of management but easier when it actually works!

4. I'm worried she's gone breech again and am anxious for my u/s today. Just movements feel suspect....

5. A bumpie from another board I'm close with got a positive screen for a genetic disorder from the state required blood tests. She's a wreck. It's treatable and it'll be ok when the fog clears but she's had a rough road and its not fair.

6. Simone's trisomy X still scares the crap out of me sometimes but I'm so grateful I've had since 11w to digest it.

7. It's my last week of work!!! I'm plowing through my to do list and not stressed at all really about wrapping up nicely! 4 more days!!

8. I worked my butt off in Simone's room on Sunday. We have a massive amount of clothes up to 3T thanks to a customer of J's. I'll pip the stack of bins on Thursday. But all NB, 0-3 and 3 month clothes are washed and organized!!!

9. So hopeful for @StacyLH24‌!!

10. I can't believe I'm 37w tomorrow!!!!!

trisholio

ATXmommas I am so sorry to hear about your grandma.  My grandma is 85, and has also been one of the biggest supporters of my wife and I relationship.  I am a big fan of puffs for snacks, they come in different flavors, organic and not, ect.  I also give the baby Kix or Cheerios cereal, they both are hard but soften very quickly and baby K LOVES Kix cereal.  She sits in front of me and begs for some when I eat a bowl in the morning.

ball.and.chain I totally understand not leaving the house a lot.  I usually only leave the house when I have appointments or my wife is with me.  It is just too much by myself.  And after my episode of almost passing out at the mall I am worried to be alone in public with the kids for long periods of time.

3. Now on to my ramblings :-)  I think I mentioned in the parenting and pregnancy check in, we took in an emergency placement on Friday evening.  He is a little boy that is almost a year old and his family found themselves homeless.  It is a temporary situation, we should not have him more than two weeks.  He is a sweet boy and fits in really well with our girls.

4. Baby C (the new little boy) has been sleeping thru the night, but decided he wanted to get up at 330am and didn't go back down until 7am, which is also when baby K decided to wake up.  So needless to say I am tired.  I was hoping to have my sister keep M (the toddler) for a few hours today, but M and K both woke up with runny noses and if they are getting sick I don't want them around my sisters newborn.  Keeping M out of trouble and not bossing and pulling the babies around is as much work as watching the two little ones.

5. I have a WIC appointment for the girls tomorrow and I have to figure out how to get out of the house with all three kiddos in tow, I am not sure how it is going to all work.

6. I am seriously 35 weeks pregnant!  I am seriously going to have a baby!  Craziness!!!

7. We have a 6 month review on Thursday for M and K.  Everyone involved in their case with be there including both case workers, their supervisors, Guardian ad Lidam, bio mom (if she shows) me and the girls.  They review their progress and also how mom is doing with her case plan (zero progress).  So it's a pretty big deal.  I am looking forward to it, but also a big nervous about it.

8. I am enjoying the cooler summer we are having here in Ohio.  I was dreading it being hot and miserable all summer and me being pregnant, but the last few weeks we have gotten a nice break of the heat.

9. I also can't believe its only Tuesday.  This week is crazy and I already exhausted!

10. It looks like naps are not going to be staggered today, all of the kids are awake now.  Oh goodness, Wish me luck! 

KH826

@ATXmommas - I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I will be thinking of you and your family.

1. Being back at work hasn't been too bad yet. I think I will survive.

2. I am wearing heels today for the first time in about 6 months. I don't think my feet will survive.

3. Yesterday my wife had a really good first day as a SAHM. She just texted me that today feels harder. I told her that some days she will likely feel like a rock star and others she will feel like a mess. I think that is probably going to be true for me too for a while. I think it is OK, and we should just both cut ourselves and each other slack. I need to learn to practice what I preach.

4. Last night I managed to cook a healthy dinner when I got home from work. After we ate we gave baby a bath, and I snuggled him for about 2 hours before bedtime. By the time we put him down I was totally exhausted beyond belief though.

5. So, two weeks ago at my postpartum appointment with my OB I was down 24 lbs from the day I delivered. That isn't amazing, but it isn't bad either (what was that about cutting myself slack?!?!). I have been trying really hard to eat well the last two weeks and I walked 2 miles yesterday, but I haven't weighed myself again yet. Mostly because since then I got my period and I didn't want to ruin my confidence if the scale didn't reflect the work I have been doing on account of bloating, etc. I am not sure when I will weigh myself again. I think I will keep up what I am doing for at least another week before I get back on the scale.

6. We bought new slow flow nipples for Will's bottles over the weekend, and my wife just texted me that she thinks they are good and it is helping Will eat a little more slowly. This makes me happy! It's the little things...

7. I am already thinking about TTC#2 next summer. I truly am crazy.

8. My middle sister and her boyfriend are coming to visit the weekend after next. This is the sister who I have had a rocky-ish relationship with. She is the one who declined to be a bridesmaid in my wedding, and said repeatedly she wouldn't be coming to my baby shower, but then showed up at the last minute and was very happy and sweet. Well, she doesn't really like babies (admittedly), and she was not really interested in my pregnancy at all. Well when Will was born and was a boy it was like everything changed. She now loves him and is excited to meet him. She asks me to send her pictures and keeps talking about how she wants him to play hockey when he gets older. She texted me "I'm so glad you had a boy." after he was born. I am not sure I understand this, but part of me just wants to be happy that she is happy and hope that this will mean good things for our relationship. I think I am going to just ignore the fact that it is weird and try to forget past negative "stuff" and just give her a clean slate if she wants it...

9. I seem to have a headache. I think I will have a cup of coffee! I am back on the coffee with a vengeance... oh well...

10. My wife had Will doing tummy time yesterday and Reese joined him and she took some really cute pictures. I will post one on Thursday!

Jazibel

1. It's been so hot and muggy lately. Not the Northern California weather I'm used too. 

2. Despite the weather I love summer. I must be addicted to Vitamin D because I feel so much happier in the summer months. I also love all the time we spend out doors and all of the summer activities.

3. Being a mom is the best. I love my family.

4. We're selling our house in Sonoma County. Our tenants are leaving this month, and we've decided to list it. We're meeting with our agent on Wednesday afternoon to do a walk-thru and discuss what repairs and upgrades we might want to make. I already know we'll need to do the floors downstairs, paint and have the carpet deep cleaned.  EV gel stained the kitchen cabinets while we lived there but its a 'non-professional' job so we'll have to put in some work there as well.  Cash is tight but I'm hoping we can do this work and carry our mortgage costs until we sell it.

5. We've started looking at properties in the East Bay, but I'm not sure what we can afford and if we'll chose to move soon or wait.

6. Our real estate agent is amazing and I asked if I could use our sale as a hands-on learning experience.

7. I posted about this in the Parenting Check-In that the boys got to spend some really nice time with their donor this past weekend. E (our donor) posted a pic holding Owen on FB - super cute. I am just so grateful. 
When we've talked hypothetically about partner IVF we go back and forth between whether we should pick a new bi-racial donor so when combined with EV's eggs the babies would look more like "our kid"  or use E again so Kaden and Owen have a genetic tie to their sibling, but don't match "skin color" wise because E is strawberry blonde with blue eyes and EV is mostly English and Italian.  I think I'm leaning toward the United Colors of Benetton option(E + EV) ;-). Though again this is a very hypothetical problem that I personally hope we have in a year or so - but I think EV's not that invested.  IF we decide on 3 kids it'll likely be my eggs and basket again..

8. Foood, Food, Fooood is what I hear all day long.

9. I'm proud of myself that I've let the house go. I just can't stay on top of it.  Every time I clean it's horrid again in an hour. I mean I clean the french doors that lead outside and moments later sticky hands have covered the glass in prints that are somehow worse than what I erased.  Or I sweep and mop and Kaden comes in with muddy feet (from his makeshift kiddie pool) with bits of dried grass stuck all over them. So I shrug and stop worrying about it.

10. My parents arrive on Friday for two weeks. Their staying in a hotel nearby - thank goodness!  I'll be glad to see them but at the same time two weeks seems like a long time.  I've begun mapping out different activities we can do together.

rkbo

1. I second what @jazibel is saying about the weather. I am down here in Southern Cali and it is hot and humid here too. BLEH!

2. I put my condo on the market on June 2nd and escrow officially closed on Friday! I am so thrilled that it is closed and done. I never thought it would move so quickly. In fact, we were in escrow 4 days after it was on the market for our first offer, but that buyer ended up backing out. So we lost about 2 weeks on the market because it was pulled off and put in Pending status.

3. Other good news we received was we got our state AFP test for spina bifida results and they are negative. woohoo!

4. I have been a notary for 8 years and I just took the test to renew my license on July 11th and the waiting game is now on for my results. I should be getting them via email but no matter how many times (gotta be at least 100 times per day) I check my email, they aren't going to come any sooner. 

5. I really miss playing hockey every week. I haven't played since before we started our IUI's in January. I feel my legs starting to get more pudgy and its really hard to motivate myself to go to the gym, even if its to just sit on a bike. 

6. I am now 20w6d and I just signed my wife and I up for 5 classes that our hospital offers for childbirth, breastfeeding, etc. The classes don't start till October, but it makes me nervous just thinking about it. 

7. So, I am curious if anyone else has had this feeling while being pregnant. Every night my hands fall asleep and get tingly while I'm sleeping. It wakes me up at all hours of the night and its really annoying. My Dr. said that its normal, and to try to sleep with my arms/wrists straight...but who is she trying to fool...my body is going to do whatever it wants when I'm sleeping. Anyone else ever get this while pregnant??? Please tell me I'm not alone!

8. My wife and I are going on vacation to Seattle in August and we just booked our  hotel/flights. This will probably be our last big trip before our little comes. It will be nice to get away. Neither of us have ever been.

9. I have run out of things to share.

10. Have a great Tuesday everyone!! 

CageyMack

AandStilltrying - I'm jealous, too.  I miss being pregnant.  

ATXmommas - Cheerios are good, but I also liked the small, hard "biscuits."  Earth's Best had some, I think.  They are two in a little package and maybe 5 of those in a box.  Good for gumming.

3. @rkbo - Yes, I had this while pregnant.  I think it was because I didn't move as much.  I'm a stomach sleeper, but can't really do that while pregnant.  So I think I'd crunch up my hands and wrists and arms and then not move them.  It really freaked me out.  But I didn't lose any limbs during the pregnancy.

4. I'm nervous about our NT scan results. I posted about it before, how the baby's reading was a little high.  It sneaks in and makes me nervous.  The Harmony test showed all was well, but I worry about other issues (heart, or non-chromosomal).  

5. I want the baby here, safe and sound.

6.  Big Baby W is a hellion.  He is basically ransacking the joint every day.  I'm kind of stoked to be going back to work.  Friday is my first day of work and it can't come soon enough; I need a break from baby. 

7. So, yes, got a new job. It is a little bit of a surprising career field, but one that I'm really excited about.  I get to do programatic planning, implementation, and evaluation, and I get to work with excited learners.  I also get to do some counseling-type work with people in the community.  I'm happy about my paid work for the first time in years.

8. I'm teaching riding again, and that makes me happy.  On Saturdays I teach for about 3 hours and that allows my big kid to get free lessons.  But I'm finding that my teaching is its own reward.  So meaningful.  I teach kids and adults with all degrees of ability and health; they are all amazing and I feel lucky.

9. I'm still working on cleaning and organizing our backyard.  It's going to be awesome.  Yesterday I moved a hideous old pot (read: an inverted car wheel and tire) filled with about 100 pounds of dirt and rocks.  Gone now!

10. I will be better to my dear, sweet, pregnant wife.  That's this week's goal.  I'm going to do one sweet or romantic thing for her every day this week.  I love her, think she is amazing, and want her to know it.  I'll let you know how it goes.

StacyLH24

@ATXmommas‌ - I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. My paternal grandmother passed away 5.5 years ago and I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I'm glad you will get some time with her before she passes.

@KH826 - I'm glad to hear things are going well in your transition back to work.

1. I want to thank everyone for your encouraging words and positive thoughts. While I was a little bummed not to see a second line, I really haven't given up hope yet.

2. C is having problems at work and it has been consuming our lives. She may end up leaving her job. She already has some other stuff in line for work, but it still makes me nervous. We live semi-close to our means and I hate touching the money that I put into savings. We will make it work, but I'm still a little anxious about it.

3. I have been irritable yesterday and today, with most of it being at work. Yesterday I went to a home visit and knocked on the door. The guy next door was vacuuming his car so I didn't hear the lady tell me to come in until the second time she said it. When I opened the door, she said "what are you, deaf?" I had to take a breath before I responded. I think there was still a little bit of anger in my voice when I explained why I couldn't hear her. I don't understand why some people think it is ok to be so rude. Today I explained to a guy that having no food and having food that you're tired of eating are two different things. He was looking for sympathy today and I just don't have it in me.

4. The past few days have felt more like fall than summer.

5. We have no wood split for winter yet. We really need to get started. We have a half load of logs sitting in our yard waiting to be cut, split and stacked.

6. We also need to get moving on fixing our mudroom floor. We wanted to wait and see how much IVF was going to actually cost first.

7. Back in February I traded my Kia Sportage in and got a Sorrento. When we bought it, I swear the guy told us that third row seating could be installed. Well, we took C's Sportage for maintenance this past weekend and asked to see a Sorrento with third row seating to see how it works. Turns out that you cannot have it installed. You either buy it with the third row or you don't have it. We were disappointed.

8. C just texted and didn't get good news from the meeting that was at her work last night. She is frustrated and I feel bad for her. She is the bar manager and the people above her aren't being helpful. I just want her to be happy.

9. I feel drained.

10. I'm hungry and could use a nap.

jocie626

@ATXmommas‌ im sorry to hear about your grandma.

1. Well we got married last Tuesday in New Mexico right but we live in Texas. My wife just found out its going to cost over 1000 to change my name. This sucks.
2. I dont have any pms or pregnancy symptoms so im sure we messed up. My wife thinks im work bc my boobs hurt "I have hugh boobs" I tell her lol. And bc I smell stuff all the time that no one else does.
3. My step daughter has been the biggest change since our wedding. B4 she would torment me n steal my stuff but now she hugs me and tells me she loves me n wants to spend time with me as long as she still spends time with her Yaya.
4. My wife let loose on a pharmacy technician today bc he tried to over charge her for my metformin n welbutrin. He said bc I dont have insurance anymore (I lost that job) it would cost triple what I pay already out of pocket bc it wasnt covered to begin with.
5. I want a baby so bad its all I can think about some times.
6. My wife has decided that we are moving to another state maybe California or Washington.
7. Nat hurt herself at the end of may n still hasn't been able to go back to work. She may not be able to go back til September n I think when she does she will calm down but idk.
8. We had to return our washer and dryer bc we cant afford it and that stresses her out.
9. My cat wont quit having kittens the last litter was born on our wedding night n we have to wait til September to get her fixed bc she has to ween them.
10. Got to get back to work its the end of my shift good night all.

mwagner25

@ATXmommas‌ we frequently use snack finger foods for Oliver during long car trips. We love Happybaby brand. Oliver eats the baby puffs (similar to Cheerios), rice cakes, and the happy creamies are dairy free with fruit/veggies/coconut milk. You can find them at Target or Whole Foods.

Danni_Girl

1. I am very happy that Jo stayed with her parents and helped getting them to the East Coast safely. I just can't wait for her to come home.
2. I don't know if I'm bloated or putting weight on, this is very weird.
3. My MIL accidentally let the cat out or the bag on Facebook today... Only my Aunt caught on, so that's good.. But we had no plans of announcing till we knew all was good.
4. I found out yesterday that my mom is planing to start retirement October 3rd, which is very awesome. I am so happy!! My Dad worked his whole life and could not wait till retirement, but he never got to enjoy it. So mom has decided to not let it pass by.
5. I ate my fav donut today and it tasted horrible!! Weirdest thing ever.
6. Did I mention I can not wait to Jo to come home?
7. I don't like going through all this without her here. Not much is going on, but it is still nice to have her here to take care of things while I nap. haha
8. I have an irrational fear that my mom is going to die 4 years after her grand baby comes. My grandpa died a year before I was born and grandma died 4 years after. My died died in Jan, and this baby should be due in April, around the same timeframe..
9. I worry a lot about stuff...
10. I need Jo home so she can get me pumped up about this BFP... I'm excited, but I'm being overly cautious. I'm waiting until the ultrasound before I start jumping all over the house excited. Blood work and HPT BFP's are not good enough for me, I need to see the baby and hear the heartbeat.