FFFC

tlc35

MrsAdventure said:

My husband and I live with my grandmother to care for her because she has dementia (and is generally batsh*t crazy). Most of the time she doesn't remember that we live with her, she thinks we are just house guests. I love her, and I know none of her antics are her fault, but sometimes I just want to grab her and shake her and say "what the hell is wrong with you?!" Like the time she threw all of my shoes in the trash can because they weren't hers. Or the time she walked into the hubs and mine bedroom at 4am looking for her glasses (we've since gotten a locking door). Or when she puts our mail in the curb side recycling for every creeper to dig out, because she doesn't know why she has it. Or when she gets mad and goes off about how we never go home. Like she's the only one inconvenienced. I know she's not in her right mind, and I would never go off on her, but when she's in one of her moods, she goes out of her way to make me and my hubby feel like we're imposing, I just want to say 'Listen Looney Tunes, it's either this, or a home. Take your pick.' I love my grandma, but she is a handful somedays.

Edit: spelling and more ranting >>> she also keeps the house 900 degrees and gets mad because I am sick and should go home and get better instead of letting her catch what I have. I get morning sickness because she keeps the house so effing warm!!!

((Hugs))  Caring for someone with dementia is really difficult.



My FFFC is that I bought maternity pants today at a consignment sale even though I don't need them yet.  It was such a deal I couldn't resist.   2 pair of pants and a bella band for $13

strasbjl

@flutterbuggie , I am not going to judge you or your situation.  Just wanted to recommend making the decision sooner rather than later.  You can reach out to rescue organizations and have them post ads for your dog now as it might take awhile to find a good home.  Right now you have 8 months or so to find a home.  That is much better than waiting until after the baby is born when you are tired and busy to try to figure things out and possibly end up taking your dog to a shelter.

To all the other pet lovers in this thread I would just like to offer a little advice based on my experience.  We have 3 dogs (2 small, one medium size) and an 18 month old. I wish we would have prepared more in advance as far as training, but we really had no idea what to expect. If your dogs sleep in your bed kick them out now.  We did when our DS was 2 months old.  With him in our bed occasionally for feedings at night it was just too much.  We also don't allow them on the couch anymore.  With breast feeding a baby I no longer wanted dogs trying to sit on me all the time.  I needed my space.  Sometimes I didn't even want H to hug me, I wanted my body to myself for a little bit.  Now that he is a toddler and climbing all over the couch I am glad they are not on it or they might get hurt.  If you have small dogs consider getting a crate.  We have one in the living room with a bed in it.  The door is always open, but that is their safe space from a one year old that likes to try and pet them (which is more like hitting), grab there tails, hug them ( lay on them), pick them up, etc.  Toddlers are not gentle and some small dogs can get scared or feel uneasy, which can lead to snapping.  With our medium size dog, we just got through $1,000 worth of training in order to keep him in the family.  He has always been unpredictable and darts through the house, jumps, get overly excited when people come to the door, etc. and was unsafe around our toddler.  It is something we should have addressed before the baby was born, rather than waiting until things were overwhelming for us.  After a month of training for all of them we are in a much better place and happy with our situation, but there is so much we could have done to prepare before hand.  Spend some time training and addressing negative behaviors now while you have the time.  And if you have dogs that bark try to address it now too.  There is nothing worse than finally getting your baby down for a nap and then having your dog wake them up with barking! 

Anyway, just suggestions from a STM.  I hope that things go more smoothly for all of you with your pets.  We had a bit of a rough go, but are in a good place now.

lizzielu82

It seems like you just want to argue about pro-choice/pro-life with some ill-conceived comparison to giving away a family dog. I'm not going to try to debate something with someone that has no basis and is trying to bring up a painful and personal subject that is truly unrelated. 

shindylahoe said:

shindylahoe said:

This statement is going to cause a lot of controversy. But I love how everyone is getting all over flutter buggy for considering giving away her puppy to a loving home but I'm sure alot of you are pro choice. It's ok to terminate a pregnancy if it's going to inconvience your life but if you find a dog a new home you're the scum of the earth. Give me a break and get off your high horses.

This doesn't make any sense at all. With your logic in comparing the two, it's like having a baby for 3 years and then giving it to another home. How is that even close to a pro-choice argument? 

Life begins at conception. I bet it wouldn't make a difference if she had the dog a week or 3 years in your mind anyway. Dogs are pack animals, they are able to adapt to new packs. If this weren't true we wouldn't rip them away from their mom, brothers, and sisters at 8 weeks of age.

shindylahoe

beatrixkiddo19 said:

shindylahoe said:

lizzielu82 said:

shindylahoe said:

This statement is going to cause a lot of controversy.
But I love how everyone is getting all over flutter buggy for considering giving away her puppy to a loving home but I'm sure alot of you are pro choice.

It's ok to terminate a pregnancy if it's going to inconvience your life but if you find a dog a new home you're the scum of the earth.
Give me a break and get off your high horses.

This doesn't make any sense at all. With your logic in comparing the two, it's like having a baby for 3 years and then giving it to another home. How is that even close to a pro-choice argument? 

Life begins at conception. I bet it wouldn't make a difference if she had the dog a week or 3 years in your mind anyway.

Dogs are pack animals, they are able to adapt to new packs. If this weren't true we wouldn't rip them away from their mom, brothers, and sisters at 8 weeks of age.

I'm all for debate, but I still don't this comparison applies.  I'm not arguing your definition of when life begins, which I think many people WOULD debate.  I just think you're trying to draw similarities from two very different  situations.  

And yes, it would make a difference to me if she'd had the dog for a week vs. 3 years.  After 3 years the dog knows its home, which is more than just the place where it lives, but the people, too.  

Puppies and babies are incredibly adaptable.  It's a survival instinct.  Adult dogs don't always have that after they've settled in to a routine or home.

I don't think they are exactly the same. Basically my point was that there are far worse things out there then rehoming your dog to a loving family. These are totally #firstworldproblems.

These people need some perspective.


I don't agree that dogs loose their instincts once they get settled. Dogs are amazingly adaptive.

shan24

My FFC?  When people use the word Walla (or Wal-la or Wall-ah or all the other creative spellings out there).  Walla isn't a word.  Or maybe it is in a different language, but it's certainly not a word in the context it's being used.

The word you're looking for?  Voilà.  It's French.  It means here it is or there it is or here you go, etc.  I swear, as a French teacher, hearing walla is like fingernails on a chalkboard.  I saw a couple use it on Shark Tank once and cheered when they didn't get a deal just because of that.

venussapphire

I would definitely stretch my budget thin to have a child. Even if it meant getting rid of pet.

But do some of you actually believe that she should have chosen to keep her dog and NOT have a baby. I really hope I am wrong. A dog is never ever ever going to take priority over a baby. Ever. 

nonoemily

shan24 said:

My FFC?  When people use the word Walla (or Wal-la or Wall-ah or all the other creative spellings out there).  Walla isn't a word.  Or maybe it is in a different language, but it's certainly not a word in the context it's being used.

The word you're looking for?  Voilà.  It's French.  It means here it is or there it is or here you go, etc.  I swear, as a French teacher, hearing walla is like fingernails on a chalkboard.  I saw a couple use it on Shark Tank once and cheered when they didn't get a deal just because of that.

Haha when I first started reading your post I was so confused why Walla isn't a word. Because, Walla Walla, Washington. And Walla Walla Sweet Onions!

Totally not what you were talking about. Now I'm laughing at myself.

TXSparky

About the HG, with my daughter I caught a stomach virus. I couldn't keep anything down for a few days and ended up in the ER to get fluids. I was diagnosed with HG! I argued with my Dr and said No! It's just a bug. I'm not usually this bad. She refused to change my diagnosis. It is now permanently in my medical record, but I never had it. I think it may get over diagnosed by Dr's as well as by the women themselves.

CTri17

Probably not flameful with a bunch of pregnant ladies. But my girls just went down for naps and the first thing I did was take my sports bra off. Ahhhhhhh feels so good

TXSparky

@FhSTAR81‌ No follow up. Just told to go back to the ER if I got that bad again and keep my regular appointments. It was crazy! I did not keep this Dr BTW. But now whenever I transfer my records (like for this new pregnancy ) it shows up in there and I have to explain.

icaughtfire

shindylahoe said:

mackenziesmama said:

shindylahoe said:

This statement is going to cause a lot of controversy.
But I love how everyone is getting all over flutter buggy for considering giving away her puppy to a loving home but I'm sure alot of you are pro choice.

It's ok to terminate a pregnancy if it's going to inconvience your life but if you find a dog a new home you're the scum of the earth.
Give me a break and get off your high horses.

Wait, what?! Give me a break.

For the record -- I'm very much pro-choice. It's not my choice what YOU do with YOUR body, nor do I expect YOU to make any choices about MY body. I also don't have to deal with anything regarding YOUR decision about YOUR body, so who am I to tell you what to do?

I'm not judging for needing to rehome your pet, I'm saying that to bring a child into such a horrible financial situation is irresponsible. Because it is. That's not judgement, it's fact. Not to say OP can't make it work (been there & done it) but I suggested that OP take a hard look at her financial situation, because I can assure you if $50 is going to break your bank, you're in for a very long, tough journey ahead.

So it would be better for her to keep her dog and give away her baby?

If it's not ok for people to tell you what to do with your body then why should you have any say over what she does with HER life.

Because you are concerned for the life of the dog.

Same goes for your baby. Your baby had every right to life. Your baby is not your body. The baby has his/her own body.

Once again, I made no mention of her dog. But I can see how dogs & babies are totally the same.

As far as the abortion debate -- I'm not even going there with you. Call me a murderer, call me what you will. I've never made that decision but know many people who have. How about taking your own advice, and get off your high horse?

sunflwra

jf198400 said:

Ooh I know what my FFC is, actually it's an UO, I think it's silly to buy a home Doppler. I don't see the point of it. You get to hear the heartbeat at the DR for free. If you can't find the heartbeat yourself then you totally panic. What is the point of it?

Just another perspective on this- I never bought one with my first or second pregnancy. And then my baby died when I was 20 weeks pregnant. We now know he'd be slowly dying for 2-3 weeks because of reduced bloodflow. I've now had the F'd up experience of lying on the same table and being excited by seeing my babies HB for the first time and then being crushed when I showed up for my anatomy scan and they couldn't find that same heartbeat.

I'd been thinking about getting a doppler for this pregnancy but was worried (as was my husband) that I would cause myself more worry than anything.  At my first OB appointment, she recommended getting one. She told me not to freak out if I have a hard time finding the heartbeat at first (not using it until after 10 weeks) but that she's sure there will be many times when it will give me peace of mind through what will be a very scary pregnancy. So while I think it's probably a splurge for people who haven't had a bad history- (if you can afford it, why do I care what you spend your money on?)- there are a number of situations where I totally get it.

Kristy774

I hate when people say "YOLO" it really irritates me. I don't know why. I really hate it.

phdprocrastinator

flutterbuggie said:

I find great satisfaction from cleaning my fingernails with a paper clip. Also I have seriously been thinking finding our dog another home when this baby comes. I just know I'm going to be so much more stressed than I need to be if we keep her. Plus dog food gets expensive and we won't have that much income after baby comes.

Poor puppy!  Of course, I don't know your dog (and haven't read the rest of the replies in case you've added more information), but I want you know know that in my experience our dog hardly added any extra stress.  In fact, my dog ended up getting pretty darned spoiled in the early days because one of the few things we did to get out of the house was walk the dog.  (I recommend wearing baby - it's easier than pushing a stroller and holding the leash).

Sure, he had days when he got very little attention (and one sad day when we realized at almost bedtime that he'd not been outside at all), but now DD is 2 and giving him plenty of attention.  The hard part is so short lived in the life of a dog that it really doesn't make sense to re-home a loyal companion for it.

And really, we buy some of the most expensive dog food (hello Blue Buffalo), but it comes to - what - a few hundred dollars a year?  Barring no unforeseen accidents, his yearly care (including vet visits) is well under $1000/year.

nonoemily

Personally, I've been thinking about getting a Doppler. Just for fun. Because, SCIENCE and also, I'll just sell it on Craigslist when I'm done.

I'm not the person who would freak if they couldn't find a heartbeat.

The one somebody posted the other day was like $50 or something. To me, that's NBD.

Plus, my genius husband just fixed a $600 problem for $40, so I'm feeling rich today, even though I'm not.

Maybeyesmaybeno

MrsAdventure said:

My husband and I live with my grandmother to care for her because she has dementia (and is generally batsh*t crazy). Most of the time she doesn't remember that we live with her, she thinks we are just house guests. I love her, and I know none of her antics are her fault, but sometimes I just want to grab her and shake her and say "what the hell is wrong with you?!" Like the time she threw all of my shoes in the trash can because they weren't hers. Or the time she walked into the hubs and mine bedroom at 4am looking for her glasses (we've since gotten a locking door). Or when she puts our mail in the curb side recycling for every creeper to dig out, because she doesn't know why she has it. Or when she gets mad and goes off about how we never go home. Like she's the only one inconvenienced. I know she's not in her right mind, and I would never go off on her, but when she's in one of her moods, she goes out of her way to make me and my hubby feel like we're imposing, I just want to say 'Listen Looney Tunes, it's either this, or a home. Take your pick.' I love my grandma, but she is a handful somedays.

Edit: spelling and more ranting >>> she also keeps the house 900 degrees and gets mad because I am sick and should go home and get better instead of letting her catch what I have. I get morning sickness because she keeps the house so effing warm!!!

I would just like to tell you: You.Are.A.Saint!

My Grandmom is just starting to lose her faculties over the last year or two. Luckily she lives right next to my parents, in her own house, so it is easy to for them to keep an eye on her. I can't imagine the amount of patience you must have.

mamatohne

shan24 said:

My FFC?  When people use the word Walla (or Wal-la or Wall-ah or all the other creative spellings out there).  Walla isn't a word.  Or maybe it is in a different language, but it's certainly not a word in the context it's being used.

The word you're looking for?  Voilà.  It's French.  It means here it is or there it is or here you go, etc.  I swear, as a French teacher, hearing walla is like fingernails on a chalkboard.  I saw a couple use it on Shark Tank once and cheered when they didn't get a deal just because of that.

Walla is a word. Walla Walla is a town and I'm sure you have heard of walla walla onions. (But I get your point with voilà)

Edit to add.... I should of kept reading since someone else already pointed this out

CountryMama1114

My FFC was going to be about my dogs too... They are huge. And usually sleep in bed with DH and I. I was thinking about making them sleep in the living room from now on because I'm not getting a bigger bed to accommodate a baby bump and two dogs. Guess it's not that big of a thing now that I've read all of this......

shan24

HisGirlFriday929 said:

shan24 said:

My FFC?  When people use the word Walla (or Wal-la or Wall-ah or all the other creative spellings out there).  Walla isn't a word.  Or maybe it is in a different language, but it's certainly not a word in the context it's being used.

The word you're looking for?  Voilà.  It's French.  It means here it is or there it is or here you go, etc.  I swear, as a French teacher, hearing walla is like fingernails on a chalkboard.  I saw a couple use it on Shark Tank once and cheered when they didn't get a deal just because of that.

I have honestly never ever seen this before.  That is HILARIOUS!  I love people.

Really?  I must be just me, then, cause I hear it all. the. time.

I'm a member of a couple of professional message boards and I've seen people type it out as walla (or wall-a, wallha, wall-ha - the list could go on) and it makes me want to jump through my screen, shake them and let them know that as teachers they are forbidden to pass that monstrosity of a mispronunciation on to the next generation.

Jess&Dusty

abbyful said:

I sometimes hide from my toddler when I'm eating certain things so I don't have to share.

I do this with my hubby.

wendyld

shan24 said:

HisGirlFriday929 said:

shan24 said:

My FFC?  When people use the word Walla (or Wal-la or Wall-ah or all the other creative spellings out there).  Walla isn't a word.  Or maybe it is in a different language, but it's certainly not a word in the context it's being used.

The word you're looking for?  Voilà.  It's French.  It means here it is or there it is or here you go, etc.  I swear, as a French teacher, hearing walla is like fingernails on a chalkboard.  I saw a couple use it on Shark Tank once and cheered when they didn't get a deal just because of that.

I have honestly never ever seen this before.  That is HILARIOUS!  I love people.

Really?  I must be just me, then, cause I hear it all. the. time.

I'm a member of a couple of professional message boards and I've seen people type it out as walla (or wall-a, wallha, wall-ha - the list could go on) and it makes me want to jump through my screen, shake them and let them know that as teachers they are forbidden to pass that monstrosity of a mispronunciation on to the next generation.

I've seen this as an intentional misspelling on message boards for years (making fun of one or two morons that thought the real world was walla rather than Voilà)

Jess&Dusty

amberhoothoot said:

I think it's the hormones.... But I resent my mother soooo much.
She is is primary care-giver because I work full-time. She refuses to MAKE DS do things he is supposed to be doing (or not doing). She is absolutely the reason that he still uses a pacey and hasn't been consistently peeing on the potty. But I feel like I'm between a rock and a hardplace. My mom needs the money we pay her and we would be struggling if we had to pay for daycare and miss all those sick days. Plus if we fire her it would really really mess up our relationship. But no matter how often, or how nicely I ask her, she won't discipline him the way I want her to. She is making him into this terrible child. I don't know what to do.

Thanks I feel better now.

We've talked about having MIL watch the LO bc she is at home all day anyways & it would be cheaper & less scary than day care. But I'm afraid she will do exactly this. DH is 31 & still has temper tantrums & terrible eating habits. And I fear LO will have her DRAMAtic demeanor. Ugh. I wish I had tons of money so I could be a SAHM.

nurrieum

MrsAdventure said:

My husband and I live with my grandmother to care for her because she has dementia (and is generally batsh*t crazy). Most of the time she doesn't remember that we live with her, she thinks we are just house guests. I love her, and I know none of her antics are her fault, but sometimes I just want to grab her and shake her and say "what the hell is wrong with you?!" Like the time she threw all of my shoes in the trash can because they weren't hers. Or the time she walked into the hubs and mine bedroom at 4am looking for her glasses (we've since gotten a locking door). Or when she puts our mail in the curb side recycling for every creeper to dig out, because she doesn't know why she has it. Or when she gets mad and goes off about how we never go home. Like she's the only one inconvenienced. I know she's not in her right mind, and I would never go off on her, but when she's in one of her moods, she goes out of her way to make me and my hubby feel like we're imposing, I just want to say 'Listen Looney Tunes, it's either this, or a home. Take your pick.' I love my grandma, but she is a handful somedays.

Edit: spelling and more ranting >>> she also keeps the house 900 degrees and gets mad because I am sick and should go home and get better instead of letting her catch what I have. I get morning sickness because she keeps the house so effing warm!!!

Before my marriage, I helped care for my Grandmother with Alzheimer's through most of my highschool years. My heart goes out to you! Then Dh and I lived and cared for his Grandmother for the first year of our marriage, I was pregnant then too. Dh been caring for her for a year already. She was really crazy as a rule and the dementia made it really difficult at times. Finally she got violent and we could no longer care for her (it wasn't safe for our children). We ended up moving half a block down the street and between us and my in-laws we cared for her another 2 years. Now my in laws are doing it full time as we moved once more. (Still close but not enough for daily care). 

You are a saint. Vent away. it can be such a difficult situation, No matter how much you love a person, it can still be trying. Thoughts and prayers to you!!! I hope you are able to have some good relaxation time soon. You need that. 

kjmommy1214

I have eaten half of a frozen pizza. Part of it for dinner and part for a snack.

Jess&Dusty

Hey ladies, it's supposed to be Flame Free Friday. Be happy, it's the weekend & you're growing a miracle. Save the hating for Not FFF.

renbee

Jess&Dusty said:

Hey ladies, it's supposed to be Flame Free Friday. Be happy, it's the weekend & you're growing a miracle. Save the hating for Not FFF.

Just FYI - "Flame Free" is a misnomer. FFFC is never actually flame free. Because, the internet, and free speech, and stuff. 

Also, just because I'm "growing a miracle" does not mean I can't have opinions and be snarky.

hullabalou

Jess&Dusty said:

Hey ladies, it's supposed to be Flame Free Friday. Be happy, it's the weekend & you're growing a miracle. Save the hating for Not FFF.

I totally included a disclaimer.
Now I want to flame you for not reading it.

kjmommy1214

mrskbuck said:

Jess&Dusty said:

Hey ladies, it's supposed to be Flame Free Friday. Be happy, it's the weekend & you're growing a miracle. Save the hating for Not FFF.

I totally included a disclaimer.
Now I want to flame you for not reading it.

"Flame-Ful Friday Confessions" is another option. And @mrskbuck‌ did warn everyone.

icaughtfire

Jess&Dusty said:

Hey ladies, it's supposed to be Flame Free Friday. Be happy, it's the weekend & you're growing a miracle. Save the hating for Not FFF.

I can't find words to describe how hard my eyes are rolling at this.

Jess&Dusty

Cool, if you'd rather hide behind your keyboards & be hateful & judge people as if you're better than anyone else like cowards, fine with me. It's not worth poisoning my soul to attack someone just because I disagree with a comment they made.

renbee

Jess&Dusty said:

Cool, if you'd rather hide behind your keyboards & be hateful & judge people as if you're better than anyone else like cowards, fine with me. It's not worth poisoning my soul to attack someone just because I disagree with a comment they made.

FFS. No one attacked anyone. Were there some strong opinions expressed? Yes. If this tread has your panties in a bunch, this may not be the right place for you. I've seen some pretty heated FFFC threads in my day...

Kristy774

Aaren91011 said:

Jess&Dusty said:

Cool, if you'd rather hide behind your keyboards & be hateful & judge people as if you're better than anyone else like cowards, fine with me. It's not worth poisoning my soul to attack someone just because I disagree with a comment they made.

FFS. No one attacked anyone. Were there some strong opinions expressed? Yes. If this tread has your panties in a bunch, this may not be the right place for you. I've seen some pretty heated FFFC threads in my day...

Uh yea- this thread is nothing.

icaughtfire

Jess&Dusty said:

Cool, if you'd rather hide behind your keyboards & be hateful & judge people as if you're better than anyone else like cowards, fine with me. It's not worth poisoning my soul to attack someone just because I disagree with a comment they made.

Babygaga is that way ----->
They're probably more on your level. Good luck.

(And hiding behind a keyboard? I have no problem saying anything to someone's face that I'd say to them here..but should I ask them for their address & let them know in person next time?)

CTri17

Once a week I have still been peeing on left over opk's because my symptoms aren't as bad as with either of my other pregnancies. I 

kepper6000

Jess&Dusty said:

Cool, if you'd rather hide behind your keyboards & be hateful & judge people as if you're better than anyone else like cowards, fine with me. It's not worth poisoning my soul to attack someone just because I disagree with a comment they made.

Yes, your comment here is a perfect example of being not hateful and judgmental.

VioletFlower

Kristy774 said:

My FFC is that I think kids with ninnys/pacifiers are cute. I just have a thing for it. Not after 3 though, and I know, 3 is really old but its my confession.

I have one more- when DH is away for work and my oldest is at his dads I let DS sleep with me and I don't see this changing anytime soon. He's 4.

I'm all for babies with pacis...but if they are still using them when they are learning to talk it can seriously affect their speech development....and that takes away any "cuteness" of it IMO.

Melissa2216

Jess&Dusty said:

Cool, if you'd rather hide behind your keyboards & be hateful & judge people as if you're better than anyone else like cowards, fine with me. It's not worth poisoning my soul to attack someone just because I disagree with a comment they made.

Whoa, I was with you up until "poisoning my soul." Dramatic, much?

I am just now catching up on my bumping for the day, but @flutterbuggie, I just wanted to add that I get where you're coming from and I didn't take your post as you casually tossing your dog aside because it is an inconvenience. I totally understand being overwhelmed by the stress of a new baby + stress of financial problems. Hopefully you can keep your dog, but if not, I hope you can find him a loving home.

And while I know everyone meant well by suggesting what she should cut back on, we have no idea what she's already done. The assumption seems to be that @flutterbuggie would just dump her dog at a skeezy shelter. What if she took the time to find a loving home for the dog?

I know it's not the same thing as a dog, but I have a desert tortoise that I adopted from a friend almost 20 years ago. When I lived with my parents, the tortoise lived in the backyard and had an amazing yard to graze on. Now I live in a condo and she has a concrete patio. I have more than once considered giving her to a friend of mine that also has a tortoise because she has a yard. Would that make me a horrible pet-abandoner? I don't know. She would miss me and I would miss her, but she would have a nice life.

RedBirdFly

My DH has cat allergies. Normally they aren't bad but my long-haired cat is blowing her coat and leaving dander everywhere. I've been vacuuming twice a day, running the air purifier in our bedroom on high, and washing our sheets every three days but he's still miserable. The cat is staying - but I wish there was something I could do to make it better. I'm thinking about torturing her by giving her a bath, but I'm afraid that'll just dry out her skin and make the dander worse.

On Chikfila, I have a friend that works there and he says that they can get written up for not smiling enough, which is insane and I don't know whether to believe it or not.

We are considering a home Doppler because my husband won't be able to make it to 75% of appointments (yay, Navy!), and he'd like to hear the HB too. I don't think I'd use it every day - but probably once or twice a month with him when he is home. I might keep it around for subsequent pregnancies or donate it to my midwife so she can have a spare/rent it out to her clients.

Idk where you live, but on the dog issue there are a lot of things that can help. I know here you can get food stamps for your pet (weird!) and then churches are always willing to help out. There's usually always a low cost vet service for shots and stuff around, so I would look into that. I used to work for one that all the necessary shots and the heartworm test cost 70$ instead of the 150+ that full service vets cost, with no office fees. Just a bit of a wait.

abbyful

RedBirdFly said:

My DH has cat allergies. Normally they aren't bad but my long-haired cat is blowing her coat and leaving dander everywhere. I've been vacuuming twice a day, running the air purifier in our bedroom on high, and washing our sheets every three days but he's still miserable. The cat is staying - but I wish there was something I could do to make it better. I'm thinking about torturing her by giving her a bath, but I'm afraid that'll just dry out her skin and make the dander worse.

My nephew has cat allergies and mild asthma. Something that my sister found that helped him was colostrum supplements. (Available at any vitamin store.)

RedBirdFly

@abbyful‌ Colostrum, like...what breasts make before milk?