random thoughts.

Emmagk

I just found my fleece lined leggings! They were lost all last winter, I'm so happy right now

jenb_99

Somebody save me from my sick toddler and screaming baby! Mommy is tired. I think this day calls for those pecan caramel rolls I've been hiding in the fridge.

gutsysneakers

It was free burrito day at California Tortilla Kitchen near my work. They renovated and gave away free burritos. #mademyday #winning #thisiswhyineedtheweightcheckinthread

Emmagk

My little manual breast pump died recently. I barely used it but I feel like I need to replace it, but do I really need to or am I just wasting money.

Katzalia

Lissiehoya said:

I really like my manual breast pump. Even though it's less efficient, I feel like sometimes it pumps better. I was able to use it to get out a clog that even DS nursing couldn't get out.

Aha! Maybe I'll have to try this. I still have a clog and a big lump from the mastitis. So far nothing has gotten rid if it -- it's worth a try with the manual pump.

ho11yday

How much would you pay a 23 yo with experience watching children to watch your 2.5 yo and 6 mo old? I asked her to text me what she thinks is a fair wage. I'm thinking about $12/hour or $75 for the night (about 5-6 hours). Both kids will be asleep for half the evening.

Do I also feed her? And feed her what?

Minimum wage is between $7-8/hour (don't remember exact amount). One of the jobs she works she is only getting paid $10/hr.

Am I being fair?

spinsoffresonance

ho11yday said:

How much would you pay a 23 yo with experience watching children to watch your 2.5 yo and 6 mo old? I asked her to text me what she thinks is a fair wage. I'm thinking about $12/hour or $75 for the night (about 5-6 hours). Both kids will be asleep for half the evening.

Do I also feed her? And feed her what?

Minimum wage is between $7-8/hour (don't remember exact amount). One of the jobs she works she is only getting paid $10/hr.

Am I being fair?

Depends so much on cost of living where you live. We used to get babysitters when it was just DD1. We always left after she was asleep. Paid the babysitter $20/hour. $15-$20/hour is standard here but it's Boston and everything kid related is super expensive . Less than $15 seems low to me but again what we pay here probably seems crazy to a lot of people!
I think it also depends how late she's staying at your place. Past 10pm i'll pay a little more. And how will she get home? Will it be after public transit stops running, will she need a taxi?

lrmrtn

Pp blockquote class="Quote" rel="ho11yday">How much would you pay a 23 yo with experience watching children to watch your 2.5 yo and 6 mo old? I asked her to text me what she thinks is a fair wage. I'm thinking about $12/hour or $75 for the night (about 5-6 hours). Both kids will be asleep for half the evening.

Do I also feed her? And feed her what?

Minimum wage is between $7-8/hour (don't remember exact amount). One of the jobs she works she is only getting paid $10/hr.

Am I being fair?

The going rate here is $12-15/hr depending on experience. The one time we had a babysitter, I just told her to help herself to whatever food we had. I didn't do anything special.

Katzalia

aimeefarrahfowler said:

Katzalia said:

Lissiehoya said:

I really like my manual breast pump. Even though it's less efficient, I feel like sometimes it pumps better. I was able to use it to get out a clog that even DS nursing couldn't get out.

Aha! Maybe I'll have to try this. I still have a clog and a big lump from the mastitis. So far nothing has gotten rid if it -- it's worth a try with the manual pump.

Don't know if you've tried this, but when I had a big lump I read somewhere to fill a baby diaper (newborn/sz 1 is perfect if you have any left) with your hottest tap water and hold that on your breast until it cools and then pump/nurse. The diaper holds a lot more water and stays hot much longer than a washcloth. I did that once and massaged a ton and the lump was gone within a few nursing sessions. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't tried that yet, though I've tried a cloth diaper/burp cloth + heating pad simultaneously. I'll try anything at this point. Crossing my fingers this + the manual pumping helps.

gutsysneakers

spinsoffresonance said:

How much would you pay a 23 yo with experience watching children to watch your 2.5 yo and 6 mo old? I asked her to text me what she thinks is a fair wage. I'm thinking about $12/hour or $75 for the night (about 5-6 hours). Both kids will be asleep for half the evening. Do I also feed her? And feed her what? Minimum wage is between $7-8/hour (don't remember exact amount). One of the jobs she works she is only getting paid $10/hr. Am I being fair?

Depends so much on cost of living where you live. We used to get babysitters when it was just DD1. We always left after she was asleep. Paid the babysitter $20/hour. $15-$20/hour is standard here but it's Boston and everything kid related is super expensive . Less than $15 seems low to me but again what we pay here probably seems crazy to a lot of people! I think it also depends how late she's staying at your place. Past 10pm i'll pay a little more. And how will she get home? Will it be after public transit stops running, will she need a taxi?

$20/hour is the going rate in DC area too. 

I would leave $20 and a few delivery menus. She'll love you for it & you want to keep good talent around.

ho11yday

spinsoffresonance said:

Depends so much on cost of living where you live. We used to get babysitters when it was just DD1. We always left after she was asleep. Paid the babysitter $20/hour. $15-$20/hour is standard here but it's Boston and everything kid related is super expensive . Less than $15 seems low to me but again what we pay here probably seems crazy to a lot of people!
I think it also depends how late she's staying at your place. Past 10pm i'll pay a little more. And how will she get home? Will it be after public transit stops running, will she need a taxi?

Our cost of living is not ridiculous and public transportation isn't an issue (she drives her own car, and if she didn't, I'd pick her up/take her home). I think $15 is the average of what I'm hearing (low end for high col and high for low col).

lrmrtn said:

The going rate here is $12-15/hr depending on experience. The one time we had a babysitter, I just told her to help herself to whatever food we had. I didn't do anything special.

Thanks. Sadly, I don't think we have anything good to eat. I mean who wants left over chili? We need to go shopping.

Btw, @becole42‌ and @lrmrtn‌ whst state are you in?

becole42 said:

@ho11yday‌ we paid $100 for a 21 year old to watch LO for 7-8 hours. Not sure if you should add more for more than one child. I would maybe provide food if they will bbe there at mealtime.

I'm thinking food, but not sure what. I'll ask what she'd like.

I think if i do the math, I'll end up paying her $15/hr. If I go to the atm, I'll just take out $80.

Thanks everyone.

QOTR

My husband's vasectomy is scheduled for next Thursday so I'm brainstorming ideas for a "snip present' for him.  I'm thinking a six-pack, snacks, something to read.  Any other cute ideas?

And this is from a gal who thought the idea of a push present was ridiculous.  

lrmrtn

@ho11yday‌ I'm in CT but still considered the NYC metro area so everything is overpriced!

lrmrtn

becole42 said:

Surely tampons don't expire?

I used mine from pp with no issues. Why waste good tampons...

THD7580

I just took the dog for a walk. First time I actually exercised in 6 months.. I literally took him a quarter of a mile. I think I might die.

Emmagk

Oh gawd can I please go back to breast milk poop!

ho11yday

Emmagk said:

Oh gawd can I please go back to breast milk poop!

My husband hated beatmilk poop. I don't know what his problem was.

bridetobe9132013

Dont hate me... I am setting my alarm to wake up at 10:00 tomorrow! DD is at my parents for the night. I am missing her like crazy! I will enjoy sleeping in though

ho11yday

1st night out leaving my boys with someone other than family. Wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. Must do it again.

rainbowsockmonkey

My BIL AND SIL had their baby boy yesterday. He weighs more than DD did at her 2 month checkup.

hbird0723

apinkpelican said:

Baby girl does not eat breakfast. She slept through the night last night (8:30p-7:30a - hoping we are out of the 4 week long sleep regression) and still would barely take 3 oz this morning. She will take a 6 oz bottle during the day. You'd think she'd be starving since it had been 12 hours between feedings! But I don't eat breakfast most days either.

Mine is the same. She will nurse but I tried solids the last couple days in the morning and it all just comes back up. I would if thought she would be more hungry after only eating from one side then the other 3 hours later and not having anything else the rest of the night. I think her reflux bothers her in the morning though and then of course all the meds come up.

hbird0723

jsquaree said:

I am having the worst period cramps right now. And I have to poop. But LO is asleep on me and he hasn't slept more than 45 minutes today and I don't want to risk setting him down.

I feel like every time I'm putting her to sleep like 5 min in I have to go. One of these days I'll learn to try before rocking her!

bridetobe9132013

Congrats @rainbowsockmonkey‌! How much did their baby weigh?

bridetobe9132013

My younger sister is pregnant and due in June. My DD was born on May 20 and my niece was born on May 21 so if she has her baby a few weeks early, it could share a bday with one of them.

rainbowsockmonkey

@bridetobe9132013 he weighs 8lb 6oz.  DD was 8lb 1oz at 2 months old.

bridetobe9132013

Oh you had a little peanut my DD was 8lbs 2oz at birth!

lrmrtn

I feel like the delinquent DC mom. We are always forgetting something and they have to call us. Today it was his bottles. Last week it was formula. And they always tell us how much he spits up like it inconveniences them and how we don't care. First, I talk to his pedi at every appt about this. Since LO is happy, gaining weight and sleeping, they said not to worry about it. Second, I'm sure he's not the only infant that spits up.

gutsysneakers

lrmrtn said:

I feel like the delinquent DC mom. We are always forgetting something and they have to call us. Today it was his bottles. Last week it was formula. And they always tell us how much he spits up like it inconveniences them and how we don't care. First, I talk to his pedi at every appt about this. Since LO is happy, gaining weight and sleeping, they said not to worry about it. Second, I'm sure he's not the only infant that spits up.

@lrmrtn - I'm in that group too. I always am forgetting extra bibs and I forgot wipes two days in a row. I have 800 other things I'm thinking about when I leave in the mornings. 

lrmrtn

@Jcrewgirl85‌, glad I'm not alone! Sometimes it's such a struggle just to get out the door relatively on time.

apinkpelican

Scotty138 said:

We are supposed to get 16 inches of snow by tomorrow afternoon. I want summer back.

Wow that's a lot of snow! I am not ready for this! If DH doesn't the garage cleaned out by the first snow I'll lose my mind. We've been in the house 2 years and still can't park there. I was not a happy preggo lady last year and it was a horrible winter.
X(

Katzalia

Scotty138 said:

We are supposed to get 16 inches of snow by tomorrow afternoon. I want summer back.

This x1000.

It snowed a few inches here and I'm already feeling miserably housebound. My daughter doesn't nap well unless I walk her. Tried to brave the weather for at least a short walk today. She was dressed warm enough, but I had my coat open (not ideal) to wear her. Worse, it was so slippery I was afraid I'd fall with her. We made it around the block and came back home.

I have no idea how I'm going to cope with 6 months of this.

ho11yday

Scotty138 said:

We are supposed to get 16 inches of snow by tomorrow afternoon. I want summer back.

The southwest and Florida are the two areas of the country not expected to get the crazy cold. I'm jealous.

jenb_99

I'm having horrible side effects from Mirena. I called to ask about having it removed and was told I won't get in for at least 2 weeks. I wish I was brave enough to pull it out myself.

bridetobe9132013

@jenb_99‌ what side effects are you having?

Sam0905

@jenb_99‌ that sucks you have to wait! Can't they fit you in since you're having side effects? I'm a nurse at a clinic and our providers will work symptomatic patients in, even if they're booked solid. Hope you feel better!

stina76

I can't stop eating today! I've been hungry all day! Right now I'm eating fruit loops out of the box! I don't even like this cereal! I think it's the weather changing! I'm not looking forward to the frigid weather that's coming our way!

jenb_99

@‌bridetobe9132013 The hormones in the IUD plus the ones from breastfeeding are just too much for me. It's making my PPD/PPA worse and making me feel like I have eternal PMS.

@Sam0905 They have to wait for approval from my insurance company. Apparently some will pay for insertion but not removal. Which is stupid, but that's insurance for ya.

lrmrtn

I posted a pic of DS trying rice cereal on FB. He obviously didn't like it and it was just a funny pic. Apparently that was an invitation to comment on what I could do to get him to like it. I wasn't asking for advice, I just thought it was a funny pic. I don't really care that he didn't like it. I'm not in any rush. I guess I should be used to the unsolicited advice by now.

lrmrtn

I can't post on mobile but I'll try to remember when I get home. He basically wouldn't even open his mouth and looks like he's in pain!

bridetobe9132013

I get so emotional lately thinking about DD being 6 months on the 20th.