Tuesday Ticker Change

LiveNLove44

Good morning, Tuesday Ticker Change ladies! Just checking in

Weeks/fruit/other comparison:

What went well this past week?

What was challenging this past week?

GTKY: What kind of gift giver are you (birthdays, weddings, holidays, etc.)? What kind of gift do you most like to receive?

LiveNLove44

**Friend's loss mentioned**

Weeks/fruit/other comparison: 22 weeks (papaya)

What went well this past week? I went up in weight for my leg lifts this week by 10 lbs. I'm still not where I was pre-pregnancy at my best, but I do feel like I'm getting a bit stronger without making that my goal!

What was challenging this past week? My friend's wife just gave birth to their baby at 26 weeks and he did not make it. I had two friends with HELPP during my last pregnancy, and I've found that seeing my friends grieve during such unimaginable loss really triggers my own feelings of nervousness and concern. I always remind myself that there are some things we can control during pregnancy and others we cannot, which helps, but it is still challenging when things like this happen. 

GTKY: What kind of gift giver are you (birthdays, weddings, holidays, etc.)? What kind of gift do you most like to receive? I hate giving a generic gift. I'd prefer to give a gift that is tied to our friendship or relationship together in some way because I want it to be meaningful and memorable. I feel SO lame when DH and I give a gift off a registry that's boring, but when it's for his friends' weddings, I don't really have much to work with in terms of meaning! Similarly, I really like receiving gifts that are rooted in meaning. I actually really dislike it when our ILs give us tons of gifts (usually for DD now) because I am not a "stuff" person--I'm an experience person. I prefer experiences with people over things they could give me, so anything that would result in a trip or adventure of some sort is at the top of my list!

aah1013

Weeks/Fruit: 25w/Cauliflower

What went well: I'm still pregnant

What was challenging: I'm more tired than I have been the last few weeks.

Gifts: I love to give and receive personalized gifts. For example, my twin nephews just got really nice embroidered beach towels for their birthdays.

MamaOwl15

Weeks/fruit:
25 and cauliflower (really, TB app you couldn't do any better? Lol)

What went well:
I think the highlight of my past week was finally being able to order DD's crib mattress. I've been saving up Amazon gift codes I earned from grocery rebates, and I finally reached my goal. I got her a $122 mattress for $30. It's supposed to arrive next month and I'm so excited because now the crib will be set up for her not just sitting empty in the corner.

Challenges this week:
My biggest challenge this past-week wasn't pregnancy-related. On Sunday (father's day of all days), the hood latch on DH's car broke loose and the hood flew up and shattered our windshield. We don't have comprehensive insurance coverage (well, we're going to now but it won't help this situation!), so we have to pay out of pocket to get it fixed. Thankfully Safelite can come to us, but for $293! Bye bye savings.
To make matters worse, we know something is going to need to be repaired with the engine, we just don't know what. It's recently started overheating while idling, however, the "check engine" light has been on for years with no explanation. And this is after we recently got the car back from repairs to the rear bumper and trunk lid after I was rear-ended on the way home from church on Mother's Day. That repair was insurance-paid because I wasn't at fault, but it was $2,000 and we could've just kept the check! So much money going into a car we really want to replace, but it's our only mode of transportation for now, so what choice do we have?

Anyway, sorry this was so long.

Gifts:
I like to give gifts I've made myself (like beaded jewelry), or gifts that I know are perfect for the receiver. Something they've wanted but didn't want to spend money on for themself, or something they need. Or something I know would be meaningful or useful to the particular receiver. DH and I gave my FIL reusable k-cups for his Keurig for Christmas this past year, because we know he likes to make coffee, especially when guests are over, but he's kind of a cheapskate when it comes to things like k-cups. (Well cheap isn't the right word, because my IL's are really generous; they just prioritize their money on more valuable things).

I like to receive gifts of the same vein. Many of the most meaningful gifts I've received we're given when DS was born--handmade crocheted blankets, hats and booties from my MIL, a mei tai carrier made by one of my husband's relatives, and my Ergo carrier, which my sister picked out for me because she loved hers.

McRad

25 weeks! Itty bitty is the size of a baseball mitt (thanks to one of you ladies and the daddy size chart!)

What went well this past week?
Finally had some energy and a fire under my butt to get stuff done around the house. I feel like I've been nesting. Nah, too early!

What was challenging this past week?
Hand washed the floors in my house. Te belly definitely takes up space and makes it difficult to bend over. Ha!

GTKY:
Gift giver: I like to give gifts that are fitting for the person. I secretly love to do gag gifts but I know it's not always fitting. Love to pass a laugh when I can.
Gift receiver: honestly, I HATE getting gifts. Sounds weird but I really feel uncomfortable asking for things. I really have a hard time receiving-- would much rather give.
But I do say I love pearls and that's my husbands go to when he wants to splurge. He gave me a pair of beautiful dangle pearl earrings on our wedding day.

kindlycrystal

*pet loss mentioned*

Weeks/fruit/other comparison: 22 weeks, papaya

What went well this past week? Maternity clothes shopping. Went to a large Target and found some very cute dresses in both the maternity and women's sections.

What was challenging this past week? This past week was very difficult. Our beloved cat, Lucky, died a week ago today. He was 20 and had been my husband's best friend since before he started high school and was my grumpy, cuddly furbaby. I'm still a bit of a wreck over it and hormones are not helping. Due to the apartment we were renting not allowing pets, my in-laws kept him so that he could stay in the only home he'd ever known. My FIL especially loved Lucky and is taking it hard, too. We visited a lot (my in-laws are amazing and I love them dearly), but were so happy to have the ability to bring him with us when we move in a few weeks. It's odd, but whenever I get broken up and cry, I can feel my little one moving, like saying that it will be okay.

What kind of gift giver are you (birthdays, weddings, holidays, etc.)? I like to give gifts that have some kind of meaning or purpose. Whether it's an inside joke or something I found that I think could be really useful, I try to be very thoughtful about giving gifts. 

What kind of gift do you most like to receive? Along the same lines. Something thoughtful with some kind of utility. For my 30th birthday my husband surprised me with a Clarisonic. I had really been getting into taking better care of my skin and he noticed that I looked at them often. I also like gift cards, honestly. If it is for a store I love, then I don't consider them impersonal at all.