Randoms: 5/23-5/30

bearsandbeets7

All things random for the last full week of May!

beenabee

Has anyone used the Halo Bassinet Swivel Sleeper? What was your experience with it? Worth the money? 

pelorunningmama

DD and I were supposed to go and visit my parents at their lakehouse this week and stay through the long weekend. However, a work meeting was moved and it completely messed up the flight schedule, so I ended up cancelling our flights. But, it looks as if there was some kind of glitch with the system and our flights were not cancelled. We have a confirmation number and are "confirmed" on both of the flights. I toyed with changing the flights to something that worked with our schedule, but that would cost over $3k. Not happening. 

Any creative ideas on how we can get the flights moved without paying so much? Wait till the day of and plead with the gate agent? 

ginger819

We agreed to let MIL start taking DD overnights, but keeping it to a minimum (she smokes in her house and as much as I hate it I also want her to have a relationship with her grandma). We've spent a couple days this month at her house and DD has stayed the night. I feel she has had enough time over there for now, but when she asked to have her again this week DH said its not fair that DD gets to go to my parents this weekend and not MILs on Wednesday. My parents don't smoke in the house. My dad occasionally smokes but has never smoked around me or DD or even my mom. 

I feel like it's perfectly fair that MIL doesn't get to take her whenever she wants or even as much as my parents do. Not only is my parents house a lot healthier, but DD is not allowed in MILs car (I caught her once smoking as she pulled up to pick DD up for a day visit and said never again) so I have to take her the 45 minutes one way back and forth. Usually dropping her off at 7pm and picking her up around 1 the next afternoon. DD sleeps almost 12 hours so she spends most of her time there sleeping. 

I have no problem with her coming over or meeting me halfway to go to lunch or shop, yet her and DH are making it out to be like I'm being overprotective and unreasonable (though to MIL DH sticks on my side so there's that and overall he agrees with me that her smoking is bad.)

Curls919

@LWC1112 - what airline is it?  I'd call customer service and just be super sweet. I've had good experiences with JetBlue and United that way. 

pelorunningmama

@Curls919 It is Delta. That would be so amazing if I could handle it over the phone!

nanner26

I had my last day with my students yesterday. This will be my last year teaching at this school so it was bittersweet. Some of my kids gave me some outfits for the baby and it was the first gifts I have received. When I got home I put the outfit on my shoulder and acted like I was burping a baby. I will only admit that to you guys. 

beenabee

@Hannah0726 You're not alone. When DH and I got a few things from Carter's, I took one of the outfits and cradled it to see what it would be like with a newborn in my arms...

Curls919

LWC1112 said:

@Curls919 It is Delta. That would be so amazing if I could handle it over the phone!

It's worth a shot!  But seriously, be nice, explain the situation about the change in your work schedule (DH makes fun of me for oversharing but in situations like this it can help!!) and ask if there is anything they can do to help.  You can even throw in there that you're pregnant and wanted to visit your family one last time before it's too late to travel

Snaps816

Do I need to purchase a "changing table topper," or can I just use a changing pad? We picked up a white dresser this weekend at a garage sale, and it already has a little wood rim/panel thing on the rear edge of the dresser. I was researching toppers and most of them have to be attached on that same edge, so our dresser won't work with most of these models (maybe we could take off the piece that's currently on there if we had to). Furthermore, changing table toppers are insanely overpriced!! So far I haven't been too shocked by the prices of baby items, but for some reason this little rectangle of wood (or I'm guessing, particle board) runs from $50 bucks up to $129 or so. And no, they do not come with the changing pad.Outrageous! 

cm716

Baby boy is measuring about 2 weeks ahead of schedule. This does not surprise me as my husband is 6-3 and weighed 9 1/2 lbs at birth.Doctor wants to induce me at 39 weeks due to baby's size. She is concerned I may not be able to deliver him vaginally

I have mixed feelings about induction.thoughts and/or experiences with induction?

Eta my previous two deliveries were vaginal.my daughters weighed 8'3 and 8'5 at birth.

Curls919

Snaps816 said:

Do I need to purchase a "changing table topper," or can I just use a changing pad? We picked up a white dresser this weekend at a garage sale, and it already has a little wood rim/panel thing on the rear edge of the dresser. I was researching toppers and most of them have to be attached on that same edge, so our dresser won't work with most of these models (maybe we could take off the piece that's currently on there if we had to). Furthermore, changing table toppers are insanely overpriced!! So far I haven't been too shocked by the prices of baby items, but for some reason this little rectangle of wood (or I'm guessing, particle board) runs from $50 bucks up to $129 or so. And no, they do not come with the changing pad.Outrageous! 

We have a foam changing pad (it has a waterproof cover as part of it) that had a strap to attach to the back of our dresser.  We didn't need any other wood pieces, just the dresser and the thick pad.

haboobjob

@Snaps816 you could make one for insanely cheap if you really wanted one. We just used the changing pad with the straps. I might go out and get snap fasteners and attach to the back of the dresser to secure the pad using the snaps. 

@Hannah0726 Totally not silly. I dreamed of doing my first load of laundry and folding the tiny baby onesies on my growing bump during my first pregnancy (like Katherine Heigl in Knocked Up). I took a picture of it when I finally got a chance to do it! 

Bookhousegirl

@Hannah0726 that is so sweet, I actually feel like I need to do more things like that to make it real that I'm having another baby. I feel like I'm in total denial that I'm going to have a newborn again!

@snaps816 we have one that will go in the boys room, but in our room, we're just getting a pad that we will snap onto the dresser. It's totally not necessary to have the topper, especially if you get baskets to have next to it on the dresser to hold diaper cream, wipes, etc. 

ballofmeat

I passed my glucose screening! wahoo! well barely...but hey it counts. I will say that the alternative I had to do instead of drinking the glucola was harder than I thought it would be. I had to drink 8 ounces of orange juice and two slices of bread in 5 minutes. I started out casually munching and realized I had to be quick and started balling up the bread and chucking it in my mouth like a lunatic. 

Nikkoli98

@midwestbaby, congrats! Just wondering if you mind sharing why you had an alternative? 

I asked my OB for an alternative because I am high risk due to auto-antibodies that can attack the baby's heart.  I extensively avoid corn based sugars because they give me autoimmune symptoms and glucola is corn based. So, my OB is letting me off easy with just a fasting glucose - maybe partly because I already am being tracked with growth scans every 4 weeks for other reasons.

ballofmeat

Nikkoli98 said:

@midwestbaby, congrats! Just wondering if you mind sharing why you had an alternative? 

I asked my OB for an alternative because I am high risk due to auto-antibodies that can attack the baby's heart.  I extensively avoid corn based sugars because they give me autoimmune symptoms and glucola is corn based. So, my OB is letting me off easy with just a fasting glucose - maybe partly because I already am being tracked with growth scans every 4 weeks for other reasons.

I had the alternative for food allergies. They couldn't track down what the "natural flavors" were in the drink in time before my appointment, so they gave me the alternative. I'm highly allergic to apples and pears. You would be surprised what they use apples in as a filler (cereals, fruit snacks, juices, pop tarts, candy) 

bearsandbeets7

We found out today that DH can't take more than 10 days in a row off when LO is born. He's not eligible for FMLA paternity leave because he hasn't been with the company for a year which we knew so we've been saving his vacation days and holiday days. But they told him today he can't take more than 10 in a row off. So now we have to figure something out because I won't be able to lift DD at all for a few weeks. 

AliKay20

I had to think of where this post best belonged but because I was mostly shocked and surprised at work today, I think it should be fine under Randoms!

We had an all day team retreat today in our office so I had dreaded going in! Knowing we'll be sitting all day, I made sure to wear leggings, shirt, and a cardigan to be comfortable. I woke up with two big pimples on my forehead but I didn't care to cover them. The team retreat started out with an agenda and it said from 4-6, there will be a team surprise activity. I sighed thinking it would be another team building exercise.

Well, I was totally surprised and blown away by the event because it was a surprise baby shower!! I'm only 6 mths into my company that I still consider fairly new so I wasn't expecting anything at all!! DH squeezed in all the gifts and the balloons from the shower and we placed them in our half done nursery.

I am beyond touched and grateful so I plan on sending a few photos to the team as a thank you:



Do you guys have any good ideas on cute little thank you gift bags?! Ideas much welcomed! 

nanner26

@AliKay20 What a fun surprise!
If you wanted to do something for the group as a whole, maybe you could make some treats or a dessert and bring it to your break room one day with a card telling everyone thank you. 

1. My Snoogle came in yesterday and it is freaking magical.

2. I got an email saying my breast pump was shipped! Whoop!

3. The new ticker countdown on the main page really freaks me out. Counting down rather than up seems so much more real. 

kristynmac

I had a middle of the night breakdown. My ass, hips, boobs, and everything BUT my bladder has grown so after my 5+ middle of the night trip to the bathroom I started crying when I had to go again. DH is still laughing at me this morning and I am holding back on hugging his face with a pillow.

Katienu

@bookhousegirl I am still in total denial too!  I keep going on like there isn't another child coming.  My co-worker had to remind me that I need to start assigning back-ups from my projects soon.  I keep waiting for this to hit me.  Maybe as it gets closer.

tmk0325

We had a breastfeeding class last night and I mentioned I was having twins, so they gave me two babies to practice with... Not gonna lie I may have started panicking a little internally. I looked at SO and was like well, I'll be feeding you'll be changing, because it looks like they will just be attached to me for a while! 

And @AliKay20 you could make something or send a fruit basket or some Sherris berries to work for everyone. What a sweet thought for them to do! 

kristynmac

@AliKay20 Your co-workers sound very nice! I like the idea of treats--Sherrie's berries are always nice or a Panera bagel pack always goes over well where I work. Also, your dog is adorable!

ballofmeat

@AliKay20 That's awesome!!! I just realized we don't have a baby shower thread started. 

@Hannah0726 I am jealous of your snoogle. I debated on getting one but ended up with just a regular body pillow for ten bucks. I'm kinda wishing I would have bought the snoogle because I have heard it's great for breastfeeding in bed in the middle of the night. 

mmclark10

@Snaps816 We just used the My Deluxe Changing Mat and put it on top of our dresser with diapers in the top drawer and wipes on top.  No covers to wash, just wipe it right off with a wipe!

tmk0325

@Hannah028 @midwestbaby I have a snoogle and I'm not a huge fan of it. It's too big for my bed.  I feel like when I roll over and have to get up in the middle of the night to pee, I have to move it or crawl over it and the blankets always get stuck.  I use it on my couch though and like it on there, since we have a really cushy couch it helps me from sinking in the cracks and getting stuck.

Nikkoli98

BrunetteBabe722 said:

Has anyone used the Halo Bassinet Swivel Sleeper? What was your experience with it? Worth the money? 

I was really hoping somebody would comment on this as I am also looking at purchasing it.  I am considering going for the cheapest model (I'm not sure the other features are worth the additional cost) and ordering online through Bed, Bath, and Beyond with a 20% off coupon (if it works) that would make the price about $160.  I can't find any used in my area for cheaper - this way you can have the convenience of a warranty and flexibility of working with a store.  Of the many reviews I read several people said the vibrating feature (on the advance models) only worked for a few months...

pelorunningmama

@kristynmac this sounds like me last night. And it's even worse b/c getting out of bed is so damn hard. Typically I love our mattress; it's snuggly and so comfortable. But, I almost think I need to start sleeping in the guest room because that mattress is a bit more firm and it may help some of the aches and pains.

jamiesc58

@AliKay20 that is so cool that they did that for you!!! You could do edible arrangements or something like that.

tisunge602

@AliKay20 How cool! What nice coworkers you have. I just have to laugh -- obviously this is a board full of pregnant women because all the thank-you suggestions have been FOOD. 

becca7903

We have been without air conditioning for the last week in middle Alabama. In the afternoons it was getting up to 81 inside and sweltering. Today? Our entire unit was replaced and our a/c has been restored! I don't think I'll take the cool air for granted again - at least not for a while.

tresamigos

Anyone else having a heck of a time when laying in bed and turning from one side to the other? I can't sleep on the same side all night long, but turning from one to the other is such a task these days... it physically hurts! 

Snaps816

rikopy said:

Anyone else having a heck of a time when laying in bed and turning from one side to the other? I can't sleep on the same side all night long, but turning from one to the other is such a task these days... it physically hurts! 

Yes! Last night was really terrible for me with this. It is such an effort to roll over, especially with the body pillow to adjust, too. I feel like I wake up DH every time, but I can't sleep on one side all night long. I really, really miss sleeping on my stomach, just to have my back straight. I am so stiff today. 

jamiesc58

I am feeling so accomplished today! I am getting caught up on work I have been slacking on and will hopefully be 100% done before I leave today. I also went home at lunch and threw together a tater tot casserole for dinner. Now it just needs to go in the oven for 20 minutes and dinner will be ready! 

kwilliams3402

Passed the glucose test (Yay!) but I need to start iron supplements. BOOOO to that.  I'm still a little queasy these days, heartburn has started, and I've been taking fiber supplements for 2 months.  Yay iron and more upset stomach and matching prunes...

emmeline714

been feeling very hungry than ever  

mmclark10

@kwilliams and any other ladies that mentioned having to take iron, my midwife suggested magnesium for constipation and it's been effective! Fiber and colace didn't help me much.

kwilliams3402

Oh, @mmclark10, tell me more about this magnesium?  Is it a pill or liquid or what does your midwife suggest?  I was just going to start adding daily prunes.  The fiber gummies have been keeping things just as regular as needed, but even skipping one day leads to trouble, so I'd bet adding the iron pills will make me need to up the ante.  I totally feel like I've turned into my mother over here talking about fiber and prunes, hah!

cait5413

Hey STM+s, 

My cousin is on the verge of having baby #2 (any day now!!!). For the first one, I visited in the hospital and then dropped off food when they got home, but we just moved 3 hours away. Any ideas for food I can send? I know I could do a whole foods gift card or pizza delivery or something, but I wish there was a casserole delivery service! Also considering an edible arrangement--easy to snack on? Let me know if you have ideas. Baby #1 is 2 years old, and my cousin's hubby is mostly on a vegetarian/vegan diet due to health issues, but my cousin is not, and I'm mainly concerned with feeding her, so I'm not too worried about it. 

kwilliams3402

@cait5413, have you ever used Grub Hub? They will deliver from a handful of restaurants, and you order it all online and can deliver to a different locale.  We live in Austin, TX and used it to deliver Snappy Salads to folks in Dallas, TX, and it worked great!