Seriously @bamacoop you are on fire today! I love it!
Im so worried about not being 'appropriate' with some people. For most of my family I just write on the wrapping paper unless gift card. But I have a stash of cards because I HATE mushy cards. Ugh, I'm sentimental but not mushy. I expect those cards from my grandmothers (and do try to keep those) but most of the time I want to gag or eyeroll. My step father is the hardest so anytime I see a funny card I grab it. I also head right over to the .47 & .97 cent area when I am sending gift cards to my younger cousins. They don't care! I think I've given each one of the the 'cool beans' birthday card from Walmart.
The only thing I disagree with is wrapping paper at Christmas time. I am obsessed with Christmas wrapping paper and coordinating it all. I wrap all of my husband's family with one type and my family with another so I can immediately identify. But everything has to coordinate and look nice under my tree. I very rarely do gift bags for that occasion. But gift tags there all the way. Edit to claify: I disagree with gift bags (for my purposes) at Christmas.
@maf9866 I'm the opposite: at Christmas, I LOVE gift bags. I don't mind wrapping paper other times, but there's just too much to wrap at Christmas for me to do it all with paper. Thank god I have a stash, and my mother has an insane stash, of gift bags that we reuse over and over. Because otherwise that would get pricey! But I hate spending the money on gift bags for things were I can't take the bag home and reuse it, like a shower or birthday party. Lol. Does that make me cheap???
Truly random, but my mom just texted me and said that a basketball game my younger brother worked on for his college got nominated for an east coast Emmy! I'm so proud of him.
My two youngest siblings were born when I was in middle school so I was always the one who watched them so I have always felt more maternal to those two. My brother is doing great things at his college and my little sister will be on her way to Temple for pharmacy in 2 weeks. It's so hard to believe.
@krzyriver wrapping at Christmas does take forever. I have to do it over the course of a few days but I'm a really early shopper/planner for that so by Thanksgiving my shopping and wrapping is usually done. I used to hate wrapping presents but now I'm like a machine!
haha I don't think that makes you cheap! In fact, at least in my world, it usually comes up very quickly if the person is going to reuse the bag or does the original giver want it back. Even the tissue paper sometimes gets given back.
Christmas wrapping is the BEST! That's the one time I don't mind taking the time to wrap all the gifts and coordinate them all too. That's just part of the Christmas-y spirit to me. Usually I do it with my sister, and we'll watch Christmas movies while we wrap, so it's more fun.
Ugh. This is making me wish Christmas would hurry up now!
@maf9866 I want your friends and family. I would love to get my gift bags and tissue paper back. Then I'd NEVER have to use wrapping paper. Lol
@bamacooop I do love Christmas, I just can't do it all with paper. I want it to be perfect and then I end up crying at some point. Lol. But I love getting Christmas presents ready and under the tree!!
I LOVE Christmas wrapping! It's one of my favorite parts- making everything look pretty. I will do the odd bag for random-shaped thing, but I use as much paper as possible for Christmas. Way more fun to open! Now birthdays and showers? You will get a bag 98% of the time.
@bnsmith85, I am so happy you're gonna get to keep Blaze and that the training went well and now you have a plan. It warms my heart to know he's gonna be alright!
RE: the homeless guy.... it's such a sad situation over here in San Diego. They all get shipped here from all over the nation (yes, they've literally said they were given one way bus tickets from wherever they were originally from because "services for the homeless are better in California"). It's so crazy because our homeless population has increased by 2.8% from last year...and they literally have nowhere to go. I know the post I posted yday was comical (and it really was), but the situation here is not. This morning I saw a homeless guy POOP, literally pull down his pants and took a dump in front of a restaurant downtown that charges $34 for a burger. It's so crazy and ironic and sad.
@bamacoop, I'm with you, I'm a gift tag kind of gift-giver.
However, on the topic of not knowing what to write baby.... I did an activity for a shower I hosted 2 years ago. I had a blank notebook and each page had a heading for the age of the baby, till 25. We started at Age 7. (we figured that's when the baby would be able to appreciate/understand the stuff written). And we had guests pick an age they wanted and write down advice for the baby. It was adorable, and hilarious and sweet---all at the same time. I want my hostesses to do it for me at this baby shower.
okay, also @ibabyloveb87, I work super close to a Cost Plus World Market and they were having a 30% off sale on wines and kitchenware (dish towels!!!!), so I went ahead and got my hostess gifts done.
Tada!
Last thought before I dive into work.... I"m having such a hard time keeping up with both the BMB and the FB group! Aaaaaaaaaah!
You know those eye-soothing masks filled with gel that you keep in the refrigerator? Can somebody please invent the exact same thing for my hot, swollen, water-retaining feet? Gel shoes?
I'm not gonna lie... I thought you were going to say "vag" not "feet." I don't know what this says about me.
You know those eye-soothing masks filled with gel that you keep in the refrigerator? Can somebody please invent the exact same thing for my hot, swollen, water-retaining feet? Gel shoes?
I'm not gonna lie... I thought you were going to say "vag" not "feet." I don't know what this says about me.
@F47 Oh my god, I did too. Lol. I don't know what's wrong with me today. I can probably blame this one on the fact that I was just reading about using ice packs on your downstairs after labor, right?
You know those eye-soothing masks filled with gel that you keep in the refrigerator? Can somebody please invent the exact same thing for my hot, swollen, water-retaining feet? Gel shoes?
I'm not gonna lie... I thought you were going to say "vag" not "feet." I don't know what this says about me.
@annabenanna When I moved from upstate NY to San Diego I was shocked at the number of homeless people As someone else mentioned, a lot of people living on the streets have mental illness (and wouldn't accept help if available), it still makes me sad the limited resources and double standards. i.e. I get so upset when I see cops poking and prodding homeless in the park to move along with all their possessions, while I'm sprawled out for a picnic with way more stuff.
@chriscasey33, I agree it is so sad how limited our resources are, and the double standards too. There's a homeless camp on Imperial Ave downtown that I pass everyday on my way home and I see toddlers running around there barefoot. I've called the cops every time I see those kids and every time the cops say "we can check but if there's no sign of neglect we can't do much." I get so exasperated because isn't a toddler running around barefoot where there are people shooting up drugs a sign of neglect???
On a happier note, happier topic....
What can I get my stepdaughters (ages 6 and 8) for the baby shower? I wanna get them big sister gifts, but am at a loss as to what. I was wanting it to be something special, but also don't wanna spend a ton of money on it. Any ideas ladies?
@annabenanna My daughter just wants a big sister shirt. I planned on giving it to her the night before my csection so she can wear it up to the hospital. I haven't really thought about getting anything else.
@annabenanna I just ordered a Mommy and Me bracelet set as a Big Sister gift for DD. Maybe you could find a piece of jewelry that would be special to them?
My weekly random is my DS just pooped in the potty for the first time! All you mom's that have a little one at home already, If you've done or are doing potty training, you know how exciting this is!
What a day for work emails. Found out this morning that we are doing away with business attire and having casual days every dayof the year (not just Fridays)! And now invited to a work (read: free) dinner tonight that came up last minute.
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
@ibabyloveb87 My work just recently said we could wear jeans everyday and I got really excited until I remembered that I've sworn off pants until October. Hopefully they don't change their minds before I get back from mat leave!
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
Speaking of maternity leave, I had a friend ask me "when are you going on maternity leave?" and it felt so awesome to say "next month! my last day is September 30 which falls on a Friday".
Insane. I guess this should go on the When Shit Got Real thread.
Speaking of maternity leave, I had a friend ask me "when are you going on maternity leave?" and it felt so awesome to say "next month! my last day is September 30 which falls on a Friday".
Insane. I guess this should go on the When Shit Got Real thread.
I wish I had a specific day I could count down to!
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
@ibabyloveb87 and @MRSCORKER My work also said we could start dressing casually everyday. They sent out the draft version of the new dress code and descriptions like, "no funky jeans" and "armholes must be tasteful." Really?! I called them out on the funky jeans thing because, they will feel ridiculous trying to send someone home for their "funky" jeans. Tasteful arm holes made it through though. WTF does that even mean?! In addition, I told my director (who's also my bestie) how I thought that prohibiting tshirts and making them wear dressy shirts with jeans is ridiculous. Then she told me she's the one that insisted on that... whoops!
@annabenanna- I LOVE that wine bottle idea! I have fewer hosts so I think I'm going to steal that and add it to a gift basket with some other things in there. Whoop whoop!
And on the Christmas gift wrap subject... I have a love/hate relationship with it. I want my tree and under it to be BEAUTIFUL. But damn if my back doesn't ache while I'm sitting wrapping a gazillion presents. It's my mom's fault I feel the pressure to make the gifts look perfect. She does.
Speaking of maternity leave, I had a friend ask me "when are you going on maternity leave?" and it felt so awesome to say "next month! my last day is September 30 which falls on a Friday".
Insane. I guess this should go on the When Shit Got Real thread.
I wish I had a specific day I could count down to!
Me too. I just keep telling people that i'm working until I go into labor or the doctor tells me to stop
@MRSCORKER@bnsmith85 We have casual Friday year round, and casual summer. Who wants jeans in the summer?!? I am so pumped to be wearing jeans when I get back from maternity leave. Jeans = less thought = easier for tired new mommy
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
@bnsmith85 You wouldn't think you'd have to be so specific with the dress code but people take "casual" to the extreme sometimes.
I couldn't agree more... but we need better descriptors than funky and tasteful. I mean, both of those words are subjective. And, come to find out, what they meant by "funky" was no faded jeans.
DH just told me I have to go to dinner with his family one night this weekend. They planned dinner on Friday and brewery crawl then dinner on Saturday since his brother is in town. I still have zero desire to see them because I still don't think I can fake it. They haven't reached out once to apologize about how they handled everything while we were away. I was planning on using the fact that I'm watching my bestie's son all weekend as my excuse for not joining but now I have to choose one to go to. FYI- DH doesn't really put his foot down about stuff like that...ever. So I have to listen. uggggh.... nooot looking forward to thissss (yes, that's my whiny voice)
I am so so far behind... my brain can't take this all in. I spent too long at Walmart and am having a psychological melt down.
I had to tell a random child who was hanging out by my basket in the checkout line TWICE to please not touch my baby. Then had to tell the child's MOTHER to please not touch my baby when she decided to show up and retrieve her child. Then DD made a PSA after watching saying "Only me and Mommy get to touch Jimmy, he's only our baby okay?"
@AllyTheKid Your sweet girl was just looking out for her baby brother! I actually think that's really sweet. But I'm sure it probably didn't help the situation at the time. Glad you made it home & out of the madness that is wal-mart!
Re: Weekly Randoms 08.08.2016
Im so worried about not being 'appropriate' with some people. For most of my family I just write on the wrapping paper unless gift card. But I have a stash of cards because I HATE mushy cards. Ugh, I'm sentimental but not mushy. I expect those cards from my grandmothers (and do try to keep those) but most of the time I want to gag or eyeroll. My step father is the hardest so anytime I see a funny card I grab it. I also head right over to the .47 & .97 cent area when I am sending gift cards to my younger cousins. They don't care! I think I've given each one of the the 'cool beans' birthday card from Walmart.
The only thing I disagree with is wrapping paper at Christmas time. I am obsessed with Christmas wrapping paper and coordinating it all. I wrap all of my husband's family with one type and my family with another so I can immediately identify. But everything has to coordinate and look nice under my tree. I very rarely do gift bags for that occasion. But gift tags there all the way.
Edit to claify: I disagree with gift bags (for my purposes) at Christmas.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
My two youngest siblings were born when I was in middle school so I was always the one who watched them so I have always felt more maternal to those two. My brother is doing great things at his college and my little sister will be on her way to Temple for pharmacy in 2 weeks. It's so hard to believe.
haha I don't think that makes you cheap! In fact, at least in my world, it usually comes up very quickly if the person is going to reuse the bag or does the original giver want it back. Even the tissue paper sometimes gets given back.
Christmas wrapping is the BEST! That's the one time I don't mind taking the time to wrap all the gifts and coordinate them all too. That's just part of the Christmas-y spirit to me. Usually I do it with my sister, and we'll watch Christmas movies while we wrap, so it's more fun.
Ugh. This is making me wish Christmas would hurry up now!
@bamacooop I do love Christmas, I just can't do it all with paper. I want it to be perfect and then I end up crying at some point. Lol. But I love getting Christmas presents ready and under the tree!!
@bnsmith85, I am so happy you're gonna get to keep Blaze and that the training went well and now you have a plan.
RE: the homeless guy.... it's such a sad situation over here in San Diego. They all get shipped here from all over the nation (yes, they've literally said they were given one way bus tickets from wherever they were originally from because "services for the homeless are better in California"). It's so crazy because our homeless population has increased by 2.8% from last year...and they literally have nowhere to go. I know the post I posted yday was comical (and it really was), but the situation here is not.
@bamacoop, I'm with you, I'm a gift tag kind of gift-giver.
However, on the topic of not knowing what to write baby.... I did an activity for a shower I hosted 2 years ago. I had a blank notebook and each page had a heading for the age of the baby, till 25. We started at Age 7. (we figured that's when the baby would be able to appreciate/understand the stuff written). And we had guests pick an age they wanted and write down advice for the baby. It was adorable, and hilarious and sweet---all at the same time. I want my hostesses to do it for me at this baby shower.
okay, also @ibabyloveb87, I work super close to a Cost Plus World Market and they were having a 30% off sale on wines and kitchenware (dish towels!!!!), so I went ahead and got my hostess gifts done.
Tada!
Last thought before I dive into work.... I"m having such a hard time keeping up with both the BMB and the FB group! Aaaaaaaaaah!
BFP: 8/20/2018 - EDD 5/4/2019
On a happier note, happier topic....
What can I get my stepdaughters (ages 6 and 8) for the baby shower? I wanna get them big sister gifts, but am at a loss as to what. I was wanting it to be something special, but also don't wanna spend a ton of money on it. Any ideas ladies?
@ball4768, YES! I love this idea.
ETA: They don't have the one at target anymore.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
Insane. I guess this should go on the When Shit Got Real thread.
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
@annabenanna- I LOVE that wine bottle idea! I have fewer hosts so I think I'm going to steal that and add it to a gift basket with some other things in there. Whoop whoop!
And on the Christmas gift wrap subject... I have a love/hate relationship with it. I want my tree and under it to be BEAUTIFUL. But damn if my back doesn't ache while I'm sitting wrapping a gazillion presents. It's my mom's fault I feel the pressure to make the gifts look perfect. She does.
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
Dating: 10/3/08 | Married: 12/27/14
TTC #1: August 2015 | BFP: 2/3/16 | EDD: 10/7/16
DD: 10/5/16
TTC #2: September 2017 | BFP: 4/28/18 | EDD: 1/7/19
DS: 1/9/19
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
I guess that's what I actually wear now... PJ's. But whatever.
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
FYI- DH doesn't really put his foot down about stuff like that...ever. So I have to listen. uggggh.... nooot looking forward to thissss (yes, that's my whiny voice)
I had to tell a random child who was hanging out by my basket in the checkout line TWICE to please not touch my baby. Then had to tell the child's MOTHER to please not touch my baby when she decided to show up and retrieve her child. Then DD made a PSA after watching saying "Only me and Mommy get to touch Jimmy, he's only our baby okay?"
I'm so happy to be home.
And I will never understand why strangers think it's okay to touch another person, baby or not.
Dating: 10/3/08 | Married: 12/27/14
TTC #1: August 2015 | BFP: 2/3/16 | EDD: 10/7/16
DD: 10/5/16
TTC #2: September 2017 | BFP: 4/28/18 | EDD: 1/7/19
DS: 1/9/19