I'll kick off the randoms for this month... Through our health insurance at work we receive lower premiums if we participate in the Wellness Program they outline quarterly. This quarter includes calorie counting every day for 7 weeks. I have deemed this "Operation Starvation" to try and have some fun with it because I have always failed at calorie counting - I've tried multiple times to calorie count or do a food journal and I essentially starve myself EVERY TIME. While I do have the option to not participate, I feel obligated since there's a great cost savings on insurance. I am trying to see this as a positive thing but it's just rough to balance. Each night I try to get a workout in after S goes to sleep - she won't go down til after 9:30 - the stinker! Any support, suggestions, and recipes are welcome!
I've mentioned a few times that I started my own business to stay at home when P was born. It's going just ok, not losing money but not making much either when all is said and done. So I'm looking for other ways to expand to kind of broaden my income potential and I need some non-partial brains to pick. Wanna be my brains? Ok so here's my idea, which I've been wanting to do for a long time but I'm just not sure if people actually would want to pay for it. I'm not a professional interior designer but I'm really good at it (lol says me) and I've done a lot of big remodeling projects for family that I've loved. I am an artist and have a degree in fine arts/education so I have a little bit of professional cred but I know interior design is another ball game as far as credentials go. Anyways, all the interior designers in my area are really fancy-schmancy modern ones or they decorate for millionaires (I live in proximity to one of the wealthiest communities in the country, who knew Indiana?) But there is nothing that caters to the diy-middle class homeowner who just needs some help with decorating ideas and pulling it together within a reasonable budget. Is that because no one wants it or do you guys think people would go for that service if it was available? I'm totally fishing here...but you guys are always a good sounding board!
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
I like food journal apps. My phone is always with me so it's an easy way to log it. Im all about Whole Foods and cooking from scratch. Protein, vegetables, fruit, nutrient dense carbs (brown rice, quinoa, super grain blends, whole wheat pasta), and smart snacking. Cheese, hummus, peanut butter, hard boiled eggs. This may not be the lowest calorie route, but it's certainly a very healthful way of eating. Also, think about any healthier substitutes. Trade pasta for spaghetti squash, a cinnamon roll for cinnamon oatmeal, butter for olive oil, etc. And drink TONS of water.
@HoneyBear40 Props to you! While I usually have an on/off relationship with calorie counting myself I tend to go off the beaten path and can't stay with it . When I am committed, I use the app, My Fitness Pal. It's great for calorie counting! You don't have to write everything down & most of the food items are on there with just a few clicks! It also can sync with your fitness tracker such as a fitbit or apple watch.
@winnie1122 I think that sounds like a great idea. I've lived in my house 4 years and it's barely decorated. It looks like we just moved in. The biggest barriers are the fact that DH can agree on nothing - we're just in a constant deadlock over preferences. So a way to arbitrate and combine those preferences would rock. The second is, the idea of shelling out a ton of cash to decorate the whole house in one swoop just sounds like too much. So maybe your service can include a way to just make a plan for steps to take over weeks/months/years for various rooms - and can include you scouting out the budget options and DIY ideas.. and a plan of how a person can use their spare time to accomplish the decorating goals.. That's the other big barrier - TIME. We don't have money for a fancy decorator.. but also we don't have time to find or build budget things we can both agree on. So.. helping us to put together a plan of how to use our time would be awesome!
I love that idea! I love the idea of someone helping us pick out paint, a style we like, (our house is a bit of a hodge podge on style), and refine or tweak some ideas we have. At this very moment, I would happily pay someone to do a gallery wall in our living room. I think with the wave the Jo and Chip have made with Fixer Upper (most of their houses are under $300,000-- so very middle class as a national average goes) there is totally a market for it. @winnie1122
We use the Halo sleep sacks. They come in different sizes. DD2 is a medium right now. We have 1 fleece one that we mostly use plus 1 cotton one as a backup.
How is my 6.5 month old grabbing things to stand already...she has an activity table that she's grabbing and standing on her own with ... I thought I had waaaaay longer to worry about this!
Same here, @ashgee18!! She's been doing it for a couple weeks now! It scares me a little. I think she's going to walk before she officially crawls. Haha. She hates crawling. She did it twice and stopped.
@winnie1122 I would be all over your new business...if I lived in your area. What I wouldn't give for some assistance in redecorating. I think I have good ideas most of the time, but executing is usually a problem, lol. And finding the items!! I wish I were that person that knew how to thrift store shop and transform...but I suck at it. I say go for it!!! I feel like there's a market out there for your interest.
Thanks for all the input ladies! Talked to DH about it when he got home and I'm going to at least give it a try! Who knows? Wish me luck!! Gotta go channel my inner Joanna Gaines now...
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
Omg. I am so irritated. I did L's laundry...I always throw everything together. I've only screwed up one outfit due to something "bleeding" in the wash. Well my (annoying a$$) MIL bought L a red dress for Christmas. It's not one bit my style and super fancy...so it's sat until now. I figured I'd wash it to take a vday photo of her in it. And only send the photo to my MIL, lol. Well what do you know...the damn dress bled in the wash. And now I've lost some white items to that cheap dress I didn't even like to begin with. Ugh!!! Does anyone know if it's safe to bleach clothes if they're all white? Or maybe soak in oxy clean?
@winnie1122 Good luck! I would LOVE to have someone come in & make my house feel more homey. I've lived here for 3 1/2 years & I feel like the only room that feels "finished" is C's. His is my favorite room in the house. I need some help!
Took a 5 minute shower where baby N cried the whole five minutes until I got out and she instantly stopped then she saw my boobs and realized they weren't in her mouth ... Cue The blood-curdling Scream #assholeparent lol
@LDSJM123 & @jodi1980 Thanks for the tips! I've been a member/user of MyFitnessPal on and off but I guess it's time to be "on" again. I need to work towards being more organized/better planner when it comes to meals so I can have a control on my meals. Breakfast & lunch have been ok so far but dinner's are my downfall - at home with DH
6.5 months of getting up with M for MOTN feedings (EBF, and I can count on 1 hand how many times she's slept through the night) and today I told my husband I need a full night of sleep and asked for his help for a night. There's plenty in the freezer and I'm sure I'll wake up nice and engorged. Going back to work and being up 2-3x a night is kicking my tail. I'm already looking forward to sleeping in the guest room so I can truly sleep. I may even get really crazy and take a Benadryl.
Also made me wonder, how much or little help is/was your significant other for MOTN feedings?
Right there with you! My Lo has been waking up at least 1-2 times a night to eat Im trying to get him to stop but he just loses his shi* if I dont feed him. I need tips to get him to stop eating in the middle of the night. Ive read to feed them a little less each time but he ll just wake up sooner wanting more. Hes just got teh hang of eating solids so I thought that would help no such luckL:( @LDSJM123 My first son STTN and didnt need to eat in middle of night at 4.5 months so im just struggling.
@LDSJM123 My SO rarely gets up wth DS during the night. He did last night, only because DS was letting out some blood curdling screams. Otherwise, I'm up nodding to sleep as DS nurses all night long (2 to 3 times) while DS snores. Bitching moment... in the morning SO will tell me how exhausted he is. I just roll my eyes lol. I wish he'd take over during the night but I don't have enough of a stash and DS doesn't respond as well to him as he does me when it comes to comfort. SO gets frustrated which just escalates the situation. Needless to say, I'm jealous lol
@LDSJM123 & @jodi1980 Thanks for the tips! I've been a member/user of MyFitnessPal on and off but I guess it's time to be "on" again. I need to work towards being more organized/better planner when it comes to meals so I can have a control on my meals. Breakfast & lunch have been ok so far but dinner's are my downfall - at home with DH
Stuck in the box: I am on MPF if you'd like to be friends on there! It's definitely a good way to keep accountable.
@winnie1122 love that idea! Good luck moving forward!
We just decided last night since E has been getting up 4-6 times a night (we hit 9 times last night, ugh) that we need to be a little bit more strict. DH goes in now and calms her down instead of taking her right to me, and she only needed to eat twice last night. We're keeping all our fingers and toes crossed that this maybe helps with MOTN wakings and we can maybe get back down to 1-2 times a night. This is exhausting though.
@LDSJM123 The only way we have survived twins is taking shifts. When we first brought them home from the NICU and were eating every 2 hours, I would go to bed at 7 and wake up at 1 to come relieve my husband, who would then go sleep from 1-7 and then go to work. Now it's morphed into he takes the first feeding (9:30-10:30) and I take the second (2:30-3:30). I can't get them to drink 24 oz of formula during the day so we need the night feedings. Which sucks. But I am so SO grateful for how helpful my DH has been.
C woke up with his first cold on Monday morning. After 2 days of him screaming & fighting me every time I tried to use the nasal aspirator bulb, I stopped & bought a nosefrida on my way home from work last night. Nothing quite like literally sucking the snot from your child's nose...Being a mom is so glamorous sometimes In all seriousness though, I can already say it was worth every penny & I never would have known about it if it weren't for you ladies & this board.
Ha!!! I can count on one hand the amount of times my husband has done MOTN feedings. Largely because I am breastfeeding, it's difficult to get him involved often. Only recently have we stopped assuming every time she wakes she's hungry...and he's been going in as the first responder to soothe. But as for taking her a bottle of pre-pumped milk...maybe 4 times since she grew out of the newborn stage!! He was a tad better in the beginning when we were supplementing with formula.
I've done all of the night duties while my hubs is gone (i could ask my mom for help but feel guilty...i've probably only asked 3 times since he has been gone) but I'll be honest...I'm thrilled about him coming home in April and having the help and being able to stay in bed sometimes...but I'm also very afraid it won't go well because he isn't used to doing it, she isn't used to him yet, he doesn't know the routine...I'm sure time and practice will get it right...but any break in the routine gives makes me nervous
Both girls have been sick this week. They both want to be held all the time and are sleeping terribly. I think it's been a week since I slept more than 2 hours at a time. I'm exhausted
DH used to get up her when she used to wake up multiple times. Once she went to just once, he didn't anymore. She's back to waking up multiple times and he tried waking up with her and it was a disaster. She refused to go back down until I got up with her.
My DH is pretty good about helping. He stays up until 11 every night so he would do the dream feed in a bottle at 10:30, but we have now dropped the dream feed since Q is on formula and gets all his calories during the day. DH will get up in the middle of the night, but usually I have to because Q doesn't soothe well with him. He gets really worked up and loses it pretty bad if I don't come in and help. But DH tries pretty much every time!
My random is is that I was looking in to new BC since I'm not breast feeding anymore and I found out how the mini pill works. I guess I never thought to find out, but when researching I got irrationally upset. For those who don't know, the mini pill makes the cervix lining thick so sperm can't get in, but it also makes the uterus lining thin so if sperm does get in and an egg gets fertilized, it can't attach. When I found this out I started crying hysterically and my DH had no clue why I was so upset! I explained that we could have had a fertilized egg and the BC I'm taking made it so that it didn't attach. After my freak out over the fact that we could have possibly, maybe, had another baby when I ovulated last month we decided that I shouldn't be on BC anymore. It seems super irrational now! But I guess we are now not trying but not preventing and I'm pretty excited. We planned on trying again in May but would be happy with earlier for sure. Here goes nothin!
Did anyone else end up with a hernia after pregnancy? They said it's usually most common with multiple pregnancies (as in both more than one kid at a time and carrying many pregnancies). They are blaming the fact that I had such severe polyhydramnios (their words). Dr said it was best to wait until we are done having kids to have the surgery to fix it (because it's pretty much guaranteed to happen again). But I was also told (and read) that waiting to fix it isn't good because it can get worse. I'm confused, and a little lost but past of me is screaming it can't be smart to let it go until whenever... I guess I just wondered your ladies opinions.
DH hasn't been sleeping well, so it's actually helped me out. He'll go and get DS and bring him to me in bed and also bring him back to his crib so I can feed him and have to get up. Normally DH is either out of town or he doesn't hear DS on the monitor so I just wake up and get him. But DH is sweet enough that if I know DS isn't hungry, I can wake DH and he'll take care of him. He has the patience of a saint with his son.
Anyone dealing with any seperation anxiety from baby? As in baby j has total meltdowns if I walk away more than 2 feet. She used just complain but then get over it and keep playing. Lately she won't stop crying with tears and everything. She also has been sleeping like crap. I read there is a sleep regression around 6 month and a growth spurt. I just don't know.
@babycakesday was just coming here to ask that...screaming bloody murder when I walk away or put her down for nap ... I could be in the kitchen and she's in the next room and can see me but she screams!
@babycakesday We're dealing with separation anxiety here. I just left him in his high chair for 30 seconds to take the garbage out to the garage and it was a full blown screaming meltdown. When my husband is holding him I have to make a point to stay out of his line of sight because if he sees or hears me he fusses and cries until we give in and I take him back. I love that he loves me and feels secure with me but it's exhausting and sometimes I'd just like to do things without a baby on my hip. I can tell it bothers my husband a bit too. I keep telling myself it'll pass and I'll miss it someday.
LO went in for his shots yesterday and once again did not receive them because he is still wheezing when doc heard his chest. Looks like it's albuterol via nebulizer since the saline isn't doing the trick. I can't wait for this to be over and LO breathing better. I just wish I could take it for him
@kmurdock925 thanks hun.....it amazes me how happy this kid is with what he has endured and the ER doc told me they get sick roughly 12 to 15 times a year!
I'm glad it's not just me although some days feel like it is.
@Jodi1980 That really sucks. I hope he gets better soon. Baby J is sick again making it the 3rd cold she's had in 3 months. It's like they get better only to get sick again.
Re: February Randoms!
Through our health insurance at work we receive lower premiums if we participate in the Wellness Program they outline quarterly. This quarter includes calorie counting every day for 7 weeks. I have deemed this "Operation Starvation" to try and have some fun with it because I have always failed at calorie counting - I've tried multiple times to calorie count or do a food journal and I essentially starve myself EVERY TIME. While I do have the option to not participate, I feel obligated since there's a great cost savings on insurance. I am trying to see this as a positive thing but it's just rough to balance. Each night I try to get a workout in after S goes to sleep - she won't go down til after 9:30 - the stinker!
Any support, suggestions, and recipes are welcome!
Props to you! While I usually have an on/off relationship with calorie counting myself I tend to go off the beaten path and can't stay with it
Elise is already getting too long for her carters sleep sacks. Does anyone know of some longer brands? I really like the fleece ones for winter.
Also made me wonder, how much or little help is/was your significant other for MOTN feedings?
We just decided last night since E has been getting up 4-6 times a night (we hit 9 times last night, ugh) that we need to be a little bit more strict. DH goes in now and calms her down instead of taking her right to me, and she only needed to eat twice last night. We're keeping all our fingers and toes crossed that this maybe helps with MOTN wakings and we can maybe get back down to 1-2 times a night. This is exhausting though.
**I hate that my posts keep getting cut off!!**
DH gets up with DD1 if I'm already up with DD2.
My random is is that I was looking in to new BC since I'm not breast feeding anymore and I found out how the mini pill works. I guess I never thought to find out, but when researching I got irrationally upset. For those who don't know, the mini pill makes the cervix lining thick so sperm can't get in, but it also makes the uterus lining thin so if sperm does get in and an egg gets fertilized, it can't attach. When I found this out I started crying hysterically and my DH had no clue why I was so upset! I explained that we could have had a fertilized egg and the BC I'm taking made it so that it didn't attach. After my freak out over the fact that we could have possibly, maybe, had another baby when I ovulated last month we decided that I shouldn't be on BC anymore. It seems super irrational now! But I guess we are now not trying but not preventing and I'm pretty excited. We planned on trying again in May but would be happy with earlier for sure. Here goes nothin!
https://www.facebook.com/amazngvide0s/videos/232985410444888/
Me: 31 & Husband: 40
Married: November 2014
They said it's usually most common with multiple pregnancies (as in both more than one kid at a time and carrying many pregnancies). They are blaming the fact that I had such severe polyhydramnios (their words). Dr said it was best to wait until we are done having kids to have the surgery to fix it (because it's pretty much guaranteed to happen again). But I was also told (and read) that waiting to fix it isn't good because it can get worse.
I'm confused, and a little lost but past of me is screaming it can't be smart to let it go until whenever... I guess I just wondered your ladies opinions.
When my husband is holding him I have to make a point to stay out of his line of sight because if he sees or hears me he fusses and cries until we give in and I take him back. I love that he loves me and feels secure with me but it's exhausting and sometimes I'd just like to do things without a baby on my hip. I can tell it bothers my husband a bit too. I keep telling myself it'll pass and I'll miss it someday.
@Jodi1980 That really sucks. I hope he gets better soon. Baby J is sick again making it the 3rd cold she's had in 3 months. It's like they get better only to get sick again.