I don't like participating in Elfster gift exchanges if all people do is have items shipped directly from an Amazon wishlist to their person. It's so impersonal - I could have just bought it myself. I've always shipped things to myself, wrapped them and added a note/card, then shipped to my person.
I don't like participating in Elfster gift exchanges if all people do is have items shipped directly from an Amazon wishlist to their person. It's so impersonal - I could have just bought it myself. I've always shipped things to myself, wrapped them and added a note/card, then shipped to my person.
Normally I would say yes, but my first exchange I had a Canadian mom and it was so much cheaper shipping from Amazon to her. I would have spent the allotted amount on shipping alone. I think there are exceptions.
I'm beginning to hate them because I normally get the person who fails to send anything out. And then I'm always the one who does it early. It just sucks sitting and waiting and watching everyone get all their pretty packages.
I hate maternity clothes with strings around the back. Wtf is the point except to hurt my back when I sit back? It doesn't tighten my shirt at all or make my bump any more "manageable." It just makes me look like I'm 80.
BFP#1: 12/3/13 EDD 8/15/13. Heartbeat found on 12/26/13, HB gone on 1/4/13. D&C 1/7/13
BFP#2: 4/19/13 EDD 12/28/13. Team Green for pregnancy and Baby Girl arrived 12/21/13. BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
Ahh that makes sense! I will say, I am all about the Amazon wrapping services. It's free for me to ship from Amazon, so I say why spend $15+ on shipping multiple gifts at xmas time! Shipping can get so expensive! And they get their gifts wrapped and with a card
as much as it pains me to say, bc i love getting gifts. i think gifts for adults is dumb. before kids whatever. but now i am buying for a zillion nieces and nephews. the holidays i need to finance for like 17 years. like your SO/parents sure. but every sibling and friend and BMB exchange. i dont care if it is personal or not. i am tapped by the time i get to getting you a gift. here is a gift card, or a candle. sent with love, and resentment.
as much as it pains me to say, bc i love getting gifts. i think gifts for adults is dumb. before kids whatever. but now i am buying for a zillion nieces and nephews. the holidays i need to finance for like 17 years. like your SO/parents sure. but every sibling and friend and BMB exchange. i dont care if it is personal or not. i am tapped by the time i get to getting you a gift. here is a gift card, or a candle. sent with love, and resentment.
We are the masters of joint/event gifts. Kiddos will get small gifts (they could not care less how much we spend on them, sometimes I just get them crayons and coloring book and they're thrilled). Our siblings we usually just say let's do something together - a concert, a weekend getaway, a nice "adults only" dinner, etc. And our parents get something from the kids now - even if it's a painting or something. I dare someone to complain about a finger painting by their granddaughter. Dare them.
Also, I have a friend who has a ginormous family and they just draw a name each year with a $20 gift limit. My family is relatively small, but I'd be up for that.
BFP#1: 12/3/13 EDD 8/15/13. Heartbeat found on 12/26/13, HB gone on 1/4/13. D&C 1/7/13
BFP#2: 4/19/13 EDD 12/28/13. Team Green for pregnancy and Baby Girl arrived 12/21/13. BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
I feel like pregnancy makes me stink! I need a shower everyday and since I live in a dry climate it's horrible for the skin and hair but my own stink makes me nauseous.
@bluejeanbabi05@canonmom413 it is a secret santa, Elfster does the task of gathering all the participants and dividing them out and managing the exchange. My Jan15 group did them for like every occasion. Christmas, Mother's Day, a mom gift for babies 1st birthday (which I actually loved that idea.) I didn't do all of them I got burned a couple of times, but the last one we did was great!
as much as it pains me to say, bc i love getting gifts. i think gifts for adults is dumb. before kids whatever. but now i am buying for a zillion nieces and nephews. the holidays i need to finance for like 17 years. like your SO/parents sure. but every sibling and friend and BMB exchange. i dont care if it is personal or not. i am tapped by the time i get to getting you a gift. here is a gift card, or a candle. sent with love, and resentment.
So. Much. This.
--------
I heart theSkimm I heart YNAB --------- “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Albus Dumbledore
I've been shoving my ultrasound picture in everyone's face at work and then I realize that some people might be having trouble TTC and now I feel like a butthole.
Me: 29 DH: 32 Married 9/27/2014 TTC Since 1/1/2017 BFP: 2/6/2017 Due Date: 10/13/17
@feeislove aw man. That really sucks. I would feel awful, I'm sure people can be rational about it and understand though.
This morning, I woke up 10 minutes before I had to leave. I slapped on some BB cream, some blush, braided my hair, slipped on my leggings and a pull over sweater. It's Friday. The boss is out of town. We have no clients expected, Eff this. I'm in full blown comfort mode.
as much as it pains me to say, bc i love getting gifts. i think gifts for adults is dumb. before kids whatever. but now i am buying for a zillion nieces and nephews. the holidays i need to finance for like 17 years. like your SO/parents sure. but every sibling and friend and BMB exchange. i dont care if it is personal or not. i am tapped by the time i get to getting you a gift. here is a gift card, or a candle. sent with love, and resentment.
We are the masters of joint/event gifts. Kiddos will get small gifts (they could not care less how much we spend on them, sometimes I just get them crayons and coloring book and they're thrilled). Our siblings we usually just say let's do something together - a concert, a weekend getaway, a nice "adults only" dinner, etc. And our parents get something from the kids now - even if it's a painting or something. I dare someone to complain about a finger painting by their granddaughter. Dare them.
Also, I have a friend who has a ginormous family and they just draw a name each year with a $20 gift limit. My family is relatively small, but I'd be up for that.
Huge family here and we do kids and all draw one adult name that we buy for. I heard a really fun idea of making each Christmas/holiday a theme like "Say Cheese" and you buy a fun gift around the theme. Could be actually cheese related, camera related, picture related. I think we are going to try and do this this coming year. I mean we've all gotten to the point that we are just buying each other gift cards. Why not make it less about the gift and more about the fun of it all.
I feel like pregnancy makes me stink! I need a shower everyday and since I live in a dry climate it's horrible for the skin and hair but my own stink makes me nauseous.
I know what you mean! The prenatals make my pee smell like I've been gorging on asparagus. I could shower 3 times a day and feel like I still stink.
DIAPER GENIE ROX! Diaper Genie is a total waste of money. Get a pack 'n' play! Youll never use a pack 'n' play... A video monitor was my best investment! All monitors are stupid, you'll hear them through the door!
DIAPER GENIE ROX! Diaper Genie is a total waste of money. Get a pack 'n' play! Youll never use a pack 'n' play... A video monitor was my best investment! All monitors are stupid, you'll hear them through the door!
^That thread in a nutshell^
As a FTM, I appreciate everyone's input about their actual experience with various products. That said, I think everyone has a different personal experience with different products, and things that work for one family's lifestyle don't work for another's. Blanket statements like "this is useless" aren't necessarily fact.
DIAPER GENIE ROX! Diaper Genie is a total waste of money. Get a pack 'n' play! Youll never use a pack 'n' play... A video monitor was my best investment! All monitors are stupid, you'll hear them through the door!
^That thread in a nutshell^
I actually loved and needed my monitors. There was no way I could hear my crying baby when I was in the basement/ playroom. The bedrooms are on the top floor.
FFFC: I haven't had a baby in diapers in over 5 years, but I still buy and use baby wipes everyday. I clean everything with them. From quick kitchen and bathroom counter top wipe up, table wipe downs, dusting, etc.
DIAPER GENIE ROX! Diaper Genie is a total waste of money. Get a pack 'n' play! Youll never use a pack 'n' play... A video monitor was my best investment! All monitors are stupid, you'll hear them through the door!
^That thread in a nutshell^
I love every advice thread I can get my hands on to read, differing opinions or not
FFFC: I just had a hotdog for lunch! It was delicious. It was also nitrate free and probably OVER cooked out of caution lol, but delicious nonetheless!
FFFC: How am I a STM and have never heard this nonsense about avoiding nitrates?
While nitrates aren't the best for anyone , it was never a pregnancy true no no. Hot dogs are more a listeria concern but how many really eat hot dogs cold ? I did as a kid but ewww.
FFFC: How am I a STM and have never heard this nonsense about avoiding nitrates?
I'm a STM and I swear I'm hearing about more foods I'm not supposed to be eating. I basically lived off pad thai the first go around and now suddenly I'm hearing that it's a no-no?
I give up. Gimme the sushi and the deli meat and the sprouts. I just want the foods.
BFP#1: 12/3/13 EDD 8/15/13. Heartbeat found on 12/26/13, HB gone on 1/4/13. D&C 1/7/13
BFP#2: 4/19/13 EDD 12/28/13. Team Green for pregnancy and Baby Girl arrived 12/21/13. BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
FFFC: How am I a STM and have never heard this nonsense about avoiding nitrates?
I'm a STM and I swear I'm hearing about more foods I'm not supposed to be eating. I basically lived off pad thai the first go around and now suddenly I'm hearing that it's a no-no?
I give up. Gimme the sushi and the deli meat and the sprouts. I just want the foods.
I usually find out about the things I'm not supposed to eat when I'm in the middle of eating it and someone wants to ruin my day.
DIAPER GENIE ROX! Diaper Genie is a total waste of money. Get a pack 'n' play! Youll never use a pack 'n' play... A video monitor was my best investment! All monitors are stupid, you'll hear them through the door!
^That thread in a nutshell^
As a FTM, I appreciate everyone's input about their actual experience with various products. That said, I think everyone has a different personal experience with different products, and things that work for one family's lifestyle don't work for another's. Blanket statements like "this is useless" aren't necessarily fact.
This. I get the general idea, it's cool to hear people's stories, but I remember being so overwhelmed as FTM with everyone's contradictory feedback.
Like you said, you have to find out what works best for you and your family. My first BMB was super anti-changing table. I have 3 dogs, there's a 0% chance I'm ever going to successfully change that baby on the floor without someone noming on some poop.
dogperson11 side eye away dear, but when your 18 month old is in full defcon 5 meltdown and your 1 hour into a 10 hour car ride, you turn that seat around quicker than you can say jack rabbit. I am also in a state that only requires RF until 12 months, so nothing illegal here.
DIAPER GENIE ROX! Diaper Genie is a total waste of money. Get a pack 'n' play! Youll never use a pack 'n' play... A video monitor was my best investment! All monitors are stupid, you'll hear them through the door!
^That thread in a nutshell^
As a FTM, I appreciate everyone's input about their actual experience with various products. That said, I think everyone has a different personal experience with different products, and things that work for one family's lifestyle don't work for another's. Blanket statements like "this is useless" aren't necessarily fact.
This. I get the general idea, it's cool to hear people's stories, but I remember being so overwhelmed as FTM with everyone's contradictory feedback.
Like you said, you have to find out what works best for you and your family. My first BMB was super anti-changing table. I have 3 dogs, there's a 0% chance I'm ever going to successfully change that baby on the floor without someone noming on some poop.
Pretty much what happened to me yesterday with pad thai! I mean, it said RAW sprouts...and I'm pretty sure the sprouts in pad thai are cooked...so...yeah...we'll just go with that...
BFP#1: 12/3/13 EDD 8/15/13. Heartbeat found on 12/26/13, HB gone on 1/4/13. D&C 1/7/13
BFP#2: 4/19/13 EDD 12/28/13. Team Green for pregnancy and Baby Girl arrived 12/21/13. BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
@canonmom413 I will never stop buying wipes. They are perfect for non-bath day baths, giving myself wipe off's if I workout on my lunch break, wiping tough stains on my toddler's face/body and just...yeah. Everything. #teamwipesforlife
BFP#1: 12/3/13 EDD 8/15/13. Heartbeat found on 12/26/13, HB gone on 1/4/13. D&C 1/7/13
BFP#2: 4/19/13 EDD 12/28/13. Team Green for pregnancy and Baby Girl arrived 12/21/13. BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
@natleilynn@purplestars@canonmom413@dogperson11 -- I've always heard to avoid nitrates while pregnant. I'm a STM too and avoided them with DD 4 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I'll still have a toasted sub from Subway occasionally lol. I just try avoid them as much as I can. Guess it can't hurt anything lol.
@natleilynn@purplestars@canonmom413@dogperson11 -- I've always heard to avoid nitrates while pregnant. I'm a STM too and avoided them with DD 4 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I'll still have a toasted sub from Subway occasionally lol. I just try avoid them as much as I can. Guess it can't hurt anything lol.
I mean, I try to be somewhat careful. I heated up my deli meats. I don't eat hot dogs even when I'm not pregnant. I eat cooked sushi from places I trust. I just feel like this round I'm hearing so much more of things to avoid than I did the last time!
Maybe we should start a thread with all the foods to avoid. I just cannot keep track of them anymore. I blame preggo brain.
BFP#1: 12/3/13 EDD 8/15/13. Heartbeat found on 12/26/13, HB gone on 1/4/13. D&C 1/7/13
BFP#2: 4/19/13 EDD 12/28/13. Team Green for pregnancy and Baby Girl arrived 12/21/13. BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
I side eye people's HDBD pictures when the background looks like a disaster. I would never take a picture of myself with a pile of clothes laying on the floor and just a mess in general behind me. I know I'm probably just being picky but I cringe when I see it.
Re: FFFC 3/31
Baby Boy due October 2017
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
Normally I would say yes, but my first exchange I had a Canadian mom and it was so much cheaper shipping from Amazon to her. I would have spent the allotted amount on shipping alone. I think there are exceptions.
I'm beginning to hate them because I normally get the person who fails to send anything out. And then I'm always the one who does it early. It just sucks sitting and waiting and watching everyone get all their pretty packages.
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
Oct. '17 June S.C. "You Had 1 Job"
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
Oct. '17 June S.C. "You Had 1 Job"
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
Also, I have a friend who has a ginormous family and they just draw a name each year with a $20 gift limit. My family is relatively small, but I'd be up for that.
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
I heart YNAB
---------
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times,
if one only remembers to turn on the light."
- Albus Dumbledore
Married 9/27/2014
TTC Since 1/1/2017
BFP: 2/6/2017
Due Date: 10/13/17
This morning, I woke up 10 minutes before I had to leave. I slapped on some BB cream, some blush, braided my hair, slipped on my leggings and a pull over sweater. It's Friday. The boss is out of town. We have no clients expected, Eff this. I'm in full blown comfort mode.
May Siggy Challenge: Parenting Fails
DIAPER GENIE ROX!
Diaper Genie is a total waste of money.
Get a pack 'n' play!
Youll never use a pack 'n' play...
A video monitor was my best investment!
All monitors are stupid, you'll hear them through the door!
^That thread in a nutshell^
I actually loved and needed my monitors. There was no way I could hear my crying baby when I was in the basement/ playroom. The bedrooms are on the top floor.
FFFC: I haven't had a baby in diapers in over 5 years, but I still buy and use baby wipes everyday. I clean everything with them. From quick kitchen and bathroom counter top wipe up, table wipe downs, dusting, etc.
Oct. '17 June S.C. "You Had 1 Job"
Baby Boy due October 2017
Oct. '17 June S.C. "You Had 1 Job"
Baby Boy due October 2017
*O17 June Siggy Challenge - You had 1 job!*
I give up. Gimme the sushi and the deli meat and the sprouts. I just want the foods.
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
This. I get the general idea, it's cool to hear people's stories, but I remember being so overwhelmed as FTM with everyone's contradictory feedback.
Like you said, you have to find out what works best for you and your family. My first BMB was super anti-changing table. I have 3 dogs, there's a 0% chance I'm ever going to successfully change that baby on the floor without someone noming on some poop.
Married 9/27/2014
TTC Since 1/1/2017
BFP: 2/6/2017
Due Date: 10/13/17
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
I also use the ones with aloe to blow my nose when I have a cold so my nose doesn't start to hurt.
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!
Maybe we should start a thread with all the foods to avoid. I just cannot keep track of them anymore. I blame preggo brain.
BFP#3: 2/9/13 EDD 10/18/17. Team Green for Round 2!