Weekly Randoms 4/24-4/28

sweaterboots

I keep trying to comb through our threads to find the drama and I can't find it! Where did this unfold? Wha'happened?

nda_roxybabe

@sweaterboots it's the "small babies??" Thread

achays11

I just checked in, and I'm so sad that I missed the drama. But I am so proud of our May ladies and your responses! 

@BeachMommy2B I'm so happy to hear that you are loving life as a mom of two! MH and I were having a conversation the other day that if this baby is a boy, I have no idea how to potty train him. I guess I forgot that before potty training I would need to learn how to change his diaper! 

redheeler

@achays11 FWIW I potty trained DS and taught him to sit down... I will tackle the standing up thing later! 

Also I find boy diapers easier than girls, all you need to remember is to clean what you can see and keep the penis pointing down, none of this only wipe from front to back and more "internal" wiping. 

BeachMommy2B

I was going to start a new post but figured I'd throw it here first. What are everyone's go to middle of the night snacks. Preferably things that are easy to eat with one hand. With DD I was never hungry when pumping. Right now I would chew my fiances arm off while pumping if I thought it remotely tasted good   

cato99

@BeachMommy2B I have to eat a "bedtime snack" because of gestational diabetes and used to do these elaborate combinations but now I'm lazy and just eat almonds allllll the time every night. I can stumble downstairs, shove a handful in my pajamas pockets, and then eat them in bed with one hand while groggily holding my phone to read the Internet with the other. It is very glamorous. (But nutritious and filling!)

jayandaplus

@BeachMommy2B I've always been a big granola bar fan. I also love nuts like @cato99 said. Then there's a good old fashioned poptart when you want a guilty pleasure. Cheese sticks and jerky. I'll think of more...

kns1988

@BeachMommy2B, congrats on Brenner's arrival! I'm glad you're home and doing well. How is your DD doing with her new brother?

I hope the lactation consultation helps. We're having to use a nipple shield and then pump for additional finger feedings, which is like feeding a baby bird and is super cute but also tedious. 

Yiggle09

@PartiallyDomesticated that's what I'm worried about the front to back and internal cleaning. I love my boy diaper changes lol 

WombThereItIs

I am with @Yiggle09 and @PartiallyDomesticated boy diapers rule. Faced with a girl this time I'm a little horrified about all the places poop can go! 

Point the penis down and you're in business. 

redheeler

Yiggle09 said:

@PartiallyDomesticated that's what I'm worried about the front to back and internal cleaning. I love my boy diaper changes lol 

WombThereItIs said:

I am with @Yiggle09 and @PartiallyDomesticated boy diapers rule. Faced with a girl this time I'm a little horrified about all the places poop can go! 

Point the penis down and you're in business. 


SITB: I babysat my niece a few weeks ago, and having never changed a girl diaper it was the most nerve wracking experience! Kind of glad I'll have 2 boys and not have to worry about it. Of course I'll have to deal with pee all over the bathroom in a few years, but really spraying some bleach around and rinsing it off isn't so bad lol.

plus boys are great, if you run out of wipes while you're out or something a wet diaper can just be changed without wiping if need be (barring diaper rash issues, but I never had a problem with DS) 

boys are great for lots of other reasons, but man diapers and passing off the sex talk to DH have to take the cake

RedInLove

@BeachMommy2B With DD, at night I lived on granola bars, fruit bars, and packages of crackers (like the assorted cracker sandwiches). During the day, I'd also snack on grapes, trail mix, snack packs of cookies (like the lunch box assortments of those mini cookies), BelVita, and similar easy to grab packs. I kept a stash next to my glider along with a few bottles of water and Gatorade.

jayandaplus

@BeachMommy2B Other snack ideas: dates (huge in nutrients, good sugars, and easy to eat/store next to you), honey sticks, fruit like a banana or blueberries you can keep at your breastfeeding station, raisins, and when in doubt, granola bars again.

SKZW

+1 for changing boy diapers, for all of the above reasons... and passing off the sex talk, haha, that's true too!

Night snack, lived on these last time: Fiber One Protein granola bars, in peanut butter, caramel nut, or the best one, coconut almond (just like an Almond Joy!). I figure, I'm getting some protein & fiber along with the one-handed convenience snacking, so zero guilt. 

WombThereItIs

I just ordered a $340 pump. Pretty sure I won't get reimbursed for it but now I feel like my boobs better do a good job this time. No pressure or anything, ladies. 

The medical supply company I got sent to did have decent options (Medela PISA, Spectra S1, Ameda) but I got fixated on another one. *shrug* I am justifying this since there is a ton I didn't spend money on this time around because it is kid #2. 

Re night snacks: I no longer can eat Nature Valley with protein chocolate peanut butter granola bars because I had so many on my maternity leave but they did the job quite well. 

PghMom412

So when calling my HR/Short Term Disability company I found out I qualify to be released from work 2 weeks prior to my EDD (due to my wonderful GD dx). It would take away from my FMLA which I wouldn't likely take in full anyway so I would still have 6-8 weeks off following babies delivery. I'm torn between taking the time Pre-#2s arrival and saving it in case I would want to use it after. Pre baby it's paid like short term (70%) and post baby it's unpaid after 6-8 weeks of short term. 

nda_roxybabe

@BeachMommy2B I've been keeping nightstand snacks for months now because of the heartburn in the middle of the night. I typically do some sort of bar or PB crackers. I also have started eating a bowl of cereal before bed to help. In my BF baskets I did Lara Bars, Fig bars, and these PB granola ones

mrsrep123

Again, just caught up... CRAZY, FUNNY... I  you ladies!

Today is my last shift and I couldn't be more excited. I've been busier on modified duty that I've felt pretty absent around here as far as posts. Anyways, gonna pick up some bundtinis from Nothing Bundt Cakes to thank all of my colleagues for their awesomeness during my 9.5 months of growing a human. Or.. just so I can eat them...lol. Tried to post a mouth-watering pic but mobile bumping isn't allowing it... So imagine bite-sized moist cakes of differing flavors with cream cheese frosting.... yummmmmm.

SKZW

@PghMom412: This isn't your first baby, right? If it was, I'd say work right up til you start laboring, since the majority of first babies go right up the EDD. But as it's not, it makes it a tricky call! I can see your dilemma. Has your doc given you any indication of potential (GD-related or otherwise) probs that might pop up in those 2 prior weeks? If so, I'd personally want to be not-working, as it's one less thing to have to reschedule/plan for should some issue arise. If not, and your preg is fairly straightforward without complications, then maybe can you split the difference & take 1 week before and 1 after the 6 to 8?

nda_roxybabe

Hmm, so if you use it pre baby you'll get paid, but post baby (after the 6-8 weeks) no pay? I'd go ahead and do it then.

bailey8809-2

Night snacks - during the early days I did a lot of granola bars, trail mix, nutri-grain bars, and grapes. I also had my share of not so healthy items like donut holes and pop tarts. Later on I started making protein bites/balls that were really good and most the recipes I used were supposed to be good for milk supply. 

I just pinned this the other day, some of these look really good! 
https://www.blessthismessplease.com/2016/07/9-energy-bites-recipes.html

clebl24

My night snack with DS was Werther's Orginals.  Not bc I really like them, but bc I forced to suck on them a long time and keep myself awake during middle of the night feedings.  I also kept granola bars on hand, water, tv remotes, my tablet, and a cell phone charger.  

PghMom412

@SKZW yes this is baby #2. With DD I lost my mucous plug and was admitted on my actual due date. She was born a few hours into the next day so technically 40w1d. That's what makes it tricky. I will likely have additional appointments those last 2 weeks but there's been no mention of induction since my numbers are under control. 

@nda_roxybabe I'm thinking I will most likely take it and maybe try to make those days special with DD. I mean paid vs unpaid should be a no brainer, but I always have the concern in the back of my mind...those lovely mama "what-ifs" that make me second guess it. 

SKZW

@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot: Your wish came true! No more being the last post on the birth announcements page 

starphish18

I ordered a pump through Byram online and they said it wouldn't ship until 30 days before my due date (which was yesterday). I didn't see an email confirmation, so I called today to check. Well, turns out, it doesn't process until 30 days before, so it will take another 7-10 business days to process the order, and then it will ship to me (so it could be up to 2.5 weeks from now). The pump is pretty much the only thing I've been waiting on, and now I'm kind of anxious that it might not arrive in time if I have the baby early. I'm trying to remind myself that if it doesn't get here beforehand, I can always either order one from Amazon and get is asap, or rent one from the hospital.

pshaortao

I actually just went to costco this morning so I could get a box of those protein peanut chocolate bars and fruit and nuts bars, so I can put them in the nightstand next to the glider. I also kept a huge jar of low salt mixed nuts from Target. Apples are easy enough too. I also suggest stocking up on gum if you're not going to brush your teeth after a MOTN snack/nursing session. It will help reduce cavities imo!

inomniaparatus2

@starphish18 Same for me except my 30 days was Monday. Although Dr doesn't think this one is coming anytime soon and I'm hoping to bf exclusively for the first 2-3 weeks so for me it's not a big deal. I think what takes the longest is getting your dr to fill out the paperwork and send it back in and then it should be sent right away to your house. So maybe it will be there within the 7-10 days??

WombThereItIs

@starphish18 I didn't use my pump until weeks after delivery, try not to stress. 9 times out of 10 you're just nursing on demand like crazy at first so it really isn't an immediate need. Of course things can happen that throw a wrench in things but I would feel pretty confident in not having one yet. 

hp_momma

WombThereItIs said:

@starphish18 I didn't use my pump until weeks after delivery, try not to stress. 9 times out of 10 you're just nursing on demand like crazy at first so it really isn't an immediate need. Of course things can happen that throw a wrench in things but I would feel pretty confident in not having one yet. 

This exactly. Especially if your going to be a SAHM, you won't really need your pump right away. If there is a medical issue that comes up and baby comes early and needs NICU time, the hospital would have a pump for you to use. I wouldn't stress! 

mrsrep123

@starphish18 I had a different experience vs pp. Because of weight gain issues, i needed to pump right away. Luckily, my insurance sent it over within a day or two. Not trying to scare you but I know most of us like to be prepared. Sounds like you have back up plans, just in case. Plus, your H can always run over to Target and get one the same day!

starphish18

@SWE2 @WombThereItIs @hp_momma You all make so much sense. Thank you!

ETA: @mrsrep123 Always good to hear the other side of things.

BabyMC517

@starphish18 I'm able to order which one I want now (actually as of last Friday, 30 days prior to EDD) as well. I won't get it until 5 days before my due date unless something happens then I can call and let them know and they'll send it quicker. What pump did you go with? I was going between the Spectra 2 and Medela PISA kit that are available. After reading more reviews I think I'm going to stick with my original thought of the Spectra 2. 

starphish18

@BabyMC517 I went with the spectra 2. There were a few features that I thought would be especially helpful with that one. I think either of those would be perfectly good, though. I was debating between those two, as well.

BabyMC517

@starphish18 I thought the same thing! I need to email the rep that I've been talking with...

I lied haha the rep just called me since I just emailed her and they ship the pump 5 days before my due date and takes 3-5 business days to arrive. 

ChristinaWild

@starphish18 - hopefully it shows up before the baby does. Whether you need it right away or not, it's always hard knowing there is one thing you're  waiting on and have no control over!!

I've started to get the flood of calls/texts asking for an update on when the baby will be here. How is it 2017 and people still don't realize how frustrating that can be? Here's an update "babies shows up when they are damn good and ready".

hp_momma

ChristinaWild said:

I've started to get the flood of calls/texts asking for an update on when the baby will be here. How is it 2017 and people still don't realize how frustrating that can be? Here's an update "babies shows up when they are damn good and ready".

So annoying!! 
I'm being induced two weeks early and the only people I've told are my parents and my best friend (and my fellow bumpies of course!) As far as I'm concerned, no one else needs to know because I don't want to annoying messages day of asking how labor is going. 

nda_roxybabe

My friend made me an annoyed looking April the Giraffe gif to use when people start asking me if I've had the baby yet.

ChristinaWild

nda_roxybabe said:

My friend made me an annoyed looking April the Giraffe gif to use when people start asking me if I've had the baby yet.

Hahaha!! Oh that's awesome! Have you seen the Instagram for Kosogkaos? She has some pretty hilarious pregnancy/parenting cartoons. I've stolen a few here and there for replies. 

https://instagram.com/kosogkaos

vrj0522

I am really annoyed with our providers right now. Both the hospital and OB office keep wanting to get paid up front (I don't know if it's an insurance thing or what but we had never experienced this before) and based on what they are both wanting to collect, we'd be paying way over our deductible. Not sure how to go about it because someone is going to owe us money at some point. Why don't just process bills like normal and then bill us? Anyone else experiencing this? We've never had an issue paying our bills and have good credits so I don't think they are basing it off us being a potential financial risk for them but it's annoying and I don't want to pay more money than I owe and then have to wait for a reimbursement check from someone. 

psherman42wwsa

@vrj0522 that sounds frustrating, I've never heard of that. I think someone on the board mentioned before they do hospital billing. Maybe it was @BeachMommy2B ?