TFAS 11/13

lalala2004

***This is a check-in for those with babies/children at home. If you are having a hard TTC day or TTCAL day this post may mention children or issues specifically related to parenting or babies. Pregnancy may also be mentioned. Please feel free to lurk at your own discretion.***

What number are you trying for?

Cycle/Month?

WTO/TWW?

Ages of other child(ren)?

Any thoughts about this cycle?

Any questions?

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather?

lalala2004

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 3/1

WTO/TWW? Not sure? Another high temp tomorrow would make me 2DPO

Ages of other child(ren)? 18 months

Any thoughts about this cycle? If I really did O 2 days ago that would mean I have shorter cycles than when I was TTC #1. No complaints there.

DS has been so fun lately. He is so social and it just makes me want to give him a sibling so much more.

Any questions? Nope

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather? Layering and smelling the cold air. It puts me in a good mood.

SmashJam

What number are you trying for?2

Cycle/Month? 6/5

WTO/TWW? TWW

Ages of other child(ren)? 2.5 ish

Any thoughts about this cycle? Still feeling pretty good, but impatient. I'll know by Thursday at the latest which way its going to swing for me so I'm a bit impatient. Timing was good. Googling "abdominal soreness 8 dpo" like a crazy person. 

Any questions? Nope!

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather-People tend to find it more acceptable to eat heavy stews. I feel like people where I live are giant babies about humidity so its like, "Oh, let's grill outside soup is dumb." and I'm all like, "Let's just eat soup naked!"  I'm all for grilling but I do love slow cooking soups and roasts...have a stew in right now!

concreteayngel

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 2/2

WTO/TWW? WTO 

Ages of other child? 1.5 

Any thoughts about this cycle? This is my first month I’ve gotten serious about temping since TTC for DS . My chart is all over the place. And infertile cm, so I’m not very optimistic this month.

Questions? DS (1.5) is having a hard time fitting in with other toddlers because he won’t keep his hands to himself. I don’t think he means them harm, but always has to grab other kids by the face! Have your kids gone through this? How long did it last? And how did you handle it? 

GTKY: I love the cold weather because it means I get to wear my favorite red pea coat. I had it custom made at a textile market in Beijing years ago. It’s a bright red, knee-length wool pea coat, with a big Red Riding Hood style hood, and a lace-up corset style back. 

concreteayngel

@SmashJam I hear ya! Googling is the devil! 

SmashJam

@concreteayngel is he the biggest/oldest at daycare or in the room when he goes out? DS is 2.5,and when he was at daycare he was super handsy, and when we are out he still walks into kids like they aren't there, shoves them for no reason, jumps on them, grabs all body parts and pinches, etc. At least the biting stopped.It is not a constant thing, he can be in the same room with kids most of the time and be fine, but there was a time where I honestly worried about him being around other kids. I asked the pediatrician and she said it was normal for him to be kind of a jerk at two. We try to talk about feelings, how being hands on with us makes us feel, how we are sad when he hurts us, and I stole a "let's check in" thing from a friend where we see how the person we hurt feels, and see if we can do anything to make it better. When we are at home we also have a 1 minute time out every time he does something hands on. It can be pretty constant and sorry for the unsolicited advice ( I don't necessarily know that its making the hands on experiences less) but you are NOT alone, as I am sure others will say also!

ETA: words that make my dS not sound like a sociopath, lol.

concreteayngel

@SmashJam not the oldest, but usually the biggest. At 18 mos, he’s 30lbs and 34” tall (90-95 percentile), so most parents think he’s older and expect his social graces to match. We’ve had to stop going to story time. I know that socializing him less is not the answer. We’re currently looking into gymnastics and other activities where he can be more physical without me having to chase him down and do damage control. 

Thanks for the solidarity! The advice was definitely solicited!

princesslockness

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? 3/3

WTO/TWW? WTO for 1-2 days more, I think.

Ages of other child(ren)? L is 2.5 ish, E will be 1 SATURDAY!!! I'm not ready for that. 

Any thoughts about this cycle? Well we HIO pretty damn well if I O in the next 48 hours. If I don't, oh well. 

Any questions? Not really. 

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather? I love the brisk air in the mornings. Its so nice to just listen to the silence while breathing in the clean air. Adore it. 

@lalala2004 Cold morning air is my favorite air ever. 

@SmashJam I have a 'turkey roaster' oven/crockpot thingy that I use only for making huge batches of soups, stews, and chilis. 

@concreteayngel That coat sounds gorgeous and warm!  Also, L is very physical when he plays. It doesn't matter if he plays with an adult, dog, cat, other toddler, or just himself. He is jumping, running, climbing, or falling. Its just the way he is wired right now. I always feel guilty when we go to my friends house on the weekends, as he doesn't play as nice as her 7yo. Her kid is the baby by 9 years, and just isn't used to having someone who is rough back. Her boy will give 'rug' burns on your arms, or throw things at your head all the time; then L does the same thing, and her boy losses his mind. 

  Its always a struggle, but I have L say sorry, and kiss it better, when it applies. Or we have a stash of under $10 toys in our trunk when we go, so we can replace anything that L breaks.   We also try to wear him out every afternoon he is at home. We hit BK's play place, or the park and just have him run until he drops. It helps a bit. 

lalala2004

@concreteayngel I just try to emphasize "gentle" and show him what I mean by taking his hand and touching softer. He mostly just hits us, but we have to practice at the petting zoo, too. DS isn't quite as big as yours, and that definitely makes it easier for other kids and parents to give him grace. They can tell he's barely a toddler.

concreteayngel

@princesslockness trunk toys is an amazing idea! I’m so going to do that! 

@SmashJam TB cut off my original reply which said how much I love the “let’s check in” idea. I never know how to diffuse those situations with other kids and parents, because DS doesn’t know how to say “I’m sorry” yet, and it seems empty coming from me, YKWIM? 

@lalala2004 yeah we’re definitely working on our “gentle hands,” especially with our cat, who luckily has the patience of a saint. Never seen anything like it. He’s tugged her tail with all his might, and she doesn’t even flinch.

kindbytealikat

@lalala2004 I love the smell of cold air. My husband laughs at me because I tell him I can smell snow. It has it's own smell, it's really hard to explain. 
@SmashJam Put me in the wanting stews year round group
@concreteayngel Don't beat yourself up. I think it's normal at this age as they are learning how to control their bodies and what it appropriate. C has a friend that is a week younger than him but she is a lot bigger and she is rough and tumble by nature. I think at that age they don't always realize their body weight/size in comparison to others and are learning their own strength. Just keep talking and explaining. It takes a lot of "gentle hands" and "calm bodies". C throws things out of anger which is a bit different from what you're describing I think. 

kindbytealikat

What number are you trying for? 2 biological (4 overall)

Cycle/Month? 4/4 (2/2 AL)

WTO/TWW? WTO

Ages of other child(ren)? C will be 3 in 11 days  :'(. DSD 16 in Jan and DSS 19

Any thoughts about this cycle? Ready to start temping again. I'm hopefully that will help timing this month. 

Any questions? Naw

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather? Sweatshirts, hot chocolate and Christmas Movies

Spylon

@Smashjam I'd eat roasts and stews all year long too. Love my crock pot!

@concreteayngel I think it's a great idea to get him into activities where he can by physical and burn off a lot of energy. My DD is the same age and I find myself repeating "gentle" quite a bit. They're learning so much at this age, including their own strength. 

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 2/2 NTNP

WTO/TWW? TWW, I think. I'm only going by CM, so just guessing at this point. 

Ages of other child(ren)? 1.5

Any thoughts about this cycle? If I'm close in my guessing, then we should have times things pretty well. 

Any questions? No, not really. 

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather? Layers, socks, big fluffy snowfalls.. so many things. I was definitely made for the Canadian north lol

juliebird6

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month? 2/2

WTO/TWW? WTO

Ages of other child(ren)? 10 months this week!

Any thoughts about this cycle?  I think my cycle is sorting itself out.  Guess we'll see if I O when FF predicts!

Any questions? Question about OPKs.  How frequently are you supposed to use them?  FF says my predicted ovulation days are 11/22-11/24.  Do I start using the OPKs now?  Wait until my fertile window?  Do I just do them every day?  I'm tracking CM of course, but just not sure how frequently I should be using the OPKs too.

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather? Fall clothes!  Scarves, boots, sweaters, etc.  I love being cozy.  Also, colder weather brings the holidays, which is totally my jam.

@SmashJam A friend in my J17 BMB told me about this website.  If you haven't visited, it's a good way to waste time and fulfill your google symptom check desire. https://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/tools/pregnancy_test_calculator.php  

elothair

Will come back for tags...I can't get them to pop up right now!

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? 9/14 (5 ntnp as a break to de-stress in the middle)

WTO/TWW? WTO

Ages of other child(red)? 6.5, 3.5

Any thoughts about this cycle? Nope. Starting to lose hope it's going to happen. Me and DH both agreed we don't want another winter baby (ours are December and February) because our kids already share birthdays with holidays and we don't want to stick another birthday in there. This means we only really have another 4 cycles before we would bench ourselves. And then at that point by the time we started TTC again our youngest would be almost 5 before we had a baby (assuming it happened right away) and about to start school and we aren't sure we want that big of a gap. Because I am currently shadowing to become the ED of our organization, the later I take my year of mat leave, the harder it will be for my career. Ugh....sorry for the ramble, just getting frustrated since the other two happened so easily!

Any questions? There's probably a question wrapped up in the above somehow but I don't know what it is.

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather? I am not a heat lover so cold weather is my jam. I love being able to wear cozy sweaters and slippers, walk/run/move outside without sweating excessively immediately, and knowing cold weather = Christmas (my favourite season!)

mothaklucker

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? 4

WTO/TWW? WTO - Cycle day 8

Ages of other child(ren)? 5 yr old boy and 2 yr old girl

Any thoughts about this cycle? Until now I haven't been temping so I'm curious to see if I'm actually O'inging when I think I am. Feeling optimistic 

Any questions? No

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather?

Fires in our fireplace... snow!! Christmas... I don't mind cold weather now but by March I'm ready for it to be done 

elothair

@lalala2004 I loved that stage with my kids - enjoy it! Both mine turned crazy around 2.5 and it took until about 4 for them to normalize again (my son is just starting to come out of it and he'll be 4 in February).
@SmashJam FX for you on Thursday!
@concreteayngel Both my kids went through a phase like that as well - they need to learn about how they can and can't interact with other kids which is often a process of testing limits. With both mine it was a lot of talking to them about how/why other kids may not like that because of the way it made them feel and trying to install empathy in them. I don't know how successful that was but they both did come out of it eventually and learn boundaries (except for with each other - they still think they are in fight club sometimes.)
@princesslockness The first birthday was so hard on me with both my kids - it comes way too fast and for me made me feel like they were officially done being babies!
@kindbytealikat I definitely found when I started temping it helped with timing - I was O'ing way later than I thought. Hasn't made a difference so far but I do like having the data and at least the reassurance that I do O.
@Spylon Where in Canada are you? I'm in the Lower Mainland of BC but grew up in the interior. I love our Canadian winters!
@juliebird6 I start using OPKs on day 10 or 11. I use the cheapie internet ones so I generally do 2 a day - one mid-morning and one later afternoon/evening until I get a positive. And then I usually get 2-3 positive days. In reality I could get away with only doing the late afternoon once since the morning one is almost always negative and waiting until day 12/13 to start but I'm a POAS addict so it gives me something to do to satisfy the urge!

SmashJam

@juliebird6 I second @elolin, although until I knew my O more consistently (its been day 18 the last few cycles, but before was random days) I started on CD7 hoping to see progression up to O. And I order the wondfo cheapies and do two a day also until I get positives, and then keep peeing on the damn things until i get a negative and O is confirmed by temp (just in case I miss!) I only do this because I used to get two surges back when TTC the other two. 

@elolin I understand what you are saying. On my most down days about TTC, some of those same thoughts are in my head. For us, we have said no more winter babies because the weather sucks so hard here, which gives us 4 more cycles also before we'd be into December due dates (again).  Other reasons in spoiler. But really, hugs to you!


TW

Our daughter was born in December, so not sure if we'd want to have a due date in that month again. We haven't discussed it really. 

kindbytealikat

@elolin I hear you on the no winter babies. I’ve only got three more cycles until we potentially go on hold. 5 of my parents 7 grandchildren have birthdays in the last two weeks of November. So adding another birthday there is just unfair and I don’t want another one to think about honestly.

elothair

@SmashJam @kindbytealikat I'm glad I'm not the only one who is against winter birthdays! I feel bad saying it because obviously I'd just be happy with another baby at this point but I definitely feel like that time of year is over-crowded for us with holidays/birthdays whereas we have nothing in the late spring-fall. FX for all of us to get KU before the winter due dates kick in again for the year!

Spylon

@elolin I'm in Northern Ontario! I've yet to travel to the west coast, but it is definitely on my bucket list. It looks so beautiful out there!

@SmashJam @kindbytealikat I've always felt bad for kids with December birthdays, what with Christmas and then always being the youngest in their class. Not sure if we'll take a break when we get there, but it'll be something to discuss for sure. 

busymommy23

What number are you trying for? 3

Cycle/Month? 26/25

WTO/TWW? TWW. AF was supposed to show yesterday but i think the clomid is messing with my lp and symptoms. This is the first month i am on it so i dont know what to expect.

Ages of other child(ren)? 7 and 5

Any thoughts about this cycle? I was hopeful because of the clomid and of everything we are doing but now i just feel confused. 

Any questions? Anyone here had experience with clomid? Did it make your lp longer? Give you certain symptoms? 

GTKY: What do you like best about colder weather? I love snuggling up at home and baking or watching holiday movies with the family. I love decorsting foe the holiday and everything that goes along with it. I dont mind snow but dislike the frigid temps that we get sometimes here in Ohio. 

elothair

@Spylon It is gorgeous here! But definitely our winters got nothing on yours! And I definitely agree with the December baby thing. My DD is Dec. 28 so she gets lumped in with Christmas, and is the baby of her grade which has had some challenges. We try and separate out her birthday as much as possible (doing her party in November this year) and we were clear with family that if they are giving gifts to make it separate and not lump the two together but I still feel bad, especially since she gets nothing the rest of the year. To be fair though - she doesn't seem to mind. And we try and get better Easter/Halloween gifts for the kids to try and spread things out a bit.

busymommy23

@lalala2004 18 months is such a fun age! 

@SmashJam I love cooking soups, stews, and other cold weather foods too. I love how the aromas fill the house because they cook all day! Plus they are so simple to do!

@concreteayngel Both of my boys went through this stage too. It is hard but i swear that they do outgrow it! We always talked about soft touches and not hurting our friends but at that age they just dont understand yet. I promise it will get better! Hang in there!

@princesslockness 1st birthdays are so fun! Are you having a party? Any big theme?

@kindbytealikat Hot chocolate is my go to hot beverage. I hate coffee and am not big on tea either. Do you make yours with milk or water? Any favorite things to add to it?

@Spylon Do you get a lot of snow where you are? 

@juliebird6 I love the holidays too! Do you prefer thanksgiving or Christmas? What is your favorite thing to do for the holiday?

@elolin I feel you about winter birthdays. We are also trying to avoid October because we currently have 5 young ones already in that month...more like within the first 2 weeks of the month. 

@mothaklucker Fireplaces are awesome in the winter. Makes me jealous because I would love to have one!

princesslockness

@busymommy23 We are doing a smash cake at my parents house on Black Friday. Nothing too big, just the grandparents and my siblings.

I’m going to have a bit of a rant. L&E both have ear infections!! E has a ‘superbug’ for an ear infection. We finished her amox doses last night, and this morning she spiked a 101 fever. Got her in and her ear drums are about to rupture she is so full of fluid from the infection. L is doing fine, just had literal snot coming out his ears. I’m so ready to be done with these damn ear infections!! L has tubes, and has had 7 since the tubes went in in April, E is on her 1st one, but round 2 of drugs for it. FML, I just want happy kids who let me sleep. If I’m a bit absent this next week/couple days please forgive me.

busymommy23

@princesslockness we went through ear issues with both the boys and it was horrible. My oldest had tubes just after 1 year because he wasnt walking and the stuff in it was so thick they said they didnt know how he was hearing anything. Our youngest had recurrent ear infections for 4 months straight. I finally said enough is enough and asked to have tubes done. He eventually needed his tonsils out too. It is rough and ill say a prayer for ypu that you all get some rest soon!

SmashJam

@princesslockness that's no fun! Hope your lil ones feel better soon and you finally get some rest!

Mmyles87

@princesslockness FX they get better soon and all get some sleep. On a happy note, I think our kids have the same birthday! The 18th?

@busymommy23  I am also in Ohio! Columbus. What part are you from? I definitely think we are in it for the long haul now with the cold weather. 

@SmashJam FX for you on Thursday. That will be my test day too! 

What number are you trying for? 2

Cycle/Month - 9/11

WTO/TWW? TWW- testing on Thursday

Age of other child(ren)? DD turns 2 on Saturday. 

Thoughts about this cycle? I’m trying to be hopeful. I didn’t temp during the TWW this month and feel much more relaxed... until 8dpo when I turn into a crazy person. 

GTYK: I actually don’t mind the cold weather. I love that it starts off the holiday season. I love layered clothing and making chili on cold days. I found the best chili recipe, it’s time consuming but so worth it. 

Edited because it cut off my post 

princesslockness

@Mmyles87 Yup

busymommy23

@Mmyles87 i am in Toledo. I am not looking forward to the high of 35 on Saturday. Brrr. I just made chili this weekend, found a great recipe on pinterest!

juliebird6

@busymommy23 I guess Christmas, but mainly because we typically have snow then and it just feels so cozy. I love Thanksgiving but it feels like a pregame for Christmas basically in our family. We always have crazy big family get togethers and it's just so nice to have everyone home to spend time together. We love game nights in my family, so we always try to squeeze some quality games in too! What about you?

@princesslockness I'm sorry about ear infection bonanza at your house. That sucks. H has had 4 so far, and she isn't even 10 months yet.  FX your kids are on the mend soon! 

Edited because TB ate my post! 

busymommy23

@juliebird6 I feel the same way. We really do not do as much for thanksgiving but I love the way my boys get excited about Christmas and all of the fun of decorating and baking and spending time with family. Id have a christmas tree all year long if my husband would let me. It is one of my favorite things of the season. 

Spylon

@busymommy23 Yes, we get quite a bit! Not as much as when I was a kid, but still. I think we're supposed to get about 5cm today, another 10cm later in the week. The ground has been white here since mid October. 

@princesslockness Ugh, that sounds awful. I hope your littles start feeling better soon. 

concreteayngel

@princesslockness My condolences! There’s nothing worse than sick kids! I hope they start to feel better soon so you can all get some sleep! 

Mmyles87

Can I start a fun question here to get the thread going again? If not just ignore me. What is everyone’s favorite (or 2)  Christmas/Holiday movie? 

princesslockness

I love Hallmark's 12 dates of Christmas. And the Christmas Kiss 1&2 movies.

Mmyles87

@princesslockness I’m such a sucker for Hallmark movies but I don’t think I’ve seen either of those! I have to watch them by myself because MH has endless comments about those movies. Lol 

mrs_drc_rn

It’s mandatory that I watch Christmas Vacation and Home Alone every year! DH has to watch Elf. 

kindbytealikat

I watch Home Alone 1 and A Christmas Story every year. However, my favorite is Charlie Brown Christmas hands down. No Christmas is complete without watching Home Alone 2 or Polar express either. I will also fit in Frosty and Roudouph and ELF when they are on TV

Mmyles87

@mrs_drc_rn those are probably my top 2 as well. They are classics. 

@kindbytealikat haha I love your response! I can’t believe Christmas Vacation isn’t on your list! 

kindbytealikat

@Mmyles87 haha I just forgot that one we own that one and will watch a couple times