FFFC 5/25

brittaniahutto

This week, my husband and I found out we are having a little boy and we have a doctor's appt today to go over my NIPT results. I am super excited to be having a boy but I have one problem... there are absolutely no cute boy clothes. I started looking at little boy clothes and was in tears moments later... like ugly crying because of how limited the options are. Like 2 little circles of boys clothes and 3 complete sections for girls. Also, I'm waiting for my moms reaction to the gender. I fear she will be upset about me having a boy. She wanted a girl and is so excited for girl stuff.
I'm not sure if it's the hormones... actually I'm almost positive it is because this (the clothes thing) isn't something I would typically ugly cry about. Maybe I am more concerned that my mom won't want to bond with the baby like she would if it were a girl and that's why I'm crying?
Regardless.... anyone know where to buy cute baby boy clothes? Any advice on how to handle my mother? 
Maybe this belongs under bitchfest. Sorry. 

runrinserepeat

@brittaniahutto check out gap and h&m. I actually loved the carters stuff when my son was born, all the dinosaurs and raccoons and foxes. 

As far as bonding goes, you may be surprised. IME boys are very loving. My 3 yo son adores my mother, and is always sitting rightnext to her anytime she’s seated at my house. You might be surprised at the relationship you son and Mom form

runrinserepeat

Oh also, Target is shit for boys clothes. I get pissed off every time I try there. Don’t let them bum you out. 

CecilB93

I have a son and find cute clothes all the time. I think it depends on your tastes though. I love the Cat and Jack brand at Target, cheap and cute. I also really liked putting him in sweaters and cardigans that made him look like a little man all winter. To me that's cute. But some people think overalls are cute and I don't, or the typical tractor/dinosaur/truck/stereotypical "boy things" on shirts are cute. I still put my child in things like that, and especially his superhero shirts because he likes them, but I don't *typically* buy those for my son. I'd rather put him in a cute little button up shirt or plain grown-up-looking tshirt, but he's a toddler and gets messy, so sometimes those not-so-cute clothes are useful. I find our Target has equally sized sections between girl/boy things.

ETA @runrinserepeat we posted at the same time, but personally I love Target for my son. I've bought so much that I get frustrated when they don't have new styles for me to buy the next month lol

CecilB93

My personal "never buy clothes here" (for baby) place is Walmart. I HATE their clothes, especially the long pants with the elastic around the ankle, HATE that style. And my MIL insists on only ever shopping there, it annoys me greatly.

PensiveCrayon

Soooo agreed @runrinserepeat. I would also suggest Zulily, though some of their clothes can be $$. 

katy0990

@brittaniahutto Congratulations on having a boy. I find most of my son’s clothes at Carter’s, Gymboree, Old Navy, and consignment sales. I have noticed that the girls’ section tends to be larger at some stores. However, I think one of the perks of having a boy is that I can dress him more comfortably and be lazy about it. I have a friend with a little girl who complains that people always expect cute dresses and hair bows. Meanwhile, my son wears sweats and T-shirts and is comfy most of the time.

katy0990

My confession is that, especially now that I lost my job, I am considering scrapping my plan for a VBAC and just scheduling a c-section since my due date is 12/31 and it will save us a ton of money to have the whole pregnancy, delivery, and DS’s tubes on the same deductible/ out of pocket max.

CecilB93

@katy0990 even if you schedule a c-section there's always a chance you'll go naturally before then! I say if you do go into labor naturally go for the VBAC if that's what you want, if not then you have the scheduled c-section as backup so you don't go into the new year.

binxybaby

I actually like Target's boy clothes. I didn't find as much at Carter's as I would have liked, but I also feel like buying clothes is going to be much easier in the fall when the long sleeved stuff is in season. They are winter babies, after all. I do really like robots, dinosaurs, and the color blue so it hasn't been terrible for me. Oh, and firefighter themed clothing. Super duper cute.

LLynde5

My FFFC is I had my hubs make me a sandwich at 10 last night.  We were both already in bed and I realize I didn’t eat enough after a busy day.  I was 100% capable of doing it myself.  Feeling a little guilty now:/

runrinserepeat

@binxybaby I do like what Target actually *has*, but lately every target I go to has very little for boys compared to the girls' section. I needed to buy my son 4T pants this spring, and there would be literally one pair in the whole place that size. Same with rain boots - There were three different styles in the girls' section, and zero in the boy's section. WTH, Target? So while I love what I can get there, it's become so frustrating actually finding anything that I've given up shopping there for my son for the most part. 

temmetime

 I really don't care if my son's clothes are cute or not as long as they're affordable. Secondhand doesn't bother me either & usually I can get both cute & a steal.

Activebaby

@brittaniahutto I don’t know if your mother is anything like mine, but she has been disappointed that I’ve had boys and not girls. I tell her I’m so happy with what I have and she will tell me it’s because I’ve never had a girl. I’m pretty certain this is a 3rd boy (because they thought they saw a penis in my ultrasound - however not 100% because I’m only 12 weeks and both girl and boy parts look similar at that age). I’m coming to grip with the thought that I’ll never have a daughter. I’m thrilled to have another son, but I have to give up any visions I’ve had. My sons are also amazing and love me more than anything. Anyway, I’m trying to tell my mom without her sounding disappointed. It’s weird I have to think this way. She’s a great grandma to my boys, but she tells me straight up she wishes I would have a girl. 

katy0990

@temmetime I rarely put my son in any of this cute little button downs or jeans. Typically, he wear sweats and a T-shirt because I feel like if I coulf get away with that I totally would.

coco2787

Carter's has some cute stuff but they have SO much stuff with stupid sayings on them that I rarely shop there.  

Gwyneddlesliegrace

I like finding cute boy stuff on Instagram. My two year old lives in one piece rompers. I also buy my 4 year old girls skinny jeans. Boys are too big for him, as he’s very lanky. 

AFM I’ve had DH convinced that I can’t clean dog crap when I’m pregnant (same as the cat litter). It’s been 10 years and he still thinks it’s true. I have 0 guilt. Ha.

PensiveCrayon

Same, @coco2787. I was recently in the market for some new toddler pj's and really digging some of their sets...except that every single one came with a shirt with a dumb saying I would never put my kid in. #snob

AdorkablePixie

@brittaniahutto Where do you live that they don't have any cute boy clothes?! Years ago, like 6 or so, they never had any cute boy clothes anywhere, but now they do everywhere. Even Wal Mart does, thought their selection is small. Kohl's does too. I love most stuff Carters. I saved pretty much all of DS's clothes for if we have another son. I'll even reuse some if this baby is a girl. Dinosaurs can be both genders.. lol

My confession is that I've been eating chicken salad, which I'm not supposed to because it's not heated. It just tastes SO GOOD. I've been eating it by the fork full or over lettuce. Mmmm

PensiveCrayon

Oh wait, I've got one! I suppose this is one of those that's sort of a cross between a UO and a FFFC but I really don't get the parents who refuse to cut their boys' hair because they "just can't." I think it looks sloppy when it's super shaggy. I really enjoy cutting my son's hair and making him look like a little grown-up.

Now that I've alienated myself with half of you I'm going to run off and never come back again. 

maureenmce

@brittaniahutto Seconding the H&M recommendation! I may have pinned WAY too many baby boy clothes from there to my Pinterest account, haha. Also, I've been pleasantly surprised with Old Navy, for both my DD and this baby boy! Yes, there are some things with dumb sayings, but just skip those and check out the rest. There are some really cute things.

My FFFC: I too had some gender disappointment, not clothes wise, but for some reason I was really hung up on my daughter having a sister. I always wanted one growing up and my husband has three sisters who have such a special bond. I have no idea why I got this idea in my head and it really bums me out that I've been disappointed slightly. I assume it's also because I have a little brother and we're not close and I fear my daughter won't be close with her little brother (even though I logically know my situation is due to my brother being an alcoholic, not because he's a guy.) Anyway, I know I'll get over it, I'm mostly over it already, but I've been down on myself for even feeling disappointed in the first place. 

AdorkablePixie

@PensiveCrayon I definitely had a hard time cutting DS's hair, but I also knew when it was time and didn't let it get TOO long, but I loved his curls. Luckily, the curls stayed. He actually needs another haircut and I'm hoping to be able to go get it done this weekend.

tumbleweed-1

@brittaniahutto you aren’t limited to just the boys section either. You have the whole store to shop for clothes for your baby. See if the girls section has something that is cute, but not too feminine. If that’s your style. 
@katy0990 FWIW, I agree schedule the c-section and see what happens. My sister had a repeat c-section scheduled, then her 2cd baby decided to come the day before it. Her labor was progressing well, but my sister was worried (her first baby’s birth was very traumatic), so she went ahead and had the c-section, just a day before scheduled. 
Edit-typo

coco2787

I tried shopping in the girls section for my son because he loved Minnie Mouse and Elsa and rainbows but all the shirts usually had glitter, or ruched sleeves, or were cut really slim.  So annoying.  Why can a girl wear male characters but boys can't??

whaat

@PensiveCrayon I agree. I see nothing sentimental about hair. Clean it up.
(I say that as someone with a basically bald kid who probably won’t need a haircut until he’s 3).

whaat

My FFFC every single Friday is that I’ve been doing such a tiny amount of work that I’m shocked I’m not fired. Luckily (?) my coworkers are on the same page lately so nobody looks like they’re slacking. #teamwork

rosebud332

@maureenmce I get it! I have the same vision...I really am caught up on the idea that my dd will have a sister. I am trying to envision a brother so that if it’s a boy I won’t be disappointed. It’s weird because I had always wanted a boy but now that I have a girl and I know it’s gonna be 2 and done, I feel differently. I hope when the time comes if it’s a boy I will be able to see how great having a boy would be. I have two adorable nephews, so that does help.

@AdorkablePixie Meh, as long as you trust the place you’re getting it I wouldn’t worry too much over chicken salad. And especially wouldn’t worry if you’re making it. I can’t imagine heating up chicken salad with all that mayo. Blech.

PensiveCrayon

I will make an addendum to my FFFC and that's this: no judgment at all if you let your kid's hair get too long because you dread everything about the actual hair cut process. This coming from someone whose son needed two people to restrain him during a million-years-long haircutting session that still ended up looking wonky because he jerked his head while the stylist was trimming his bangs. Sigh.

gorgeousariel

Although I have a girl, I have never cut her hair. (Maybe that's my FFFC). Everyone asked if I was going to cut it and I said no. There's is no reason to, it grew out nice -no mullet. It was difficult and annoying when it was at that awkward stage between bangs and long enough to tuck behind her ear. But unless she's going to have bangs for the rest of her life then it has to go through that phase. And now everyone comments on her beautiful hair. 

morgantu

Along those lines, @whaat, I procrastinated all my house chores for the week to today because I'm off work and "have the whole day to do them". Well, it's noon and what have I done? Refreshed tb about 4 million times and folded one basket of clothes. I need to get it together! 

temmetime

@PensiveCrayon Ummm yes I agree. DH isn't ready to cut Maximus' hair yet because the curls in the back are somehow sentimental to him(?), but I would never let it get out of control shaggy. Nooooope.

echo-charlietango

Re: gendered baby clothes
This is exactly why I want to push Primary.com gift cards to family, regardless of LO’s sex. And button downs because I love them too. Plus thrifted pieces here and there because I like saving dollars on pantelones. 

Re: child hair cuts
I don’t like dudes with long hair period. Neither baby dudes nor man dudes. Personal preference. 

I dont have a FFFC, but I will say that today’s convo is hard for FTMs to participate in. No flames intended, just a comment. Please continue. 

runrinserepeat

Perhaps an FFFC but I like long hair on boys, because I think it makes them look... boyish. Kind of the opposite of Pensive saying she likes to cut it to make her boy look grown up. I have no problem actually cutting it when it's time, though, even though it's a huge PITA to get him to cooperate. 

And maybe more FFFC, but I'd actually be way more on board with cutting his hair if he let me do a fun fade look and actually style it. He runs from me when I try to put product in his hair, though  

PensiveCrayon

@runrinserepeat



Just kidding, of course My son has such luxurious hair that I actually do put product in it to try and get it to stay to the side, but it doesn't stay put.

@echo-charlietango I will rack my brain for a NBR confession. I'm sure I can dig something out.

rosebud332

My confession is I plan to try to breastfeed again this time around but I don’t know how long I’m gonna make it, and if it isn’t long I’m not going to feel bad. I had a difficult time last time and I had people telling me just wait until x amount of weeks! It gets better! I did that, but it never got that much better. My dd was always an hour+ nurser. And it hurt for me for a really long time. I pushed it until 7 months with supplementing, but if it isn’t easier this time I doubt I will make it that far.

Jens_Hoes

My FFFC: which I believe I mentioned in the GTKY thread is that I love all things Bravo.  I don't care how trashy the housewives are or Southern Charmed or whatever is on, I love it.  I am half jealous of their glamorous lifestyles, and half embarrassed that grown ass people act that way. I have zero shame for my love of Bravo and Andy Cohen.

temmetime

@Jens_Hoes no shame! I watch way more MTV than any 28 yo should. Teen Mom2, Catfish etc. 

coco2787

I just weighed my boobs on my kitchen scale (as one does).  I was a little disappointed to learn they were only a little over a pound each, they feel so much heavier than that.  

hkom

@rosebud332 No flames from me!  I'm an FTM so I don't have any experience, but I do not envision myself enjoying breastfeeding.  I am a very physically autonomous person and the thought of the very personal use of my body being at the whim of a creature that only expresses it's desires by screaming and can't say "thank you" for my efforts legitimately makes my skin crawl.  Plus, I have large breasts anyway, and their recent increase in volume has me feeling very bovine.  Having actual milk sucked out of me certainly isn't going to make that feeling go away.  I'm going to stick it out as much as I can and and hoping to grit my teeth to make it to six months to get all of the biological benefits out of it, but, we'll see.

I could also be completely wrong about all of these feelings and actually enjoy the hell out of it. 

** I am TOTALLY COOL with breastfeeding and support anyone's desire to do it, and I get why some people love it.  It's just the thought of me personally doing it that's weird.

tumbleweed-1

@coco2787 “as one does” made me laugh. I keep measuring mine. They seem like they are getting bigger, but then the “size” is the same, so idk. 

rosebud332

@hkom I totally remember looking at my husband during the early days and just saying, “I feel like a cow.” Lol it definitely feels that way at some points.

@Jens_Hoes Real Housewives is the drama I never knew I needed in my life.