STM+ Check In 6/28

AdorkablePixie

Hi ladies!! I hope everyone is doing well this week.

How far along are you/how big is baby? 

How are your other kids doing this week? 

Rants/Raves? 

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?

kristah2

How far along are you/how big is baby?
17+4 today. Baby is the size of a game controller.
 How are your other kids doing this week?
He's great. He has started squealing recently which is driving me bonkers. But he has a sleepover at his nan's last night so H and I went to a move and this morning was so quiet while getting ready for work! Nice break.
 Rants/Raves?
Little one 2.0 has been moving around this morning. I've really missed this feeling.
 GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Nope. We are only just back from the Bahamas.
H and I have some time off this summer and we plan to stay around our area and hang with DS. Maybe do a little road trip to a water park for the night or something. Nothing crazy! 

rosebud332

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
15w4d

How are your other kids doing this week? 
She’s doing great...we avoided hand foot and mouth! That was a big relief. Other than that, she is just doing her thing and ignoring me when I say no.

Rants/Raves? 
Everything is good! My mom has essentially taken getting my house ready to put up for sale into her own hands. Normally this would annoy me but she’s good at it and this way it’ll actually get done.

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Nothing big planned this year. We may take a few day trips here and there, but that’s about it.

PensiveCrayon

How far along are you/how big is baby? 16w1d, size of an avocado/can of Coke

How are your other kids doing this week? Great! He was released from PT on Tuesday, so that's exciting but also a little terrifying and sad. I'm going to miss our sessions there, and I'm worried he'll fall behind on gross motor again. But I've noticed his learning in other categories really taking off now that he's mastered walking, so that's super exciting. This morning he correctly pointed a few items in his My First Words book! He just got a referral for a speech evaluation, but there's apparently a 4-6 week wait to get in. Boo.

Rants/Raves? Nothing much. Still waking up with headaches, they can GTFO. 

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing? Yes, actually. Going to Scandinavia toddler-free in less than two weeks (!) I'm suuuuper excited but also worried I'm going to miss my little man to death. The in-laws will be here watching him, though, and I have no doubt about their capabilities...even if MIL is constantly calling me with more and more concerns (like, "Where's the nearest urgent care? What will I give him for a snack?") She is an over-thinker.

kristah2

@PensiveCrayon enjoy that trip toddler free!! We just did that in the Bahamas and while I missed my dude like crazy it was SO nice to get away and just be a couple again. Plus I imagine it'll be harder once there's two of them! 

AGK2015

How far along are you/how big is baby? 17+1. Weight of a regulation hockey puck, give or take a few grams. 

How are your other kids doing this week? Pretty good. Husband has had work events all week after hours, so we're getting lots of Mommy-Nugget time. She's getting to the point where she can sort of hold up her end of a conversation (so long as you don't mind that the conversation is going to be about that time the birdie took her  bread and the fact that puppies have ears and she loves ears), so we've had some fun.

Rants/Raves? 

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing? We're headed to the Phoenix area next month for a meetup with some of my April 16 bumpies. Husband and Nugget are coming with, and I am over the moon excited to actually physically meet these women who have been such a critical part of my life and their kids who I've watched growing up. Plus I got my degree at ASU (transfer student, so I was only there for a year and a half) and I'm super stoked to revisit my old stomping grounds. And by "my old stomping grounds," I definitely mean Filibertos.

AGK2015

@PensiveCrayon I'm simultaneously so jealous and so nervous for you; leaving the kiddo would be hard, but there are definitely parts of Scandinavia on our bucket list. Where are you guys heading?

snugglyduckling25

@AGK2015 Phoenix sounds fun!  I have only been for work, but I really want to take my kids there.  So far our big vacations have consisted of Florida (beach or Disney), I'm thinking I should show them there are other places to visit.  

How far along are you/how big is baby? 15w1d, baby is the size of an box of crayons.

How are your other kids doing this week? Great - it's their last week of summer school and I know they are excited to start summer camp next week, and I'm excited to not have to have them at the bus stop by 7:17 each morning. 

Rants/Raves? Today is my Friday and I cannot wait to send the kids to school and have me time tomorrow!

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing? We just got back about a month ago from a Disney cruise which was amazing.  Other than that we will probably just do things locally. 

PensiveCrayon

@AGK2015 It's a whirlwind tour! Starting in Oslo, seeing the fjords, flying to Copenhagen, train to Stockholm, overnight ferry to Helsinki, another short ferry ride to Tallinn, Estonia, back to Helsinki, and then home via Oslo. Also, enjoy your meetup! Our D16 board is having a meetup in DC in August and I'm super excited...and also nervous. Hahaha.

runrinserepeat

So jealous of your trip, @PensiveCrayon

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
16+3, baby is about 4.5" and 3.5oz. 

How are your other kids doing this week? 
DS turned 4 on Monday! He's so cuddly with me lately, probably because DH is wearing him OUT while I'm at work. No complaints here. DD (6 yo) has been more of a handful. She deals with exhaustion by regressing into a whiny, spiteful thing. She's been acting more like a 13 yo than a 6 yo this week. 

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Not really. I had hoped to go to Italy in August, but it's for the best that we rescheduled that for next year. Besides, when I go I want to take advantage of all the wine! 

AGK2015

@PensiveCrayon oooooh, Oslo is definitely on our list, and I hear Copenhagen is incredible and Estonia is beautiful. If you or your husband are into coffee, make sure you check out Tim Wendelboe's shop while you're in Oslo; he's one of our favorite Scandinavian roasters (which sounds pretentious AF, but my husband is a nerd, it can't be helped  )

Everyone I've met from A16 so far has been exactly as I expected them, so I'm actually surprisingly not nervous at all. It's been like reuniting with an old friend every time, never like meeting a new one. I bet the same will be true for you guys! There's just something about that BMB bond  

Activebaby

I love the Mom meet ups! I’ve been able to meet 2 of my M14 moms in person. They were both awesome. Our meet up this year is the week we are going to Disney (meet up in Ohio), so I can’t go. 

PensiveCrayon

@AGK2015 This should answer your question

Yes, we are huge coffee snobs and love seeking out the best coffee shops wherever we are. Definitely adding that to the list! 

clbness

@kristah2 Hope you had a nice date last night!  What movie did you see?
@rosebud332 Yay for no HFM and your Mom helping with the house...double win!
@PensiveCrayon That vacation sounds amazing!  Please come back and tell us about all the amazing foods you eat and the sights you see...I want to live vicariously through your descriptions. 
@AGK2015 I hope you have an awesome time at your meetup!  I had a really hard time with PPD/PPA in December of 2016 and I quit FB and left my May16 group without saying anything and I regret it so bad.  I miss those ladies and their littles so much and I refuse to let that happen with this group.  I'll reach out for support before I run away.  Wow, that turned into a deary diary post. 
@snugglyduckling25 Enjoy your day tomorrow!  
@runrinserepeat Italy is one of my dream vacations!  I don't blame you on rescheduling...because, wine!

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
15 weeks, cinnamon roll/orange

How are your other kids doing this week? 
She's great!  I finally got her in to her 2 year appointment yesterday (over a month late) and the doctor was so impressed with her vocabulary (which, duh, made me super proud and excited).  Her tube in her right ear is looking all willy-nilly, so I have to take her to the ENT again. *le sigh*  Otherwise, she's cracking me up on the daily...kid. is. hilarious.

Rants/Raves? This coughing and congestion can kick rocks already.  I'm tired of being sick on top of gross pregnancy symptoms.  But, I'm also tired of complaining about them.  My family is alive and healthy, so it's not all bad!

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Nothing really vacationy booked.  My family reunion up in the mountains early August, wedding in MN the next weekend and my class reunion in KS in October.  I'd like to go down to CO Springs and do a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge and maybe Garden of the Gods with DD and then maybe a weekend up in the mountains with just DH before baby comes. 

AGK2015

@PensiveCrayon annnnnd our families just became default best friends. We haven't been able to use our Silvia since we moved because our coffee bar outlet situation is not good, and we picked the Mazzer mini over the Rocky... but we're definitely on the same page, and I'm impressed by your setup

We actually have a subscription box that sends over coffee from different Scandinavian roasters monthly. I think we've got all of the old info cards still lying around; I'll definitely check tonight and see if there have been any we've enjoyed out of Helsinki or Copenhagen. 

PensiveCrayon

@AGK2015 ! We’ve never actually delved super deep into the world of beans. Several years back we got a coffee of the month subscription (pre-espresso; we did pourover then), and sometimes we get beans from H’s uncle’s operation in Cleveland I think? But right now we just use Lavazza beans from Amazon because the price is right and they’re well rated. I’ll have to look into Scandinavian roasts, that’s super cool that you’ve got that subscription!

kristah2

@clbness We went to see Jurassic World. It was pretty good! I'm actually jealous of your Great Wolf Lodge adventure. As a kid I used to see commercials for that place all the time and of course I ever got to go. One day I'll take my kids on vaca there!
@PensiveCrayon OMG coffee of the month.... get at me!!!! I LOVE COFFEEE!!!! I seriously travel for the yummy coffee.. yummm

trucksntutus

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
Size of a lemon! 13 weeks 3 days. 
How are your other kids doing this week? 
She's doing wonderful, except she fell out of her bed last night and down the stairs earlier and bumped her head. She can be a bit clumsy lol! 

Rants/Raves? 
Any of you ladies having difficulties sleeping? Ugh. My back aches have returned and getting up constantly to go to the bathroom is no fun. Surely I'm not alone lol 

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Not unless you count a road trip to GA/ moving to our new home as a vacation lol! 

@AGK2015  Super jealous of your trip! I lived in PHX for 3 years and loved it, still have friends out there. 

Jens_Hoes

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
17 weeks + 4 days; pomegranate 

How are your other kids doing this week? 
She's good! I'm constantly impressed by her ability to go with the flow now. We had a work meet up last night and she stayed at my moms until it was bed time and my mom drove her to me and I drove home.  She fell asleep in the car and I was pleasantly surprised at her ability to go right back to sleep in her crib once we got home.  I kid you not on how traumatized I was by her inability to sleep the first 6 months.  

Rants/Raves? I felt the baby last night!!! I was thinking I'd feel it a few weeks ago, so it was so relieving to finally feel something.

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Similar to @pensivecrayon and @agk2015 I am meeting up with my May 2017 BMB in Chicago this October.  It is our first big meet up so it is exciting!

katy0990

@rosebud332 I am glad you dodged HFM!
@PensiveCrayon Congrats on graduating from PT and good for you for seeking out speech. Too many parents wait too long and it creates a huge uphill battle. Good luck!
@snugglyduckling25 I cannot wait to hopefully take the kiddos on a Disney Cruise when they get older!

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
I am 13 weeks 3 days, so officially over 33% of the way there (I will not go past 12/31). Baby is the size of a matchbox car.
How are your other kids doing this week? 
We are having so much fun! He is so cuddly and is constantly grabbing my hand and asking me to sit with him.
Rants/Raves? 
I just had to get a tire plugged 2 weeks ago and it was a big PITA because our mechanic friend is 40 minutes away. Well, my low tire light came on again yesterday with a nail in a different tire, but Costco fixed it for under $12 and I did not have to spend over an hour in the car!
GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
We are taking a family vacation to Texas to see my brother in September.

PensiveCrayon

@katy0990 Thanks for saying that It's bittersweet -- he's had PT two separate times now (the first time being around 4 months for torticollis), is currently going to OT monthly, and now speech. We were told to keep an eye on his development just because of some possible brain damage from his birth, and he is generally behind on everything, but he goes at his own pace. It sucks to have a kid who is behind, but at the same time he does SO well when he's in therapy and I love watching him progress once he's in it. I'm excited for him to start communicating more!

Gwyneddlesliegrace

 

How far along are you/how big is baby? 15.3 baby is the size of a waffle.

How are your other kids doing this week? My two year old is finally sleeping through the night, so that’s glorious. Now I wish I could. The rest of the kids are well. They’re super into their school work right now, so that’s a win.

Rants/Raves? 
I’m currently struggling with panic attacks in the middle of the night. We have a lot of stress right now and it’s been awful. 
GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing? We’re done with our vacations, just traveling for work. We’re going to FL next April and CO next May though.

clbness

@kristah2 That movie looks good!  I have never been to a Great Wolf either!  I don't think there was one built in my surrounding area until I was in college, but I knew that once I had kids, I had a good excuse to go!
@Gwyneddlesliegrace I'm so sorry your stress is causing panic attacks.  I hope you get some relief soon. 
@trucksntutus I'm with you on the no sleep!  I feel like mine is general insomnia though...maybe mixed with a little anxiety?  I hope your back aches go away...back pain is the worst.
@Jens_Hoes Yay for feeling the baby move AND DD falling right back to sleep after getting home!   

temmetime

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
18 weeks today! an artichoke/sweet potato ninja.
How are your other kids doing this week? 
The poor little guy is sick our whole house has the same cold and we're coughing like mad. I can put up with it, but I feel so bad for DS.
Rants/Raves? 
Rant: see above. Rave: all the baby kicks! I've been feeling the little one more and more consistently lately. I keep putting my hand over my belly as if I'll feel it on the outside too. Wishful thinking.
GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Nothing planned, but I'd just love a simple movie date night. We haven't been making the effort for simple dates.
I love hearing about everyone's trips!

PensiveCrayon

@temmetime I do the hand on tummy move too! I think it's just an instinct left over from the first time around. I did write in my journal last time around that I first felt A kicking from the outside around 22 weeks, so hopefully within the next month or so...we'll see

Boobopgirl

How far along are you/how big is baby?  16 + 1 and I forgot to look how big.

How are your other kids doing this week? 

Girls are being really disobedient and mouthy.  Little man is all smiles though.  He got to try fish for the first time tonight.

Rants/Raves? 
Packing 3 kids for a week away from home is a disaster.  (Toddler packing math:  how many undies do you need for 6 days?  Answer: It doesn't matter because you will go through all of them...plus 2.  It doesn't matter if you pack 6 or 35.)

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? 

We're going to my in laws for a week...does that count?  He has family visiting from Texas and we have a grad party, the holiday picnic, and probably a couple days trips planned.  Other than that, I plan to take advantage of the kids playing in the pool with grandma and grandpa to get some sewing done.

katy0990

@Boobopgirl I can relate to the toddler underwear dilemma. I have not been carrying as many extras with me since he has been doing really well and has not had an accident I’m a while, but today DS sat down in a stream at the park and needed a complete new outfit. Why?!?! At least he had fun.

CecilB93

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
16w1d, size of a CD according to TB

How are your other kids doing this week? 
Not too bad. He's still having accidents as far as potty training goes, though he's not in underwear 100% of the time, so we're not pushing too super hard with him yet. But he does have some good days at daycare where he stays dry all day!

Rants/Raves? 
My house is hot...I'm worried something is wrong with our AC  it's blowing cool air (not cold), but still says it's 80 in here...ugh we can't afford this right now!!
Also, F the sciatic nerve. I've been limping lately because of it. I even saw my chiropractor today and felt good immediately after, but the pain was back a couple hours later unfortunately. I'm thinking about getting a massage soon to try and loosen up my muscles a little, hopefully that will help. I'm not ready to deal with this pain another ~5 months!!

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
Umm...Beaver Lake in Arkansas next weekend with the ILs, just a couple nights. Otherwise that's probably about it before baby. We went to Phoenix in March to visit my mom, so no big vacations until next year at the earliest.

PensiveCrayon

@CecilB93 same on the sciatic pain Last night I pulled up the page of a chiropractor who works with pregnant ladies but never called today. I neeeeed to! I’ve just never been to a chiropractor and don’t know what to expect cost-wise. 

AdorkablePixie

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
13w6d Peach

How are your other kids doing this week? 
He is doing great! He's been doing so good with potty training, in the past over a week he's had one accident. It was when DH had him on Monday and I am sure he wasn't paying attention to when DS last went or looking for any signs that he had to go. He says baby and points to my belly now. It is SO CUTE!

Rants/Raves? 

RANTS: My MIL accidentally knocked him over last night and he busted his lip open. Blood everywhere and his lip was so swollen. I took him from her to try to clean it with a cold wet washcloth and I figured the cold would feel good. She kept trying to take him from me and it was pissing me off. HE IS MY CHILD! I will be the one who cheers him up/tries to make him feel better. BACK OFF! That crap makes me so mad. She does that all the time.

RAVES: We get to go see my mom this weekend and tell her I am pregnant so I am really excited! It's also my brother's birthday so I am going to text him (he lives in Portland) and say "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday dear brother, you're going to be an uncle of two!"

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?

Not vacation vacations, but weekend trips. The first weekend in August I am going with my mom and aunt to visit family in Connecticut. The weekend after that DH, DS, and I are driving to IL for a car show for the weekend. I am looking forward to both trips. DHs mom gifted him a week vacation for his birthday, so we will probably do that too before the baby is here. We shall see.

AdorkablePixie

@rosebud332 Yay for avoiding HFM!! My best friend's toddler just had it, poor thing!

@PensiveCrayon +1 with he headaches. Ugh. My midwife said they should stop soon.

@AGK2015 I have cocker spaniels, she would LOVE their ears!! lol That meetup sounds SO FUN!! I met two other bumpies two weekends ago at our local zoo. There was a meetup last weekend with like 6 other moms from my group but we had to reschedule DHs 30 birthday party to that day so I ended up not being able to go. I am still bummed. Thankfully they're already talking about another get together.

@clbness I hope DH and I get a vacation without DS before the baby is born. Even if it's just a weekend! I'd love some time with just he two off us.

@Boobopgirl lol I get the underwear thing! lol DS and I spent the night at my moms the weekend of Mother's Day and I packed like 8 pairs of underwear... for an overnight trip. lol

@Gweneddlesliegrace I am so sorry about the stress causing panic attacks. I hope it gets better soon.

whaat

How far along are you/how big is baby? 
13 weeks. Lemon or large laduree macaron.

How are your other kids doing this week? 
Hey son is awesome and he’s learning so many new words every day (almost 20 months).  Now he can tell me what he did at daycare and he “sings” sings to me that I’ve never heard before.

Rants/Raves? 
I want to be done feeling nauseated, but I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’ll prob feel like this until 20 weeks like last time.  The other day my son saw me throw up and got nervous, so that was fun.

GTKY: Do you have any vacations planned before baby is due? Where are you doing?
we have family coming here, bc we live at the shore and everyone wants to be here for the summer. I might go visit my stepdad in CT later this summer but that hasn’t been finalized.

CecilB93

@PensiveCrayon I think cost varies a lot depending on the chiropractor and your insurance. With my insurance I have a $30 copay every visit. Definitely call and talk with them about cost. I hope you go though! My chiropractor was my best friend when I was pregnant with DS lol.

@AdorkablePixie oh man I'd be pissed. I get that it was an accident that she knocked him over, but like you said, he's your child and you should be the one to clean him up and comfort him. Grandma can get hugs and "sorry" in after you.

AdorkablePixie

@CecilB93 Yes, and she does this still all the time. It would be different if this was the first time but she is always trying to take him when he's upset. He is not your child, you had your time being the parent, just back the heck up! I've complained to DH about it before and he's like she's just trying to be helpful and I am sure she is, but she is overstepping and she needs to stop.

PensiveCrayon

@CecilB93 Unfortunately insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic care so it will have to be out of pocket. But hopefully they offer some sort of package deal or military discount! 

Honestly part of the reason I’ve been hesitant is because MH thinks it’s pseudoscience. But last pregnancy I didn’t get my pelvis balanced and had a very difficult labor, so I’m willing to try any sort of black magic if it means relief from sciatica and a babe that doesn’t get stuck on the way out! (Also he’ll be gone pretty much my entire third trimester so there’s that. Wahaha.)

katy0990

@Gwyneddlesliegrace I’m sorry you are under so much stress.

@AdorkablePixie I would be furious, too. Of course when he is hurt or scared he wants his mommy, why would someone (especially a mother herself) interfere with that!?!?!?

@pensivecrayon DS was stuck on my pelvic bone (like had indentations and an enlarged soft spot stuck) and I ended up with a c-section. Could having my pelvis balanced have an effect on that?

temmetime

@PensiveCrayon my insurance won't pay for visits at all until deductible is met, so when I go right now it's $50. I don't generally have issues so I go 1-2 times/yr at most. If nothing else, just getting adjusted and cracked around is SO worth going at least once.

clbness

@AdorkablePixie I hope you guys are able to get a little weekend away too!  It's really important to have that time...and DH and I REALLY need it right now.  We're not really friends at the moment.  And that would piss me off too if my MIL did that...I'm sorry she doesn't understand boundaries!  My IL's don't quite get boundaries either because they're so used to being all up in each others business 24/7.  And it bothers me because I've become a pretty private person in the past 3 years.

CecilB93

@PensiveCrayon I hope they can work out something for you! I know a lot of people who don't believe in chiropractic care, but I grew up with my grandma constantly going so I never even considered it being not believable lol. 

PensiveCrayon

@katy0990 (Sorry I'm late responding on this but better late than never, right?) I don't know, but I'm assuming a chiropractor would tell you yes. Ha. Apparently you want to look for someone certified in the Webster technique. (More info on that here.)

katy0990

@PensiveCrayon Thanks!