Week of 12/10 Randoms

lappymom2019

What is going on this week?

wishiwaspreggo

I went to dinner on Saturday night with my wife and a friend. I ordered an Italian beef with cheddar cheese and a side of pasta salad. I was still hungry so I had spaghetti with meat sauce for dessert. Twin pregnancy is a trip.

Oh, and someone asked me if I lost weight recently. No, it's actually melting off the rest of my body and directing itself to my midsection in case you haven't noticed the round, bulbous bump dead center of my torso. I am loving this high metabolism though.

eatinwatermelonseeds

@wishiwaspreggo what's a met-ab-ol-ism? 😩😂

Really though, I am starting to get this cute little round basketball bump and I am loving it. I think soon it'll be super overwhelming and less adorable, but right now I love it. 

bluesky24

@eatinwatermelonseeds mid-pregnancy bump is the best. Looks cute in clothes, doesn't make you feel like you're suffocating. It's a win.

I've eaten four slices of challah bread this morning for breakfast. Slathered with butter. Win.

PS haven't been around much due to travel and work stuff but miss you all and think of you often! Hope to be back more starting this week  

missy052819

Our receptionist called out, so I get to play receptionist today. Browsing the web for nursery ideas and watching people get upset that the road is blocked off across the street. Also, pretty disappointed we didn't get snow, can someone send me some?

lappymom2019

I actually charged my Garmin so maybe I will try to be more active again. Win!

wishiwaspreggo

@eatinwatermelonseeds - It's the sole (and very lovely) benefit of being obese when you get pregnant. With a twin pregnancy my heart and body are working so hard it's basically like I'm walking at a moderate pace 24/7. That's just my basal metabolism laying in bed. Because of this, it is impossible for me to consume enough calories to keep all my fat cells full while growing two human beings at the same time. Don't think my body's not compelling me to try though, because it certainly is. I've never felt hunger like this in my life. But even so, my stomach only holds so much in one sitting and digestion only works so fast so the result is I burn excess fat. My weight stays the same because, you know, babies and amniotic fluid and placentas. It's great. After I gave birth to my son I was 25 pounds lighter than I was when I got pregnant! Lost another 10 pounds from breastfeeding. Too bad I couldn't BF forever, it's a fabulous calorie burner.

eatinwatermelonseeds

@wishiwaspreggo when I got pregnant the first time, I was one of those people I hate who could literally eat ANYTHING and not gain a pound. Then I had my son and i even think about a calorie and gain 5lbs. It's insane. But I was telling my husband about this conversation and he was like "I think you're underestimating yours, you have been bigger than you are right now while carrying a baby, I think you're doing great." So, that's nice. Except the part about having been bigger before 😂 but beggars can't be choosers lol

sleepy33

I am starting to feel uncomfortable when laying on my back. This makes me very sad, bc all I want to do is lay on my back and knit and watch GBBS. 

lovelybabybumpz

I wish everyone drove around with a 1800howsmydriving bumper sticker. Although then I would spend my entire day calling in complaints about dumb drivers.

lovelybabybumpz

@sleepy33
same. I keep googling when I should stop sleeping on my back and it just says 'in the second half of pregnancy' it may start to get uncomfortable. Well, it's fast approaching (19+2!).

llhfreedom

I'm sure that this question has come up before, but I'm trying to finish our registry and I'm stuck on what to use before I transition him to the crib.  I have been told to get the Fisher Price Rock N Play, or something similar to that instead of a bassinet.  I was fine with this until I saw that doctors/nurses don't recommend them for sleeping because of the incline, it increases the SIDS risk.  I've also heard about it causing flat spots, etc.  I just like that it is so small and portable.  I also like the Halo bassinet because its flat and sturdier, but its so heavy it would be hard to move around if I wanted to.  

So, I am wanting to see if I can get some opinions from mamas who've done this before or have already decided on what they're using.  Do I go with something like a Rock N Play sleeper, or do I go with a flat bassinet like the Halo?  Help please

sleepy33

@llhfreedom if at all possible, I'd start with a bassinet and transition straight to crib. My son did spend some transition time sleeping in the RNP due to reflux issues, but it wasn't ideal or recommended, and I was always anxious about it. I was able to transition him to the crib with a wedge under the mattress after a few weeks. It took him a bit of time to adjust, but it was worthwhile in the end. You can always fold up a receiving blanket and put it under one end of the bassinet mattress to create a slight incline so baby isn't totally flat, which might help. 

mrskoz428

@wishiwaspreggo yes to the high metabolism! I have been eating non-stop for the last couple weeks! I’ll get full but while everyone else doesn’t want more food, I can easily eat more. I had a bagel and oatmeal for breakfast and was starving by 9:30! Lol. Just ate a snack and it’s not going to last long!

chloe97

@llhfreedom I had a Armreach Cosleeper for DD which we used as a bassinet and the RNP. THe RNP is definitely a SIDS risk (though they market themselves as a sleeper?) and though I let DD sleep in it while we were with her because she liked it better, I could never fall asleep while she was in it. I would recommend registering for both. 

ETA the reason we went with the Armreach and not the Halo was b/c it has wheels and we can drag it from room to room. DH and I took turns sleeping with DD in our living room, while the other slept alone peacefully in the bed, but sometimes we wanted to move it to other rooms- so it was nice that it was on wheels- especiall after my csection 

llhfreedom

@sleepy33 How soon can they move to the crib?  My friend had told me to wait until he's sleeping through the night.  

@chole97  I really like the Halo bassinet, and I've found online for less than $100 (used). I am kind of leaning towards that for the exact thing that you said.  I don't know if I would be able to sleep through the night with him in the RNP because I would be so paranoid.  Did you have any trouble with your DD rolling over or into the sides of the co-sleeper at night?

chloe97

@llhfreedom By the time DD could roll over, she was already in her crib. I want to say we transitioned her full time to her crib around 3 months- maybe a bit later. I will also say that when they are a bit older, the swing is really nice too for naps. We had a Fisher price one. If she was having a really fussy day around 3-4 months, DH would put her in the swing and she would sleep for a couple hours. Of course we literally used it for like 3 months before she outgrew it, but it was worth it JUST to get her to calm down in those fussy periods. 

wishiwaspreggo

So these idiots at a scam warranty service keep calling my office like, once a month. I feel particularly bitchy today. I kept the "warranty specialist" on the phone for 10 minutes and kept saying "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" over and over again. By the end he was shouting in the phone. He finally said "I don't get how you can't understand me." And I said "Sorry, sir, I just don't get it." Then he stuttered and said "You know what, goodbye." The last thing he heard was me laughing as he hung up.

Maybe these morons will learn their lesson if I keep it up every time they call.

llhfreedom

@chloe97 Yea we are definitely getting a swing.  I was told that was a must!  If we do the bassinet do you think we even need anything like a RNP or similar sleeping?  Or could we just use a Pack N Play if we go somewhere?  Sorry, this is all very new and very overwhelming!  

laeberge3

@llhfreedom We had a swing, RNP, Pack N' Play, and then a bassinet.  Before transition to his crib, DS slept in the bassinet and would sometimes nap in the RNP (or rarely, the swing).  We used the PNP for travel and at the babysitter.  You could also do a PNP with a bassinet attachment instead of two separate items.

chloe97

@llhfreedom I would definitely still register for the RNP. You will need it as a place to just put the baby down for a minute to grab something or while you are going to the bathroom. It's light and you can move from room to room. 

sleepy33

@llhfreedom I loved the RNP for naps. I wouldn't get a pack n play unless you know you'll be traveling or visiting someone for a while. There's no real right answer on when to transition to crib. I know some moms who put them straight in the crib (though still in the same room w/ mom initially). For us, I knew it was time to transition him to the crib in his room when it became obvious that he was waking up due to me or my husband stirring in our sleep. I want to say that was around 2-3 months old. I remember he would never STTN in our room, just because he started being aware of our movements and then it was like a vicious cycle of us keeping him up and vice versa. As soon as we put him in his own room, he STTN. 

fatmonica

I put my kids in their cribs from the get go, but their rooms were right next to ours on the main floor.  This time, our bedroom is on the main floor and the kids rooms are upstairs, so I'm planning to get a bassinet this time.

wishiwaspreggo

I would set up the RNP in my office when my son was very young and my childcare fell through. He'd sit in it like a cozy nest and fall asleep. I loooooooove my RNP!!! Gonna have to find a 2nd one soon.

lovelybabybumpz

dangit. I just went to the bathroom and realized that my underwear are on inside out. I'm wearing tights, so no way am I fixing this situation. I swear this never happened until I was pregnant with DD and now it happens more often than I'd like to admit.

@llhfreedom
I never had a RNP. We used the Arms reach cosleeper next to our bed before we transitioned to crib. I did use the PNP in the living room for the first few weeks sleeping, which we referred to as our baby command center. It had an elevated changing station that flips over to be a newborn napper.

imrachellea

@llhfreedom There's nothing wrong with starting in the crib if that's what you're comfortable with. Both my girls were in the PNP in our room, laying flat, then went to their crib at 8ish weeks. We were in a one story house so it was still easily accessible and I needed my room to be mine again. But we did attempt naps in the crib in the very first couple weeks (note, I days *attempt* 😂). It regards to where they sleep, so long as you're following safe sleep guidelines it's what makes you most comfortabld and is easiest for your family.

llhfreedom

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and input, that helps so much!  I have pretty much determined that we need will both, or will at least put both on the registry for now.   We'll try the bassinet for sleeping and the RNP for just napping and so I can have my hands free from time to time. 

peachy13

Add me to the increased appetite team! After 15 or so weeks of a pretty poor appetite and diet, I have really been enjoying eating a little extra these last few weeks.

DD slept in her pnp in our room for 3 months and then we transitioned to the crib because she was starting daycare and, gratefully, sleeping through the night. Going to do a similar routine with this one. 

bluesky24

@sleepy33 love me some GBBS. I watched the first episode of the holiday season yesterday. In love. They're all so polite and silly. American cooking shows are so much more intense and unpleasant. 

@llhfreedom definitely a UO but my daughter slept in her RNP at night often during those first early weeks. I will not condone it but it happened. We transitioned her to a crib fully in her own room around two months. Some of my friends go right to the crib, others do the bassinet and hell, some even co-sleep. My reco for you: have a RNP, PNP with bassinet top and a swing. That way you cover your bases and if baby doesn't like one thing (they are guaranteed to not like the thing you want them to like, lol) you'll have options.

eatinwatermelonseeds

We didn't transition DS to his crib until about 7-8 months because I wanted to wait until he slept through the night. BUT he didn't sleep through the night until he was 16 months, so I would've been waiting for a long ass time and I was desperate to try anything to get the kid to sleep. We started with a bassinet, but he wasn't comfortable in it for long because he got big quick, so I had him in a pack n play in my room from about 5 weeks until we put him in his room. I may do that again, honestly, as it really worked for us and there was a little changer on it so it was convenient. I have considered an arms reach, but honestly it wasn't necessary last time so I don't think I'll waste the money. RNP and swing will be downstairs in the living room and family room. Well crap. Now I'm thinking maybe I will do an arms reach or something so one can be upstairs and one can be downstairs because we'll have our queen in the family room/play room/guest room 😂 and I'm anticipating some naps while DS plays and baby sleeps and I cannot cosleep with an infant. Cannot cannot cannot. Will not will not will not. So, I'll need something. RNP could work. Or swing. But I don't know if I'd feel comfortable not being awake with him in those. I didn't have this problem last time because we only had one bed 😂 #luxuryproblems. 

teesmee

We did the 4moms pack and play with the bassinet top for the first few months. We have wood floors and it slid from the wall to the bed and back easily so we didn’t need an arms reach. We initially tried a cradle which was absolutely beautiful but our DD didn’t sleep one wink in it. We had a bouncer and a swing as well for freeing up hands to clean up and eat, etc. The bouncer was super helpful because it was so light and easy to move and the swing was nice because it has more motion/noise for baby relaxing. It seemed like overkill on some days and a lifesaver on days when one thing didn’t work but the other was just right. I’ve also heard a lot of people using the Docatot for co sleeping  as well as a place to just put baby down for naps and freeing up hands. I don’t have first hand experience but several people I know loved it. 

lappymom2019

I am planning to use an heirloom bassinet, which I know some people are uncomfortable with but it has a brand new mattress and cover and there is nothing about it that seems unsafe to me. My niece didn't like it and they ended up going straight to the crib.

We also registered for a pack n play and a swing for day use but I am not sure I really need the pack  n play but at least it will be an option if baby doesn't like the bassinet

robyn2201

DD2 is home sick today. She had a fever last night so no school for her today. We cuddled most of the morning but I need to get stuff done. I don’t feel motivated to do anything though. Really hoping I don’t get whatever it is that she has. 

sleepy33

I guess I would add, a pack n play can be a handy baby jail down the road if you need like 5-10 minutes of hands free baby time, like to microwave a quick meal or something. So it's not a bad investment at all, especially if you can find a used one in decent shape. 

kvh22

@llhfreedom I think you've gotten plenty of advice here but we never had a rock n play. My ped was pretty adamant about not sleeping in anything other than a hard, flat surface. She scared me out of even letting DD fall asleep in the swing. I followed safe sleep to a T but DD was a good sleeper the first 4 months (we've gotten in some bad habits off and on since then). We did PNP in our room with the bassinet until she started either rolling or sitting, I forget which but whatever the "rule" is. Then we took out that insert and actually kept her in our room until 11 months but she slept okay as did we. We did naps in her crib pretty early, though. The PNP was cheap but I also got a really nice travel crib from someone off my registry that's light and easy to set up which was great for flights and hotels (the Guava Lotus). We set that up in the living room while I was on maternity leave for 4 months which was convenient as a second place to put her to sleep aside from the PNP in our room. So basically, we had a PNP AND a travel crib that we used at first and that was it for sleeping. The bassinet has such a short shelf life IMO it didn't make sense for us. since PNPs have the same feature. BUT - if you don't want a PNP and want to transition to their crib for night time sleep once they don't fit in the bassinet, I'd go that route. My ped, while crazy about sleeping on flat surfaces, told us that her and many pediatricians think the 6 months preferred in parent's room as the new AAP guidelines are hurting everyone's sleep for no real benefit. DD slept fine and so did we so we kept her in our room but I feel good knowing if that isn't the case, there isn't pressure to keep her in our room.

eatinwatermelonseeds

@robyn2201 aww I'm sorry! Hope she's feeling better soon and no one else catches it! I just had to go pick up DS because "um, he's asleep... He was asleep on the bus and just came in and fell asleep." 😂 So, we're home, where he's wide awake and just learned a new way to get out of going to preschool. 

chloe97

kvh22 said:

@llhfreedom I think you've gotten plenty of advice here but we never had a rock n play. My ped was pretty adamant about not sleeping in anything other than a hard, flat surface. She scared me out of even letting DD fall asleep in the swing. I followed safe sleep to a T but DD was a good sleeper the first 4 months (we've gotten in some bad habits off and on since then). We did PNP in our room with the bassinet until she started either rolling or sitting, I forget which but whatever the "rule" is. Then we took out that insert and actually kept her in our room until 11 months but she slept okay as did we. We did naps in her crib pretty early, though. The PNP was cheap but I also got a really nice travel crib from someone off my registry that's light and easy to set up which was great for flights and hotels (the Guava Lotus). We set that up in the living room while I was on maternity leave for 4 months which was convenient as a second place to put her to sleep aside from the PNP in our room. So basically, we had a PNP AND a travel crib that we used at first and that was it for sleeping. The bassinet has such a short shelf life IMO it didn't make sense for us. since PNPs have the same feature. BUT - if you don't want a PNP and want to transition to their crib for night time sleep once they don't fit in the bassinet, I'd go that route. My ped, while crazy about sleeping on flat surfaces, told us that her and many pediatricians think the 6 months preferred in parent's room as the new AAP guidelines are hurting everyone's sleep for no real benefit. DD slept fine and so did we so we kept her in our room but I feel good knowing if that isn't the case, there isn't pressure to keep her in our room.

SITB THIS ^^^^^^^^ The only real evidence around increasing the age of rooming in from 6 months to a year was some evidence that it may increase the length of breastfeeding. That is it. Same with waiting to start solid foods after 6 months. Definitely chat with your own pediatrician about these things b/c they will give it to you straight. 

bumbly_b

Our neighbor's house burned to the ground last night. Thankfully they were out of town and doing a full gut and remodel so there wasnt anyone or much in the house. But they've been working on it for almost 2 years. 

We went over to look at it this morning and its completely gone. There was a huge stack of burned up sheetrock stacked in what used to be the livingroom. It was heartbreaking. 

Makes me rethink our emergency plans for sure. 

eatinwatermelonseeds

@bumbly_b omg that's terrible! Any idea what caused it?

bumbly_b

@eatinwatermelonseeds not yet. There were downed power lines in the road so possibly electric but idk if the line got burned because of the fire or if they were the cause. 

Its was an old redwood house and it went from nothing to fully engulfed in about 4 minutes. We happened to be outside bullshitting with a friend and saw the smoke and then flames shooting up above the trees 

eatinwatermelonseeds

@bumbly_b wow, that's terrifying. Ugh. I hope your neighbors are able to recover from that, I'm so glad they weren't there and everyone is okay physically, but ugh that would just be so awful.