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November 2023 Moms
makingbacon
member
Weekly Check-In Week of 9/4/2023
makingbacon
member
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days:
FTM/STM/STM+:
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise:
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of:
Upcoming appointments:
How are you feeling:
Rants / Raves:
Questions:
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?:
Re: Weekly Check-In Week of 9/4/2023
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days:
11/5, 31w2d
FTM/STM/STM+:
TTM
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise:
Girl
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of:
A bunch of asparagus I think
Upcoming appointments:
9/13 for 32 week check up and 9/19 for my last ultrasound
How are you feeling:
Pretty good, no complaints this week, so far lol
Rants / Raves:
Rants: none that I can think of. Raves: I’ve been taking meds for my allergies and although they aren’t completely gone, they are much better than last week.
Questions:
When is everyone planning on having their hospital bags packed?
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?:
The best is probably the pack and play that had the bassinet attachment and the worst would be the changing table maybe since we never used it with either of our older kids. It just wasn’t a good fit for us but I know other moms that swear by it.
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days: 11/29, 28w
FTM/STM/STM+: STM
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise: Surprise
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of: head of lettuce
Upcoming appointments: currently at my glucose test waiting for the hour to pass… then MFM ultrasound on Monday
How are you feeling: good! Uncomfortable sleeping but good during the day
Rants / Raves: my daughter started preschool yesterday! I’m glad to finally have childcare again, but it was sad to drop her off! I’m not sure the school will be a great fit for us for a few reasons, but we’ve been on waitlists for 2 years since we found out we were moving, so it’s not like we had many options either…
Questions: none at the moment…
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?:
the best baby item is definitely a baby carrier. I loved the soft wrap ones when she was itty bitty (like the Solly baby) and I also had like a soft structured one (maybe by ergo baby?) that was a little more supportive as she got bigger. My husband also liked wearing the traditional ergo baby one. Made it so easy to get stuff done while holding a baby and I’m fully expecting it’ll be a huge plus this time around with a toddler around too
The worst baby item was the mamaroo seat thing. Thankfully we got it as a gift because it’s so expensive. Our daughter hated it. She loved the cheap one that came with the pack n play. I tell all my FTM friends now that unless they get it as a gift, they should start with the cheaper ones and then upgrade if baby doesn’t like the cheaper one.
@ohsmith we just got a regular dresser and put a plastic changing thing on top of it (like the keekaroo but it was cheaper). She still uses the dresser now because it’s big and actually fits her clothes. I’m glad we went that route… we did use the dresser to change her on, but it was a short time before we just changed her on the floor or wherever. A regular dresser doesn’t become obsolete the same way a changing table would!
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days: 11/23 28w6d
FTM/STM/STM+: FTM
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise: it’s a girl! Think we’ve landed on Claire Margaret for the name
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of: eggplant
Upcoming appointments: 9/18 for first rhogam shot and checkup - I still am a weenie about needles so I need to see if they will reschedule for a time outside of hubbys work hours or see if my mom can come
How are you feeling: okay - I can’t sleep well either @fitandnerdy I mean I do, but I wake up either for sore hips or to pee every 2-3 hours or so I have a preggo pillow but my body is very accustomed to sleeping on my belly like twisted roadkill, now that I’m sleeping all structured, everything hurts lol riddle me that….
Rants / Raves: so I had my glucose test and passed. I was worried because of some lightheaded ness and cold sweaty episodes I’d been having, felt like a sugar issue - also I can’t read at distance anymore. I’m happy I passed but now I don’t know what to blame all this on - nurse said eat more protien and blamed my eyesight issues on getting old… I’m 33. Has anyone else had vision issues associated with pregnancy? Will it go away or am I really going blind over here?
Questions:
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?: I’ve literally still bought nothing so all advice is appreciated lol
The last few weeks have been so rough. DH ended up in the hospital for a full week because of his leg. I did not fair well being on my own with all 4 kids, doctors appointments, after school practices, DD1's 1st volleyball game of the season, general house upkeep, cooking, running stuff up to DH at the hospital and my own job. Our 19 year anniversary was on Monday too. So nothing happened with that. We had originally hoped to go out of town for at least a night. *sigh*
DH finally got released from the hospital on Monday. We're all happy to have him home. Also, DD1 had her 1st volleyball game of the season and DS1 had his first football game ever. Super proud of both of them. I love watching their games. ❤️
Best - Probably the Twin pack and play we have. Didn't have this one for the first set of twins but for the second set. It's got a topper but it's separated down the middle so 2 babies can sleep safely. Live that thing!
Worst - Not even the worst, but the most useless - changing table and wipe warmer. The changing table ended up basically being storage. I was their room so little and just ended up changing them on the floor or couch. Plus it hurt my back yo be standing their bending over. The wope warmer was also in their room. And I had packages of wipes EVERYWHERE around the house. By the time I would go to use the warm wipes, they were dried out. I thought December babies in Minnesota would LOVE to have warm butts. Totally useless IMO.
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days: 11/16; 29+6
FTM/STM/STM+: STM+
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise: Boy
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of: acorn squash
Upcoming appointments: a week from today-mfm for bpp/nst
How are you feeling: I’ve basically been sick for 3 weeks straight, and think I’m finally almost over the second virus I got, so relatively good in comparison? But this week is back in the 100’s after a short break of 90 degree weather, and I am so very over this hell summer
Rants / Raves: rant-ugh the pregnancy hip pain! I did a lot of Pilates my last pregnancy, so I actually felt pretty good in general, but this pregnancy I’m catching every virus it seems and have been too sick off and on to get into the movement groove I had last time, and it is really catching up with me.
Questions: none
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?: best is the Baby Brezza. It’s like a keurig for baby bottles. I wasn’t able to breastfeed and this was a splurge but it was SO worth it. Also washable changing pad liners-I put them on top of the changing pad (over the cute cover). If anything messy got on it, I just picked it up and put a new one down-I could do this one handed. I had a bunch of them so I didn’t have to immediately do laundry. It was great. Also I just used a changing pad on top of an old dresser because I had the dresser anyway. We had a one story house at the time so it was always easy to run into her room for changes and it was at a better height than trying to do it on the couch.
Worst: I got the nesting days baby carrier because it was supposed to be great for larger chested women and help with C-section compression and I was too afraid to try one of the ones you have to do complicated ties and wraps. But the one I got was so tight, my daughter hated it, and I never really used it. I also got an ergo baby, but she was too small for it for too long, and by the time she was big enough she was very uninterested in being worn (she was 5 lbs 5 oz at birth and premie sized for the first 3 months or so).
@UnwritteN12 that sounds very rough! So sorry you’re going through that!
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days:
28w 1d, 11/29
FTM/STM/STM+:
STM+Bonus daughter
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise:
Boy! Benjamin David-Daniel
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of:
Eggplant
Rollerblade
Tropical coconut
Echidna
Upcoming appointments:
We are scheduled through 40w 1d. I don't think they're going to let me go that far with the gestational diabetes. but....
9/8 - Growth Ultrasound & OB Check
9/29 - OB Check
How are you feeling:
I'm feeling so tired. I feel like I sleep well at night but wake up SO exhausted no matter what. I wake once or twice per night to go to the restroom. I haven't been waking too frequently for hip pain...(yet).
Rants / Raves:
Rave: School started on Wednesday for my son and step daughter (THANK THE GOOD LORD!).
Rave: My "mother in law" (ex husbands mother) is finally looking to be discharged from the hospital and sent to rehab. I was able to get my son up there yesterday to see her for the first time in about 6 weeks. She was in ICU initially, got moved to the regular floor and then sent back to ICU. Ex-husband is no help whatsoever with my son & childcare, so my work has been awesome with letting my son come to the office for 15-20 minutes while I tie up loose ends at the end of the day, or my mom keeps him (we work at the same hospital) and I pick him up from her office when I'm done.
Rant: I'm so dang tired. I have no motivation for anything when I get home from work. All I want to do is sleep, sleep, sleep.
Rant: My baby sprinkle isn't until 10/14 and I am nervous with all my prenatal diagnoses that we are going to be cutting it super close.
Questions:
I just don't know anymore. I have so many, I always forget to ask at the Ob checks. But, they are also "predictive" questions they won't be able to answer until further along. The gestational diabetes is the largest factor, and I want to know what to expect when I near the end of my pregnancy - labor, induction, c-section...?
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?:
My Moby wrap and Tula were lifesavers with my son. I wore him all the time. I cannot wait to wrap Benjamin and wear him too! The worst was the cradle we got for my first son to sleep in at our bedside - it plugged in and rocked but it squeaked SO loud. It was so annoying. He slept well in it, but we didn't because of the squeaking and creaking!
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days:
11/3 31w6d
FTM/STM/STM+:
TTM
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise:
Boy🤎
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of:
He is running out of room. That’s all I know 😂
Upcoming appointments:
Two weeks
How are you feeling:
Eh. It’s been challenging. I’ve never weighed this much. I’m set to gain about 10lbs more than I did with my girls and I’m feeling it on my short body. Generally just super uncomfortable and having trouble getting a full deep breath in
Rants / Raves:
Rant: lightening crotch is crazy this time around. He does it over and over and over, then sometimes he just stays there so it’s like a long drawn out lightening crotch 😅. I look like I’m going into labor when it starts happening lol
Rave: we are heading up north this weekend for the week. It’s going to be nice and cool out the whole time. I’m melting in this eastern NC heat so I’m really excited lol
Questions:
None
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?:
The rock and play RIP 😂. That thing was a life saver for my very colicky last baby. Sigh. But also I love my Tula and I love those trifold rectangle cloth diapers. They are the best burp cloths. When I had babies in my house, I had those everywhere so I could always grab one at a moment’s notice lol
Most useless, any kind of stroller that isn’t a jogging stroller lol. For this baby specifically, a stroller in general lol. My 7 year old is in an adaptable wheel chair the logistics of using a stroller for him are just not practical on any level. Hope he likes being worn, cause literally going to be his only option 😂
@ohsmith I’ll be packing my bag in a couple weeks and installing the car seat then as well.
@stevieraem I love the name!
@UnwritteN12 that’s so overwhelming! I’m glad he’s finally back home
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days: 11/24
FTM/STM/STM+: TTM
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise: boy
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of: echidna (or as my toddler would say “dat red guy in sonic”)
Upcoming appointments: Monday afternoon for my glucose test 😬
How are you feeling: my back is killing me all of a sudden, I think maybe it’s sciatica already… Tylenol is not helping
Rants / Raves: rave- the boys had their big sibling class at the hospital last night. It was so cute! During introductions my oldest goes “I already have a little brother but I’m here to get a freshy” 🤣
Questions: none
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?:
Best- baby carriers, couldn’t get anything done without them. My fav are dragonfly wrap for early days and ergo as baby gets bigger!
Worst- baby swing. Neither of my kids liked it so I got rid of it last time. Now watch this kid will want a swing 😂
Married: October, 19, 2015
EDD 2/22/17
EDD 3/8/20
EDD 11/24/23
(Formerly Marriedhamstermom Feb ‘17)
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days: November 26th; 28+5
FTM/STM/STM+: 4TM
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise: Surprise
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of: Echidna or a coconut
Upcoming appointments: Next week
How are you feeling: Tired, but good overall
Rants / Raves: Raves: I traveled this week for work, and the boys did okay with me being gone. There are usually morning meltdowns, but they all woke up in good moods and got out the door on time. So, we're calling it a win. Rants: I'm having issues with the boys' school. DS2 is 3, and it's his first year of pre-K. He went to aftercare at school, and had to go poop. He's too short to get on the toilet himself, and no one went with him to help get on the toilet, so he ended up pooping his pants right before DH picked him up after work. DS2 was so upset. I talked to multiple people at the school, so I don't think it will happen again, but I'm just frustrated. This is the 2nd incident we've had with them in the 3 weeks the boys have been in school. I keep questioning myself if putting DS2 in pre-K was the correct decision. When I signed him up, it absolutely was because the daycare he was in wasn't a good fit, but we switched daycares in late spring, and it was a much better fit.
Questions:
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?: The best baby items would be the travel infant stroller I bought for DS3 (infant seat sits in it, and it completely folds down), and the Fisher Price rocking chair with attached toys. All 3 boys loved that chair, and it has held up really well despite all the use. The worst would be the baby swing. I got it as a baby shower gift, and it was a really nice one, but none of the boys liked it. I sold it after DS3 outgrew it, so this baby won't get a turn to hate it lol.
@ohsmith I'm glad your allergies are doing better! I usually pack my hospital bag the week of my due date. I tell myself I should do it early every time, and I never do.
@fitandnerdy I hope the school ends up being a good fit for you. That would be so hard to wait that long and then not like/love it. I also love my baby carrier. I bought a Baby K'Tan with DS2, and it was definitely essential.
@stevieraem I love your baby name! I haven't had any issues with vision, but I'd definitely follow up and make them listen because that shouldn't be happening.
@UnwritteN12 I'm glad YH is home now. That is so hard. Happy Anniversary!
@shinyobjects I'm also too nervous to tie my own baby carriers. I like my baby K'Tan, but I wouldn't classify my chest as large (I'm maybe a DD or DDD right now?), so not sure if that would work for you.
@medicmomma6115 I always have to write my questions down because I swear when they ask my mind erases, so I'm sitting there telling them I'm good lol. I've never had gestation diabetes, so not sure what to expect there. Usually when doctors tell me to wait until *insert timeframe* I just keep asking questions until they tell me something.
@Kiek I second the cloth diapers as burp rags. They last forever and absorb everything, which is amazing. They are my go-to burp rags.
@varimama I also got rid of my swing. This baby will just be deprived of the opportunity to hate it lol. "I'm here to get a freshy" made me laugh so hard.
Estimated Due Date / Weeks + Days: 11/11 — 31w today!
FTM/STM/STM+: 3rd baby
Team Boy/Girl/Surprise: boy
Interesting baby fact/Baby is the size of: A bunch of asparagus
Upcoming appointments: 9/19 for my 32 week appt
How are you feeling: amazing! I’m enjoying pregnancy so much that I’m conflicted in how I’m feeling about the end of it being near. I’m super excited to meet my sweet boy soon, but I’m soaking up how easy it’s been this go around! Oh, except he keeps sticking his butt and/or feet in my ribs 🥴 ouch!
Rants / Raves:
Rants: I’m so over being labeled as old lol I’m 35! At every appointment it’s brought up that I’m advanced maternal age. And at my ultrasound last week they labeled me as “elderly gravida” which sounds so much worse to me 😩 I know it’s just terms they use but… I don’t like it lol
Raves: baby flipped and is head down 🥳 and I passed my 1 hour glucose test which was a huge win for me! I failed it pretty bad with my last baby.
Questions: none at the moment
GTKY: What is the best baby item you've bought/used? What is the worst?:
Best: 1. diaper genie— I didn’t use it much with my first but definitely still use it with my second and will use it for this baby too!! Boy poops are gross lol 2. Baby carriers/wraps!— lifesaver! I still use my carrier with my 2 year old. It’s helped me so much during this pregnancy! He has become so clingy lately and just wants to be held so it’s been amazing!
Worst: probably the baby swing. It did help us when my son had reflux and we didn’t know yet… he was nonstop crying and even half the time the swing didn’t help but when it did it was pure bliss to get some peace for a little while. But that being said, we don’t plan on using one for this baby.
@ohsmith I’m planning on packing my hospital bag around week 35-36. Putting the car seat base in my car around that time too. I just have a feeling this baby will be coming early (hopefully not THAT early, but 38-39 weeks is my prediction). I just want to be prepared ahead of time and have nothing to worry about the last few weeks.
@Ohsmith - I am a very last minute and minimal packer - so I will grab a few things (iPad, charger, sweater, clothes for me and baby) and pop them in the bag at like 38-39 weeks
@fitandnerdy - we also didn’t like the mamaroo. I got a hand-me-down version from a friend and both kids didn’t like it. They just loved the ugly large swings.
@stevieraem - I’ve heard that pregnancy can cause vision changes, but I agree with the advice to push and make your docs sure that’s all that’s causing it!
@unwritteN12 - sorry to hear about your DH. Is he okay now? That’s a long time for 4 kids all on your own!
@shinyobjects - I had the same problem with the k’tan - it’s a specific size and I think I made the wrong choice and it was just always super tight. I definitely prefer the all size ones like the omni
@medicmomma6115 - I’m glad your mom and work can help, that sounds so crazy to try and coordinate the childcare. I hope your MIL recovers quickly, is there a possibility?
@Kiek - jogging strollers are amazing! Our sidewalks in New Orleans are all very janky, so most moms use a jogging stroller. I’m sure baby will love the carrier - if it’s all he’s got, he’ll learn to love it!
@varimama - “a freshy” hahaha so cute!
@makingbacon - that’s so sad with the accident - I hope they help him next time, and it’s just an adjustment phase for everyone.
@ashsowers2020 - “elderly”! How rude!
Second kid: Dec 2021
First kid: Sept 2019