@skruhmin Thank you for your very thorough response. We actually are already planning on an Ikea crib - there is one 10 miles from my house so that's a bonus.
I only have an hour at lunch so I am probably just going to stand around the car seat/stroller area like an idiot struck with sticker shock haha.
@flowerpower5838 this is prolly going to be an UO but my Graco travel system that i just HAD TO HAVE was a waste of money with DD. I didn't use the stroller not one single time. She is a November baby so right off the bat I wasn't taking by baby out in the snow ( i live in MI) for a walk. I never went anywhere, where i couldn't just put her carseat in the shopping cart. So when your standing in front of the stroller/ travel systems and seeing how expensive they can be, keep in mind how much will you actually use your stroller. When spring came around and the weather changed I bought a $30 Jeep umbrella stroller from Target and I love it and still use it now almost 2 years later.
@flowerpower5838 I wish I had more input than this, but your best bet is to play around with the displays and find what works best for you. You will be the one who has to push the stroller, carry the carseat, etc...something that suits baby's needs but also your needs as a mommy. For me for this baby, I need a big stroller/travel system. My main reasons- I didn't have one for my first and ended up going through 5-6 small/umbrella strollers because I didn't like any of them. My mother originally bought me a mini stroller, thinking it was cute because DD was a preemie and wouldn't need a big stroller- but didn't think of my need, I had to bend over to push the thing and I always hurt my back so I never used it. I also got a convertible car seat, but then again, she was a preemie and the NICU said she couldn't go home in it- so I resorted to using a second-hand infant car seat that was near its expiration date, just to get her home and through the first few months until she met the weight requirement for the other (we didn't have a lot of money to just run out and buy new after getting an expensive convertible one).
Then there are other things you may need or not need. We rent, so all of our gear folds up and can be tucked away. I don't plan on using a bassinet- just putting the pack and play in our room, then removing the bassinet piece when we no longer need it. The swing and high chair both fold up and can be tucked between pieces of furniture when its not in use.
Sorry if I got more info I'll write again- I got sidetracked by work (lol) and lost track of where I was going with this!
February Siggy Challenge- Post pregnancy indulgences
@flowerpower5838 one thing that no one told me about, but that is very important is the little hygiene and medical things. A thermometer, nail clippers, a comb/brush, some diaper cream, etc. It's good to have these things on hand for when you need them. I actually usually give these (in addition to some cute things) for FTMs at their shower...they aren't fun, but you'll want them quickly.
So, I just held a lemon in my hand for like 5 minutes at the Trader Joe's and then held it up to my belly...one of the employees came over and asked if I needed help. LOL...nah, I'm just SUPER hormonal!
I think I must be at (or near) the bone development stage of making a baby because I'm craving milk in an almost primal way. Can't get enough of it (and I usually HATE it).
@flowerpower5838 - When you find something you like, check out Amazon and other online stores for cheaper prices. The crib I wanted was $400+tax at Buy Buy Baby, and its was $282 total on Amazon.
I am a FTM too, and I am trying to only purchase the things I know I will need:
Safe place for baby to sleep (crib, bassinet, etc..), Car seat, baby carrier, bottles/breast pump, etc. A lot of the other items we are hoping to receive as gifts for Christmas, birthdays, baby shower, etc. or planning to purchase as we need them. There is SOOOOOOOO much stuff out there that you can buy, but you don't need it all in the beginning (if at all).
Oh and @flowerpower5838 in the US, insurance is required to cover a breastpump. An easy way to find out which one yours will cover, go to a medical supply website and put your insurance information in - I really like Byram Healthcare.
DS1 - 9/21/11
DS2 - 7/4/14
DS3 - 2/21/16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
Thank you thank you THANK YOU @SparkE82@skruhmin@cmerribury@charley15@PinkSunglasses16 and @soxfan9968! So so overwhelming. How are there 3549867 versions of the same things for EVERY item available? I just walked around the store, browsed and looked at price tags. Some things cost more than I thought, but most was on par. Gliders are way more than I thought they'd be - some for a grand?? I am going to la-z-boy for that much dough. Geez.
I would like to add, @flowerpower5838 and other FTMs, see if you have any friends or friends of friends that are willing to give away (or sell for cheap) some baby gear. I got a bassinet, infant car seat (no accident, from a friend I trust), stroller it attaches to, bouncer, clothes, etc for free! I understand it's nice to get new things but we saved so much money due to the generosity of our friends.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU @SparkE82@skruhmin@cmerribury@charley15@PinkSunglasses16 and @soxfan9968! So so overwhelming. How are there 3549867 versions of the same things for EVERY item available? I just walked around the store, browsed and looked at price tags. Some things cost more than I thought, but most was on par. Gliders are way more than I thought they'd be - some for a grand?? I am going to la-z-boy for that much dough. Geez.
Second hand stores and craigslist are great for some things if you want to save - you can usually find good deals on things like high chairs, some strollers, clothes. If you have a Costco membership, they have an amazing leather rocker/recliner and I believe it's like $400 - that this is AMAZING!!
DS1 - 9/21/11
DS2 - 7/4/14
DS3 - 2/21/16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
@flowerpower5838 Gliders are sooo expensive but def. worth investing to get a good once since you will be sending a lot of time in it. I just sold a cheaper one (200.00 from target) we bought for DS (that wasn't too comfy) and just purchased a new one.
@flowerpower5838 - In addition to trying out the car seats be sure to check that the stroller your looking at fits in your trunk. Our second car is an convertible A5 that I'm trying really hard not to sell because of the twins and we were able to find a car seat without much issue, however, we can't seem to find a stroller to fit.
And FYI on car seats, they do have expiration dates - and yes they are important, not just because car seat manufacturers want money. For the most part, don't accept a second-hand car seat unless you absolutely know the history of it. That's kind of one of those things you usually want to buy new. And no, you don't need to spend hundreds on a car seat.
DS1 - 9/21/11
DS2 - 7/4/14
DS3 - 2/21/16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
@flowerpower5838 I think you've mentioned you're from the Chicago area too. Try looking up bookoo.com it's kind of like craigslist but it's broken down into Chicagoland suburbs. Had a friend that moved out of state and she listed all her brand new baby furniture on the site. Darn if only I'd know I'd need it! Lol
I'm excited because I asked the cleaning lady to come today (no guilt) and my bunco group meets tonight to play so I get the night off. No dinner or bedtime routine. She hasn't been coming regularly the last few months but I am thinking it might be happening more often the bigger I get or at least until I start feeling better.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU @SparkE82@skruhmin@cmerribury@charley15@PinkSunglasses16 and @soxfan9968! So so overwhelming. How are there 3549867 versions of the same things for EVERY item available? I just walked around the store, browsed and looked at price tags. Some things cost more than I thought, but most was on par. Gliders are way more than I thought they'd be - some for a grand?? I am going to la-z-boy for that much dough. Geez.
The glider I originally wanted was at Buy Buy Baby for $400...not a bad price, but I found a similar one on amazon for $135. I doubt it will last as long as the more expensive name brand glider, but as long as it is comfy and holds up for a year or more I will be happy. (I don't plan on using it much longer than a year.)
Had another appointment today. Babies are active and healthy. I'm really excited: dr says that unless something changes, she doesn't see anything wrong with me going on our trip to see family in December. We plan on leaving to visit family during the first week of December as a late thanksgiving, early Christmas. We had thought that I would have to stay home while dh and ds went (with twins, travel restrictions usually occur around 22-24 weeks and I'll be 24 weeks by then). It will suck driving 15 hours one way but I'll get to see my brother and his little one, my dad, and all of dh's family (which I actually love all of his family but his brother) plus, there is always the chance we will get to see a bit of snow (I love me some snow)
Since DH and I are moving, we're getting rid of most of our furniture and getting new stuff when we get to NV! I'm so excited. The hand-me-down rocking chair we have now is nice, but I'm thinking a big squishy recliner will be nice to have for late nights and for when I get too big to comfortably sleep in my bed d:
For what it's worth I loved and still live my travel system. We travel all the time and having a big strolled (mostly to carry our stuff in was always handy).
A word of caution on car seats! Check the weights! A lot of travel system car seats only go to 22lbs which means you could need a new one by baby's first birthday. We had te gracco snuff it 35 and it lasted Ds until he was 2. As someone else said some car seats are only good if the child is 6lbs or more so having a car seat rated to 4-5 lbs is also not bad to look for (Ds was 4 lbs 11 oz when we left the hospital). It would have been Sucked to have to find a new car seat for those 2 extra lbs.
For what it's worth I loved and still live my travel system. We travel all the time and having a big strolled (mostly to carry our stuff in was always handy).
A word of caution on car seats! Check the weights! A lot of travel system car seats only go to 22lbs which means you could need a new one by baby's first birthday. We had te gracco snuff it 35 and it lasted Ds until he was 2. As someone else said some car seats are only good if the child is 6lbs or more so having a car seat rated to 4-5 lbs is also not bad to look for (Ds was 4 lbs 11 oz when we left the hospital). It would have been Sucked to have to find a new car seat for those 2 extra lbs.
At the same time, if your kids are like my kids, they kind of hated the infant seat and we went to convertible between 4-6 months for both so a 22lb one would have worked.
DS1 - 9/21/11
DS2 - 7/4/14
DS3 - 2/21/16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
Yep, we got a convertible car seat around 6 months because DD hated the infant car seat and she was almost 20 lbs by then. I was definitely not carrying her around in that anymore!
So basically it sounds like trying to prepare for parenthood (and likely each step beyond) is a bunch of "if this, then that" scenarios since we have no idea who our little fetuses are actually going to be once they are here! The planner in me hates this but I know I need to get used to it now
ETA THIS QUICK NOTE: the sap in me loves it htough because it means our little babies are tiny little individuals from the get go
Thank you again to all of you wonderful ladies for your feedback. So very helpful.
Not baby related....I want to punch someone in the face. I am in marketing, so yes I guess you could consider me sales support but my writing style isn't best suited for salesy emails like the one I was commissioned to write on the spot today since our sales team can't close any deals. Woof. Now my head hurts. Counting down the minutes 'til 5 (15, btw).
I need some reassurance please, that I'm not a ridiculous person for using the holiday music station on Pandora instead of lullabies when putting DD down for a nap! Idk why, it's just what popped into my head at that moment. Just so you know, she was asleep by the end of the second song, so it worked! Lol!!!
@flowerpower5838 FTM too! We decided to go with the Graco Modes travel system because it is so versatile and we won't ever need a second stroller (I hope) but I found the lady we worked with in BRU to be very helpful and in an honest sort of way, she wasn't pushy at all. I totally get what you mean about being overwhelmed, though!! Yay for everyone who had good appointments, it's so good to hear that Hope you're all well and excited that tomorrow is Friiiday! Now that it's October I'm sure many of us will have our AS this month. I'm looking forward to mine and to hearing everyone else's news! Did I mention tomorrow is Friday?
I had my 16 week appt today and he found the heartbeat within 30 seconds! I was so relieved. I haven't felt the baby and I know it's only 16 weeks but this is my 4th baby and I always felt a little something. Around 14/15 weeks. Guess I was irrationally worried. I feel so much better now!
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No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
I had my 16 week appt today and he found the heartbeat within 30 seconds! I was so relieved. I haven't felt the baby and I know it's only 16 weeks but this is my 4th baby and I always felt a little something. Around 14/15 weeks. Guess I was irrationally worried. I feel so much better now!
I know the feeling lady, I am glad you heard a heart beat !!
September Siggy Challenge : Favorite Childhood Movies ( Sorry I have two)
So I think I might have an "irritable uterus" going on. I've been having Braxton hicks for the past few weeks, but over the past week they've become more frequent and much more uncomfortable. I was even feeling a little bit of back pain last night and meant to ring the midwife today, but then my toddler decided to puke all over the place in the middle of the night, followed by diarrhea all day long and that distracted me.
I plan to call first thing tomorrow morning, but has anyone else experienced this? I had frequent BH starting pretty early with both girls, but this seems different somehow. But I was thinking that maybe BH ctx are like afterpains that get stronger with each pregnancy?
For now I'm lying in bed on my left side and drinking water. Thinking about having some ice cream...
No experience with that @kitteh81 but hope you feel better! Also, when the question is whether to have ice cream or not, the answer is *always* have it!
@Smom901316 now I know the first three letters of your name stand for s'mores
@torpedogirl hooray! I'm in the same boat. DS was soooo active I started feeling him around 13 weeks and his kicks were very obvious and frequent by 17 weeks last time. This one is a quiet little mouse (wouldn't even roll over at the 14 week ultrasound), so I'm constantly worried and always have a hand to my belly really trying to feel. It did give me one good solid little thwack the other night but it's been almost radio silence since.
On an unrelated but feverish note (yep, still rockin' this are you better or not stupid fever that leaves me in chills and sweats and headaches randomly for the last three weeks)... my MIL just put DS to bed! It was glorious. She is the world's best. She doesn't have the good granny magic or know how like my mom (she left DS in a poo diaper too long today and his booty was red this afternoon...) but in her defense she doesn't give up and she always does anything to help.
@smushi I hope you shake this bug soon, it sucks being sick for so long! And yay for good MILs and perfectly imperfect help, I know my mom and my MIL would've been amazing grandmothers to my littles!
So mad props to my husband who just trudged out in the mud and the rain at 9 at night to help me shore up the chicken run with tarping in anticipation of Joaquin, which is headed our way. I hope it helps my little chickies stay dry!
2:30am... wake up dying for a pee... wide awake... absolutely starving.... now drinking tea and eating Nutella on GF bread
Also I think I feel LO moving a bit at night when I first lay down on my side.... sort of a gentle popping in multiple places around my belly button... am I crazy pants? (18w5d)
A rugby playing scientist and educator who is looking to solve metabolic and age related diseases through research
Re: *** The Official Random Thread of All Random Threads for March 2016 ***
@skruhmin Thank you for your very thorough response. We actually are already planning on an Ikea crib - there is one 10 miles from my house so that's a bonus.
I only have an hour at lunch so I am probably just going to stand around the car seat/stroller area like an idiot struck with sticker shock haha.
Me: 29 DH: 31
Married 10/13/12
TTC Since 8/2016
@flowerpower5838 I wish I had more input than this, but your best bet is to play around with the displays and find what works best for you. You will be the one who has to push the stroller, carry the carseat, etc...something that suits baby's needs but also your needs as a mommy. For me for this baby, I need a big stroller/travel system. My main reasons- I didn't have one for my first and ended up going through 5-6 small/umbrella strollers because I didn't like any of them. My mother originally bought me a mini stroller, thinking it was cute because DD was a preemie and wouldn't need a big stroller- but didn't think of my need, I had to bend over to push the thing and I always hurt my back so I never used it. I also got a convertible car seat, but then again, she was a preemie and the NICU said she couldn't go home in it- so I resorted to using a second-hand infant car seat that was near its expiration date, just to get her home and through the first few months until she met the weight requirement for the other (we didn't have a lot of money to just run out and buy new after getting an expensive convertible one).
Then there are other things you may need or not need. We rent, so all of our gear folds up and can be tucked away. I don't plan on using a bassinet- just putting the pack and play in our room, then removing the bassinet piece when we no longer need it. The swing and high chair both fold up and can be tucked between pieces of furniture when its not in use.
Sorry if I got more info I'll write again- I got sidetracked by work (lol) and lost track of where I was going with this!
@flowerpower5838 - When you find something you like, check out Amazon and other online stores for cheaper prices. The crib I wanted was $400+tax at Buy Buy Baby, and its was $282 total on Amazon.
I am a FTM too, and I am trying to only purchase the things I know I will need:
Safe place for baby to sleep (crib, bassinet, etc..), Car seat, baby carrier, bottles/breast pump, etc. A lot of the other items we are hoping to receive as gifts for Christmas, birthdays, baby shower, etc. or planning to purchase as we need them. There is SOOOOOOOO much stuff out there that you can buy, but you don't need it all in the beginning (if at all).
January siggy challenge - Pregnant lady problems
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
Me: 29 DH: 31
Married 10/13/12
TTC Since 8/2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
January siggy challenge - Pregnant lady problems
A word of caution on car seats! Check the weights! A lot of travel system car seats only go to 22lbs which means you could need a new one by baby's first birthday. We had te gracco snuff it 35 and it lasted Ds until he was 2. As someone else said some car seats are only good if the child is 6lbs or more so having a car seat rated to 4-5 lbs is also not bad to look for (Ds was 4 lbs 11 oz when we left the hospital). It would have been Sucked to have to find a new car seat for those 2 extra lbs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
So basically it sounds like trying to prepare for parenthood (and likely each step beyond) is a bunch of "if this, then that" scenarios since we have no idea who our little fetuses are actually going to be once they are here! The planner in me hates this but I know I need to get used to it now
ETA THIS QUICK NOTE: the sap in me loves it htough because it means our little babies are tiny little individuals from the get go
Thank you again to all of you wonderful ladies for your feedback. So very helpful.
Not baby related....I want to punch someone in the face. I am in marketing, so yes I guess you could consider me sales support but my writing style isn't best suited for salesy emails like the one I was commissioned to write on the spot today since our sales team can't close any deals. Woof. Now my head hurts. Counting down the minutes 'til 5 (15, btw).
Me: 29 DH: 31
Married 10/13/12
TTC Since 8/2016
Yay for everyone who had good appointments, it's so good to hear that
Hope you're all well and excited that tomorrow is Friiiday! Now that it's October I'm sure many of us will have our AS this month. I'm looking forward to mine and to hearing everyone else's news!
Did I mention tomorrow is Friday?
@lcq5504 whatever works!!!
I plan to call first thing tomorrow morning, but has anyone else experienced this? I had frequent BH starting pretty early with both girls, but this seems different somehow. But I was thinking that maybe BH ctx are like afterpains that get stronger with each pregnancy?
For now I'm lying in bed on my left side and drinking water. Thinking about having some ice cream...
Also this happened...
@Smom901316 now I know the first three letters of your name stand for s'mores
@kitteh81 hope it gets better!
@Smom901316 omg, I am so jealous right now! I love love love roasted marshmallows!!!!!
Edited because words are hard.
Also I think I feel LO moving a bit at night when I first lay down on my side.... sort of a gentle popping in multiple places around my belly button... am I crazy pants? (18w5d)