@Parley DS2 will also be 16 months when LO is born! My first two were 2 years and 2 weeks apart. My two cents: I never bought a double stroller and really, really regretted it. I'm buying one this time around for sure. My plan was to wear baby and push the toddler. Well, DS2 is a really big boy and wearing him became really uncomfortable, at least for long walks. I bought a sit n stand when my youngest was about 3 or 4 months old but I really missed being able to strap the older one in for a bit. Yes, the sit n stand has a belt but giving him the freedom to walk around made it more difficult to get him to sit when I needed him to. Busy fairs or festivals, trips to the zoo or museum would have been much more enjoyable had I just spent the money to get a double.
I would argue it's hard to go back to sitting once you let your older child do the whole walking thing, at least in my experience. We deal with it now even with carts at the store. It is hard to run in and out to grab something quick when your 2 or 3 year old wants to walk around and look at everything and chit chat with everyone he sees
@Parley We have a jogging stroller that was a part of our travel system and then a lightweight stroller. I have ultimately decided to wait and see what we end up needing once this baby is born. Ours will be a little further apart, about 2 years so it's tough but my first loves riding in the stroller. I hope to wear the baby a lot early on while we figure it out. If we find a great deal on a sit n' stand we may pick it up. I did do some searching because this has been talked about before so I figured I'd point in you in the direction of my post from a long time ago for more information. Never hurts to find more info https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/88987333#Comment_88987333
I think we have some new participants since I asked my question so you will probably get a lot of great information here too.
Any STM or third time or any moms who were a bridesmaid in a wedding in their third trimester? I'll be a bridesmaid at 32 weeks and luckily! we get to choose our own dresses, but I'm trying to figure out when I should get mine. I'm thinking I will wait until a exactly month before and buy a few options, so I have 30 days to return whatever doesn't fit/makes me look like a whale right before the wedding? Any moms with smaller bumps throughout their pregnancy able to order some sizes up (of obviously a more stretchy, flowey dress) and get the dress tailored? i'm trying to find a number of options that I like for when I need to order, but there are not the best formal maternity dresses (even though this is simple: navy blue, knee length or longer). I think I'm veering into the big baby bump denial stage that I'll somehow be able to order a non-maternity dress and get it altered. Advice, please!!
Any STM or third time or any moms who were a bridesmaid in a wedding in their third trimester? I'll be a bridesmaid at 32 weeks and luckily! we get to choose our own dresses, but I'm trying to figure out when I should get mine. I'm thinking I will wait until a exactly month before and buy a few options, so I have 30 days to return whatever doesn't fit/makes me look like a whale right before the wedding? Any moms with smaller bumps throughout their pregnancy able to order some sizes up (of obviously a more stretchy, flowey dress) and get the dress tailored? i'm trying to find a number of options that I like for when I need to order, but there are not the best formal maternity dresses (even though this is simple: navy blue, knee length or longer). I think I'm veering into the big baby bump denial stage that I'll somehow be able to order a non-maternity dress and get it altered. Advice, please!!
I'm super jealous that you get to pick your own dress. I'm in a wedding at 25 weeks, and our dresses were chosen a few months before I was pregnant. Luckily, it's flow-y and empire waisted, so it should be just fine.
I would look for something empire waisted, as that will have the most "give" in the belly area. This wouldn't even need to be a maternity dress per se.
@newyearsbaby5 I haven't done it, but I did have a pregnant bridesmaid at my own wedding. She wasn't quite 25 weeks I think? But she definitely had to get a maternity dress (although it was also her 5th baby so she showed a lot and early). I'd wait as long as possible to buy if you can just to see how you progress. There's no telling how big you'll be by then, but if you choose something empire waisted or in a cotton jersey type fabric with some give you could probably get a way with a non maternity option.
@newyearsbaby5 I'm in a wedding next month and will be just over 24 weeks. We bought our dresses in Feb. At the time we were trying so I went ahead and bought a size up and just figured I could get it taken in if I wasn't pregnant. The dress is a one strap empire with lace at the top. I'm in the maternity clothe denial too, so the more flowy the better.
@newyearsbaby5 I was MOH in my sisters wedding at 39 weeks. I ordered the dress when I was 6 weeks pregnant. I was a size 6, but we ordered a size 18. When I was 38 weeks, I had it altered and tried it on again 2 days before the wedding. It was all done through David's bridal
You can't predict how your body will change. Specifically your boobs and belly. So wearing one of those fake bellies probably won't help much when you try it on.
Has anyone used the Ubbi? I think that's what we are going with since it uses regular bags and the reviews are good but I haven't heard anyone mention it on here that I know of!
@rcm599y Can I just say THANK YOU for this?! I have been eyeing the Ubbi for months but struggled with the $80 price tag. Just snagged a sand colored Ubbi for $50 with Amazon Prime shipping. Happy Wednesday to me!
Hey STM+ ladies - when do you recommend getting the car seat installed? At some point I would like to go by a fire station to get it installed properly but on the off chance I'm in an accident between now and when Cletus the Fetus is born I don't want to have to replace the seat.
Hey STM+ ladies - when do you recommend getting the car seat installed? At some point I would like to go by a fire station to get it installed properly but on the off chance I'm in an accident between now and when Cletus the Fetus is born I don't want to have to replace the seat.
We got ours installed around 36 weeks I think! DD was born 1 day shy of 40 weeks, so this gave us plenty of time.
@newyearsbaby5 I was in a wedding when I was about 32 weeks along. I was in a bubble hem dress that I had to have altered into a maternity style. It was terrible. I would suggest something long without multiple layers that would all need to be altered. I would also wait as long as possible before buying it to minimize the amount of alterations needed.
@newyearsbaby5 not sure what you're looking to spend, or how you feel about a more body con style, but my friend recommended Tees by Tina dresses. They are one size fits all and technically not maternity, but will stretch to accommodate a bump (and apparently they retain their shape so you can continue to wear them after baby). They come in a few different styles, and definitely in navy. My friend was about an 8 pre pregnancy and wore 1 of the dresses to a wedding last year when she was 38 weeks pregnant.
@karaelaine1991 We were going to install the seat at 37 weeks, but ended up being induced early so I'd say do it around 35 weeks or so if you want to get it checked. If you have the bucket seat, then you can at least have that installed and keep the seat in the house until you go into labor. It'll be easier/cheaper to replace the base if you end up getting into an accident.
@rcm599y THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this link! Just snagged a white Ubbi for $40!!!!!! Have no idea what I want to do for the decor of the nursery yet, but white goes with everything!!!! Thanks a million!!!
Me: 26, DH: 31 Diagnosed with Hashimoto's 06/17
BFP #1: 05/11/16 DD born 01/01/17, Happy New Year TTC #2: 01/2019 BFP #2 09/24/19--Ended in chemical pregnancy BFP #3 07/02/2020 Due: 03/10/2021
@ThePax89 wait, they have fake bellies you can try on a dress with!? I kind of just want to do that for fun (see, still in denial I'll have a big bump at some point)
@KRB22 I have never heard of Tees by Tina but this looks perfect!! This is exactly the type of dress I'm looking for... Simple, fitted, and... Something that will fit. That is so great to hear you know someone firsthand who wore this at 38 weeks. Yeah! I'm a lot less stressed now.
@karaelaine1991 We were going to install the seat at 37 weeks, but ended up being induced early so I'd say do it around 35 weeks or so if you want to get it checked. If you have the bucket seat, then you can at least have that installed and keep the seat in the house until you go into labor. It'll be easier/cheaper to replace the base if you end up getting into an accident.
Oh, I'm not going to this time; we're using DD's seat and base so we're already completely confident that we know how to install it at this point. But I'm sure @ceclarlinetlo appreciates your feedback
@karaelaine1991 hahah! This is what I get for bumping while my toddler jumps around me! I wasn't paying close attention to who I was responding to! LOL.
@ceclarlinetlo, go whenever you have the seat and have the time to get them to show you. You don't have to leave it in the car afterward until baby comes. If anything it will be good practice to have them show you and then try it yourself a few times, installing to get the hang of it. It is something you have to get used to and the more practice the better so you are confident when switching cars with the seat or traveling, etc.
I never knew you had to get your car seat installed somewhere!! Why is that? (Sorry if dumb question!!!) Do you go to any firefighter station? Thank you!!!
Me: 26, DH: 31 Diagnosed with Hashimoto's 06/17
BFP #1: 05/11/16 DD born 01/01/17, Happy New Year TTC #2: 01/2019 BFP #2 09/24/19--Ended in chemical pregnancy BFP #3 07/02/2020 Due: 03/10/2021
I never knew you had to get your car seat installed somewhere!! Why is that? (Sorry if dumb question!!!) Do you go to any firefighter station? Thank you!!!
You don't HAVE to, but they can be really tricky when you don't really know what you're doing yet, and the directions often aren't helpful. There is a website where you can look up where the closest installation site to you is, but they often are at fire stations, and as far as I know, it's usually free to do! It only takes about 30 minutes of time and when we had ours done last time, the instructor had all sorts of helpful car safety tips, such as that you really shouldn't get those little hanging car seat toys or seat mirrors that let you look at the baby, because in an accident all of them could become projectiles that could hurt you or the baby, plus the mirror could be a distraction that could actually cause an accident! These and the other tips he gave me were common sense things that I never would've thought of on my own. I was really glad we went last time!
Any STM or third time or any moms who were a bridesmaid in a wedding in their third trimester? I'll be a bridesmaid at 32 weeks and luckily! we get to choose our own dresses, but I'm trying to figure out when I should get mine. I'm thinking I will wait until a exactly month before and buy a few options, so I have 30 days to return whatever doesn't fit/makes me look like a whale right before the wedding? Any moms with smaller bumps throughout their pregnancy able to order some sizes up (of obviously a more stretchy, flowey dress) and get the dress tailored? i'm trying to find a number of options that I like for when I need to order, but there are not the best formal maternity dresses (even though this is simple: navy blue, knee length or longer). I think I'm veering into the big baby bump denial stage that I'll somehow be able to order a non-maternity dress and get it altered. Advice, please!!
I was in a wedding at 32 weeks during my last pregnancy. I ordered the non-maternity dress below in a size 20 (pre-pregnancy I was a size 10) and had it majorly altered a month before the wedding. I am very large in the bust so I needed most of the extra room there and the cut allowed for plenty of room in the belly. It ended up looking way better than I expected. All of the bridesmaids wore dresses in the same fabric and color from JCrew but chose their own style. The cut of this one allowed for the "waist" to sit above my bump after alterations. It's tricky but doable - good luck! https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/weddingsandparties/allbridesmaid/PRDOVR~09726/09726.jsp
@ceclarlinetlo Are you doing an infant seat with a base? Worst case scenario, you can have it installed and learn about proper installation any time and then just keep the base in your car. That way, if you are in an accident between now and when you need it you just have to replace the base which is typically a lot more economical. Also, when we did this, they installed it, showed us what they did and then had us do it so we knew what to do.
This might be worthy of FFFC but my child is 4 and I have never learned how to install his carseats and I've never done it. It's always been something I just have my H do, especially since it's a hassle and requires some strength/exertion depending on which car seat it is. Mayyyyyybe I'll learn for this baby but it's so much easier to be like "oh, the carseat needs to be moved and I can't do it!" and send H out there.
@rcm599y this dress is super cute! i see how that could work. luckily even though my boobs have tripled in size so far, they're still not huge, so this type of dress could probably work. thank you for the recommendation... this dress is officially in the running!
This might be worthy of FFFC but my child is 4 and I have never learned how to install his carseats and I've never done it. It's always been something I just have my H do, especially since it's a hassle and requires some strength/exertion depending on which car seat it is. Mayyyyyybe I'll learn for this baby but it's so much easier to be like "oh, the carseat needs to be moved and I can't do it!" and send H out there.
To be completely honest, I still haven't gone to get DD's new rear facing seat installed properly; we got her infant car seat installed and just haven't gotten around to the new one. It's on my to-do list because, like you, I don't know how to do it right and have just been letting DH take care of things but it is something I want to know how to do. You're totally right that it takes a lot of muscle, that's the main reason i haven't tried to do it myself yet. I'm hoping the instructor will be able to give me some pointers. DH takes his CPA exam on Monday, and after that his schedule will be much more open so we'll probably go together it really is a helpful thing to know how to do, but trust me, I totally get how hard it can be to find time to actually schedule the appointment!
I definitely recommend having a car seat expert go over proper installation. We thought we followed all the instructions, and we still didn't do it right. A local hospital held a safety fair with car seat checks and we went to it when I was about 35 weeks. It was incredibly helpful as a first time parent. We went to another event to get our convertible car seat checked. We may even go again when we have two installed for a check.
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, our current baby shower thread is about when to actually throw it.
So, any STM who have experience with co-ed baby showers? Up until recently I have only EVER been to 'girls only' baby showers. A couple months ago my friend had a co-ed shower and my husband LOVED the idea, especially if it means he gets to be apart of it and we have some more guy friendly games.
I felt bad because at first I was kind of against it, I didn't say it, but it just feels awkward to me. It worked for my friend because her and her husbands families are huuuuuge goof balls. The guys will do anything 'girly' and not care. My family on the other hand has a much more 'macho' tone.... lol.
HOWEVER, my husband is so very involved, he is at every appointment, rubbing my belly, texting me at work to see the baby is doing and the last thing I want to do is leave him out of something. So I'm going for it! (I just always assumed no husband would 'want' to be there. I know. very silly thought...lol) I'm just nervous it'll be awkward.
My questions is what was your experience with a co-ed shower and how did you make it work? Were the guys involved? How did you keep the guys involved without actually losing the 'baby celebration' theme??
I'm a FTM but I have been to a co-ed shower. It was basically a Dinner party to hang out with the parents to be and they had a station where you could decorate a onsie and another station where you could write down advice for the new parents. No games that I remember.
We did a full on co-ed shower. It was tons of fun! We didn't do anything specific to cater to the guys, though there was beer available. A couple of them were sort of awkward and not sure what to do with themselves, but ultimately it's just a party and people mingle and chat as usual. My shower was light on the games, but that's more because of how we are than because of the presence of men. My husband was happy to have some dudes there - I've been to showers where the father-to-be is the only man present and some of them can get really uncomfortable.
Edited to add: One other benefit of the co-ed shower is that you can invite couples where the man is your primary friend. It's always weird when the girlfriend of a male friend is invited simply because she is female and it would be rude to leave the couple out, but the shower is ladies only. I've been to a couple showers where I was the 'other half' and it was awkward not really knowing anyone there.
We did a full on co-ed shower. It was tons of fun! We didn't do anything specific to cater to the guys, though there was beer available. A couple of them were sort of awkward and not sure what to do with themselves, but ultimately it's just a party and people mingle and chat as usual. My shower was light on the games, but that's more because of how we are than because of the presence of men. My husband was happy to have some dudes there - I've been to showers where the father-to-be is the only man present and some of them can get really uncomfortable.
@sagoon Were the decorations and games the usual babyshower type? Or was it more casual/generic? I instantly think pink everywhere if this is a girl, I know that would be an instant discomfort for most guys walking in!
My 1st was a boy so it was mostly blue, but none of the men seemed to find it offputting. Mostly the ones that were uncomfortable were just weirded out to be at a baby shower at all, much to the enjoyment of their wives/girlfriends.
@sagoon Oh ok, gotcha. Thanks! I was just brainwashed growing up that men just didn't go to babyshowers. Lol, and so my 5 brothers will probably be the same. But they'll just have to get over it.
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, our current baby shower thread is about when to actually throw it.
So, any STM who have experience with co-ed baby showers? Up until recently I have only EVER been to 'girls only' baby showers. A couple months ago my friend had a co-ed shower and my husband LOVED the idea, especially if it means he gets to be apart of it and we have some more guy friendly games.
I felt bad because at first I was kind of against it, I didn't say it, but it just feels awkward to me. It worked for my friend because her and her husbands families are huuuuuge goof balls. The guys will do anything 'girly' and not care. My family on the other hand has a much more 'macho' tone.... lol.
HOWEVER, my husband is so very involved, he is at every appointment, rubbing my belly, texting me at work to see the baby is doing and the last thing I want to do is leave him out of something. So I'm going for it! (I just always assumed no husband would 'want' to be there. I know. very silly thought...lol) I'm just nervous it'll be awkward.
My questions is what was your experience with a co-ed shower and how did you make it work? Were the guys involved? How did you keep the guys involved without actually losing the 'baby celebration' theme??
The one that my in-laws threw wasn't technically coed but there are some complicated family dynamics on both sides of my in-laws' families that basically means that some of the women don't go anywhere without their husbands/adult sons. I don't really get it but my in-laws are a bit out there, so. Anyway, my MIL threw the shower at a restaurant that had both a private party room and an arcade that was actually pretty awesome. So, all the women stayed in the party room and did all the stereotypical shower stuff (it was VERY heavy on cheesy shower games, which I actually thought were a lot of fun), and the guys were in and out as they pleased, going back and forth between the food in the party room and the games in the arcade. It turned out really nicely, not awkward at all, and I feel like everyone had the best of both worlds. Maybe something like that would work well for you!
@ceclarlinetlo we installed our carseat at 36 weeks. And then at 37 weeks, I got into a car accident. Total pain in the ass, thankfully I wasn't hurt nor did I need a new carseat.
Re: Ask a STM+ Week of 8/22
I would argue it's hard to go back to sitting once you let your older child do the whole walking thing, at least in my experience. We deal with it now even with carts at the store. It is hard to run in and out to grab something quick when your 2 or 3 year old wants to walk around and look at everything and chit chat with everyone he sees
@Parley We have a jogging stroller that was a part of our travel system and then a lightweight stroller. I have ultimately decided to wait and see what we end up needing once this baby is born. Ours will be a little further apart, about 2 years so it's tough but my first loves riding in the stroller. I hope to wear the baby a lot early on while we figure it out. If we find a great deal on a sit n' stand we may pick it up. I did do some searching because this has been talked about before so I figured I'd point in you in the direction of my post from a long time ago for more information. Never hurts to find more info
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/88987333#Comment_88987333
I think we have some new participants since I asked my question so you will probably get a lot of great information here too.
I would look for something empire waisted, as that will have the most "give" in the belly area. This wouldn't even need to be a maternity dress per se.
You can't predict how your body will change. Specifically your boobs and belly. So wearing one of those fake bellies probably won't help much when you try it on.
BFP1 12/24/14 - EDD 09/07/15 (D/C 8w1d)
BFP2 6/12/15 - EDD 2/22/16 (D/C 10w3d)
———
Diagnoses and Treatments
PCOS (myo-inositol, excercize)
Indeterminant levels of APS IgM antibodies (baby aspirin)
Sub-septate uterus (hysteroscopic septoplasty 12/18/15)
———
BFP3 05/02/16 EDD 01/09/17 DS born 01/05/17
BFP4 01/28/19 EDD 10/?/19 🤞🙏
Jan17 Sept Sig: Pumpkin Spice gone too far
Diagnosed with Hashimoto's 06/17
TTC #2: 01/2019
BFP #2 09/24/19--Ended in chemical pregnancy
BFP #3 07/02/2020 Due: 03/10/2021
To all the ladies, thank you!!!!!!!
DS2: 11/5/14
Diagnosed with Hashimoto's 06/17
TTC #2: 01/2019
BFP #2 09/24/19--Ended in chemical pregnancy
BFP #3 07/02/2020 Due: 03/10/2021
https://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm
https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/weddingsandparties/allbridesmaid/PRDOVR~09726/09726.jsp
So, any STM who have experience with co-ed baby showers? Up until recently I have only EVER been to 'girls only' baby showers. A couple months ago my friend had a co-ed shower and my husband LOVED the idea, especially if it means he gets to be apart of it and we have some more guy friendly games.
I felt bad because at first I was kind of against it, I didn't say it, but it just feels awkward to me. It worked for my friend because her and her husbands families are huuuuuge goof balls. The guys will do anything 'girly' and not care. My family on the other hand has a much more 'macho' tone.... lol.
HOWEVER, my husband is so very involved, he is at every appointment, rubbing my belly, texting me at work to see the baby is doing and the last thing I want to do is leave him out of something. So I'm going for it! (I just always assumed no husband would 'want' to be there. I know. very silly thought...lol) I'm just nervous it'll be awkward.
My questions is what was your experience with a co-ed shower and how did you make it work? Were the guys involved? How did you keep the guys involved without actually losing the 'baby celebration' theme??
Edit: they did not open the gifts at the shower
BFP1 12/24/14 - EDD 09/07/15 (D/C 8w1d)
BFP2 6/12/15 - EDD 2/22/16 (D/C 10w3d)
———
Diagnoses and Treatments
PCOS (myo-inositol, excercize)
Indeterminant levels of APS IgM antibodies (baby aspirin)
Sub-septate uterus (hysteroscopic septoplasty 12/18/15)
———
BFP3 05/02/16 EDD 01/09/17 DS born 01/05/17
BFP4 01/28/19 EDD 10/?/19 🤞🙏
Edited to add: One other benefit of the co-ed shower is that you can invite couples where the man is your primary friend. It's always weird when the girlfriend of a male friend is invited simply because she is female and it would be rude to leave the couple out, but the shower is ladies only. I've been to a couple showers where I was the 'other half' and it was awkward not really knowing anyone there.
Jan17 Sept Sig: Pumpkin Spice gone too far
Were the decorations and games the usual babyshower type? Or was it more casual/generic? I instantly think pink everywhere if this is a girl, I know that would be an instant discomfort for most guys walking in!
Jan17 Sept Sig: Pumpkin Spice gone too far
Oh ok, gotcha. Thanks! I was just brainwashed growing up that men just didn't go to babyshowers. Lol, and so my 5 brothers will probably be the same. But they'll just have to get over it.