I know this is really bratty of me to say since most people don't get the opportunity to say this (let alone complain about it) but I had to dry and straighten my hair for the first time in 3 months... And I am not happy about it. Oh well.
In other news it's my dd's first day of preschool. My dh took the day off from work so he could take her (it will typically be my mom doing that). I'm ok with it but I have a feeling my dh will be a hot mess.
Booooo I missed the measuring ahead thread until just now. That was entertaining until it ended. I literally choked on my drink when I read the "dumb ass read" comment.
Me: 31
DH: 32
Married: Sep 2012
TTC #1: Jan 2015 Baby A (via IUI due to MFI): Sep 2016 born at 35+6
Surprise but very welcome + on 5/16/2019, EDD 1/25/2020
@maf9866 Aw, good luck with DD's first day of preschool! Hope your DH gets through!
Also, @CopperBoom86 - awesome job on the cross and lettering! Looks great!! I think you're pretty crafty after all! (I mean, you do make all-star cakes, so that qualifies as crafty in my book!!)
My biggest accomplishment so far this morning is waking up with normal sized feet! ... Going to finish the registry off with gift cards today and then school starts tomorrow! Wish I could have done this earlier but the break I had between my summer job and school, I was, of course, sick and had no energy!
@sjo_thetwins So I had the most realistic dream about you having your babies last night - they were both as healthy as can be and you were walking the hallway of the hospital with one on each hip! And then somebody brought your dogs to the hospital so they could meet the babies and y'all were taking family photos with the girls & your pups. Random, I know! But a very happy occasion
My dog woke me up this morning, so I decided to make a batch of Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes before DH could get up and admonish me about how much sugar is in the syrup. Too late if it's already in my belly!
Well, I bit the bullet and read the thread of things still left to do. Seriously giving me anxiety now, because October is one of my busiest months at work and I was expecting to have almost the whole month to get things done there (due date is October 23), but last week the doc said they might want to induce at 37 or 38 weeks. 37 weeks is October 2nd. Um. No. Not possible. Sorry.
Questions for y'all: baby clothes and washing them... I got Dreft but haven't washed anything yet. Should new clothes be washed a couple of times before Baby wears them? My mom suggested that. Also... are baby clothes shrink-able? Everything says "tumble dry low" or whatever, but I'd hate to shrink anything. If we do dry them, should we also get special dryer sheets/use no dryer sheets? IDK...if babies need special detergent, do they also need special dryer sheets?
Also, anyone using/has used formula: should we go ahead and buy some now, or wait closer to due date? I assume powder formula lasts a while, especially if unopened. But we also got a couple coupons for the small already-mixed newborn bottles buy one, get one free. Can those be bought now, or should we wait, since they're liquid?
Ugh, I sound like a newb, sorry!!
On a lighter note: that closed "measuring ahead" thread was awesome. I'm sorry I missed out on it!
@bamacoop - I only washed mine once. I used All Free and Clear detergent AND All Free and Clear liquid fabric softener. I tumble dried pretty much everything on low and it didn't seem that anything shrank.
ETA: It looks like Bounce makes "Free and Gentle" dryer sheets. If you prefer sheets, that's the way I'd go.
@bamacoop I don't think you need to wash baby clothes more than once, but most of them are cotton so they can definitely shrink. That being said, just follow the recommended wash/dry instructions and you will be fine. If you use dryer sheets, I would stick with unscented. You don't want any perfumes or anything that could irritate baby's sensitive skin. As for formula, you might hold off. It's been 5 years since I did this last, and I know that some hospitals have changed their approach, but I think they will give you some formula samples before you leave the hospital (you might have to ask.) Also, last time my OB had some sample kits they gave out during the 3rd trimester. Formula is expensive and I wouldn't want to buy any until I knew for sure that we were going to need it and I knew what brand my baby tolerated the best.
I take full responsibility for that thread (but it really was @mayisch 's fault) hahahaha. It's giving me anxiety too. I thought about starting a Google Keep checklist for stuff I still need to do, but there's so many of it, and in categories too.... and every time I look at that thread, I need to add MORE stuff. So i'm pretending my list doesn't exist.
@bamacoop, why do you have to wash it twice? just curious! Also, I signed up for Similac Moms or something like that. I just basically went on a "sign up for free shit" binge one day in 2nd tri and yesterday I came home to two cans of free formula.
@bamacoop we never actually used special detergent with our first. Unless your baby has sensitive skin, regular detergent and dryer sheets should be fine.
@bamacoop I think washing once is fine! I bought the seventh generation one because it was actually cheaper than dreft and supposed to be more natural I think. Also, for the dryer sheets, I read that you shouldn't use them because it can get rid of the fire retardant protection on baby clothes, and that baby clothes don't really need the dryer sheets to stay soft anyway. I didn't use anything in the dryer with the 5+ loads I've done and they've all been fine. Also haven't had any problem with shrinking as far as I can tell. Maybe dryer balls would be OK to use if you wanted to use something? Not sure if they make dryer sheets specific for baby clothes or not.
I'm craving healthy foods (read: not fast food) right now but getting those require getting out of my car to pick up said food... I work from home, so I'm still in my PJ's and reeeeeally don't want to get out of my PJ's yet. Work from home problems y'all... the struggle is real.
@annabenanna hahaha It was only a suggestion, I feel like I just dropped the bomb and ran away, but anyways I do find that thread useful and it calms me down to see that I'm not the only one freaking out, it's almost impossible to just relax and wait for the moment, lots of things to process/do and feelings, and hormones, and low energy, etc...
But I am sure each one of us will go through this and at the end will figure it out if we are missing something
So good luck to you all... may the force be with you!!
I used Dreft to wash once, but used regular dryer sheets. I have a cat so I needed to make sure the static cling of cat hair didn't attach to her clothes. Also, she will be laying against my clothes, which I use regular detergent and dryer sheets, so I figured one dryer sheet in the load wouldn't hurt.
@LGW2015 you're totally right. Fabric softener degrades the flame retardant properties of clothing. So I'm wrong - no dryer sheets (or detergent with fabric softener) on baby clothes.
@annabenanna Not sure why I would need to wash them more than once, but that's what my mom suggested. I basically went into Target and then just called my mom all "um. detergent? hmm? wha?" And she recommended the Dreft and to wash the clothes a couple of times.
Since I'm a FTM I get overwhelmed in the baby section at the store (anyone else?!). I went in all, "this will be fine, just grab a bottle and goooooo!" And then got there and was like "Dreft? Seventh Generation? Special dryer sheets? Stain remover? Babyganics? Honest? Can't I just use Tide?! What do I doooooo?" So of course, I called my mama like a good Southern girl.
Since I went ahead and got the Dreft, I'll probably use that but only wash everything once. And since our dryer sheets are scented, I'll just everything on low and not use any. I usually like the sheets because they have a nice scent and keep static away. But I'll go without and see if things get electric.
And thanks on the formula advice. I'm getting nervous that the hospital will be mean about me not breastfeeding, so I think I'm just being paranoid about it. I'll wait until probably the week I'm due to get anything then, and even then, only one can of something to see if Baby even likes it.
@bamacoop I have washed my baby clothes with Dreft and I have not used a dryer sheet, but have dried them on low according to the directions on pretty much every piece of clothing. I think some brands shrink more than others (Carters especially), but nothing has looked drastically smaller by any means!
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Can't post this anywhere else yet, so it's my random for the day: DH was just offered a new job!!
He does landscaping and has been trying for years to move up from foreman to management, but his company has been blocking him out, not even giving him a chance to apply by hiring from outside the company without notice. So he applied at another company and they made him an offer! Since it's a larger company, the position is a step up from his current one but not exactly what he would've gotten if he moved up in his own company. But it's a pay raise, better benefits, and there's opportunity to move up again later.
He will sit down with his potential boss next week to hash out the details (he'd be Union, so he doesn't fully understand how the new pay and benefits work) but I doubt there's anything the guy could say to make DH pass on this. It's too good an opportunity and he knows several people who moved from his current company to this new one and they're all much happier there.
I'm so excited for him, it's hard to keep my mouth shut until he puts hit two weeks notice in. Which might not be for awhile because the new company might wait until next spring since the season is almost over. We'll see.
@annabenanna Actually I should apologize and take some responsibility for the "sh!t I still need to get done" thread and resulting panic. I think I started it all with my anxiety post. Sorry guys! This is exactly how i've been feeling for the last week, sorry to trigger anxiety in all of you too!
@LGW2015, don't worry girl... i think we all need some gentle reminders of the stuff we need to get done. Yesterday on the FB page, someone said something about not really knowing when the babies will come... and @CopperBoom86 was saying men think it's 40 weeks, no less no more. I'm guilty of that! I totally think "this baby is gonna come +/- within 3 days of his due date, no more no less".... and I think that's why I've been procrastinating. Ha.
My random: when I post something on FB, I feel weird posting it again on here, because then I'm just repeating myself? But then I also wanna be able to share stories with people who aren't on FB like @AllyTheKid , @ibabyloveb87 and @MRSCORKER .... so that's a dilemma. hahaha.
So for those NOT on FB, here's a story:
Yesterday, I got a massage from a guy I found on Groupon. He specializes in Prenatal Massages and Postpartum Massages too. I called him, he sounded legit and I bought a "2 massages for $75" special.
So I show up, tell him where my back hurts and he gives me an Amazing massage... but also tells me about his other prenatal services:
1.) He's a doula 2.) He does placenta encapsulation 3.) OR if I wanted, he can cover my placenta in chocolate and goji berries or almonds. 4.) He does kooch herbal steam baths too
He also gave me hospital tips:
1. If you want the nurses to not hook you up to a monitor, tell them you want them to check your pulse/stats with a stethoscope instead.
2. If they're pressuring you for a decision right there and then, pull the God card and say you have to pray about it. They'll leave you and your husband for a few minutes to decide before they barge back in.
3. Don't have more than 1 person in the room when you are in labor. The same muscles that need to relax in order for you to poop are the same ones that need to relax when you need to push. So imagine trying to poop with 7 people in the room. You can't, right? LOL
Guys, we had a 3D/4D ultrasound of baby last weekend and he looks EXACTLY like DS when he was born. DH did a side by side comparison of the ultrasound pic and a newborn pic of DS in the hospital and it looks like twins (if one was still in utero while the other was on the outside).
It really made everything more real. I'm not just pregnant, I'm having a little boy, DS will be a big brother, they're going to look alike and my heart may explode.
My biggest accomplishment so far this morning is waking up with normal sized feet! ... Going to finish the registry off with gift cards today and then school starts tomorrow! Wish I could have done this earlier but the break I had between my summer job and school, I was, of course, sick and had no energy!
*throws popcorn at you!!* so jealous with your normal size feet!
@krzyriver YAY for your hubby!! That's always so exciting!!
Thanks ladies!! He's been feeling like he's at a dead end job for awhile now, so he's really excited. Even if the benefits aren't what he's hoping for, I'm going to encourage him to take it. He needs to be somewhere where he's appreciated and he could move up.
@annabenanna I'm always confused about where I should post now. I don't come on here as often now, but I'm trying to get out of that habit since not everyone is over there. But it's so much easier! Lol
I appreciate the people who still participate here. I told myself I would re-activate facebook after my shower which was almost 2 weeks ago but it's an election year and I just don't need that in my life right now!
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
Re: Weekly Randoms 08.29.16
In other news it's my dd's first day of preschool. My dh took the day off from work so he could take her (it will typically be my mom doing that). I'm ok with it but I have a feeling my dh will be a hot mess.
Baby A (via IUI due to MFI): Sep 2016 born at 35+6
Also, @CopperBoom86 - awesome job on the cross and lettering! Looks great!! I think you're pretty crafty after all!
I've been adulting too much, it's really cutting into my Bump time...
Well, I bit the bullet and read the thread of things still left to do. Seriously giving me anxiety now, because October is one of my busiest months at work and I was expecting to have almost the whole month to get things done there (due date is October 23), but last week the doc said they might want to induce at 37 or 38 weeks. 37 weeks is October 2nd. Um. No. Not possible. Sorry.
Questions for y'all: baby clothes and washing them... I got Dreft but haven't washed anything yet. Should new clothes be washed a couple of times before Baby wears them? My mom suggested that. Also... are baby clothes shrink-able? Everything says "tumble dry low" or whatever, but I'd hate to shrink anything. If we do dry them, should we also get special dryer sheets/use no dryer sheets? IDK...if babies need special detergent, do they also need special dryer sheets?
Also, anyone using/has used formula: should we go ahead and buy some now, or wait closer to due date? I assume powder formula lasts a while, especially if unopened. But we also got a couple coupons for the small already-mixed newborn bottles buy one, get one free. Can those be bought now, or should we wait, since they're liquid?
Ugh, I sound like a newb, sorry!!
On a lighter note: that closed "measuring ahead" thread was awesome. I'm sorry I missed out on it!
ETA: It looks like Bounce makes "Free and Gentle" dryer sheets. If you prefer sheets, that's the way I'd go.
As for formula, you might hold off. It's been 5 years since I did this last, and I know that some hospitals have changed their approach, but I think they will give you some formula samples before you leave the hospital (you might have to ask.) Also, last time my OB had some sample kits they gave out during the 3rd trimester. Formula is expensive and I wouldn't want to buy any until I knew for sure that we were going to need it and I knew what brand my baby tolerated the best.
@bamacoop, why do you have to wash it twice? just curious! Also, I signed up for Similac Moms or something like that. I just basically went on a "sign up for free shit" binge one day in 2nd tri and yesterday I came home to two cans of free formula.
@annabenanna hahaha It was only a suggestion, I feel like I just dropped the bomb and ran away, but anyways I do find that thread useful and it calms me down to see that I'm not the only one freaking out, it's almost impossible to just relax and wait for the moment, lots of things to process/do and feelings, and hormones, and low energy, etc...
But I am sure each one of us will go through this and at the end will figure it out if we are missing something
So good luck to you all... may the force be with you!!
Thanks for all the advice!
@annabenanna Not sure why I would need to wash them more than once, but that's what my mom suggested. I basically went into Target and then just called my mom all "um. detergent? hmm? wha?" And she recommended the Dreft and to wash the clothes a couple of times.
Since I'm a FTM I get overwhelmed in the baby section at the store (anyone else?!). I went in all, "this will be fine, just grab a bottle and goooooo!" And then got there and was like "Dreft? Seventh Generation? Special dryer sheets? Stain remover? Babyganics? Honest? Can't I just use Tide?! What do I doooooo?" So of course, I called my mama like a good Southern girl.
Since I went ahead and got the Dreft, I'll probably use that but only wash everything once. And since our dryer sheets are scented, I'll just everything on low and not use any. I usually like the sheets because they have a nice scent and keep static away. But I'll go without and see if things get electric.
And thanks on the formula advice. I'm getting nervous that the hospital will be mean about me not breastfeeding, so I think I'm just being paranoid about it. I'll wait until probably the week I'm due to get anything then, and even then, only one can of something to see if Baby even likes it.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
He does landscaping and has been trying for years to move up from foreman to management, but his company has been blocking him out, not even giving him a chance to apply by hiring from outside the company without notice. So he applied at another company and they made him an offer! Since it's a larger company, the position is a step up from his current one but not exactly what he would've gotten if he moved up in his own company. But it's a pay raise, better benefits, and there's opportunity to move up again later.
He will sit down with his potential boss next week to hash out the details (he'd be Union, so he doesn't fully understand how the new pay and benefits work) but I doubt there's anything the guy could say to make DH pass on this. It's too good an opportunity and he knows several people who moved from his current company to this new one and they're all much happier there.
I'm so excited for him, it's hard to keep my mouth shut until he puts hit two weeks notice in. Which might not be for awhile because the new company might wait until next spring since the season is almost over. We'll see.
@annabenanna Actually I should apologize and take some responsibility for the "sh!t I still need to get done" thread and resulting panic. I think I started it all with my anxiety post. Sorry guys! This is exactly how i've been feeling for the last week, sorry to trigger anxiety in all of you too!
My random: when I post something on FB, I feel weird posting it again on here, because then I'm just repeating myself? But then I also wanna be able to share stories with people who aren't on FB like @AllyTheKid , @ibabyloveb87 and @MRSCORKER .... so that's a dilemma. hahaha.
So for those NOT on FB, here's a story:
Yesterday, I got a massage from a guy I found on Groupon. He specializes in Prenatal Massages and Postpartum Massages too. I called him, he sounded legit and I bought a "2 massages for $75" special.
So I show up, tell him where my back hurts and he gives me an Amazing massage... but also tells me about his other prenatal services:
1.) He's a doula
2.) He does placenta encapsulation
3.) OR if I wanted, he can cover my placenta in chocolate and goji berries or almonds.
4.) He does kooch herbal steam baths too
He also gave me hospital tips:
1. If you want the nurses to not hook you up to a monitor, tell them you want them to check your pulse/stats with a stethoscope instead.
2. If they're pressuring you for a decision right there and then, pull the God card and say you have to pray about it. They'll leave you and your husband for a few minutes to decide before they barge back in.
3. Don't have more than 1 person in the room when you are in labor. The same muscles that need to relax in order for you to poop are the same ones that need to relax when you need to push. So imagine trying to poop with 7 people in the room. You can't, right? LOL
Guys, we had a 3D/4D ultrasound of baby last weekend and he looks EXACTLY like DS when he was born. DH did a side by side comparison of the ultrasound pic and a newborn pic of DS in the hospital and it looks like twins (if one was still in utero while the other was on the outside).
It really made everything more real. I'm not just pregnant, I'm having a little boy, DS will be a big brother, they're going to look alike and my heart may explode.
@krzyriver YAY for your hubby!! That's always so exciting!!
And I feel super special and honored to be considered during a double-post dilemma
@annabenanna I'm always confused about where I should post now. I don't come on here as often now, but I'm trying to get out of that habit since not everyone is over there. But it's so much easier! Lol
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18