Just checking in. Per normal for FL, Irma wobbled to the East and we only got Cat 1 conditions. My house is on a priority power grid (same as our local hospital and fire station) so we never even lost power. AJ slept through it all like a champ and I did most of his hurricane craft project. I'll post pictures once it's done. Only minor fence damage. Only annoyance is that I pretty much spent our months food budget on dry goods, so there's a lot of jerky and canned chicken salad in our future. (The oreos I ate as a survival celebration)
@shaylalr Oh no! Poor babe! Never experienced that, but I had chicken pox when I was a bit older (7-8) and I distinctly remember LOVING oatmeal baths for the itch.
Ye they are! My mom works at a prison infirmary and stayed there for 72 hours.. (safer than home structurally) When she got home, her fence was gone and a sizable limb had fallen on her roof- but hadn't noticeably done any damage. She's still without power. But, her neighbors roof was entirely gone. So she faired ok. My MIL's neighborhood is ok. Lots of broken limbs but they have power.
Call me crazy but I'm already thinking about Christmas. Not so much that I'm ready for it, because I absolutely love fall. But more so, so I've started shopping a little to ease the financial blow. Anyone else? Any ideas for the littles?
So glad everyone's families are ok between all of the wildfires and hurricane chaos! I'll stick to my little spot in the world here in SW Wisconsin after hearing everyone's stories. I can manage an ice/snowstorm or 2 compared to what most are going through!
Can anyone point me in the direction of some podcasts to listen to? Not sure what exactly I'm looking for I just feel like I need some positivity and a different stress relief in my life...
I absolutely love The Sorta Awesome Podcast @HoneyBear40. It's 4 women, 1 hosts every week and the other 3 rotate, they pick a topic and just chat about it. It feels like sitting at the kitchen table with a couple friends having a conversation. It's also where I borrowed the idea of our "awesome of the week" thread.
If you decide to try it out, I'd skip this weeks-- it was great, but a bit heavier than they've ever done (it was a special one after the host had someone break in her home.) So not a good depiction of the usual show.
@LDSJM123 Good idea, I need to start looking ahead too so I don't spend all our money in December! I'm probably going to make P something or get him some more books since I don't mind having lots of those around and we need some more options!
Speaking of Christmas and holidays in general, how do you guys divide your time 'fairly' for extended family without losing your mind? It was already tough before P because DH doesn't like doing even 2 separate celebrations for one holiday, let alone more than that, but now we have P (and another on the way) AND my parents are now divorced officially and not yet on good terms. But both of them are big on holidays and have very sentimental attachments to traditions so I'm having a hard time figuring out a sensitive yet reasonable way to handle holidays so no one feels left out or neglected, but that we don't make ourselves crazy bending over backwards to make it to 3 big holiday celebrations in one or two days. I should add that my in laws, mom, and dad all live within 15 minutes from us, so it's not like we can use distance as a factor. Also we have the only grandkids on both sides.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
Glad to hear everyone is ok, too! Dangerous stuff going on there.
YES @LDSJM123! I literally just said that to my husband last night. We better start thinking of ideas so I can take advantage of the sales when they start! I'm a big Black Friday shopper and scored some fun stuff last year. Hoping to do the same this year. I'd love ideas though, lol! I'm kind of at a loss.
@winnie1122 our family always did Christmas Eve at one grandparents house and Christmas Day at the other celebrations. Now, DH and I host everything and everyone is invited to us. My suggestion would be do a big celebration either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with one of your parents and your in-laws. Invite the other parent over later or for the next meal and just do something small with them
yes, thinking Christmas. Clothes will definitely be on the list, some sort of out door toy/climbing thing (he's a huge climber), and DH wants to get him a wagon or something that DS can ride in and DH can push/pull
We used to have Christmas breakfast with DH's family and Christmas dinner with my family. Now we split it into 2 days because it was too much for my daughter. We alternate Thanksgiving - this year with his family, next year with mine. We spend Easter with both families, thankfully they get along!
For DD1's 2nd Christmas we gave her big girl bedding -she started climbing out of her crib at 18 months:( I'm hoping DD2 stays in her crib longer! DD2's grandparents paid for swim lessons for Christmas one year. DH and I aren't big gift people so we only bought little things for stockings (a book, clothes, a toy).
DH and I just watched Atypical on Netflix and really enjoyed it! It's 1 season of a tv show. It's not a podcast but it's the first show I've really liked in a while so I thought I'd recommend it!
The memberships were high on my list too! I just wasn't sure how they work. If I buy it in the fall would that be when the year would start? For the zoo, I thought I might wait for bday if that's the case. Children's museum would be super fun though! That would be a great indoor activity for an active toddler.
I like the musical instrument idea!! I was also thinking one of those kitchens. Or possibly pinterest'ing something the husband can build.
DD1 was gifted this kitchen from her grandparents for Christmas when she was 2. It's adorable! It's pretty small. DD2 enjoys playing with it too. I'd say it's best for ages 2-5.
Anyone else have kiddos that don't seem to like toys? DS just really isn't into them that much. He likes his wagon, and like two toys that have balls he can bang together or that "do" things. Otherwise, he likes to play with REAL things (opening and closing bottles/canisters, he loves my mesh strainer and the measuring spoons...)
my mom has already started buying All the Little People for S (she has the airplane and disney princesses now and loves them). She has already bought more than enough stuff for her but feels like because she got a good deal she needs to buy more. We dont' need that much stuff.
Anyone else have kiddos that don't seem to like toys? DS just really isn't into them that much. He likes his wagon, and like two toys that have balls he can bang together or that "do" things. Otherwise, he likes to play with REAL things (opening and closing bottles/canisters, he loves my mesh strainer and the measuring spoons...)
Yep! This is M. She loves remotes, the basket we keep blankets in, diving into a pile of blankets, taking everything out of the cupboards, the dogs crate,Tupperware, utensils, the list goes on!
One evening, she spent a good hour playing with tea bags. She was putting them in bowls, taking them out, dumping 2 bowls together.
I've started shopping since we'll be busy getting ready for #2 near Christmas. We also won't be spending as much this year due to impending hospital bill. We do the something to wear, read, do, something they need and want. I already got her another BabyLit book, and we plan to get a potty seat for her "need". Haven't thought much about the other gifts though.
Yeah I wouldn't say L is overly into her toys. She's far more creative with anything unconventional haha!! Works great for traveling/getting out of the house because I know I can typically find just about anything on a restaurant table or in a hotel room to occupy her.
All the ideas for christmas gifts sound great. I think we're going to do the zoo for Christmas. We did the children's museum for her birthday. Both go from the month you bought through the month next year.
So my best friend had her baby on monday. This morning my other best who was due at the end of the month went into labor!!! Babies everywhere.
I am struggling to get my Lo to drink anything during the day. We took away bottles at exactly 1 except for the one before bed. Hell maybe drink a few sips of milk (we offer each morning when hes up and at each meal..i also do water.. Ive tried every sippy cup straw cup etc.. have tried juice nothing.. Hell suck down 7-8 oz of cold milk before bed.. I want to get rid of that bottle too but want to be sure hes getting some milk. Hell sometimes drink water out of a cup with no lid i think bc he thinks its fun but then ends up with a soaked shirt. He doesnt have very wet diapers anymore so scares me hes not getting enough fluids. He eats like a pig.. give him applesauce fruits in hopes hes getting some liquid there too.
@john5111 I had the same worry about Elijah! He really doesn't drink much water during the day. He has been nursing more lately with molars coming in but previously he hadn't been. I asked our pediatrician and he said just keep a sippy out with water and offer it at meals. He said babies have "internal dipsticks" and will drink when they need to. They will not dehydrate themselves.
Anyone else having bed wetting issues? Well, diaper not making it through the night issues, not sure that counts as technical 'bedwetting' haha. I already had moved him up a size in diapers awhile ago since he was leaking a lot at night in the size that fits him better, so I can't move up any more but this week he has wet the bed thoroughly almost every night! Do overnight diapers make a huge difference? I'm just not sure why it's happening all of the sudden, I don't think he's drinking much more than usual during the day, and he doesn't usually drink much in the evenings.
Married 6/1/13
BFP #1 7/2013 MMC 9/17/13
BFP #2 5/2014 MC 6/15/14
BFP #3 11/13/14 (Found in ER with ruptured cyst) Diagnosed MC 11/15/14
BFP #4 4/2015 MC 7/1/15
BFP #5 10/21/15 EDD 7/3/16 Praying for our rainbow!
winnie1122 - I definitely use overnight diapers. Since I switched we have had no issues. I also make sure to stretch out the diaper all across her butt cheeks to make sure they are fully covered. She sleeps on her belly so when she does leak it is usually out the front of her diaper so at night I make sure to pull it really high in the front and give her almost a plumbers crack, ha. It has worked for us.
Same as @kmurdock925! I make sure all the area is covered and buy overnights. Didn't have the best luck with Luvs overnight but pampers have done us wrong. Now I will say some mornings that diaper definitely feels tapped out but they work!
Shoes are another Christmas present item I'm including. I just bought 3 pairs of walker shoes from Kohls for $70. And sadly I think that's a deal! Lots of discounts and free shipping!
@winnie1122 We had that problem big time with B... now we do a nighttime diaper PLUS an insert called a Sposie, which basically looks like a maxi pad for a diaper. Since we started that combo we have only had one incidence of wetting through.
I'm also a fan of Pamper's overnights (Stay Dry, I think they're called). And like someone else mentioned, I hike the front wayyy up. I've noticed if I don't do this, his shirt will sometimes be wet in the morning, but it's really helped. Definitely super heavy in the morning, but no more wet baby!
Shoes are another Christmas present item I'm including. I just bought 3 pairs of walker shoes from Kohls for $70. And sadly I think that's a deal! Lots of discounts and free shipping!
I feel you on this! We've just been doing 1 pair at a time for M. We get something neutral enough to match all the things. And she just wears it every day. We don't do anything that would require her to be dressed up, so, so far it's been working. If we end up having a need for something nicer, I think I'd just pop into target. She's still shoeless most of the time though. Except when we go places. We've also been doing stride rite for shoes. So spendy!
I caught a great Stride rite sale...I think it was memorial day maybe?? I Had like an hour before the sale was over so I bought her size at the time and a size up for when she is ready. They were like 40% off or something fantastic so you Stride Rite Gals keep your eyes out! I also love the pediped for her mary janes. I've gotten the same sparkle ones in 3 or 4 sizes now. She loves them and they can go casual or more dressy.
We had cheap baby crocs from Walmart that S would leave on her feet and cruise everywhere but the darn strap on the back broke! I've found I'm just as cheap for her shoes as I am with my own. I know she'll need something for winter but we're still cruising mostly barefoot right now.
Random shout out to you ladies for being my inspiration - I recently started planning out our meals for each week! It's not super involved but it's so helpful to have each night's dinner written down so I know what needs to defrost or what needs to be done when I get home from work. Even if it's just mac & cheese - knowing we're eating mac & cheese has been such a stress relief on this Momma!
Re: September Randoms
@FTM53 That would terrify me. Keep us posted
Everyone is in my prayers.
@FTM53 Hope you're doing ok! Is it past you yet?
@shaylalr
Oh no! Poor babe! Never experienced that, but I had chicken pox when I was a bit older (7-8) and I distinctly remember LOVING oatmeal baths for the itch.
@LDSJM123 your crew safe and sound?
@shaylalr poor girl, hope it clears quickly.
Can anyone point me in the direction of some podcasts to listen to? Not sure what exactly I'm looking for I just feel like I need some positivity and a different stress relief in my life...
If you decide to try it out, I'd skip this weeks-- it was great, but a bit heavier than they've ever done (it was a special one after the host had someone break in her home.) So not a good depiction of the usual show.
Speaking of Christmas and holidays in general, how do you guys divide your time 'fairly' for extended family without losing your mind? It was already tough before P because DH doesn't like doing even 2 separate celebrations for one holiday, let alone more than that, but now we have P (and another on the way) AND my parents are now divorced officially and not yet on good terms. But both of them are big on holidays and have very sentimental attachments to traditions so I'm having a hard time figuring out a sensitive yet reasonable way to handle holidays so no one feels left out or neglected, but that we don't make ourselves crazy bending over backwards to make it to 3 big holiday celebrations in one or two days. I should add that my in laws, mom, and dad all live within 15 minutes from us, so it's not like we can use distance as a factor. Also we have the only grandkids on both sides.
YES @LDSJM123! I literally just said that to my husband last night. We better start thinking of ideas so I can take advantage of the sales when they start! I'm a big Black Friday shopper and scored some fun stuff last year. Hoping to do the same this year. I'd love ideas though, lol! I'm kind of at a loss.
Children's Museum Membership
Little people Farm Animals/People
Spring/Summer Clothes 2T
PJ's
Zoo membership
Highlights Baby mag subscription
TeePee
Musical Instruments
Art Supplies/Smock
$ for college fund.
yes, thinking Christmas. Clothes will definitely be on the list, some sort of out door toy/climbing thing (he's a huge climber), and DH wants to get him a wagon or something that DS can ride in and DH can push/pull
For DD1's 2nd Christmas we gave her big girl bedding -she started climbing out of her crib at 18 months:( I'm hoping DD2 stays in her crib longer! DD2's grandparents paid for swim lessons for Christmas one year. DH and I aren't big gift people so we only bought little things for stockings (a book, clothes, a toy).
DH and I just watched Atypical on Netflix and really enjoyed it! It's 1 season of a tv show. It's not a podcast but it's the first show I've really liked in a while so I thought I'd recommend it!
I like the musical instrument idea!! I was also thinking one of those kitchens. Or possibly pinterest'ing something the husband can build.
One evening, she spent a good hour playing with tea bags. She was putting them in bowls, taking them out, dumping 2 bowls together.
room to occupy her.
So my best friend had her baby on monday. This morning my other best who was due at the end of the month went into labor!!! Babies everywhere.
Random shout out to you ladies for being my inspiration - I recently started planning out our meals for each week! It's not super involved but it's so helpful to have each night's dinner written down so I know what needs to defrost or what needs to be done when I get home from work. Even if it's just mac & cheese - knowing we're eating mac & cheese has been such a stress relief on this Momma!