March 2018 Moms
becausescience
member
STM+ Check-In 10.19
becausescience
member
Remind us, how many kids you have and their ages! Any milestones coming up?
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
Rants/raves/questions:
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
Rants/raves/questions:
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
Me: 30 H: 30
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
Re: STM+ Check-In 10.19
Remind us, how many kids you have and their ages! Any milestones coming up?
DD, 13 months
She is standing (with something to pull up on/lean on) and cruising. So we'll see when she starts walking. (She is a little behind on physical milestones and does PT once I week. I am going to be sooo happy when she can walk, because of how much progress she's made.) Still not talking yet either, but babbles up a storm.
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
Feeling great! I actually feel a little bad that I'm not as "into" my pregnancy this time around with DD to distract me. When I was pregnant with her I'd read all my weekly and daily articles on my 3 pregnancy apps as soon as I woke up in the morning and spend all my free time researching baby products. Suffice to say this is not happening this time around.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
We need to make our guest room into a nursery. I'd also like to finish organizing our basement - we're moving our bed from the guest room down there too for when the in-laws stay over. I also need to decide on the double stroller. At this point I'm kinda waiting for the 2018 models to roll out to see if Baby Joggers will make the double City Mini Britax car seat compatible.
Rants/raves/questions: DD still won't eat vegetables. I've caved and started offering pouches occasionally so she gets some veggies in.
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
My favorite advice was that every baby (and kid) is different. What works for one baby, may not work for another. And that babies will hit milestones at different time too - try not to stress. (Wish I could more reliably take this advice, I always worry about DD being behind.)
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
I have one son who is about 2.5. No real milestones approaching - we just started potty training 2 weeks ago.
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
I'm exhausted. Pregnant and chasing a toddler is no joke. I'm also fairly certain I'm a little anemic so I've started an iron supplement, but I need to be better with consistency. My husband does a LOT, and both of our parents are nearby who help out too, so I feel like it's the only way I'm surviving.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
I need to buy a new crib, dresser, and basically everything going into this kid's room. I also need to clear out the "office" which will become the room. Right now it's a disaster zone and overflow of toddler toys (so the rest of the house stays tidy). Also need a 2nd camera for the monitor, sound machine, and other things like that plus some long sleeved onesies and pants because the seasonality doesn't work with my son's newborn stuff. Plus diapers.
Rants/raves/questions:
Nothing really.
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
Prioritize and ask for help. Our parents brought us food/dinner the first 1-1.5 months and it was a lifesaver since all we had to do was heat it up. One less thing to worry about. If the house doesn't get cleaned, oh well.
Pregnant with #2:
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+? I feel really good. If it weren't for first tri yuckiness, I'd say this has been a smooth pregnancy. I miss my kids like crazy right now because I'm working 70-80 hours a week. With that said, my team's season just ended today, so all I have are varsity practices and playoffs next week. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter! DH is great when he's solo, but my kids desperately miss having us all in the same place at the same time. They soak it up when I'm home, and they get way more emotional when we all depart for the day. I'm ready to work a normal schedule again!!
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around? This is our last planned addition, and we have "one of each" right now, so we're waiting to see what this will be, and then we need to thin out our lot rather than add to it. We will need to adjust for seasons a bit, but it won't be drastic. I don't think we'll buy anything major, thankfully!
Rants/raves/questions: Does anyone have tips for potty training boys? I feel a little clueless. DH is great when I provide insight and direction for stuff like this, but he's about as clueless as I am when it comes to the initial stages of PTing for a little guy. DD was super easy, and she was ready early. Obviously, we're waiting for him to be ready, too, but I'm curious if there are any great tips you have!
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM? Sleep when the baby sleeps. HAHA jk. That's not it. I didn't do that. I rested when I could, but I also stole time to soak my healing body in an epsom bath, and other times I used that time to "get ready" for the day so I could feel a bit more human.
Best advice I received was to accept help when it works for you, and say no to "help" when it won't work for you. I've found that a lot of people want to do something when a baby arrives, but sometimes it creates more work for the mom than it does help. Accepting help is important, but just as important is knowing it's okay to say no and stay in your nursing tank and yoga pants cuddling your baby all day
DS, 2
I’m in no rush to potty train. I’m hoping his vocabulary will keep expanding. This week I’ve been battling him pulling me somewhere and then just pointing and grunting and getting him to say “yes ma’am” instead of just no to everything.
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
One step forward, ten steps back? Ha. I got sick today. So in general that just makes me feel like crap. Overall, I’m doing pretty good. I have more energy than I did even a couple weeks ago. I definitely am in the nesting/trying to get ready for baby stage. I’m worried that the third trimester will hit with a toddler and we won’t be ready. Haha.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
I still have a bunch of furniture rearranging to do before I run out of energy. I’m also organizing all the baby clothes by size so that it’s all washed and sorted and ready to go. My one thing is that I think each baby deserves their own set of newborn clothes so I’ve been slowly buying some outfits. I haven’t found a “coming home” outfit yet.
As far as things to buy, I need to buy a new mini crib since we took the other one to my parents house to use when we visit. Then I’m going to buy a double stroller when we get our taxes back and probably will need to replace our single stroller for the airport—the airline broke it on my trip last week and my dad and MH had to stick it back together, but it’s a temporary fix. The only other big purchase I have on my list is a dresser and chest of drawers for DS.
Rants/raves/questions:
I dunno... Any tips on getting stubborn two year olds to use their words?? Also, it was really great to see 2.0 on the ultrasound Monday.
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
I think it was that if Mommy is happy and healthy, then baby is happy and healthy. That advice frees you from so many expectations that you may put on yourself or have from others. And you can’t pour from an empty cup—make time for you. Or schedule time for you if that’s what you need to do to make it happen. For me, a shower or a bath or just 20 minutes in a silent room was huge everyday to making me feel more human and healthy.
@becausescience DS didn’t walk until 13 months and he was not the last walker in my last BMB. I know it’s hard not to worry, but it’s perfectly normal to not walk until closer to 18 months. That being said, if it helps alleviate your worry, there are steps your pediatrician can suggest to encourage her to walk.
@day38 that is so great that you had someone bringing you food! I’m jealous.
@gingermom15 I love narrating for our kids! I can tell it makes a huge difference! Your son is lucky to have you
2 DDs 7 & 5, the 5 y/o may lose her first tooth soon but that just means I will have to come up with a new reason the tooth fairy didn't come because I suck at remembering.
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
I feel like I've been hit by a truck most days but life stops for no one I just suck it up as best I can and do what has to be done. We don't do all the fun stuff we would usually be doing this time of year but there is always next year.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
Plans went out the window when I got my surprise BFP in June. We have absolutely nothing at all, at some point we will have to get things ready but as of now we have one onsie that I bought while school shopping for the girls and that's it. Now that we are over the 20 week hump panic is starting to set in...we should prob hit target at some point.
Rants/raves/questions:
I am not a happy pregnant woman and I would like for people to stop asking me how I feel or I may just start answering truthfully "old and constipated".
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
Go with your gut, your first instinct is usually best. Also, do not be afraid to take a timeout if you need one, as an army wife with my first two I did most of it on my own and every now and then I had to but I screaming baby safely in a crib and step outside for a minute or two so I didn't lose my mind. A calm collected mom is much more likely to sooth a screaming baby.
One DS who is 15 months as of today! He just started actually associated "da" with DH and it's so adorable! He only says that, occasionally mama, and "this" for everything else! We are going to a wedding solo tomorrow and I'm so nervous about leaving him! It's only our third solo date since he was born haha.
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
I'm feeling great! My only complaint is lots of BH, especially since I'm on my feet chasing around DS so much. I agree with you @becausescience I don't feel as "into" this pregnancy either even though I'm so excited! I just don't think about it as much as the first time around!
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
I'm in major nesting mode already, which never happened the first time around. I am freaking out that once November hits it's going to fly by and I don't want to wait until the last minute! We need to make our guest room into DS1s big boy room and I want to clean up our *unfinished* basement.
Rants/raves/questions:
I've been having days lately of being so sad about DS1 not being the only child anymore. I am so nervous about how he's going to react.
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
That you will never regret holding your baby "too much" but you might wish you held them more
P is 1. She just started walking! She’s ahead as far as speaking goes, and we’re all done breastfeeding, so I don’t think any more milestones for a while?
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
Pregnancy wise, I’m great. Mommy wise, my little girl is getting so big and I’ve been very emotional about it lately.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
Oh god, honestly I don’t know. We just got news that we’re moving, but we don’t know where yet, and we don’t have a clear date yet. Right now it’s March 10th but since baby is due the 13th, that’s not gonna work, so we’re trying to get late January/early February. So figuring all that out needs to get done.
Rants/raves/questions:
Why won’t my kid eat anything other than peanut butter toast and pop tarts. Why. Whyyyyyyyy?
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
trust your gut. Like @Mass-girl-at-heart said, being an army mom, I’m alone a lot so going with my own instincts is vital. Also, I wanted to strangle anyone who told me to sleep when baby sleeps.
Pregnant with #2:
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
8 and 3, milestones— we are hitting half birthdays!
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
Feeling good other than aches (hips/pelvis aaaaand headaches). I’m keeping up with the kids during the day far better now than I was several weeks ago, but by about 5 pm I hit a wall and it’s all up to Dad for the most part.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
We need to start thinking about working on the nursery. PGAL is keeping me from that. We have to get the carpet ripped out, paint, lay new carpet, etc. I wish there were sibling classes around here, but there aren’t any that I’m aware of, maybe I’ll look into a book.
Rants/raves/questions:
Both kids are loving the growing belly and trying to feel her move, silly baby stops every time they try though! DH hasn’t even felt her, she’s a trickster.
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
It’s my baby, as long as I’m looking out for his/her best interest don’t let others sway me into doing something or believing in something that I don’t want to (I have a friend or two that are very anti-vax and have tried to make me feel bad that I vax).
Edited because spelling is hard.
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
Remind us, how many kids you have and their ages! Any milestones coming up?
1 DS - almost 2.5 - we will be moving from the toddler bed to a twin bed after Christmas. Still working on 2 year molars. Potty trained but still not for naps/nights.
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
I'm definitely feeling better in the morning sickness department, thankfully. But my round ligament pain is really increasing lately. And I'm in tears some days from lower back pain. It's actually stressing me out because at only 17+5 I keep wondering how I'm going to possibly manage with DS when I'm 30+ weeks.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
DS will need to transition to the other bedroom so his can be turned back into a nursery. It's slightly bigger so easier to fit crib, change table, glider, etc. We will do this after Christmas. We don't have a lot to buy - although I do want a new swing and exersaucer. Otherwise my main priority is going to be prepping freezer meals. I had 35+ when DS was born and it was so unbelievably helpful!!!
Rants/raves/questions:
DS has started kissing my tummy and saying goodnight to the baby before bed and it's the sweetest thing ever!!
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
I don't know if it was really advice or just something I learned, but admitting that I had PPD to myself and saying it outloud made all the difference in the world. I didn't end up needing medication, but just being able to talk about it and openly say "I think I have PPD" gave me a boost of self reassurance and helped me to overcome that obstacle. I'm definitely going to try to be more self aware about that this time around and identify earlier if I have these feelings.
Though he was obsessed with putting things into the tree, pens, pencils, dog food, miscellaneous items. He never tried to pull it down or take things off. She might surprise you!
I have a 2 year old son. We are trying to potty train. Some days he shows interest, most days you ask him to use the potty and he says no.
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
I’m feeling so much better lately. I can honestly say I didn’t feel like the best mom for a couple months between being sick and exhausted. Now that I have energy I feel like things are going well.
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
We have to clean out our spare room and turn it into the nursery. We also have to buy another crib. We have a convertible crib for my son and we plan to convert it into a full size bed for him. So we were just going to get a convertible crib and dresser set for the new baby and just do the same thing later on in the hopes we don’t have to buy new bedroom furniture for a while. We should also get a double stroller but I honestly have no idea what I want.
Rants/raves/questions:
We’re having a little girl. Is there anything different that I need this time around?
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
It’s okay to tell people they can’t come visit. We had a lot of people visit the first couple weeks after my son was born and I felt over whelmed trying to adjust as a new mom and entertain people.
DD 4.5 and DD 2.5. I just finished potty training my youngest. WOOHOO!
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
Ugh this week has kicked my ass. I don’t know why and it makes me want to cry to think about feeling like this for another 22 weeks. I’m hoping that it was the potty training that did me in and that next week will be a little better!
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
We need to figure out where we’ll be when baby #3 comes before we can make any big plans. We’re waiting on the Army to let us know the next step in my husbands career so we haven’t been able to do much until then. If we end up leaving HI before she gets here, we’ll wait on nursery furniture until we get to the mainland. If we’re still here, we’ll get my oldest new bedroom stuff and pass down the baby stuff. But we still have a while to figure all of that out!
Rants/raves/questions:
none...for now
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
Start baby on a routine early on. It has been a lifesaver with both girls.
Remind us, how many kids you have and their ages! Any milestones coming up?
2 kids- DD is 5, DS is 2, milestones are DD turning 6 right after Christmas (she's already picked her party theme and we've started buying plates, napkins, etc so it feels sooner haha)
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
I'm feeling extra tired. I don't remember feeling this way when pregnant with DS even though I had DD but she was older then than he is now and more self sufficient. She also wasn't climbing on everything and constantly in motion. Or it could just be that I'm 2 years older and I have 2 kids, who knows!
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
A lot! We have a 3 bedroom house so 2 kids will be sharing a room. We're waiting on our a/s to find out the sex of this new baby and then once we do, the 2 kids with the same sex will share the "bigger" bedroom, which is currently DD's bedroom, down the road. For right now we need to buy bunk beds because DD and DS will be sharing a room once the baby starts to sleep in the crib. DS's room is still set up as a nursery (crib, changing table, etc) so we're just going to keep that the way it is for now and have the 2 older kids share a room for a few years until the baby can sleep in a big kid bed and then if we have to move rooms around, change paint colors, etc we can do that.
Rants/raves/questions:
DS has started this new thing where he doesn't want to eat certain things, things he used to love! He will literally go a whole day without eating much at any meal if he doesn't want it and it might be something that he ate the day before and then eats the next day. I have no idea what's going on with him.
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
"Don't be afraid to ask for help" - as mom's and especially first time mom's a lot of us put the expectation on ourselves to just magically know what to do and while some things just do come naturally there are times everything can be overwhelming. My own personal story- 3 days after DD was born (her 2nd day home) I was so tired and sore and overwhelmed by everything. I finally broke down and asked my parents if they could watch her for a few hours so I could take a nap. They were happy to oblige and even though I felt guilty asking at first those 2 hours did wonders. After that I realized I had no reason to feel guilty for asking for help and the women in my friends and family were more than happy to offer their own tips and everyone enjoyed helping me out.
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
Stir fried and roasted veggies are usually a no fail for us. Lightly seasoned with a little olive oil and cooked until soft and my son loves them. Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and mushrooms are his favorite this way. He doesn’t like steamed veggies at all, but tbh I don’t blame it. I like flavor in my foods lol. Roasted green beans and carrots served like French fries are another hit. It just takes time to play around with recipes and veggies to find what they like
I have one a 2 year old boy
How are you feeling? How are you managing pregnancy as a STM+?
I am much more exhausted this time around. Not sure if it's my job/commute and chasing around a toddler or if this baby is just kicking my butt!
What plans do you have for adding to your family? What do you need to buy or get done before March rolls around?
We will most likely be moving next summer, so I need to try to make our 2 bedroom space work for us for a few months. Also, need to see what I need to buy that we borrowed or is worn out from our first LO
Rants/raves/questions:
It's so nice to hear im not the only one struggling a bit with food for my toddler. He used to eat everything & now he won't touch meat and fruit & veggies are extremely difficult.
GTKY: What is your best/favorite advice you got when you were a FTM?
Don't listen to what everyone tells you or try's to push on you. Trust your gut and ask for help when needed. Your baby thinks you are the greatest thing in the world and that's all that matters.