How far along are you?
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
How old are your other kids?
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
Re: STM+ Check-In Week of 12/13
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet? Girl!
How old are your other kids? DS is 3.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- Rant- Not really a rant, but I just have a lot to do before 17 people come over for Hanukkah dinner tonight. I am sure it will all come together, but I still worry. I also hate cleaning right before everyone comes over because I know the house will look like a bomb went off in it about 30 seconds after my nephews arrive.
Rave- My cleaning lady comes tomorrow, so at least that will help with the aftermath of tonight.
Question- DS does this thing where he changes his mind constantly and it causes a lot of problems. Example: Me- "Do you want to have an egg for breakfast?" DS- "No." Me- "Okay" (makes myself and egg and starts eating) DS- (screaming) "I said I want an egg!!!!!" Any advice on how to deal with this or how to make them understand that their choice is their choice?
Obviously I don't care if he changes his mind about some stuff, but he does this all the time and it makes me crazy.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why? I really have no desire to go back to Inverness/Invergordon (where Loch Ness is). There is nothing in that town but the lake and it really wasn't that cool.
16 and 6
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Don't know yet!
How old are your other kids?
DS is 2.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
I've been letting DS go to sleep on his own lately. Sometimes he plays a little too much in his bed though. He's been doing this sort of handstand and jumping and kicking both feet backwards lately as his "dance move." The other night he did it and kicked the humidifier/night light off its stand doing this. I had unfortunately just filled the humidifier too so there was a bunch of water and the whole thing cracked and broke. But on the flip side, he has put himself to sleep most nights completely on his own so there's a trade off.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
I'm not really sure. I guess in general I don't care for the beach vacation a whole lot. It's fine for like a day but I get too bored at the beach. I'd rather be hiking in the woods or something.
16+4
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Don't know yet!
How old are your other kids?
13 months
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
We have to somehow transition away from a night time bottle, and I really don't want to. She's sleeping so well right now I don't want to mess things up, but I know I have to. Ugh.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
Nebraska. We've gone a few times and I just don't care to ever visit again. Nothing against it, I'm just meh.
19+1
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Don't know yet, hopefully find out next week, 12/20
How old are your other kids?
3.5 year old twin girls
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
Rant-none really today. My cold seems slightly better, so other than being generally irritable and annoyed with people bitching about every stinkin' thing at my office today, I'm not doing too bad. Rave-None of these either, really. I guess I'm just generally content today.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
Las Vegas. It was cool to go just to say I've been there, and see the sights, but I have no desire to go back.
@mileswithmyles I loved Scotland, but we didn't go up to Inverness. I would love to go back! As far as your question, my girls do the same thing. I had a battle the other day with one of them that said she wanted juice and when I gave it to her, she insisted she wanted milk. I stood my ground, told her she had asked for juice, and once she finished that she could have milk. I don't think she drank it, so it went in the fridge. It was gone the next day, so I don't know if she drank it, or if MH caved and dumped it out to give her milk..... They also did that at breakfast over the weekend. One of them said they wanted cereal, the other said she wanted eggs and toast (I don't mind making two different things for them for breakfast since they're both easy). After I made the toast, Hannah decided she also wanted toast, so that time I gave in since I hadn't actually made her cereal yet. But I did point out that she had originally asked for cereal, and that if I had made her cereal, she wouldn't have gotten toast. I don't know how much sunk in, but I think it's easier to start that kind of stuff young. If they grow up always getting their way, they'll continue to expect it later on. Good luck with your dinner tonight!!
@theletlers That's so awesome that LO is putting himself to sleep. What a relief for you! I actually love the beach, but MH and I have had this discussion since we got married because he doesn't like to "just relax" on his vacations, he always wants to go "do" something.
@loko08 Good luck with the night time bottle. I agree about Nebraska. Most boring state to drive through, for sure. And there are a few cool things to see, but not to go back more than once for! LOL
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet? Boy
How old are your other kids? DD is 2.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- This may sound silly, but I find it annoying that this year, neighbors are starting to send me Christmas cards (or drop them in my mailbox). We've lived here for 2.5 years and are definitely friends, but I already have a long card list and I don't want to add neighbors. I hand make 40 cards that go to family and some old friends, and the rest of my list gets store bought cards. I put an actual picture of DD in them as we don't do the picture card thing and I know a lot of people like to see pics. But I'm not putting a pic of DD in neighbor cards or friends who we see all the time as it seems silly. Just a regular card seems like a waste of time and money as I'm not writing a long sentiment in them. But I guess this is what people did before the advent of picture cards, so I should just get over it.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why? I went to Sao Paulo, Brazil for work a few years ago and while I definitely want to go back to Brazil, I can skip Sao Paulo. It was too similar to NYC for me (where I lived at the time and where I live just outside of now).
@mileswithmyles
DD does this too! So annoying. With food, I either ignore her and make it anyway (like, I'll eat the extra egg) or just tell her too bad, she made her choice. I assume (hope!) this is something they grow out of eventually.
20+1
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Boy!
How old are your other kids?
Two girls aged 4 and 2
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
various children have woken me 2-4 times per night this week and I already want to die when this happens so I’m dreading when #3 is also waking. I may move upstairs with the baby for a few months and leave Daddy downstairs to intercept the girls.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
We visited a tiny South Pacific island called New Caledonia and while it was just as gorgeous as Tahiti or Fiji, the people were AWFUL to us. They were mostly French expats with no interest in expanding the tourist industry for that country... we were ready to leave. From there we went to NZ and it was a breath of fresh air because those folks went out of their way to be friendly and accommodating. We were there during 9/11/11 and they even had a memorial and parade to honor the fallen and had their storefronts decorated in red, white, and blue. It was really touching.
@mileswithmyleswe went to the other end of Loch Ness to Ft William via Glencoe and LOVED the drive and the town but didn’t make it to Inverness. I would totally go back to the highlands, though.
@sandbar517 ITA about LV. I’ve been there twice and I would much rather spend my money elsewhere.
@loko08 the only thing I remember about driving through NE as a kid was fields and fields and fields....
@maplemom18 I haven’t been able to venture out in SP because we’ve either had a short layover or there was rioting in the streets, so... not sure how much there is to miss. I sure loved Rio, though!
How far along are you?
17w3d
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Green
How old are your other kids?
2 years, just turned 2
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
We're dealing with the 2 year sleep regression where neither wants to go to bed at night or stay in their own bed. They've spent most nights with dad in the spare bed or with the of them alone in the spare bed. I think we need to resleep train and DH doesn't want to. Since he mostly does all over nignts, I'm letting it go for now.
Rave- Saturday is DDs "came home-iversary" and DS's is next Tuesday. Trying to figure out something cute and small we can do for them to celebrate. I'll probably make brownies for Saturday since DD loves sweets. And DS just loves food so maybe I'll try to figure out what his favorite dinner is this week to make?
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
I don't think there's anywhere I wouldn't go back. I'd just like to go somewhere new. We've never been to the West Coast so that would be fun.
@mileswithmyles, our "plan" is to try and do what @sandbar517 does. The twins have semi started this with saying their done eating, leaving the table, then coming back while I finish eating to snag more good off their plate and continue playing. So we've started to make them get back in their seat and finish as many more bites as they want and then we remove the plate all together.
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
@loko08 GL with the transition
@sandbar517 I loved the rest of Scotland. Edinburgh was amazing! Thanks for your input. Maybe it is just a phase (let's hope). I try to be firm about his choices.
@maplemom18 Sorry your LO does it, too! It is so frustrating!
@MissusTexas what a frustrating vacation experience!
@suchaglencoco that is such a cute thing to celebrate!
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Don't now yet
How old are your other kids?
She'll be 1 in 2 weeks!! Ahh
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
Her first birthday party is on Saturday! I'm excited but also anxious about all of the cleaning and cooking I have to do.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
@sandbar517 I'm with you. I don't think I'll ever go back to Vegas. I was only there because I won a contest and was hooked up with an amazing suite and fancy dinners all expenses paid. I hate gambling so if it wasn't for the VIP treatment everywhere we went, it wouldn't have been that fun.
@mileswithmyles I hope dinner goes well! Good luck with all the prep
@theletlers I always love the idea of the beach and then I get there and am annoyed by everything. Especially now with a baby and the million things I have to bring for her
@loko08 I'm still nursing my daughter when she wakes up in the middle of the night which is anytime between 4am and 6am. I said once she turns 1 I'm gonna stop the night feedings but I'm not looking forward to the transition. Good luck!
@MissusTexas I hope your able to get some good sleep soon! My daughter is just finally sleeping well so I'm dreading having to start over with the new baby.
@suchaglencoco your husband does all the night wakings? If my husband gets up even once with her at night he complains all the next day about how tired he is. It's almost not worth asking him for help.
I need more sleep than him. And then I have to deal with the kids all day so I need sleep for patience. I especially need sleep now that I'm growing number 3.
He really is amazing with how much he does for me and them. When they were babies, he would get up and do solo feedings at 2 am for me to get more sleep. Or he'd wake up if I was doing a solo feed and insist on helping. And the first month they were home, my mom stayed with us during the week to help since he had no more vacation time. He would get upset if she didn't wake one of us to help her feed the twins and did it on her own. I myself was 100% ok with it, but he wanted to do as many feedings as he could since he had to go back to work so soon.
My mom has told me numerous times not to mess up our marriage because she would have trouble choosing sides, haha.
We made these babies together so we take care of them together.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet? Don't know yet
How old are your other kids? 20 months
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- DS isn't using ANY words. There was a time a bit ago when I know he knew Mama and Dada, but now he doesn't say anything. He babbles constantly, but never uses the babbling to communicate with us.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
The Grand Canyon is a big hole in the ground. Pick just about any other canyon in the southwest and it will be much nicer. I personally recommend Bryce Canyon in UT.
20 weeks + 5 days
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Girl
How old are your other kids?
2yrs
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
My belly button hurts / is sooooo sensitive. Anyone else?
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
vegas. I'm not much of a gambler and you can find outlet malls everywhere. I guess the shows are neat. But still... I can think of other places I'd rather go
@suchaglencoco while it's not the same as twins for sure, my sister and I have the same birthday and my moms is the day after that. We had to switch each year for who got to pick the birthday dinner and the other one got to pick dinner the day before. But we always got to have our own cake!
@onesmallcoconut mine is just more sensitive. Not really painful just awkward feeling.
@fraufarbissina my DH has a similar response. He'll get up one morning or one night but the next night there's just no point. He just lays there saying "yeah I'll do it." Meanwhile DS is still just asking me over and over to wake up with him and it's just easier.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet? Find out Monday!
How old are your other kids? 3.5 and 1.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)- Not really...Everyone's sick, yay winter.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why? New York, California, New Jersey... mostly because most of my life is illegal there.
My brother, cousin and I have birthdays within 3 weeks of each other so we always had family parties together and shared a cake. And I always had to go 3rd because in was the youngest. And it's such a fwp, but I hated it. So they will always have their own cupcake/mini cake. Also because I hate when little kids spit on the cake and then we eat it. Barf.
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet? GIRL!
How old are your other kids? DD is 3
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
BFP 2/25/14 EDD 11/5/14 BD 11/4/14
BFP 8/26/17 EDD 5/5/18
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet? We find out on Jan 9th!
How old are your other kids? DD is 14m
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
This is a crazy week at work with events, other than that I don't have much to rant or rave about! Just looking forward to tomorrow and the weekend.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why? United Arab Emirates. DH and I went to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for Education Without Borders (conference) back in university and it wasn't a great experience. I'm good with not going back to the Middle East, like ever.
@doraleigh35 hope your week goes well.
@theletlers, YIKES! Water everywhere at bedtime is no fun! I'm glad your LO is going to sleep on his own though! DS has been fighting sleep recently. He got up last night sobbing! He was upset because he was playing and saying that my leg was his leg. Well, I told him it was night night time and not silly time. Because I didn't disagree with him and say, "No, it's not YOUR leg... It's my leg" he was beside himself upset.
Gotta run, but I'll be back later to tag more people!
How far along are you?
16 weeks
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Don't know yet
How old are your other kids?
DS is 2.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)
Rant - It is 4.5 days until winter break at school. I have SO much I want to accomplish, but I'm so tired and have no motivation to do it. My in-laws are coming tonight and the only Christmas decorations I have up is the tree with the lights on it... no ornaments. They'll probably get to my house around 7:30 tonight. I have to go to the store to pick up my grocery order for my class party tomorrow, run home and try to last minute clean, and then hopefully have enough time to decorate the rest of the house. UGH! I'm so excited to see them and to visit with family this weekend. It's just the prep to get there is tiring.
Rave: DS is moving up to the 3-6 year old class at his preschool. My administration was really nice and let me go observe his new class the other day. I think he's going to do really well! He's really excited about the move!
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
Honestly, I feel like I haven't gone to very many places. I haven't been anywhere that I absolutely hated. I'm just happy to be on vacation when we travel!
Good luck with your super busy next few days.
16+3
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Don't know yet
How old are your other kids?
DS is 2.5
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)
DS is starting to gather that we are having a baby. Several of his school buddies have either recently gotten or will be getting baby sisters. One of his teachers told me that DS said he wanted a baby sister, too. She didn't know I was pregnant and I said, "Well, he'll be getting something in May!". He keeps asking to see the baby and I told him he can't because it's in my tummy. This morning he asked, "You can't open your tummy?" No dude, sorry, lol.
Question: Anyone having pelvic pain yet? I started getting some in the past couple weeks after doing lots of walking. I think it's too early, but friends who have had two babies told me it came on much earlier with their seconds.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
I'm with @JNCPro3130 - I don't travel a lot and I haven't been anywhere I've absolutely hated. Quite honestly, I'm a real homebody and don't like to go anywhere.
Or he might just be taking a break as he learns more words by himself -- apparently my brother didn't say a word until age 2 and then started speaking in complete sentences.
@crazyliblady I agree about getting him evaluated by speech therapy. If he wasn't saying many words by this point, I wouldn't think it would be a problem, but to me the worrisome part is that he used to say words and isn't anymore. There are some genetic diseases that cause regressive symptoms like that, that a speech therapist may be able to recognize and direct you to the right people for further evaluation if needed. Also, I respectfully disagree about the Grand Canyon, I thought it was breathtaking and could have stared at it all day! Granted, I've never been to Utah and would love to go, as all the pictures I've seen are amazing. But, MH and I have talked a lot about going to the Grand Canyon and actually staying for a while and doing some hiking/camping. The last time I went was with an ex, we only stayed one night and it was January, so way too cold for hiking or camping.
@GeekBeagle, When I first told my girls about the baby, they also wanted to see it and when I said it was up above my vagina, they asked me to open my vagina so they could see it.
Married June 2012
BFP June 2013- blighted ovum, D&C Aug 2013
BFP Oct 2013- twins! A&H born May 2014
BFP Aug 2017- EDD 5/8/17
19wks
Boy/Girl/ Team Green/Don't Know Yet?
Girl
How old are your other kids?
2yrs
Rants/Raves/Questions (related to being a STM, stages your kids are going through, or anything else)-
My DD is super clingy to me - I mean, she’s always been a mamma’s girl, but it’s just escalating. She barely wants to be with my DH anymore (he was gone for work for 3days and she barely mentioned him). I feel so bad and want her to develop a better relation with him! He really does try.
GTKY: What state or country do you never want to go back to? Why?
I wouldn’t avoid Maine completely, but I had a horribly boring trip to visit family in Surry, ME. I wouldn’t want to go back there. We love to travel and always find something positive in the places we have visited.
@crazyliblady I can’t believe you called the Grand Canyon “a hole in the ground”. I’ve been there twice, hiked down into it, and found it to be a beautiful, amazing experience. Will definitely be going back again with the kiddos someday. I’ve also been to Bryce, Zion, etc multiple times. All beautiful in their own right.
My PhD is in cognitive neuroscience/language disorders. DD1 has ADHD and DD2 gets speech for articulation. I live and breathe special needs.
AFM...
About 19 weeks
We're having a boy
DD1 is almost 7, DD2 is 4
Rants: DD2 had been clingy to me and whiny. We're having some issues with her teacher too. We are pretty confused about where she'll be in f school for kindergarten.
Raves: the girls decided that after we light hanukkah candles we need to dance. I love this new family tradition.
I love to travel and can't think of many paces I wouldn't go back to, but I'd love to go more places. Maybe wouldn't go back to Beulah, Wyoming...population 65. I was there as a rest stop and I think I got to see it all.
I will definitely be getting DS evaluated soon. It has taken over a year to get him insured, and it technically doesn't start until Jan 1 but he has a pediatrician appointment on the 2nd and we will start the ball rolling. DH had a speech delay and still speaks with a stutter. His parents were told it was part of his CP but now I wonder.