I had wicked insomnia last night so I reread the intro thread and randomly clicked on a few names and I'm seeing a fair number of people who intro'd and show as recently active, but haven't been posting. We'd love to hear from you!!! You could reintroduce yourself here, or just jump in and say "hi" or maybe suggest a topic for a thread that you'd like to participate on? Whatever floats your boat Random gifs and/or memes are also always appropriate and appreciated as well.
Hi! I’m BostonBaby1. I’m mostly a weekend poster and when work is slow. Due at the very end of the month (29th) and with a *team Green baby.
**TW- Loss and IF***
History of multiple losses and IF, I have been around TB for some time and was pretty active in previous boards, some of which resulted in losses.
**end TW***
I’ve been in TTGP, Nov 15, Dec 15, March 16, July 16, September 17 and here. I am high risk and AMA.
I have DS (22.5 months) and DD (8.5 months.) I work in commercial real estate management for my family. Which is great and tough. There’s nobody I can pass the buck on to but gives me some autonomy as well. I know it would be hard to guess but we live in Boston and are jamming everyone into a fairly small apartment so I am here to offer city living advice!
*eta- forgot my gif and to mention my love for snark.
I've been trying really hard to be more active but as a FTM don't feel like I have a ton to contribute other than asking questions and being a complainy B. I read a lot and get a lot of my questions answered without even asking which is great.
Maybe a thread for first time moms, over 30, who work outside the home could be helpful? Maybe it's just me and too specific
@samd6 this is where you get to be a complainy B with no one judging you, so complain away! I had DD at 29 (will be 30/31 when this one gets here) and work outside the home. I remember having a billion questions about pumping at work and the daycare transition!
@samd6 I’m a FTM will be 30 when this one is born. While I have a remote home office I definitely work outside the home due to frequent travel. I have noticed you jumping in a little recently. This is the perfect place to complain about pretty much anything without judgment...for the most part. The people here are super supportive internet strangers. Plus, when you’re complaining they can tell you that you aren’t crazy.
Hi @samd6! I’m a FTM and will be 36 when baby is born. I work full time and am so nervous when it comes to figuring out maternity leave, going back to work, pumping at the office, etc. I also complain a lot lol. I don’t participate too much but I don’t consider myself a lurker. But yeah, lots of complaining over here
@samd6 Hello. My name is Stacey. I'm 33 and will still be 33 when my little Polly is born. I'm also a FTM. I'm not employed but I'm a college student and do a lot of volunteer work at a local hospital. When I first joined The Bump in early January, I didn't comment on the threads a lot. It was my first time to be on an online board and it was confusing as all get out. But now, I'm here almost daily. We are like a community that supports each other through the good things and not so good. We can all relate on some level as to what you're going through, because we too, are most likely going through something similar.
@samd6 ftm over 30 working outside the home would be a little too specific and a little vague at the same time in my opinion. That being said, if you are feeling it, go for it! I might try for something slightly more focused like "pumping at the office," or "returning to work after first baby." Something like that might get a good conversation going and I think a lot of the ladies here could get in on those topics. I'm a SecondTimeFullTimeStayAtHomeAdvancedMaternalAgeMom. Whew! So I don't have much to contribute in regards to work challenges but I can comment on being over 30! Way...way...over thirty
@samd6 We’ve already chatted on other threads but I wanted to tell you I’m a ftm also! I’m 34 (almost 35) and I work full time. I work in a crazy place and was hiding the pregnancy until 18 weeks! I still haven’t told HR or people outside of my department! It’s so obvious that I’m pregnant too! I totally agree with what everyone is saying. Plus, here you can talk about being pregnant constantly without annoying anyone! It’s on my mind constantly, but in real life, I have to talk about other things and pretend to carry on like everything is normal.
Welcome! @samd6 fellow ftm, 35, working ft outside the home (for now). I'm actually kind of nervous bc I just got a promotion... (yay!) Which may make it harder to come back at part time hours after baby... :/ double edged sword. So I will take it for now, and cross that bridge when we get to it I suppose, but in the mean time, I have my pump, different bottles I plan to pump into, maybe try the kiinde or lanisoh bags, too, depending on my supply, got a bangin' pump bag and matching pumparoo, too! So at least I feel a bit more prepared about one aspect of going back to work... I feel like it'll just be one more facet of the adventure. ;) what type of work do you do?
@BusinessWife I am a manager for a technology retail store. I’m lucky to work for a great company with amazing benefits. My biggest worry about returning is actually around pumping because oftentimes I am the only manager in the building so I’m not sure how that will work. I’m definitely looking forward to taking leave through holiday this year
Ahh, I’ve been hoping for a thread like this. Original due date was end of August, so I intro’d on that board, then forgot about the bump. EDD changed to Sept 3rd so I’ve been poking around here for a little bit, trying to get a feel for if/when I should jump out of lurker/new to September status.
I have DS (July ‘16) and am team blue for this one as well. I’m from Canada.
I still haven’t told my boss.. I work nights so that I can stay at home during the day with DS. I’m the only one on shift, so I never see any coworkers or my boss. Not sure how to break it to her that I’ll be taking the extended 18 month mat leave.
@samd6 hi! I'm a STM, working FT currently and will be when I go back after mat leave. I successfully pumped until my son was 12 months old (and could have continued if I wanted to for longer, but, spoiler alert, pumping really stinks and you will rather not have to do it!). I hope to be a resource for other moms once the time comes for breastfeeding and/or pumping. I feel like it's a bit premature to be going into a lengthy discussion about it now, but will probably be on that thread A LOT once it's here!
Welcome @dairygirl93 glad you popped into this board and introduced yourself. I am quite jealous of your 18 month extended maternity leave, but I won’t hold that against you.
I never see my boss because she works remote too and I only see her once a year. I did tell her pretty early because I was really sick. Maybe when you are ready to tell you ask for a meeting with your boss? Could your boss stay around late or you come by for a short meeting one day?
@dairygirl93 Hello. For the first 2-3 months, I was a lurker on the August board. I would only go there occasionally. My EDD is 9/2. So even though there's still a good chance I could have an August girl, this board just seemed best.
@samd6 Hi! I'm also a FTM and will turn 33 a month before baby arrives. I work FT as a Librarian and plan to return to work. I feel anxious about all the logistics of returning to work but I've pushed most of that to the side because of all the crap we're going through trying to find daycare for baby. We've been looking since march and most centers are telling us 2 year wait list. Home centers say call back in the fall. Super frustrating and as a FTM I feel like I'm missing something that parents know about getting into daycare. Anyways, join in and participate. I love chatting with a mix of FTM and moms who already have kids.
Hey there, I lurk on this board often but don't really post alot because either I don't feel I have anything valuable to say that has not already been said or there is a lot of complaining that goes on and I just don't feel like complaining because it just makes me dwell on whatever the issue may be and brings me down. Lol I am a 33 y/o STM who works full time. For me personally, working FT was not a huge adjustment after maternity leave. If there was a thread about FT working moms, I would chime in...i think there could be some good discussion about routines, how do you get everyone and yourself ready and out the door. How do you prioritize work, housework, exercise, meals, ect and still have family time.
@nlc8424 I don't think it's too early to start talking about BFing. I think you'd be just fine to start a thread now. I, for one, would love recommended reading on the topic.
Hello, mostly lurking/reading (and sometimes giggling because you ladies are hilarious some days) when I have a free moment. I'm a STM, working full time for a huge construction company with lots of travel during the summer. My boyfriend also travels for long periods for work, so I'm constantly juggling work, travel, kiddo, 3 dogs, nursery renovations and whatever else comes up. Needless to say, I chime in when I have time. With DD of 9/20 coming up faster than I'd like I try to scroll through any relevant posts I come across to try and refresh my memory. There's a 6 year gap between pregnancies and I feel so much has changed, or I just forgot everything revolving pregnancy and newborns I'd love a FT working mom thread, I'm already dreading the day I return to work full time after maternity leave!
@klj0228 I really wish I would have just told her earlier, rather than walking in to a meeting noticeably pregnant lol. But what can you do? I think I’m actually due for a raise/review so two birds one stone I guess.
@tasha_ak Hi! I’m a STM as well in a similar situation because my DD and this baby will be exactly six years apart! I am trying to refresh my memory on allthethings too I definitely think the transition will be a little easier with a great little helper around!
Me: 32 DH: 32 BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012 BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
@jaylii forgive me if I mentioned this on another thread, but re: daycares...are there any chain centers you’re interested in? In my area we have Bright Horizons, KinderCare, and Little Sprouts that are big companies with multiple locations. Once you get in to a center, if you want to change locations they put you near the top of the list (just under sibling spots). So you may need to spend a few months with a crappy daycare commute, but then you could get into the center you want much sooner! Some towns/neighborhoods have a crazy waitlist, but the next town over it’s easy to get into.
Yes, @southernlady07 and @tasha_ak you guys are exactly me, STM with a 6 yr age gap!! (July 12) I totally agree that memory is kinda foggy, things seem kinda different, but super excitedly to have a 6 yr old helper, he’s going to be an awesome big brother!
I certainly haven’t posted a lot but I can try! My days are pretty busy as SAHM, preschool transport, and watching a few extra kiddos. I just turned 39, so AMA for sure! Having another really easy pregnancy so far, as I did with my first, so I feel I don’t have have a lot to contribute. But I swear I’m a normal, nice gal who enjoys humor. I also watch way more tv than I should, so pop culture is my forte.
@mrsPNW When my little girl is born, I will be a SAHM... which is what I've always wanted to be. I'm really looking forward to it. This is my first pregnancy and it was pretty easy up until 10 weeks. Then, sickness hit and has continued off and on since, normally a couple of times a week. If you have any advice on being a SAHM, I'm all ears.
dairygirl93 Welcome. I have a daughter born October '16 and another girl on the way. I have not decided yet if I am taking the 18 months or not. I like that I will have more time with LO, but $$$ ... I work evenings and don't see my boss/coworkers either. I told my boss at 17 weeks though as she needs to hire someone to fill my position.
Hello, I have been mostly lurking and commenting on the weekends, but I am starting to have time during the week. I am a high school teacher and now that the year is winding down, I have time during my lunch/plan to comment. I am a FTM and will be 36 when I deliver. My hope is to keep commenting more frequently, this week I have gained a wealth of knowledge in a variety of areas. Personal confession: I struggled to get and stay pregnant and I feel like I know so much about that process and very little about actually being a mom.
@MandyMost Thank you for the suggestion! We do have some daycare chains around but they are out in the burbs. I commute from one inner ring suburb to another where there are no chains. I'm going to look into it and see if this could be a good option, even if temporarily.
Welcome @samd6 I'm a FTM, will be 35 when our little one arrives and work FT in the social work field. You're in good company here, I've learned a ton from the STM's on this board and other regulars. @dairygirl93 hey and welcome! fellow Canadian here, i'm from Ottawa. Met with my HR to discuss which leave i'd like. I'm going for the 12 months cause the 18th is just not financially possible for us, wish it was! MH works shift work as a fireman so we are very lucky to have some flexibility in that 12-18 months since most daycares around here don't take em till 18 months.
Me: 34 DH:33 TTC since Oct 2016 DX: Undetermined possible PCOS+MFI July 2017-Dec 2017 Letrozole+TI Dec 2017 CP Jan 2018 BFP:EDD 9-25
@BusinessWife That would be my situation if I were Canadian....le sigh. I wonder how that works...can you just stay home making money having babies that close together?
Also out of curiosity, how soon will they do another transfer on you? (Presuming labor and delivery are uncomplicated) I’ve always wondered this for families who have multiple embryos they want to implant.
@sclarke7 so that's an interesting point you bring up. Since the maternity leave in the US sucks daycares here start taking infants as early as 6 weeks! Cause they have to. Around here it's the preschools that don't take kiddos until 12-18 months at the earliest. But day cares take 'em when they are tiny cause our moms/dads have to get back to work
Hello, I have been mostly lurking and commenting on the weekends, but I am starting to have time during the week. I am a high school teacher and now that the year is winding down, I have time during my lunch/plan to comment. I am a FTM and will be 36 when I deliver. My hope is to keep commenting more frequently, this week I have gained a wealth of knowledge in a variety of areas. Personal confession: I struggled to get and stay pregnant and I feel like I know so much about that process and very little about actually being a mom.
@lisac113 You are definitely not alone! I feel like I am practically an expert on conception and ART yet know zip about childbirth and breastfeeding for instance... I had started to think it would never happen for me and still battle those feelings sometimes ("Isn't prepping for labor going to jinx it?")
@stothi I was concerned about how early I may need to start baby in daycare. I have no family here and there is a possibility I’ll have to start him at 8 weeks (not sure yet). I was feeling awful about this and I asked at the daycare what’s the earliest people start. She said they had babies there as young as 17 days. Where I live, it is fairly common for moms to go back to work right away. It’s just too expensive here.
@ashh2018 17 days!? That's barely 2 weeks! The baby is fine but how do the moms do it!? (I know it's possible, it goes blows my mind cause I was jacked up for a long time. Way longer than 17 days.) Also, I kinda want to work at a daycare with the teeny tiny babies! You so rarely get to be around them when they are that small unless they are your own.
@stothi I have no freakin idea. I know our bodies don’t heal for a few weeks. The woman at the daycare said a lot of single moms don’t have a choice, it made me sad. I’m sad about 8 weeks.
ETA to clarify, 100% not judging any mom, no matter if or when baby starts daycare. Made me sad to think about a woman having to go to work before she is physically ready, and I’m just all-around sad bc I had always wanted to be a SAHM and it’s not feasible where I am now.
@ashh2018 Holy crap! Most of the centers around here won't accept a baby any younger than 6 weeks. Even then I thought that was super young. I cannot imagine needing to leave my two week old.
sclarke7 I'm in Manitoba and my local daycare won't take DD till 2 years but that is because daycare is so limited here so the waitlist is loooooong. I wonder what the minimum age is here. They told me it is easier to get a baby in if he/she has a sibling in the centre already. Not sure what the reason could be.
Re: Hello Lurkers and Newbies! Come say hi!
**TW- Loss and IF***
History of multiple losses and IF, I have been around TB for some time and was pretty active in previous boards, some of which resulted in losses.
**end TW***
I’ve been in TTGP, Nov 15, Dec 15, March 16, July 16, September 17 and here. I am high risk and AMA.
I have DS (22.5 months) and DD (8.5 months.) I work in commercial real estate management for my family. Which is great and tough. There’s nobody I can pass the buck on to but gives me some autonomy as well. I know it would be hard to guess but we live in Boston and are jamming everyone into a fairly small apartment so I am here to offer city living advice!
*eta- forgot my gif and to mention my love for snark.
Maybe a thread for first time moms, over 30, who work outside the home could be helpful? Maybe it's just me and too specific
I might try for something slightly more focused like "pumping at the office," or "returning to work after first baby." Something like that might get a good conversation going and I think a lot of the ladies here could get in on those topics.
I'm a SecondTimeFullTimeStayAtHomeAdvancedMaternalAgeMom. Whew! So I don't have much to contribute in regards to work challenges but I can comment on being over 30! Way...way...over thirty
@BusinessWife I am a manager for a technology retail store. I’m lucky to work for a great company with amazing benefits. My biggest worry about returning is actually around pumping because oftentimes I am the only manager in the building so I’m not sure how that will work. I’m definitely looking forward to taking leave through holiday this year
I have DS (July ‘16) and am team blue for this one as well. I’m from Canada.
I still haven’t told my boss.. I work nights so that I can stay at home during the day with DS. I’m the only one on shift, so I never see any coworkers or my boss. Not sure how to break it to her that I’ll be taking the extended 18 month mat leave.
Also, welcome @dairygirl93!
I never see my boss because she works remote too and I only see her once a year. I did tell her pretty early because I was really sick. Maybe when you are ready to tell you ask for a meeting with your boss? Could your boss stay around late or you come by for a short meeting one day?
@klj0228 I really wish I would have just told her earlier, rather than walking in to a meeting noticeably pregnant lol. But what can you do? I think I’m actually due for a raise/review so two birds one stone I guess.
BFP #1: 1/23/2012 DD: Born 9/20/2012
BFP #2: 12/30/2017 DS: Due 9/10/2018
I certainly haven’t posted a lot but I can try! My days are pretty busy as SAHM, preschool transport, and watching a few extra kiddos. I just turned 39, so AMA for sure! Having another really easy pregnancy so far, as I did with my first, so I feel I don’t have have a lot to contribute. But I swear I’m a normal, nice gal who enjoys humor. I also watch way more tv than I should, so pop culture is my forte.
@dairygirl93 hey and welcome! fellow Canadian here, i'm from Ottawa. Met with my HR to discuss which leave i'd like. I'm going for the 12 months cause the 18th is just not financially possible for us, wish it was! MH works shift work as a fireman so we are very lucky to have some flexibility in that 12-18 months since most daycares around here don't take em till 18 months.
TTC since Oct 2016
DX: Undetermined possible PCOS+MFI
July 2017-Dec 2017 Letrozole+TI
Dec 2017 CP
Jan 2018 BFP:EDD 9-25
Also out of curiosity, how soon will they do another transfer on you? (Presuming labor and delivery are uncomplicated) I’ve always wondered this for families who have multiple embryos they want to implant.
Around here it's the preschools that don't take kiddos until 12-18 months at the earliest. But day cares take 'em when they are tiny cause our moms/dads have to get back to work
Also, I kinda want to work at a daycare with the teeny tiny babies! You so rarely get to be around them when they are that small unless they are your own.
ETA to clarify, 100% not judging any mom, no matter if or when baby starts daycare. Made me sad to think about a woman having to go to work before she is physically ready, and I’m just all-around sad bc I had always wanted to be a SAHM and it’s not feasible where I am now.