@rosebud332 1) Oh, how I miss Scrubs. I was re-watching on Netflix and only got through season two before it was pulled 2) That's adorable!
@PensiveCrayon I didn't forget your pantry query - I just don't use the computer much when DH is home so I can pretend to be unpacking (sometimes though I actually do unpack!). The following spoiler is all about pull-out pantry shelves, including photos and links if you too are dissatisfied with unusably-deep pantry caves in your home
I fell in love with these pull-out racks (originally spotted in Container Store, but purchased on Amazon - they're on sale right now in CS, but not available for shipping). I didn't install them in our last two houses because the pantries were wider, so the shelves would have been nice - but not needed. This house needed them to make the space more practical. Who ever designs deep & narrow pantries clearly doesn't actually use the damn things. My pantry is 31" deep, but the best fitting rack is only 21" deep - so yeah, we have 10" of space in the way back, but that's fine with me. I might even put some baking soda back there to keep the space smelling fresh. The only downside we've noticed is that the track height does eat some space, but it's worth it to lose nearly two vertical inches to practically use more of the shelf.
On a kind of unrelated note, this house is making me seriously consider downsizing my spice collection. I didn't realize how spoiled I was with massive spice cabinets in the past, but it's apparent now that I don't have one, and the pantry is more spices than food. Maybe keep all of the delicious spices and work harder to avoid shelf-stable foods? Like actually cooking dry beans instead of cheating with cans?
NTNP since Dec 2012 | TTC since Jan 2016 Dx: Unspecified IF BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
@rosebud332 IT'S BEEN ON HULU THE WHOLE TIME?! FML.
NTNP since Dec 2012 | TTC since Jan 2016 Dx: Unspecified IF BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
Job interview tomorrow (they've already done a recorded video interview and phone screen, but this is the first time I'll be meeting up with anyone in person). I'm excited, because it's a spectacular opportunity and I've been really unhappy in my current job for a looooooong time, but I'm trying to not get my hopes up too high, because I look really, really, unmistakeably pregnant and further along than I actually am.
Anybody have tips (either from the been-there-done-that side, or on the interviewing/hiring side) on interviewing while visibly pregnant?
Does anyone have a wedge pillow that they like? I'm looking for one to keep my head slightly elevated to help with acid reflux and for general comfort. Using 2 pillows is uncomfortable.
@AGK2015 Good luck! Last time around I was interviewing at about 5-6 months pregnant. Appearance-wise, I focused on looking super professional (not as much on trying to disguise pregnancy). And then made sure I was over-prepared for the all the parts of the interview. I chose not to mention my pregnancy because 1) it was still a bit ambiguous and 2) none of their business (until an offer is made), as presumably if they want me, it’s for a long period of time, not about 3 months of leave.
Fyi, I was surprised by having to pee a million times between meetings during a full day interview.
I’ve also interviewed as a nursing mother, which has its own challenges.
My random of the day - we have these things in our office kitchen called dunkers, like, they're meant to dunk in coffee I suppose? They're either chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin with frosting and they are DELICIOUS. But the thing is, I would never eat like, 4 cookies in a day, especially first thing in the morning, but since they're called "dunkers" and not cookies I have been...like...having them first thing in the morning and today I realized I had had four! It is hilarious how marketing can trick your brain!
@AGK2015 I got my current job while about 5-6 months pregnant. I just dressed professionally and pretty much ignored the fact that I was pregnant. They can't use that against you, so you don't have to reference it at all if you don't want to. I will say I had mega pregnancy brain, so prepare yourself before hand. It took me a good 5 minutes to answer the question "what 3 words would your boss use to describe you?" So...prepare for even the most basic questions lol. If you're concerned about maternity leave you can always ask those questions after they've offered the job but before you accept it. I will say my HR lady admitted that they weren't 100% sure if I was pregnant or not, and I felt like it was obvious. Good luck!!
@AGK2015 I interviewed for a job while pregnant. And told them in the interview. I didn’t get the job but honestly I don’t think I was the best candidate, and I don’t think not getting the job had anything to do with my pregnancy. I struggled with whether to disclose or not, but ultimately I felt I needed to be honest. Similar to @CecilB93 I blanked in the interview and could only come up with 2 not 3 scenarios where I could have done better in certain situations
I don’t believe we have anyone on his BMB who spews the breast is best mantra, but here’s a good article about why fed is best for those who may be struggling with the decision on whether to breastfeed or not:
@Jens_Hoes (honestly I'm not reading the article because I'm lazy and need to get ready for work) yes, I agree. We don't seem to have anyone like that on this board, thank goodness!! I know with my son I let DH give him a bottle of formula within the first week or two just so I could sleep a little longer. We used formula here and there, but he had a dairy aversion so we had to get the expensive stuff (especially since I was also avoiding soy because of personal preference). So for that reason alone I tried to BF as long as I could, but eventually I just gave it up during the day because it was too difficult to pump at work. This time around I'm hoping pumping will be easier (new position, new branch), but I'm 100% ready to buy formula if necessary.
Basically, do what works best for YOU ladies! Who cares if it's BF or formula, everyone is going to have an opinion regardless of the choice you make, so don't fret over how you feed your child, babies sure don't care how, they just want "food".
@Jens_Hoes That article reminded me of how scary it is in the first few days when your milk isn’t in yet and all the nurses and lactation consultants are all telling you everything is fine. I was so glad to have an extra day in the hospital for my c-section because that was the first day DD stopped dropping weight. Very interesting that people used to “supplement “ during that time even before formula. I didn’t know that. I wish these hospitals would push education and doing what’s best for you and your baby like the article said, rather than pushing so hard for breastfeeding which for some people doesn’t work.
I agree that "Fed is Best" and doing what works for you is crucial, but I also think the growing support, education, and encouragement around breastfeeding is crucial because breastfeeding.is.f'ing.hard. for most, particularly in the beginning, and you really need to push through if you want to maintain that breastfeeding relationship. Also, the data and circumstances in the developing world cited in the article simply aren't concerns that we as Americans face. ETA: signed - an under-producing, mixed feeding mama
@tunnel I agree the concerns in third world countries like not having clean water to mix with formula are not usually concerns we have here. I had read that years ago formula was being pushed very hard by the formula corporations in those countries and babies were dying as a result. Now it seems (at least from this article) that the pendulum has swung in the other direction and they’re refusing to give formula even when it’s safe and needed. I just wish we could get good education out there, but obviously easier said than done. It’s definitely not a black and white issue.
DH and I finally were able to have a legit conversation about baby names and we are in agreement! I am so very happy that we have a girl and boy name and back up boy name if DH decides not to use the "family name". I know it's silly but I feel so much more prepared for baby now lol
I totally believe fed is best too! Now, I did breast feed my first for 14 months, and plan to with my second, and I don't want to do formula if possible, but if I couldn't produce, then I would use formula. I think it's crazy when breast feeding moms shame those who formula feed. It's horrible. Now, I do believe there are definite advantages to breast feeding. The antibodies your body produces (how it changes based on what the baby needs, your breasts can actually "read" your baby's saliva and will change based on it's needs), and I mean...boob milk is free! I can't imagine having to pay for formula. Haha. But ladies, do what you need to do, and what you feel comfortable doing. Just don't shame others for what they choose!
My random: I just started playing War of Warcraft again, and I was thinking about how I wish I could find other SAHM's who play, so we can play together. My friends that play don't have kids and they work, or they just stopped playing too. lol!!
@Whitmore1027 your breasts cannot read baby's saliva. That is an old wives tale and things that breast is best people say to push their breastfeeding agenda. Your boobs are not that complex
@Jens_Hoes Eh, I believe it. I actually could see a difference in color/consistency at times when I did pump and with my LO was feeling less than steller. Our bodies are amazing. So, I go for it.
@Whitmore1027 While it is entirely possible that your breastmilk changed color or consistency when your LO is sick, but correlation is not the same as causation. There could be multiple reasons for that (including the fact that YOUR body might have been exposed to the same virus/bacteria and creating antibodies because of that and not because of the saliva backwash while breastfeeding). This backwash "theory" is just that, a theory. And there are no studies that substantiate it. If you were pumping then how could the baby's saliva impact the breastmilk since you were pumping?
I just think saying things are not true makes people who are struggling with breastfeeding push themselves (at all costs, which at times is not good) to continue to breastfeed because they believe that their babies are getting these supposed positive outcomes which are not true.
eta: I don't mean to attack you at all, I just think there is a lot of pressure as a mother to do xyz and I even feel the pressure to breastfeed "if you can" even if it isn't good for your mental health. And I just want the correct information to be out there.
I was so completely traumatized by my breastfeeding issues the first time around (I've mentioned it before but my postpartum thyroiditis made it so I could only breastfeed partially and then not at all after 2.5 months) that I honestly generally avoid the topic as much as possible. The struggles I had were complicated by no one knowing what was going on for months until my thyroid issues were figured out, and further complicated by PPA and PPD (also caused by my dang thyroid) so the entire breastfeeding experience is wrapped up with so much anxiety and depression and struggle it is just hard to think about. I support any mom who is feeding her child in the way that is best for her and her baby. And I am trying really hard to let go of my horrible experience the first time around and be hopeful that this time with either go better, or at least that I will much more easily be okay with it and be able to bear judgment from others better if it doesn't. Normally I don't care what other people think, but you're so vulnerable and emotional in the postpartum state, it can be tough.
Anyway, sorry for the dear diary ramble this turned into, but I will be here to offer support to any mamas who struggle postpartum with supply or medical issues or who are unable to fully breastfeed or breastfeed at all.
I produced very little my first go around and had to supplement from the beginning. There were lots of tears and guilt. I look back and want to roll my eyes at myself because it's really not that big of a deal. We plan to supplement from the beginning but I'm going to try to BF as well because I enjoyed that bonding time with my son. I'm also going to enjoy not cluster feeding
My random for today is that MIL went super overboard in providing us meals for this week while we transition back into post-vacation life. Like, if she would have made a meal or two that would have been above and beyond, but my fridge/kitchen is currently stocked with all groceries, as well as:
Navy bean soup
Cornbread
Pork tenderloin
Twice baked potatoes
Chicken fajitas
Beef stew
Brownies
She cray. But I reeeeally appreciate not having to worry about groceries and feeding the family while also dealing with jet lag and unpacking. That said, it's SO much food that I'm probably going to end up freezing most of it for when the new baby arrives. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
Me: 31 | DH: 31
Together since 2003 | Married 2010 TTC #1 January 2016 BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016 Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018 BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
Oh, I forgot the random I actually came here for! I wrote in another thread (I'm too lazy to look up where, sorry) that I was going to try the Knix Evolution bra. It's wire-free and I was hoping to be able to use it as a nursing bra.
So here's my update! The first size I tried was way too small, so I exchanged it for a size 7? I think? I'm a 32-34 Fish, but these only come in numbers 1-8, which I sort of hate, but whatever. The new size actually fits really well and is definitely very supportive, which surprised me. There's a bit of monoboob due to no underwire, but it curves in a little and doesn't look awful with a shirt. I might not be able to wear it until my milk supply regulates, but I definitely feel comfortable going out in public in it. No sagginess whatsoever!
Me: 31 | DH: 31
Together since 2003 | Married 2010 TTC #1 January 2016 BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016 Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018 BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
this day has turned very eventful! Of course, I have been stoked about our A/S for weeks, but this morning I got my student evaluations from the spring, which is always a roller coaster. They turned out fine, though. Then the realtor just texted me with a possible house that she wants us to see TONIGHT! It went on the market today, and will probably be sold by Thursday, based on how our market is, so we need to move it! I also had a coworker come up to me and tell me she heard i might be selling my house and wants to buy it. We haven't even gotten to the ultrasound, people! Well, at least it's all fun stuff! And if we buy a house soon, I won't have to decorate a nursery and then immediately move and have to do another.
Randomly - I had my hospital tour last night (my OB switched hospitals she delivers at, so it won't be the same one I delivered my DD at) and I wondered, would there be any interest in a hospital tour thread? Do any FTMs wonder what questions they should ask? Random side note - the hospital I'll be delivering at offers a celebration meal post delivery - steak and lobster, potatoes, veggies and cheesecake! I am like embarrassingly excited about that. My post delivery meal at my last hospital was a Snickers bar because I delivered late at night andI think the cafeteria was closed? I have no idea - it was a crazy experience and I was out of it, haha.
Oh my gosh @maureenmce that celebration meal is the dream!!! I had a csection at 830 am so I had to fast. Then post surgery I was only allowed clear liquids but my clear liquid lunch was nasty so I just drank some apple juice. Around 1 I managed to convince the nurse to let me drink the smoothie my dad brought in. By supper I was STARVING. Again clear liquid hospital meal was nasty so I had friends bring me some chicken noodle soup.. I ended up eating a huge piece of bread that came with it and by 9 I had sent hubby on a vending machine run to bring me back whatever he could find since the cafeteria was closed. Stupid clear liquids.
@morgantu Good luck in buying and selling your house!
@maureenmce My OB changed hospitals as well! The last L&D was amazing and ALL the food was soooo good. @kristah2 Even my post c-section broth was amazing, lol! We also had a steak and lobster celebration meal! The hospital I will be delivering at this go around isn't finished being built, but should be done by October. From what I hear, it's most definitely competing with the hospital I delivered at last time, so I'm assuming we'll have good food there, too!
@maureenmce@echo-charlietango@texas_t thanks! We actually pushed it to tomorrow because apparently they weren't ready tonight. It's fine because today was getting a little crazy! And eta: echo, nope, not omaha- western ny!
Also re hospital meals: one of the things I'm weirdly excited about is that my hospital has a breakfast buffet for parents during their stay. Sounds so nice after so much work!
@kristah2 Yes! I was going to say, I thought I was going to starve to death after my c-section. Mine was in the afternoon so I had to fast all day and then my surgery got pushed by like 2 hours. They wouldn’t let me eat anything that night except for crackers hours later. It was awful! I know now to get a morning surgery if I can!
@rosebud332 it's awful isn't it?! I get why they don't want you eating right away but commee onn. It was 12 hours later. I apologized to the nurse and told her either I ate or if I didn't she was going to have to deal with me sick all night. This time I intend to make muffins and a few things like that to take with me for later that night when I can eat again.
Re: Weekday Randoms 7/23-7/27
@PensiveCrayon I didn't forget your pantry query - I just don't use the computer much when DH is home so I can pretend to be unpacking (sometimes though I actually do unpack!). The following spoiler is all about pull-out pantry shelves, including photos and links if you too are dissatisfied with unusably-deep pantry caves in your home
My pantry is 31" deep, but the best fitting rack is only 21" deep - so yeah, we have 10" of space in the way back, but that's fine with me. I might even put some baking soda back there to keep the space smelling fresh.
The only downside we've noticed is that the track height does eat some space, but it's worth it to lose nearly two vertical inches to practically use more of the shelf.
On a kind of unrelated note, this house is making me seriously consider downsizing my spice collection. I didn't realize how spoiled I was with massive spice cabinets in the past, but it's apparent now that I don't have one, and the pantry is more spices than food. Maybe keep all of the delicious spices and work harder to avoid shelf-stable foods? Like actually cooking dry beans instead of cheating with cans?
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
Anybody have tips (either from the been-there-done-that side, or on the interviewing/hiring side) on interviewing while visibly pregnant?
Fyi, I was surprised by having to pee a million times between meetings during a full day interview.
I’ve also interviewed as a nursing mother, which has its own challenges.
@rosebud332 YAY! That's wonderful.
My random of the day - we have these things in our office kitchen called dunkers, like, they're meant to dunk in coffee I suppose? They're either chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin with frosting and they are DELICIOUS. But the thing is, I would never eat like, 4 cookies in a day, especially first thing in the morning, but since they're called "dunkers" and not cookies I have been...like...having them first thing in the morning and today I realized I had had four! It is hilarious how marketing can trick your brain!
DS2 due 12/12/18
Similar to @CecilB93 I blanked in the interview and could only come up with 2 not 3 scenarios where I could have done better in certain situations
https://amp.thedailybeast.com/the-breast-is-best-breastfeeding-campaign-is-misguided
Basically, do what works best for YOU ladies! Who cares if it's BF or formula, everyone is going to have an opinion regardless of the choice you make, so don't fret over how you feed your child, babies sure don't care how, they just want "food".
DS2 due 12/12/18
@Jens_Hoes Yay for picking names! I think we've mostly settled on one too
DS2 due 12/12/18
My random: I just started playing War of Warcraft again, and I was thinking about how I wish I could find other SAHM's who play, so we can play together. My friends that play don't have kids and they work, or they just stopped playing too. lol!!
Met: 2005 | Started Dating: 2009 | Married: 2013
Surprise Pregnancy #3; BFP: 01.11.2020; Due Date: September 19, 2021
Met: 2005 | Started Dating: 2009 | Married: 2013
Surprise Pregnancy #3; BFP: 01.11.2020; Due Date: September 19, 2021
While it is entirely possible that your breastmilk changed color or consistency when your LO is sick, but correlation is not the same as causation. There could be multiple reasons for that (including the fact that YOUR body might have been exposed to the same virus/bacteria and creating antibodies because of that and not because of the saliva backwash while breastfeeding).
This backwash "theory" is just that, a theory. And there are no studies that substantiate it.
If you were pumping then how could the baby's saliva impact the breastmilk since you were pumping?
I just think saying things are not true makes people who are struggling with breastfeeding push themselves (at all costs, which at times is not good) to continue to breastfeed because they believe that their babies are getting these supposed positive outcomes which are not true.
https://www.skepticalob.com/2015/09/mothers-and-babies-communicate-through-breastmilk-at-the-moment-thats-wishful-thinking.html
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/everybody-calm-down-about-breastfeeding/
eta: I don't mean to attack you at all, I just think there is a lot of pressure as a mother to do xyz and I even feel the pressure to breastfeed "if you can" even if it isn't good for your mental health. And I just want the correct information to be out there.
Anyway, sorry for the dear diary ramble this turned into, but I will be here to offer support to any mamas who struggle postpartum with supply or medical issues or who are unable to fully breastfeed or breastfeed at all.
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
- Navy bean soup
- Cornbread
- Pork tenderloin
- Twice baked potatoes
- Chicken fajitas
- Beef stew
- Brownies
She cray. But I reeeeally appreciate not having to worry about groceries and feeding the family while also dealing with jet lag and unpacking. That said, it's SO much food that I'm probably going to end up freezing most of it for when the new baby arrives. It's the gift that keeps on giving!TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
So here's my update! The first size I tried was way too small, so I exchanged it for a size 7? I think? I'm a 32-34 Fish, but these only come in numbers 1-8, which I sort of hate, but whatever. The new size actually fits really well and is definitely very supportive, which surprised me. There's a bit of monoboob due to no underwire, but it curves in a little and doesn't look awful with a shirt. I might not be able to wear it until my milk supply regulates, but I definitely feel comfortable going out in public in it. No sagginess whatsoever!
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
Randomly - I had my hospital tour last night (my OB switched hospitals she delivers at, so it won't be the same one I delivered my DD at) and I wondered, would there be any interest in a hospital tour thread? Do any FTMs wonder what questions they should ask? Random side note - the hospital I'll be delivering at offers a celebration meal post delivery - steak and lobster, potatoes, veggies and cheesecake! I am like embarrassingly excited about that. My post delivery meal at my last hospital was a Snickers bar because I delivered late at night andI think the cafeteria was closed? I have no idea - it was a crazy experience and I was out of it, haha.
I had a csection at 830 am so I had to fast. Then post surgery I was only allowed clear liquids but my clear liquid lunch was nasty so I just drank some apple juice. Around 1 I managed to convince the nurse to let me drink the smoothie my dad brought in. By supper I was STARVING. Again clear liquid hospital meal was nasty so I had friends bring me some chicken noodle soup.. I ended up eating a huge piece of bread that came with it and by 9 I had sent hubby on a vending machine run to bring me back whatever he could find since the cafeteria was closed.
Stupid clear liquids.
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
@maureenmce My OB changed hospitals as well! The last L&D was amazing and ALL the food was soooo good. @kristah2 Even my post c-section broth was amazing, lol! We also had a steak and lobster celebration meal! The hospital I will be delivering at this go around isn't finished being built, but should be done by October. From what I hear, it's most definitely competing with the hospital I delivered at last time, so I'm assuming we'll have good food there, too!
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
And eta: echo, nope, not omaha- western ny!
Also re hospital meals: one of the things I'm weirdly excited about is that my hospital has a breakfast buffet for parents during their stay. Sounds so nice after so much work!
This time I intend to make muffins and a few things like that to take with me for later that night when I can eat again.