Weekly Randoms 4/1

Avrilmai · April 2019

@olivemomma @sourlemon and others who have traveled without kiddos, how do you handle things like healthcare decision making, etc. when you're not there? Travel is a very important part of our lives and we definitely want to include our children in that, but know that there may be times when we leave them home. Is there some kind of legal document that gives grandparents/caretakers the power to make decisions in an emergency if the parents can't be reached/get back in time? (Is this a silly FTM question?)

olivemomma · April 2019

@Avrilmai I think that’s actually a great question and something I looked into before we did any major travel away. My kids have always stayed with grandparents so if we are gone (especially more than a few days) I make sure of a few things:

1. They have a copy of the kids health insurance card
2. The kids pediatricians office is aware that the grandparents can make decisions on our behalf (usually you just have to do this 1 time)
3. I leave a signed letter with them that states we are out of the county and they can make immediate decisions regarding the health and treatment of the children for the dates we will be gone in case emergent care in necessary. I have never had this notarized but you could always go that extra step if necessary.

peachy0709 · April 2019

I feel like I'm just @olivemomma 's hype woman today because I'm just really here to agree with her. #2 on her list if a really big one though, @Avrilmai. At my current pediatrician's office, they are just like, SURE! Whoever you want can bring the kids! Whatever! but at DD1's original pediatrician, I need a NOTARIZED FORM for my mom to bring her once.

mamamias · April 2019

The worst part is when I was throwing up and peeing at the same time. Every time I hurled, I would leak. Can't do a damn thing about either of those.

suzycupcake · April 2019

@dogmomma096 In what environment would that be considered a joke? What an idiot.

@mrosek91 Back in December, you recommended the Graco Aire3 Travel System. Was it because you have used it before. How tall are you? Height is now a consideration for me since mine is 5'9" and my husband is much taller than that. I'll probably not consider his height as much because that might really limit us...

jmesue1030 · April 2019

@suzycupcake one of the reasons we went with the uppababy travel system is because it’s sooo nice for tall people... I’m 5’11” and my husband is 6’2”... there’s also a thousand other nice features. It’s pricey but my parents wanted to purchase the stroller so we were fortunate there.

mrosek91 · April 2019

@heml @mamamias I really miss my pelvic floor, even when not pregnant, I have incontinence issues. I find that if I do a kegal while coughing or sneezing it helps. There isn't always enough advanced notice, and it isn't always enough, but there are times it saves me.

@suzycupcake yes, we used it for DS#1, I liked it because it was very lightweight, and easy to maneuver. I am 5'5" and it was the perfect height for me. DH is 6'2" and found it a little low, but he would push it one handed, with his elbow mostly extended and it seemed to work for him (it was so light weight and maneuverable, even I could push it one handed.) When we needed a double stroller we switched to the city mini, which makes a single option as well. We got the GT which is the "deluxe" version for several reason, one of which was that it has an adjustable handle. It is much heavier and bulkier than the Graco Aire3, but that's probably partly due to it being a double, (I have no experience with the single but according to google it is only 2lbs heavier than the Aire3, as opposed to the double which is 12lb heavier). One suggestion is to go to a baby store and actually push some of these around, and see how comfortable they are for you.

Edited to add DH walked next to the stroller when pushing it, not behind, still not sure I described it the best way for you to picture it... but it's hard to figure out how to put it in words.
Also, wanted to add another advantage to the Aire3 is the car seat clicked right in. For the City Mini you need to use a car seat converter, and it sticks out weirdly when the stroller is folded, so you either need to have a lot of room for the folded stroller, or keep taking it off, and reattaching it.)

suzycupcake · April 2019

Also, you're welcome.

https://www.facebook.com/iaintdoinit/videos/419088122002659/

MamaK225 · April 2019

@suzycupcake - There are people in this area that begin to put up Christmas decorations right after Labor Day. I'm not even joking.

sourlemon · April 2019

@Avrilmai 100% NOT a silly question! I have a folder that I give my mom when she has the kids and we are both gone. This is probably a bit overboard...... It includes:

1. Power of Attorney - this is critical. you can create them to be very limited (in scope and time) or broad. The way ours is written is that it allows my mom to basically have parental rights and decision authority for all things medical and legal until provoked.

2. Health insurance cards.

3. Paperwork from the doctors office and daycare showing my mom as an authorized "guardian". They each are worded different but it essentially is just another layer of cover my butt paperwork to allow my mom to take the kids to the doctor and pick them up from daycare. Technically the power of attorney should be all that is needed, but I prefer layered coverage.

4. Birth Certificates and Social Security Cards (she's never had to use either, but layered approach), including DH's social security number (health insurance is under him).

5. List of medications, allowed medications with dosages (tylenol, benadryl, etc.), list of allergies, list of emergency phone numbers for doctors (and the vet).

6. General schedule - mainly after school activities (sports, dance, if there was a dr appointment) including "suggested bedtimes". I'm not the mom who tries to force my mom to keep the kids on my schedule, but I include it more for information. The first time she watched DD1 she made the comment that she was great all the time, except after 7pm she threw fits and acted up. Well...when she's used to going to bed at 6pm, of course by 7 she's gonna be tired. My mom tries to keep within 30 minutes or so of the suggested bedtime but sometimes it isnt possible, and i dont care.

7. Suggested meals - my mom uses this more as a backup plan if the kids wont eat what she cooks. She knows my kids well (we go there for dinner every Sunday) so food likes/dislikes are well known. But it never hurts to have a list of comfort foods.

sourlemon · April 2019

@suzycupcake my DH is 6'6'' so I feel you on his height limiting things! Its not a regular "travel system" but some of the BOB strollers have adjustable handlebars and you can get an attachment to put most carseats in the stroller.

suzycupcake · April 2019

Thanks @mrosek91, that's very helpful. My husband may just have to grin and bear it. I'd like to get a stroller that has a double option, but there's no way to know if we will get another baby like we want.

@jmesue1030 Thanks, I'll check that out! Eta; just saw yours too @sourlemon Thank you!

Lotus_2008 · April 2019

If you are buying nursery furniture, what color/finish are you getting? For myself, I'm leaning towards a dark wood finish. I really love gray finishes, but the walls are already gray and I'm afraid that the two shades will clash.

aukeev · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 Choosing furniture colors is such a personal decision, and really depends on what goes best in your space, I think. I see your point about the two gray finishes clashing, though. Are the shades pretty similar, or is one significantly lighter/darker than the other?

We went with a white finish, but mainly because I found the crib brand new on Facebook Marketplace in white. A light natural/unfinished wood tone probably would have been my first choice, but the white was a good deal and I feel like white furniture stays in style for a long time.

Lotus_2008 · April 2019

@oklahomak I haven't picked out a specific crib/furniture set, but just browsing gray finishes seem so popular! The paint color is a light to medium gray (SW Functional Gray) so a dark gray finish could work.

Edit: paint color name

aukeev · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 That's a great paint color. I bet you could find a gray finish on nursery furniture that could work!

mrosek91 · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 I went to the store planning on buying a blond wood because we already had a blond wood wardrobe in the room, after looking around BBB forever I finally picked a crib/dresser set, and one of the main reasons I picked it is that it was one of the only ones that came in blond wood (I think there were 2 other options, neither of which I liked.) I went to order it, and it turns out the blond wood was discontinued... At that point I had spent too much time in the store, and decided to just get it anyway, I got it in the grey finish, and have been very happy with it (this was about 2 years ago). (It's this one)
Grey finish holds up well, and matches a lot.
If you do decide to go with wood, I would recommend going in to see it, because tone is hard to see on a computer, and be aware that in my experience it's harder to find.

Lotus_2008 · April 2019

@oklahomak Thanks! I always have such a hard time picking out paint colors, part of the reason I don't want to change this color!

@mrosek91 That is a cute crib. Sorry your first choice was discontinued, but at least it seems to have worked out for you!

sourlemon · April 2019

All 3 of my kids rooms have grey on the top part of the walls (about 2/3s is grey) and the lower part has the colors (blue and teal). 2 of the 3 rooms have grey furniture and it doesnt clash. But the grey on the walls is light and the furniture is darker (each are different, but are both darker than the walls).

aukeev · April 2019

I keep making changes to my baby registry almost daily, trying to decide which things I really need. Also struggling with whether it's ok to add things like a convertible car seat, since it's close to $200.

agpandme · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 The spare room which will become the nursery is already blue/grey with a grey accent wall. We are planning to use white wash furniture in a grey tone. So lots of greys and blues. I despise painting and just painted this entire house less than 2 years ago so I refuse to paint again

Avrilmai · April 2019

@oklahomak I'm the same way with the registry, my DH on the other hand is like, well if someone wants to buy it they will, if they don't they wont and then we can get the completion discount. So I've just started leaving all the things. Though I think I read here, or on another board on TB, that the convertible car seat may be better to wait on and actually bring your kid with you to try out to ensure that she/he wont completely hate it. I thought that was a good idea.

peachy0709 · April 2019

@oklahomak - Our registries have a ton of stuff for my older kids, specifically the car seats simply for the completion discount.

agpandme · April 2019

@oklahomak I had my sister (with 3 kids) go over my registry to eliminate things that she has found to not work favorably (no plastic bottles and a specific glass product) or redundant items. We really whittled it down to items that we will actually use and I left some items with multiple brands because we don't know what the baby or us will prefer (diapers for example). I consider her an expert after 3 kids

Everything that isn't purchased will be purchased by us in the end. Larger items (carseat for example) I asked close family (DH parents) to purchase and left it on the registry so its easy for them to find.

sourlemon · April 2019

The amazon registry (private with an early date) had a lot of stuff for the 2 older kids, just for the discount!

The target registry (which my mom and BFF requested i make public) has mostly baby stuff that is "boring" (diapers, wipes, lotions, etc.) because we have all the big stuff still. But I did add an extra car seat for the bigger kid because her car seat will be passed to middle kid and middle kid will be passed to baby. At the very least, we will get the discount.

aukeev · April 2019

@Avrilmai That's probably smart. I had forgotten about completion discounts. I just feel a little bit sheepish about throwing pricey things on there I guess!

@peachy0709 Smart!

@agpandme That's a good call! Which bottles did you end up going with? We try to do as little plastic as possible, as well, and registered for the Comotomo bottles. Fingers crossed baby does alright with them!

Lotus_2008 · April 2019

@oklahomak I've also struggled as to what to put on and leave off the registry. Re: your convertible car seat, are you going to use it from birth? If not, do you have space to store? Also, depending on where you are registering returns could be an issue if it doesn't work out. I just looked up BBB's policy, which is 365 days from date of purchase.

agpandme · April 2019

@oklahomak LifeFactory glass bottles with silicone sleeves. Personally I have issues drinking and eating with plastic. I hate the taste and feel so I try to use as much glass or ceramic as possible.

sourlemon · April 2019

@agpandme curious to why no plastic bottles? I cant imagine using glass for everything; they are so heavy!

bluebonnet15 · April 2019

@oklahomak I have expensive things on the registry that I’m quite sure people won’t buy, but I left them on there (1) in case people decide to pool/go in together and (2) as a list for us to remember what we want.

aukeev · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 Are there any particular items you're debating on adding/leaving off? As for the convertible car seat - we purchased an infant car seat, and we will probably use it for the first few months. I'm pretty short, and getting the carrier in and out of my vehicle (I drive an SUV) is probably not going to be particularly comfortable for me, so I don't know that we'll be attached to it for long. I was mainly thinking I wanted a convertible seat on the registry because it's a longer-use item. We had planned to just go with the Graco 4-Ever All-in-One seat since it has such great reviews, but I really hadn't even thought about waiting to see what kind of seat the baby likes.

@agpandme Thanks! I'll have to look into those. We just avoid plastic for the "green" purposes, but that totally makes sense.

aecm · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 - with our first we ended up waiting until after baby arrived (and was closer to being out of the infant seat) to get the convertible seat. We ended up asking for it for Christmas, lol. Infants really don’t need a TON of toys (by then you’ll have what you need for a while), so people are looking for ideas other than clothes.

agpandme · April 2019

@sourlemon Mostly because I have my own issues with glass so I don't like the idea of using it with my child. I don't like the way the plastic taste leaches into whatever is in it, staining, etc. I feel that you can never get them clean enough without damaging the product and introducing minor scratches that harbor bacteria. Glass is heavier but its a fair trade in my opinion.

Lotus_2008 · April 2019

@oklahomak That's something I didn't even think about. I'm on the shorter side as well and use our SUV occasionally. The main things I'm debating on the registry are the convertible car seat and a structured carrier. I plan to get a wrap like the K'tan, but might wait until he's a bit older to figure out what will work for us in terms of a structured carrier.

@aecm Love your idea!

aukeev · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 It might be a non-issue for some shorter moms who prefer the convenience of the infant carrier, I just doubt I'll want to lug it around for long, especially once babe starts getting a bit heavier. That is smart, on the carrier! We were gifted a hand-me-down Ergo 360, so I'm just crossing my fingers that it works out.

MamaK225 · April 2019

@oklahomak - DD1 has the 4ever carseat (we moved her into it at 9 months, since she was 27+ lbs at that point and it was getting to be a bit much to lug her around with the car seat) and we absolutely love it! The only thing I would say is if you and/or your spouse have a history of being a bigger (height or weight) child, it has a pretty low rear-facing max size. I had to turn DD1 around close to 21 months because she hit the max weight (and the height wasn't far behind), whereas if we had bought a different seat, she could've stayed backwards another 6-12 months.

Allycat11 · April 2019

I am only 5'0" and do not mind lifting the infant seat in and out of my Traverse. I really like the convenience of snapping it into a stroller to run errands or take my older kids somewhere without fully waking up the baby every time we get in or out of the car.

I see nothing wrong with having expensive items on a registry as long as there are other items in a variety of price points. If I see something worth a couple hundred dollars on someone's registry I just scroll past as it is out of my budget. Sometimes in my family multiple people go in on one of the bigger items or sometimes a grandma, aunt, etc... Will want to buy the splurge item. And as mentioned above, at the very least there is a completion discount.

For nursery furniture we went with white when DD was born. The thing I like about that is it is easy to add other pieces as we have changed the room over the years. I was on the fence about keeping the white when DS was born but it works in his nautical themed nursery. This LO will use the same furniture set.

aukeev · April 2019

@MamaK225 Thank you for sharing that! DH and I were both pretty average babies and fairly small kids. He is on the taller end of average now as an adult (6' 2").

MamaK225 · April 2019

So one of my friends and I are perusing Amazon for Mommy & Me bathing suits (#dontwannawork) and GOOD GRACIOUS. DH is relatively thin and in shape and he'd *barely* fit into a 2XL. I just want to know who these people are that can wear these suits. Also, why is it the only option for busty women is black and/or a swimdress or tankini? I'm actually pretty pumped about having a big belly in the summer because I have 1000% of a reason to NOT suck in. Swimsuit shopping - like most things these days - just makes me ragey.

BigBadWolf12 · April 2019

@mamak225 the only time I wear a bikini is if I'm in third tri haha. I love being pregnant in the summer

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