Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a head of cauliflower
Upcoming appointments: glucose test Wednesday, OB 1/20
How are you feeling?: Overall pretty good. Starting to feel a little more tired and my reflux has been uncomfortable and starting to notice some swelling in my feet/ankles. Also, I am RAVENOUS.
Rants/Raves: I am SO CLOSE to my WFH period, and I am pretty excited about it.
Questions: NATM
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? We turned our peloton room into the nursery over Christmas break. We did a baby zoo/safari animal theme with relatively neutral (gray + yellow) colors and a fun rug. I'll come back to post some photos.
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of nothing that makes sense
Upcoming appointments: glucose test next, OB 1/27
How are you feeling?: I'm starting to tired easier. I'm rapidly approaching the ready to be done stage. I don't remember it happening quite this early, previously, but I'm measuring almost 2w ahead, so that probably plays.
Rants/Raves: I divorced my bank!!!
Questions: I was thinking it's about time to create a birth announcement sticky. In my May 2012 group, we had a mama deliver at 26w, with a happy ending. In my Jan 2020 group, we didn't have anyone deliver that early, but had one go right at 35w.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? We are putting the baby with us. We transitioned our 1yo into his own room about a month back. We haven't really got a theme for either of them just yet. I need something unisex since they'll be sharing for a couple fo years and they're boy/girl.
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: head of cauliflower
Upcoming appointments: Getting ready to chug my yellow drank, glucose test this afternoon followed by OB check up
How are you feeling?: Pretty good, except tired now that sleeping has been getting uncomfortable; I keep waking up on my back which I know is not ideal. I must be so hyper-aware of it that i wake myself up everytime I end up on my back to turn over.
Rants/Raves: Rant is the realization setting in that this is going to be one long-ass, boring winter in quarantine..
Questions: Relating to the GTKY below...DD is going to be 2 in April. For STM+, at what age did your LO transition into a big kid bed / out of the crib? I don't think DD will be ready for a bed at 2, but I also don't LOVE the idea of getting a second crib. I know the baby will be in the bassinet in our room for a couple of months, but once I go back to work in August I want him in his own room. I just am trying to decide / plan if by 27-28 months DD will be ready to switch..any guidance around general age / signs your LO was ready to get out of the crib?
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We were team green for DD #1, so her nursery is grey with baby safari animal prints and a neutral animal print rug. Similar to my Q above, I'm not sure if we're going to put the new baby (boy) in there and move DD (will be 2 in April) out to what is currently the guest bedroom, OR leave her there in the nursery and just put a bassinet / 2nd crib in the guest bedroom...and not decorate it into a nursery, lol. I guess the big question for us is that we realistically don't know how much longer we are staying in our current condo. I'm thinking a year from now we will be moving out to a bigger house in the suburbs. If we stay longer than a year, I'd want to re-do the guest bedroom into a big girl room for DD or a second nursery. But if baby boy is only going to need a crib for a few months - I don't want to spend the time or money in creating a second nursery. I'm leaning into the fact that we might need a second crib...
@emeraldisle17 DD1 moved to a toddler bed shortly before two...I want to say she was just a few months shy of two. We caught her trying to climb out of the crib and converted it to the toddler bed the next day. She did fine with it, after a few days of repeatedly laying her back down at nap time and bed time haha! Then several months after that she got a big girl twin bed so we could get the crib back to crib form for DD2’s birth. DD2 was perfectly content in her crib until one day this past April (3 years old at that point) when she suddenly wasn’t. Without warning she climbed out of it at nap time and broke her little arm ☹️ That was rough. She gave us no hints at being done in the crib until she decided to break her arm doing it. I think anywhere between two and three is normal for getting them in a bed!
Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: April 22, 25 weeks and some days. I never know how many days. 😂
FTM/STM/STM+: third!
Team Green/Pink/Blue: blue 💙
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: cauliflower
Upcoming appointments: had my glucose test and check up this morning!
How are you feeling?: I can’t complain really. I’m feeling sciatic nerve pain today, but that’s about it.
Rants/Raves: Related to the sciatic nerve, I’m so tired of having to go either up or down stairs to go to the bathroom 😂 Our home is a split level and all the bathrooms are either up or down and I spend most of my time on the middle level. I wish I could just easily install a bathroom somewhere on this level. Maybe in the entryway closet! 😜
And for a rave, we’re test driving a van tomorrow! It’s a necessity considering three car seats won’t fit in either one of our current vehicles. I’ve wanted a van for a while anyways so I’m excited.
Questions: none today!
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We will have a nursery! I’m not sure when it’ll come together since our current school room is what needs to be the nursery, but I’ve been working at cleaning stuff out of it slowly. My plan is to do a farm/farm animal theme! Since this is our last baby and first boy I plan on going all out with blues and greens. I know I don’t have to try to reuse it for a future baby, plus I’m excited to get to change it up from pink and purple flowers and butterflies everywhere.
@emeraldisle17 my son is 28 months now and I have no plans to move to a toddler bed. He still sleeps happily in his crib with a sleep sack to prevent climbing. He went through a phase where he would unzip his sack and have trouble sleeping, so we put it on backwards and that solved that. He sleeps 7-7 overnight which is more than many of his peers, so I have no interest in rocking the boat. We will use a bassinet for the baby for the first 4ish months, and if my son is still happy in his crib (35 months at that point), we will borrow a mini crib from our neighbor to help bridge the short gap before we're ready to transition my older son.
Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 25&1
FTM/STM/STM+: STM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: boy
Upcoming appointments: covid vaccine #2 today!
How are you feeling?: tired with a migraine. Happy Monday!
Rants/Raves: I miss being able to take good meds when needed. Especially for migraines.
Questions: None today
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? TBD; we have some baby stuff organized in the guest room but are keeping it mostly a guest room for now. I'm hoping we can get some family help for my toddler while I'm recovering from birth, so I'm keeping options open. Baby will be in our room for the first 4+ months anyways.
@emeraldisle17 DD shifted to a toddler bed and took a bit of encouragement from us when DS was born. She was 3. DS wanted his own toddler bed by 2 and needed no encouragement at all. Lol. I think it all depends. We tried with DD around 2 but it was a no go, so went back and didn’t push the issue until about a year later.
Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: April 17, 26+3
FTM/STM/STM+: 3TM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Blue
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Size of a large zucchini
Upcoming appointments: 1/25 rhogam shot & 1/27 OB appt .. still frustrated I have to make 2 trips in a week but that’s insurance for ya!
How are you feeling?: Lazy! Monday’s are usually my jam after a mellow weekend but not this week. Pretending it’s still the weekend and going to start anew tomorrow! Lol. Otherwise good, heartburn is still annoying but not enough to give up Tapatio on everything
Rants/Raves: Rave! My mom surprised me with the backpack diaper bag I have been eyeing but didn’t want to spend money on because I have a perfectly useable shoulder diaper bag that was never used last time around! I’m excited! It’s huge and has some pretty neat extras that definitely were not around when I had my last!
Questions: NATM
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? Not this time around, the baby will be ‘bunking’ with us until he’s a little older. We need to do some shuffling of rooms but the room to be our master is the classroom right now so, gotta wait at least til summer and when we know what’s happening next school year. We’ve got a bed side co sleeper bassinet for the early months and then hopefully we will know what the heck we’re doing rooms wise before he’s sitting up and whatnot. We’ve been drawn to gray as the color choice and dinos as the theme. Third time around, I’m trying to stay realistic and keep things pretty minimal for our budget and space.
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Lettuce
Upcoming appointments: Every Monday, i alternate OB and MFM. Glucose test and bloodwork sometime this week, second Covid vaccine on the 25th
How are you feeling?: Surprisingly well, although my second trimester energy is quickly disappearing. My cervix started shortening last week and baby is LOW, so lots of pressure and it kinda feels like my pelvic floor is sore. Baby hiccups a lot, which honestly drives me crazy, it's such a weird feeling in my crotch. haha
Rants/Raves: Rave- Got my first covid vaccine shot last week after lots of research and discussions with my OB and MFM. Rant- Got an email last night that DD's class is closed this week because multiple teachers have symptoms after exposure 😩. So, just sitting here with a needy two year old, praying we are all spared, and if not that my body has had at least a small chance to build up some sort of immunity.
Questions: 1- Anyone else have pelvic floor soreness? The best way I can describe it is how things felt after birth with DD1 after stuff healed, just sore and achy. I don't remember this with DD1 during pregnancy!
2- I believe there were a couple of you who got the vaccine, anyone know of any studies to join? I have been doing V-Safe and i signed up for one through University of Washington I believe, but if there are any others I would love to share any data needed to help!
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? Baby will transition into DD1's room once she is 3 months, which is terrifying to me in terms of there sleep schedules and waking each other up, but it's the space we have to work with so we are going with it!
@emeraldisle17 DD1 moved to a toddler bed at around 19 month, she hated her crib and it was week one of covid shut down in March, so i figured why not try. She did really well, but it was a young age to transition. She is 26 1/2 months now and is obsessed with her little bed!
How are you feeling?: Its getting harder and harder to bend over and play with my other kiddos on the floor. I'm officially at the stage where I try to pick things up with my toes before bending over haha. Also having trouble getting comfortable while sleeping lately.
Rants/Raves: Baby is SO active. This is almost certainly my last pregnancy and after having two anterior placentas I'm just so thankful to be able to experience strong pronounced movements for this final pregnancy! I love being pregnant and know I will miss this so much!
Questions:
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? We haven't changed the nursery since my oldest was born in 2016. DS3 is currently in there and I'm kind of wanting to make a partial nursery in our guest room for this baby. Or change up the current one. Its gray with white, mint, coral, and yellow decor. Its fine and I don't hate it but just feel like a change.
@emeraldisle17 my oldest two both moved to a floor bed right around age 2. I didnt want to buy another crib either and made do until they were both out of the one we have. One was a very easy transition and one was not quite as easy..
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: cauliflower still, I think
Upcoming appointments: end of Jan
How are you feeling?: Ahhh starting to feel a bit large and tired again - not yet not yet not yet haha!!
Rants/Raves: hubs just found out that his office is likely shutting down again for a while. eeee. there are ups and downs to him wfh...he's happier going into work so it'll be interesting. It probably would be good as we get closer to april tho so trying to stay positive!
Questions: Anyone dealing with vein issues? I got a spider vein behind my knee with #1 (or #2? can't remember) and it's usually really dark when I'm pregnant but then lightens up quite a bit after. It's back again, but this time one of my feet (same leg as spider vein) has just a crazy amount of splotchy looking veins at my ankles. I imagine it's got to be something to do with circulation but I'm not sure what to do about it.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? Yes! Technically the current nursery is our office but baby girl has been in there for the past 1.5 years. She'll get bumped up to share a room with DD1 (who is 5) but we're going to keep her in her crib. @emeraldisle17 we kept #1 in a crib until almost 4 and then with #2 we took the side off his crib at like 2.5 and it was way too early. Every kiddo (and situation) is different for sure, but for him, impulse control was wayyyy not there yet (they say it's developed more towards 3), and it was incredibly annoying for a while. A friend gave us a crib when we had #2 so we've had 2 cribs for a while now & it's so worth it to just figure out a second one!! That said, #2 will get bumped to a big boy bed so that we can have his crib for #4 haha. Lots of bed switching...but keeping kids in crib as long as possible is always my reco!
Okay so theme...grey and blue haha. Kind of boring but honestly, with this being #4 I don't want to buy much of anything & the room is currently grey with a white crib & pink/white bedding so the bedding with stay with #3 and we'll switch back to blue bedding. I usually have some kind of custom name/bible verse sign made (that we also bring to the hospital & put on the door with birth stats) so that'll be part of his decor, ha!
bblair24 I loooove our van! We got it right before #3 and as crazy as they are stereotyped to be, I love it! So much space. So easy for the kids to get in and out of. Ease of room for all the carseats! It's just great for this phase of life. On a different note: broken arm from crib fall!? omg no!! Our DD1 broke an arm running/falling last year and it was awful!!
cagncoo12 YAY for vaccine!! Re pelvic soreness - YES. Really bad with #3. My chiro recommended arnica cream on the pelvic bone - maybe look into it a bit. It helped some, but honestly I found that if I just stopped moving as much and put my feet up that it helped most (and baths), but there's not always time for that!
@bblair24@rexnie@bluey101321@runsoncoffee@cagncoo12@goldpolkadot thanks all for the crib transition reccos! Truly sounds like every kid is different. Your plans of bed switching, room sharing, and ultimately just figuring it out as you go are also making me feel better! DD has not been 'early' on any of the physical milestones (crawling, walking, stairs, etc.) and is an amazing sleeper, so I don't foresee her being an early one to transition and if we don't need to push it I think that's the path we'll take. We'll figure out getting a second, likely hand me down crib, towards the end of the summer.
@bbrahmbhatt Yes, it's a great theme! And you will always be able to find cute new things that fit within the theme to add to the nursery as your LO gets older.
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a cantaloupe
Upcoming appointments: 2/3; glucose test somewhere between weeks 26-28
How are you feeling?: Large. Lots of heartburn. Still queasy too, which blows!
Rants/Raves: I detest remote learning. I think it works for older kids. I think for PreK it is an absolute waste of time. DD is getting absolutely nothing out of it and is so disappointed that they're not allowed to go to school. She started going in September and they made the decision before winter break to kind of force a quarantine on the kids after the holidays. Now, like I figured they would, they are slowly extending remote learning week by week. I really think PreK should be exempt. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I'm sure there are other PreK kids bombing it too, so she won't be the only one behind academically when she starts kindergarten (at least I hope!!!).
Questions:
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? I'm slowly cleaning out our office to turn it into baby's bedroom, but there's no fire lit under my butt this time because without having found out the sex, I just don't really feel connected to this baby like it's a real person. I know that sounds terrible, probably especially to the other Team Green moms... but there's a difference between wanting to be Team Green and just getting it forced on you!! Also, I enjoy having my little office and I'm sad to lose it.
@emeraldisle17 I think we ended up putting DD in a big kid bed (a mattress on the floor) around 3. She never tried to climb out or showed any signs of "readiness," but the transition wasn't too bad. For the longest time we locked her in her room, too - turned the doorknob around and locked it from the outside - so that she wouldn't be up and about in the middle of the night. Actually, I miss locking her in her room! She is the type of kid who gets up and parties in the middle of the night and with the way our new house is set up, we don't even notice, so then she's just a jerk the next day.
@cagncoo12 I haven't had that kind of pelvic soreness yet, but the other day I totally got lightning crotch at work and I was like, "Oh crap, it is WAY too early for this nonsense!!"
Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 26 w 6 d / April 21, 2021!
FTM/STM/STM+: FTM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Found out!
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is: As tall as a chopstick
Upcoming appointments: 1/27 for glucose/checkup
How are you feeling?: Generally ok, just achy in my back and pelvic area. I'm assuming this is normal, but I feel like an 80 year old woman when I get up in the morning!
Rants/Raves:Rant - My goldendoodle, Scout, has been coughing up bile and a few nights ago barfed up an entirely undigested charcoal facemask (because my dog is a TRASH MONSTER) I of course was horrified and stayed up with her all night because I was worried about her, while DH snoozed peacefully. It happened again last night (no facemask this time thank god) and of course I was up again for hours on the couch making sure she was ok, while DH was once again unconscious lol. Now I'm v tired and also wondering what's going to happen when baby comes! Is he going to sleep through all that too??
Questions: Has anyone used the Lansinoh breast pump? I ordered it free through my insurance but don't know if I picked the "right" one. Also has anyone used a willow where it goes in your bra? Worth the extra money?
I had another one but of course I can't think of it right now.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?: We are! We're doing a travel themed nursery and I'm so excited for our furniture to get here so we can start decorating!
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: cauliflour
Upcoming appointments: 2/2
How are you feeling?: Pregnant. Heartburn has been pretty bad and I definitely feel slow and tired frequently.
Rants/Raves: Rave: I bought a crib at Goodwill for $3 last weekend! It's the Sundvik crib from Ikea. We have the Sniglar one for my son and it has worked out well, and I read good things about this model too. It's in great shape and we just needed to buy some replacement wood pegs.
Questions: What crib mattress do you recommend? I am thinking of springing for an organic one but I'm not sure. There are so many brands and pricepoints it is overwhelming. With my last, I found a new in package organic one on Craigslist for $70 because someone was gifted 2 and had an extra. I'm not expecting that to happen again.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We have a three level townhouse with three bedrooms on the top floor. We'll be converting the current guest room to a nursery and moving the queen bed from there into the finished basement, which is currently a playroom/hang out area. We'll still use it for that (we spend a lot of time down there) so I'm kinda bummed the bed will take up so much space, but I also like the idea of having a separate bed down there for the newborn days so my husband and I can alternate sleeping there with the new baby in a bassinet while the other one sleeps upstairs. My mom may also come help so having the bed in a separate space makes sense. Anyway, I'm very frugal so I'm aquiring most of nursery stuff second-hand. There is already a non-baby looking rug in there which is going to stay, and that is navy and dark red. We got a free rocker/glider that I put a navy slipcover on, and the crib is black/brown. It's all pretty dark/heavey so far for a nursery so I am hoping to get some light colored curtains (that still are blackout for sleep) and some other touches to lighten it up. I don't have a particular theme in mind. I'd just like it to be somewhat put together looking. My son's room is rather pathetic because when we moved here he was 6 months old and I never put much effort into making it nice. Now we have some time so I am hoping to get to do a little more "nesting" and getting the room ready this time.
@emeraldisle17 Like @rexnie we have no plans to move my son (25 months) to a toddler bed soon. He seems content in his crib for now. He doesn't sleep very well already and I have visions of him rampaging around his room in the middle of the night. Although @bblair24 story of the broken arm scares me! My son hasn't made any escape attempts yet (that we know of) but that doesn't mean he won't.
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a bunch of kale apparently
Upcoming appointments: 28 week appointment on 1/27
How are you feeling?: okay, just tired with horrible heart burn and acid reflux
Rants/Raves: nothing
Questions: nothing..I'm super boring this week
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We will have a nursery, but like others I am reusing the same nursery design as I had with DD and DS. The room is gray with some sleepy baby animals. It's a huge mess in there right now because it's a guest room and we need to get rid of the bed and set up the crib. I'm dragging my feet on that honestly because I know baby will be in our room for ~6months so it seems like a waste of time and energy.
@emeraldisle17 we just moved my son out of the crib and into a twin and he's 2.5. He got the "big boy bed" for Christmas. We moved DD right around her 2nd birthday. Both have done really well with the transition straight to a twin bed.
@riff323 I can't even imagine having to deal with remote preschool with my 4 year old. I wouldn't even bother. She can't even swing a 30 min dance class on Zoom.
@bblair24 we are also considering a van. Right now, we have a Traverse so it technically has 3 rows and we could put DD in the back but 3 car seats in an SUV feels really tough. We have to do some testing to see if she can get herself buckled consistently in the 3rd row and whether I'll be able to reach to help if she can't. My preference is to make the switch to a van but DH is an only child and just does not understand why we can't make the SUV work. LOL he has no idea what he's in for the first time we try to take a road trip with 3 car seats in an SUV.....
Thoughts on a maternity shoot? My mom seems to think I will regret it if I don't get formal photos taken, but given my already severe body image issues, I can't foresee me liking pictures of myself at my absolute fattest, even if it's because of baby! Seems like a waste of money for photos I will likely hate. Also I feel like winter would be a bit tough for cute photos? Would love some opinions!
@anarmillay92918 I didn't do a maternity shoot with my first and I personally don't regret not doing one, but would say if YOU really want to, go for it! I did have DH take a a couple shots of me in the third trimester that I have on a hidden album on my iphone; so technically i have photos for 'documentation' purposes, haha. But if you're not feeling up for it I wouldn't feel pressured to spend the $$. We instead paid for a newborn photoshoot when DD was 10 days old, and I was happy that we did that. We have photos of just DD in all those cute, swaddled up photos, and photos including the 3 of us (mom and dad). I treasure the black & white ones! Now I feel pressure to spend the $$ again for baby boy...I might instead just pay the hospital photographer for a few newborn shots and call it a day...
oh, and if you do think you want to do a newborn shoot, that's usually something you should plan / schedule in your third trimester. I think the magic # is the first 10 days after birth so you can still get the baby in those cute poses and while they can eat and then sleep thru the whole shoot! So once the baby is born you'd reach out to your photographer to schedule within the next 10 days, but your photographer should already have you and your due date on their radar so it's not such a scramble to schedule.
@anarmillay92918 I have been wondering about this too. I think I would like some photos, but I don't know if with COVID and Chicago winter we would get anything that I like. We have one of the new polaroid cameras, so I have been toying with the idea of using that to take some candid shots with just the two of us, but not be out a bunch of money if I hate them.
@anarmillay92918 I actually booked a bundle with my first so I got maternity + newborn photos with the same photographer. I don't regret it, but I wouldn't book them separately and pay full price for each service. The maternity photos were really just a nice bonus for me. I'd see if you can find anyone local who will do a mini bundle like that for you where most of the money and photos will go toward the newborn shoot but you get a handful in advance to document the third tri.
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: an eggplant (my MIL said, of course it's an eggplant! We're 75% italian!)
Upcoming appointments: Was supposed to have the 3 hour glucose test today, but as I mentioned in another thread, my OB said to just scrap the idea and assume that I have GD, so I guess that's what we're doing! I also had an OB appointment today and have another 1/26. Plus I have a virtual appointment with the GD counselor next week and a consult with the anesthesiologist next week to discuss my epidural since I have scoliosis and herniated discs in my spine. Doing the virtual birthing class with our hospital tonight also! Lots of baby stuff these next two weeks!
How are you feeling?: Overall I'm pretty good, but I'm def feeling the weight gain lately - LOTS of back pain, swollen feet, and having trouble being comfortable EVER - relaxing on the couch is uncomfortable, laying in bed is uncomfortable, etc.
Rants/Raves: I am getting terrible sleep lately - I have to pee ALL the time, can't get comfortable, restless leg syndrome, back pain, acid reflux, etc.
Questions: What does everyone find to be the most comfortable positions to relax in? I find if I'm in a sitting position, my back and my stomach hurt. If I lay on my side (like on the couch to watch tv or something), I get antsy and comfortable pretty quickly too.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
Yep! We recently had the nursery freshly painted, the crib came a few weeks ago and the dresser/changing table is expected to arrive tomorrow. We just ordered our glider/rocker/recliner this past weekend and it should arrive in early February. I just bought baby laundry detergent this week so that when the dresser arrives this week I can wash the clothing we've gotten so far and put it all away. The previous owners of the house we moved into in April built the house and only lived here for a little less than 2 years before we bought it from them - they installed incredible closet systems in every single bedroom, including their young daughter's room which we're using for our nursery. It's one of those things that I probably would not have splurged on doing myself, but I'm glad they did because it's so nice to have! I'm also obsessed that the en suite bathroom has the lower height tub for kids so I don't have to break my back to lean over and give a bath. Our nursery will be very gender neutral since we're team green (grays and whites) and then little accents of yellow and green. We also have a bedroom on the first floor of the house that was set up as a guest room previously, but now we're transitioning it to a "playroom." Until baby is old enough to actually need a playroom, it's set up almost as like a second nursery. It will have a changing table so we don't have to run all the way upstairs for changing and a bassinet and a daybed for napping during the day. This room is currently very pink and boho because that's just the rug we already had and like pillows for the daybed, etc. and I plan on keeping it pink if we have a girl, or re-doing it in a more boy color if we end up with a boy
Side note, we have two other bedrooms upstairs besides our bedroom - one is set up as a guest room and the other has been empty (we moved from a New York City apartment, so def. did not have enough furniture to fill a house in the suburbs!! haha). I pulled the trigger on the Peloton this weekend (thanks to everyone for all the advice!!) and surprisingly it's already being delivered in 3 weeks - yay! So now trying to create a home gym in that empty room upstairs before it gets delivered, but without DH noticing since it's a surprise for him haha. Anyone have any mirrors (or any accessories/furniture/decor really!) in their home gym they particular like?
@anarmillay92918 I plan on doing a maternity shoot and a newborn shoot, but we work in the wedding industry, so these staged photo shoots are something we do all the time, can't imagine not doing one for our own milestone, but I think it's totally personal preference! If it's not your thing, then def. just pass! I personally am not into the photoshoots of bare bellies, but still want to document the pregnancy with some professional, styled photos (just plan on wearing a cute dress) but it's all personal preference.
@emeraldisle17 does your hospital still have a newborn photographer even with covid? All of the hospitals around here put it on hold because of covid
@theblondebump great point...I have no idea! I just went to both the hospital's L&D website and the contracted newborn photography website and can't confirm either way, or find any other changes on the website due to COVID. I'll ask at my next OB appt. As you can tell this is totally my second pregnancy..!
@emeraldisle17 I’ve been wondering about this topic at my own hospital and tonight we had the virtual class with our hospital about delivery (“ready, set, deliver” haha) and they told us that they aren’t currently offering newborn photography I’m hoping maybe it will change by April! It would be very convenient!
@anarmillay92918 I didn't get maternity shots done and have zero regrets. I also have severe body image issues so I'm with you. I've been taking bump photos every few weeks but that's it. I haven't even posted a photo of myself on social media since becoming pregnant because I don't want people's comments on my blob body. So no, in my opinion, you won't regret it!
@theblondebump I find that I have to move around a bit when I'm relaxing because any one position for too long gets uncomfortable, but I find sitting with my feet up is comfy, and so is leaning to one side with a pillow propped under me.
@goldpolkadot yes I’m so excited! The test drive went really well yesterday and DH is going to start the process of trading in/buying today! Covid makes everything about this weird, but also gives us the option of Carmax bringing the van back to our house, along with their mobile office, so that we can do all the paperwork here. I’m not sure if we’ll do that or if he’ll just go in, but pretty awesome either way! The van WAS so roomy - I was honestly surprised at how much room there was in it!
@juliebird6 yeah, a third row SUV does seem tough with all three in car seats. We decided we needed the middle row to be bucket seats so that we could get to the back row easily enough to help DD1 get buckled. We told her she’d be on her own in the backseat since she’s the biggest, and that DD2 and baby brother would be in the middle row. I was afraid she wouldn’t like being in the back alone but she’s so excited! She even told my parents that she gets the whole back seat to herself 😂
@anarmillay92918 I had maternity photos done with both of our girls, and while I enjoyed it and like having the pictures, those pictures aren’t ones that I’m going to print out and frame or anything like that. We paid for them with DD1, and with DD2 we actually got them for free - the photographer was trying to build her portfolio with maternity/fresh 24/newborn pictures and a mutual friend connected us. Anyways, every now and then I look back at those pictures, but they’re not as meaningful to me as our wedding pictures and the pictures we have of the girls when they were tiny (pictures that we took ourselves). I’m not sure if we’ll get them with this one or not...unless someone offers them to us for free again, haha! Just my personal opinion - I don’t think I’ll regret not having them, although I do have a bit of mom guilt for not having this one documented professionally. I may just have DH take some with my good camera closer to my due date!
@anarmillay92918 I cherish my maternity photos so much. I've done them with all 3 and plan to again this time. That said, I love being pregnant and love my body pregnant. I want to remember this time and also my kids love seeing them. I think photographers usually recommend around 30-33 weeks so you have a definite bump but aren't so swollen and large. If you don't do formal maternity pictures I at least recommend having your hubby or a friend take a few cell phone pics of you. You might not think you'll want to remember but I think down the road you'd enjoy looking back and sharing with your child.
With baby 3 we did maternity, fresh 48 (in the hospital), and then a studio newborn session. I am so, so thankful to have all three of those!! But I'm guessing birth/fresh 48 pics won't be allowed even by April. We will def do maternity and newborn though... still deciding between studio or lifestyle for the newborn ones. Either way I've never regretted any professional photos we've done!
@anarmillay92918 Personally, I would not pay someone to take photos of me when pregnant. I don't love the way I look when pregnant and wouldn't consider hanging up a photo from a maternity shoot, so I don't see why I would pay for the photos.
@theblondebump Yay! Congrats on your peloton, I hope you love it! I don't have any advice on the gym as ours is just in front of a window in our sunroom. I love to do the yoga and stretching classes, and just got an oversized basket to store rolled up mats, which is really nice. Also somewhere to store shoes, maybe some towels and water wipes seem to be popular. On facebook the group Pelo's preggos & Postpartum Mamas is great! Also, for comfortable positions, my most comfy one is on my side with my top leg on my pregnancy pillow or with a bolster between my legs and a pillow behind my back. Haha, basically pillows everywhere!
@theblondebump our current "gym" room is one of our smallest rooms in the house, so there's not a ton of room. When we get a new house, I'm planning to also get the Peloton tread, but currently we just don't have room for it upstairs and I refuse to put it in the basement. I have a large wire basket for my yoga mat and accessories, and a smaller basket for shoes/towels and wipes. I know a lot of people like the Kallax shelves from Ikea or some kind of wall shelf/organizer for those things as well. There are a lot of shops on etsy where they do posters of your favorite instructor's quotes and stores who will do a wall decor of your leaderboard name. If that sounds like something you might like, maybe wait for cute decor items until you've found your Peloton instructor soulmate (mine are Cody and Robin). I definitely recommend a mat under the bike though, just to protect your floors from sweat. As for positions, I'm having trouble too, but I find using a ton of pillows everywhere to support my hips, belly and back has helped.
Thanks for the tips @cagncoo12 and @bbrahmbhatt ! The mat and other accessories all came in the mail yesterday and ruined the surprise for DH but honestly it’s fine, it’s easier than having to try to clean out that room and organize it myself, now I can rope him into helping haha. But we’re very excited!
Our dresser/changing table was delivered yesterday, but the delivery team accidentally hit it into the wall and made a big gash in it so we had to have them take it back and now the new delivery won’t be until the first week of February 🙄🙄🙄 So annoying!
I never did maternity photos and don't regret it. There are a few pics I had my husband take of me that I cherish - when we were dressed up to go to a wedding, or out for a nice dinner. I'll have to get ready just for pictures one of these days since we go nowhere.
@anarmillay92918 I thought I would regret it with my first pregnancy so I did it even though I wasn’t feeling it and I hate them to this day. I haven’t done them since. Newborn shoot is a must for me, though.
@theblondebump we just put mirrors up in our home gym - look at Lowe’s. They have some really large, inexpensive mirrors that look great! We have them set up in front of the treadmill, the squat rack and dumbbell racks.
ETA: I meant to post this in the random thread. I’m tired 😴
Potty training is exhausting (or at least the way we are doing it, the method from the book Oh Crap, is exhausting). It seems to be going well so far but it’s hard to tell. And unfortunately our daycare requires pull-ups, which are not part of the method. @rexnie are you also potty training this weekend? I know someone said they were but can’t remember who.
@kadeephd we have been potty training since Christmas. Our daycare was the same, but thankfully the decided to change this week, so kids who are potty training can wear underwear as long they don't have more than 3 accidents (still need to clarify if this is 3 accidents a week... month... year... haha). Honestly, considering we don't go anywhere to practice outings, i really couldn't figure out how she was going to get used to it being in pull ups that feel like diapers everyday at daycare! DD is doing great in the morning and great at school, but in the evening at home resists and will not go potty, leading to accidents. It's exhausting and i miss alcohol. Every night, i'm so freaking relieved when we put pull-ups on before bed and i don't have to police it!
@cagncoo12 We went hard this past holiday weekend with the oh crap method, but with him in pull-ups at daycare and his relatively slow progress it seems pretty pointless to keep on with it right now. I think he would have eventually gotten it if we had been able to keep him home and spend longer in the first two phases (naked and then commando). I guess we rushed it a bit and put him in pants too soon. On the third day, he did not use the potty even once successfully. Just accident after accident in his pants. So we are backing off for a while. I'm disappointed we put so much energy into trying it this weekend but I'd rather back off than continue to stress all of us out about it. It really is exhausting!
Re: All due date check in w.o 1/11
FTM/STM/STM+: FTM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: pink
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a head of cauliflower
Upcoming appointments: glucose test Wednesday, OB 1/20
How are you feeling?: Overall pretty good. Starting to feel a little more tired and my reflux has been uncomfortable and starting to notice some swelling in my feet/ankles. Also, I am RAVENOUS.
Rants/Raves: I am SO CLOSE to my WFH period, and I am pretty excited about it.
Questions: NATM
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? We turned our peloton room into the nursery over Christmas break. We did a baby zoo/safari animal theme with relatively neutral (gray + yellow) colors and a fun rug. I'll come back to post some photos.
FTM/STM/STM+: STM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Blue
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: head of cauliflower
Upcoming appointments: Getting ready to chug my yellow drank, glucose test this afternoon followed by OB check up
How are you feeling?: Pretty good, except tired now that sleeping has been getting uncomfortable; I keep waking up on my back which I know is not ideal. I must be so hyper-aware of it that i wake myself up everytime I end up on my back to turn over.
Rants/Raves: Rant is the realization setting in that this is going to be one long-ass, boring winter in quarantine..
Questions: Relating to the GTKY below...DD is going to be 2 in April. For STM+, at what age did your LO transition into a big kid bed / out of the crib? I don't think DD will be ready for a bed at 2, but I also don't LOVE the idea of getting a second crib. I know the baby will be in the bassinet in our room for a couple of months, but once I go back to work in August I want him in his own room. I just am trying to decide / plan if by 27-28 months DD will be ready to switch..any guidance around general age / signs your LO was ready to get out of the crib?
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We were team green for DD #1, so her nursery is grey with baby safari animal prints and a neutral animal print rug. Similar to my Q above, I'm not sure if we're going to put the new baby (boy) in there and move DD (will be 2 in April) out to what is currently the guest bedroom, OR leave her there in the nursery and just put a bassinet / 2nd crib in the guest bedroom...and not decorate it into a nursery, lol. I guess the big question for us is that we realistically don't know how much longer we are staying in our current condo. I'm thinking a year from now we will be moving out to a bigger house in the suburbs. If we stay longer than a year, I'd want to re-do the guest bedroom into a big girl room for DD or a second nursery. But if baby boy is only going to need a crib for a few months - I don't want to spend the time or money in creating a second nursery. I'm leaning into the fact that we might need a second crib...
Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: April 22, 25 weeks and some days. I never know how many days. 😂
FTM/STM/STM+: third!
Team Green/Pink/Blue: blue 💙
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: cauliflower
Upcoming appointments: had my glucose test and check up this morning!
How are you feeling?: I can’t complain really. I’m feeling sciatic nerve pain today, but that’s about it.
Rants/Raves: Related to the sciatic nerve, I’m so tired of having to go either up or down stairs to go to the bathroom 😂 Our home is a split level and all the bathrooms are either up or down and I spend most of my time on the middle level. I wish I could just easily install a bathroom somewhere on this level. Maybe in the entryway closet! 😜
And for a rave, we’re test driving a van tomorrow! It’s a necessity considering three car seats won’t fit in either one of our current vehicles. I’ve wanted a van for a while anyways so I’m excited.
Questions: none today!
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We will have a nursery! I’m not sure when it’ll come together since our current school room is what needs to be the nursery, but I’ve been working at cleaning stuff out of it slowly. My plan is to do a farm/farm animal theme! Since this is our last baby and first boy I plan on going all out with blues and greens. I know I don’t have to try to reuse it for a future baby, plus I’m excited to get to change it up from pink and purple flowers and butterflies everywhere.
Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 25&1
FTM/STM/STM+: STM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: boy
Upcoming appointments: covid vaccine #2 today!
How are you feeling?: tired with a migraine. Happy Monday!
Rants/Raves: I miss being able to take good meds when needed. Especially for migraines.
Questions: None today
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? TBD; we have some baby stuff organized in the guest room but are keeping it mostly a guest room for now. I'm hoping we can get some family help for my toddler while I'm recovering from birth, so I'm keeping options open. Baby will be in our room for the first 4+ months anyways.
FTM/STM/STM+: 3TM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Blue
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Size of a large zucchini
Upcoming appointments: 1/25 rhogam shot & 1/27 OB appt .. still frustrated I have to make 2 trips in a week but that’s insurance for ya!
How are you feeling?: Lazy! Monday’s are usually my jam after a mellow weekend but not this week. Pretending it’s still the weekend and going to start anew tomorrow! Lol. Otherwise good, heartburn is still annoying but not enough to give up Tapatio on everything
Rants/Raves: Rave! My mom surprised me with the backpack diaper bag I have been eyeing but didn’t want to spend money on because I have a perfectly useable shoulder diaper bag that was never used last time around! I’m excited! It’s huge and has some pretty neat extras that definitely were not around when I had my last!
Questions: NATM
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? Not this time around, the baby will be ‘bunking’ with us until he’s a little older. We need to do some shuffling of rooms but the room to be our master is the classroom right now so, gotta wait at least til summer and when we know what’s happening next school year. We’ve got a bed side co sleeper bassinet for the early months and then hopefully we will know what the heck we’re doing rooms wise before he’s sitting up and whatnot. We’ve been drawn to gray as the color choice and dinos as the theme. Third time around, I’m trying to stay realistic and keep things pretty minimal for our budget and space.
FTM/STM/STM+: STM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Pink
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Lettuce
Upcoming appointments: Every Monday, i alternate OB and MFM. Glucose test and bloodwork sometime this week, second Covid vaccine on the 25th
How are you feeling?: Surprisingly well, although my second trimester energy is quickly disappearing. My cervix started shortening last week and baby is LOW, so lots of pressure and it kinda feels like my pelvic floor is sore. Baby hiccups a lot, which honestly drives me crazy, it's such a weird feeling in my crotch. haha
Rants/Raves: Rave- Got my first covid vaccine shot last week after lots of research and discussions with my OB and MFM. Rant- Got an email last night that DD's class is closed this week because multiple teachers have symptoms after exposure 😩. So, just sitting here with a needy two year old, praying we are all spared, and if not that my body has had at least a small chance to build up some sort of immunity.
Questions: 1- Anyone else have pelvic floor soreness? The best way I can describe it is how things felt after birth with DD1 after stuff healed, just sore and achy. I don't remember this with DD1 during pregnancy!
2- I believe there were a couple of you who got the vaccine, anyone know of any studies to join? I have been doing V-Safe and i signed up for one through University of Washington I believe, but if there are any others I would love to share any data needed to help!
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? Baby will transition into DD1's room once she is 3 months, which is terrifying to me in terms of there sleep schedules and waking each other up, but it's the space we have to work with so we are going with it!
@emeraldisle17 DD1 moved to a toddler bed at around 19 month, she hated her crib and it was week one of covid shut down in March, so i figured why not try. She did really well, but it was a young age to transition. She is 26 1/2 months now and is obsessed with her little bed!
FTM/STM/STM+: 4tm
Team Green/Pink/Blue: blue
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: 🤷♀️
Upcoming appointments: end of this month
How are you feeling?: Its getting harder and harder to bend over and play with my other kiddos on the floor. I'm officially at the stage where I try to pick things up with my toes before bending over haha. Also having trouble getting comfortable while sleeping lately.
Rants/Raves: Baby is SO active. This is almost certainly my last pregnancy and after having two anterior placentas I'm just so thankful to be able to experience strong pronounced movements for this final pregnancy! I love being pregnant and know I will miss this so much!
Questions:
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? We haven't changed the nursery since my oldest was born in 2016. DS3 is currently in there and I'm kind of wanting to make a partial nursery in our guest room for this baby. Or change up the current one. Its gray with white, mint, coral, and yellow decor. Its fine and I don't hate it but just feel like a change.
@emeraldisle17 my oldest two both moved to a floor bed right around age 2. I didnt want to buy another crib either and made do until they were both out of the one we have. One was a very easy transition and one was not quite as easy..
FTM/STM/STM+: 4tm
Team Green/Pink/Blue: blue
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: cauliflower still, I think
Upcoming appointments: end of Jan
How are you feeling?: Ahhh starting to feel a bit large and tired again - not yet not yet not yet haha!!
Rants/Raves: hubs just found out that his office is likely shutting down again for a while. eeee. there are ups and downs to him wfh...he's happier going into work so it'll be interesting. It probably would be good as we get closer to april tho so trying to stay positive!
Questions: Anyone dealing with vein issues? I got a spider vein behind my knee with #1 (or #2? can't remember) and it's usually really dark when I'm pregnant but then lightens up quite a bit after. It's back again, but this time one of my feet (same leg as spider vein) has just a crazy amount of splotchy looking veins at my ankles. I imagine it's got to be something to do with circulation but I'm not sure what to do about it.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? Yes! Technically the current nursery is our office but baby girl has been in there for the past 1.5 years. She'll get bumped up to share a room with DD1 (who is 5) but we're going to keep her in her crib. @emeraldisle17 we kept #1 in a crib until almost 4 and then with #2 we took the side off his crib at like 2.5 and it was way too early. Every kiddo (and situation) is different for sure, but for him, impulse control was wayyyy not there yet (they say it's developed more towards 3), and it was incredibly annoying for a while. A friend gave us a crib when we had #2 so we've had 2 cribs for a while now & it's so worth it to just figure out a second one!! That said, #2 will get bumped to a big boy bed so that we can have his crib for #4 haha. Lots of bed switching...but keeping kids in crib as long as possible is always my reco!
Okay so theme...grey and blue haha. Kind of boring but honestly, with this being #4 I don't want to buy much of anything & the room is currently grey with a white crib & pink/white bedding so the bedding with stay with #3 and we'll switch back to blue bedding. I usually have some kind of custom name/bible verse sign made (that we also bring to the hospital & put on the door with birth stats) so that'll be part of his decor, ha!
bblair24 I loooove our van! We got it right before #3 and as crazy as they are stereotyped to be, I love it! So much space. So easy for the kids to get in and out of. Ease of room for all the carseats! It's just great for this phase of life. On a different note: broken arm from crib fall!? omg no!! Our DD1 broke an arm running/falling last year and it was awful!!
cagncoo12 YAY for vaccine!! Re pelvic soreness - YES. Really bad with #3. My chiro recommended arnica cream on the pelvic bone - maybe look into it a bit. It helped some, but honestly I found that if I just stopped moving as much and put my feet up that it helped most (and baths), but there's not always time for that!
@bbrahmbhatt Yes, it's a great theme! And you will always be able to find cute new things that fit within the theme to add to the nursery as your LO gets older.
FTM/STM/STM+: STM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Green
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a cantaloupe
Upcoming appointments: 2/3; glucose test somewhere between weeks 26-28
How are you feeling?: Large. Lots of heartburn. Still queasy too, which blows!
Rants/Raves: I detest remote learning. I think it works for older kids. I think for PreK it is an absolute waste of time. DD is getting absolutely nothing out of it and is so disappointed that they're not allowed to go to school. She started going in September and they made the decision before winter break to kind of force a quarantine on the kids after the holidays. Now, like I figured they would, they are slowly extending remote learning week by week. I really think PreK should be exempt. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I'm sure there are other PreK kids bombing it too, so she won't be the only one behind academically when she starts kindergarten (at least I hope!!!).
Questions:
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery? I'm slowly cleaning out our office to turn it into baby's bedroom, but there's no fire lit under my butt this time because without having found out the sex, I just don't really feel connected to this baby like it's a real person. I know that sounds terrible, probably especially to the other Team Green moms... but there's a difference between wanting to be Team Green and just getting it forced on you!! Also, I enjoy having my little office and I'm sad to lose it.
@emeraldisle17 I think we ended up putting DD in a big kid bed (a mattress on the floor) around 3. She never tried to climb out or showed any signs of "readiness," but the transition wasn't too bad. For the longest time we locked her in her room, too - turned the doorknob around and locked it from the outside - so that she wouldn't be up and about in the middle of the night. Actually, I miss locking her in her room! She is the type of kid who gets up and parties in the middle of the night and with the way our new house is set up, we don't even notice, so then she's just a jerk the next day.
@cagncoo12 I haven't had that kind of pelvic soreness yet, but the other day I totally got lightning crotch at work and I was like, "Oh crap, it is WAY too early for this nonsense!!"
FTM/STM/STM+: FTM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Found out!
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is: As tall as a chopstick
Upcoming appointments: 1/27 for glucose/checkup
How are you feeling?: Generally ok, just achy in my back and pelvic area. I'm assuming this is normal, but I feel like an 80 year old woman when I get up in the morning!
Rants/Raves: Rant - My goldendoodle, Scout, has been coughing up bile and a few nights ago barfed up an entirely undigested charcoal facemask (because my dog is a TRASH MONSTER)
I of course was horrified and stayed up with her all night because I was worried about her, while DH snoozed peacefully. It happened again last night (no facemask this time thank god) and of course I was up again for hours on the couch making sure she was ok, while DH was once again unconscious lol. Now I'm v tired and also wondering what's going to happen when baby comes! Is he going to sleep through all that too??
Questions: Has anyone used the Lansinoh breast pump? I ordered it free through my insurance but don't know if I picked the "right" one. Also has anyone used a willow where it goes in your bra? Worth the extra money?
I had another one but of course I can't think of it right now.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?: We are! We're doing a travel themed nursery and I'm so excited for our furniture to get here so we can start decorating!
FTM/STM/STM+: STM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: pink
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: cauliflour
Upcoming appointments: 2/2
How are you feeling?: Pregnant. Heartburn has been pretty bad and I definitely feel slow and tired frequently.
Rants/Raves: Rave: I bought a crib at Goodwill for $3 last weekend! It's the Sundvik crib from Ikea. We have the Sniglar one for my son and it has worked out well, and I read good things about this model too. It's in great shape and we just needed to buy some replacement wood pegs.
Questions: What crib mattress do you recommend? I am thinking of springing for an organic one but I'm not sure. There are so many brands and pricepoints it is overwhelming. With my last, I found a new in package organic one on Craigslist for $70 because someone was gifted 2 and had an extra. I'm not expecting that to happen again.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We have a three level townhouse with three bedrooms on the top floor. We'll be converting the current guest room to a nursery and moving the queen bed from there into the finished basement, which is currently a playroom/hang out area. We'll still use it for that (we spend a lot of time down there) so I'm kinda bummed the bed will take up so much space, but I also like the idea of having a separate bed down there for the newborn days so my husband and I can alternate sleeping there with the new baby in a bassinet while the other one sleeps upstairs. My mom may also come help so having the bed in a separate space makes sense. Anyway, I'm very frugal so I'm aquiring most of nursery stuff second-hand. There is already a non-baby looking rug in there which is going to stay, and that is navy and dark red. We got a free rocker/glider that I put a navy slipcover on, and the crib is black/brown. It's all pretty dark/heavey so far for a nursery so I am hoping to get some light colored curtains (that still are blackout for sleep) and some other touches to lighten it up. I don't have a particular theme in mind. I'd just like it to be somewhat put together looking. My son's room is rather pathetic because when we moved here he was 6 months old and I never put much effort into making it nice. Now we have some time so I am hoping to get to do a little more "nesting" and getting the room ready this time.
@emeraldisle17 Like @rexnie we have no plans to move my son (25 months) to a toddler bed soon. He seems content in his crib for now. He doesn't sleep very well already and I have visions of him rampaging around his room in the middle of the night. Although @bblair24 story of the broken arm scares me! My son hasn't made any escape attempts yet (that we know of) but that doesn't mean he won't.
FTM/STM/STM+: 3rd time mom
Team Green/Pink/Blue: team blue
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a bunch of kale apparently
Upcoming appointments: 28 week appointment on 1/27
How are you feeling?: okay, just tired with horrible heart burn and acid reflux
Rants/Raves: nothing
Questions: nothing..I'm super boring this week
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
We will have a nursery, but like others I am reusing the same nursery design as I had with DD and DS. The room is gray with some sleepy baby animals. It's a huge mess in there right now because it's a guest room and we need to get rid of the bed and set up the crib. I'm dragging my feet on that honestly because I know baby will be in our room for ~6months so it seems like a waste of time and energy.
@emeraldisle17 we just moved my son out of the crib and into a twin and he's 2.5. He got the "big boy bed" for Christmas. We moved DD right around her 2nd birthday. Both have done really well with the transition straight to a twin bed.
@riff323 I can't even imagine having to deal with remote preschool with my 4 year old. I wouldn't even bother. She can't even swing a 30 min dance class on Zoom.
@bblair24 we are also considering a van. Right now, we have a Traverse so it technically has 3 rows and we could put DD in the back but 3 car seats in an SUV feels really tough. We have to do some testing to see if she can get herself buckled consistently in the 3rd row and whether I'll be able to reach to help if she can't. My preference is to make the switch to a van but DH is an only child and just does not understand why we can't make the SUV work. LOL he has no idea what he's in for the first time we try to take a road trip with 3 car seats in an SUV.....
Thoughts on a maternity shoot? My mom seems to think I will regret it if I don't get formal photos taken, but given my already severe body image issues, I can't foresee me liking pictures of myself at my absolute fattest, even if it's because of baby! Seems like a waste of money for photos I will likely hate. Also I feel like winter would be a bit tough for cute photos? Would love some opinions!
oh, and if you do think you want to do a newborn shoot, that's usually something you should plan / schedule in your third trimester. I think the magic # is the first 10 days after birth so you can still get the baby in those cute poses and while they can eat and then sleep thru the whole shoot! So once the baby is born you'd reach out to your photographer to schedule within the next 10 days, but your photographer should already have you and your due date on their radar so it's not such a scramble to schedule.
FTM/STM/STM+: FTM
Team Green/Pink/Blue: Team Green
Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: an eggplant (my MIL said, of course it's an eggplant! We're 75% italian!)
Upcoming appointments: Was supposed to have the 3 hour glucose test today, but as I mentioned in another thread, my OB said to just scrap the idea and assume that I have GD, so I guess that's what we're doing! I also had an OB appointment today and have another 1/26. Plus I have a virtual appointment with the GD counselor next week and a consult with the anesthesiologist next week to discuss my epidural since I have scoliosis and herniated discs in my spine. Doing the virtual birthing class with our hospital tonight also! Lots of baby stuff these next two weeks!
How are you feeling?: Overall I'm pretty good, but I'm def feeling the weight gain lately - LOTS of back pain, swollen feet, and having trouble being comfortable EVER - relaxing on the couch is uncomfortable, laying in bed is uncomfortable, etc.
Rants/Raves: I am getting terrible sleep lately - I have to pee ALL the time, can't get comfortable, restless leg syndrome, back pain, acid reflux, etc.
Questions: What does everyone find to be the most comfortable positions to relax in? I find if I'm in a sitting position, my back and my stomach hurt. If I lay on my side (like on the couch to watch tv or something), I get antsy and comfortable pretty quickly too.
GTKY: Are you going to have a nursery? If so, what is the theme/aesthetic of the nursery?
Yep! We recently had the nursery freshly painted, the crib came a few weeks ago and the dresser/changing table is expected to arrive tomorrow. We just ordered our glider/rocker/recliner this past weekend and it should arrive in early February. I just bought baby laundry detergent this week so that when the dresser arrives this week I can wash the clothing we've gotten so far and put it all away. The previous owners of the house we moved into in April built the house and only lived here for a little less than 2 years before we bought it from them - they installed incredible closet systems in every single bedroom, including their young daughter's room which we're using for our nursery. It's one of those things that I probably would not have splurged on doing myself, but I'm glad they did because it's so nice to have! I'm also obsessed that the en suite bathroom has the lower height tub for kids so I don't have to break my back to lean over and give a bath. Our nursery will be very gender neutral since we're team green (grays and whites) and then little accents of yellow and green. We also have a bedroom on the first floor of the house that was set up as a guest room previously, but now we're transitioning it to a "playroom." Until baby is old enough to actually need a playroom, it's set up almost as like a second nursery. It will have a changing table so we don't have to run all the way upstairs for changing and a bassinet and a daybed for napping during the day. This room is currently very pink and boho because that's just the rug we already had and like pillows for the daybed, etc. and I plan on keeping it pink if we have a girl, or re-doing it in a more boy color if we end up with a boy
Side note, we have two other bedrooms upstairs besides our bedroom - one is set up as a guest room and the other has been empty (we moved from a New York City apartment, so def. did not have enough furniture to fill a house in the suburbs!! haha). I pulled the trigger on the Peloton this weekend (thanks to everyone for all the advice!!) and surprisingly it's already being delivered in 3 weeks - yay! So now trying to create a home gym in that empty room upstairs before it gets delivered, but without DH noticing since it's a surprise for him haha. Anyone have any mirrors (or any accessories/furniture/decor really!) in their home gym they particular like?
@anarmillay92918 I plan on doing a maternity shoot and a newborn shoot, but we work in the wedding industry, so these staged photo shoots are something we do all the time, can't imagine not doing one for our own milestone, but I think it's totally personal preference! If it's not your thing, then def. just pass! I personally am not into the photoshoots of bare bellies, but still want to document the pregnancy with some professional, styled photos (just plan on wearing a cute dress) but it's all personal preference.
@emeraldisle17 does your hospital still have a newborn photographer even with covid? All of the hospitals around here put it on hold because of covid
@theblondebump I find that I have to move around a bit when I'm relaxing because any one position for too long gets uncomfortable, but I find sitting with my feet up is comfy, and so is leaning to one side with a pillow propped under me.
@anarmillay92918 I had maternity photos done with both of our girls, and while I enjoyed it and like having the pictures, those pictures aren’t ones that I’m going to print out and frame or anything like that. We paid for them with DD1, and with DD2 we actually got them for free - the photographer was trying to build her portfolio with maternity/fresh 24/newborn pictures and a mutual friend connected us. Anyways, every now and then I look back at those pictures, but they’re not as meaningful to me as our wedding pictures and the pictures we have of the girls when they were tiny (pictures that we took ourselves). I’m not sure if we’ll get them with this one or not...unless someone offers them to us for free again, haha! Just my personal opinion - I don’t think I’ll regret not having them, although I do have a bit of mom guilt for not having this one documented professionally. I may just have DH take some with my good camera closer to my due date!
With baby 3 we did maternity, fresh 48 (in the hospital), and then a studio newborn session. I am so, so thankful to have all three of those!! But I'm guessing birth/fresh 48 pics won't be allowed even by April. We will def do maternity and newborn though... still deciding between studio or lifestyle for the newborn ones. Either way I've never regretted any professional photos we've done!
Our dresser/changing table was delivered yesterday, but the delivery team accidentally hit it into the wall and made a big gash in it so we had to have them take it back and now the new delivery won’t be until the first week of February 🙄🙄🙄 So annoying!
the book Oh Crap, is exhausting). It seems to be going well so far but it’s hard to tell. And unfortunately our daycare requires pull-ups, which are not part of the method. @rexnie are you also potty training this weekend? I know someone said they were but can’t remember who.