TTC and Beyond!

[Disneybaby26]

Most likely two will be it!! Unless we find a bag of money on the side of the road...then maybe one more!

Gonna do another FRER Saturday morning, should definitely be darker by then if all is going well! We have a wedding Saturday night I'm gonna have to fake at lol, I'm a horrible liar!

 

[Cowgirl07]

My new journal. https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/ltttc-journals/2220845-cowgirl-moovin-next-rodeo.html
I'll still be stalking Nikki, just probably a bit more silent.

 

[brunettebimbo]

I'm really struggling with itchy eyes, the pollen count is low so I'm not sure why but they are so so bad. The Doctor gave me some eye drops but they burn so bad I can't use them. Have any of you had anything similar in pregnancy?

 

[Kiamaria83]

It amazes me that the US doesn't have a good maternity package for working mums. Do you not get any money from the government/employers at all? I'll get roughly 5 months full pay from work and then statutory maternity pay from the government is about £120 a week for the next 4 months then no pay for the last 3 months. The stat pay isn't much but better than nothing.
Bb not sure about the eyes, my body has been a bit itchy and the dogs are making me a bit scratchy since being preg, normally I'm fine . Can you just get some opterex from the pharmacy ?

 

[frsttimemama]

I believe some employears do offer some paid maternity leave, but most do not. Mine does not. I can take up to 12 weeks off, and I have some insurance that will pay a percentage of my salary for 8 weeks. The rest is unpaid. In general, I believe it is unpaid here. Your system sounds amazing in that aspect, Collette!

Glad Alua'so boots is a bit better. Poor thing.

Katrina, I don't blame you. I'm so sorry.

35 weeks! Almost there. Ultrasound and appointment today. I even managed to shave last night. Such a chore! Lol

 

[Lotalaughs16]

Morning Ladies!!

Katrina, I'm stalking your new journal!

Nikki...hope Alia's rash clears up quickly

BB, sorry about your allergies...I've been feeling really stuffed up the past week too.

Collette...your maternity leave sounds awesome! I get 12 weeks but only 2 weeks are full pay, then 6 weeks I will get 60% of my pay from insurance, then I pretty much have to use all my vacation/sick time for the rest and have no time off the second half of the year.

We told my parents last night!! I was so amazing...I ordered these wine labels on etsy for the announcement. My mom started crying and got really excited and my dad was confused at first then actually read the label and was so happy. It was so perfect!
heres the link to my labels... https://www.etsy.com/listing/189851986/pregnancy-announcement-wine-label?ref=also_bought

 

[frsttimemama]

Brittney, those are cute. Love it! I only have a little over a week vacation since we took a week off in Feb. And it had not built back up before then from last summer being on maternity leave. So that will be used on my 2 week waiting period before insurance starts paying. Bleh. Still can't wait. Lol. We will manage.

 

[jury3]

If anyone gets paid, then it's through their employer not the government. I was paid through short term disability. I pay around $50 a month for it and it paid me about 60% of what my monthly salary is for 3 months. Then my long term kicked in and paid around 60% as well until I was released to go back to work. My employer provides the long term, so nothing comes out of my check for that one.
I really hope we get better maternity benefits around here! I would have loved to take off for the first year with these guys but there's no way we could afford that right now.
The Family Medical Leave Act protects our job up to 90 days, but most people can't afford to take that time off.

 

[jury3]

Katrina-I'm so sorry Hang in there. Like the other girls said, you will be a mommy some day one way or another...

Kara-Who cares what other people think! I have twins and I'd love to have another/be pregnant again soon! However, I already have two...so we will wait a little bit for that reason! lol So far I love having 2 babies at once. Sure they keep me busy, but they are so cute together and I love watching them grown and interact. Although your's will be a year apart, I bet it will still be a lot of fun!

Nikki-Good for you for calling the state! I would have done the same thing.
I hope Alia's butt gets better soon! Are you still using cloth diapers at all? Just curious bc I remember you asking about them.

MIL was saying that babies don't stay in 9 month clothes for very long...not sure where she got the info or what she's basing it on. She says we shouldn't buy too many clothes for that stage. Anyone else have an opinion/experience with this?
Babies had their 4 month check up (and vaccinations ) today. Liv is 14lbs and Gray is 14lbs 7oz...They are on track for growth and development. Even though I had no concerns about it, it's always nice to hear lol Parents As Teachers is coming out Sept 2nd, I'm interested to hear what they say.

 

[Kiamaria83]

I thought I saw some ladies campaigning for better maternity rights in the US on the news.
Julie if found Elliott grew out of each stage of clothes pretty quickly when a baby, it's a shame as some stuff is hardly used. He's 2 now and slowed down a bit so we are getting more use from his clothes.

 

[frsttimemama]

I think Julie does a good job explaining. I pay for short term disability insurance as well, but it only pays 60% for 8 weeks.

Appointment was good. She said she has nothing to yell at me for.. everything is good. Weight, BP, sugars, etc. Baby looks good. He's being estimated at about 5 lb 8 oz with almost 4 weeks left so he should be nice and healthy. Not too big, not too tiny. I'll take it. Just give me a healthy baby! I've been looking online for some cute hats for newborn photos, but not having much luck. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Boring aka relaxing weekend here.. I don't think we have much planned. Hanging out, probably house work today. And tomorrow. Which is fine. Hope you all have a good weekend!

 

[goldstns]

I see u Robert!!!! How r u?????

it might b just alia, but she's out grown 6months clothing and 6-9 month...so 9 month is coming out this week. She has also been wearing some 1 year (cry!) ... So there is a chance her 9 month might go fast! I'll let u know.

julie- we stopped cloth like a week ago cuz the diapers were what my dh calls "prema" stink and she kept peeing through them.

 

[TTCaWee1]

Nikki have you tried huggies overnights? They are ahhmaazing. They are like 2 lbs in the morning but no leakage.

 

[goldstns]

Rachel- Alia isn't a big pee-er at night so just regular luvs r great for her...just for some reason the cloth weren't good for her.

 

[jury3]

That's a bummer! They can usually make it over night with a flips cover and insert, but we usually use the Bumgenius all-in-one free time diapers for overnight. We haven't had too many issues with them smelling so far. I know they said using too much detergent can cause issues bc it causes build up. Using more water in the cycle is supposed to help. Also a monthly bleaching.

Who has started solids? Anyone doing baby led weaning or plan on it? I'm so excited to start solids with them! We plan on waiting until 6 months at least except for possibly a few random tries here and there, but I'm still excited lol Not planning to do cereal bc I've read not so great things about it. I've thought about oatmeal but idk. They are starting to really watch us eat, especially Liv. Both have good head control, just working on sitting up.

 

[brunettebimbo]

We did BLW with Tristan. I would definitely recommend it! We didn't have the usual problems from traditional weaning from going to smooth to lumpy as he learnt to chew first

 

[Disneybaby26]

We started doing oatmeal last week, Julie! I was thinking about skipping a grain too but my doc had what I thought was a good point...he said most of the first couple of weeks the food just ends up on their hands, face, bibs etc...why waste real "food" (especially since I want to prep my own). Basically he said to use the oatmeal for a bit for practice!

 

[frsttimemama]

What is the baby led weaning? I am not familiar with any of it, even "traditional". I'm starting to freak a bit about all the things I don't know..

 

[brunettebimbo]

BLW is brilliant. Here's a good link - https://www.babyledweaning.com

I think traditional weaning basically means blending one fruit or veg at a time to begin with then gradually adding some together and progressing to lumps.

The problem is naturally we are meant to learn to chew then swallow but with traditional weaning babies learn to swallow first so most gag as soon as they find a lump.

BLW was brilliant for us but isn't for everyone. It can be very messy. We used to stick a shower curtain under his high chair, strip him to his nappy then put him straight in the bath afterwards. You learn which foods are best for out and about and less messy!

 

[frsttimemama]

I read it.. so no baby food at all? No cereal? Nothing like that?