Message
I have two but if I only had one I would be able to do so much more with my oldest. I think about trips to Disney, NYC, and truly being focused on her all the time vs. attending to, feeding, bathing, playing with and consoling another child. I don't regret having two but it makes me realize I want to be able to live better with my 2 kids than have a third.
I can imagine trips to Europe, cruises, and all sorts of enriching experiences- which would be nearly impossible with too many kids. I sometimes wonder how parents of 3+ kids reconcile that... do they just assume their kids will travel and see the world when they are older and moved out on their own? I know a number of families with >3 kids and they can't afford to go anywhere or they need to drive because they can't afford plane fares.
The more kids you have the harder it is to get people to babysit for you, particularly overnights or a week or weekend for you and DH to go on vacation together every once in a while. There is more time and energy for keeping your marriage happy with fewer children. And fewer financial constraints should add to marital satisfaction as well.
You can eat better quality food rather than stretching your grocery budget for another mouth to feed, you can fit your whole family into one hotel room. Think about emergencies... less crap to haul around, fewer mouths to feed.
I used to want a third but I am beginning to prefer this idea of "living lighter".... there is absolutely some selfishness to it but it's my LIFE. Not something minor like deciding whether to have a second tea at breakfast, know what I mean?
I can imagine trips to Europe, cruises, and all sorts of enriching experiences- which would be nearly impossible with too many kids. I sometimes wonder how parents of 3+ kids reconcile that... do they just assume their kids will travel and see the world when they are older and moved out on their own? I know a number of families with >3 kids and they can't afford to go anywhere or they need to drive because they can't afford plane fares.
The more kids you have the harder it is to get people to babysit for you, particularly overnights or a week or weekend for you and DH to go on vacation together every once in a while. There is more time and energy for keeping your marriage happy with fewer children. And fewer financial constraints should add to marital satisfaction as well.
You can eat better quality food rather than stretching your grocery budget for another mouth to feed, you can fit your whole family into one hotel room. Think about emergencies... less crap to haul around, fewer mouths to feed.
I used to want a third but I am beginning to prefer this idea of "living lighter".... there is absolutely some selfishness to it but it's my LIFE. Not something minor like deciding whether to have a second tea at breakfast, know what I mean?
Anonymous wrote:Ticks have teeth?!!
I didn't know they did either! Weird... you can't feel the bite. Which is even more gross. You have no idea how long it's been there.
I would buy something to please the younger ones (under 4 or 5) and not for the older kids.
Costco has some good deals for under $3k installed. $14k seems like way too much to spend on a backyard play structure.
Costco has some good deals for under $3k installed. $14k seems like way too much to spend on a backyard play structure.
Anonymous wrote:Staying out all night and claiming you blacked out after getting a hickey from a stranger
tee hee
Like a PP said, I'd do gift for the shower and $ for the wedding.
How much you spend depends on how close you are to the couple, how much you can afford (ie if you are a student they shouldn't expect as much, imo!)
How much you spend depends on how close you are to the couple, how much you can afford (ie if you are a student they shouldn't expect as much, imo!)
I think I still wore mat at 4-5 months pp with child #1. After child #2 I was out of the mat clothes much faster. Some stuff you really can't tell so I still wear the odd maternity shirt.
At 2 months, I wouldn't worry about wearing mat at all! I would only think it was weird maybe if I saw an obviously not pregnant woman wearing mat when her kid was a year old or so!
At 2 months, I wouldn't worry about wearing mat at all! I would only think it was weird maybe if I saw an obviously not pregnant woman wearing mat when her kid was a year old or so!
Anonymous wrote:Contact the friend. Ask him. He'll probably lie. Tell you're husband you're taking him to the bar so you can ask the stripper.
Yeah, I think this would at least open up some dialogue-- but you need to take the friend AND the husband because the husband claims he blacked out and doesn't remember but the friend was apparently sober enough to recognize that things were getting too friendly and took your husband home, right?
And I agree with another PP- take a pic of that hickey in case you decide to split...
But seriously... I think you have a right to be upset, and he needs to take this seriously. I can't put myself in your shoes but if you really believe he is a good man and won't do it again and you don't want to split up, give him a few months to stop drinking and prove to you he can go out with his buddies and be responsible about it. Once he gets his behaviour under control and you start to trust him again-well, time heals and trust grows.
If he slips up again I'd seriously threaten him with your departure because a married man going out and getting blinding drunk with his buddies to the point where he disrespects you in any way is totally unacceptable.
I'd ask her if she likes it this way and if not, offer very kindly to help her fill them in with some appropriately hair-colored eyeshadow until they grow back.
I tried all sorts of stuff like that when I was a kid too. Above is what I wish my mom would have done without any criticism or judgment.
Another thing is if she wants to start landscaping, offer her some tweezers and a guide for how to do it?
I tried all sorts of stuff like that when I was a kid too. Above is what I wish my mom would have done without any criticism or judgment.
Another thing is if she wants to start landscaping, offer her some tweezers and a guide for how to do it?
Anonymous wrote:Losing weight, hitting the gym after work, new clothes, hair, cologne/perfume are classic. Increased business travel...etc etc etc
This is what I have observed in people as well... in addition, cryptic answers about the future of family life/ moving/ jobs/ kids and major life decisions. But hugely the increased attention to personal appearance, hygiene, mysterious disappearances after work for a couple hours.
In May I was bitten by what was apparently a "huge tick" according to my Dr. I brought it with me and she identified it and said that unless it was attached for at least 36 hours, I would not have been infected with Lyme bacteria. She said sending the tick for testing was not necessary and she didn't recommend it because the test gives so many false readings. The area wasn't too itchy but I still have an ugly red bump (over 6 weeks later).
Over a month after my bite, my toddler was bitten by a tick and I took her to the paediatrician, who said we don't need to come in for every tick bite as long as we:
1) ensure the entire tick was removed including the head
2) clean the area with rubbing alcohol
3) watch the area for signs of the bull's eye
4) pay attention to complaints of headache and joint pain
Over a month after my bite, my toddler was bitten by a tick and I took her to the paediatrician, who said we don't need to come in for every tick bite as long as we:
1) ensure the entire tick was removed including the head
2) clean the area with rubbing alcohol
3) watch the area for signs of the bull's eye
4) pay attention to complaints of headache and joint pain
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
You're not angry about the car ride, you're upset that DH isn't spending more time with DD. He's showing that he is in fact capable of showing devotion to family----it's just that it's not to you guys, his DW & DD, but to his parents.
Address this issue, not the ride to Dulles.
I agree.
But I can also relate to the absurd indignation of being picked up by a car service. When my cousin got married, her mom's friend flew in from England and expected the mother of the bride to pick her up from the airport the night before the wedding. This was an indian wedding, so a 3-day affair. My aunt literally had not slept the night before, so sent a car service (a limo, no less) to pick up her friend. Upon seeing that her friend hadn't *personally* picked her up, she turned around and took the next flight back to London. Crazy, right?
For reals? Are they friends now? How did they mend the relationship?
Some people! That's ridiculous. Anyone who's ever been in or near a wedding knows how busy it is. She should consider herself lucky she even had a car sent for her at all!
I actually have no clue - my aunt was really hurt by this and I didn't want to bring it up! I can't imagine that they picked up their friendship after that.
Might be a growth spurt? I don't think there is anything wrong but I have no medical experience. I'm just a mom of a couple kids who love sleeping!
My kids regularly slept 12 hours at night (7am-7pm with a bottle sometime between 2 and 5 am), a 1-2 hour nap in the morning and a 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon.
So... enjoy it! If you are very concerned you could always ask your physician.
My kids regularly slept 12 hours at night (7am-7pm with a bottle sometime between 2 and 5 am), a 1-2 hour nap in the morning and a 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon.
So... enjoy it! If you are very concerned you could always ask your physician.
Santa Barbara or San Francisco
Where are you going? Would make a difference in terms of availability of rentals and cost/ benefit to simply purchasing some gear once you get there. Will you have any other family near FIL's you can borrow some gear from?
Depends on your financial situation but I would def. not bring pack n plays at all. You can get them for $50 at Costco and probably other retailers so I would just buy them there or get FIL to buy them before you arrive. Those things are bulky and heavy and totally not worth flying with. 2.5 year old might do well to try out a mattress on the floor anyway and happily return to a crib when you get home... just a thought. We have done that with our toddler no problem.
There are rental places out there- although depends where FIL lives. And your tolerance for rented baby gear. And price- might be close to just buying your own.
Depends on your financial situation but I would def. not bring pack n plays at all. You can get them for $50 at Costco and probably other retailers so I would just buy them there or get FIL to buy them before you arrive. Those things are bulky and heavy and totally not worth flying with. 2.5 year old might do well to try out a mattress on the floor anyway and happily return to a crib when you get home... just a thought. We have done that with our toddler no problem.
There are rental places out there- although depends where FIL lives. And your tolerance for rented baby gear. And price- might be close to just buying your own.
I don't think you're crazy. Doesn't sound like a good use of time to me. If he works long hours and doesn't see your daughter much then that makes it even worse!