I agree I don't know how anyone can go for so long without at least 4-6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It just seems dangerous to me. I fall asleep behind the wheel if I don't get enough sleep. I've been lucky with my daughter though. She has always slept soundly and even as a newborn didn't wake up before 5:30 am. Now we wake her up every morning, around 7 am to get ready to go. I do know this isn't always the case, though. Every kid is different.

I did think the two poles on wither side of the door didn't make any sense. You're right, now there's nothing to hold on too. Also the one by the door puts your butt squarely in the face of the person sitting down closest to the door. Really uncomfortable.

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever met an Asian american, antarctican american, australian american, european american north american american or south american american? I have only met African american. Just be an American, be proud to be apart of this great country. Quit trying to be two things, can't happen.

That is one of the silliest things I've ever read. You have a great sense of humor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading stories like this really annoys me. We also make a good living (but I guess average for MoCo!) and we could afford high prices on toddler clothing but choose not to as it's a waste of money.

I'm also not dressed to the nines where ever I go.

But - it's salespeople! They need to get over themselves! Not to trash a job (and I do know they work hard, have to deal with annoying customers, etc. etc.) but really! And the person who was treated rude at Hamburger Hamlet by waitrons? Come on! You're a waitron, people! Not curing cancer or have the high-powered legal job!

I think some of these people need to get a little perspective...

Ummmmm, Yeah. You may not have trashed the jobs, but you did trash the people that fill them. What kind of elitist B.S. is that?

I am guessing you are the type of person who never had to work for anything, and never waited tables, worked retail, or anything of the sort. Many people have to work their way through college, and too many have had people like you looking down your nose at them.

I assume that it is again time for you to go the plastic surgeon and have some of that ceiling removed from you nose.

I'm the poster you quoted.

Let's see - my first real job was when I was in 8th grade as a newspaper delivery person (small town back in the 80's. Kids could have jobs like that). Then I worked retail at Little Caesar's in high school. During college, I worked in a small departmental office job doing work like making photocopies, etc.

Those jobs, unfortunately, didn't pay for my entire college. I still had plenty of loans I had to pay back.

But ummm, yeah. When I see a salesperson/waitress act all high and mighty/elitist/snobby just because they work in a store/restaurant in the nice part of town, then, yeah, I will call them on it (even if it's a vent on a message board!).

If a salesperson/waitress works hard and is pleasant, why on earth would I have a problem with those people? They're just doing their jobs like you and I.

But when they display a snobby attitude - sorry, but they do need to get a little perspective and realize they shouldn't act that way!

I think more people need to get over themselves and realize they aren't as great as they are in their own heads.

No, you were definitely putting down the people who fill those jobs. But yours wasn't even as bad as the one who said they can 'fetch' whatever she asks for. I don't even have words for that one.

Go to ehealthinsurance.com

Anonymous wrote:Kingstowne has some good shopping options but it is getting crowded, the commute-by car into the district is horrible and the public schools are ok at best.

I guess your car ride was much different from mine. I carpool and have a very easy time. If you want to ride alone, during rush hour, on 395 then yep, probably sucks.

Growing up I lived off of Franconia Rd so I did go to Springfield Estates elementary school and then Key for one year. I loved those schools back then but maybe they're just OK now, I don't know. Is your child not doing so well in school?

Anonymous wrote:This question is for Maynie (19:30 posting)-I'd love more feedback on Kingstowne. We've found a couple of places in our price range but didn't know anyone who lives there. Is it family-friendly? When you say it's 1 mile from the metro, which metro would that be? My husband works in Crystal city so the location seems good for us. We just wanted to make sure that it was a friendlly environment with good schools.

It's by the Franconia Springfield metro, the last stop on the blue line. Although Van Dorn metro is just about the same distance. Crystal city is only a 20 minute metro ride. Or if has to drive he could try slugging. It's how I get to work everyday http://www.slug-lines.com/ This would mean no paying for parking at metro and the ride is only about 10-15 minutes to Crystal City.

I thought the people in Kingstowne were very friendly. If you're an outdoorsy type you'll love it. There's so many trails and places to walk. A lot of families live in that area. It is a small community, that's always beautifully landscaped and I really love areas with lots of trees.

I was in my early twenties when I lived there, pre-child, so I can't point you right in the direction of all the kids activities and things to do because I didn't worry about that stuff then. I originally moved there because I needed a place that was pet friendly. There's always people out walking and running. All the communities have the pools, tennis courts and racquetball.

They just recently finished the shopping center over there so there's lots of restaurants now and a movie theater.

You should take a ride through there if you have some time. I'd be surprised if you didn't love it. I'd move back if I could afford it. My in laws live there now and my husband and I occasionally house sit when they go on vacation. Every time we do, we always think how much easier it would be to live there because the location is so convenient for many things.

Let me know if you need any more info!

This happened to my daughter and I got really freaked out when I saw the spots on her face. I took her to the doctor and they said it was roseola. Don't know if it fits for your child, but you should google it. I hadn't even heard of it.
Any reason you can't take him to the doctor? Even just to relieve your worry?

Kingstowne is one of my favorite areas in VA. I lived there for almost 5 years and loved it.

It's in Fairfax Co so the schools are great and it's one mile from the metro. The metro ride into downtown is about 30 minutes.

http://www.kingstowne.org/

Anonymous wrote:I have lived in Silver Spring and Bethesda and must agree that the people are surprisingly rude. I walked a lot with my baby in a stroller and had at least one experience a day where I was dodging rude people on the sidewalks or (worse) drivers (when I had the right of way!). I couldn't figure it out.

This wasn't just in the downtown areas, it was all over Montgomery County. I'd be in a parking lot at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods and cars would pull right into me when I was getting my daughter out of the stroller.

Having moved from the Northeast and lived in a couple of major cities (Boston, NYC) I just couldn't understand why people were aiming their cars at a woman with a baby.

We moved to Virginia and the difference was remarkable. We live in Fairfax but the people have been SO MUCH nicer.

As for the taxes, Montgomery County is way too high. We didn't get enough benefits from the chunk we were losing out of our paychecks and general taxes and insurance. If you have a smaller income to survive on, I highly recommend that you stay in VA. You'll even save money by moving to VA from DC.

It is so funny that yu mention you had these experiences because I felt the same way in Bethesda. I worked there for four years and it was the worst. I felt like if I was crossing the street sometimes I would really get hit. (But I get this everyday in downtown DC so...) I had come from being in Old Town, where everyone is so much more friendly and laid back, and it was quite an adjustment.

I grew up in NO VA so I know I'm partial but, my vote is for VA.

The crib position is going to based on your baby's stage of mobility and your height.
When you have a newborn they aren't mobile at all so the mattress is usually at it's highest level.
As they continue to grow and start moving around you're going to have to keep lowering it.
You want the height that's most comfortable for you to reach in and put down or pick up the baby, without them being able to get out.

Just PM me.

My crib had a drop side and I used it all the time. I'm 5' 5"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, this is going to sound sappy, but I really do think I love my husband unconditionally. So, no I don't think you need to have a child to feel unconditional love. Maybe it's because I met my husband when we were 20 and we've been together 15 years (14 of them without a child, including over a year we travelled together spending almost 100% of that time with one another)? Now of course we fight (and quite a bit at times for the first 8-9 years) and have disagreements, but I really do think "no matter what" I would still love him (maybe not like him or his actions, depending, but love him nonetheless).

At the same time, I am so appreciative we decided (and were able to) have kids. But not because of the love part. To me motherhood is the biggest challenges of life. And I thrive on big challenges.....!

You do not unconditionally love your husband, what if he cheated on you, numerous times, beat you or worse, killed your child. The love can end.

Under these same circumstances, the love your child has for you can end also.

Anonymous wrote:It must be nice. Here I sit unemployed ( I was supposed to start work yesterday, but they hired someone else insted after offering me the position) I could not afford to get my children anything for Christmas, my phone is disconnected, power bill is over due, my cell phone is getting ready to be turned off, mortgage is due, and the best part, I have no food to feed my children.

Times are hard, but I will always help someone who needs food. I echo the OP, how can we help?