Merry Monday!

[dashook]

Twenty days left til Christmas (if you celebrate)! What's everybody up to today?

[sophiegrace]

I'm not ready for Christmas to be here yet. I feel like I've been waiting for it for so long this year and now time is just slipping away.

There's a package coming sometime today that I have to sign for and I would like to order newborn picture prints for family members and that's it.

[sophiegrace]

danib how's her foot doing?

[goldenlove3]

Morning everyone! Colin has a ped appointment in a couple hours then I might attempt to go grocery shopping after. It all depends on how he's doing since he's getting a shot today.

I'm starting to get anxious because I'm temporarily going back to work in a week. My STD is ending and I'm going back to take advantage of the holiday pay we get for the week between Christmas and NY. I have 3 vacation days left and plan on using some work from home days so I'll only be AT work for 5 days of the last two weeks. It was always my plan to go back at this time but C came early so now I have more time to make up. But then after NY, I'm starting my 12 week FMLA leave so it'll be worth it!

[sophiegrace]

Dec 5, 2016 9:35:21 GMT -5 danib said:

Dec 5, 2016 9:31:43 GMT -5 sophiegrace said:

danib how's her foot doing?

Really well actually. She is incredibly lucky that her doctor referred her to the specialist so quickly and got her casted properly. She's out of her cast now and in the walking boot, and is allowed to walk without her cruches (use just as needed). Next x-ray will be in 2 weeks and I think at that point they will be discussing Physio and potentially taking off the boot for short periods.

That's fantastic!!

[sophiegrace]

That is really nerve wracking goldenlove3! This time is going way too fast. That's such a good plan though and the holiday pay seems too good to say no too. I hope those upcoming 12 weeks get you through it!

Good luck at the Ped and double luck for the shot. We don't get any until two months and my stomach is already in knots over it.

[sophiegrace]

I have a sleeping baby on me. Should put her in the RnP so that I can get dressed and the house straightened up, but I'm enjoying the snuggles too much.

You know, as though I never get to hold this child.

[goldenlove3]

Thanks sophiegrace. Work is usually pretty slow at this time of year so hopefully it won't be bad. But I'm sure my sorry excuse for a backup is going to drive me crazy.

Enjoy those baby snuggles!!

waitwhat, our Christmas stuff is officially upstairs but still in the boxes. Maybe we'll get the darn thing up this week. I'm jealous that you get to start wrapping. I love wrapping gifts! If only I had any to wrap...

[goldenlove3]

Thanks for the tip danib! Today he's getting his second Hep B vaccine. He did ok with the first one so I'm hoping it's not too bad. The big one is next month so I'll definitely try some skin to skin with him.

[buckyb]

I can't believe your leave is already up goldenlove3! That is pretty great that you can take FMLA after disability. I get wanting to take advantage of the holiday pay. I'm sad that I am missing out on 5 paid company holiday days while on my maternity leave.

The struggle is real sophiegrace! This is why I sometimes don't brush my teeth until noon.

C was a great sleeper last night. I got a three hour stretch and he went right back to sleep after eating. It was glorious.

[aggiebug]

Oh man Mondays are tough for the toddler and thus tough in general around here. Then H spoiled me this weekend for my birthday making getting back to reality even tougher;)

[ClassyMrsA]

I think I'm like 1/4 done getting ready for Christmas. I discovered that I need 2 more strands of lights for the tree and some wraps for the trees outside. I need to get presents for everyone except sil2 and her husband. Lol. We'll order most of our stuff on free shipping day or whatever. I have 2 gifts on my amazon list. So...I have some work to do.

Today is mil's last day here. Not sure what we are going to do since it's still cold and rainy. DH is coming home early so that's nice. Of course he left at 4am to take fil to the airport and then went straight to work.

Re shots: I totally cried when Lillian got her first round. I had to look out the window and DH held her. Now I feel bad for her, but it doesn't bother me anymore. I imagine I'll handle Lilah's shots better. We also did skin to skin and nursed right after when Lillian had hers and she screamed during, but she relaxed and actually passed out right away after with nursing.

[shedreamsincolor]

Morning all! sophiegrace - I am also enjoying the snuggles of a sleepy baby. So much stuff to do and I just don't care. This period of time is so short - just enjoy goldenlove3 - hopefully your time back goes well. Nice that you will still have your FMLA left to use after the new year. My employer runs disability and FMLA together which is just so annoying. Still waiting to hear about my disability claim.

So not baby related (I can make a separate thread if that's better) but I'm bummed this morning. My little sister called me last night to let me know she and her husband of 3 years are divorcing. I'm not surprised, but I just feel awful for her. It's such a hard time of year to be going through this. They don't have any kids and I'm glad she's getting out of a bad relationship, but man. Has anyone been through this with a sibling or close friend? Trying to figure out how to best support her.

[aggiebug]

shedreamsincolor I am sorry divorce is so tough, especially at first. I know my bff had a hard time opening uo about it to me so just be there to listen when she is ready and tell her you love her often. For bff she felt like a failure, she was sad, angry, guilty, relieved but to talk to me who is happily married was tough ya know?

Lunch dates, wine dates, would probably be appreciated if you are close by. She will also probably need a lot of home goods once they actually separate so if you haven't gotten her a Christmas gift think about a target gift card or something so she can replenish a home.

[dashook]

sophiegrace, enjoy those snuggles! Too soon these babes will be wild toddlers who don't have the patience for more than a quick hug and kiss 😭
shedreamsincolor, that is really tough. No experience here but I wish your sister all the best and hope she will lean on her supportive family as necessary.

[dashook]

I'm in a shitty mood today. Tl;dr: my parents are really pissing me off.

We're having D's christening this coming Sunday because that's what works for her two godparents. My folks aren't coming up from NJ for it because my mom decided to schedule a Chanukah brunch down there for the same day, even though I said I wasn't available.

Originally they said they'd come up the following weekend (the 16th-18th), so we tried to reschedule the christening for then, but two days later they said they actually can't come that weekend, so we moved it back to the 11th.

So not only is she annoyed that we're not coming for her stupid brunch, but is also trying to convince me to come down the weekend of the 16th, because what I really want to do at less than a month postpartum is travel 5+ hours in a car with my 2u2 and have to stay all in the same room together at someone else's house.

To top it all off my dad (who declined to come up with my mom for the birth and so hasn't met D yet) texted me today to tell me how upset he is that he's missing his granddaughter's christening and ask if he will get to see her this year. I'm tempted to just text him back my address.

[hangry]

I am NOT ready for Christmas! I have so many people to but for and so few done and so few ideas. I'm not a great gift giver and it totally stresses me out.

dashook do you celebrate Christmas? (IIRC you are Jewish, yes?)

Re: shots. I was lucky with O, he was never much bothered by shots. Hoping it's the same for E!

shedreamsincolor Was this initiated by her or her H? I think there is always a fine line between showing support and not talking too negatively about the H or the relationship. Sometimes that negative talk can make a person feel even worse that they stayed in the relationship for so long rather than making that person feel validated, which is usually the intent. With a friend of mine, my words of support were based on complements towards her (you're so brave, I'm proud of you for thinking about yourself, etc). Whether she is happy about it or not, there will still be a major lifestyle change , which is hard on anyone (where will she live, what friends will she hang out with, impact on finances - divorce is expensive and you then aren't splitting your daily bills, what type of social activities, holiday traditions and where to go, who to text when you have some mundane comment to say). Sorry, that was a bit long and I don't know if helpful. I just don't envy anyone going through a divorce or break up.

[aggiebug]

Ugh dashook that really stinks. I have a hard time sitting here and not being snarky with you.

'funny dad, I was just thinking the same thing...'

'well unless you decide you want to see them enough to visit I guess you won't be seeing them this year'

'the road travels both ways'


Not that any of those comments are really helpful. Sorry.

[aggiebug]

hangry your new avatar got me!

And who do you have to buy for and what are some of their interest? I like thinking about gifts.

[shedreamsincolor]

dashook - LT for support. Why people who are presumably able to travel much more easily than someone with small children will still put a guilt trip on is beyond me! That sounds like a huge undertaking to travel that far in the car right now. Hopefully your parents will figure things out and be more understanding.

aggiebug - good idea on the gift card. It is such early stages right now they haven't figured out who's getting the house etc but she will absolutely need some new things regardless.

[shedreamsincolor]

hangry - my sister is initiating after years of being emotionally abused by this guy. You're right it is really, really hard to try to just be supportive when it has been so many years of watching her be hurt repeatedly. But I agree going to try to just be supportive and leave my opinions of him out of it. She's embarrassed and feeling "stupid" for staying so long.

[hangry]

Excellent aggiebug, here ya go!

I have my H and my mom done. And an idea for my dad.

2 sisters and 2 BILs

I have 6 neices and nephews:
Boys - 10, 8, 5, 2
Girls- 7, 6

Godfather - I usually buy a bottle of wine and a book.

In- laws - they are frugal people and don't have many external interests or hobbies and don't like non practical things. We usually only do stocking stuffers with them anyway. H always gives them gift cards or cash.

Step SIL - single 25 yo.

[aggiebug]

Those feelings are completely normal. I told my friend that on repeat. She was not stupid, she was not a failure, but her feelings are totally normal. That you love her and are proud of her making the right decision for her.

And hugs to you too. It can be hard to be the support person. Wanting to celebrate and sigh in relief but checking your feelings to truly be supportive of her can be tough.

[dashook]

hangry I am Jewish (good memory!) but my dad is not so I grew up celebrating Christmas with him. And MH is Catholic so we are doing both with our kids as well.

[sophiegrace]

Positive of the day: we cancelled our trip up north that we were going to do this weekend.

Negative of the day: this prompted MIL to find a friend to drive her down here (she doesn't drive highways) so she can meet M. I don't know this friend. She's bringing her two asshole dogs. Cherry on the cake? Coming next Monday through Wednesday. Yanno, working days when her son won't be here to buffer for me. I foresee a lot of time spent in the bedroom "feeding".

[sophiegrace]

shedreamsincolor PP have really good suggestions on your sister's divorce, I just want to send good thoughts to her. I hope she's able to build herself back up and see herself as the person everyone around her knows her to be. My previous relationship was very controlling and emotionally abusing. That first step to get out that she has already taken is truly the hardest part. She's so strong already. She's got this! Life will only get better from here on out.

[aggiebug]

Dec 5, 2016 12:57:38 GMT -5 hangry said:

Excellent aggiebug , here ya go!

I have my H and my mom done. And an idea for my dad.


2 sisters and 2 BILs
Coffee drinkers? My mom, mil and sister all enjoy subscription to bean box coffee they got to try fun coffees. Alcohol drinkers? Any specialty drink preferences you could get the nice glasses that coordinate? Or nice liquors, or mixers. Sports fans? Cooks? Other hobbies?   Penzeys spices are also very popular.


I have 6 neices and nephews:


Do the kids like reading? I can give books suggestions too.
Boys -
10, best ideas are going to depend if they are more active and ideas like nerf gun tag games (also depends in parents stance on guns here), pogo stick etc or more into thinking type projects. Like snap circuits, Legos, books, perplexus logic puzzle
8, same a the 10, year old.
5, lego juniors are awesome for this age. And they have lots of marvel characters. Board games. A teeter popper are some other ideas.
2 I am going to presume he is a younger sibling? With older brothers? so clothes isn't a good idea. If not clothes. Or s personalized book look up 'the little boy who lost his name', or an animal hopper (search horse hoper for example) OH or a bilibo it looks strange and the parents will probably go what? but the kid will know what to do

Girls-
7,6 crafts and crafts. This is the ultimate age for crafts in my opinion. Friendship bracket kits, hair wrap kits (ha I have a funny story about those), sun paper art kit (loved this and it's science too), knit a quilt kits if they have dolls doll accessories.  

Godfather - I usually buy a bottle of wine and a book. Sounds perfect!

In- laws - they are frugal people and don't have many external interests or hobbies and don't like non practical things. We usually only do stocking stuffers with them anyway. H always gives them gift cards or cash. Sounds like not something to worry about. Stocking stuffers if they like alcohol mini liquor bottles can be fun and you can often get holiday flavors.

Step SIL - single 25 yo. She like make up? A naked pallet by urban decay, earrings or other jewelry, an adult coloring book and nice colored pencils,? She a new professional? Something that would be nice for work? Married or single? Gift card to the movies, fun restaurants

Just my first thoughts.

ETA Edited for clarity and added a few more ideas. 

[sophiegrace]

hangry do you go to your ILs enough to notice if they need anything refreshed at their house? A nice cast iron pan maybe or new cutlery? Hands down one of the best presents my H and ever received was a set of really nice super sharp steak knives. Sounds silly but we had been using an IKEA set that didn't start off that sharp for years so I still think of how great that was to this day. OH! I get my nana and mom a gift card to their oil/gas company. Nothing more practical in the cold weather than paying for a bit of heat.

For the SIL, I'm just thinking of my 23 yo sister here. Sephora has some fantastic gift sets if she likes makeup. Their 'best of' one is great. Personalized stationary might also be fun. Does she get her nails done? Gift card to her salon if you're close enough since that adds up quick.

[LizInFL]

Hi!

Busy morning here; just checking in for a few minutes and then heading to B's 3-year check up.

Poor second child...I am having all the mom-guilt today, my sweet girl just gets dragged around all over creation. I've already had to pull over into random parking lots to feed her a couple times...with DS We were always home, he never had to wait, etc. I'm hoping this all means C will just be super flexible and well-adjusted someday 😉

[sophiegrace]

Dec 5, 2016 13:24:51 GMT -5 waitwhat said:

Ugh dashook. I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I wish people were more understanding sometimes. Unfortunately there are people in this world that think the world revolves around them and everyone should cater to them. I have some of those in my life and it's really frustrating.

sophiegrace enjoy the snuggles. I'm doing the same currently. I'm having all the feels thinking this is my last newborn and these snuggles won't last forever. My toddler won't even sit still long enough to cuddle with me. It does go so fast!

I meant to ask you...what size is J now wearing? I feel like 0-3s are going to be outgrown quicker than the NB clothes were and IIRC your little guy is also gaining like a champ.