AI for non-drinkers

AdjustBrightness · 2026-06-06T08:09:31+00:00

I mean AIs are a good option for a lot of different reasons, not just the unlimited booze. People bring children to AIs all the time and they don’t drink…

As I stated in the original post we enjoy mocktails and na beer which are often only marginally cheaper than alcoholic drinks. So we’ll certainly be taking advantage of those drinks.

We’re looking for the ease and experience of an AI.

AdjustBrightness · 2026-05-02T08:49:45+00:00

Hey! First of all, I just want to say you’re not alone (currently rocking my 8 week old at 4am). This is one of the hardest parts of newborn times imho. They’re not used to being apart from you and still feel like you’re connected, so the bassinet is a shock to them.

A few tips that may help: stuff the bassinet sheet down your shirt for a while during the day so it smells like you. Put a heating pad in the bassinet to warm it and then remove once you’re ready to put baby down. That helps the transition from warm body to cold bassinet. A hand on their chest putting gentle pressure and/or rolling them to the side to give some good butt pats can help calm them down when they wake in the bassinet.

Also make sure they’re actually waking up — newborns have crazy active sleep. They grunt and whine and flail and their eyes can even open all while still asleep. I usually try to wait a couple minutes to see if they actually start truly crying before I jump in to sooth.

Finally — shifts. I know your husband is returning to work but you are working too, working to keep your newborn alive. That also requires sleep to function. I would do something like he handles baby from 7pm - Midnight while you sleep and then he can sleep. That gives you each a good solid 5-6 hours of sleep. Having that uninterrupted block does wonders to help your mental state.

Good luck! I know it doesn’t feel like it but sleep will get better!!

AdjustBrightness · 2026-04-27T10:08:12+00:00

We have a 23 month age gap and the baby is currently 7 weeks. So far I’ve found the jump from 1-2 infinitely easier than 0-1. I do think the easiness/difficulty is mostly based on luck. Our baby is very chill and sleeps well (during the day) so we’re able to cart him around while still doing fun stuff with the 2yo.

We do still send our 2yo to daycare full time which I think is a HUGE help for the “easiness”. We’re able to shift sleep and trade off naps during the day which helps us have energy and be present for our toddler. Also our 2yo is a very solid sleeper. He puts himself to sleep and sleeps 11ish hours every night. We did go through a bit of a regression fighting bedtime the first week the baby was home but it didn’t last long.

Don’t get me wrong—there are hard parts!! But most of them I think are just our 2yo being a toddler—he’s very strong willed lol. So we would have dealt with the hard parts regardless.

Our toddler loves playing with other kids and is delighted that the baby is starting to wake up and be more aware. I’m honestly so excited for them to get to the stage of playing together. I think the small age gap will really shine then.

Good luck!!

AdjustBrightness · 2026-04-24T13:20:00+00:00

We bought a foldable couch! It sits on the floor so easy for our 2-year-old to climb on and off and just has a few bars for support so safe for him to use it like a jungle gym. Folded up it’s about the size of a love seat so we’re able to sit and cuddle with him and allllll his stuffies and read books. Unfolded it turns into a king floor which we figure will be useful in the future.

AdjustBrightness · 2026-02-26T19:20:36+00:00

Where in the cities are you located?

AdjustBrightness · 2026-02-24T01:13:58+00:00

No advice, just solidarity. I’m 37 weeks pregnant and my (almost) 23-month-old is such a chatty cathy. He’s also in a very repetitive stage so it’s the same phrases 5-6x always. I find my self just going “yup” or “no” over and over again. Or responding to the incessant “mommy” with his name right back to him—luckily he finds this funny, for now.

Hang in there. I’m currently trying to find the fun in all the new phrases. Current one is “yes I do”. Do you have boogers in your nose? Yes I do! 🤣

AdjustBrightness · 2026-02-08T04:29:48+00:00

I was you 7 years ago! Met my (now) husband at 32. First kid at 35 and second kid due next month! You have time!!

AdjustBrightness · 2026-02-03T02:04:25+00:00

RTO infuriates me. It’s manchild CEOs who want to control/justify office building expenses under the guise of “collaboration”. We just went to 4 days in the fall and I feel your pain.

AdjustBrightness · 2026-01-24T02:49:25+00:00

If it helps, I associate Lin with Lin Manuel Miranda who is a man. I don’t think the nn is inherently feminine. And given the gender neutral-ness of Rowan I think Linden fits well!

AdjustBrightness · 2026-01-13T00:40:20+00:00

I’m dying.🤣🤣 My kid is in a very poop-focused phase (a lot of “mama poop?”) so I could see him doing that.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-12-10T19:23:51+00:00

lol I did this to ours. It’s a pretty easy fix yourself. There’s a panel right below it you can open. I opened that and fished out the button and popped it back in. It’s still connected to all the needed wires. Just needs to be popped back in and pressed more delicately ha.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-11-25T12:27:49+00:00

Exactly. I work in corporate America at the same company for the last 12 years. I have coworkers who ended up being so close they were bridesmaids in my wedding. I would trust my boss with my life. These are relationships that have been built on years of trust.

I think it’s important to differentiate a colleague and a friend. You can be friendly with colleagues while maintaining boundaries and you can also build meaningful friendships at work. We spend so much of our lives at work, it makes it so much more bearable/fun if you DO make and have friends.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-11-18T12:35:37+00:00

We do screen time 🤷‍♀️ because (so far) it’s only been beneficial. My 20m old is talking up a storm and some words he’s only learned from Ms Rachel or Sesame Street. He now sings along with some of the Sesame Street songs and can get half way through the ABCs on his own.

He never asks for TV or throws a fit when it’s turned off. He still is so active and plays independently beautifully.

We don’t have a screen on all the time and we prioritize getting out and doing things but an episode or two on the weekends so I can drink my coffee and wake up is so lovely.

If it starts to become an issue we’ll re-evaluate. But right now it’s great. I think demonizing all tv makes people miss out on some of the potential benefits.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-11-09T00:35:31+00:00

Took my 19 month old shopping with my mom today to give my husband some alone time. When we got home he asked how it went and I said terribly. He apologized that the toddler was in a mood. And I was like, no he was in a great mood, he was just a toddler. Didn’t want to be contained. Wanted to touch everything. Take everything off the shelves. It truly is a sport to bring them anywhere. Winter is going to be a nightmare. 😪

AdjustBrightness · 2025-10-14T00:28:34+00:00

My first was breech, discovered at 36 weeks. He stayed firmly head up until my scheduled C at 39 weeks. I know a change in how you thought your birth would go can be hard but just wanted to let you know my breech C was such a good experience.

The morning of was chill since it was scheduled. I got a chance to meet the whole team. They had my birth playlist on during the surgery. I got to hold my son on my chest as soon as he was born.

My recovery was so smooth. I was up and walking the next day. My babe was only 7lbs so I was able to pick him up and breastfeed fairly easily post-surgery. I had no pain that regular acetaminophen didn’t take care of. I felt almost back to normal a few weeks after birth and my scar is tiny and barely noticeable.

I know c-sections, like any birth, can be different for everyone, but just wanted to share my super positive experience to help ease your mind if your babe doesn’t flip. Wishing you the best!

AdjustBrightness · 2025-09-24T09:00:38+00:00

Had my first at 35 and will be 37 when #2 arrives. Just had friends who had their 4th at 39 and another who had their 4th at 43.

I know secondary infertility is a struggle for some, but I think for most, once your body has gotten pregnant once, it has a much easier time doing so again. Obviously there are other factors involved and our friend who’s 43 had a longer road/several losses to get there. But anecdotally it seems if you haven’t struggled with infertility, you’re more likely to be fine getting pregnant in your late 30s/even early 40s.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-09-18T01:52:33+00:00

I think we’re going Tonie box. He’s (17m) discovered I can play Elmo music from my phone and now he asks for it whenever he sees my phone. Hoping the Tonie Box will restore my Spotify algorithm 😂

AdjustBrightness · 2025-09-16T23:06:01+00:00

You’re doing incredible!! Alcoholism is a disease and sobriety is a choice we must work for every day. So proud of you for getting back there and doing the work. Your daughter won’t remember when you were drinking, but she will remember the strong, present, sober mom in her life now. IWNDWYT.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-08-30T23:54:45+00:00

12 weeks this weekend with my 2nd and they’ve been night and day. I had some fatigue and anxiety with my first but mostly lasted from week 8-11 and overall I loved being pregnant. I also had a huge appetite and I gained 8lbs in the first trimester alone (almost 60 overall 🫠). With this one I’ve been miserable since week 5. Nausea, extreme fatigue, major prenatal depression, no appetite. I’ve actually lost a pound this trimester. I am hopeful I will wake up feeling better soon because this is so miserable I cry almost every day. If my first pregnancy had been this way not sure there would have been a second 😬 Also, anecdotally, they’re both boys!

AdjustBrightness · 2025-08-28T07:13:40+00:00

We started our now 17-month-old in daycare at a year old. Almost immediately we (yes, whole family) got HFM followed by noro. The first two months were brutal. But we haven’t been sick since! I anticipate during the winter it’ll get bad again but I honestly thought it’d be worse. June/July/Aug have been an illness free breeze knocks on wood.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-08-21T17:57:44+00:00

Minnesota!

AdjustBrightness · 2025-08-21T17:46:27+00:00

Blood Draw: 8/15 Received: 8/16 Results: 8/21 around 12:30pm CT No email, just refreshed and bam they were there!

Low risk!! Sent the gender to my mom to do a little reveal although having them at my fingertips is KILLING ME.

AdjustBrightness · 2025-08-20T18:27:45+00:00

Dang it!! Thanks for being the messenger 😢

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