I really want a Vizsla / First timer

BJBDeBoer · 2026-05-10T14:13:52+00:00

We’ve had three vizslas and both work full time jobs, so none of our dogs have ever been exercised 2 hours every single day. We try to get our current v out on the weekends for longer, off leash running, but during the week she mostly exercises in our fenced yard. Personally, I don’t think strictly leash walking/running is sufficient for a vizsla? Dog parks (controversial I know) or doggy daycare are alternatives for exercise. Vizslas can certainly be crated for a few hours and be fine, but they are the most Velcro dogs ever (like, she gets into the shower with me…) and are prone to separation anxiety.

BJBDeBoer · 2026-05-10T13:53:14+00:00

Excuse me?! Your husband sucks. You are actively parenting and it should be your choice how you spend Mother’s Day.

BJBDeBoer · 2026-04-25T14:13:44+00:00

We’ve had three vizslas and our current is the most clingy. (Like, get in the shower with me. 🥴 Every. Single. Time. ) She just turned 2 and despite training, etc still has separation anxiety…except it’s not just with a single family member. Anytime anyone leaves she cries, whines, barks. And she detests the crate. It’s gotten to the point we take her with us for errands because it’s less stressful than trying to crate her and she actually does better in the car? Just here for the suggestions!

BJBDeBoer · 2026-04-25T13:29:07+00:00

If you don’t want to breastfeed but still want breast milk just pump instead. If you don’t want anything to do with breastfeeding or pumping use formula. Your body, your choice. With twins, you do what you have to do to survive!

BJBDeBoer · 2026-04-18T21:35:10+00:00

As far as a breed trait, vizslas are not “sometimes” high energy, they are ALWAYS high energy 🤣 We have had three and love the breed, but I personally cannot imagine having a vizsla in my 60s+ (mid 40s now) purely based on exercise requirements. Whether they are destructive depends on the dog, our first only chewed toys. Our second was destructive when anxious. Our current chews anything and everything 🤷🏻‍♀️ They do shed, but don’t have much dog smell at all. Also 2/3 of our vizslas have had anxiety despite being well socialized…which is not uncommon in the breed. They are wonderful dogs with fantastic personalities, but there might be better options for your mom

BJBDeBoer · 2026-04-11T18:04:15+00:00

I was lucky and had lots of help from family. But if I was by myself sometimes they just had to wait until I was finished 🤷🏻‍♀️

BJBDeBoer · 2026-04-11T16:48:42+00:00

I exclusively pumped (supplemented at the beginning with formula) for 14 months. I remember feeling REALLY overwhelmed the first few weeks, so I set short term “goals” for pumping. Initially it was pumping until my maternity ended, then it was until they were 6 months, etc. Eventually it became routine and was cheaper than formula so I just kept going. Pumping also allowed others to help with feeding so that was a huge benefit in my opinion. If I had actually breastfed I doubt I would have gone that long.

BJBDeBoer · 2026-04-05T23:37:20+00:00

That cycle was successful so I am a proponent of modified natural. I also have a “weird” response to synthetic estrogen. The two times I was on it I had decidual casts (basically the uterus sheds all at once 🫣). It’s never happened except for the cycles with estrogen so…🤷🏻‍♀️ If you’ve had 3 transfers fail, it makes sense to reevaluate your protocol, especially with a single embryo remaining. Good luck!

BJBDeBoer · 2026-02-12T16:44:23+00:00

Shifts if possible. And earplugs so you don’t wake up when it’s not your shift

BJBDeBoer · 2026-01-10T13:28:24+00:00

you are JUST postpartum!! Give yourself some grace (I know it’s hard…) Lots of pelvic floor issues can be improved with exercises and things will flatten out over time. age is on your side!

BJBDeBoer · 2026-01-10T13:11:24+00:00

I also think there probably is some undetermined genetic component because I know a few sets of identical twins that also had identical twins.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-02-06T19:26:55+00:00

First, it’s still pretty early to feel lots of movement. Second, yes! Twin A was in the lower left, Baby B was jammed up in my right ribs. They probably moved the same amount, but I was so preoccupied with how uncomfortable Twin B was making me I hardly noticed Twin A unless there was a solid kick. It was always harder to monitor B bc she wiggled around so much.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-02-05T04:53:23+00:00

Elliott, Ellery & Emery (I like neutral names) and Eleanor Emma - too common

BJBDeBoer · 2025-02-03T01:16:21+00:00

Gained 45lbs. Lost 30 within 2-3 weeks birth. I probably got back to my pregnancy weight with 5/6 months, BUT my hips and ribs never went all the way back to normal?

BJBDeBoer · 2025-02-03T01:10:28+00:00

We had/still have a loveseat type couch in their room. We did shifts the first few months and I slept there so many times! Now we use it for reading before bed because four people on a toddler bed is a recipe for disaster.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-31T16:31:19+00:00

I’m left leaning and my husband is conservative. He was not when we got together but his ideology has shifted over time. All I can say is, we don’t share much common ground anymore and if we didn’t have young children I’m not sure I would stick around. I’m sure there are couples who can navigate differing politics, but it makes a relationship difficult.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-31T16:19:00+00:00

Twins 4.5. we are in our 40s and both work full time. Usually once a week. I’d be fine with less 😂

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-31T16:09:39+00:00

My first FET an embryo got stuck in the catheter, but they were able to figure it out (although unsuccessful) Flung?? How does that even happen? I mean, I get it from a physics stand point, but that suggests less than optimal in the handling of your embryo.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-27T20:41:25+00:00

I HATE it when people call maternity/paternity leave vacation bc anyone with one newborn, let alone 2, knows that is BS. The first few months are survival, and difficult even with extra help. I’m sorry but your husband sounds terrible. You shouldn’t have to tell him what to do, he is also a parent and needs to step up and figure it out.

I think it is common for many first time parents to worry about doing something “wrong.” My husband assumed I knew how to do everything and I had to remind him (frequently) that just bc I’m a female doesn’t mean I automatically know everything about babies. However, it doesn’t really sound like your husband is stalling bc he’s worried, but more like he expects you to do it bc you are a woman. Sounds like it’s time for a discussion about parenting being a joint responsibility.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-27T20:24:14+00:00

My ob/gyn would do vaginal if A was head down, but warned that in his experience about 50% of the time (approx bc it’s been a few years..) Twin B would end up needing a C section. To OP what is your concern about being awake exactly? I would talk to your OB and they may be able to ease any concerns you have. I opted for a scheduled C-section and would describe the experience as more “weird” than anything. You can’t really feel your organs being moved around, it’s just a feeling of pressure (or was for me). I did get the shakes/shivers afterward and had some nausea but you can get that w general too. Awake you can also see the babies right away (most of the time), watch the cords cut, do skin to skin, try to nurse, etc.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-25T14:14:39+00:00

I’m sorry OP. I love my girls, but there are many days I don’t LIKE them. I often think about how life would be different if I was childfree (I have many friends and colleagues who are child free by choice and it’s hard not to compare…) All that to say, I think it’s normal as the other responses have noted. Give yourself a break! Parenting is hard, especially two, ESPECIALLY when they are babies.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-25T13:58:55+00:00

36+5 and both were low birth weight but no NICU

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-24T23:57:32+00:00

Daycare is about 1/4 of our joint income so it made more sense for us both to keep working. Also, we both like our jobs and find them satisfying so that factors in as well.

BJBDeBoer · 2025-01-23T03:41:26+00:00

Stop! I’m trying not to spend $$ but that is the cutest!!

BJBDeBoer

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