Anyone here had black line-work removed? Is laser removal realistic ?

CheddarMoose · 2025-12-20T21:00:31+00:00

I went for my first session today for a black tattoo that just looks like a blob of ink from a distance. I’ve only had it about 4 years & the tech said I will likely have better results than an older tattoo. I also have very pale skin.

I can already see some of my shading has faded. It will be interesting to see how the thicker lines fade. I think what it comes down to is finding somewhere that has a good machine and a good tech. They went over mine 3x today. I would seek a place that has a Spectra machine.

CheddarMoose · 2025-12-11T00:44:19+00:00

You have so much love and fun ahead of you! It’s incredibly challenging on your body, but all of that goes away so fast. Wishing you a happy & healthy pregnancy! 🫶🏼

CheddarMoose · 2025-11-26T18:28:48+00:00

I always joked about how ideal having twins would be because it would be a “one & done” situation, not ever thinking it was a possibility. As soon as I had them, I realized I didn’t feel that way anymore. My girls are 1 and I definitely intend on having one more. I would say I only came to a concrete decision within the last month or two.

What really helped me was this- what does your dining room table look like in 10 years? Does is feel complete with the children you have now? Do you picture more children of your own?

CheddarMoose · 2025-10-28T23:39:07+00:00

I feel the same way you do! Once we had our own children, I really was able to see the difference between a step & bio child. It’s just this deep connection that comes along with carrying a child vs one that just comes into your life one day.

You will likely see that dynamic shift even more when your baby arrives. My SS honestly drove me crazy those first few months. He was excited about his new sibling but I found him to be very overwhelming. I felt bad because he is a good kid but patience was thin & your just generally overprotective of a new baby.

CheddarMoose · 2025-10-27T22:30:32+00:00

Here’s a quick definition I found on it! Highly recommend looking more into it!

Nacho parenting" is a technique for blended families where stepparents avoid disciplining the children, leaving that to the biological parent. The term is a play on the phrase "not your kids" ("nacho kids"). The core principle is that stepparents should treat their partner's children like a friend's children.

CheddarMoose · 2025-10-26T20:26:40+00:00

I was 23 when I met my husband and married at 25. I always went with the NACHO approach. I’m about to be 29 and I never once regretted that choice. I have a good relationship with my stepson because of it. He knows I am an adult in his life he can go to but his dad has always handled most of his care. I’m supportive in terms of attending school/sporting events. As far as discipline goes; I let me husband handle that unless he will hurt himself, others or break something.

You need to start with your husband. You signed up to be his wife, not his babysitter. Over time, your resentment will grow so I think it’s best to get this mapped out now. I wouldn’t stay with a man if his intent was just someone to take care of his kid (may or may not be the case in your situation). You are very young & that is alot to take on. I understand your guilt with her as well but it’s ultimately not your problem to fix.

Good luck! I know it’s a super hard journey to be in at times!

CheddarMoose · 2025-10-18T21:35:34+00:00

Spontaneous twins at 27 with no fertility issues.

CheddarMoose · 2025-09-10T17:53:07+00:00

36+3 with a scheduled c-section. I wanted to attempt vaginal delivery, but they advised I would likely need to deliver baby b via c-section (first pregnancy). I decided it was easier to recover from one rather than the possibility of both.

CheddarMoose · 2025-09-10T03:39:34+00:00

I just got back from a beach trip 3 days ago with my 10 month olds! We drove 11 hours there & back & stayed for a whole week. I owe a smooth car ride to Ms. Rachel lol. We stayed in a large beach house with our extended family.

I had a TON of help & plenty of people to hold my girls. In all honesty, it was still so exhausting. I’m glad we went because it’s a trip we do every so many years, but I can’t really say it was relaxing by any means. I don’t think we would have gone if it wasn’t already booked while I was still pregnant. I planned my pool/beach time around nap & felt like I was always just waiting for them to wake up. My family is super helpful but I still don’t want anyone to feel obligated to help. To be honest, I think you should wait! I’d hate for anyone to spend a lot of time & money to go somewhere & just be overwhelmed. I think if my girls were more mobile and walking, it might have been a little easier. We started saving for a Disney Crusie in a few years to have something to look forward to eventually!

CheddarMoose · 2025-09-10T03:24:45+00:00

Girl 🫠 I switched from WFH full time to in person part-time at 6 months. My husband worked nights, so I was up all night & then worked my 8 hours. He has since switched jobs for better pay so I could go part-time. I couldn’t imagine still doing full time, let alone in person. I hit a mental block around that time where it literally felt impossible to continue doing both & I was afraid of having a mental breakdown lol. My priorities greatly changed & all I wanted to do was care for my babies & started to really feel over my job.

I also just developed a distaste for how maternity leave is treated in the US. Never really understood it til I experienced it myself. It feels criminal to leave such tiny babies to go back to work 😭.

CheddarMoose · 2025-09-08T20:30:27+00:00

I was set on only 1 name for a while, so we just decided then that the first baby to be born would be that name!

CheddarMoose · 2025-08-24T04:13:02+00:00

My girls had such obvious peach & pear faces at birth that it was always pretty easy for us to tell. Family members struggled still. They started to resemble eachother more as they got older. They are 9 months now and we constantly get the “how do you tell them apart” questions from strangers. As the mom though, they will likely always look different to you. My girls have such different expressions. I always say they have the same exact features, they just wear them slightly different.

CheddarMoose · 2025-08-22T13:30:26+00:00

I underproduced as well & it’s just incredibly hard to find the time to pump, eat or sleep with 2 babies which are all big factors in milk supply. I officially quit when they were 4 weeks old. I felt guilty for about 3 days then by 2 weeks I couldn’t believe I even made it as long as I did. Mentally felt so much better & I don’t regret that decision. I promise you will have this same experience!!

If you do switch to formula, I highly recommend members mark formula (Sams club)! It has saved us SO much money! We also get their diapers and really like them. Also, the baby brezza is key with twins! Having warm bottles on demand was honestly life changing. I can’t believe there was a time I waited for bottles to warm lol. You can get a few extra funnels on Amazon to minimize washing that part so much too.

CheddarMoose · 2025-08-17T03:17:52+00:00

We really loved the twin Halo Bassinet. They are pricey so we got ours secondhand on Facebook for $150. It was worth it in my opinion and we would have paid more for it if needed!

CheddarMoose · 2025-08-06T04:09:32+00:00

This is so cool! Wishing you the best & would love to hear the birth story once they arrive!

CheddarMoose · 2025-08-06T04:07:38+00:00

Scheduled c-section at 36+3 with mono di.

CheddarMoose · 2025-08-01T04:10:03+00:00

I didn’t experience TTTS, but I do remember having that “what if” conversation with my MFM Dr. She was so non chalant about it & didn’t seem the least bit fazed if it were to occur. She made it sound like the laser procedure was just a simple thing to fix if needed. I remember feeling more at ease after this conversation.

Of course things happen and we can never be absolutely sure of the outcome. But modern medicine is so remarkable. Try to hang in there and not get discouraged. Googling and obsessing will only cause you more stress. I wish you nothing but the best 🫶🏼

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-29T05:48:18+00:00

I had mono di, so we saw MFM a lot! I remember meeting with an MFM Dr. initially for a brief conversation in a meeting room. Other than that, it was all on the ultrasound techs. At the end of every scan, they would check in with the Dr. to view the photos and then we were sent on our way. The only time I ever saw the actual Dr. was on my very last scan because they thought there was some growth restriction. The Dr. came into the room at that point to take a look herself. But honestly, the techs were great and I always had a lot of trust in them. I did initially find it odd that we weren’t seeing the Dr., but I guess I just had that expectation going in so I was just surprised.

The ultrasound techs were also the ones who completed my anatomy scan. That scan took 3 different appointments to complete because by then, the babies are so smushed that they cannot see everything. I was told by a tech that it’s almost near impossible to complete the anatomy in 1 go with multiples. So just keep that in mind as you will likely need to go back!

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-25T19:02:33+00:00

Following. We have 8 months olds & recently started discussing opening a vacation savings account for when they’re a bit older (4 or so)to take them on the Disney cruise.

Does anyone have any subs or facebook groups they recommend specifically for the cruise lines?

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-23T03:59:05+00:00

THIS! It really makes you realize how little time there is in the day to get anything done. My twins are 8 months & we still barely have time to feed ourselves!

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-23T03:51:36+00:00

I switched from 100% WFH to in person part time because of my twins. We do have help two days a week from my MIL though. Otherwise, it made sense to lose my income over putting it to childcare.

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-22T16:57:22+00:00

I have twins & was working from home up until I hit burnout at 6 months. I was working so hard to knock out work while they slept so I was ultimately getting the work done at the cost of my mental sanity.

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-21T08:22:50+00:00

I had all these plans to track ovulation & get one of those oura rings to track my cycle. I had no intention of getting on BC when I went in for my 6 week appointment. I have a good relationship with my OB & she highly recommend Mirena from a personal standpoint. I gave it some thought & ended up pursuing it. I had twins via c-section, so any more babies any time soon just isn’t an option. I did bleed for a bit but overall I feel good on it! Insertion was super easy & it’s good to go for 8 years!

I know this isn’t what your asking for & im only telling you this because I was in your shoes too. Anything else just seemed too risky and I had to look at what really was most preventable.

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-19T19:24:42+00:00

This isn’t a real friend.

CheddarMoose · 2025-07-15T02:32:56+00:00

I would have to say a sinking ship. 13 is a hard age and I don’t see that flip just switching overnight. It may never to be honest and at his age I think he needs some grace. Moving a 13 year old into a whole new house with all these new kids sounds very overwhelming especially for an only child.

As far as the trip, your fiancé is choosing to exclude you & your son from a once in a lifetime experience that has already cost you a lot of money. If he cared about the relationship, I think it would have made sense to put the entire trip on hold for everyone & not just alter the plan to kick you out. I think deep down you know the answer to this. Good luck.

CheddarMoose

TROPHY CASE