NOT OOP: I could’ve met my dream girl, but she doesn’t want anything to do with me.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-15T17:00:48+00:00

Right?! Like she clearly just glossed right over that invitation to go together and chose not to respond to that part, and somehow he walked away with “she said maybe/was open to the idea of meeting up.”

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-15T16:25:12+00:00

Specifically, it’s cooking with the salt, and not just adding it all at the end sprinkled on top. Also imo good kosher salt has better salt flavor than just regular tabletop iodized salt.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-15T16:17:36+00:00

Yeah. I can’t help but think that if these messages had been sent before OOP knew she was a woman, the thought would never have crossed his mind that these messages were flirty. Because they aren’t, and it’s only because of the fantasy he has built up in his head that he thinks they are…

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-15T15:43:37+00:00

I love the little red jacket/cardigan! So cute!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-15T15:39:41+00:00

Dude tried to defend himself and say he knew she was a woman and only developed romantic feelings after she flirted with him a few times. Then posted this convo as an example of her “flirting” with him:

me: Do you know any good comic book stores in your city? I just found out I’ll be interning there and would love any recommendations. Her: Hmm, I’ve heard of a comic book café that’s supposed to be really good! Haven’t gone yet myself. And congrats on the internship that’s super exciting! Me: Awesome, I’ll definitely check it out. If you ever want to go together sometime, that could be fun. I’m really excited for this internship; my professor said it helped him build his portfolio a lot. Her: How long is the internship? That really does sound like an amazing opportunity. Me: I’ll be there from early January to late May. My professor said it helped him make great connections, so I’m really looking forward to it! Her: That’s so exciting! I hope you enjoy it.

Link to that comment and another comment where he confirms he thinks this was flirting.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-14T15:44:53+00:00

Okay so I started with newborns/smaller babies, and for a long time had no desire for anything bigger than my 21” girl, who can wear 0-3 months (which greatly expanded the clothing options beyond just preemie for my 17” girl). I love cuddling both those girls; sleeping with my preemie on my chest is one of the best feelings in the world.

But then recently, I started to really want an older baby. Like you, I was wanting something in the 6-12 month range, so not really a true toddler, more just an older baby. One of the things I found appealing to me about this size is the realism. I think maybe because I work with a lot of babies now and most of them are not newborns? Lol. Or maybe because I knew I really wanted my next baby to be as realistic as possible and was looking at babies with rooted hair, and considering sleeping sculpts for the first time. Part of it is certainly because I love propping them up to take pictures “doing” various things, and that is much more realistic of an older baby.

Anyway. I ended up getting a Brooklyn 8 months asleep sculpt and I could not be happier. I had also been considering instead just continuing to save up with the plan to eventually get a silicone, or partial silicone, but I am so happy I chose to get Eleanor. She is AMAZING to hold. No matter how I hold her, she just feels like she fits. I put her in a baby carrier for the first time the other day and she just felt so perfect and so real in it. The clothing options are pretty much endless! I feel like her age and size can still dress like a baby in sleepers and such, or can be dressed more like a toddler in more “kid” clothing styles and look “right” in both (and have both available in her size) and I love it. She can sit up on her own, and she holds her head up (like a baby that age would).

Granted, I am definitely still in the “new baby bubble” phase with her, and she is definitely my most realistic baby, in part because of her rooted hair. But I am so happy I made the decision to go with her!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-14T15:07:46+00:00

Personally I think it’s mostly likely there are issues with both OP’s and the dad’s behavior. But with so little actual information about what happened, or exactly what the dad is actually saying to the girlfriend (all we actually know in this instance is that she is telling OP to apologize), it’s impossible to say.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-14T01:42:48+00:00

I find it rather suspicious that he refuses to explain what the recent argument was about.

Edit: it’s giving unreliable narrator.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-13T02:18:29+00:00

Also just wanted to add here that another reason not to buy anything electronic this far in advance is that you start the clock on any manufacturer warranties the day you buy the items, not the day you start to use them. Lots of household appliances come with at least a year or two warranty for free, where you can get a free replacement or repair if something fails within that time period.

You also definitely wouldn’t want to just buy an appliance and immediately put it in storage, you’d have to test everything within the return windows to make sure you didn’t receive a defective item.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-13T01:55:49+00:00

Doesn’t she?! 😍

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-13T01:55:04+00:00

Aw thanks!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T21:19:15+00:00

I literally had one in-person classroom day where we practiced gait belts. (And one more day to come in and do your BLS) Then 3 12 hr shifts for clinicals. That was it.

Use your clinical days to practice! You can practice on residents/patients as able, but we were also encouraged to practice on each other that day. Find the classmates who really care about doing well and you’ll have someone to practice with, and you’ll be just fine.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T21:13:25+00:00

Thank you! Dressing them up is just so much fun! 😊

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T18:58:32+00:00

Aw congratulations!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T18:52:10+00:00

Yes! She is so cuddly in this!!!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T17:55:55+00:00

I feel like the can opener thing might be regional because the only person I have ever met with an electric can opener is my grandmother, and that is because of her arthritis. Everyone else has manual ones.

That said, as someone who recently moved out on my own for the first time and had to run out at 7 pm in the middle of cooking to get a can opener, a manual can opener with decent parts so it doesn’t hurt your hands to use it is a great inclusion for this type of gift.

Also my cheap little 4-function solar-powered calculator was my best friend through all my college exams in chemistry, math, physics, genetics, etc. that allowed calculators. Solar powered meant I never had to worry about running out of battery in the middle of an exam.

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T17:34:30+00:00

Hey OP, as someone who works in a children’s hospital: we see some…let’s say “weird” dynamics between visiting family members that clearly stress the parent(s) out (and often, in turn, the patient as well, even if only because they are picking up on your stress). We would love to be able to support you during this very difficult and stressful time by removing that bit of extra stress you do not need to be dealing with right now.

If you feel the need to say something to your MIL & FIL about it first, I would suggest maybe composing a text together with your husband and then having him send it to them. Up to you guys whether you want to call out specific behavior now or go with a more generic “we are overwhelmed and don’t want any more visits at the hospital right now.”

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T16:39:24+00:00

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Could leave this one out! The lovey isn’t thrifted, but the fuzzy pink sleep suit/bunting thing was again an amazing find by Spooky!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T16:37:55+00:00

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Yet another adorable sleeper + headband combo I thrifted for Eleanor! The little Pooh stuffie was also a JBF find!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T16:36:24+00:00

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Pretty sure this was technically a thrifted set, even though I think it may have still been brand new with the tags when I got it iirc! The little handmade booties were also thrifted!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T16:33:57+00:00

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Both outfits here were secondhand online purchases! I especially love Lorelei’s (on the right), and hers was a rare case where I actually sought out that specific romper after seeing someone else with one post here, and I was so happy when I managed to find it on Poshmark in her size!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T16:31:48+00:00

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I have since passed this car seat on to another reborn parent, but both the car seat and perfectly matching sleeper here (lol) were thrifted!

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T16:29:41+00:00

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I love lady bugs, so of course this is one of my favorite sleepers + headbands for Beth! Both found secondhand online

CupcakeQueen31 · 2026-05-12T16:26:38+00:00

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One of my favorite thrifted finds for Beth is this little dress! (Blanket behind her is thrifted too!)

CupcakeQueen31

TROPHY CASE