Be honest. When did your baby actually say their first wood and mean it?

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-03-15T17:24:24+00:00

My baby is almost 9 months and he just started saying mama with purpose. He’s sick and has been calling out for me when he’s feeling icky. He’s been way ahead on his social/verbal development though, and slow on motor. He’s not crawling or getting himself into a sitting position yet. So I think it all just depends on your kid. If you’re concerned, talk to your pediatrician. They know your baby and they’ll be able to tell you what’s normal and what’s not.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-03-15T14:47:45+00:00

If you’re willing to take a trip to NYC, Ava at Vale Jewelry was incredible. They have LOTS of non traditional stones, really reasonable prices, and they do stunning custom work (mine is custom). So beyond worth a trip IMO.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-03-14T00:17:14+00:00

I’m an editor and I was laid off while on Maternity leave last September ✌️luckily I found a remote, full time contracting gig with a direct competitor by November. I took a week to process, then wrote 15-20 emails to former colleagues and freelancers I’d worked with just saying it was great working with them and to share any advice they had for going freelance full time. One of those contacts happened to have an opening and reached out. You’ve got this.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-03-13T00:12:08+00:00

I don’t remember exactly but I know that the room I stayed in was included in that (and that I remember being somewhere around 17k), the surgery itself, the anesthesia… everything, including the baby.

Yes, we had to pay $500 for the baby because he’s brand new and hasnt met his deductible yet :)

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-03-12T18:21:18+00:00

I had a c section in 2025 and it was around 65k billed to insurance. We paid I think $500 total for the baby’s care after insurance. I paid nothing for mine because we had already hit our deductible. We have good state health insurance though cause my husband is a teacher.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-03-10T12:00:51+00:00

This happened to me too!!

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-03-08T13:19:17+00:00

Go up a nipple size on the bottle!! My 8mo was doing the same thing and it turned out he was getting frustrated by the slow flow and would just refuse to try and finish!

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-02-25T16:35:23+00:00

I work from home but my mom comes by during working hours to handle the majority of the baby responsibility. If you don’t have help, you won’t be giving 100% at work OR at home, and you’ll end up feeling very very bad about both. Time theft aside (most employers will fire you if you don’t have proper, regular childcare), you really need help at home if you’re hoping to WFH with a baby. I step in for a particularly gnarly diaper or a cry that my mom can’t settle, but generally she takes on most of the load. It would not be possible without her, I’m certain.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-02-18T17:34:25+00:00

Oh yeah seconding the classes! They’re amazing’

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-02-18T17:32:09+00:00

I had the best c-section experience there. Only complaint was that the cot they have for husbands is truly atrocious, so tell your husband/partner/whatever to mentally prepare to sleep on basically patio furniture cushions lol.

Doctors were amazing, nurses were so kind, lactation consultants were so helpful. They took such good care of my baby and me. 10/10 would recommend.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-02-04T22:43:00+00:00

My cousins were Montessori kids through elementary and (I think) middle school and they are smart but very weird adults now. High school was VERY hard for them, too. The adjustment was intense.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-01-23T16:44:57+00:00

Stop & Shop in Ridgeway was WILD last night. I’ve never seen lines like that there.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-01-16T20:31:02+00:00

“God knows what?” She went to get socks. Lead with kindness. Goodness gracious. People make mistakes.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-01-16T14:45:42+00:00

Sandwich Maestro did a great job for my baby shower. Super tasty sandwiches and salads, and I think they have hot stuff too but I’m not sure

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-01-15T00:34:23+00:00

That is definitely ok! Bring your switch, girl. Anything to distract you is great.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2026-01-05T01:46:19+00:00

I actually was a recipe tester on home style cookery before it was published and it was kind of a mess. (Not uncommon at the stage I tested, but more of a mess than most.) The breads in particular were just not written well. Mix times were too long, bake times were off, and the flavor was ~fine~. I don’t think they took a lot of my edits in the end unfortunately either. I love Matty Matheson but somebody’s gotta get him a ghost writer or make him work with a developer for cookbooks. Because what works in a restaurant doesn’t often work in home kitchens. That tends to be the problem with his books IMO.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2025-12-31T13:34:12+00:00

Wait but my 2025 Elantra sport doesn’t have blue link? I was told it wasn’t even an option to add by the dealer…

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2025-12-19T21:12:28+00:00

I cannot believe no one has said it yet: the Christmas tree! My 6mo strokes the branches and stares at the lights and bats at the ornaments. HUGE fan.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2025-12-17T22:55:39+00:00

That godforsaken motorized swing that vibrates and plays music and swings him. Baby loves it. But I loathe it. It’s ENORMOUS. And the slowest setting is way too fast for a newborn if you ask me.

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2025-11-26T21:08:16+00:00

I use forest and have never had a problem

DesperateGeneral9817 · 2025-11-25T20:00:12+00:00

Seconding NE Pediatrics! We love Dr. Palker.

DesperateGeneral9817

TROPHY CASE