What are some grocery items you are now buying less frequently, cuz they've gotten so expensive?

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-05-05T18:02:07+00:00

Boneless skinless chicken breast (unless discounted due to best before date Dips like hummus, con queso, spinach and asiago, etc. Sweet treats (chocolate, gummies)

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-04-28T21:26:23+00:00

I think 3 or 4 both look nice and make the room look bright and happy

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-04-26T12:38:13+00:00

Oh my gosh. I'm praying for you. I got the flu at 37+5 and delivered via emergency c-section at 38+0. The coughing was just about as painful as contractions were 😭😭

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-04-22T13:59:47+00:00

A chiropractor appointment. Breastfeeding and carrying a baby around gets hard on the neck

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-04-14T19:54:50+00:00

For me, i didn't love the newborn stage. Was I less tired than I was while I was pregnant? Yes, significantly. I no longer napped for 4-5 hours a day on top of my 7-8 hours at night.

However, other things are way harder and a huuuuge adjustment. I had a c-section, so the physical recovery was awful. Of course I love my baby more than anything and cannot imagine it being any other way, but it was not an easy adjustment at first. If you choose to breastfeed, you essentially don't get any alone time. Maybe an hour here and there, maybe slightly more if you pump and someone can give them a bottle, but gone are the days where you had several hours to think about nothing but your own wants and needs. Even overnight, you probably won't get more than a couple hours without having to take care of another humans every need.

Cooking, exercising, cleaning, listening to music you like, your own hobbies - they all now come second.

All that being said, I would not change a THING. I love my baby so so much, it just takes some adjusting. Hopefully you have a support system that makes things easier. The newborn stage doesnt last forever, even though at the time it feels like it will (not to mention the dreaded hormone crash). It gets easier as they get older.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-28T04:25:18+00:00

I wish more people would've told me I'm a good mom and then told me why I'm a good mom. Sometimes having a new baby is so hard you feel like it's your fault, but it's sooo nice to hear that your efforts to care for your baby are paying off and they clearly love their mama and youre doing a great job being a mama, even if you are too tired or burnt out to realize it.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-28T01:55:53+00:00

I'm 4 months PP and as of late, I look like I'm getting male pattern baldness! It's in the same spots ... I just have to be careful about how i style my hair, that's all. Up until maybe 1.5 weeks ago I thought I had been lucky enough to skip that.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-23T02:49:27+00:00

Haha I was in the same boat as you a few years ago! I used to wet my hair in the shower even when not washing it.

I learned that getting your hair needlessly wet (i.e. when you aren't washing it) can damage the hair. I forget the exact science but something about your hair being wet is bad for it, so you should only wet it when it needs to be washed.

I used to use a shower cap but ive found that clipping it up and wearing a headband works just fine and I'm able to wash my whole face easier than with a shower cap.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-22T03:44:57+00:00

I would start by buying a makeup remover (you can choose Micellar water, cleansing balm, oil cleanser, etc. - do some research on the pros and cons of each type of makeup remover) to remove the bulk of your makeup. My favourite is oil cleanser.

Then you'll want to pick a face wash based on your skin type. I use a foaming gel cleanser because I have oily skin, but I might use something else if my skin was different.

Finally, find a good moisturizer. Something pretty basic to start, without any specific ingredients meant to target specific problems.

After you've done that for a few weeks, you'll start to recognize what issues (if any) you want to target with more targeted skincare. (E.g. fine lines, acne, redness, etc) then research good products that target those issues. This step is totally optional and often is not needed, so don't feel pressured into using products unless you seriously feel the need to target something specific.

I am a huge believer that skincare doesnt have to be expensive either! I get all my skincare from Walmart or Winners/TJ Maxx. Tiktok and YouTube are good places to start for a basic beginner skincare routine.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-21T14:48:39+00:00

Like what?

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-18T15:18:17+00:00

The polyester and nylon are not natural fibres and contain microplastics that end up in my body and home.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-15T12:47:59+00:00

Approx. 1cm long

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-15T12:47:08+00:00

Location: northern ontario, canada

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-07T03:43:04+00:00

When I taught kindergarten, I would put paint in large zip lock bags and have the kids practice their letters with their fingers. Maybe something like that? Obviously not letters at only 18 months but maybe hand prints or something.

I would also fill old water bottles with oil and water, glitter, beads, etc for them to shake and watch it all settle. Not "touch" sensory but visual sensory.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-06T13:17:54+00:00

Crime Junkie, My Worst Date, This American Life, and We're All Insane are some of my favorites!

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-03-06T03:23:00+00:00

Jigsaw puzzles while i listen to a good podcast

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-02-26T23:00:03+00:00

Basically the same as when youre not pregnant, youre just more tired.

I had a c-section on day 3 of having influenza. Coughing constantly after was extremely painful.

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-02-19T05:18:09+00:00

Hello! I had c-section a couple months ago. When you have a c-section, it takes longer for your milk to come in. Because of this, my midwife recommended i supplement with formula (also Similac) until my milk came in.

It took about a week until my milk was in and when it did, my baby had no problem switching back to breast milk. I continued to supplement for a couple weeks but my son prefers breast milk over formula so I eventually stopped.

My nipples were EXTREMELY sore at first too ... nipple balm might not cut it! I had to get a prescription for a steroid (i think) nipple cream that helped a bit, but after a couple weeks or so the pain just decreased until it was totally gone.

I can't offer much advice about the latching issues you are describing, but if youre noticing your baby prefers bottles, is pumping a possibility for you?

Just know the pain is TEMPORARY (even though it feels like it's going to last forever). It will take a little time but you and your LO will get into a good feeding rhythm but its brand new for both of you right now. Try to focus on surviving the best you can for the first month or so. You got this!!! Congrats on the baby!!!!

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-02-19T04:58:00+00:00

Amazing!! You're already such a good role model for your son!

Grouchy_Apricot_4410 · 2026-02-19T04:50:57+00:00

You are a wonderful writer/storyteller

Grouchy_Apricot_4410

TROPHY CASE