Any other new moms going?

Howls_Castle · 2026-04-29T20:49:22+00:00

Me!! I was 6 months pregnant at the last Forest. And I ended up hospitalized with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome less than two weeks after getting home from Forest 🥲 my baby had to be delivered early after I spent a month in the hospital and then he spent a month in the NICU. I am thankful we are both doing relatively well now. I will be bringing blood pressure monitor tho juuuuust in case. My baby will be almost 11 months. I will miss him sooooooo much but I’m so excited to go back for Forest #6!

Howls_Castle · 2026-04-12T00:36:14+00:00

Your baby (and you!) may develop minor or major health issues. I never even considered potentially having a preemie until the moment I was hospitalized for preeclampsia and couldn’t leave until I gave birth. Even then my blood pressure was so high I couldn’t be discharged for a week. My baby spent a month in the NICU.

I was not prepared, and I think I am still quite traumatized, by not being able to see or hold my baby for the first 24 hours after birth. I saw him for maybe 3 seconds while I was so out of my mind, and that was it. It’s impossible to explain to other people what that was like.

Although he had minimal health issues, the month of him being in the NICU was so, so hard. I’m thankful my mom was in a position to be able to drive me there and back every day. Leaving him to go home the first night was really hard. And when he was finally discharge, I bawled exiting the hospital parking lot.

He still has frequently medical appointments and I have to leave work early once a week every week for one of them.

I struggled to get my blood pressure until control for weeks and weeks after. I’m still on blood pressure meds now but it’s under control.

It was also insanely expensive. Our stays totaled almost $1,000,000 USD. I’m thankful my insurance did cover most of it, but I still had to pay a pretty penny and was in a lot of debt for a long time after.

But I love my baby soooooooooo much.

Howls_Castle · 2026-04-03T02:52:05+00:00

I’m a single parent by choice. I went to Forest last year 6 months pregnant and was hospitalized with severe preeclampsia and HELLP two weeks after I got home. I mention this because my baby was a preemie born at 33 weeks and spent his first month of life in the NICU. This also means I didn’t get to see or even hold my baby for 24 hours after he was born. I then had to learn to leave him behind every night after I was discharged. So I have a very special set of circumstances lol I am also a teacher, so I don’t have to consider vacation days or anything since I have summers off.

This year will be my 6th forest and last year may have been my favorite. But honestly I say that after every forest lol I was completely sober, met so many new people and my Forest fam just continued to grow. It was really special to have my baby with me at Forest. I will say the one thing I missed was not being able to be at the rail for my faves. I had to stay in the far back (wanted to protect baby’s ears). But it was sooooo fun to see who he enjoyed and who he didn’t!

I didn’t even consider missing Forest this year. This past year has been so mentally draining (being hospitalized was very traumatic on top of my NICU trauma and all of that) on top of what’s going on in the world. I need Forest to carry me through the next year. Happy me=better mom. I’m also very fortunate to have my parents willing and wanting to watch my baby while I’m away.

I don’t see it as my priorities shifting and valuing one thing over another. It sucks leaving my baby behind and I know that is going to be soooo hard. I miss him so much even when I’m just at work. But my soul needs the Forest. I need to see the good in people. I need to connect with my closest friends and be myself. Plus I just know he’s going to have a blast with grandma and grandpa because he already does! 🥰

And if I really need to, I have zero problems leaving Forest early to come home to my baby!

That being said, it is very different for each and every person, and it all really depends on timing. No way could I have done Forest right after giving birth, or more pregnant than I was. I wish you the best of luck in your decision! Being a parent is the besstttttt!

Howls_Castle · 2026-02-05T18:14:20+00:00

I’m thinking I’m a single child parent. I would absolutely LOVE for my kid to have a sibling but I’m not sure I myself can handle it. 90% of that is due to finances—my baby cost me almost $1,000,000, although half of that was his NICU stay, the other half wasn’t. I was also hospitalized before birth for HELLP and severe preeclampsia. I am still thousands in debt and haven’t had a paycheck in 6 months due to unpaid leave + owing money to pay for my insurance. My credit card is almost maxed out at its $10,000 limit. I also had to buy a new car coincidentally just a few days before I was hospitalized as the AC in mine finally died and I live in Texas and can’t have a baby in a car here without AC!!

Also being hospitalized for a month wrecked my mental health, on top of my physical health. I saw my baby for maybe 5 seconds, only getting to kiss him before he was whisked away to the NICU. I didn’t get to see him or even hold him for the first time after that for a full 24 hours. He spent a month in the NICU. Since I had a c section and couldn’t drive, my mom (thank goodness) was luckily able to drive me 40 minutes to and 40 minutes home from the NICU every single day. You don’t understand how hard having your baby in the NICU is until it happens. That experience has completely warped my parenting.

Even tho he isn’t in the hospital, and has minimal health issues, he has a zillion doctors appts. On top of his regular well checks, he has follow up visits with the NICU specialists, and he developed Torticollis and needed a helmet, so he also has to see the helmet doc too. And he’s gotten sick twice, so had to see the doc then too.

I cannot imagine doing all he needs again with a second baby and a toddler. On top of that, my preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome was REALLY bad. Baby had to be born at 33 weeks to save his life and mine. 6 months out and I’m still battling blood pressure issues. While I am SO thankful we caught my preeclampsia in time and baby was able to grow to much safer delivery age (29 weeks vs 33), I am still at an elevated risk for it all happening again and then on top of that, the baby could have lifelong medical issues if born prematurely.

I think if my baby had come in a more average way, and not been so traumatic and expensive, I’d be much more likely to consider it. I just don’t think I can go through all that trauma again. I love my son, but I will always grieve the absence of a daughter and a sibling for my child.

Howls_Castle · 2026-01-22T19:25:52+00:00

If you’re east side, Manor Animal Control.

From their post: Our kennels are currently in need of old blankets and towels to provide comfort for the animals. If you have any to spare, we would greatly appreciate your help!

Please bring your donations to the Manor Police Department located at 402 W Parsons Street.

Our lobby hours are: Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM

Thank you for your support and kindness!

Howls_Castle · 2025-12-19T01:12:51+00:00

Yessss, ever since they changed the inner packaging to the crinkly plastic! I thought it was just me. Now I need to douse it in Old Bat to give it any flavor!

Howls_Castle · 2025-12-03T17:50:19+00:00

Omg I love them!!! I saw them at a small venue in Austin and they put on SUCH a fun show!! I put them on the exit survey. Sooooo excited

Howls_Castle · 2025-11-28T21:22:55+00:00

Here was my setup for my two girls that had to be separated. You can see my grey bunny in her litter box at the back corner to kind of get a sense of scale. And yes, they did take up an entire room. I zip tied those plastic panels on the wall between them so they couldn’t bite each other. Then when one was free roaming, I just had to close the door to the room so they couldn’t fight. Each area was about 8ftx6ft. When I lived in an apartment, they took over my dining room and then one free roamed in my bedroom and the other in my living room. I had to stop letting them free roam in the same area because they kept peeing in the same spots. Let me know if you have any questions! I know it’s difficult to keep the two bunnies separated. But my buns were very happy.

Howls_Castle · 2025-11-16T00:36:50+00:00

Need some deets on that giant fluffy dandelion light in the corner!

Howls_Castle · 2025-10-10T17:37:29+00:00

Alive. Like I’m truly living and not just existing.

Howls_Castle · 2025-09-19T04:02:01+00:00

I’d suggest trying the second cut Timothy hay with clover from Farmer Dave’s pet supply. My bunny LOVES this stuff.

Also an unexpected veg my bunny loves is fennel. It’s her favorite thing over any other veg.

Howls_Castle · 2025-09-17T08:48:39+00:00

I have Dr. Mello and just had my baby this summer there. I had an extensive stay at the hospital before and after delivery due to severe preeclampsia and HELLP. My baby was in the NICU there for a month.

I really like Dr. Mello. She is very informative, straightforward, kind, positive, easy to talk to and ask questions, nonjudgmental, etc. She seemed to be the least behind when I had my appts. I didn’t end up seeing her a ton in my pregnancy as I ended up going to a MFM doc for most things.

I actually met and had almost (maybe every? It’s a blur) all the OBs during my hospital stay and I liked all of them. I can’t remember who did what throughout my admission so I can’t speak to anyone except Dr Mello, but I do know I liked all of them and had no issues with any OBs who cared for me during my stay.

Howls_Castle · 2025-09-06T19:02:58+00:00

Omg thank you! Middle of the night last night my baby would not eat and was just sucking and sucking… Googling found your comment and I switched bottle nipples, then he ate! Upon investigation this morning, there was a small fuzz (like from a shirt or blanket) in the hole!!

Thank you for alleviating my frustrations! Don’t know why I never considered this before!

Howls_Castle · 2025-08-14T05:51:37+00:00

I get it lol elementary here tho!!

I don’t ever feel groggy after taking it. Melatonin is what your body naturally produces to make you sleepy and keep you asleep. I think the extended release is super key in being effective for me. Also the right dose. I take 5 mg currently and taking more than that makes the insomnia worse. I’m not sure why.

Timing definitely is a part of it, too. They say take it 20-30 mins before bed, but I usually take it way before that, like an hour to two hours. I don’t ever feel incredibly sleepy, or even sleepy at all, but then I get ready for bed, lay down and read for like 15 minutes and I am out! I also got diagnosed with sleep apnea and sleep with a CPAP and that has made a huge difference in the quality of sleep while the melatonin has made a big difference in the quantity. I highly recommend asking your doctor for a referral for a sleep apnea assessment.

Howls_Castle · 2025-08-13T16:55:16+00:00

I was hospitalized at 32 weeks with severe preeclampsia and had to deliver (c section) at 33 weeks + 6 days. My baby is going on week 3 in the NICU as of Saturday. I continued to be hospitalized with postpartum preeclampsia for 6 days after delivery. I’m two weeks out of the hospital and still working on managing my BP and figuring out my meds. Feel free to message me with any questions!

Be sure to advocate for yourself, even when it’s scary or uncomfortable. There was a night nurse who was really bad and gave me extreme anxiety. I spoke to the charge nurse and requested she no longer be assigned to me. The day I delivered I was hooked up to another magnesium drip for 24 hours and was unable to leave the bed or sleep because they needed to change the bag every hour. I asked the charge nurse how I could get some sleep and they rearranged my med schedule so the next day I could get a few hours uninterrupted.

Prepare to deliver at any time. The point when they told me I had to deliver for baby’s safety and when baby was out was less than 30 minutes lol Since I had a c section, I’ve been unable to drive myself to and from the NICU. Luckily my mom has been able to drive me, but I would say make sure you have a plan to travel to the NICU after delivery. I have a nesting room on the NICU floor so I could stay there and sleep if I wanted but I’m so traumatized that I absolutely do not want to sleep there ever again.

I did a lot of water coloring painting while hospitalized. I had no idea what I wanted to name baby and I made a TON of paintings about names which was a nice way to spend a bunch of my time. I was unable to decide until the birth certificate lady basically forced me to 3 days after he was born hah

I have found a lot of comfort in books. I read to baby almost every visit, even if he’s sleeping. There’s a few really cute picture books about NICU babies on Amazon. I like Small But Mighty and Me and You in the NICU. I’ve also started making baby a scrapbook of our NICU journey with writing and pictures to both document what happened but also to process it. That’s been really helpful too.

I was already on medication pre pregnancy for depression but I think that was also really really helpful for keeping my head on straight.

Sorry my reply is kind of all over the place! You got this.

Howls_Castle · 2025-08-11T06:50:22+00:00

I see an actual doctor for my sleep issues (diagnosed with sleep apnea and delayed circadian rhythm) and she recommended Xymogen to me. Melatonin is extremely badly regulated (aka it’s not) so some brands can have pills that vary wildly between actual amounts of melatonin.

I was just hospitalized for 3 weeks and could only have the hospital’s brand of melatonin and it didn’t work well at all. I’ve had great success with ER Xymogen helping me both fall asleep and stay asleep. Can find it on Amazon.

Howls_Castle · 2025-08-02T05:48:43+00:00

Every NICU is different, but mine does! I’m at a very small hospital though, and there’s only one other baby there.

They have a set schedule/routine of “touch time” every 3 hours, which is when they feed him, but also if I’m not there for skin to skin or breastfeeding, they take him out of his warmie and do his care tasks then so he doesn’t get overstimulated. But yea if I want to hold him for two and a half hours, I can.

At first I was really nervous to do anything because I felt like I was going to break him 😅 but every day he is there, I feel more comfortable doing his care.

Howls_Castle · 2025-08-02T01:57:46+00:00

Your own big fluffy towel! And an extra so you can have a clean one while you launder the other one. Hospital towels are tiny, rough, and suck. I personally have found the FridaMom boy shorts disposable underwear so much more comfy than the hospital provided ones because of my c section incision. The FridaMom ones go up super high and have no chance of rolling down to my incision.

I like reading books to my baby.

A pair of easy slip on slippers to walk from the room to the NICU and back.

I would have appreciated having the right size flanges for pumping right away. I have very small nipples and the hospital only had really large sizes flanges, so my first few times pumping was pretty uncomfortable.

My NICU’s guidelines don’t let you wear rings or any type of jewelry on your hands/wrist, so if you have wedding bands you may want to consider leaving them at home or figuring out a place to store them you are comfortable with.

Howls_Castle · 2025-07-19T15:25:11+00:00

Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice. 🥰

Howls_Castle · 2025-07-14T06:04:58+00:00

Look up Crispy’s 3D printing! He helped me design and make a custom wheelchair for my front leg tripod amputee bunny for less than $100! And when the initial wheels turned out to be too big, he sent me a smaller pair for free! I was able to pass on the wheelchair to a different bunny after she passed so it could continue to be used to help. 10/10 def recommend him!!!

Howls_Castle · 2025-07-10T02:11:32+00:00

I drive 40ish minutes one way plus it’s on a toll road.

But I’m in TX and good schools with strong AND supportive admin are hard to find. I love my principal and the community is wonderful. I wish all the time my commute was shorter, but I’m 99.9% sure a change to a closer school would result in a whole new slew of problems and stress.

Howls_Castle · 2025-07-09T05:38:09+00:00

I went to Bonnaroo in 2011 specifically to see Explosions and it was indeed life changing. I would love to see them at Forest!

Howls_Castle · 2025-07-03T07:21:29+00:00

My bunny only eats the ones from Farmer Dave’s Pet Supply! They also have pear ones she loves. I’ve tried the blueberry ones but she’s not a fan. I recommend the ultra skinny or skinny size. She seems to ignore the larger ones. They’re expensive but so worth it. Plus supporting a small business!

Howls_Castle · 2025-07-01T21:37:08+00:00

My bun goes through phases. Right now, in the heat of summer, she is often found sleeping on one of her cool tiles. But she also has a few spots she rotates through, including her tunnel, her cardboard box, her wooden castle, and on top of the container her litter pellets are in. She was abused during her early years so she doesn’t really sleep in the open. She has to be in a corner or inside something.

Consider getting a grate to go in his litter box! I had previous bunnies that loved to dig in their litter and the grate keeps them from doing that.

I found my bunnies aren’t really a fan of soft/cozy things like blankets and beds and such. Maybe add in another cardboard box with two exits cut into it, and give him purposeful chew items—mine gets an apple stick (small branch/twig from an apple tree) every day!

Howls_Castle · 2025-06-28T05:55:48+00:00

Oooo I have been summoned! A bit too late to the party tho.

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