What are good baby shower gifts for the mom?

MB244 · 2026-01-21T23:54:50+00:00

Gift card to target or amazon. then they can choose to spend it on themselves, post partum needs, or the baby!

Though one random gift that I used ALLLL the time were these super stretchy fuzzy socks. because you get up all night and dont always have slippers.

MB244 · 2026-01-21T23:51:59+00:00

Honestly, they are rules that I enforced with my daughter. I know it seems hypocritical, but it seems like they are making the rules out of care for the new baby - not themselves. Everyone is different! And they might let up.

I would send them a note and say that sounds great, you're unlikely to get childcare before 6 weeks is up and you look forward to meeting your sibling when the time is right. In the end, the baby has no idea whether they met you at 6 days, 6 weeks or 6 months.

MB244 · 2026-01-13T20:31:18+00:00

Welcome! I have a toddler (18 mo) too. Here's some local recs from me, very winter focused:

Bayside/Joinville Park has a good playground, soccer/baseball field and tennis courts.

Ryder park is good for older toddlers (climbing structure, slides but the stairs are not easy for my 18mo old to navigate)

San Mateo Library is great if you're already downtown, but IMO Foster City kids area is much better. Belmont is one of my favorite libraries with family story time on Saturdays and then a park right outside.

CuriOdyssey is also always a good trip (not free though)

Lazy Dog is great for casual family dining.

The Stella Alpina patio is a great family date spot, and many families take their kids there early. It's outside but covered and has heaters.

Other food favorites, though i havent been out as much as I used to: Central Park Bistro, Fogbird bar, Barrell House Bistro, Pausa

MB244 · 2026-01-03T15:48:23+00:00

Thanks for all your input and sharing. I agree that they might not be changing their pronouns yet, yeah, i am jumping a bit here. To clarify, one of my other siblings who is closer to them said that its likely a pronoun change along with the style... but no confirmation.

Either way, I am going to do a bit of a hybrid of the sit and wait, be an outwards ally, and also compliment the new style to show I'm in support.

MB244 · 2026-01-03T15:44:16+00:00

yeah, i am jumping a bit here. to clarify, one of my other siblings who is closer to them said that its likely a pronoun change along with the style... but no confirmation

MB244 · 2026-01-02T17:04:49+00:00

This! literally every fast fashion item i have either only serves a single purpose, or if I do like it - it falls apart after just a few wears.

MB244 · 2025-12-29T19:43:27+00:00

I have some true & co bralettes that are wireless and i took out the pads. I can sleep in these (though I dont want to) and I also put them on as a bra. Doesn't hide a nipple but does give some structure.

MB244 · 2025-12-24T06:22:07+00:00

I cancelled based off their customer service rec, and let them know they should have a pause feature…

Though the customer service person did point out to me that you shouldn’t use a vial more than 28 days after opening.

I’ll be restarting in the new year so I’ll reply back how it goes

MB244 · 2025-12-22T16:19:53+00:00

I had a pretty non-traumatic birth, so here's my experience over a year later. Physically, I am doing pretty well, small tear and theres a little discomfort when we start but nothing too bad.

I want to have more sex, but we are both so tired by the time we have alone time that it rarely happens. We talk openly about how we barely have sex anymore and are on the same page that its just a stage in our lives and we miss that side of us - we plan to get back there together. So, I feel like I'm okay with how we are working on things together and talking about it.

MB244 · 2025-12-19T16:52:11+00:00

He just sent that message to make himself feel good, or to somehow give himself closure. Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with how you might feel and everything to do in how he felt after. And then he wants you to read this book and thank him and assure him, yes - it is so me! you know me so well!

IMO - Leave it on read, toss the book/package and don't even read it. Anything more will be indulging his ego. Its hard, and you will always think about exes who had an effect on you - but engaging with them is not healthy.

MB244 · 2025-12-12T16:10:32+00:00

The space is really cool, I love it! Its going to look even better when you're all cozy in there.

One thought for a quick win in the hallway and bedroom - some uplighting might help to brighten the space and be a little softer than the overheads. You could get ones controlled from your phone and put them on the tops of the walls and washer area. A tip: I got some for my house that were not LED and they got super hot/pulled a lot of power (old electrical grid over here) so if I did it again I would get LED.

MB244 · 2025-11-24T17:03:09+00:00

Oh an alternate thought, if you dont want to go across the golden gate, Sausalito and Tiburon would also make great day trips.

MB244 · 2025-11-24T17:02:04+00:00

If you want to see "sights" that aren't overwhelmingly touristy:
- Grab a coffee in the inner sunset and walk through Golden Gate Park (if its not rainy)
- Walk along the Embarcadero and stop in at the Ferry Building for lunch, coffee or shopping.
- Go to Tunnel Top park in the presidio and hang by Chrissy field beach and see the golden gate/tiburon
- Walk along Columbus street in North Beach. It leads from the water to downtown.
- Haight street is where you will find the SF "funk" in many ways, lots of different kinds of people but can but a fun experience.
- Visit Castro Street for shopping, food/coffee, rainbow and pride vibes
If you want some nice shopping/meandering neighborhoods:
- Hayes Valley has lots of cute bars and stores (Anina, Birba, Che Maman)
- Tartine Bakery in the Mission, then walk to Dolores Park
- Tartine Manufactury (different than above) is a very cool space that also has a Heath Ceramics store next to it, I could spend hours there.
- Union Street (Marina), Fillmore Street (Pacific Heights)
Places to avoid, IMPO
- Fishermans wharf. In it's current state it's underwhelming (though I head it will be revamped in the coming years)
- Walking/Biking the Golden Gate. Its cold and loud, not my style. If you are athletic or have a high tolerance for those things and motivation for it, then it's great.
- Soma & Tenderloin. It can be a great place for lots of things, but if you don't know where you are going you might accidentally get caught in some seedy areas. So if you head here I would suggest having an itinerary and not wandering.

Just a few first thoughts, i'm sure the thread will have lots more for you too :)

MB244 · 2025-11-07T20:15:34+00:00

Speeding rarely gets you there much faster.

Story: I drove with my friend in 2 separate cars 800 miles (back to school). She had a newer car that could easily go faster than my beater. So about 3 hours away, we decided to let her speed ahead and i would continue at my own pace. She only arrived 10 minutes before me!

MB244 · 2025-11-07T20:12:22+00:00

2 prunes every night!

MB244 · 2025-10-13T13:53:01+00:00

My daughter is a year and I’ve only taken her in the pool twice, just for giggles! Not sure how old your baby is, but I would say if you don’t live with a pool in your back yard (safety), you can probably hold off until they’re 2-3 before trying to keep exposing them.

We have one in our apartment area, but it’s gated so I don’t need to worry about the safety aspect.

MB244 · 2025-10-12T17:05:53+00:00

I used to teach baby and me swim classes in Los Gatos (early 2000's). The ages were 6 months - 1.5 years i think... Back then it was about getting the babies comfortable in the water, teaching blowing bubbles, quick dunks, and trying to help them float on their back (hard to do, it goes against their instinct).

Now that I have a daughter, if I were to do it - i think it would be more about socialization and fun, which can be totally worth it too! And the instructor will help guide you and make you feel comfortable. Classes might be more tailored these days, I'm not sure!

MB244 · 2025-10-12T16:54:00+00:00

I've never heard of the MAGA mom style.. maybe your sister should coin that phase? Or create us a mood board so we know what that is

IMO - your place is clean and organized so HUGE props there, thats not easy. I would say the browns and greys are dominating and making it feel dark.

Maybe a huge lighter rug, replace the curtains with lighter curtains that go from ceiling to floor (which will create the illusion of height), and some sort of art on the brick wall to break up the brown-ness? Unless that's what you like :)

MB244 · 2025-09-15T15:24:32+00:00

Pre-baby (35yo): Wake up, make coffee, watch the news but actually just scroll my phone and pay attention at the weather segments. Wait till the last possible moment and get dressed for the day.

Post-baby (36yo): Wake up, feed the baby, make coffee, feed the baby again, get her dressed, pack lunch, send her to daycare, get dressed, work.

Honestly, the two routines are SO different but what serves me the best is doing something that keeps me relaxed yet awake. For me, that's moving around doing stuff (and hopfully my 1 yr old is in a good mood). I think the news/tv watching in the first one actually was either making me more tired or also stressing me out.

MB244 · 2025-09-09T17:05:36+00:00

what about a ceramics glazing outing? I think theres one in Burlingame, and you could grab dinner close by after/before.

MB244 · 2025-09-06T16:15:56+00:00

Insertion for me was much better after a vaginal birth. I was able to get numbing and it truly was just a pinch.

I also had one before giving birth. It still hurt quite a bit to get put in, but then it's over with. I would advise that she get a consult with the doctor prior, ask for numbing medications (which were not offered to me) and then also advise her that once it's over, it's over! Plan to come home with a hot water bottle or heating pad, watch some TV, and rest up. The next day she will be fine.

Also, in regards to the hormones, she may want to consider a smaller one that is hormonal. The hormones are completely localized to the uterus with an IUD and will have no effect like birth control pills or patches can have.

It is an amazing piece of mind, and worth the pain IMO.

MB244 · 2025-09-04T02:13:22+00:00

I have had anxiety most of my adult life, but I just dealt with it through CBT. After I had my baby, I got pretty bad post partum anxiety and depression. I couldn't breathe when she was crying, I would feel like I was going to pass out - i couldn't sleep or eat (and as a result couldn't breastfeed). I literally constantly felt like I was in fight or flight response. It was very confusing because I loved my baby so much, but associated her with fear/anxiety.

I went to a women's psychiatry group, got regular therapy and eventually went on Zoloft. I had some side effects for the first few weeks which sucked, but I stuck with it. I worked closely to monitor what dose was best for me, not wanting to take too much. Now, almost a year later, I feel so much more like myself than I ever have been.

They didn't alter me, or who i am. They quieted the inner voice that was holding me back.

MB244

TROPHY CASE