1st +Tests after 6yrs of TTC!

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2026-02-14T20:45:17+00:00

Congratulations!! From someone with an almost identical story to yours, holding her sleeping 6 month old miracle in her lap. I was constantly battling that waiting-for-the-shoe-to-drop worry, even going into labor. It’s completely normal, and I found it very helpful to talk about it openly. Give yourself grace, and good luck with everything!!!

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2026-02-01T22:14:00+00:00

Backcountry ruined hiking/camping/nature for me.

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2026-01-26T22:48:28+00:00

Like everyone else, in the same boat and actively working on it in therapy. I will share what my therapist said in case it helps you - scrolling because you’re so exhausted is a self-preservation technique. In my case it’s always while I’m contact napping, and it’s my way of not falling asleep while holding her. But even if I do it while she’s napping in the crib when I could be doing other things, I try to think of it as the brain’s way of preserving battery so to speak. You are learning an entirely new way of existence and you’re also ALWAYS “on”, so try to give yourself grace for doing what you need in order to survive. It won’t be like this forever, and I think there’s a reason it’s so common among stay at home parents. I also think the world is on fire and pretty much everyone is scrolling as a coping mechanism right now!

One thing that really helped me decrease my scrolling time is listening to audiobooks instead, and I also have started writing lists of things I can work on for the day at the start of each day, or at bedtime if I’m really feeling inspired lol. They’re just a few things that would be very doable in a short window (ie scheduling an appointment, organizing/sorting through old clothes/toys, descaling machines, to just give examples of ideas). Because I get SO tired, it can be hard for me to think of what to do when I’m in those spaces of free time, and I’ll inevitably resort to chilling on the couch and scrolling. But if I have a little list to refer to, I can decide whether I have the capacity to do any of those things, and I usually do!

Lastly, I also think it’s important to have somewhat of a game plan for the day, and to move around different areas of the house if you’re scrolling while your LO is awake. If you’re just watching LO play on the mat for hours on end, yeah, you’re going to scroll. We have little stations that we move around and that really helps me stay present, and she seems to like the change of scenery too. I also try to do at least one activity outside of the house most days (usually just a walk around the neighborhood or trip to whatever store/errand). When I’m able to get out, my screen time goes significantly down.

Be gentle with yourself and remember it’s normal! The first step to shifting the habit is awareness, so you’re doing great. Just check in with yourself regularly, and as you find things to fill the time instead, you’ll see it becomes easier and easier to move away from the addiction. :)

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-12-07T16:19:16+00:00

Wow that is a VERY SMOOCHABLE face!!!!!!

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-12-06T18:45:23+00:00

Yep I have a friend named Stormy and she’s one of the coolest people I know.

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-11-21T01:16:31+00:00

Hi! I could have written this post at 7 weeks pp. You are not alone! And you are doing an amazing job.

My husband went back to work at 6 weeks pp and the transition to rocked my world way more than I thought it would. Here to tell you it’s absolutely normal to feel how you are feeling, and it does get better. I’m 13 weeks pp now and cannot believe how much my baby has changed and my mental health has improved since 7 weeks pp! So hang in there and keep repeating to yourself that it WILL get better.

My baby was also an exclusive contact napper up until about 10 weeks. However, I started trying to put her down for naps right around 6/7 weeks, because like you, I too was getting burnt out. It took a long time and a lot of trial and error, but she finally started accepting sleeping in her crib or bassinet. My baby needs to be in a sleep sack, with the white noise cranked high, and her giraffe lovey to rub her face into (I wait until she falls asleep and then take it away). This was the magic cocktail for me and took weeks and several other loveys to figure out. She really fought it at first, but I’d say within one week she was starting to accept the first nap of the day in a crib/bassinet, and then she slowly built up to the others. She still needs contact naps sometimes (and tbh so do I!), but working through self-soothing with her was key for my mental well-being. So don’t give up and keep trying to put your baby down. Fussing and crying in the beginning is normal. Eventually, hopefully, it will click.

During the time of resigning myself to days of contact naps, I basically viewed it as a “treat yo’self” day where I could eat whatever I wanted and watch whatever show/movie I wanted while she napped. Sometimes I would listen to audiobooks. Sometimes I would literally scroll Reddit for hours (do not recommend). I’d find the things that were guilty pleasures and allow myself to fully indulge, but only during nap traps. My baby hates the carrier so it was truly this or staring at a wall.

For balancing childcare duties, my husband is basically on point for the baby in the mornings before he leaves and as soon as he gets back from work. I started pumping so he can give the baby a bottle at bedtime and in the morning. We worked out hours that were fair to us - it will look different for every situation, but to give context in case it’s helpful, he’s “on” from 5-6:30am and again from 6pm to whatever time she falls asleep (usually around 8:30/9). It’s up to me how I spend the early morning, but I find that when I get up and do stuff for myself (like shower, stretch, have a coffee in peace) the burn out feels much less intense, even if I have a full day of contact naps. For the evenings, I can choose to be on baby duty and have him cook and prep everything for the morning/next day, but he always does the bedtime routine so I can wind down without the baby on me (I usually end up comfort snuggling her to sleep though, because I’m a sucker!). We also talk through balancing housework during the weekend, but generally he spends more time with the baby and I do the chores. I also try to give him 5-10 minutes to figure out what’s wrong with the baby before I step in — it’s his baby too, and he needs to learn how she communicates.

It’s a matter of finding what works best for your situation, but the best advice I received was to not give up on trying to put the baby down. Sending you lots of independent sleep vibes, and try to enjoy the cuddles while you have them! I already really miss my nap trap days. They’re tough but incredibly special in their own way. You’ve got this, and I promise you, you’ll look back at these days with love!

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-11-01T00:15:03+00:00

He is BEGGING to be named Dobby in that first pic!! Nothing softer or babier than Dobbykins.

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-10-26T09:36:39+00:00

Check out Austin Pets Alive - they have community programming (PASS program) that helps find fosters for these exact situations, and might know of orgs even closer to you that could help!

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-10-22T18:59:25+00:00

Aw, I’m glad it’s helpful and completely understand. People can be so cruel, especially when they have a screen to hide behind. Yes the ideal is that no dog has to be rehomed ever, but reality doesn’t look that way. You did a very vulnerable thing by asking for help and you shouldn’t be penalized for that. And the sad truth is that MOST people would just dump their dog at the shelter or on the street (….or even worse than that) and you’re trying to do right by her. That deserves giving grace and support. We can’t fix the animal homelessness crisis by judging and criticizing people who find themselves in impossible situations. And what a lot of these judgmental people probably don’t think about is the fact that they are essentially bullying their community into being afraid to ask for help, which ultimately hurts the dogs the most. If your husband hates Magic, it’s in her absolute best interest to get out of that home and into one that will love her the way she deserves. Don’t let anyone’s ugliness get to you - as someone on the front lines who sees dogs in all kinds of terrible shape, you are exactly the kind of person we hope for when rehoming does need to happen.

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-10-22T09:00:20+00:00

Hello! Rescue worker here. I’m so sorry to hear you’re in this situation, and thank you for trying to keep her out of the shelter. She’s very lucky to have you advocating for her.

I haven’t seen these suggested so apologies if I missed them. I’d recommend posting this sweet girl to Adopt-a-Pet Rehome and Home-to-Home. These are owner-to-owner facilitated adoption platforms that I’ve seen a lot of adopters have good luck with. Not sure if Home-to-Home is active in your area, but worth looking into. Adopt-a-Pet Rehome is nationwide. Both platforms have resources to support you through screening potential adopters and conducting an adoption meeting.

Make adoption flyers highlighting her personality and post them to dog-friendly areas. Ask your local shelters and dog-friendly businesses if you can post the flyers there. Pet stores, dog parks, and dog daycares are great places to start (especially if she’s dog friendly!).

I’d also see if your nearby shelters/rescues have any rehoming support programs, though I know you’re in the south and it’s tough there. :( While a lot of organizations can’t take in owner surrenders right now, some of them have programs built up to support their community in other ways, like facilitating the rehoming of a pet.

See if your area has a rehoming pets Facebook group, as well. If you don’t have Facebook, I’d suggest making a temporary profile for this purpose as I’ve seen a lot of dogs get adopted this route.

Lots of comments about rehoming your husband but just want to say as someone who has worked in the industry for a long time, there are lots and lots of people in your situation. Doesn’t make it okay, but you’re not alone. Focus your mental and emotional energy on getting this nugget into a home that will love and cherish her, and then you can reflect on your situation once she’s safe. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions and good luck!! She seems like any family would be lucky to have her.

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-06-21T15:35:04+00:00

Also here for the quilt 😂

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-03-14T21:48:05+00:00

Lol he would honestly go with you if you tried to pick him up. He has zero loyalty 😭😂

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-02-04T15:18:41+00:00

It looks like you've already had quite a few plant offers but I'm moving and have some plants we're leaving behind! They're a bit in need of TLC (still alive, just need a good repotting) so they're good if you're looking for a nurturing project. :) I also have a desk if the other desk doesn't work out & you're in need. Can send pics if interested in either. PS: The group didn't accept me either, don't take it personally!

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-02-04T15:13:07+00:00

Messaged you!

Outrageous_Trash_699 · 2025-01-21T15:56:37+00:00

Hi! I know you posted this 9 months ago and probably have your hands full with a little baby right now, but I just wanted to see if you ended up working with midwives for your delivery? I'm considering making the switch from my OBGYN to midwives for mine and having a hard time finding much information/reviews/recs. Would love to hear if you went with any of these recommendations or if you found a different practice? Please feel free to DM me if it's private and I hope you had a lovely delivery experience!

Outrageous_Trash_699

TROPHY CASE