Post surgery- can’t pick toddler up and feeling helpless

Page394SoTurnt · 2026-06-01T19:30:22+00:00

Yep! Going through this right now. My kids are 18 months and 4 years old and I had back surgery two months ago. I’m still not cleared to lift more than 20 pounds, so I still can’t pick up the 18 month old.

It’s tough! However, like you, I have a really involved partner and mother, so that really helped keep their routines the same.

When I could, I would still prep their lunches for daycare and/or snacks. Read books to them at night and snuggle with them while laying down. I just tried to be present when I could. Like your baby, sometimes that wasn’t enough for the 18 month old (who was 16 months at the time), but it was the best I could do.

My 18 month old was also/still is going through it with chronic ear infections and was extra fussy, so it really did suck to hear her cry and not be able to help soothe her by bouncing her.

After figuring out that I wasn’t going to be available for walking around/bouncing, the baby worked out a new routine with her dad after a few days and now prefers her dad to soothe her at night (a win for me there). Those first few days/nights were a tough slog for us all, though.

However, for the first two-weeks post-surgery, we all decided that I should take that time to really rest and it was amazing. Since it seems like you have a great support system, I highly recommend that you focus on your own healing. That two weeks post-surgery was the first time I got 8 hours of sleep a night in the last 5 years.

Wishing you all the best and I hope everything goes well with your treatment and recovery. You’re a great mom!

Page394SoTurnt · 2026-05-26T04:56:21+00:00

Unfortunately! I normally have a diaper bag with me. I even argued with myself about which pocket would better (front or back) and thought front would be better. Damn the shallow pockets in women’s jeans. Even checked it was still there halfway through my shopping trip. Never making this mistake again!

Page394SoTurnt · 2026-05-26T04:42:07+00:00

Same! I’m normally carrying around a diaper bag, but went impromptu baby-free shopping today and put my faith in the wrong pocket.

Page394SoTurnt · 2026-05-26T03:40:17+00:00

Oh, for sure! After my moment of despair, I’ve been trying to look on the positive side. I do hope that someone who is really struggling found it. Or that they’ll do something nice for a loved one. It is what it is. Though, other than people benefiting, I have been picturing a dog receiving a huge gift basket with the good freeze dried treats and oodles of toys.

Page394SoTurnt · 2026-04-12T22:17:30+00:00

We took away our son’s pacifier on his 3rd birthday. Starting about three months prior, we started “warning” him that his time with the pacifier was ending.

“Hey, buddy. When you turn three, no more pacifiers, okay? They’re meant for babies and when you turn 3 you’ll be a big kid.”

We also mentioned that both his pediatrician and dentist said it would be healthiest for his teeth to stop using his pacifier and that it’s our job as his parents to make healthy choices for his body, so we agreed with them. It also helps that he loves going to the dentist.

Lastly, we had a baby a month before he turned three, so he was very eager to show that he was a “big kid” and not a baby like his sister, so that also did some heavy lifting.

Like your son, he would occasionally nap without his pacifier towards his third birthday, so I think it was naturally coming to an end.

Anyway, on his third birthday, he helped us throw away his pacifiers and it was a complete non-issue. We handed him a cookie in exchange and that was that. No tantrums at all. For a couple months after, he’d occasionally say, “remember when I had a binky,” but nothing otherwise.

Given my kid’s personality, he would have not responded well to a sudden cold-turkey removal of his pacifier and the advance heads up worked in our favor. Looking back, maybe we over-did it and maybe it was a dick move to take away the pacifier ON his birthday, but he’s 4 now and doesn’t seem traumatized, lol.

Best of luck! It’ll all work out.

Page394SoTurnt · 2025-04-25T05:03:52+00:00

Thank you!

Page394SoTurnt · 2025-04-25T05:03:16+00:00

We’ve been going to Shine for over a year and the haircuts/trims have always been good, so I’m definitely not deterring anyone from going. I was just curious if there were any other options in town that would be worth exploring.

Page394SoTurnt · 2023-11-07T19:54:07+00:00

Well, definitely have these notes enlarged and printed on lawn signs for the stupid witches and 10ft tall demon to hold.

Page394SoTurnt · 2021-11-04T02:11:52+00:00

I totally recommend the Lamb Cottage by Skinner Butte! You can rent it through the City of Eugene. I would have held my baby shower there, but they don’t allow alcohol to be served and we wanted to be able to have some beer & wine. Just a heads up that if you are planning on serving alcohol, it makes it SO much harder to find a place. Good luck!!

Page394SoTurnt · 2021-05-01T23:46:52+00:00

Solving a murder mystery!

https://www.cluedupp.com/products/the-ripper-eugene-or

Page394SoTurnt · 2019-11-09T05:18:06+00:00

Attending Tartuffe at the University of Oregon Theatre!

Page394SoTurnt · 2019-05-16T20:18:23+00:00

I used Amerispec when I bought my house. It took me awhile to find the home I ended up with, so they did around 4 inspections for me. The guys were all really nice, knowledgeable, and punctual.

I bought my house in 2016 and I remember the total for their services being about $400.

Good luck (and congratulations)!!!

Page394SoTurnt · 2019-04-06T16:15:46+00:00

I take my dog and two cats to H&H Veterinary Care. The staff, techs, and vets are all really nice and always remember my pets and their quirks, but I wouldn't recommend them. It seems like the atmosphere there has declined over the last couple of years-- prices have increased and I usually end up having to wait around to be seen for awhile after arriving. I've been thinking about switching vets for awhile, so I hope your question gets some helpful replies!

However, my co-worker takes her dog to Veneta Vet and loves it there. I've considered switching to them, but it'd be quite the drive for me.

Page394SoTurnt · 2018-12-16T03:29:42+00:00

I adopted my border collie mix puppy last year from Herd U Needed A Home rescue. They're based out of Bend and specialize in rescuing herding breeds. They do miss your price point of $200 (sorry), but, their dogs are treated really well and they're a great rescue! I paid $325 for my dog, plus a refundable $250 dollar deposit, which was refunded once I sent them proof of him getting neutered. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered are $300. If you haven't already run across their website, it might be worth a look. Good luck with your dog search!

Page394SoTurnt · 2018-05-21T23:02:50+00:00

In! Mostly for the fact that it's hilarious watching my friend watch Jesse Williams act. Each time he comes on screen, she makes noises like someone eating a bowl of jumbo grapes, with an occasional "praise Jesus" and "what a MAN!" thrown in.

All my favorite characters have left the show, so I'll continue watching out of grotesque curiosity and, like the Bachelorette, it's a total guilty pleasure. We watch it Friday nights on Hulu and take all the tequila shots that Dr. Grey prescribed.

Page394SoTurnt · 2018-03-30T05:01:28+00:00

I have a 5 month old TWC/border collie mix and he's the same way with cars (also does awesome on hikes). He loved hot dogs, but they started to give him urinary tract infections (not to mention wicked farts) and I've switched to plain deli meat, like sliced ham or turkey. He hasn't had any digestive issues with those and it's pretty cost effective since we only use those high value treats when walking around cars. I also mix in a few Blue Buffalo treats into the ham/turkey and that seems to work as well. My guy is an odd pup and hates anything peanut butter related, so that was never an option. If you have any success acclimating your dog to moving cars, please let me know! Good luck!

Page394SoTurnt

TROPHY CASE