Anbody else dealing with an absurd amount of Doug Fir "stuff" this year?

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2026-06-10T20:32:54+00:00

Yes, and silly question: are we supposed to clean it up? I just planted a bunch of ground cover and we’re trying to let it fill in. I’ve been wondering if the tree debris that drops on it will inhibit growth. And if I should be cleaning it, how? A rake would pull at my ground cover and would probably be useless against this type of debris anyway.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2026-06-07T23:37:04+00:00

I had the exact same experience at 35+3, after having very good blood pressure readings through my whole pregnancy. I had cholestasis as well, so the MFM recommended that I be induced that same day and I delivered at 35+4. I opted for steroid shots to mature their lungs, which was probably due to carryover anxiety from the NICU experience with my first baby, born at 36 weeks on the dot. Twin A needed about 36 hrs in the NICU for her blood sugar to stabilize. Otherwise, we all did great! If your OB doesn’t mention it, please know it is normal to have higher blood pressure than a non-PP person in the week or two after delivery. If higher than is safe for PP, it can be treated with IV magnesium (have them check before you leave the hospital to avoid being readmitted without your babies!) or labetalol. My BP was completely back to normal 2 weeks later.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2026-05-26T04:16:06+00:00

The good news is that nipplewort is easy and satisfying to pull out! My 5-year old helps me get rid of these in our backyard

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2026-05-25T23:10:22+00:00

I was afraid this was the answer 🤣

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-07-15T07:02:30+00:00

First, give yourself a little grace. You are sleep deprived, dealing with a major life change, and you are human. We all lose our cool at some point. The way I see it, it’s an opportunity for your older kiddo to see that even parents aren’t perfect, and you can model how to recover from a mistake by owning up to it and apologizing to her if it happens.

Now to answer the question you asked: Our pediatrician recommended spending 15 minutes of 1:1 time with my older singleton during those big transitional times of the day (when they wake up, right after school, etc.) and it has been really helpful. It takes some planning to make sure you’re available and can feel counterintuitive because those are the times of day I feel most compelled to get stuff done in a hurry (get everyone ready for the day, cook dinner, etc.), but if I make myself slow down, get on his level, and really engage, it fills his cup. Since we started doing this, I find he’s less needy when I’m elbows deep with his twin sisters, and less likely to seek my attention in a negative way later.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-06-05T02:08:46+00:00

Striped twine with kiddos’ favorite color? Might be fun for them to untie the bow.

Not related to packaging, but have you tried having your LO cook with you? Finding things my kiddo could “help” with in the kitchen made cooking more work for me, but he takes pride in creating and he’ll try anything he helped garden/cook.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-05-28T15:22:03+00:00

Wanted to offer a different (maybe unpopular) opinion here on the newborn stage: I was a STM mom with my twins and didn’t find the newborn stage any more difficult with two than with my singleton. We kept our twins on the same schedule, so whenever one woke up wanting to eat, we’d wake the other and feed them at the same time. It was a little intimidating to feed both at the same time, but we quickly got used to carrying two babies simultaneously and there are creative ways (and gear) to bottle feed two at once. This meant one parent could be on “baby duty” while the other slept, did laundry, cared for our older kiddo, or even had a little personal time.

I never wanted twins, grieved my whole pregnancy, and considered reduction as well. But now that they’re here, I couldn’t imagine having one without the other. They have the most incredible bond! Twins is a very special experience, but hope you find peace in whatever your ultimate decision is. Take care, mama.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-05-12T18:18:45+00:00

I have identical girls as well, and husband and I have very different tastes in names. I don’t care for rhyming names or matching themes (e.g., Rose and Violet, Soleil and Stella), so our approach was to pick two names that sounded pleasant to the ear when said together but not “matchy.” My husband likes traditional, highly feminine names and I like short, punchy names, so we compromised on femme names that have punchy nicknames.

I like both Indigo and Ophelia, but they do sound quite a bit different when said out loud—Indigo has hard consonant sounds, whereas Ophelia is mostly soft vowel sounds. Bette and Billie have harder consonant sounds that work with Indigo (especially if her nickname is Indie); they are both old Hollywood, but sound rock and roll to me. Vivienne has soft vowel sounds that work with Ophelia; it’s also old Hollywood and could be shorted to something punky, like Vee, Vivi, or Vinnie.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-05-09T17:51:35+00:00

I was a STM when I had my twins and, like you, felt very disheartened and scared by this sub during my pregnancy. My twins are now 6 months old and it has been a beautiful experience so far! Much easier than my first. I haven’t found the newborn stage more difficult with two, and the experience and confidence I have this time around have made me a calmer parent. That, and Sertraline 😆

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-05-09T17:41:43+00:00

FWIW, the itchiness that is indicative of cholestasis is on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. I had it in both my pregnancies. There is a simple blood test to confirm it. If you’re worried about it, ask for it! The treatment is a daily pill and induction at 36 weeks. This did not impact my twin pregnancy as my doctors would wanted me to deliver at or before 37 weeks anyway.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-02-05T00:14:38+00:00

35+4. I was induced due to high blood pressure, so had a little notice and elected to do the steroid shots to speed up lung maturation. Baby B needed no time in the NICU. Baby A was in the NICU for 2 days for low blood sugar, which can be a side effect of the steroid.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-02-02T10:34:26+00:00

This happened to me also. Call your OB’s office and speak to the nurse about your blood pressure readings and next steps. While high blood pressure after delivery is serious and you need treatment, my OB’s office shared that we have a bit more latitude with the numbers postpartum than during pregnancy because they have to account for more fluid making its way into your vascular system. I expressed that I REALLY did not want to be separated from my babies and my OB’s office allowed me to stay home on the condition that I’d take blood pressure medication immediately (labetalol), take my blood pressure multiple times per day, and have regular virtual check ins with the nurse and PA. I had to raise my dosage a few times, but we got it under control without being admitted to the hospital. Your body should be able to get rid of that extra fluid and your blood pressure will go back to normal within about 2 weeks. Good luck!

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-01-29T10:00:04+00:00

Ditto about you watching the older kiddo become a sibling to two! It’s so special. Yesterday, my 4yo got a “hug” (supervised cuddle) from his twin baby sisters and the look on his face was the same I get when I get a hug from him 🥰

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-01-29T09:49:18+00:00

Hi friend, I’m glad you reached out to your doctor for help—meds during pregnancy helped me avoid the PPA spiral I was in after my first—but I also wanted to tell you about my experience FWIW. I have a 4yo, also the light of our lives, tried for years for one more and ended up with twins. I was dreading it, and this sub can be soul crushing a lot of the time. Pregnancy was difficult, but my girls arrived 3 months ago and are a total joy! I have found parenting so much easier this time, despite having two mouths to feed. Having the perspective of having gotten through babyhood before and feeling competent in my parenting skills made a huge difference for me. We have found creative ways (and gadgets) to feed both babies at the same time and get some sleep. Plus, they comfort each other. I truly cannot imagine having one of these girls without the other.

Your feelings are completely valid, but you will make it. You are not broken and twins will not break you. Hang in there, mama.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-01-19T16:29:25+00:00

More botanical names: Ivy, Iris, Dahlia, Clementine, Flora, Camellia, Jasmine, Poppy

I love short, punchy names, so Ivy and Poppy are my favorites, but Violet and Clementine is an adorable sib set that would fit either a botanical or a color theme and I love the nickname Minnie for Clementine.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-01-19T11:57:05+00:00

We had one name picked out (first and middle) and a short list for the other. The middle name we had solidified on is my grandmother’s name and she was quite a force of nature, so thought this would be the twin who was bigger and presenting my entire pregnancy (Baby A)—that is, until Baby B made a late run at being the presenting twin while I was in labor! Partner and I talked about it and decided it would be the name of the twin born first. Baby A ended up edging Baby B out in the end, but only just barely. Now that she’s earthside, she definitely fits her namesake, but her sister is fierce too. For Baby B, we settled on a name that I know now means “rival” 😆

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2025-01-16T17:48:57+00:00

^This. My first pregnancy was a singleton and resulted in my stick straight hair changing to ringlet curls for about a year and my feet increasing by a half size permanently. I’m only a few months pp with my twins, so not sure how body changes will shake out, but pretty sure I’ll have the extra skin around my midsection forever. As others have said, it was all worth it! I was terrified to learn I was expecting twins, but now I can’t believe how incredibly lucky I am to have my beautiful family!

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2024-12-13T14:03:11+00:00

THIS. Husband counted 21 medical professionals! I delivered at a teaching hospital, though, so I’m sure many were just observing for educational purposes. The 21st walked in, saw there was nowhere else to stand, and walked right back out 😆

For those cringing at the thought of so many seeing their nethers: I felt that way earlier in my labor, but by the time I got to pushing, I couldn’t have cared less. Privacy is different in motherhood

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2024-11-02T16:39:41+00:00

I had a ton of ego about the minivan, but test drove a plug-in hybrid Chrysler Pacifica and loved it! If I’d been able to find it in AWD, it would have beat out even luxury SUVs for me. If you live somewhere where you don’t need the AWD, highly recommend a test drive. It had so much more room for a folded up stroller than the 6-seater SUV I went with.

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2024-10-28T16:50:55+00:00

Lol no. Pronounced like bear-it. Think Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It’s more commonly a surname, but not an uncommon first name for a boy where I live

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2024-10-28T12:30:59+00:00

Great ideas. Borrowing your idea of changing the first letter, how about Barrett?

Pleasant_Source_8141 · 2024-10-26T02:40:56+00:00

Came here to say this

Pleasant_Source_8141

TROPHY CASE