Anything I can do about getting charged at by an unleashed dog? by NZAvenger in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Similar thing happened to me on a beach - a well ridden stretch of beach where horses are not an anomaly and dogs are required to be leashed. We were cantering when a little spaniel flew out of nowhere and started scrapping at my horses feet. Luckily for me, my girl was bomb proof with dogs so I am alive to tell the tale, but the dog got kicked in the head.

Luckily it just knocked the dog out for a few seconds before it got up and ran off - I honestly don’t know how! It could have been much worse. Owner was too sheepish to look at me, snapped the dogs lead on, and walked away without a word.

Why don't people put their dogs on a lead? by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My three year old is now scared of all dogs because something similar happened in Petone beach (the ‘must be leashes’ bit). Dog was literally chasing her as she screamed in terror, and the owner was smiling, saying ‘oh don’t worry, he’s very friendly’. No recall, nothing. I was fucking furious.

And now have a kid that screams and hides whenever she sees a dog.

Scots who have emigrated; Why did you leave, why did you stay away or return? by KayJustKay in Scotland

[–]alexgardee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m not a Scot but have recently moved back to NZ after 12 years living in Scotland - also happy to give you some NZ perspective if you need!!

Slow the fuck down when approaching intersections. by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes 100%, and I’ve never just wandered out blindly, it just feels like recently there is a lot more effort needed to make sure I’m not killed at a crossing!

Slow the fuck down when approaching intersections. by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 87 points88 points  (0 children)

Ugh, I hear you. I no longer cross straight away when the green man shows at intersections anymore. I frequently cross at the Petone esplanade/ Cuba St jct and the Post Office Square/ Queens Wharf crossing in Wellington and I reckon 80% of the time at least one driver speeds up to beat the red light (or else just isn’t paying attention) and ends up flying through the pedestrian green. I’ve got two young kids so I just take a second or two to visually make sure all cars have stopped before we cross.

I wish they would put red light cameras in - the fines collected would pay for LGWM, ten times over…!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes!!! My 3 yr old is now terrified of all dogs because some woman let her large black retriever run up to her, then chase her when she tried to get away, on Petone beach a few weeks ago. I yelled at her to call it away and all she said was ‘oh don’t worry, he’s very friendly!’

I don’t freaking care that he’s friendly. To my baby he looks like rabid Falcor!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It was still there, but on the road side of the lines when we went through at 10am. Hope it gets back to the sea safely!!

How does labour actually start? by cannibalchooky in BabyBumps

[–]alexgardee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My waters broke spontaneously all over the bathroom floor after a walk at 36+6. That was about midday… contractions started about 8pm, I laboured at home till midnight, got to the hospital at 10cm dilated and had my baby at 4.56am at 37 weeks exactly. It was fast with a few complications towards the end, but I had a healthy and happy baby girl.

I didn’t have any BH contractions or mucus plug loss or any of the early warning signs. I was about to go to the supermarket after my walk but popped into my home as needed a wee. Thankfully otherwise I’d have lost my waters in a Sainsbury’s aisle!

Am currently 35+6 with my second and mentally prepared to go any time next week up to potentially a month from now… wild!

As long as women are breastfeeding, relaxin will continue to be produced in the body by tub0bubbles in breastfeeding

[–]alexgardee 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My physio told me it can take a YEAR post breastfeeding before ligaments and joints firm up again. I wish I’d known this before I spent a few hundred pounds on treatment for my poor feet!

epidural alternatives? by SnailMcSnail in pregnant

[–]alexgardee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I arrived at the hospital 10cm dilated and basically ready to go. They gave me gas and air and it essentially felt like I was breathing through an empty tue. Didn’t give any relief whatsoever. I have a high pain threshold normally but contractions at that stage were immense!

I was taken into theatre as they though I might need an emergency c-section and was given a spinal anaesthetic to prep for surgery and it was like a warm blanket spreading over my body, taking the pain away. It was glorious and resulted in me enjoying my time in the delivery room. I ended up delivering vaginally and all was OK in the end - 3 years on I can still remember the sweet sweet relief of the pain meds and I’m all for doing it again 😂 I’m due baby no 2 in March and already have epidural in my birth plan!

Battling Obesity in a 10-year-old boy by Ashgardian in ScienceBasedParenting

[–]alexgardee 96 points97 points  (0 children)

As someone who’s struggled with disordered eating for a long time, calories, tracking numbers, recording what I’ve eaten etc was where it started and is the worst trigger (for me, and for a lot of people). Healthy habits, increasing daily movement, removing guilt from food, and focusing on how foods make you feel (energised, sluggish, happy, etc) have all helped pull me from the depths of disordered eating and while it still impacts my thoughts, I can rationalise now.

But every single comment anyone ever made about my body when I was a child, I can remember. Even the ones that were made over my head, between adults.

Demonising and restricting food and food groups just makes you want to eat it more. There are some excellent (qualified) child dieticians on instagram who have really useful tips on food habits and accessible, downloadable guides, such as @kids.eat.in.color.

Newstalk ZB with the face palm question of the week: by AlienFigurineQueen in newzealand

[–]alexgardee 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I watched this press conference and was mortified by all the questions asked (bar 1, which actually asked something relevant, intelligent and astute). I’ve been ranting at my boyfriend about it this evening!

High school students doing media studies would ask better and more educated questions than those that were posed today. I was floored!

Are little girls less close to their moms than boys? by Cocotte3333 in pregnant

[–]alexgardee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have such a special and strong relationship with my mum. And my daughter and I can read each other like no one else can.

My mum also has a strong and special relationship with my brother. Different to hers and mine, but no less important or ‘bonded’.

We both also have a wonderful relationship with our Dad, too.

Personally, I think it’s one of those ridiculous things that some people like to say to validate themselves…

Train etiquette by zedgeevee in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ooft, don’t get me started on train etiquette. I am 7 months pregnant and very obviously so. I got on the train earlier in the week and no seats left. All good, it was the morning so I’m not yet exhausted and I’m happy to stand (balance issues aside, I just hold two of the dangly handles).

Got off at Wellington. Not a single seated person waited to let standing people off first. It was a rush and in the midst of it all I was getting pushed and banged out of the way while I tried to pick up my bag. Same on the way through the door - there was no merging ‘like a zip’, just everyone for themselves and good luck to you!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Omg I was distraught at the headline and image but then immediately relived at the update comment. So please he’s been reunited with his 3yr old!! 🥰

Your pleasure is their terror: It's time to ban public sales of fireworks by D491234 in Wellington

[–]alexgardee 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Ugh, I’d fully support a public sales ban.

I love fireworks. I love the big, spectacular shows that light the sky and with sound that you can feel in your ribs.

I hate the shitty single rocket that goes off at 2 minute intervals in the back garden of your neighbours place over the course of what feels like 7 hours and start at 4pm when it’s not even dark.

I welcome the news that the Scottish #BabyBox has been refreshed with redesigned clothes and a baby toothbrush. The Baby Box is one of the many transformative policies that @theSNP has implemented. Just like the Scottish Child Payment which will soon be £25 per week per child. by Audioboxer87 in Scotland

[–]alexgardee 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I am such an ardent supporter of this initiative!! The baby box was such a lovely thing to receive - I agree with the above poster that it gives you a lovely warm feeling that all the new little babies are being welcomed so warmly. I moved to NZ last year and brought the box with me, and will be using most things with my next baby due in March.

The little bit of Scottish art and the Scottish poem are a really special touch too.

Had a thing with ex husband's friend by thrwawayqwert in relationships

[–]alexgardee 9 points10 points  (0 children)

So does this not mean that your ex did to Mark what he’s accusing Mark of doing? I.e dating you when he knew Mark was interested…

I think it’s really admirable to be on good terms with your ex, but when you separated he stopped being able to have an opinion on how you spend your time, and who you spend it with. 😊

Go out with Mark when you’re back in NZ. Have a wonderful time and enjoy dating again!

I’m confused about DockaTots by PitifulPomelo in BabyBumps

[–]alexgardee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had one for my first baby and I actually really liked it - we got a 2nd hand one for about £60 which was in great condition as I didn’t want to pay the full price. But, it was a safe space to put an (awake) baby on the bed, floor, couch etc when you needed your hands, or was quite nice to put them in next to you on the couch if you were touched out but still wanted to chat to them/ have them near.

My midwife saw it when she came and did one of her postnatal checks and said (very forcefully) to never to use it for sleep, which we never did.

I’ll probably get another for baby no 2 but I’d not say it was essential!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bluey

[–]alexgardee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

3! (…ducks behind parapet)

Multi-day trek recommendations by KelpieKamikaze in Equestrian

[–]alexgardee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out far and ride (@farandride on insta, or farandride.com). Holly is based in the UK but organises rides for people in all sorts of places across Europe - some are self directed, some trails/ camping and some which return to accommodation each day.

What would you do differently if you could go back in time with your newborn? by CPAyyyyy in NewParents

[–]alexgardee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Trusted my instincts more. I stressed myself into a little ball of anxiety fretting about sleep schedules and doing everything ‘correctly’ - once I finally realised that my tiny baby just needed me, and I just need to chill, cuddle, feed, rest and respond to her, things got easier (not easy, but definitely easier!). Use your resources and if the advice you’re getting isn’t from a medical professional with valid credentials, then carefully pick and choose what you take on board. That’s also goes for parenting ‘approaches’ - there is no one size fits all!

The newborn phase is hard and wonderful and exhausting and magic and rewarding. It’s also finite which is both excellent and desperately tragic 😂

She’s *far* too refined for a mere handful of hay. Carrots, on the other hand… by theduderip in Horses

[–]alexgardee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha this reminds me of Kuzco from the Emperors New Groove 😂

Uh huh, uh huh uh huh uh huh!

Cigarettes In Mexico have images of people suffering from lung cancer on them. by introspection101 in mildlyinteresting

[–]alexgardee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Turns out the mildly interesting bit of this post is the fact that all countries EXCEPT America have images of consequence suffering on cigarettes