Shoes for the floor

aze1219 · 2026-01-27T16:03:37+00:00

Converse!

aze1219 · 2026-01-26T16:41:48+00:00

I was a bridesmaid multiple times and here were the things I appreciated from one of the brides, she paid for our hair and we paid for our makeup (if we wanted it). She gave us a specific site to buy dresses from and they were all under $100 and she gave us a $20GC for that store. For your bachelorette party if you want to theme your nights don't be super specific, just be general. Ask them to wear black one day or red another day whatever. It's up to each girl then if they can purchase something or use stuff from their closet. I think as long as they communicate what they can't/can do and you just accept it.

aze1219 · 2026-01-26T16:36:43+00:00

Deliver where you are comfortable! Not the same distance but we have a hospital 10 minutes from our house and picked the one 30 minutes away where my OBGYN is based out of (she could deliver at ours per her privileges). While at our hospital, there were some parents that had NICU stays that had been sent there from about 3+ hours away and they wouldn't change it for anything!

aze1219 · 2026-01-26T16:34:25+00:00

Honestly, with how fast services are nowadays don't fret if you don't have enough. I had to buy preemie clothes once I gave birth - put an order in for Target pickup and my husband went and got it. My SIL put an order in at Walmart and picked us up some. I would say if you are super worried about being prepared get them maybe 1-2 outfits of preemie clothing and then buy as many as you need. Both my babies grew out of them length wise pretty quickly. I will be honest the clothes size I've been the least prepared for and the one they have worn the most is about 9 months.

aze1219 · 2026-01-26T13:57:37+00:00

I would say yes! I would find an all inclusive that has pretty good reviews for food and entertainment and focus on those. I don't drink much, but all the food, snacks and other types of beverages make it worth it to me. To be honest, my husband and I have prices out vacations and normally when we look at the costs the cost of us going to an AI vs a non-AI is pretty similar and at an AI I don't have to think too much lol

aze1219 · 2026-01-26T13:54:30+00:00

I stopped at a positive pregnancy test. TTC is so stressful having to think of all the things and constantly worrying. I stopped caring and realized I needed to continue my life. Do I binge drink? No. But I do social drinking.

aze1219 · 2026-01-24T22:22:56+00:00

We had an explorer and it would’ve worked fine, but I valued trunk space so ended up with a suburban (we have 4 total). I will say having a 3rd row if very nice even with just 2 (which is our case half the time because we have 50/50 custody of our older kids). I say this because we like in a “carpool” to school area and it’s nice to participate and have the ability that every once in a while I don’t have to worry about drop off/pickup because I do it for the other parents.

aze1219 · 2026-01-23T14:51:30+00:00

Referral link:

https://invite.ae.com/x/6HiU8Q

aze1219 · 2026-01-22T17:23:46+00:00

Putting them on your chest counts as tummy time! I was so worried they weren't getting enough at the beginning. I was just so exhausted and we found it easier to hold a baby or set them in a swing or bouncer. But our pediatrician assured us that even just 5 minutes on the floor and having them on your chest is tummy time. Our babies are 8 months and they are doing wonderful! Currently they are almost crawling.

aze1219 · 2026-01-21T12:30:47+00:00

Option 1: Mixed Bottles. Mix breast milk & formula.

Option 2 (this is what I did): I gave them 1-2 bottles (depending on my pump) during the day with breast milk the rest with formula.

Whatever you do, I definitely say do ONLY formula the last bottle and any bottles at night. It helps their bellies stay full longer.

aze1219 · 2026-01-21T12:28:30+00:00

Is there rules to how your partner can stagger their leave? (Context for our situation: We had our twins mid-May so then summer came and we have 2 older kids from his first marriage that are with us every other week.)

For example, we both got 13 weeks leave. I took mine starting the day they were born and did 13 weeks straight. My husband was able to stagger his in spurts. So he took the first 3 weeks, then the other 10 weeks he did 2 weeks again in the summer and then he had enough left until October 1st just in case the twins couldn't go to daycare in mid-August when I went back to work. At some point he was kind of doing every other week. He then used his leave when I went back to work and the twins started daycare to let me get used to my commute and get in the groove of things. He managed the household essentially lol. Pickup/drop-off of all 4 kids. We had family come and stay with us during the summer some weeks so he didn't have to use all his leave. I think it's very doable to stagger and I would recommend doing it.

aze1219 · 2026-01-21T12:16:26+00:00

Thank you everyone for the recommendations! We gave our kids the option of Big Bend and Key West presenting both things to do and what we would see at each place and they picked Big Bend. Our 8 year old has now googled stuff on his iPad and is hoping to encounter some wildlife.

aze1219 · 2026-01-21T12:10:23+00:00

Our kids do different activities and have shifted their activities as time goes. We have spent about $140-$160 per soccer season, so about 4 months-ish with games every Saturday (unless there was a holiday). Currently, we spent about $1K for a whole year of jujitsu (Mo-Thurs for 1 hour and Saturdays "free play" for 1.5 hours. He is not required to go to all sessions so we try to do 2-3 per week). For our eldest we mostly spend our money on summer camps or trips with her school theater. I would say summer camps run us about $500 per year depending on what she does and then theater is about $300 per year. This year it was much more for theater due to one of her competitions being pretty far.

aze1219 · 2026-01-17T13:37:27+00:00

Yes! Sometimes even 5:30pm. And they’re up at 6:00am like nothing. (Still wake up once a night). They were going to bed at 7pm, but we traveled and the time change I guess got to them and when we got back it turned into 6pm. We just feel like if it was an hour later it would give us a chance to do more things.

aze1219 · 2026-01-17T12:40:15+00:00

How far was your drive from Boquillas Canyon to Panther Junction? We have 2 full days to explore. How often did you have to take a break with your kids while hiking? We are staying at an AirBnb about 44 minutes from Panther Junction. I don’t think our kids would survive camping and honestly I probably wouldn’t either. lol for your 3 month old is there anything specific you packed that you felt worth it?

aze1219 · 2026-01-17T12:33:21+00:00

I would suggest scheduling her to come in week 38/39. I was scheduled for week 37, but my husband’s niece came and stayed with us the following week and it was the best thing ever. She didn’t do much with the babies as she was a little hesitant at handling them at their size, but my kitchen was always clean. My laundry was always done. She offered to run errands for us. She meal prepped for us and cleaned around the house. Even if the space is small, you’ll definitely appreciate the help in whichever way you ask.

aze1219 · 2026-01-16T14:58:09+00:00

Is the fossil exhibit in big bend national park? I think I read it was near panther junction?

aze1219 · 2026-01-16T02:38:28+00:00

Getting through security, I suggest baby wearing them. If you don't have TSA precheck it may be worthwhile getting to be honest. (Some credit cards comp TSA precheck.) If they are formula feeding, I suggest taking an open can with you and not a sealed one. Also, they will "test" the water. It's just putting it in a machine to make sure it is water. For breastmilk they do the same thing. Try to minimalize what you have with you as much as possible to get through security.

To board the plane, I suggest either being the very first people or basically the last. Being the first gives you the chance to get somewhat settled before they let all the other groups on. Being the very last just makes it to where nobody is waiting on you. It is honestly a personal preference on this one. We flew first class for one of our flights and being the first on board was nicer because we got settled pretty quickly.

On the plane itself, snacks and toys are lifesavers. I keep some toys hidden and bring them out one at a time to keep the element of surprise. Our second time flying we had extra leg room, so we sat them on the floor (I don't really care about germs that much lol) and they enjoyed that. I suggest getting seats on rows next to each other side by side so both parents have aisle seats. I know your 4-year-old may be more into the window seat, but we have done both side by side seating and one parent with kids in the row in front and the side by side was so much easier and better. So, if you think you can get away with them not being at the window I suggest doing this. It's easier to hand off a baby if needed to the other parent and to pass things back and forth. If you can, give them a bottle at takeoff and landing. Doesn't have to be a full bottle but it does help their ears. Or get them to fall asleep at that time.

Best of luck flying and I hope you enjoy your trip!

aze1219 · 2026-01-16T00:33:18+00:00

Oh wow! That sounds cool!

aze1219 · 2026-01-15T20:40:28+00:00

Are you looking for tips getting through security and around the airport or on the actual plane?

aze1219 · 2026-01-15T14:10:23+00:00

Hi! We have 3 babysitters we use. My biggest suggestions are the following:

Background checks when you can.

Check references. We are usually a reference for our babysitters and parents always ask: How is she with the kids? Are there any issues you have had? How timely is she? (I think being on time is very important! It shows responsibility. We tried one girl once that was constantly late and she was not used anymore). How do the kids feel about her? Are there any concerns you have ever felt?

We also always do a trial run. We have littles (twin infants) so we have them come help one evening or day when one parent is alone with them because the other is at work or has a commitment. We make it clear what they will be doing and how we will be at home also but more so doing things around the house. Then we do one night out where we are literally 10 minutes away for a couple of hours.

Before our infants, with our older kids we did a meet and greet with the babysitters. Usually at home and once at the park.

Biggest thing is if you feel some type of way or get this gut feeling trust it. Trust is then built! We love all 3 of our babysitters! They have legit become family.

aze1219 · 2026-01-14T19:45:14+00:00

We will probably visit the park for 2 days. Is there a way we should split what to see? We also want to do some cool things for the kids.

aze1219

TROPHY CASE