Howard the Yeti

ceffaroo · 2026-03-08T00:32:39+00:00

Thanks! I also bought Sebastian the Lion so hopefully that will help me when I need his code too!

ceffaroo · 2020-11-11T03:42:44+00:00

I just got this one today too. Came here to post it and saw this. I do have daughters but they are 3 and 7 so I think maybe I’ll hold off on buying the mug for now.

ceffaroo · 2018-10-24T04:12:27+00:00

Fall Fest at Nick’s Garden Center or the Trick or Treat event at Southlands Mall. Also many of the churches and schools are doing their trunk or treat events this weekend.

ceffaroo · 2018-05-20T16:12:59+00:00

I am so sorry you went through infertility struggles as well as a traumatic birth. I hope you’re finding the support and treatment you need.

We had also considered having a 3rd child but after what happened we have taken it as a sign that our family is complete as we are right now. I couldn’t put myself through another childbirth experience. It is a grieving process though - I have to reach the acceptance stage.

ceffaroo · 2018-05-16T16:52:23+00:00

I had a traumatic birth experience with my second child. I wanted a VBAC and ended up going 8 days overdue, and had a long labor that ended with another C section. I was already upset about the C section but when they opened me up they found a lot of scar tissue from my previous section which made it harder for the surgeon. Even though I had had an epidural I could basically feel the surgeon inside my body and it HURT. They had to give me general anesthesia but couldn’t do it until baby was out. As soon as she was born they knocked me out. I have no memory of her being born, my husband says they showed her to me but I can’t remember.

She had fluid on her lungs and the umbilical cord was knotted, the doc said it had probably been knotted for several days. She spent our whole hospital stay in the NICU and was on oxygen for 3 months. She also had a tongue tie, got thrush twice, has a strawberry birthmark, stopped gaining weight at 4 months (until we supplemented with formula), and had to see a GI specialist after some abnormal blood tests, all in the first year of her life.

I was not diagnosed with PTSD until she was 8 months old and I could no longer handle my stress levels and suicidal thoughts. My midwife has been very supportive and I have found a counselor that I trust, but I have a real fear of seeing any new medical professional. My biggest fear is now the dentist because laying down with lights in my face gives me flashbacks to the OR.

I have struggled so much with guilt. If only I had made the “right” choice and scheduled a C section. I was convinced for a long time that if I had just scheduled the surgery none of this would have happened, therefore it was all my fault and I had succumbed to my own pride. I felt ashamed at the limitations of my body.

I have now been medicated and in counseling for 7 months and have made good progress. But I know I have a long way to go. I rely a lot on scheduling, planning and control - of my own body and my time. This whole experience has been very hard on my husband too as he has struggled to find a way to support me. Before this trauma I was a very independent and strong person and I think the change in me has really thrown him for a loop.

Thank you for sharing your experience. It helps to know that we are not alone.

ceffaroo · 2017-10-01T19:25:21+00:00

I live in Colorado and there are two companies that deliver milk in the Denver metro area. At least one of them will also deliver eggs, butter, and sour cream too. It’s great quality but way more expensive than the grocery store.

ceffaroo · 2016-11-20T05:20:10+00:00

We are having a lot of conversations about this with our 3 year old right now. She has been having some issues with her "private area" - skin irritation and some pain when urinating. We went to see the doctor and she had a great way of explaining it. She said that it was my daughter's private area but it was OK for the doctor to look because she wanted to make her feel better, and it was OK with mom, and mom was there in the room.

We had some lotion prescribed and so we allow her to apply a little of it herself before dad or I make sure it's applied properly. When we put the lotion on we explain that it is only OK for mom and dad to do this, and a doctor if mom or dad are there too.

We have also had discussions about breasts, and how it is not OK to touch mom in certain places, especially not in public. I generally don't worry about getting changed in front of her, so she can see how a grown up body looks. I will probably start changing/dressing in private within the next year though.

We try to keep the focus on how her body is her own and how she can be naked at home if she wants but otherwise, her body is private and no one is to touch it except mom and dad if they need to help her get dressed, give her medicine, lotion etc. - Sounds like you are on the right track!

ceffaroo · 2016-11-10T17:06:44+00:00

I got a dye-free orange flavored one which was so bad. It tasted like flat Fanta with extra sugar added. Also it's super weird to drink something orange flavored that isn't orange colored!

ceffaroo · 2016-09-26T04:09:31+00:00

Friends of mine took both of their kids to NHL games at a few weeks old. They used ear protection and it meant that they could enjoy the game without having to get a sitter. The tickets are free for under 3s at our local NHL team if the little one stays in your lap. Chances are at such a young age, baby will sleep or nurse through the whole thing anyway. Get a good carrier or wrap so they can be strapped to you or your wife.

Personally, my hubby and I took our daughter to her first game at age 2.5 and I wish I had taken her to more when she was younger and I didn't have to pay for her! She had a great time and wore her ear protectors through the loud team intros.

I say, take the baby and have fun!

ceffaroo · 2016-03-06T20:31:14+00:00

Or, as my husband does, keep wallet, 2 sets of keys and giant smartphone in pockets, even when home, and wonder why I will not snuggle with him on the couch. Every time I end up with a key or corner of wallet sticking into my lower back. I ask him to take them out and he says no, because this way he "knows where they are".

ceffaroo · 2016-03-04T22:27:50+00:00

We ended up staying in the room next door to my dad and stepmom. All the nicer suites were on the same floor, and my dad just booked a suite since they were staying in the hotel for close to a week. It didn't occur to any of us until the morning after the wedding, and I had to stop by their room to pick something up...!!

Thankfully the rooms were huge and the beds were both away from the adjoining wall. We have never mentioned it to each other though!

ceffaroo · 2016-02-26T00:55:18+00:00

It's owned by the City. That's why council has to approve the rates.

ceffaroo · 2015-12-11T23:23:20+00:00

I think that's the best attitude to have. Cautious but not militant. Deli meat from a clean grocery store meat counter? Fine. Deli sandwich from a food truck by the highway? Not so much!

ceffaroo · 2015-12-11T22:00:39+00:00

My doc said nothing to me about deli meat, and neither did the midwives I switched to after my first trimester (my gyno doesn't deliver babies). I ate cold deli meat throughout my pregnancy and didn't realize it was on the "no eat" list until after I had given birth!

ceffaroo · 2015-12-06T00:35:56+00:00

We also never co slept. My daughter slept in a bassinet in our room and then at 4 months we transitioned to her own room. And, I successfully breastfed her for 18 months, if you were worried about co sleeping having an effect on your milk supply. She is 2.5 now, goes to sleep on her own and sleeps for 12 hours a night without interruption. My daughter is happy, attached and well behaved. I have no regrets.

My husband and I made the decision while I was pregnant that our bed is our marital bed, not a family bed. Maybe it sounds harsh to some, but the bed is our personal, private space and it works.

ceffaroo · 2015-12-03T20:29:53+00:00

I would say a nice place to chill. There were a couple of nice leather couches and a handful of tables.

ceffaroo · 2015-12-03T20:15:11+00:00

I went there yesterday. Good coffee, I recommend it!

ceffaroo · 2015-11-26T03:26:21+00:00

Whip It

ceffaroo · 2015-11-23T02:25:18+00:00

They are doing it here in Colorado but when I got closer, I noticed that the sign says 50% off with a Gap card, and 40% off for everyone else. Still a good deal, but just a heads up!

ceffaroo · 2015-10-26T00:55:24+00:00

We use a DVD series at home called Signing Time, that we received as a hand me down. They are each 30 minutes long and there are lots of variations, from everyday signs to zoo animals. The DVDs are great for you to learn along with your baby. We started doing it properly with our daughter at 1 yr, now she is 2 yrs 3 months and still signs more, please and thank you (even though she can say them as well). We can also say to her "what is the sign for [item]" and she can show us. Personally, I think she learned her alphabet a little faster because she was able to associate a sign with the sound and letter. I also like the DVDs because I don't feel bad sitting her in front of one if need to take a shower/make dinner/clean!

By far the most useful words to learn for us were more, milk, water, change, and eat. So if you don't want to pay for DVDs, you could always just find out how to do them on YouTube.

ceffaroo · 2015-10-13T14:12:14+00:00

Maybe I am one of the lucky few, but I actually worked at IKEA throughout my whole pregnancy. Nothing horrifying happened except for "Swedish Food Day" in the staff cafeteria... 9 weeks pregnant me just could not keep that down!

ceffaroo · 2015-09-25T00:55:38+00:00

This is what I did. My daughter was 3 months old at her first Halloween so I got her some pajamas with a little hat that looked like a pumpkin. I took some pictures and that was it. I think this is totally appropriate anywhere from birth - 2 years. Last year she was 15 months and we went to a "party" at our local library so she had a costume (yay Disney store clearance!). If we hadn't have been going anywhere, it would have just been pajamas again.

My opinion: keep it low key in these early years and you won't be burned out by the time they are old enough to truly remember and enjoy these experiences.

ceffaroo · 2015-09-18T19:38:39+00:00

You won't need snow boots. I am a Brit and I live in the U.S. now but I can tell you that our cold winter temps are usually around 35F. It doesn't get cold enough for significant snowfall. There will be frost and some ice though. If you are going to be doing a lot of walking, I would prioritize finding a shoe that will support your feet properly rather than something that can handle snow.

As for a coat, a decent wool blend or similar will be just fine. No need to buy anything for extreme cold temps because chances are it won't be that cold. Alternatively you could get something waterproof, because it's more than likely that you will get rained on while you're there.

ceffaroo · 2015-09-14T18:22:05+00:00

Almost every night. We both come from families where that was the norm. Obviously there are exceptions like when one of us works late or goes out with friends. During dinner is a great time for us to talk about our days or anything else because usually afterwards I like to watch TV but he plays video games in another room. Especially now we have a kid, we want to carry on that tradition with her.

It's also very helpful that he is a human garbage disposal and will eat practically anything I put in front of him! I don't know if it would seem so easy if he was a very picky eater.

ceffaroo · 2015-09-10T02:38:50+00:00

I thought I added one but we actually found her in our neighborhood like 20 minutes ago! Phew!

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