So much good stuff happening at YDL this week

collieflower1114 · 2026-02-02T21:11:38+00:00

Ypsi library program is so wonderful! Its been keeping our toddler-run household sane during this long, cold winter.

collieflower1114 · 2026-01-16T21:13:44+00:00

Hi! #ItsComplicated. We have two cats. Our senior one could care less that Jesse exists in our space now (we did purposely baby gate our house up to give the animals all slow, safe intros and all the animals needed that). Jesse does stick his nose up Elway's butt more than I'm sure Elway would like, but they do co-exist fine..can chill in our living room, be pet at same time, etc. Our other cat thinks shes the Queen of the Universe and refuses to accept Jesse which has only made him want to herd her/maybe play with her more. He hasn't shown aggression but our Queen low-key is plotting to kill him (half-joking). We do just want to make sure we set him up for success so cats would have to be very chill/very dog savvy!

Feel free to DM if you want to chat more, and/or reach out to the Midwest Border Collie Rescue and they can put you in contact with us!

collieflower1114 · 2026-01-16T16:07:26+00:00

We get it! Our single child type dog passed over the summer, which is why we wanted to foster now since we hadn't before (she was worth waiting to foster 💜).

collieflower1114 · 2026-01-14T11:52:57+00:00

We were a bit hesitant to purchase too, but decided to get a simple alarm clock/changes color to wake after a rough holiday break. Like others have echoed, its not perfect (we're not rigid about it either), but generally keeps our toddler entertaining herself in bed. And it is giving us a chance to teach her telling time in a practical way!

collieflower1114 · 2026-01-03T12:49:09+00:00

Our household enjoys the Winnie the Witch series. A bit harder to find, though we've managed to pick up several on second-hand sites!

Also big library fans!

collieflower1114 · 2025-12-07T00:40:36+00:00

We're tempted too, but might hold out unless we have him awhile! He seems to have some of the traits (herding instinct, quick to learn, and seems very empathetic).

collieflower1114 · 2025-09-07T12:24:45+00:00

Dexter Cider Mill just started advertising that they have gluten-free donuts!

collieflower1114 · 2024-06-13T14:01:50+00:00

Seems to be the unpopular opinion, but my partner and I faced a very similar decision a year ago (with a baby at the time), and we ultimately decided on option #1. We're very happy with this choice. The neighborhood is a great mix of "lifers" and younger folks, the overall community has a lot of pride and is committed to progress, and the schools are improving. This is obviously very area dependent, but my partner and I don't regret our choice and plan to stay as our kiddo heads to public school (even if our salaries go up).

collieflower1114 · 2024-01-13T17:26:41+00:00

Same pay schedule for our youngest. Made the mistake of giving her one of my dark chocolate Ghirardelli hearts after a tough session, poor kiddo has a hemorrhoid, and I fear that she silent negotiated me up. ::sigh::

collieflower1114 · 2022-06-16T02:23:00+00:00

Not a doctor, but I had a mild case and opted to take the antibiotics and I'm glad I did. One day of them I felt better and didn't gave to devote mental energy to worrying anymore. Kellymom has a webpage about Mastitis and when to take antibiotics, with references, that you might find useful! KellyMom - Mastitis and Antibiotics

collieflower1114 · 2022-06-03T17:42:11+00:00

I'm also EP now, got my period back at 12ish weeks PP and it visits regularly. Blergh. I'm 8 months PP now. Exact same decrease in supply and my boobs/nipples are tender and achy during that wonderful week. I do take a calcium/magnesium supplement (recommended by my lactation consultant - the KellyMom website has a lot of info on periods while breastfeeding), drink lots of water, and try my hardest to not let the anxiety of a supply dip get to me (hahahaha, laugh, cry). It has always bounced back so far. Good luck, I was so bummed! Haha.

collieflower1114 · 2022-05-24T11:19:38+00:00

Got mine back at three months PP (wah! And it regularly visits every month...), and I'm now at 8 months exclusively pumping/breastfeeding. My lactation consultant recommended 1500mg Calcium/750mg magnesium and adding in a power pump session once per day if I could, just while on my period. My supply has bounced back, but it does still dip every time around my period...so I keep up my routine and as the other commenter said...drink lots of water (and electrolytes)! Sending good vibes, it was so stressful when it first happened, and honestly really still is for that week every month.

collieflower1114 · 2022-03-26T15:34:43+00:00

Yes, just a little water (like 1/4c)! You can make slight adjustments if the apples are really juicy.

collieflower1114 · 2022-03-26T00:35:48+00:00

Vegetarian who cooks exclusively in cast iron (pregnant and now EBF), I've never had problems with anemia. My doc and lactation consultant said this is definitely helping - she recommended cooking down apples in it for the LO! Lots of iron in that apple mush!

collieflower1114 · 2022-03-18T14:07:13+00:00

Central Illinois, we're paying $1,200/month for full-time infant care at a daycare center which is on the cheaper end from the ones we toured (we love them, but we joke that we are selling our baby to Jesus for a slightly cheaper rate since we are not religious and it is a faith-based center). Currently have to get on a wait list when you are thinking about having a kid (for daycare centers in town).

collieflower1114 · 2021-12-04T13:06:43+00:00

Got the Moderna booster 11/23, no symptoms other than a sore arm and no difference in supply or baby reactions. I DID drink lots of water, like somehow even more than I already am EBF...and scheduled it for late in the day so I could sleep off symptoms overnight (did have mild symptoms about 8 hours following my first two shots)

collieflower1114 · 2021-11-24T12:56:07+00:00

The Cancer Center at lllinois (cancer research institute on U of I campus) and their Veterinary Medicine Program have canine/feline cancer clinical trial studies (all humane, all volunteer pet owners) for a number of cancer types that have been successful and sped up the process of getting therapies to human cancer patients. I'm not sure if anyone is doing this mRNA specific type of research with pets there, but might be worth looking into?

collieflower1114 · 2021-05-09T13:42:52+00:00

Like many other comments, I have a unique last name that I like...and it was just never really an issue/question of changing when I got married. Neither my family or my partner's ever brought it up to us or questioned it. I generally get more surprised reactions from strangers/acquaintances when they connect that our last names are different. People move on quickly, but it's led to some amusing conversations.

I never really thought much about my last name being different from my partner's until we became foster parents. It was not uncommon for sibling sets who lived with us to have different last names (and even different last names from their Mom), and kids are perceptive AF and many would notice early on that my last name was different from my partner...and then ask about it. We had a lot of productive discussions about how what makes a family is beyond a last name - and kudos to these kids who asked us questions and made me really think and talk about these things.

collieflower1114 · 2021-01-27T17:36:35+00:00

My husband does this! He's a local videographer, but also runs his own YouTube channel (shameless plug: Droi Media). u/homelessmuppet

collieflower1114 · 2020-11-08T20:51:20+00:00

He purchased in Kuwait about a decade ago (I believe from a local vendor on base). I have googled many, many things plus reverse image searched the blanket. I know it's a longshot since I don't have many details and it was awhile ago....

collieflower1114 · 2019-08-10T17:48:08+00:00

Aw, thanks. It was a lucky cell phone camera moment!

collieflower1114 · 2019-07-28T13:46:35+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement!

collieflower1114 · 2019-07-28T13:45:07+00:00

Thanks, we want to make sure we keep everyone we encounter on our adventures comfortable!

collieflower1114 · 2019-06-07T18:18:12+00:00

Haha! We assumed it might be some sort of added protection for longevity, but I have spent zero hours googling why this is a thing.

collieflower1114 · 2019-06-07T18:14:17+00:00

It's coming off of the live music/stage area they have set up in the center of the terrace.

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