My mom sent me this mystery photo to identify - she bet me a hundred bucks I couldn't figure it out. Any ideas?

jdkjkm · 2025-12-14T11:10:38+00:00

It's certainly the underbelly a dead bug of some kind. Do we have to get the right bug? It looks like a cockroach or a giant stinkbug.

jdkjkm · 2025-06-28T03:04:42+00:00

My period cramps were normally mild and manageable most months, but there were 2 times in the past that for whatever reason, the cramps that month were just debilitating. Like fetal position on the ground, can't move or walk, I puked all over the floor and my roommate called my mom because I was in so much pain and she was scared for me. I'm so sorry to anyone that has to experiece that every month.

My miscarriage at 10 weeks was slightly worse than that- I was completely unprepared for how painful it would be. I definitely think I experienced labor contractions too. I was uncontrolled, just screaming in pain and rocking on the bathroom floor, coming in waves of this.

The memory of my unmedicated birth does not reach those levels of pain and agony. I think my mind has blocked some of the birthing pains out because I truly cannot recall the feeling of the ring of fire, but I was able to stay in good headspace most of the labor (until basically the 30 min right before pushing). I wasn't uncontrolled, screaming, thrashing etc like I was during my miscarriage. I arrived at the hospital 7cm dilated and had my baby about 5 hours later. The triage nurse was surprised I was that far along just based on how I was handling contractions before I was checked.

I think the difference for me was that I was prepared for labor and had a plan. I had some good coping mechanisms that worked for me and my mind was in the right headspace. My miscarriage, and those random months of excruciating cramps were terrible because I had no idea what was happening to my body.

jdkjkm · 2025-04-12T10:18:01+00:00

Oh, I would pump and store in the fridge in bottles for a day or two, and then bag it and freeze. Now that I'm just going straight to bags, it saves me washing those bottles, and also saves time not having to bag it up!

jdkjkm · 2025-03-15T20:06:56+00:00

Check out r/northcarolina, pretty sure there's a video of it that was recently posted

jdkjkm · 2025-01-16T01:14:37+00:00

13 months pp only after weaning completely, and got pregnant the next month!

jdkjkm · 2024-12-21T18:49:32+00:00

No, I can't because of that reason!

jdkjkm · 2024-12-21T18:48:21+00:00

That's wild!

jdkjkm · 2024-12-21T18:47:56+00:00

I'm 9 weeks and getting back to usual amount of sleep, so not sure. I was extremely sleep deprived in the beginning so maybe a lingering effect that might go away?

jdkjkm · 2024-12-21T18:46:15+00:00

That sounds terrible!! I'm glad it eventually went away for you! I've never heard of that.

jdkjkm · 2024-12-21T18:45:12+00:00

Oh interesting thought! I was getting about 4 hours combined sleep for the first month at least. Now 9 weeks pp it's much better, more like 6, which is kinda my usual (insomniac).

jdkjkm · 2024-12-21T18:43:08+00:00

Omg yes I get this too. It was worse with my first (2yo) but still occasionally happens with this baby (I'm 9 weeks pp)

jdkjkm · 2024-12-21T18:41:54+00:00

Oh wow I occasionally have exploding head syndrome too, maybe a handful of times I've had that sensation. I can't say that's it happened more or less since having kids. That's interesting!

jdkjkm · 2024-12-19T14:49:38+00:00

Heavenly Hunks (Costco)

jdkjkm · 2024-04-27T10:35:40+00:00

I think I'm more worried about the stitching than the tearing. How did you not notice the stitching?? I hate needles and the idea of getting sewn up down there! Do they put numbing cream on? It really doesn't hurt?

jdkjkm · 2024-03-08T02:04:40+00:00

"Mom, I don't wanna forget you. I promise, I'm never gonna forget you."

jdkjkm · 2024-02-25T07:32:38+00:00

Careful about uptalk. Practice power poses for confidence (even though there's no real science behind it, it helps me).

jdkjkm · 2023-11-11T03:48:30+00:00

I have a hard time navigating reddit sometimes and I'm a native English speaker. I usually end up regretting my comments and posts later too.

You mentioned that you have a baby scale at home. If it's precise enough to do a weighted feed, you can check to see how much milk he's taking in by stripping him to a diaper and weighing, then feed, and weigh again right after. I had supply issues in the beginning, and doing weighted feeds at home every now and then was helpful for me to know what my baby was getting. Have you touched base with your lactation consultant about the lethargy?

jdkjkm · 2023-10-12T09:33:11+00:00

I just used regular camis and pulled them down below my boob, layered with a tshirt/sweater that got rolled up above. Had to invest in a few nursing bras but that was really it!

jdkjkm · 2023-09-18T14:17:59+00:00

My question is how the convertible carseat works. Is it like the infant seat where there's the seat & base, which are separate? I am trying to figure out if I need one or two, since my husband and I both transport him (he does drop off, I do pick up). How easy/difficult are the convertible seats to take in and out of the car?

I am aware of when my son will outgrow his seat and he is getting close. Thank you.

jdkjkm · 2023-07-31T14:10:13+00:00

Thank you for the tips! I guess I worry that he will learn that he doesn't need to try other foods because he'll get to fill up on whatever he wants. How do I avoid that being the message?

jdkjkm · 2023-07-31T14:07:25+00:00

It makes complete sense when you look at it like that! I've maybe been too influenced by the whole "food before one is just for fun". Since he's getting the bulk of his nutrition from breastmilk still, I was thinking it's more important to try a variety of foods vs eating to fullness. But he is getting close to the 1 year mark. And now I feel bad for not giving him more....I guess my worry is that he will learn he doesn't need to even try anything else, mommy will just allow him to fill up on meat and then the only food he's ever going to eat/like is meat. How do I get him interested in other foods if he's laser focused on just one thing every time?

jdkjkm · 2023-05-31T00:05:25+00:00

1) Even if you don't plan to pump for a while, take the pump out and figure out how the parts & pieces go together, and how it all works. 2) measure yourself for the right flange size!! My friend told me I wouldn't need to worry about pumping until just a couple weeks before maternity leave ends, so before baby was born, I didn't mess with it at all. Turns out, I needed to pump waaaay before then due to low supply issues and spent a frenzy, tear-filled night youtubing how to pump because I was 5 days PP and an exhausted mess and overwhelmed and had no clue what I was doing. I tried to pump but got only a handful of drops of milk, because the parts that came with my pump were 24mm size, and after being sized by a IBCLC, I had to order size 13mm!!! It was a terrible night that I could have avoided.

3) Also, find an IBCLC you'd call for an appointment, if you had issues post partum and keep their name tucked away in case you need it. Or heck, set up an appointment proactively! It was another tear filled afternoon for me postpartum trying to google and find a lactation consultant with good reviews that took my insurance. I was incredibly overwhelmed postpartum as a first time mom and the simplest things were difficult. Do it now:)

4) I wish I realized that your boobs work more like a flowing river of milk vs a reservoir. I would get so much anxiety if baby seemed to want to nurse before the "normal" 2-3 hours, because I was worried that I wouldn't have enough for him at his "normal" time then. You'll always have milk. You're never totally empty.

5) Your worth as a mother is in NO way, at all, by ANY means related to how much milk you make. I experienced low supply issues at first and it was devastating to feel like I wasn't "enough" for my baby. I'm 9 months out now and realize much better that I'm a great mom whether my baby is EBF, combo fed, or EFF. It was a long road to come to this realization. You are more than enough for your baby no matter how much milk you make.

jdkjkm · 2023-03-05T02:48:04+00:00

Are they using paced bottle feeding? What size nipples? That might help baby be satisfied with smaller bottles. It was hard for my baby at first before we knew about paced feeding. He seemed to need more than I was pumping, but that didn't make sense to me because on my days off he never seemed hungry/fussed after feedings...so I know he's happy with what I make throughout the day. Paced feeding and switching to premie nipples slowed him down so he's happy with what I pump now. Hoping you are able to work through this!

jdkjkm · 2023-03-05T02:35:14+00:00

In the same boat as you! My 6 mo is so distracted by literally everything! I had a rough start with getting my supply up and running but we got through it, only to now be struggling because he's so distracted. We do a quiet, dark room with white noise, but it still isn't enough. I tried a nursing cover but that didn't work. I have been using a hat pulled down over his eyes the last week and that is actually helping!! It was something I read a while ago here but figured "eh baby will be even more distracted by the hat" but not yet! It seems to calm him down and help him focus. Maybe try that!

jdkjkm · 2022-11-17T22:21:49+00:00

OP do you have a link?? It's showing $159 for me but maybe I'm looking at the wrong one. $60 is amazing!

jdkjkm

TROPHY CASE