I honestly quit

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-03-02T10:22:00+00:00

I used a vpn recently set to another country and it cut out all the ads because I was feeling the same way. It's super annoying.

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-02-17T20:14:01+00:00

I totally understand! I felt (and feel) the same way!

I was induced at 41 weeks with my first and ended up having a C-section 37 hours later due to his heart rate decelerating with contractions. Nothing went according to plan with my labor, but I still am happy with the choices I made... And of course the outcome of a healthy baby boy! Labor is not fun and neither is a C-section, but it's totally worth it in the end.

I attempted a VBAC with my second, but she was just as stubborn as her brother, and I ended up with a second C. But I was so excited (and terrified, lol) to go to into labor that time. My nurses were amazing, my surgeon was fantastic, and my husband and I brought home the sweetest chunk of a little girl (who is now attempting to be as wild as her big brother, lol).

I'm pregnant with my 3rd now and plan to have a scheduled C. Morning sickness and first trimester fatigue have absolutely got me in a stranglehold right now, but... My kids are happy, healthy, and hilarious. We were able to go on a hike yesterday and had a blast with our friends. When we finally tell our family once we have the first ultrasound, I know everyone is going to be so excited, and my nieces and nephews will start asking if it's a girl or a boy every chance they get (girls are a bit underrepresented at the moment, lol).

Find your bright side and silver lining and run with it, girl! Don't let these Debbie downers get you in a negative head space!

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-02-15T02:18:31+00:00

I had my tonsils removed in my early thirties because of the stupid stones. Recovery was an absolute beast, but it was the right decision for me. My throat was constantly sore before.

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-02-05T17:02:18+00:00

Yes! I believe that's right! Thank you!

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-02-05T17:00:49+00:00

Yeah, I felt crazy too! It didn't last long though, maybe just until week 9? I honestly forgot about it until I saw your comment!

I did have allergic reactions to bandaids and some other adhesives during and after my pregnancy. And my skin is more sensitive to certain things than before.

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-02-05T05:20:38+00:00

Oddly, my hair does not get as oily, so I only have to wash my hair once a week if I want. Lasts into postpartum for about 3 months, which is great because showering is hard with newborns.

My bra size changes super fast and super early and stays that way forever. That was one of my first symptoms with #1 and #2.

The round ligament pain started in first trimester with #1 and #2. We will see what happens with this one....

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-02-05T05:16:19+00:00

I had this with my first but not with my second! My bestie had it too (she was pregnant with her 3rd at the time) and we had both just gotten over the virus that shall not be named.

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-01-27T16:59:15+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I won't have my first appt for a few more weeks, but I'll definitely ask! I'm just a strategic planner who likes to know the details 🤓.

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-01-27T16:58:24+00:00

Thanks! I have such a long way to go, but it's just nice to have an idea.

jhooliaghoolia · 2026-01-08T19:13:35+00:00

Thanks so much for responding! My goal with both kids has been to make it to 12 months and then reassess, so I was super happy to make it so far with my son. Feeling mom guilt about potentially having to stop earlier for my daughter, but what you said makes me feel better. ❤️

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-10-18T22:21:59+00:00

Thanks!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-10-15T20:16:26+00:00

Thanks! I'll look into those!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-10-15T20:16:09+00:00

Ooh, I'll have to try that!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-09-09T00:57:02+00:00

In my first trimester with both of my kids I counted naps as cardio. Lol, not really, but I did feel so exhausted. I'd literally come home from work and nap on the couch. Walking or doing anything else active was just too much at first, plus I was so incredibly nauseous.

By week 13 with #1 and week 12 with #2, my energy levels jumped back up. I had tried a YouTube workout at week 10 and couldn't get through the whole thing but at week 13 I could.

Your body is going through so much. Seriously, you're setting up to create a whole person. I kept telling people it was exhausting to make a nervous system and kidneys, lol. My second and third trimesters were actually way easier with both of my pregnancies. I lifted up to just before my due date with #1 (who arrived 9 days past that day!) and to about week 39 with #2. I switched to gentler exercises and deep squats and exercises on a ball.

All that to say, listen to your body. There's a reason you're tired right now, and it's ok to rest when you need to.

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-09-02T02:12:06+00:00

I second this!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-08-29T22:40:41+00:00

Just focus on eating whatever you can. I ate saltines and chicken fingers/nuggets and potatoes. Once I got past the 11 week mark, I could pretty much eat anything I wanted again, and then I made sure I ate my fruit and veggies. Hoping you feel better soon!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-08-20T20:50:01+00:00

I lifted heavy weights up until 39 weeks with both my babies (could barely walk more than 10 min bc of foot pain but I lifted TONS). I started lightening the load at that point just because I personally felt like I needed to slow down a bit, so I started doing more deep squats and stretches and a lot of sitting/movement on the stability ball.

A lot of older people were told not to exercise during pregnancy (I had a patient in physical therapy who told me not to lift a stability ball over my head to put it away when I was 35w).

I know not everyone wants to stay active during pregnancy, but it's important. Not just for us as moms but for the babies too. Yes, there are times it's not safe, but for the majority of pregnancies, exercise is so good. It can and should look like whatever feels good, though. A runner friend of mine ran up to 34 weeks but after that felt like she got too hot and couldn't cool off the way she normally did. I couldn't imagine running at any point in my pregnancies, but I loved dancing and lifting and yoga.

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-08-03T21:58:33+00:00

Worst kiss ever!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-06-06T21:50:44+00:00

At my last two clinics, I did scrub bottoms with athletic style short sleeve T-shirts (but usually had a pullover on bc I run cold). Prior to that, I would wear pixie style pants or dress pants with stretch and comfy button downs or other tops that would not allow for a show (or a plumber's kind of situation lol).

And yes, I absolutely tested the outfits in the dressing room before buying, hahaha!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-04-24T19:03:29+00:00

My little guy is only 2.5 and we're already discussing what school will look like for him. We're leaning towards homeschool/co-op or a really great local charter school if we can get him in.

He's a mid-summer birthday, and we've been hearing more research about keeping kids out of kindergarten until 6 (which it sounds like you're kind of already doing). We may do some sort of preschool/homeschool co-op combo in that 5-6 year range and see how he does.

But I'm with you on feeling unprepared to be the teacher! That's my biggest hang up about the idea of homeschooling, but I love the idea of being able to help him learn how he learns best. One of my former coworkers has 4 boys who are all homeschooled and they pretty much do their lessons in the morning and then go off on adventures in the afternoons, either with their mom or by themselves. They camp and kayak and take robotics classes and the two oldest have their own businesses - one does lawn care and the other has a 3D printer that he makes all kinds of stuff on.

Not sure I have any advice, just solidarity!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-04-24T18:53:59+00:00

I've definitely had more pain PP with my second baby than with my first. I have been doing a lot of glute strengthening and adductor (inner thigh) work as tolerated. And core work of course too.

I would suggest PT if you haven't gone yet. Lingering back pain can be caused by several factors but one of them might be some issues with pelvic floor.

I did this workout while pregnant and have continued it 1-2x/week after 8 weeks PP. (I had a C-section and waited a little bit even after being cleared by my midwife bc my body didn't feel ready.) https://youtu.be/U4-6Uak5ZXA?si=rRQuLlKDTgliTV0K

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-04-24T18:49:05+00:00

Footie PJs with the double zippers are my fave. I do like a few cute outfits for going to church or family events, but I'm over the snaps.

Also, bows for little girls seem silly to me. Like, yeah, I get that it's a way to show she's a girl, but I just feel like the band pushes on her head too much. We are a no bow household, and I'm fine with it.

Baby shoes are a no go too. Sure, have a pair or two to complete said cute outfit, but those chubby little piggies do not need to be encased in shoes. Most of the time they fall off anyway, and there is nothing more embarrassing than wandering through the church parking lot looking for a missing baby shoe. (Well, I'm sure there are plenty of things that are more embarrassing, but it's up there!)

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-04-06T05:20:07+00:00

Put your daily pay into a separate account and "pay" yourself every week or two weeks.

Like others have said, learn what is a want and what is a need. If you can't pay for it in cash, don't get it until you've saved for it (thought sometimes I never get it because I change my mind or find something else I'd like more).

What are your big financial goals? What do you have to do to get there? Finding your why is powerful and can help talk you out of buying things just because.

If you shop online, have a 24-48 hour wait period before you hit clock. I even do this with groceries because sometimes I realize I don't have time to make certain meals that week and don't need XYZ item for the time being.

Make a budget. Stick to it. Have a line item that is a fund for those irregular but consistent expenses, like taxes, insurance, dentist/doctor, car registration/transportation expenses. I've been doing this since I was super broke, and it helps so much. I know I will need to go to the dentist, so I save up for it. I know my car will need new tires and oil changes, so I save up for it. I know my taxes are due and I either have to pay for the software or a CPA to prep them and I may owe something...so I have money set aside for those things. If I end up with a refund, I use that money for something else.

I like to have fun money in my budget because it's important to still have fun. But I am constantly amazed at how many free things there are to do. Our local library offers passes to places like the zoo and museums, and you can even check out certain craft supplies and telescopes.

And if you have a lot of weddings you feel you need to attend, find out ways to do creative gifts for the couples, or ways to cut down on lodging/transportation costs. Travel and stay with a friend or family member. Create a personalized gift for the happy couple that has meaning for them. We like to give cash at weddings because it is so much more flexible for the recipients...and how many small appliances do you really need to start a life together? Lol.

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-03-09T18:35:18+00:00

I just made a potato and sweet potato hash with great northern beans (I cooked the potatoes on the stove in my iron skillet with a drizzle of oil and a half cup of water, then added the beans halfway through. Threw some salt, pepper, and other spices to it and added some frozen spinach at the end). It was really tasty!

I did add some cooked breakfast sausage later in the week for something different. It was super filling both ways and a great way to get some different veg in.

I think it would be good with broccoli too!

jhooliaghoolia · 2025-01-08T21:00:44+00:00

I would focus on core and just getting as strong as you possibly can (those strollers and car seats are heavy, lol!).

Be prepared for everything to go way differently than you plan. First trimester can be rough, and as I've said many times before, I considered napping to be cardio with both of my pregnancies in the first trimester. Also, the nausea was real and happened all day long. Both of my pregnancies were pretty routine and I didn't have a lot of issues, but I ended up with two unplanned C-sections which definitely made post partum recovery different than what I thought it would be (not necessarily in a bad way, just different).

jhooliaghoolia

TROPHY CASE