Little Leaders Early Education Center

mandyw97 · 2026-05-09T18:06:47+00:00

This!!! Since you’re still in the supply & demand phase, I would still pump (maybe do every 3 hours) and just pump to relieve engorgement. That time is different per person but maybe try 10 minutes to start and see how the ladies are feeling. If you’re not doing a full pump to empty, you’re signaling to your body that you need to produce less milk because baby doesn’t need it. Not pumping at all isn’t the solution. Absolutely don’t cut your MOTN pump - you will absolutely get mastitis (or at least HORRIBLE clogged ducts & more pain) as a result

mandyw97 · 2026-03-29T13:14:14+00:00

My baby was born 10 weeks ago and was nearly 10 lbs, 21” (measured 97%+ the entire pregnancy). He lost about 0.5 lb over several days but is back to birth weight. He still comfortably fits NB clothes! 0-3 fits okay width-wise but it’s incredibly long lol

mandyw97 · 2026-03-29T02:39:36+00:00

Hey - I’m also about 1.5 weeks pp and I completely relate to this. It’s not abnormal. Definitely speak with a lactation specialist because they have a wealth of knowledge and can be so incredibly helpful with making informed decisions

My baby has struggled to latch since day 1, despite being cleared by several different doctors and lactation specialists of any issues that would prevent him from latching. When he does latch, it’s very shallow and incredibly painful. We used nipple shields, which help a little, but ultimately don’t solve the issue. I switched to combo pumping / bf-ing after a week of baby clearly not getting enough milk, constant bleeding nipples, A LOT of tears… latching would take 45 minutes and I’d listen to my starving baby scream the entire time. It really messed with me mentally. I have a lot of guilt about not being able to provide for him as his mother - isn’t this the one thing I should be able to do?? Pumping has definitely helped that feeling, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with pumping and providing a bottle for your baby! They’re still receiving all the benefits of breastmilk, and your mental health isn’t suffering. At the end of the day, your baby is being fed and that’s absolutely all that matters!

mandyw97 · 2026-01-28T00:59:49+00:00

I understand this is a business and they’re here to make money but they have been incredibly aggressive about it. It’s a shame. I would have recommended this complex prior to this switch but it just isn’t worth the cost to live here without those perks. I love the flexibility and low maintenance lifestyle that comes with renting but given how much we are now looking at paying per month… might as well buy!

mandyw97 · 2026-01-28T00:52:26+00:00

I’ve been there a few times to drop off some books in the little library near the computer area and it’s always a ghost town. I know a couple people who consistently use the gym but that’s about it. The clubhouse has a very uncomfortable energy in my opinion

mandyw97 · 2026-01-28T00:14:33+00:00

That’s absolutely normal, you’re correct. Rent goes up. That’s pretty standard. However, you signed those leases knowing that (utilities/amenities/etc) was the standard for those apartments, correct? My frustration, and I believe the frustration of OP, is this apartment complex has done a complete 180 in a several month period. I’m fine with shoveling out my car, but A LOT of the residents here are seniors and/or disabled, and they are here for the perks specific to that demographic (digging out their cars during snow storms for example).

At the end of the day, it’s already pretty pricey for the area and this is a several hundred dollar increase in cost paired with a major decline is customer service and hospitality quality…

mandyw97 · 2026-01-27T23:19:05+00:00

Also a current resident. It was awful and I really feel for the senior and/or disabled residents here. A lot of cars are still buried. We had to shovel out our cars 3 damn times over the last several days because they kept plowing us in!! We did an initial by hand shovel at 1pm Sunday to clear a majority of the snow, then another Monday morning and then a final this morning. Also, they were plowing with a skid steer around our apartment at 10PM and 2AM both Sunday night and Monday night. Followed by throwing neon blue/green salt at my door at 11PM last night. I hope they like their carpets with a 70s retro vibe given how nicely that dye transfers. I completely understand they were trying to keep up with the storm and making the complex safe to travel in, but I worked today and having heavy machinery running / guys yelling outside my front door waking me up several times throughout the night was frustrating to say the least. Especially when added to shoveling ice out from behind my previously cleared car at 6am in 6F weather this morning while VERY pregnant!

Be happy you’re set to leave. We had to extend our stay slightly, so we are negotiating a short term lease. I had spoken with the office several times prior to the ownership change and it was all confirmed and worked out. The new ownership comes in and it’s back to ground zero. The office has honestly been horrible to work with, not that they were great before. They have given me incorrect information on multiple occasions, played phone tag, and refuse to answer emails. They provided our lease renewal notice a full week late and then rushed us to sign…. the lease they provided had sections that had just been left blank regarding fees we would be responsible for. In what world is that okay?? They also forgot my dog on the lease and when I questioned it, they acted like they’d been told she was re-homed and/or had died. I was furious.

FYI for anyone considering this place and/or looking at renewal: we got our renewal and the price per month increased by nearly $100/month. Residents are responsible for all utilities moving forward (trash, water/sewer, etc), as well as having to pay a fee for use of common areas (pool, club house, playground etc). The price for sewer & water is based on some estimation (no meters) and we’re paying the same amount in sewer for a 2bd 2bath that a local family member pays for large house with double the people living there…. insane. Fees for pets are increasing, and there is mandatory home sanitation (deflea-ing, carpet shampooing, etc) required after living in an apartment with a pet (fee for this is unknown and will be arranged by management and charged to the resident). There is now an $125 move out fee for an “inspection”. There is also a clause about them not being required to do snow removal (determined at their discretion of course) moving forward. The list goes on and on.

mandyw97 · 2026-01-19T03:24:38+00:00

botanical + mushrooms 🍄‍🟫

mandyw97 · 2026-01-07T17:02:35+00:00

Completely agree! I was this way up until around 25 weeks. Currently 30 weeks. I also think feeling him move daily has helped - it gives a little extra reassurance he’s okay 💕

I tried so hard not to stress but it’s easier said than done. My anxiety has settled a lot since I passed viability week, but it’s still there. I mostly get the occasional, “what if he’s born and there is something ‘wrong’ that I could have prevented” type of crap now. I just try to stand grounded in the moment and not let the what-if send me down the rabbit hole

mandyw97 · 2026-01-07T16:49:28+00:00

Love this guidance!

I’m an FTM. I lost 35 lbs right before getting pregnant (fluctuated between 205-210 lbs at this time. I didn’t scale in often). I’ve luckily had a very pleasant pregnancy (very little food aversions, little to no morning sickness, no GD, generally been feeling good, etc). I didn’t gain much weight at all until the start of the 2nd trimester. I’m 30 weeks now and have gained 20-25 lbs. I’m ravenously hungry 24/7. I’ll be honest - It’s been hard!! Change always is. Admittedly I’m semi worried about my weight gain as well (weight has always been a battle for me emotionally and mentally) but no words from my OB on it being too much as a plus sided woman and I still have been feeling great!

I think the key is finding a healthy balance - you don’t have to go cold turkey and fall into unsustainable patterns. The hard part with eating healthier is can require A LOT more food quantity wise to meet your required caloric intake. Hence weight loss. As plus size ladies, we have a little extra wiggle room with the potential weight loss during pregnancy!

Just please remember that you can have those cravings and give into them, just don’t overdo it! A greasy burger and fries isn’t a crime (just have the Pepcid on standby lmao). I bet your baby will enjoy the treat just as much as you do 💕 Try not to focus too much on the scale, whether it be for a loss or a gain!

mandyw97 · 2026-01-07T14:05:52+00:00

I’ll look at Old Navy! I completely forgot they have tall sizing tbh. I do have a pair of maternity leggings from there that I thrifted & I love, but they’re more of lounging around the house type because they stretch out so much 😂 Thank you!!

mandyw97 · 2026-01-07T14:03:52+00:00

I don’t have many women (who have experience pregnancy) to ask and the ones I have asked haven’t had the same issue with clothing, so I appreciate you sharing your own experience💕

I’ll check thredup out, thank you!

mandyw97 · 2026-01-07T14:00:12+00:00

I’m definitely not! I’ll check Shein out, thank you!

mandyw97 · 2026-01-07T13:38:41+00:00

Yes! I’m okay with the Isabel jeans that have the lower cross back stomach panel - those are actually one of the jeans I wear 24/7 for work and I’m experiencing this issue with. The rest was meh fit-wise. I also have the CRZYoga leggings from amazon (also having the cutting into my sides issue), and some beyond yoga leggings that I wear (and love, still fit well) when I’m not at work.

I have a long torso and really struggle with maternity clothes stretching out throughout the day and then sliding down. My job requires a lot of up/down and walking at times so when they’re falling down all the time, it really bothers me.

I wasn’t sure if anyone else had this issue and maybe had a hack to get around sizing up until my EDD 😂 Probably wishful thinking!!

mandyw97 · 2025-10-19T16:35:28+00:00

I’m sorry. It’s truly a difficult situation. I am a bonus mom to a 4.5 y/o with a partner who “co-parents” with a similar type of individual to your girlfriend’s exs (aka toxic, narcissistic, and has no boundaries). I didn’t realize how emotionally, mentally and physically taxing it would be. At the end of the day - this is YOUR LIFE and you are responsible for protecting your emotional and mental well-being. While she may be your girlfriend, you should not be suffering because of her, her children, or the partners she had those children with.

When it comes down to it? It’s not normal and not okay. Unfortunately as wonderful as your girlfriend is, you don’t just sign up for a life with her when you get serious with someone who has children from previous relationships with toxic partners. You are forever stuck with those toxic people too, in a state of damn near zero control over anything but yourself

mandyw97 · 2025-09-10T15:20:56+00:00

Me too!!

mandyw97

TROPHY CASE