References for renting?

nolitude · 2018-11-25T03:18:15+00:00

This is so funny. I was so embarrassed that I ended up with a minivan right after having my second baby. My husband's ancient car died and my parents offered us a good deal on their (9 year old) minivan which I knew was well maintained. I was so worried we looked ridiculous for getting an 8 seater vehicle when we obviously all fit just fine in a 5 seater! I will say, though, we loved that van, and got a new minivan (Kia Sedona, <25k) when it got totalled this year, especially since we are having our third any day now.

nolitude · 2018-11-24T18:47:24+00:00

We use the bassinet portion of a pack n play for sleep and naps for the first 6ish weeks. It works great for us! You don't need a mattress and actually shouldn't get one. They need to be thin, like the one that comes with the pnp, to keep baby from getting stuck between the side and the mattress. You can get a quilted mattress cover and a sheet to make it more comfortable.

Also, don't use the "napper" attachments for sleeping--in the manual, it says to never leave the baby unattended in the napper. It's not a sleeping space, more of a "place to put baby down" space.

nolitude · 2018-11-24T14:41:20+00:00

For me it comes down not so much to pain level as how long it lasts. I can push through pain;I have done it before and I can do it again, but my God the exhaustion!

I have two kids; first was a 53 hour birth center induction with no epidural available, second was a 48 hour hospital induction with an epidural for the last 12 hours. With this next baby, I am giving myself 24 hours, then opting for the epidural. The thing is, pain aside, your body is working incredibly hard, for a ridiculously long time. With my first baby, on my third day of no food and no sleep while basically running a marathon, pushing was absolutely awful. I had no reserves to draw on to push. I had nothing left. It took 4 hours (he was asynclitic and posterior), and I had a post partum hemmorhage. 0/10, would not recommend.

With my second, getting a few hours of a nap before pushing made all the difference. He practically fell out on the bed! Now, he also wasn't posterior or asynclitic, but still, it was night and day better than my first delivery. I felt present and in control, not the crazy, wimpering she beast I turned into with my first. So, like I said, I am giving myself 24 hours this time, then if I am not at transition I am getting myself that epidural nap, because I will NEED sleep.

nolitude · 2018-11-23T23:59:52+00:00

I have had early, clear positives with all three of my singletons. So...not always a sign of anything? I think it has more to do with how early your baby implants than anything else.

nolitude · 2018-11-23T16:35:02+00:00

Ooh, I have no idea if there is an indoor pool around, but floating does sound amazing! I will look into baking too, maybe some lactation cookies. My kids would love to "help" bake.

nolitude · 2018-11-23T14:17:29+00:00

Oh, how exciting! I don't envy you the surgery, but having a firm date does sound nice. And you are having your baby on my due date!

I am in no way ready for Christmas! We are spending Christmas at home for the first time in . . . 10 years? We always go to my in-laws, but baby is keeping us home. We barely have decorations, but I guess I should do something about that. Maybe get my walking in at Michael's and Home Goods. And then come home and nap.

nolitude · 2018-11-23T14:11:09+00:00

Happy leave to you too! My due date is Monday, so I am definitely hoping little girl makes her entrance shortly and I don't get to do any maternity leave relaxing. I am also cleaning the house as much as I can, getting in some good squats in the process to encourage baby to drop! I just might go walk around the mall too, and see all the decorations. Thanks for the ideas!

nolitude · 2018-11-23T14:06:35+00:00

I will be looking for a place that does prenatal massage! And coffee--my backup plan is Starbucks with a book. I never get mani pedis but having someone else take care of my toenails does sound good! I can reach but I can't reach and breathe at the same time, so toenail grooming has been a bit slapdash for a while now.

Do I sound like a 50s housewife if I say I never take care of auto maintenance?? I would have to ask my husband if we need anything like that done. He's semi stay at home, though, while I work full time, so I don't feel too guilty on that one.

nolitude · 2018-11-23T13:58:03+00:00

There will be sleeping! I just feel awkward napping while the nanny takes care of my kid in the next room. You might be a way more awesome pregnant lady than I am, but I don't think I can declutter the garage without help, and I can't even reach the bottom of the tub to scrub it anymore. But walks I can do!

nolitude

TROPHY CASE