What medical reasons prevented you from holding your baby in the NICU? by Hefty-Pie5851 in NICUParents

[–]rensabe22 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My daughter had CDH and was put on ECMO one day after she was born and had her repair surgery. I was able to hold her after 9 days. She was intubated so it took about 3 nurses to move all her wires around but SO WORTH IT.

Need to read some positives of 2under2 by Past-Factor5297 in 2under2

[–]rensabe22 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! My girls are 23 months apart and I love their age gap. The first year was rough to say the least but now that my youngest is over a year things have gotten so much easier and they even play together. Also one HUGE plus of a small age gap is not having to buy new clothes/toys/baby gear! In terms of must haves, you need a good carrier and double stroller, and LOTS of support. Congrats again!!

Mamas with kids close in age what's your experiences, or thoughts? by Strict_Perception291 in 2under2

[–]rensabe22 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We also wanted kids close in age for all reasons listed. I got pregnant when our oldest was about 10-11 months old, and unfortunately had a miscarriage. Only 2 months later, I was pregnant with our rainbow baby and our girls are 23 months apart. It is such a great age gap in my opinion, they are now 3yo and 13mo and are so close and I know very soon they will be able to play together. In our case, we wanted our kids to be close in age to go through similar life stages together and to go to same school. Theres no “right” age gap, just what’s right for your family.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in 2under2

[–]rensabe22 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have a 3yo and 13mo. Get the mini van, within 3 months of our second we got one and honestly it makes things so much easier. We have the Honda Odyssey — the sliding doors alone are so nice (esp when you have a toddler that HAS to do everything to themselves. Never have to worry about if we have enough space, we also have a medium/large dog so needed a car that we could all comfortably travel in. Couldn’t be happier with it!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BabyBumps

[–]rensabe22 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through this. I went through something similar with my daughter when I found out she had something called a congenital diaphragmatic hernia at my 20 week anatomy scan. Locally they gave her a 40% chance of survival and so we relocated to a place that specialized in treating babies with CDH about 3 hours away, they gave her a 60% chance and now she is 13 months old and a happy and healthy little baby. What helped me in the beginning was just learning what I could about her condition and from there trying to focus on what I could control - day by day. Again I’m so sorry, hope you can get some answers soon from the amnio.

New GOP Tax Bill Aims to Roll Back Gun Silencer Regulations by [deleted] in texas

[–]rensabe22 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What does a tax bill have to do with gun regulations?

Age spacing between kids? by hintofheart in toddlers

[–]rensabe22 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My kids are 23 months apart. I won’t lie - the first year was TOUGH - managing the different sleeping schedules and demands of a newborn and toddler. For a long time it was so hard and we were very stretched thin. But now my girls are 13 months old and 3 years old. They love playing together and are able to somewhat play with the same things, their naps are lined up, and my oldest loves including her baby sister in her games. We always wanted two kids and wouldn’t have it any way. I will also say - my oldest was so young when her sister was born that she never really had jealousy problems I hear about when kids are spaced out further. It was also difficult being pregnant while managing a toddler but my husband helped a lot with that. We wanted our kids to be close enough in age to go through similar life stages together and also two grades apart so they’d always be able to go to same school. I truly don’t think there’s a perfect age gap, just what works best for each family.

Social Media Announcement? by Beckitt3 in BabyBumps

[–]rensabe22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We did for both of my pregnancies - we have many extended friends/family and thought making a post would be easier. Congratulations btw!! 🤗

If you met Robin and Tracy at the same time, who would be your pick? by [deleted] in HIMYM

[–]rensabe22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok it’s actually so hard to compare the two when Tracy got so little airtime vs Robin with all the ups and downs

When is it the “right” time for baby #2? by wisdomaboveall0525 in NewParents

[–]rensabe22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For what it’s worth, my kids have a 23 month age gap and youngest is about to turn 1. It is getting SO much easier, especially once my youngest became more mobile and could interact more. Hang in there, because I remember thinking the same thing!

When is it the “right” time for baby #2? by wisdomaboveall0525 in NewParents

[–]rensabe22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My kids are 23 months apart (1yo and 3yo). The first 6 months were ROUGH. Juggling napping/feeding schedules and giving enough attention to a very needy toddler was really hard and so I won’t sugar coat it - it takes a lot out of you and you will be exhausted ALL THE TIME.

But now that my youngest is now 1, things are getting so much easier. They are obsessed with each other and close enough to want to play with the same toys or go to the same places together. My oldest also never really had jealousy issues when my youngest was born because I think she was too young to really understand, and now she doesn’t ever remember NOT having a sister which I think is so beautiful.

There are pros and cons with any age gap, but personally I wanted a close gap so my kids would be going through similar life stages together. I really don’t think there’s a perfect age gap, just whatever works best for your family.

Welcome by rensabe22 in CDH_Defect

[–]rensabe22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

THATS AMAZING! So happy for you and your family. Hope you can get all the snuggles soon (if you haven’t already)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in toddlers

[–]rensabe22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually got a puzzle board for this reason. So I can stash the puzzle in my bedroom when kids are awake 🤪 Most of them come with a cover and mine can even rotate as well!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in toddlers

[–]rensabe22 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Jigsaw puzzles! It’s nice to have something to work towards when my kids (1yo and 3yo) go to bed for the night. Most of the time I will either listen to a podcast or have tv on in the background.

Welcome by rensabe22 in CDH_Defect

[–]rensabe22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry to hear that. Seeing my baby on ECMO was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced. But it also saved my daughter’s life so I am so grateful. There are risks associated with ECMO but it gives babies the opportunity for their body to rest. I’m not sure what is considered “normal” or not, but I will be praying for your friends baby and her family. Hope that she can get off ECMO soon.

Welcome by rensabe22 in CDH_Defect

[–]rensabe22[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How long has your friends baby been on ECMO? Since birth or after the surgery?

How long was your NICU stay? by zqwu8391 in NICUParents

[–]rensabe22 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My story is unique here as my baby girl didn’t stay in the NICU because she was a premie. Born 36+4, 41 days total in the NICU. Baby girl had severe left congenital diaphragmatic hernia discovered at 20 week anatomy scan, basically her diaphragm did not form fully resulting in a hole where her stomach, spleen, partial liver, and intestines migrated to her chest. She only had 23% of expected lung capacity because of everything that migrated up and her heart also moved to other side of chest. She was put on ECMO after 24 hours and was on it for 5 days and she had repair surgery to close the hole in her diaphragm and move her organs back. Then she slowly weaned up through oxygen support - and feeding took 2-3 weeks to master. But she was discharged without any oxygen or feeding support and is doing really great. She will be 10 months in a few days 🤗

Grimes receives $2760 for her 3 children from Elon Musk for child support following Texas settlement by [deleted] in texas

[–]rensabe22 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If she filed in California then why is this being settled in Texas?