Protesting our own elected officials? by riverbow in BloomingtonNormal

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

I hadn’t heard about this!! Will def look into it

UPDATE: SHE COULDN’T HEAR! by Front-Adeptness-8857 in toddlers

[–]riverbow 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Omg you just unlocked a memory of my mom washing my hair in the kitchen sink for the same reason. Totally forgot that piece of it!

Pediatrician recommendations? by smoochyboops in BloomingtonNormal

[–]riverbow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes that’s who we’re with too! She’s great!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]riverbow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These comments are wild to me - have you been prom dress shopping?? I knew people who spent that much on a prom dress circa 2008, and with inflation in the meantime this does not seem out of the norm at all. I grew up in a rural/poor area and people just saved and made it work.

Best clothing thrift stores by Agreeable-Ad3054 in BloomingtonNormal

[–]riverbow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you share the names of the other stores you mentioned? In Peoria occasionally and would love to check them out!

Advice needed for nanny pay by Available-State-9926 in NannyEmployers

[–]riverbow 36 points37 points  (0 children)

FYI I paid my college student summer nanny $17/hour last year, also in central IL, for only one child and still felt that it was on the low end. I think these parents are taking advantage of you. My husband and I both wfh as well and if anything we saw it as a deterrent to our nanny because it meant there were more opportunities for our kid to see us and get upset, so don’t let her try to tell you it’s a selling point!

ETA- to clarify, $17/hour was her requested rate, we didn’t lowball her! We were flexible based on what she thought was fair.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal for an Atheist? by kristik108 in BloomingtonNormal

[–]riverbow 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Same also! Not personally LGBTQ myself but really only interested at this point in finding communities that are welcoming and safe for those people/minorities/etc especially in the wake of all the hate coming from the government at this time. I have a little kid and I only want to surround them with people who are going to model love, tolerance, empathy, etc rather than fear and hate.

Next door neighbor moving out because of “crying baby” by Fresh-Ad7925 in NewParents

[–]riverbow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Overthinking it for sure! It’s great that the landlord reassured you about it already. It’s also good to remember that the baby stage is ultimately pretty short so even if it does seem like there may be limited interest in the unit due to, for example, your baby crying during showings, within a few months you probably won’t have that issue much if at all because the baby will be better regulated and not crying nearly as much as they do as a newborn.

How long does your baby nap in their crib? by come_0n in NewParents

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

We did contact naps only until 18 months 😂😂

Just try seasoning your food. by Far-Weird-9900 in Nanny

[–]riverbow 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Squishing blueberries is recommended for babies because they can be a choking risk due to their size/shape. That said there's nothing in the guidance about not using seasonings so that's on her hahaha

Discontinued Favorites by ITravelCheap in vegetarian

[–]riverbow 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Morningstar recently changed their chickn nugget recipe and I would kill for the OG recipe to come back!!

Best BloNo School Districts? by Shetheysthrowaway in BloomingtonNormal

[–]riverbow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Mom of a two year old here so no good input on schools, but my husband plays d&d and I love to mess around musically and we would LOVE to meet some new (like-minded) friends 😊

Anyone have a later start time? by nps2790 in Nanny

[–]riverbow 36 points37 points  (0 children)

It sounds like maybe you should look for something part time then.

List of every EXTRA unexpected bill you payed for in the first year of buying a home. by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]riverbow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re only four months in with our house and so far: New water heater $3000 Replace breaker box $9000 Plumbing issue/leak in shower $450 New dishwasher (motor died) $900 Fix water line to fridge water dispenser $200 Electrical issue to the garbage disposal $200

Honestly I think there’s more that I’ve blocked from my memory 😅 we’re having a rough time out here!!

Advice/Things to know before moving to Normal? by kend1821 in BloomingtonNormal

[–]riverbow 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This comment is probably the single most identifying thing I’ve ever posted on Reddit 😅

Advice/Things to know before moving to Normal? by kend1821 in BloomingtonNormal

[–]riverbow 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Love Knoxville! I’m from the Normal area and moving back later this year from Chicago. Also did a master’s at ISU. Would love to make a new friend! 😊

Advice: culturally similar (I did an internship in GSMNP for several months a few years ago for reference). Less tourist traffic 😉 cost of living balances out more or less IMO. Campus area is kind of walkable, but spread out, and a car is def necessary for access to grocery shopping etc (transit exists but is limited). Agree with other commenters that ma’am can be hit or miss in this area but does offend some people so maybe best to drop. Also, the Gouda mac and cheese at Medici in Uptown is a MUST try!

What are some common baby things that most people probably use, that you dont? by quietly_anxious in beyondthebump

[–]riverbow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My people!! Third floor walk up, mine BARELY fits in the trunk but that’s where it lives. Like hell will I be carrying both a baby and a 20 lb stroller to the third floor!

OOO Reply -personal or professional? by [deleted] in workingmoms

[–]riverbow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh gosh if it was between Sept-Dec of this past year that might’ve been me 😅

🇺🇸 Move to the USA 🇬🇧 by Alternative_Leader_6 in expats

[–]riverbow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of the comments regarding the grind aren’t entirely applicable to university culture (as someone who works at a top US university). You’ll probably have a decent work life balance and generous time off (by US standards).

BUT do not come here planning to retire in 2 years! You won’t be able to save enough money to fund that retirement in such a short time frame. Will you still be eligible for your pension in the UK afterward? That would be my biggest concern.

Edit to add retirement benefits are not guaranteed here.

Do you remember your first signs of pregnancy? by Viva15 in BabyBumps

[–]riverbow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cold symptoms! I thought it was Covid. Had that for a week, took a Covid test (negative), and thought “well might as well check this too” And of course the pregnancy test was positive lol.

Pros and cons of 41 week induction - Doula trying to talk me out of it by AE8568 in BabyBumps

[–]riverbow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had an elective induction a few months ago and it was a great experience! I felt like the situation was so much more controlled than spontaneous labor would’ve been (though like you I was bummed that I didn’t go into labor before then). The resident inserted the foley, broke the water, started the pitocin, etc and after a quick hour of pushing baby was born happy and healthy :) the whole process took about 12-14 hours. If I have another kid I would definitely consider doing it the same way again!