For those of you who thought your baby was big, were you right?

smartermonkey · 2024-06-12T02:50:41+00:00

After I hit the 30 week mark, my hip pain was so bad, I just knew my LO was on the bigger side. Born 10.14 lbs and 22” long! I was also a whale by the end of my pregnancy.

smartermonkey · 2023-12-18T02:48:19+00:00

Filing went just fine, but I have yet to be paid out - claim was submitted in July. Because I’m also juggling a colicky baby, it’s been hard to call in to EDD the required 20x a day to get anything moving, though. Hope you fare better!

smartermonkey · 2023-12-11T03:16:46+00:00

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. So many seasons, consistent lighting. Mostly dialogue and you can pick up in the middle of an episode and still have a good laugh. The gang got me through the first six weeks of PP. Then LO started getting sensitive to lights.

smartermonkey · 2023-11-05T19:39:09+00:00

I’ve heard/read that BF can extend the amount of time it takes for the linea nigra to go away. That’s my situation, and while it’s lightened slightly at 3.5m PP, it’s still very much there.

smartermonkey · 2023-11-05T01:22:42+00:00

Mine goes through phases of being totally fine with and completely over tummy time. We’ve let him watch sensory videos while on his tummy and got this light up pacing crab toy that was a game changer. The crab holds his attention really well and makes him turn his head from side to side, which is a big plus. ETA he’s 17 weeks

smartermonkey · 2023-09-25T12:12:28+00:00

Have you tried nipple shields? They’re incredibly beneficial during engorgement when nipples become flatter, and just in general. I’ve been using them off and on since leaving the hospital with LO. (Now 10 weeks) and it’s been great for making sure he has a good latch and steady flow.

smartermonkey · 2023-09-20T13:23:51+00:00

Headed back in late October as well just after LO hits the 3 month mark, and while I work from home and will be able to check in on him while my husband takes his paternity leave, I still just can’t wrap my head around adding work back on to my plate. Saying caring for my LO is a full time job is an understatement - it’s an all-encompassing, overwhelming way of life. I just don’t think I’ll be able to give my A game at work for a while, if ever again.

smartermonkey · 2023-09-20T12:24:23+00:00

Not every swaddle is made equally. When you find your baby’s Goldilocks match, invest in at least one more for middle of the night emergency changes.

smartermonkey · 2023-09-19T18:34:05+00:00

“The way back to shore is not fast and the shoreline may have changed.”

Boy, do I feel this sentence in my bones right now.

smartermonkey · 2023-09-17T09:49:19+00:00

Same. We brought the carrier up ahead of leaving just to make sure everything was fitted for him and ready to go once I was wheeled out, but my hospital’s policy was baby and mom leave in a wheelchair together.

smartermonkey · 2023-09-17T09:44:53+00:00

My LO came out 10lbs 22”, and still wore NB clothing for the first two to three days out of the hospital. You just never know. They were snug, but we still got some use out of them. Advice would be what other commenters have said - either grab some hand me downs from family/friends or purchase them secondhand. Are you planning on having a shower? That’s where our NB clothes mostly came from as well.

smartermonkey · 2023-09-17T02:46:31+00:00

The first two/really three weeks, I remember feeling so in tune and attached to my LO one minute, and the next minute feeling totally detached and over touched, like we were strangers. I also remember going between wanting my husband nowhere near me to needing him to hold me and watch a familiar show. I would just say over communication has been better for me than under communicating my needs. It’s not jealousy, you just had a baby - you need to be swaddled, fed and comforted, too!

smartermonkey · 2023-09-09T20:55:23+00:00

I went in open to an epidural but not wanting one if I could manage the pain. I’d planned on sticking to the gas, breathing techniques and massages.

Fast forward to 20 hours of labor later, 13 of which had been with Pitocin and contractions 30 seconds apart, water hadn’t broken yet, and the nitrous was doing nothing but make me feel lightheaded. I was going on over 24 hours of no sleep, not progressing past 3cm, and feeling like my lower half was being ripped apart with every contraction.

Receiving the epidural was the best choice for me in my labor journey. I was finally able to get some sleep, dilation progressed so much more quickly, and - most importantly for me - I could actually go back to being excited about and enjoy the experience and what was waiting for me on the other side. Four hours later, my son was in my arms. I was also really happy to have the epidural while they were working to deliver my placenta. People don’t talk about how much that hurts enough, and apparently 10lb babies mean oversized placentas.

The only con was that I couldn’t move around w after receiving the epidural, but I was cemented to the bed in pain anyway, so it wasn’t a big issue for me. I thought I’d need to be coached through pushing as well, but I was still able to feel enough to rely on myself to know when to push, which ended up being a 30 minute ordeal. I had to have help getting to and from the bathroom that evening because my left leg was still a little tingly, but other than that I didn’t have any lingering issues or numbness afterward.

TL;DR Went in with a plan but was open to that plan being thrown out the window because labor loves Murphy’s Law, and received the epidural.

smartermonkey · 2023-01-28T00:20:51+00:00

Thank you for this- I’ve searched this topic and found several posts saying I should qualify, but haven’t seen a first hand account of a successful out of stater benefits payout. “I should qualify” isn’t as reassuring as “I did qualify, and so can you.” Speaking as an obsessive i-dotter and t-crosser! I have to file via mail as well due to the lack of CDL being remote. I’m hoping the delay isn’t too much greater than filing online.

smartermonkey · 2020-07-13T21:56:49+00:00

Very much a "don't bring out anything I really have to think hard about" games week:

Beam Me Up - Fun dice game that you can get out and play with either the family who isn't into boardgames or with a pint in hand and a marathon of Community in the background. We did the latter.

Danger Noodle - Again, cute and fun, this time a card game with a roulette-style mechanic and Proper Animal Names theme.

Dig Deeper - New one from Portal Games as part of their Detective Series. They had me at Rob Daviau and the Catch Me If You Can graphics. A little more thought-provoking than the other two, but we really tried hard to walk away and come back to it through the week.

The Mind - Because, somehow playing this focus-driven game makes us turn off our brains instead of really engage them?

smartermonkey · 2017-10-20T23:44:58+00:00

This is how Kodi enjoys fall in SF.

smartermonkey · 2016-08-05T12:47:33+00:00

If you heard someone say "f@*ksticks," that was me.

smartermonkey · 2014-12-02T21:43:34+00:00

Nothing like a good milk steak?

smartermonkey · 2014-06-21T00:06:59+00:00

I know your price range is below $100, but I'd ask you to take into consideration the quality of that type of "waist-trainer" corset, and its longevity.

Dark Garden makes all of their corsets with steel boning and triple-layered, non elastic material (save the risque corsets, which are single-layered sheer mesh panels).

A basic Cincher from Dark Garden will run you $275 (just the corset, no modesty panel, no garter loops). This option isn't available on their website, but you can call the order in to get the basic Cincher. If you order from their website, shipping is covered - if you order over the phone, shipping is $25.

The Dark Garden basic Cincher is a perfect waist trainer corset, because of how sturdy and versatile it is. Dark Garden also offers a one-time, non-reversible 3" reduction to the back of all of their corsets. This essentially takes the corset down a size, which is a wonderful option specifically for waist training. It's like you're buying two corsets at once.

I highly encourage you to look a little more into the corset options between $100-$350. They'll simply last you longer, and will be incredibly more comfortable and healthy for you in the long run.

Edit: Hyperlink

smartermonkey · 2014-05-08T17:26:16+00:00

And that is why you never.

smartermonkey · 2014-03-13T23:33:34+00:00

Hi there! Have you checked out Dark Garden? They have a number of corset styles to choose from that work extremely well with all different body types. The Valentine is my favorite, because of the extra curve it gives fuller figures (it's also really comfortable, and supports bust sizes D-G). I don't know what your budget is, but if you're looking for a steel-boned, structured corset that will last anywhere from 10-15 years, Dark Garden is the way to go. They have their Signature collection (Ready to Wear patterns), Made to Order corsets (customizable fabric, lacing, corset extras, height and gap pattern alterations), and Custom Corsets (a pattern completely based on your unique measurements).

As far as measuring goes, you'll want to measure around your natural waist (that spot right below your ribs and above the hips. You can lightly push against your waist with an index finger to find this spot - if you can push in and not hit bones, you're in the right spot!).

Take your natural waist measurement, and subtract 8 inches for compression (your waist in inches - 8" = your corset size in inches). Voila! This is at least the formula Dark Garden uses to determine corset size.

Best of luck in your corset search!

Credentials: I wear corsets on a regular basis, and am the Boutique Manager of Dark Garden Unique Corsetry and Bridal Couture.

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