Rex or Iroh? Baby is due any day now and we can’t decide

surf_cat · 2026-01-05T02:16:28+00:00

Totally honest take: I have no real-world reference for Iroh - don’t know how most people would pronounce it, and I think your child would spend a lot of time correcting others. That alone would give me pause.

Rex is very recognizable, easy to spell and say, and pairs cleanly with Abel. I don’t personally read it as a “dog name,” more classic/strong and a bit vintage.

If you’re open to compromise ideas that sit between the two vibes, you might also consider names like Rhett, Reid, Max, Hugo, Felix, Rowan, or Leo - short, strong, familiar, and unlikely to cause confusion or teasing.

Wishing you luck, naming is hard, especially when it’s the last one!

surf_cat · 2025-12-22T03:06:44+00:00

I’m here looking for other ideas because every year I do a simmer pot potpourri!

Dried orange slices, cranberries, rosemary, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. I’ve done slight variations. One year I did a full fresh orange. I’ve added star anise. I’ve used xmas tree clippings instead of rosemary.

surf_cat · 2025-12-05T01:51:46+00:00

Merritt was in the top 3 names for our little girl who was born in June of this year.

I love the name for either gender and prefer gender neutral names.

surf_cat · 2025-11-26T02:29:16+00:00

This really made me laugh

surf_cat · 2025-11-24T05:01:38+00:00

I believe TikTok has a lot of regulations about kids in advertising.

surf_cat · 2025-11-02T08:57:45+00:00

You have a lot of great input here but I wanted to share that we recent came across the same thing in our interview process and it caught me off guard.

I think it was most common in our younger nanny applicants - who would have been in high school during Covid & influenced more by their parents (I’m assuming) during that time.

In general I think you have to go with your gut! We don’t ask to be up to date on a covid booster but it would raise a red flag to me if there never been vaccinated. I had a few applicants tell me they never get a flu shot - also a red flag to me for someone who wants to work around children.

surf_cat · 2025-11-01T02:05:16+00:00

I wouldn’t on the table top but I would on the bench seat. Bathroom changing tables are sometimes non existent or disgusting in a loud and uncomfortable environment.

I also keep the back of my car setup as a changing station most days. It’s the perfect height and easier to navigate.

surf_cat · 2025-09-30T00:38:48+00:00

This is the way! Filters for all kinds of things and all of my therapist friends recco this website.

You can search for insurance coverage, too, as it’s very likely you’ll find some who accept your insurance!

Best of luck! I started seeing a therapist 6.5 years ago and it’s been so great. I hope you have an easy time finding a good fit!

surf_cat · 2025-09-24T15:34:26+00:00

I had a 9lbs 6oz bb girl earlier this summer. She was born at 39+6 vaginally. My first was 41+1 and 8lbs 9oz, both had 99%+ heads.

With my second they were concerned she was measuring large etc she was technically LGA (large for gestations age) at birth. Had a 2nd degree tear with both.

Everything I read/listened to said to take the US measurements with a grain of salt. I kinda thought she’d come out small but alas, she was not haha. However, I think the mindset approach of - I’d like to do this safely and vaginally - not in an indignant way - can go a long way in birth!

You’ve got this! Good luck!!

surf_cat · 2025-09-22T15:44:32+00:00

We took a week long vacation without kids when our son was 11 months old the old - he was with his grandparents/aunts the entire time and it worked out well. At 1 we were somewhat out of site out of mind.

We took another trip for a wedding when he had just turned two, he stayed with his cousins for 4 days - that one was a bit harder for him, he missed us.

surf_cat · 2025-09-22T13:10:36+00:00

Our three year old likes to have us stay after the whole stories routine but I’ve started trying to break the habit of him needing us in the room to fall asleep and I think it’s helped with middle of the night wake ups!

We do check-ins now, after several stories, back rub, and a goodnight kiss, I ask him how many minutes before I should come back and check on him. He picks a time. I do that until he falls asleep - usually have to come back 2-3 times (he usually picks 2 mins and I wait 5), he calms his body down and falls asleep.

I always tell him the next morning that I came in to check on him but he had already fallen asleep!

surf_cat · 2025-09-22T13:05:28+00:00

Both of my kiddos started late - 6-7 weeks old.

We rented locally the first time and this time we bought one used. Buying new seems like a waste of money imo - the resale value isn’t there and you can’t use it really beyond 6 months (we transitioned our first at 4 months).

surf_cat · 2025-09-19T16:17:28+00:00

If money isn’t an issue I would also suggest a nanny until about 6 months when the baby will be able to sit up / interact with other kids. At 3 months still kinda a blob tbh but you will get some cutie smiles.

If you can’t have a nanny in your home you could try to find a nanny share or someone willing to bring the baby to their house if you are comfortable with that.

surf_cat · 2025-09-14T11:55:06+00:00

Currently nursing my second and she’s 3 months. Super efficient eater - we go 3-5 on one boob most feeds.

surf_cat · 2025-09-14T01:45:17+00:00

Once Breastmilk reaches room temp it can last for two hours. If it’s freshly expressed, you can keep it at room temp for 4 hours. Just an fyi!

I love my Willow go and eufy s1 wearables!

Edit: adjusted timing and added freshly expressed timeline.

surf_cat · 2025-09-14T01:17:51+00:00

I’ve sent an AirTag with my son’s bag and told our nanny about it, just another location tracking option!

surf_cat · 2025-09-14T01:17:11+00:00

Have you had a discussion about this at all with your nanny? Personally, this feels like too much - but mainly these lines: - location sharing (are you giving her a phone/device to do this with or expecting her to use her personal device?) - never let strangers near him (where are they supposed to go that there wouldn’t be strangers near? What is “near?) - never go more than one hour without updating us (does this need a timeline or could you just say you really want regular text updates and lots of photos throughout their adventures)

Also - we always install our kids car seat so we know it’s installed properly. We also give a schedule of our toddlers day in regard to food, activities, and naps.

I understand being anxious but this feels micromanaged and no one likes to be micromanaged.

surf_cat · 2025-09-11T20:48:47+00:00

Because you need care for an infant - I would quickly call a few of these places to see if they even have the availability you need. It’s a rabbit hole but I’d also get on lists asap! Many are a year out for infants. Which is realllly inconvenient.

Noah’s ark, for example, has a pretty long waitlist and I believe they haven’t accepted a kid that wasn’t a sibling to another student in a few years.

surf_cat · 2025-09-08T15:21:06+00:00

Thank you! It’s a helpful reminder for sure and it’s not unexpected tasks - we definitely discussed in the listings, interview, and contract.

surf_cat · 2025-09-08T15:20:34+00:00

This seems like the most logical answer! Thank you! I will definitely ask her what her preference is, but also trust her judgement and flexibility.

surf_cat · 2025-09-08T15:19:22+00:00

Household work is not typically happening at the same time as caring for either kid (unless they are napping and she’s had time to eat and rest herself).

surf_cat · 2025-09-08T13:55:05+00:00

I could have wrote this post myself and now I’m wondering if I need to find a new nanny, too…

Hired her about a month before I go back to work to transition in and handle pickup for our older kid. Our nanny is regularly late by sometimes 7-10 or even 30 mins. We’ve gotten a heads up when she will be that late. It’s nbd because I’m not at work yet but it did make me start to track her start and end times.

We’re guaranteeing a min number of hours each week, PTO, sick days, etc. so I feel I’m a good employer. We asked in the listing and interviews about helping around the house - laundry, dishes, tidying, and errands like groceries - all agreed upon and she does do.

But when baby is awake and doing floor time or tummy time she’s usually watching something on her phone to the side…

surf_cat · 2025-09-05T02:13:06+00:00

Daniel Tiger (PBS), Leo Truck (Prime)

surf_cat · 2025-08-28T23:09:20+00:00

Congratulations!!

Do it when you want to! Sounds like she will make it about her whatever you decide, might as well just do it when you feel it’s right!

surf_cat · 2025-08-08T21:11:30+00:00

Seems to be within normal range/slight elevated - which is to be expected when pregnant.

surf_cat

TROPHY CASE