Tuesday Randoms, Questions and Vents

[icedcoffee]

Add your own.

DS in 32 months.  To date I don't think he's been ready to potty train.  Not many signs that indicate he is, he's a little delayed verbally, and I'm like a million weeks pregnant. I also wanted to take a few short trips this summer (thankfully, these are completed now).  I planned on maybe starting to introduce the idea this fall.

Yesterday at daycare pickup the teacher stopped me and asked if she can start to potty train him.  I said "Sure--I don't think he's ready, but you're the pro here".  Also--I'm a million weeks pregnant, remember?  She asked me to bring in pull ups and a potty chair.  My H is picking them up today.

This method is going to drag potty training out to be a million years long isn't it?  I've always read pull ups are bad for potty training.

Anyway--I'm just going to go with it and let them do what they want at daycare.  We'll try to support at home as much as possible and if it's not working we'll do the 3 day method this fall like I planned.  We'll KOKO with diapers at night and switch to pull ups during the day (although the price tag makes me cringe).  Does this seem like a reasonable plan?

I can't even drink wine! 

[pooh8402]

I would go with it. We did pullups for naps and night time and it didn't delay potty training one bit.

E1 started showing interest early on (about 24ish months), but I did the true potty training a couple months after he first showed interest and did it over a long weekend at 27 months. He was in undies after 3 days, and pullups for naps, night, and long road trips. And only the last month or so (he'll be 4 next week) have we gotten rid of the pullups at night. Fortunately, DH took the lead on the night time potty training so I could deal with newborn.

And have the wine. Seriously. Studies in Europe and Australia show that up to one drink per day has no short term adverse effects on a fetus, or long term effects on behavior or IQ.

[icedcoffee]

Jul 9, 2019 7:23:20 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

And have the wine. Seriously. Studies in Europe and Australia show that up to one drink per day has no short term adverse effects on a fetus, or long term effexts on behavior or IQ.

I totally would, but I have GD and it will spike my numbers.  

[gerberdaisy]

icedcoffee,
Daycare did everything for us with potty training. While timing isn't ideal with being pregnant, I'd go for it. We brought pull ups, extra clothes and let them have at it. Its really where daycare is SO valuable!

[icedcoffee]

Jul 9, 2019 7:28:11 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

icedcoffee ,
Daycare did everything for us with potty training. While timing isn't ideal with being pregnant, I'd go for it. We brought pull ups, extra clothes and let them have at it. Its really where daycare is SO valuable!

This is what I'm hoping.  In some ways I guess I was waiting for them to initiate because I know it will be impossible if they're not on board.  Staffing is limited over the summer so I was shocked when they suggested to do it now, but that's not my problem I guess. I hope we have the same experience you did!

[Blue Moon]

icedcoffee, totally let daycare shoulder this burden. If your son sees his peers using the potty, that might be all the motivation he needs. My daughter basically potty trained herself at daycare just at 25 months because she saw her friends using the potty. I basically had to do nothing- it was great! FWIW, she wore a pull up at night until 4.5 (so 2.5 YEARS after day training) when her body was ready.

My random for the day is that my almost 5 year old woke me up today announcing that she wants to be a globe for Halloween.

[gerberdaisy]

DS's 2nd birthday is Saturday and I have not desire to throw a party and haven't gotten him anything. I was considering a balance bike, but we don't really have a place to ride a bike, DD barely ever rides hers. He has DD's old scooter.

Any good ideas for a 2yo boy lately? Outdoor toys are kinda a bust, H hates "junk" and we spend almost every weekend at my MIL's lake house anyways. I tried so hard to get the kids a play house, but was shut down.

[pooh8402]

Jul 9, 2019 7:26:17 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Jul 9, 2019 7:23:20 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

And have the wine. Seriously. Studies in Europe and Australia show that up to one drink per day has no short term adverse effects on a fetus, or long term effexts on behavior or IQ.

I totally would, but I have GD and it will spike my numbers.  

Dammit!

[pooh8402]

Yesterday was one of those days where I hate my job. We were short staffed so we all had 2 patients apiece (which is a lot in L&D). One of my babies was not acting right so I was in that room all the time and basically ignored my new admit (who ended up being reassigned to another nurse anyway). Then I got another new admit who I was not informed about until after she was already in the room.

In short, I did not pump until 3 pm. 9 hours after my 6 am pump at home. I was crying it hurt so bad. And my supply is decreasing. I haven't matched what he's eaten in about a week and a half (to clarify, I haven't pumped enough to match what he eats... when I nurse him only, it's fine).

[shauni27]

Jul 9, 2019 7:30:39 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

DS's 2nd birthday is Saturday and I have not desire to throw a party and haven't gotten him anything. I was considering a balance bike, but we don't really have a place to ride a bike, DD barely ever rides hers. He has DD's old scooter.

Any good ideas for a 2yo boy lately? Outdoor toys are kinda a bust, H hates "junk" and we spend almost every weekend at my MIL's lake house anyways. I tried so hard to get the kids a play house, but was shut down.

Our kiddo is turning 2 in 3 weeks (waaaaahhhhh) and here are the things on our amazon list (note: we will only likely buy him one thing...he is after all only 2 and has no idea, lol)

www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZZC48F/?coliid=I2BZ8KDX8R0FDD&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (i think this is our top pick  right now)
www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAWF2D8/?coliid=ISGZYHNOFK5P2&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
www.amazon.com/dp/B074BD6Y44/?coliid=I3MNCC3M4DWM5A&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (we do already have a balance bike and he LOVES it. He has played with a friend's scooter and seemed to like it.)
www.amazon.com/dp/B00PAE805S/?coliid=I3O17M6DLN3LZ9&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
www.amazon.com/dp/B01I1CUTEU/?coliid=I1WPJRTK7X5UBX&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (this would be a grandparent gift).

Why no outdoor toys? What about a mini trampoline? Blocks? Do you have a water table? Play kitchen? Playground for both kids? We have all of the above and they are all wildly popular with our almost-2-year-old boy.


pooh8402, that makes me cringe for you. I am sorry, that must have hurt so bad.

[Velar Fricative]

gerberdaisy, we got DD1 a play kitchen for her 2nd birthday and it's still going strong (she'll be 6 in October and 2yo DD2 is using it too). You might have one already though. DD2 turned 2 last month and we just gave her a party and everyone else got her stuff, poor second child. But really, we kept all the non-junk stuff from DD1 so there was no point in getting something else.

[Velar Fricative]

pooh8402, that sounds awful!

icedcoffee, pull-ups didn't appear to affect DD1 at all. She was a stubborn potty trainer but pull-ups weren't used the whole time and there were likely other factors that caused issues (she was afraid of the regular toilet for a while, and then she didn't want to poop in the toilet for a really long time). I'd let daycare go for it.

DD2 started her new daycare last week and on her first day's report I saw "Potty - tried." I mean, she just turned 2 last month and this is not on our radar at all, so I'm guessing she saw some of the older 2yo using the potty and wanted to try. I mean, hey, if daycare wants to try, be my guest! When I asked her at home if she wanted to use the potty she freaked out so I guess she's really not ready lol.

[hamster]

Jul 9, 2019 7:26:17 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Jul 9, 2019 7:23:20 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

And have the wine. Seriously. Studies in Europe and Australia show that up to one drink per day has no short term adverse effects on a fetus, or long term effexts on behavior or IQ.

I totally would, but I have GD and it will spike my numbers.  

It actually might not have as big of an effect as you think it would.

[blondemoment123]

I’m annoyed at the lack of communication with the early intervention agency. It’s been weeks and DS still hasn’t started speech therapy. I have to call 3 or 4 times before I get a call back. No response from email.

He has PT through this agency and is doing great, so I’m not ready to switch just yet, but I’m definitely annoyed.

[icedcoffee]

Jul 9, 2019 7:54:57 GMT -5 hamster said:

Jul 9, 2019 7:26:17 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I totally would, but I have GD and it will spike my numbers.  

It actually might not have as big of an effect as you think it would.

That's true.  Maybe I'll give it a whirl with some cheese (protein!).  

[gerberdaisy]

Jul 9, 2019 7:44:32 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Jul 9, 2019 7:30:39 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

DS's 2nd birthday is Saturday and I have not desire to throw a party and haven't gotten him anything. I was considering a balance bike, but we don't really have a place to ride a bike, DD barely ever rides hers. He has DD's old scooter.

Any good ideas for a 2yo boy lately? Outdoor toys are kinda a bust, H hates "junk" and we spend almost every weekend at my MIL's lake house anyways. I tried so hard to get the kids a play house, but was shut down.

Our kiddo is turning 2 in 3 weeks (waaaaahhhhh) and here are the things on our amazon list (note: we will only likely buy him one thing...he is after all only 2 and has no idea, lol)

www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZZC48F/?coliid=I2BZ8KDX8R0FDD&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (i think this is our top pick  right now)
www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAWF2D8/?coliid=ISGZYHNOFK5P2&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
www.amazon.com/dp/B074BD6Y44/?coliid=I3MNCC3M4DWM5A&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (we do already have a balance bike and he LOVES it. He has played with a friend's scooter and seemed to like it.)
www.amazon.com/dp/B00PAE805S/?coliid=I3O17M6DLN3LZ9&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
www.amazon.com/dp/B01I1CUTEU/?coliid=I1WPJRTK7X5UBX&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (this would be a grandparent gift).

Why no outdoor toys? What about a mini trampoline? Blocks? Do you have a water table? Play kitchen? Playground for both kids? We have all of the above and they are all wildly popular with our almost-2-year-old boy.


pooh8402 , that makes me cringe for you. I am sorry, that must have hurt so bad.

Thanks!!

The mat and battat truck are great options.  I should have prefaced everything with we have a lot of toys from DD(4.5), so already have a play kitchen, trampoline, bubble mover (big hit), water table. Ride on toy at the lake house (john deere gator). 

Velar Fricative, we did the same thing with DS last year (no gifts from us) and multiple years for DD.  I just feel bad!  For DD's 2nd birthday she wanted an Elmo Dress and applesauce, so made sure to get her those (lol, not that it was much).  DS isn't as verbal yet, so far he only wants cupcakes. 

www.amazon.com/Tegu-Building-Blocks-Amazon-Exclusive/dp/B07FCSJNS8/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=tegu+train&qid=1562677629&s=toys-and-games&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1  This looks pretty cook too.

[hamster]

shauni27 we have a ride on excavator. The damn arm is super annoying because he's always running into stuff with it. Just some food for thought.

(Ours is different and also plays frosty the snowman and grand old flag, so...)

[shauni27]

gerberdaisy, oh yes, ANYTHING train related is popular. We have two:

www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Disney-Winnie-Characters/dp/B00P2SLJVO/ref=asc_df_B00P2SLJVO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312069366364&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8100566597619864197&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002910&hvtargid=pla-569948817048&psc=1

and

www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Stacking-Train-Classic/dp/B0000658L5/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=melissa+and+doug+train&qid=1562679560&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-3

and he loves them both.

hamster, good to know. We have a big wide open property so he should be good; he would not be using it indoors at all, so hopefully that would make a difference? It is basically the most economical ride along motorized toy...

[jnibean]

It has been an awesome summer so far! DS is such a fun age, and loves going places and people watching. We have a great routine going, and it almost makes me wish I could be a SAHM. I'd hate it in the winter though (that and I love my job), so I will continue working until we win the lottery and move to CA. 

We've had some awesome construction equipment to watch daily the last few weeks too, which DS loves. First, the dance studio across the street got a new roof, so there was a big crane he was so excited about. Now they're replacing the road we live on (there are pot holes big enough to swallow a car!) so there's a digger, dump trucks, bobcats, etc. and he just watches, waves at the workers and beeps along when the equipment backs up. In a few weeks they're replacing the road alongside our house, so we'll have a few more things to watch. It's so fun watching him watch the equipment.

[Blue Moon]

Jul 9, 2019 7:30:39 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

DS's 2nd birthday is Saturday and I have not desire to throw a party and haven't gotten him anything. I was considering a balance bike, but we don't really have a place to ride a bike, DD barely ever rides hers. He has DD's old scooter.

Any good ideas for a 2yo boy lately? Outdoor toys are kinda a bust, H hates "junk" and we spend almost every weekend at my MIL's lake house anyways. I tried so hard to get the kids a play house, but was shut down.

I know our kids are roughly the same age. My 4 and 2 year olds both love the IKEA play tent. My 2yo also likes the VTech touch and learn activity desk and his toy golf set.

[hamster]

D is on the verge of needing a poop intervention. Today is day 4. He is 6 weeks tomorrow. What can I do for him?

[andi]

Jul 9, 2019 7:44:32 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Jul 9, 2019 7:30:39 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

DS's 2nd birthday is Saturday and I have not desire to throw a party and haven't gotten him anything. I was considering a balance bike, but we don't really have a place to ride a bike, DD barely ever rides hers. He has DD's old scooter.

Any good ideas for a 2yo boy lately? Outdoor toys are kinda a bust, H hates "junk" and we spend almost every weekend at my MIL's lake house anyways. I tried so hard to get the kids a play house, but was shut down.

Our kiddo is turning 2 in 3 weeks (waaaaahhhhh) and here are the things on our amazon list (note: we will only likely buy him one thing...he is after all only 2 and has no idea, lol)

www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZZC48F/?coliid=I2BZ8KDX8R0FDD&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (i think this is our top pick  right now)
www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAWF2D8/?coliid=ISGZYHNOFK5P2&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
www.amazon.com/dp/B074BD6Y44/?coliid=I3MNCC3M4DWM5A&colid=BC91GDQLQNAB&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it (we do already have a balance bike and he LOVES it. He has played with a friend's scooter and seemed to like it.)

I've thought about getting DS a balance bike but assumed he was too young, so I'm glad to hear this! Any particular brand/kind you recommend? 

[gerberdaisy]

Jul 9, 2019 8:41:32 GMT -5 Blue Moon said:

Jul 9, 2019 7:30:39 GMT -5 gerberdaisy said:

DS's 2nd birthday is Saturday and I have not desire to throw a party and haven't gotten him anything. I was considering a balance bike, but we don't really have a place to ride a bike, DD barely ever rides hers. He has DD's old scooter.

Any good ideas for a 2yo boy lately? Outdoor toys are kinda a bust, H hates "junk" and we spend almost every weekend at my MIL's lake house anyways. I tried so hard to get the kids a play house, but was shut down.

I know our kids are roughly the same age. My 4 and 2 year olds both love the IKEA play tent. My 2yo also likes the VTech touch and learn activity desk and his toy golf set.

Thanks! the toy golf set it a great idea!  It funny how our kids are almost exactly the same ages

Is your daughter starting kindergarten this year?

[cricketwife]

gerberdaisy , the leap frog ice cream cart is AWESOME.

My vent - we decided to do a beach vacation next year because we have been visiting my parents in FL every year and counting that as our “vacation” for budget reasons. But my folks are aging and we haven’t even gone yet this summer (we go in and few weeks) and it’s already *not* a vacation. (It used to be great.) So I have spent HOURS UPON HOURS on Airbnb trying to find a place that matches our needs, some wants, and budget. I found a place on Friday. at 3 pm, it was $1200. After showing it to H, I tried to book it at 8 pm THE SAME DAY and the rate had increased to over $1900!! I was so mad. So I spend even MORE time searching and on Sunday booked another place for $1350. I got the confirmation email that the host accepted my reservation with the “You’ re going to X beach!” Line it in. A few hours later, I got a request from the host to change my reservation. The change he wanted was $2400 MORE!!!!! WTF? I declined, obviously. He then messaged that I had booked his prime week and his prices weren’t properly updated so he would have to cancel to my reservation. I was able to negotiate with him for a different week and he honored the price, but seriously. I have used that’s website a few times in the past and always thought it was reputable, but this is utter crap. It’s like my searching is triggering their databases to raise the prices. And these price increases are HUGE. It’s all the more annoying that I just want a damn vacation and I’m already having to wait a whole year to have one. Argh.

[icedcoffee]

cricketwife , Wait--you're already booking for next summer? I've been scouring Airbnb too because I want to rent a beach or lake house next summer for 7 nights.  It's so confusing because when you search the prices look low and then you put in the dates and the prices sky rocket and then you put in the number of people and hit checkout and the number goes up even more due to fees. It's annoying. Where did you end up booking for?

We keep going back and forth between some lakes in MD/VA, DE beaches and NC beaches. There are benefits and drawbacks to each.

I was thinking we'd pull the trigger on booking in February. We want to go in June or July. Not sure if that timeline is good or not. It seems like a lot of places don't even have their calendars open yet for next summer.

We're hoping to stay at $400 or less for at least a 4 bedroom. So many options. UGH.

That's BS if people are raising their rates based on page views and whatnot.

[shauni27]

andi, we started S on one when he was about 14 months. We use Strider. He loves bikes and helmets, but my husband's career involves him biking a TON, so S sees "daddy bike!" all the time and that encourages him even more.

[shauni27]

Jul 9, 2019 8:55:06 GMT -5 hamster said:

D is on the verge of needing a poop intervention. Today is day 4. He is 6 weeks tomorrow. What can I do for him?

I remember when they suddenly stopped pooping every few hours and then went DAYS without pooping. IT was so alarming and I was terrified. I called the doctor and spoke to many other moms about what to do.

Doctor said it was fine, but if he really seemed uncomfortable that I could get a glycerin suppository. I was about to, when instead I just stuck the thermometer up his butt because that always caused him to poop. Within an hour or so he did. Maybe try that?

[cricketwife]

icedcoffee, yeah, it’s early to book. But I’m always hearing how beach places book up early so I figured I’d go ahead. But then it saw a lot aren’t even taking bookings yet. One host said he opens booking up 6 months in advance so maybe that’s the norm? I was limited to ones that have the bookings available now, but I’m a planner by nature, and Jan/Feb is my absolute worst time of year at work so I didn’t want to try to figure it out then. And I’m at a point where I need something concrete to look forward to, rather than having the chore of making plans hanging over me. Maybe it would have been better to wait though in terms of options. And yes, having to put actual dates in for each and every single place to see what the rates are, along with all the extra fees to see the actual total is why it’s such a time suck! We decided on Carolina Beach. I, personally, would love a quiet beach but neither my kids nor my husband would be happy if we “only” had the beach to do. This looks like a happy medium-ish.

[pooh8402]

Jul 9, 2019 9:53:46 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Jul 9, 2019 8:55:06 GMT -5 hamster said:

D is on the verge of needing a poop intervention. Today is day 4. He is 6 weeks tomorrow. What can I do for him?

I remember when they suddenly stopped pooping every few hours and then went DAYS without pooping. IT was so alarming and I was terrified. I called the doctor and spoke to many other moms about what to do.

Doctor said it was fine, but if he really seemed uncomfortable that I could get a glycerin suppository. I was about to, when instead I just stuck the thermometer up his butt because that always caused him to poop. Within an hour or so he did. Maybe try that?

I've always done the thermometer trick when my babies needed to poop or fart. Even now, when E1 is really really constipated and miralax isn't helping, I've done a little digital stimulation a couple times to get things going.

[shauni27]

cricketwife, that is a great area for beach AND activities! I love it there