Can we do updates?

[HoneySpider]

My participation in the board lately has been spotty, so can we do updates (general life, work, hobbies, whatever you have going on?)

I feel like I have a schedule that is just never going to slow down! Lots of good stuff, but man, a break would be good too.

So much travel coming up! We're going to my parents' in NJ in a few weeks, then in June we're going to Chicago for a week (GTG, anyone? amaranth krystee grover who else?) and then a few days after we get back we're going to PA for my nephew's birthday which will be an overnight trip. Then the next weekend we are going to Pittsburgh to see my friends. 

I got offered another teaching assignment for next term, which is great BUT I was also looking forward to a break but ultimately I decided I couldn't pass it up since the assignments are so sporadic and you never know when you're going to get another one. So I continue working 3 jobs until the end of August.

R is such a happy & good baby it's ridiculous. I feel like I won the baby jackpot.

[luv2rn4fun]

R is adorable HoneySpider!! Love seeing your updates on FB! So happy for you guys!! Good luck with all the busyness, sounds like a lot to juggle.

Busy here as well. DH started his new job 3 weeks ago and is basically no help all week so that's exhausting but I am managing ok. In the last month we went to the zoo 2x, Disneyland 3x, and the beach! So lots of fun mixed in with chaos. Our leak is fixed, just waiting on the carpet to be cleaned and minor dry wall repairs that weren't done right the first time. Tomorrow is one month since my mom passed away and this week has definitely been more emotional, likely because of the anniversary but also because we aren't as busy and I have had time to "feel" vs avoiding and being in denial.

I am doing some work for my dad to promote his business and it's been fun to use my brain again.

I haven't worked out much this last month with all that I have had going on but did manage a 3.6 mile run last night and a circuit workout just now during nap time. Hoping to continue to find ways to take care of me during all these transitions we have going on.

Our anniversary is next month and we are already on my parents calendar so we can get out to celebrate. Looking forward to that and also spending time at the lake this summer! I need to buy a baby tent so we can do this often, maybe even weekly.

[luv2rn4fun]

Good luck with the house suzv! Hope you guys get it!! J is such a cutie! Glad things are looking up for you now that he's feeling better! L has totally made me want all the babies too! I was perfectly content with just C but pushed through to give him a sibling (and that's what we always had agreed on, C was just really hard on us). Now I can totally see me having another and possibly two more if only DH would change his mind LOL (he's firmly done, although a few people think I have a chance at him changing his mind...I am not so confident and feel that this is where he will dig his heels in).

[estrellita]

Let's see.. currently trying to plan our vacation for July. I think we've now settled on Colorado, specifically Boulder-ish area and Rocky Mountain National Park. So if anyone has recs let me know!

Money wise we are doing much better. I might post soon for some advice but I haven't had time to write it up. Basically trying to figure out what to throw money at now!

@

E is awesome. He is talking up a storm! We're casually attempting to potty train and he's getting better about going on the potty!

#2 due in Dec. I feel.. weird? Lol. Definitely having symptoms and my pants are already getting tight but I think I'm still in denial! Maybe I'm just anxious (as usual) but it's affecting me differently than last time. Either way, things seem to be good (haven't been to the doc yet). We told a good friend last weekend but other than you guys, no one else knows yet!

[MrsMB]

luv2rn4fun praying for you every time I see your posts friend ((hugs))

suzv we aren't friends on Facebook, but you post away honey!!!

HoneySpider love that R is such a an awesome baby )

L is teething like crazy but is hysterical and smart. We are so obsessed!!!

27 weeks pregnant with baby boy ) when he moves, I feel it on both sides, so I'm pretty sure he is transverse. He is active and strong, which I love!!!

I freaking passed the 1 hr GTT!!! I am sooooo excited!!!!!!! I asked the Nurse just now if she was kidding and she said, "uh no." But I told her that I wanted to give her a hug. That seem to lighten the mood a little bit.

[tacocat]

We just got done getting some rooms painted in our house. We're slowly going through our home reno list. I'm starting to worry a bit about getting everything done I want to before baby #2 in October.

The only trip we have planned is a work trip for H toward the end of June that we'll go too. I might take DS to Ohio to see my grandparents sometime soon.

@@
DS cracks us up everyday, but can be so whiny. OMG it drives me nuts. He's done with school next week and it's been such a good thing for him. I can't believe how much of a little boy he is.

I'm 15 weeks with baby #2. I had a not good week last week, but luckily I feel much better this week. I'm starting to get nervous about my appointment next week because I haven't actually heard the heartbeat yet.

[katespade]

Not much to update here.

We're still waiting to find out about a big, life-changing decision. It's been tough to be in limbo for this long, with no timeline for how much longer it will be until we know one way or the other. Our ducks are in a row either way, though. We know how we're going to move forward if it happens, and we're already moving forward as if it won't.

Assuming everything stays the way it is now -

The plan is to remove my BC and start TTC in July. It was going to be June, but I want to get through our anniversary trip, my family visiting from the east coast, and the 5k I'm training for before we pull the goalie. I'm excited and nervous and scared and ready and not ready, all at the same time. lol.

Therapy is going well. I've graduated to monthly appointments, which seems like an accomplishment. I feel like a completely different person compared to who I was a year ago. H and I are even talking about planning a vacation somewhere fun like Hawaii or Las Vegas, and my mind isn't telling me that it will never happen. I don't even know how to describe how free I feel. I still have a lot of things to work through, but my quality of life has already improved so far beyond where I ever thought I would get to. The strength and confidence I've found have been so empowering.

I've seen improvements with my physical health, too. I'm making better choices and working out regularly, which have both helped give me more strength to get through my flare ups. I've finally found a good balance in my diet and I'm getting enough calories without having to resort to empty calories or sugars to keep my body going. I haven't had to take any of my GP meds since I was in Miami in March. I'm definitely not cured and I know that I'm always going to struggle, but it's another step toward feeling like I can dream bigger than I give myself credit for.

[luv2rn4fun]

Thank you suzv and MrsMB. For the most part, life is awesome. But losing my mom is still losing my mom, even if things weren't the best between us and my life hasn't really changed all that much. It has been tremendously helpful to be so busy though. I don't really have time to be sad and after all we went through with our losses I think this is good for me. My mom would want nothing more than to see me happy, which I feel she gets to see every day (it was one of the things she had a hard time with when C was born because I wasn't exactly happy with all the colic, sleep deprivation, lack of help from DH, not to mention her health issues).

tacocat- ((hugs)) I hope your appointment brings you peace. Also, I totally feel you on the whining. O.M.G

estrellita- I was in denial my whole pregnancy with L so I vote completely normal LOL. I also didn't think I would bond well with him and I can tell you that it was truly love at first sight and continues to grow every day. I love them both the same and yet so differently.

katespade- I am really proud of you friend! Keep up the great work!!

[estrellita]

Thanks luv2rn4fun! I worry sometimes about how another kid will affect E and how we'll handle 2 but I know everything will be fine! I think I'm just impatiently waiting until the first tri is over. Needless to say it's the not fun part, haha.

[luv2rn4fun]

May 3, 2017 17:34:00 GMT -5 estrellita said:

Thanks luv2rn4fun! I worry sometimes about how another kid will affect E and how we'll handle 2 but I know everything will be fine! I think I'm just impatiently waiting until the first tri is over. Needless to say it's the not fun part, haha.

I was overly worried about how it would affect C. It was really hard on him at first but probably more so because we had SO much time together before L since i SAH. Also, he hasn't started daycare yet so the early months were hard on everyone because breastfeeding and naps take A LOT of time. But our pediatrician said to give it 6 months and sure enough it was slowly getting better by then. Just recently they even started playing more together and C is super helpful when I ask him to do things for his brother. Overall, we gave him a best friend...can't really go wrong there! Oh, and it really helps to give C some one on one time with either of us but especially me so I tend to leave L with DH between naps on the weekend so C gets some special time. Totally makes a difference with his attitude and behavior.

[Blue Moon]

Everything is good in the BlueMoon house. We've completed a few minor renovations and are still working on an overall of our backyard. We're settled into the new house now and H and I are in a good place. I've just finished work today and am officially on maternity leave until the fall!

B will be 3 this summer, and is just the best little girl. She talks non stop and carries full conversations. She's into pretend play now and I love eavesdropping on the conversations she has with her babies. Best of all, she's obsessed with her baby brother. She's constantly asking what he's doing in my belly, wanting to feel him kick, telling him she loves him and crying when I say I can't take him out so they can play, lol.

I'm due in just 10 days with #2, and am trying to VBAC. I'm scheduled for a repeat csection at 40+2 but really hoping to avoid it. This little guy will complete our family so we're anxiously awaiting his arrival!

[grover]

HoneySpider, I'm all for a GTG!

I'm off til mid-August. I don't miss work at all. I'll be teaching 2 new subject areas with 2 new partners and 1 is a new grade level. Will be interesting! I have two more school years then I qualify for student loan forgiveness!

A is already 6 weeks, and is 10 pounds 8 ounces (with her onesie on today). I can't believe it's already been 6 weeks! My post OB appointment is tomorrow. Right now, H and I don't plan on preventing, as we're expecting to have the IF issues again but hoping we don't. H changed his mind on 1 and done after his dad passed. Labor/delivery were a piece of cake compared to pregnancy.

[HoneySpider]

May 3, 2017 19:29:50 GMT -5 grover said:

HoneySpider , I'm all for a GTG!

I'm off til mid-August. I don't miss work at all. I'll be teaching 2 new subject areas with 2 new partners and 1 is a new grade level. Will be interesting! I have two more school years then I qualify for student loan forgiveness!

A is already 6 weeks, and is 10 pounds 8 ounces (with her onesie on today). I can't believe it's already been 6 weeks! My post OB appointment is tomorrow. Right now, H and I don't plan on preventing, as we're expecting to have the IF issues again but hoping we don't. H changed his mind on 1 and done after his dad passed. Labor/delivery were a piece of cake compared to pregnancy.

I can't believe it's been 6 weeks already either!

[rockinrobyn]

I haven't been around a lot recently either so I am loving all the updates! It is awesome to see how everyone's lives have changed in the few years I have "known" you all.

We have a family trip coming up to San Diego over Memorial Day weekend to visit my best friend from HS. I am really excited but a little nervous to fly with L.

The executive director at my building is being a real b*tch. I am trying to do my job with what my boss tells me and she wants me to do something else. It has become a big dick swinging contest. She made me move my desk and is now micromanaging where I hang some anatomy posters.    She also wanted my boss to write me up because I was technically doing my job and what was right for the patients and the company....so it has been a fun few weeks. 

@
L had an ear infection last Monday and we started him on antibiotics and he broke out in this horrific rash yesterday. It is slowly getting better and didn't bother him any, but I felt terrible!

Other than that he is doing well. He is in swim class once a week and walking around like a champ!

[wanderingenough]

So great to hear how everyone's lives are going!

Things are great here. Moving back "home" was the BEST decision for us. My H and I are were both worried about leaving the corporate office and moving to full time WAH, but it has been a great move. We get more time back in our day, more family time, and less office drama.

We are spending a lot more time with my parents and cultivating the relationship with my BIL/SIL and niece/nephews which I'm really thankful for. They live nearby and we never had that opportunity before. ALSO! I just found out that my brother who lives out west (and I've posted about before --the one I'm closest too) is moving "home" in two weeks! He will only be about an 1.5hr away.

As for R, well if you are my friend on social media, like suzv you know I've become that mother. People must think I have no other hobby. He is just at such a fun age right now. Learning new words. Exploring. Torturing me on the daily. Good times.

[awick14]

HoneySpider- jealous of the possible GTG.

((luv2rn4fun))

suzv- how did that house you were looking at that a friend owned go? I'm guessing not good if you are still looking.

estrellita I was thinking about you and your money situation the other day. Is your H still working the second job? (Sorry if you have posted about it and I missed it)

MrsMB- I'm glad things are going well with the pregnancy.

tacocat- I hope you get to hear the heartbeat soon and it helps relieve some of the anxiety.

I'm so proud of you katespade, I love that your talking about a holiday. Just a couple months ago it seemed like that wouldnt happen anytime soon. And ttc eek!

ewall- I am wanting to talk to DH about a kid free night away before we move away in the fall. A night where I can sleep through the whole night would be awesome! (Currently up at 5am for a feeding)

Blue Moon- yay for being on leave! I hope you get your VBAC, is there any way to push the c-section back a few days?

grover- DH and I had planned on no birth control as well. But I have to work a minimum of 6 months before I can go on leave again. (Including medical leave) As I am getting money for my leave from my work. The government here pays for our maternity leaves but some employers offer a "top up" to a certain percentage of your wage. Government pays ~60%, and my work gives me ~20%, so I get 80%) if I go on leave before the 6 months I have to pay back that money. So I got an IUD. (Which has been great so far) and how is she already 6 weeks??

rockinrobyn- I hope work starts to get better soon.

wanderingenough- I'm glad your happy about the move.

[grover]

awick14, my employer as well as .y state offer no paid maternity leave. So I just get paid out for whatever sick time I have banked. So #2 will be unpaid leave most likely, unless I figure out an oop disability plan.

[awick14]

Urg the formatting isn't coming across in the posts. (Had spaces in between all names! Now the post looks all jumbled lol)

We have a cleaning company coming at 8:30 today to do a clean of the house we are selling. I was going to clean it myself but for $160 it's totally worth it just to get it done! Not much more to do now. It will be listed on Tuesday. I can't believe the prices people are paying for houses right now. (We bought for $305k, we will be asking $500k, will DD numbers) We have put some money into the house but maybe $50k at the very most.

@ DD is the most amazing little girl. I still have days I look at her and can't believe she is here. We took her camping for the first time this past weekend. She was so happy the whole time, she was so smiley and she slept awesome, no real fussing to go to sleep ever. (Not like at home) All the fresh air must have helped her.

I think DH and I have decided to start ttc again next spring/summer. We want them close in age but know that it may not happen of course. (After it took us 3 1/2 years to get a pregnancy to stick) But my 6 months back at work would be next March, so we will most likely try after that.

DH and I have been at odds a lot lately, just stress from the house renos and money. But once this house sells we won't have many bills and we can start saving $$$ for our move in the fall. And that will help DH and I get along, hopefully. Once the house sells we are going to plan a weekend trip to somewhere closeish for just the 3 of us.

I have decided that I am going to sign up for a 10km race in Oct. I've done this 10km before so it will be great to see what my time is this year. Although I've been avoiding the gym lately so I need to get back into it.

[HoneySpider]

So many good things going on! I love it!

[christy082]

Our 9th anniversary is in 3 weeks! We both took 2 days off and are going to go on a couple of day dates. We really need some time sans child.

Work sucked for a while, but has gotten better lately. My team recently changed management, and it's working out really well.

H recently accepted a promotion at work, which basically puts him in charge of half of his company, and he has a 3d printing business on the side, so that keeps him very busy. I'm so proud of him!

The company he works for was sold last year, and the new manager that he reports to is awesome. Very reasonable, proponent of work/life balance, etc. It's been a really good change.

My mom turns 65 in June so I need to work on planning a party for her. I offered to throw a big party to celebrate but she only wants us and my brother and his family. Fine by me!

@
C is awesome but still very much 2 years old. And she's working on 2 year molars so that sucks. But she really is amazing. She's fearless. We took her to a playground Saturday and she did the rockwall (with H's help of course)!

House is good. No major renovations planned but we still have a full list of to-dos.

I really can't think of anything else!

[bk1]

Overall things are good.

The girls are doing great. G amazes me everyday with how quickly she picks things up. She is so silly and just a joy to be around. She is a two year old (tantrums, etc) but thankfully it isn't a big problem. DH and I have been talking about enrolling her in gymnastics. I can't wait - she is going to LOVE it! C is such a happy baby. She is rolling around constantly now. She always wants to being sitting up and involved in whatever is going on. I'm excited for her to be sitting up and crawling so she can be more interactive with G. G can get jealous but is overall doing better then I expected. 

DH and I are doing okay. We aren't fighting but we are struggling to connect. I know it will get better. He has been working for family and that is causing a lot of stress in our marriage. Long hours/low pay but it is something for now. He is so much happier then he was at his old company. Hopefully things can get changed around (which is the goal on all ends) so DH can get paid more in his current role and make this a long term thing. The financial stress is really getting to me but DH keeps telling me to be patient and it's going to work out. I'm trying. 

DH has been making it a priority to be around for our weekly library activities. It's been nice to have so much family time together. It's something we have been really working on. We did a zoo trip last week which was a lot of fun. We have another day trip planned for later this month. 

[pooh8402]

Overall doing well, but busy!

We moved across the state almost 2 months ago and are now in the Panhandle in the same city as DH's family. Our house is older, and we're doing a bunch of reconstruction. I can hear the workers in our laundry/mudroom as I type, and we will be redoing the kitchen soon (knocking out a coat closet and adding cabinetry, redoing the window seating, and putting in new countertops and backsplash and sink and fixtures, and painting everything).

I am finishing up my first semester of my FNP program. Just submitted my final paper for one class about 10 minutes ago, and about to start studying for my final for the other class.

My new job is going well. It's weird being the new girl all over again, I haven't been the new girl in 5 years! And now I'm in a whole new city where I don't know the doctors at all. I struggled a bit the first 2 weeks and my confidence was quite low, but I'm starting to get things now and move a little faster. I had 3 different preceptors this week who all told me I did well. So yay. I really like the hospital so far and from what I gather, they seem to care about their employees which is a 180 from my old hospital.

DH is WFH and struggling. We are planning to turn a garage storage room (that has a window and A/C unit) into a private office for him so he feels like he is going to work and won't be bothered by me when I'm home (although I really do try to leave him alone as much as possible).

@@

E is kind of awesome and yet also a holy terror. I am completely dreading the 2s and 3s. He's in a daddy phase right now, which is really irritating in the morning when he's asking for DH and DH doesn't want to get up yet. He's a very spirited little boy. He's very active and wants what he wants when he wants it. We are trying to be better about being consistent about asking him to use his words (he has a large vocabulary but chooses not to use it) instead of pointing and whining. He's so smart, he knows most of the alphabet, the basic colors, and his numbers, but doesn't count in order yet.

We have an appointment on the 15th with a new RE to discuss a FET, which I hope to do in July for an April baby next year (will be at one year at my new job, hoping baby wouldn't come before April 4, haha). I'm hoping this appointment goes well. We have another appointment in June with another RE in town as a backup but I really don't want to wait that long.

[estrellita]

awick14 he is, but considering quitting soon. He doesn't want to do another holiday season and he definitely doesn't want to be there when #2 gets here!

[bk1]

May 4, 2017 11:36:01 GMT -5 suzv said:

bk1 , Your girls are so beautiful! Also, I totally hear you on the financial issues. My H keeps telling me to be patient, that things will happen in the future, but I'm having a hard time feeling comfortable just being hopeful that things will eventually improve.

Thanks! I'm pretty obsessed with J. He really has the best smile  (heart)  Sorry you are feeling the same way. Financial stuff stresses me out like no other. DH is much more flexible. 

[amaranth]

Love reading all these updates! My own update is basically that I don't have anything new to share, but that is okay. I'd rather life be boring than bad.

HoneySpider for sure on the g2g. I only have for sure plans one day in June, I think.

[HoneySpider]

May 4, 2017 13:47:22 GMT -5 amaranth said:

Love reading all these updates! My own update is basically that I don't have anything new to share, but that is okay. I'd rather life be boring than bad.

HoneySpider for sure on the g2g. I only have for sure plans one day in June, I think.

I think we are close to finalizing our dates, it's going to be mid-month I'm just not sure on exact days yet. 

[awick14]

suzv, that's hard. I hope you figure it out.

estrellita- I'm guessing your in a better financial position now, so as long as he isn't going to go back to his old ways then it would be nice to have that time back for him.

[estrellita]

awick14 he's been much better. I let him spend his gift money however he wants with little input so I think that helps!

[grover]

May 4, 2017 14:48:02 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

May 4, 2017 13:47:22 GMT -5 amaranth said:

Love reading all these updates! My own update is basically that I don't have anything new to share, but that is okay. I'd rather life be boring than bad.

HoneySpider for sure on the g2g. I only have for sure plans one day in June, I think.

I think we are close to finalizing our dates, it's going to be mid-month I'm just not sure on exact days yet. 

Oh, the only day we're busy is the 10th.

[krystee]

Definitely in for a GTG!

Just got back from a fun work trip. I have been so busy lately with work that I feel like I have so little time for anything else. Hoping to get a more reasonable schedule soon.

H is still job hunting. He had a great second interview and was supposed to hear back today either way on if he was proceeding to the third or not, but no call came. Hoping for positive news tomorrow.

J is the absolute best. He is so funny and sweet and smart, and I am loving every second of this age. We will go back to the RE for #2 as soon as H gets a job.