The kid thread: Planning, pregnancy & parenting

[eternal sunshine]

drama - trust me...as SOON as DH is done with her I am all over reporting her shoddy practices to the dental board. What makes me MORE angry is that knowing how many of her patients are Medicaid and probably aren't giving a second look to the claims being filed......this lady is probably rolling in extra dough from the gov't for crap like she is trying to pull on us.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

No, I don't think so. Did they actually get sent or did they get lost? I had some RSVPs for my wedding go three streets down, returned to sender. .. it was awful. I had to do a lot of calling.

If they have been sent invites there is no reason not to call and say "Hi, we noticed that you haven't responded to the invitation to Eternal's shower on blah blah at blah time. We wanted to call to see if you recieved your invite and if you would be interested in attending".

[regina24601]

Oh, eternal and insurance, I'm so sorry for what you two are going through. No advice from this corner, but it's not fair that you're having to deal with those issues rather than just enjoy your pregnancies. I hope things get better soon.

[eternal sunshine]

drama - GOOD CALL!! That wording sounds great.

Yes they got mailed, however, she didn't mail them until 12/30 so right before new years holiday and just 2 weeks before the shower. A few people have gotten them ( like me, my stepmom, and my sister) but several haven't. Some, like my grandmother (who lives WITH my sister...WTF?) know when the shower is and will come whether the piece of paper comes in the mail or not. But, a few others are like my mom's (who is deceased) best friends who I don't talk to every week, but would be very insulted if I left them out. I hate the idea of them not getting an invite and thinking I snubbed them.

I will talk to my stepmom about asking in that way, like she is checking on an RSVP.

[moneymaven]

I think drama's suggestion on the wording is perfect.

We have our 2nd shower tomorrow. I don't even want to go. I just want to hide out at home and cry - maybe they'll let it be a pity party for me?!

[ladyki]

Jan 7, 2011 14:18:11 GMT -5 moneymaven said:

it's official. She's turned in her notice, and the bosses are in crisis mode. Plans are in the works right now, but it looks like I will be working from home after DS is born.

That is really a bummer. They need to give you a raise or pay you extra just for having to work during your maternity leave .

[ladyki]

Jan 7, 2011 15:23:12 GMT -5 eternal sunshine said:

I think I'm going to be there with MIL, her invitees, and my stepmom unless I do the rudest thing EVER and call my whole guest list MYSELF to tell them about the shower. How rude right?

I dont think that is rude. My sister, who was the one that organized my shower gave me and my DH invitations to pass out to anyone that she might have missed. But if you really do not feel comfortable, then just have your step mom do it for you.

[redwagon]

Thanks for the tips on formula, ladies!

eternal and insurance - wow. i hope everything works out for the best in all situations.

[Deleted]

eternal - I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. I would definitely switch dentists. With her willingness to misdirect and the shoddy billing I'd be very concerned about the quality of the dental work itself - it would suck to pay now and have to pay later to have it corrected.

insurance - that's awful that you won't be able to have a real maternity leave. Has you company considered contacting a temp agency to see if they can find someone? Lots of very good people are out of work.

meg - are you out there? I'm wondering how your MRI went.

[starearedkid]

This is my first time posting here; but I am 22 weeks pregnant with my first child. We found out a few weeks ago it is a girl--too our ever disbelieving minds. We swore it was a boy!

[NastyWoman]

Jan 7, 2011 14:35:20 GMT -5 moneymaven said:

thanks ladies. Yes, I work for a very small company (10 people... now 9), and I am not covered by FMLA or any state laws. They will definitely compensate me for my time and work. I spoke with my doctor this morning (had my 32 week checkup), and she said if delivery is smooth, which is what we all hope for, then I should be able to work from home without trouble, other than serious sleep deprivation.

The bosses were really great and are trying to find a solution where I can work 100% from home with zero physical office visits, but I will need to come back at least a month sooner since they're traveling about 3 of the 4 weeks in April. They feel terrible for me but there really isn't a good alternative that any of us can think of at this point. We're just too specialized for anyone else to do my job and do it halfway decent.

Insurance since your bosses are adamant that the only way for them to survive is for you to work from home. For instance, maybe you can add 2-3 weeks to your mat leaver working from home (paid of course) or possibly you can change the terms such that going forward you work 4 days in the office and 1 from home/wk.
Think about what you would like and try to get that concession from them. There is no reason that you should not benefit from this while giving up so much.

[econstudent]

insurance and eternal, I hope you can both work things out. I'm sorry you have to go through this...it's not like pregnancy needs to be made more stressful.

I'm so sad right now. DH tried to give Maggie a bottle to help get her ready for the transition to day care, and she was so upset. She cried and cried and looked so confused. After I came and rescued her, she snuggled up to me for a long time like she was saying "don't you ever leave me again!"

[kjsh]

Insurance - I am so sorry that your work situation has changed. You might pop over to the no spend thread and see if anyone can locate muttleynfelix (totally spelled that wrong) - she went back to work pretty quickly after her son was born and she did some negotiations about it if I recall.
Eternal - Oi lady, how incredibly frustrating. It doesn't help, but you have my sympathies about having to deal with that in additon to everything else.
Econ - Oh poor Maggie and poor you!!! She will get the hang of it though - maybe try a different bottle.
Welcome to all the new folks - starea, congratulations on having a little girl!
Beckett is doing beautifully for the most part - he projectile vomited up everything two nights ago - that was very impressive. I think I just fed him too much. In case it's an early reflux sign, we're now keeping him upright for 30 min after every feeding. He does seem less fussy which is good, but it also meens less sleep which is less good.
Our visitors all go home on Monday, and DH goes back to work the same day so I'm guessing I'll be able to check in here a little more often. Miss you ladies - glad to see that most transitioned to the new boards. And I'm anxiously awaiting the next round of babies!!!

[jenna30]

So, the Kirkland Brand of formula didn't work. It didn't mix well, was really foamy, he was crying and up every hour on the hour - about 4 hours in a row. And I had thought waking every 2 hours was bad.

We've since switched to Nestle Good Start Gentle Plus. - mixes much better, very little bubbles (we use a drop of Mylicon in the formula to reduce bubbles if necessary.) Also - major bonus - LO is sleeping! He slept for a decent amount of time last night, and is alseep right now. He's back to 3-4 hours between feedings (as opposed to 1 or 2.)

*Crosses fingers* I hope this is the formula for us!

[redwagon]

kjsh - You did spell it right. MuttleynFelix actually just popped back up on the NS thread so go say hi anyone who wants to chat her up about going back to work. I know her husband is a SAHD.

[bluedolphin]

Okay, so I am a longtime lurker also coming out of the shadows

I've been following the thread for so long, I feel like I know everyone already. I've received a lot of good ideas, and am thankful that everyone is so open and non-judgemental. I decided that since the boards were moving, it was a great time to jump in.

I am mom to Baby L (our first)- who is six months old already! I work full-time and my hubby is a SAHD.

Looking forward to being a part of the conversation!

[sbcalimom]

Uggg...this pregnancy has been so much harder than DD's. Even though my m/s is better, I still feel really dizzy and spacy sometimes when I stand up. I had that every once and awhile with DD but now I have it almost every day. If it gets worse, I definitely plan to put a call into the doc but for now it is just irritating. Plus, DD is being pretty difficult which certainly doesn't help. I know part of the problem is that she's just so bored but I feel so gross I have a hard time playing with her and finding things for us to do. I'm 16 weeks so I keep waiting for the 2nd trimester benefits to kick in, hopefully they will soon . For now, we'll just keep muddling through.

Glad to see so many migrated over here!

[jenna30]

I am mom to Baby L (our first)- who is six months old already! I work full-time and my hubby is a SAHD.

I'm probably in the same boat. Looks like I will be FT, and hubby will work on my off days (PT) and be a SAHD the rest of the week.

I won't lie, I wish the roles were reversed. We'll see how things shake out in the next couple of weeks while I'm on maternity leave.

[bluedolphin]

Jenna - I wish the roles were reversed as well (so does my hubby). I never thought I would want to be a SAHM, but I would do it in a hearbeat if I could (mom hormones are seriously STRONG!). My hubby has been looking for work since May - he just finished his degree, but good jobs are scarce. All he wants to do is work, and all I want to do is stay home. One of life's cruelties.
It is hard to go to work every morning and leave her, but knowing she is at home with a loving father helps a little bit. You'll find a rhythm that works for you - and you never know when things might change!

[gusitarenker]

Hi Blue Dolphin! Welcome!
Stareare-Congrats on your pregnancy and on your little girl!

I feel kind of selfish. There is a huge (for the south) snowstorm being forecast to hit us Monday. DH and I will be at the hospital before it hits, but I've had a bunch of friends/family say they are so sad they won't be able to come see Brett once he is born Monday. Well, truthfully, I'm not! I like the idea that DH and I will have some time alone with Brett his first day with us. It's not that I don't want to see friends and family or have them see Brett, but I kind of want him to myself for just a little bit before everyone else tries to get their hands on him.

[jenna30]

Gusita - I had to actually ask my mom to leave the hospital room a couple of times when the nurses did medical stuff (like check my incision.) She was a little put out, but I was like too bad. I'm a private person, and didn't want anyone to see that sorta stuff except my hubby.

At one point, I had 4-5 visitors in the room (including my 3 year old niece) and it was a little chaotic for me. Luckily, they didn't stay long.

[yogiii]

sbcali- wow 16 weeks already! I hope you feel better soon

bluedolphin - welcome. I also wish I could SAH 99% of the time. All in all going back to work hasn't been as terrible as I imagined only because the days fly by.

[NastyWoman]

Good luck Gusita. Just a few more hours...

[Sam_2.0]

Gusita - I can't wait to hear that baby Brett arrived safely I am going to FB stalk you all day tomorrow Good luck, and congrats again to you & DH.

[econstudent]

Good luck tomorrow Gusita!

[kjsh]

I had a beautiful post (if I do say so myself) that just disappeared while I tried to post it.
So instead I'll just say:
Good luck tomorrow Gusita! I can't wait to hear about baby Brett!

[taz157]

Good luck Guista! Can't wait to hear about your birth story and see a picture of handsome baby Brett!

[megera]

Good luck tomorrow, Gusita! Hope you have an easy delivery .

Got the MRI results at my doc appt on Thurs. Small abnormality on the right side of my brain, but I should have more than one of those abnormalities if it's MS. So they're not completely ruling out MS but it's not likely, so that's good!

They did notice something with a part of the brain called the cerebellar tonsils. They're at the base of the brain and normally stop at the top of the spinal canal, but mine actually go down further in (called a Chiari malformation) and my doctor thinks the bones there are compressing the nerves and causing the symptoms I'm having. He referred me to a neurologist (appt on the 18th). If that's what it is, it's fixed by surgery to make the hole in the top of the spinal canal bigger so it's not compressing those nerves. Of course I'm a little nervous to have surgery on my head/neck, but if it fixes this, it's worth it! I'm 99% sure it's the Chiari thing too because I fit nearly every symptom to a tee, including a sort of strange/unique symptom where my headaches hurt worse when I cough or yawn. The only downside is I imagine it's not a quick outpatient surgery so I think I'll have to wait until the end of the semester to have it done. We'll see though.

OK, my fingers are worn out now .

[Sam_2.0]

Meg - I am so glad you might have an answer for what's going on! Keeping you in my thoughts & prayers

[gusitarenker]

Thanks everyone for all the well wishes and congrats! I know I should be in bed right now, but I am just too flipping excited! ;D (and I took a 4 hour nap earlier-oops!)

Meg-I'm glad to hear that it likely isn't MS and that you have a probable diagnosis!