Home Family Friday: Rant and Rave!

[jas]

Love this thread!

Rant: Sugar ants seem to be holding some sort of organizational conference in my master bathroom. They seem divided between the floor by the toilet and the scale. The bathroom is the one room in the house I like to go barefoot. Skeevy. Dh "will get to it."

Rave: Began a writing project last week, and as of today I''m feeling better about it. My writing muscles are creaky, but starting to remember how to do this. Also, I made a seriously outrageous strawberry rhubarb crumble this afternoon that may topple strawberry rhubarb pie off the Favorite Fruit Dessert pedestal. Can''t wait until after dinner!

 

[ChinaCat]

Love this.

Rant: I have mastitis for a THIRD time and I''ve been DONE breast-feeding and pumping for 2 weeks now.

Tried to sign up for a class to do the thing I really want to do and it''s already full. Work apparently expects me to work ALL THE TIME.

Rave: Beautiful weather and a beautiful weekend ahead, no real plans other than a delicious dinner out tonight at a Frenchie restaurant which means I get a real kir royale, and got to see an old friend from college today who told me I looked exactly the same as I did freshman year (OMG was that really 18 years ago?!).

 

[taovandel]

Fun thread!

Rant: Work was incredibly stressful today...Normally Fridays are easy peasy....not so today! Had a million things to do and I feel like I got absolutely nothing accomplished. I''m probably going to have to go in on my day off tomorrow to do some work.

Rave: Came home to Evan being as charming as can be---smiling and laughing at everything. His new favorite thing is to scare the crap out of him by saying "Boo!" and he laughs like a mad man after jumping sky high!

Also another rave...It''s my moms birthday this weekend and I can''t wait to spend it with her and Evan.

 

[Steel]

Rant: I am sick and tired of building.
Rave: The kitchen is now officially 1/4 built! The sinks are plumbed, counter in and cabinets including doors are up.

 

[Laila619]

Rave: DH, pizza, good movies from Netflix, and nothing to do all weekend long! Bliss!

Rant: Heartburn.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 4/23/2010 2:19:00 PM
Author: Lilac
Rant: I just registered for classes for my first semester of grad school (starting in the fall), and it hit me just how *unbelievably* hectic and busy life is going to get. I realized that my desire for a baby will likely have to wait much longer than I anticipated because I just can''t imagine how I could have a baby with the schedule I''m going to have in grad school and all the studying and work it''s going to take to do well. It makes me really sad to think about waiting another 3 years. But it''s just not feasible to bring a baby into this world when I''ll be out from 6:30am-5pm most days and that''s without all the study time (and DH works from 7am until 8pm or later some nights)! I wanted to start TTC at some point next year. I''m hoping my schedule calms down after my first year, but I really have no idea. And to make it all worse, my mom has been pressuring me relentlessly about wanting grandchildren! She always does it in a joking way so it''s not as bad, but still. This turned into a longer rant than I wanted it to be - sorry!!

Rave: I''m going to the grad school I had always dreamed of going to! It was so competitive and I know so many people who unfortunately didn''t get in, so I''m so grateful and happy that I did. As for the baby thing... DH is wonderfully supportive and we regularly have open discussions about it, so I feel better knowing we''re both on the same page. And despite the intense workload, I''m kinda excited to start taking classes I''m interested in again in the fall!

Lilac, what are you going to grad school for? I have two friends who had thier kids in grad school and I had my son on post doc. It can actually be a really good time in a lot of ways because you schedule is so flexible. Neatfreak had her twins in grad school too. And I never worked 12 hour days in grad school, it is not all that hard

There is no good time to have a child for a female academic. I say have one when you *want* one and figure it out later.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Rave 1: I bought my dream honkin'' big diamond this week!

We are going to go to Seattle for our anniversary mext month and pick it up. Hunter will stay with his grandparents, who will be visiting that month. Woo hoo! romantic get away! And diamonds!

Rave 2: Tomorrow is my birthday! We are celebrating tonight because DH''s brother and his FI are arriving tomorrow for a week''s visit. What does celebrating mean in Dreamer''s world? Pizza, candies from 7/11 a movie and a bottle of wine

Rant: Hunter has pink eye and a molar coming in!

The pink eye seemed to get better with the drops then came back again today after we stopped the drops. He got booted from daycare so I spent the afternoon looking after my very very cranky 14 month old who, MustangGal, has also discovered "tantrums", which at this age involves throwing himself on the floor and crying when he don''t let him do/have something he wants. Anyways, I''m glad he is in bed now!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 4/23/2010 7:44:39 PM
Author: Laila619
Rave: DH, pizza, good movies from Netflix, and nothing to do all weekend long! Bliss!

Rant: Heartburn.

Hey we have similar plans

We used to do that almost every weekend. Enjoy it while you can mama, heartburn and all! (A glass of milk and Tums always worked for me!)

 

[decodelighted]

RAVE
This is shaping up to be an amazing "date" week for us. Last night DH's "boys night" was canceled so we went bowling. Sure, it was filthy on the old bling-holders but two beers in I WON a game! And tonight we went down to the waterfront & had drinks & appies at sunset. (For that I promised he could spend the rest of the night playing videogames LOL). And tomorrow we're going to a Craft Beer & BBQ tasting event. I don't even like beer! And DH doesn't drink! But for some reason it sounded fun. The cooking demos maybe?

RANT
Count me in on the post-pollen headache front! (Or maybe mine is from the videogame SFX all night long = heh). PLUS this week we found out the giant tree in our backyard needs to come down. To the tune of, well, lets say eternity ring levels.

Also, forgot to mention: Assorted Bowling-Related Aches.

 

[iheartscience]

RAVE: I''m at my older sister''s house a state away from mine (it''s my niece''s First Communion tomorrow) and of course she had a giant bag of her unbelievably delicious and perfect chocolate chip cookies waiting for me and my twin sis!

RANT: none, but I''m sure I''ll be exhausted tomorrow after being surrounded by 5 of my 8 nieces and nephews!

 

[AmberWaves]

Rant: Piper has a "yeasty" belly-button that requires it being doused in peroxide, how is it possible to get a 5 month old to stay still?

Rave: Got a haircut, and now I feel so much lighter (and the mommy baldies are so much easier to deal with).

 

[artdecogirl]

awesome thread Tgal!

Rave first cause it overshadows the rant. Grandson with us for tonight and all day tomorrow! Yay! He is soooo much fun! (21 months) He just passed out with grandpa in the recliner. I think we will go to the zoo in the morning and maybe go see his great grandma. He runs like a madman all day but when he is tired he turns into a little lover and just wants to cuddle. Also got another charm in the mail for my charm bracelet! (Darn that ps thread, gave me more things for my wishlist like there wasn''t enough!)

Rant - Have to study for a certification test for my job that I have been putting off for toooo long! no fun.

Hey Jas, You should post your recipe for rubarb crumble! Sounds awsome.

 

[swimmer]

Rant: SIL has a new/longer list of baby names that she "calls dibs on" and we are not allowed to use (I''m 38+ weeks preggo, she is 10wks) and I''m again going to have to find a way to laugh it off. MIL wants to know what day I will be having the baby so she can plan. Yeah, I''d like to know as well...

Rave: dissertation advisor is being lovely and DH continues to give me back rubs every night and now before every nap as well.

 

[isaku5]

Rant #1: Hubby put his back out doing some lifting that he shouldn''t even have attempted (for someone else

).

Rant #2: I went clothes shopping and found out that I''d gone up two freakin'' sizes. I knew that my spring/summer clothes were getting tight so expected a one size increase, but two!!!!!

Rave: We had a great time together last Thursday. DH took the day off so we could go to one of our favourite restaurants for lunch, then to an upscale mall to drool, and finally for some ice cold (light) beer in another pleasant spot.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Rant-The awesome Baggallinni bag I bought got shipped to me with gold hardware instead of the silver I ordered, and they don''t have any more silver

Rave-DH and I are enjoying a totally chill Saturday, slept till noon, made latkes and omelets for brunch, and are hanging out in our PJs watching the end of the draft.

 

[Haven]

I love this thread!

Rant: It looks like we''re going to have to sell DH''s condo at a loss if we want it off our hands this summer. We''ve rented it out for two years, but the building has had so many special assessments (over 20K worth) over the last few years that we just want OUT before they hit us with another one.

Rave: We picked up DH''s 40th birthday bicycle today (a Giant Rapid 1) and it was so awesome to see how happy he was to finally get it. I squirreled away cash for a year so he could get the bike, so it was really fun to see him light up like a kid in a candy store when he was finding all the accessories and picking out his tires. (He doesn''t get excited about much. It was so cool.)

 

[Kaleigh]

Rant : Our friends son wasn''t drafted...

Rave: But he just signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, woohoo!!!!

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 4/24/2010 8:19:06 PM
Author: Kaleigh
Rant : Our friends son wasn''t drafted...

Rave: But he just signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, woohoo!!!!

Wow, that''s awesome Kaleigh! Congratulations to him and his family! They must be really proud of him.

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 4/24/2010 1:28:36 PM
Author: swimmer
Rant: SIL has a new/longer list of baby names that she ''calls dibs on'' and we are not allowed to use (I''m 38+ weeks preggo, she is 10wks) and I''m again going to have to find a way to laugh it off. MIL wants to know what day I will be having the baby so she can plan. Yeah, I''d like to know as well...


Rave: dissertation advisor is being lovely and DH continues to give me back rubs every night and now before every nap as well.

I''d use the name you like, regardless of your SIL''s demand. That''s just silly.

 

[anchor31]

Rant: I can''t keep up with my son''s appetite... I really wanted to wait until the 4-months mark on Thursday to start supplementing/weaning, but if he keeps that up, there''s no way I''ll get there in one piece.

Rave: On the other hand, he''s a great sleeper and he laughed for the first time yesterday! There''s nothing better in the world than making your baby laugh!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/24/2010 8:43:35 PM
Author: anchor31
Rant: I can''t keep up with my son''s appetite... I really wanted to wait until the 4-months mark on Thursday to start supplementing/weaning, but if he keeps that up, there''s no way I''ll get there in one piece.

Rave: On the other hand, he''s a great sleeper and he laughed for the first time yesterday! There''s nothing better in the world than making your baby laugh!

That''s the best!!!

Is it time for you to give him some cereal??

 

[anchor31]

Kaleigh - I have a pedi''s appointment on Monday and I will ask her. I have no problem with starting solids early, but barely 4 months seems like a tad too early? I dunno, I''ll ask the doc. Thanks for thought.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/24/2010 9:21:26 PM
Author: anchor31
Kaleigh - I have a pedi''s appointment on Monday and I will ask her. I have no problem with starting solids early, but barely 4 months seems like a tad too early? I dunno, I''ll ask the doc. Thanks for thought.

Well, back in the dark ages we did that at around this time... Just a little mixed in with formula or breast milk but only at the night feeding, the one before bed.. But that was the thinking 20 years ago....

You ladies know way more than we did, and are so wise. That''s why I love reading the newborn thread, toddler thread etc...

 

[Lilac]

Date: 4/23/2010 10:57:57 PM
Author: dreamer_d

Date: 4/23/2010 2:19:00 PM

Author: Lilac

Rant: I just registered for classes for my first semester of grad school (starting in the fall), and it hit me just how *unbelievably* hectic and busy life is going to get. I realized that my desire for a baby will likely have to wait much longer than I anticipated because I just can't imagine how I could have a baby with the schedule I'm going to have in grad school and all the studying and work it's going to take to do well. It makes me really sad to think about waiting another 3 years. But it's just not feasible to bring a baby into this world when I'll be out from 6:30am-5pm most days and that's without all the study time (and DH works from 7am until 8pm or later some nights)! I wanted to start TTC at some point next year. I'm hoping my schedule calms down after my first year, but I really have no idea. And to make it all worse, my mom has been pressuring me relentlessly about wanting grandchildren! She always does it in a joking way so it's not as bad, but still. This turned into a longer rant than I wanted it to be - sorry!!

Rave: I'm going to the grad school I had always dreamed of going to! It was so competitive and I know so many people who unfortunately didn't get in, so I'm so grateful and happy that I did. As for the baby thing... DH is wonderfully supportive and we regularly have open discussions about it, so I feel better knowing we're both on the same page. And despite the intense workload, I'm kinda excited to start taking classes I'm interested in again in the fall!

Lilac, what are you going to grad school for? I have two friends who had thier kids in grad school and I had my son on post doc. It can actually be a really good time in a lot of ways because you schedule is so flexible. Neatfreak had her twins in grad school too. And I never worked 12 hour days in grad school, it is not all that hard

There is no good time to have a child for a female academic. I say have one when you *want* one and figure it out later.

Dreamer - I'm going to grad school for occupational therapy. The program is 2 and a half-3 years. The first two years are all classes and unfortunately I don't get to pick my schedule - I just have to take the classes when and where they tell me to. Mostly the classes are 8am until 3pm three or four days a week with fieldwork on the rest of the days when I don't have class. From what I've heard from several people who went through this program already, there is so much studying to do that they rarely left the library, and once they had to do research papers in addition to all the classes in their second year it became even more intense. The last 6-9 months of the program consists of three rotations of fieldwork (3 months each).

Missing classes will set me back a whole year because I would have to take the 'make-up' classes with the students in the year below me. Missing fieldwork might be a little easier, but you're not really allowed to miss ANY days, so I would have to make them all up and delay graduation (which may not be that bad, and *definitely* would be easier than missing any classes in the first 2 years which would set me back a whole year).

One of the students in my cousin's class had a baby in her second year... she had a baby Friday of finals week and was back in class Monday to take her final. Someone I know had her baby during the semester and she took off 3 days and was back in class immediately after that. Unfortunately there's just not much leeway with the classes I'm taking (if you miss a certain number of labs they can't let you continue because it's too difficult to make up the material).

Basically I'm just going to need to decide if I can handle only being able to miss a couple days if we have a baby the first 2 years, otherwise DH and I will need to wait around 3 years. I hear from people who only get a few weeks or months off of work to be with their babies and they have trouble going back to work, so I can't imagine how much harder it would be if I only had a few *days* off! Even though we wouldn't be TTC right now either way, I still think about it on a daily basis because I keep going back and forth...

ETA: But thank you Dreamer for the advice, I really do appreciate it. It helps to hear other peoples' perspectives.

 

[Haven]

CONGRATS on getting into grad school, Lilac!

DH is an OT! He practiced for several years before moving on to his current specialty.

I bet you guys will figure out what works best for you regarding TTC. And in the grand scheme of things a couple years isn''t all that much time anyway, right?

Here''s to you and your new endeavor! That''s so exciting!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Lilac I have learned never to listen to other people's opinions about how hard or how easy something is. In my personal experience things have not been as hard and time consuming as they are cracked up to be, and this goes for both grad school and parenting. But maybe I am a bloomin' genious with an angel child and husband

Anyways, you will figure it out. See how things go. But life is too short to put off what you really want. On the other hand, life is long and one more year in grad school won't matter a smidge when you are gainfully employed. Do what your heart tells you when the time comes, it will be the right decision!

 

[Lilac]

Haven and dreamer, I just saw your posts now. I guess I must have missed them a couple days ago!

Haven - Thanks so much for the congrats on grad school! I''m pretty excited about it, but nervous at the same time. I remember that you had said your husband is an OT! What area of occupational therapy was he practicing in? I don''t hear of too many male OTs around here, but I worked with one when I observed at a pediatric practice a few months ago and he was just wonderful with the kids.

dreamer - You''re completely right about not listening to others about how easy/hard something is. I remember someone told me once that when they took a class I was about to take they "lived with their textbook 24 hours a day" during the entire semester... I was so scared to take the class after that, but I took it and while it definitely was difficult, I did very well and found it to be much less time-consuming than she had "warned" me about! So maybe I should wait to start school before assuming I''ll be studying and working *all* the time. Either way DH and I wouldn''t be TTC until at least the middle-end of next year, so I guess I should just try and put it out of my mind for now. Easier said than done, especially when I see so many cute PSers babies in the preggo and new mommies threads!

Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[anchor31]

Date: 4/24/2010 9:30:54 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 4/24/2010 9:21:26 PM
Author: anchor31
Kaleigh - I have a pedi''s appointment on Monday and I will ask her. I have no problem with starting solids early, but barely 4 months seems like a tad too early? I dunno, I''ll ask the doc. Thanks for thought.

Well, back in the dark ages we did that at around this time... Just a little mixed in with formula or breast milk but only at the night feeding, the one before bed.. But that was the thinking 20 years ago....

You ladies know way more than we did, and are so wise. That''s why I love reading the newborn thread, toddler thread etc...

My mom and MIL told me similar things.

I went to see his pedi and she said that it''s better to supplement with formula than start solids early. He is ravenous, but once he gets the amount of milk he wants he sleeps for 8-10 hours at a time, so milk is still good enough to fill him up. Once he starts waking up hungry every 2-3 hours like he did as a newborn, then we''ll start him on solids, or when he hits the 6-months mark. I really do appreciate your input, though!