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Before having a baby, I really enjoyed getting manicures semi-regularly. I liked how it made me feel more put-together, how it was an affordable luxury, and that I couldn’t do anything but sit there and stare into space while getting it done. After having a baby, my hands were constantly wet — washing bottles, doing a million dishes, cleaning up spills and messes. Wet hands, however, do not lend themselves to lasting polish. I still do get the occasional manicure as a treat or before an event. My local salons usually have a $2 or $3 upcharge if you request this new polish from essie, and I have found that it’s worth it. I even bought myself one of these kits, which comes with the special topcoat that seals the color in and makes it dry super fast. With the amount of washing/cleaning up I do, a regular manicure would last two or three days at best, and this polish extends that time to five or so, which in child-rearing days is like a dog’s age. (It advertises 14 days, which I think is a bit misleading, but it definitely lasts much longer than regular polish.) The kit is $18.49 at Target and is also available at most drugstores. essie Gel Couture Nail Polish Kit This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!Sales of note for 4.18.24
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
RR says
This is my favorite home gel kit. It’s very easy to do a neat job polishing because the brushes are a half moon shape (not sure why no one else has done this). And then it’s quick because of the quick drying top coat (and it doesn’t use a base coat). I find it lasts at least a week–not as long as salon gel, but much better than regular polish.
I’ve tried the ones with the home lamps, the Deborah Lipmann kit, the Butter London kit, the cheapy Sally Hansen kit. Essie is the clear best IMO.
anon says
The Sally Hansen gels chip faster than normal nail polish! (Cannot stand that stuff.)
Pogo says
I swear by this polish.
Anonymous says
I have the Essie Gel Setter topcoat and have been very pleased with it.
In-home daycare experience says
I missed this on the weekend thread, but I wanted to add my experience with an in-home daycare. Our daughter has been at a licensed in-home daycare since 4 months (she’s now 14 months). I’ve posted on this site about it before, but in NOVA there is a non-profit that coordinates oodles of in-home daycare and takes care of the licensing/inspections and offers professional development for the providers. They get inspected once a month (vs twice a year for a VA-licensed center). We have loved the flexibility of an in-home daycare and that our daughter has built a strong bond with one provider. She loves her provider and is happy to be there every day. I also think the littlest ones sleep better at an in-home daycare. They also get home-cooked food, and our provider speaks another language to the kids most of the day. So not that I think our child will be bi-lingual, but I think hearing another language is good for the brain. And of course, it’s much cheaper than a center in our HCOL area. Our provider has been doing this for like 20 years, and other kids usually stay with her until pre-school age, so we felt comfortable with her.
We are moving soon and leaving her next month. We’re very very sad our daughter will lose this person in her life that she loves so much! That being said, we would’ve probably transferred our daughter to a center at around 2 years to be around more kids (there’s only 2-3 of them there right now).
The only downside is the times that our provider has been sick or has an appointment. That being said, that has only happened 2-3 times in the past 10 months, and I can find a backup through the system.
Betty says
What’s the website that you’re referring to? The non-profit that coordinates the in-homes? Also, where is your current in-home? We’re out near Reston (sort of in between Reston and Herndon) and looking for the fall. Thanks!
OP says
G**gle Infant-Toddler Family Daycare (ITFDC). Our current in-home is in Vienna, but they cover Fairfax, Loudon, Arlington, Alexandria Counties. The most in-homes are in Fairfax County, but you should be able to find one out by you. They told me the only county were it’s difficult to find any openings in Arlington (surprise surprise). We’ve also used a woman in Tyson’s corner for Backup care who was fantastic.
They do an intro-class about 1-2X month on saturday mornings for parents interested in the program so you can know the set-up. Usually you interview a few providers to get an idea of what different homes look like, see the age of the children there, etc…Another benefit is that a lot of the providers are open to doing weekend babysitting on occasion if you ask.
And one more thing, providers usually (unofficially) a little more flexible with illness symptoms. If my daughter is at the tail-end of a GI issue they’re fine taking her. Some providers are MAT certified so they’ll give tylenol for a low-grade fever or teething if requested. etc…
Betty says
Thanks so much, I really appreciate you following back up!
Anonymous says
Super helpful. Thanks!
Anonymous says
I love this nail polish so much. It really does last a week.
anne-on says
Do you need anything special to take it off? I love gels for big events (weddings, etc.) but taking it off it such a pain, and I do it myself now after one salon was waaaay too enthusiastic with the scraping and damaged my nails badly.
Anonymous says
No, just normal polish remover. You have to rub a bit more IME, but nothing special and no damage.
Daycare DC says
What is the deal with daycare in DC? Having been warned of the exceedingly long wait lists, I’ve started looking for daycares in DC (Capitol Hill/H. St. Corridor areas) and it is so frustrating! No one answers the phones, all the mailboxes are full, and no one has responded to my emails. This does not give me great hope about the level of care at these facilities but they have ALL been the same so far. Am I just supposed to show up at each of the places I’m considering? All I’m trying to find out is how long the wait lists are– I will not need a space until April/May 2019.
anne-one says
In my experience yeah, day cares (aside from some of the big chains) are just not great about answering phones/responding to emails because they’re usually in with the kids, not in an office. I had the best luck around 10-11 (usually baby nap times), and 1-3 (bigger kid nap time). Good luck!
Anonymous says
That makes sense. Not in DC, but I know at ours the admins sub in for in-room teachers for breaks. They basically become floaters and pop into the offices when they can. I do think they make more of an effort to be in the office at drop off times. They always answer in the early morning when I call to let them know kiddo is sick.
Mama Llama says
I’m in DC, and I while I haven’t found it to be as bad as you are describing, I think I have had to reach out more than once to all the daycares I’ve dealt with. For what it’s worth, I don’t think this coordinates with care at all, but maybe it says something with how well the place is run administratively. Unfortunately, around here you pretty much have to take what you can get when it comes to infant care.
Mama Llama says
*correlates, not ccordinates
Anonymous says
I’m not in DC but this was my experience at all the daycares we contacted. I think if they have a waiting list they don’t need to actively solicit business and so they don’t really have the best customer service skills.
Anonymous says
+1
Anon says
My experience on the Capitol Hill side of H Street is that it is exceedingly unlikely that you’ll get an infant spot for a first child unless you have a preference at a govt center. Most infant spots go to siblings. Are you on MONA? If not, you should join. Most of the moms I met ended up using a nanny share for their first.
Hill Resident says
+1 I regret wasting the time and several hundred dollars that I spent on infant daycare applications for daycares on the Hill. My dd is almost 5 and she still hasn’t gotten off of a single one of those lists and I put her on them during my first trimester. It’s a scam. They are happy to take your money to put you 500th in line for 6 slots. They don’t take kids in order–you have to know someone to get in.
(I’ll admit that I stopped calling to get a slot once she entered PS-3, but they’re still a scam.)
Anonymous says
Oh, wow, thanks for the info. I actually live on the east side of H. St. but I’m open to basically anywhere east of the capitol, south of Florida Ave and North of the Anacostia. Kiddie University at F and 8th NE looks like a good option and I was just able to join the waitlist a year in advance, so I’m hoping that works out. When would you suggest starting to look for a nanny share? Also I had not heard of MONA but would definitely be interested– how do I join?
Anonymous says
This is the OP by the way.
anon says
I had similar boundaries, actually extending my search all the way to the White House and still had no luck with infant care. I also struck out with in home daycares. There’s a baby boom on the Hill so it’s tough.
MOTH is a Yahoo listserve for “Moms on the Hill.” (Sorry, I said MONA before–that’s actually “Moms of North Arlington and a separate group.) You can only get into MOTH if you live in a certain area and you have to be sponsored by a current MOTH member. Basically, you can ask any mom with kids on the Hill and there’s a 95% chance that she’s a member.
The place at 8th and F NE is newly reopened since I was looking for care, so I don’t know the deal now. I think the prior owner passed away. I’m not sure how similar it is to the old management/workers.
You don’t need to look for a nannyshare until about 6-8 weeks before you need care, unless you need care starting around the beginning of a school year (that’s more complicated). You should, however, scope out pregnant women near you starting now to see if you can find a nannyshare partner. Talk to others at meet ups for expectant moms or at meet ups for those with infants after you have your kid. You can also post on MOTH to find a nannyshare partner. We used Care.com to find our nanny, but many also find nannies on MOTH. Good luck!
JEB says
I had preference at a government center (DOJ), and I got on the wait list when I was maybe 4 months pregnant. I got “he call saying they could offer me a spot just after my kid’s 3rd birthday! Obviously by then, we declined. So even with agency preference, it’s hard out there!
consultant's wife says
Nothing to add but solidarity. We’ll be moving to DC in Feb 2019, so you’ve reminded me that I need to get on lists NOW for baby. Anyone know if wait lists in DC are the same for bigger babies/kids as opposed to newborn? Baby will be about 15 months as of the preferred start date.
Mama Llama says
The older they are the easier it is because the required ratios change. We switched centers on short notice when my kid was 2 and actually had multiple places to choose. (This was close-in MD suburbs.)
Georgette George says
Our son’s new nanny just started with us today. She mentioned when we interviewed her about a month ago that she was getting married soon – turns out the wedding is this Friday! It’s a small ceremony ahead of a bigger celebration in her home country next year, but we would still like to commemorate it on Thursday (she doesn’t work on Fridays). What would be appropriate? We don’t really know her preferences, etc. since she just started with us. Just cash in a nice card? (… how much?) Flowers? A gift card?
Anonymous says
Flowers and $100.
anne-on says
+1. A bottle of champagne instead of flowers if that would be easier for you would be lovely as well.
HSAL says
Had some serious nesting going on this weekend and got out all my old bottles/pumping supplies. Everything that’s clear plastic seems to have a bit of a film – do I need to do anything more than run it all through the dishwasher?
anne-on says
I don’t think you have to, but I’m pretty sure I sterilized our bottles/pump parts in those microwave bags and then ran them through the dishwasher before I passed them on to my SIL to get rid of the film. That and making sure they were thoroughly air dried on a rack got rid of the filminess. And on that note we got SO MUCH counter space back when we were able to drop the bottle drying rack!
consultant's wife says
I find running parts through the microwave sterilizer then air drying helps with the film. It’s probably not necessary for cleanliness, but the film does bother me sometimes.
KateMiddletown says
I’m re-buying tubing/parts for my old Ameda (this is 8 years old, mind you.) And I’m saying thanks, Obama, for the new Spectra which my insurance is paying for. (Yay for 2 pumps!)
Anonymous says
Kiddo (age 4) has suddenly developed several big fears (mummies, fires, snakes, spiders) and freaks out if she’s left alone or going to be left alone for even a moment (literally, a moment – I stepped out of her bathroom to get a towel from the linen closet *right* outside the bathroom last night and she lost it). I’ve been trying to help her figure out ways to calm herself so that I can use the bathroom without a screaming child outside the door….but I’m at wits end. It sometimes feels manipulative and I’m finding myself getting mad at her, which I’m sure doesn’t help. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Anonymous says
“it’s ok to be afraid, it’s not ok to have tantrums. how can we work together to keep your body safe?”
Anon says
How does she process things? Is she very verbal? Artistic? Does she like to read? Watch videos? Etc. Figure out her preferred medium (or two) and help her process the fears that way. Give her concrete steps to do when she’s scared.
My DD is very verbal and likes to listen to books. She watched Beauty and the Beast and got a very intense fear that wolves would come get her, esp at night. We helped her talk through what her fear was (they would come in through the vent in the bathroom) and validated her right to be scared. Then we talked about what we do to prevent animals getting in the house (Adults being home scares them away, our dog would bark and scare them away, the vent is small and no wolves can fit through it, etc) and also gave her concrete steps on what she can do if she’s scared. (Hug a special pillow, shine her flashlight at the door, sing a favorite song, and then call mom and dad if none of that helps.) We also read books on being scared – we checked out everything the library had – to help give her words and tools to process the fear.
NewMomAnon says
Kiddo is very verbal and opinionated…I’ve been asking her for ideas on things on that might help her feel better. I think the problem is that she wants me to help her, and doesn’t want to participate in brainstorming ideas so she could help herself. Maybe I need to stop doing this collaboratively and just set out a protocol for what to do when she gets scared. She has a stuffed dog that she turns to for comfort usually, and she likes to comfort the dog when he gets scared…maybe I’ll teach her a song to sing to the dog to help him be less scared.
Last night she spent an hour “giving love” to her babies because they had been “all alone” all day….they’ve been all alone for months. I suspect she’s feeling neglected or lost after some recent schedule shifts. It’s hard to draw boundaries when you feel responsible for your kid’s angst!
KateMiddletown says
Re: mummies – this is silly but the show Vampirina takes monsters/mummies/vampires and Disney-fies them. It’s cute and not too grating to the ears.
lsw says
Can anyone recommend books (either for me/adults or ones for toddlers) about stepfamilies? My 22 mo has really been talking a lot about his stepsister lately when she is not here. He touches her coat and brings out her shoes and says her name. It doesn’t sound like he’s asking, although I have tried to explain she is with her mommy. I would love some resources for learning to talk about this with him.
He does see her almost every day during the week (the school bus takes her to our house) and she is with us three nights a week and every other weekend.
Anonymous says
no advice but that is so sweet
lsw says
I know! They love each other. Fortunately, talking about “yaya” has taken over a very disturbing short period where he would scream and cry upon seeing her when we got home from day care and wouldn’t let her hug him. That was a really, really rough two weeks for all of us. Ugh! I think it’s all part of him working out why she’s not here all the time.
KateMiddletown says
The Family Book by Todd Parr talks about different types of families. Interested in other suggestions, too.
lsw says
Thank you! I will check it out. And I will post back here if I find anything else helpful.
KateMiddletown says
So we just found out this morning we’re having a girl. This is our 2nd together (first is 8 y/o) and my husband’s 4th(!!!)- stepdaughters are ages 16/18.
I didn’t really realize until the u/s tech announced it that I had been hoping for a boy, but I think I’ve processed that part and I’m just super happy that the baby looks healthy. Have you ever had disappointment over the gender? It feels silly because I was telling myself and others we didn’t care what gender and would be happy either way. Part of me is excited because girls are fun! And part of me is kind of let down because I was excited to have the different experience. (There may be 1 more baby after this, fwiw, but I hate the idea of doing that just to try for a different s3x.)
Jen says
Yes, every time. But only to a certain extent. I have 3 girls.
Girl #1, I was more shocked than disappointed- I had it in my head that I was having a boy, so it just took some time to process. I hadn’t pictured myself as a Girl Mom, or DH as a Girl Dad. Then I felt relieved because we dodged the circumcision decision.
Girl #2: I was due in the summer, and though I wanted a boy, was also relieved to find out it was a girl since (TOTALLY GENERALLY SPEAKING) summer girls fare better than summer boys re: being the youngest in their class around where we live (we have a red shirting epidemic).
Girl #3: I again had it in my head that this baby was a boy, because 3 girls is a LOT of girls. DH was 51/49 wanting a boy, but he’s just full out embraced being a Girl Dad at this point. When we found out, I decided it was a win because (a) hand me downs forever! three girls! and (b) we’d totally dodged having to make the circumcision decision once and for all.
So, my heart is not breaking at not ever being a Boy Mom. My daughter has a boy with 4 brothers in her class…apparently they had 3 and tried for a girl…and then decided to try again…and now they are a house of FIVE BOYS and I looked at that and breathed a sigh of relief that while I will have 3 teenage girls at the same time, I will not have three teenage boys eating me out of house and home :)
Anon in NYC says
Aw, hugs. I wanted a girl, but I convinced myself that I was having a boy. So much so that I had started envisioning myself as a “boy mom” and thinking about my husband with a little mini, and really began to love the idea of a boy. So I was SHOCKED when we found out that we were having a girl, and I did kind of mourn the loss of this idea of a boy that I had in my head. It took a few weeks, but I got over it and began to be really excited about a girl. And she’s great – no sadness about what could have been. And now I’m equally excited about either gender for a possible second kid.
My friend had a boy and hoped for another boy, and was disappointed that she was having a girl. But of course now she’s crazy about her daughter.
Delta Dawn says
I cried when the u/s tech told us it was another boy. Like you, I didn’t even know I was hoping for a girl until I found out it wasn’t a girl. Also like you, there may (or may not!!) be one more baby after this, but I also hate the idea of doing that just to try for a girl. And, like Jen’s story above, I figure trying for a girl is a real good way to end up with three boys.
That said, I got over that feeling after about a week. Now that baby is here, and I think there is something really special about two brothers. I will also say that I have both brothers and sisters (big family) and my sisters are my very best friends even now as adults. I love my brothers but just don’t have that closeness with them like I do with my sisters. Of course all families can be different! But I think your girls will have an opportunity for lifelong sisterhood that a lot of people would love to have.
Also, I posted here when I found out and asked if my disappointment was normal… I received an avalanche of responses, all of which said this is totally normal and is no reason to feel bad. Congratulations on your baby girl!
Anonymous says
I had twins and I REALLY wanted one of them to be a boy. I have no idea why. I don’t have any brothers, my husband doesn’t have any brothers, the only grandchild either set of parents had was already a boy. A boy could be transgender and want to be a girl later. I don’t even know. I just wanted one, and I was really excited to find out we were having one boy (and a girl).
That said, I realized recently (they are around two now) that I was picturing a very SPECIFIC little boy and a very SPECIFIC little girl in my head, and neither are what I have! I think I wanted a boy because I wanted more of my husband–that’s really why I wanted kids at all– so I was picturing tinyhusband in my mind. And I figured he would be boisterous or smashy or all the things we think boys will be (thanks society). It all sounded fun. Our boy looks NOTHING like my husband, he might as well be the mailman’s child. He is sensitive and passive and so sweet. He loves books like me. Our girl is a complete badass. She’s commanding and boisterous and just a little bit mean. She runs completely roughshod over her brother– and looks just like my husband.
I love both of them exactly as they are and would change nothing. But I say all this to hopefully help you see whatever you thought you might get as a “boy mom” this time around might just be what you get with your girl! They’re all such different little people, it’s so fun to watch. Congratulations on your daughter!
Anonymous says
+1 to this. I wanted a daughter because they tend to be closer to their parents as adults. But the experience of raising a child is so unique to each kid and lots of kids don’t fit into gender stereotypes. My mom has no interest in shopping, makeup, nail polish etc and even though I’m fairly “girly” and bookish, my daughter definitely seems to have inherited my moms tomboyishness and my husband’s athleticism and inability to sit still. She’s incredible and I can’t imagine having any other child even though so far we haven’t done a lot of the stuff I envisioned us doing together.
October says
I really really wanted a girl with my second (well, really with both but especially the second since we had a boy). I took a while to come around to the idea of two boys, and didn’t believe the people on this board who said I would learn to love being a boy mom. Baby 2 is now 8 months old and he is so precious to me. He is sweet and cuddly and I love him in a different, wonderful way than my first. I cannot imagine not having him. Plus the idea of two brothers (or two sisters) is fun to think about – best friends in a way that only same-gendered kids can be. A baby 3 (or 4) is probably down the road, but right now I am loving on my boys (especially darling #2).
Running says
I’m 24 weeks pregnant with my second and have been running for a long time. I’m trying to continue to run throughout this pregnancy but my legs are really hurting – it almost feels like shin splits and really intense muscle pain/cramping. Last pregnancy I stopped running around 15 weeks because it felt uncomfortable in pelvic area. Now that feels totally fine. Is it the extra weight? Is it just time to switch to a different form of exercise?
Anon in NYC says
Personally, I hate running with a fiery passion so I’d find a different exercise, but if you really want to keep running, I’d consider whether you are dehydrated, or whether your calf muscles/hamstrings are tight. It could also just be the extra weight.
EB0220 says
I felt uncomfortable running with #2 much earlier than #1. I gave up well before 24 weeks, but for me it was more pelvic area discomfort. I’m sure you’ve thought of this, but any chance you need different shoes due to the extra weight? I know I start feeling it in my shins especially when I run in my Kinvaras and I’ve put on a little weight.
Pogo says
Does the pain continue to the next day, or stop after running? I stopped running around 30w because I was getting SPD pain that didn’t go away after running. I think I also had shin splint pain too. Compression stockings and a support belt were helpful to a point, but I switched to exclusively low impact at 30w.
You don’t want to do anything to mess you up long term, so I’d say quit while you’re ahead.
GCA says
I’m currently 28 weeks with #2, and went through this a few weeks ago. A more experienced friend suggested a few things to try: switching to shoes with more cushioning, and a good support belt (even if you have no pelvic discomfort, it might still be changing your gait). I switched shoes from the NB Zante to the NB 1080. Pre-pregnancy the 1080s would be far too much shoe for me, but they are exactly what I need now. I also went from using my regular belly bands as a stopgap support, to the heavy-duty Gabrialla belt I used with kid #1. I’m using the Gabrialla because that’s what I have and it works, but I’ve also heard good things about the Baobei and FitSplint supports. Finally, I plan to add in/ switch to pool running soon – it’ll be nice to run hard while feeling weightless.
GJ says
Could you low on Magnesium? I’m 31 weeks and have been having a LOT of cramping and restless legs. The Magnesium supplement my OB told me to take has been like a wonder drug. (BTW, you’re a rock star for running this long.)
Anonymous says
I found the new weight distribution / posture / wider pelvis altered my gait as early as the 2nd trimester and caused similar symptoms. Run/walk helped a lot for a while. Ultimately the impact + gait changes + relaxin really did a number on my feet (like, incessant foot pain for 8 mo post delivery) so I would strongly suggest listening to your body rather than pushing through pain as normal. Not to say immediately stop running, but don’t feel bad about walk breaks or ultimately stopping if you don’t find the pain to be getting better.
AK says
When was the last time you replaced your running shoes? Could be pain from ill-fitting or ill-supporting shoes.
I’d try that first before stopping altogether, but I also love running…
Running pregnant says
Yes I got a new pair of shoes a few weeks ago but the same kind I’ve always been wearing. Maybe I need something different now though.