Washable Workwear Wednesday: Midtown Shirt

Anyone have issues with the transition from formula to whole milk? DS started rejected formula bottles at 11 months. We started adding whole milk and did the transition over about 3 days. Quickly, DS started having a cough. He threw up in his sleep twice (which had never happened before). We went back to doing bottles of 25% whole milk, and everything went back to normal. Did that for a week, then moved to 50% whole milk. Did that for a week, then moved to 75% whole milk. DS threw up immediately after his first big bottle of 75% whole milk. (He also had just had a large dinner, so we’re not sure of the cause, but given the history, think it’s the milk.) DS is now a year… and we are still at 50% whole milk and hesitant to do more. I am going to the ped tomorrow for his annual, but wanted to know if anyone has had similar experiences or has suggestions.

In the last couple months my tall 4 year old has really taken to her Micro Mini scooter, but she’s saying the handles are too low. Is it time to get the Micro Maxi (which is the weirdest oxymoron name, imo…)? She is not super coordinated or athletic (see: not riding a scooter until almost 4) but it does seem like she needs the handles higher.

Let’s talk personal finance. I know there are a lot of money savvy ladies between the readers so I am curious how you invest your money. Last year have we invested a large sum of money with Chase brokerage services via their financial advisor but we see little return on our money. Additionally their fees are outrageous. Please share some ideas where I should start. It seems that paying for these services is not a good use of our money. Clearly we need to be hands on and constantly monitor the accounts. We basically want the money invested in such way that we can take out a large sum of money for a house down payment. I am also looking into opening a college savings plan for our son who is 5. We are in Illinois so I have heard the advisor directed Bright Directions 529 is the best. I am a lawyer and have no finance background but I am ready to educate myself.

I am burnt out at work (fed govt) mostly due to BS at work, but also because I have a kid with special needs during a two-year pandemic. I’m lead attorney on a case team in litigation, and until quite recently, I also was lead attorney on a massive investigation. The workload–combined with lack of resources and lack of support–is exhausting, so I’m applying for other jobs. Complicating all this is that we’re TTC a second child, and I need paid parental leave wherever I go. It’s hard to find another position with my specialty that isn’t jumping from the frying pan into the fire, or requiring a one-year wait to take advantage maternity benefits. While I hunt, I want to request “reduced” full-time hours so that I don’t have to be churning literally every minute from 8 to 5 while my kid is in daycare. Technically, billing anything upwards of 32 hours/week is full-time, and I’d get paid additional for hours more than 32. Given my lead role, I think my management chain will not be receptive. Any scripts? Should I tell management that I’m looking elsewhere? I think my chain will be more receptive if I blame the step-back on my family responsibilities, but I resent feeling like I have to put the blame on my family when it’s the job that sucks, not them.

As mentioned, potty training on the agenda this weekend. I followed the script to inform daycare, per Oh Crap, and as anticipated, the mean teacher was a real B about it this morning. From what I can surmise, it’s a staffing issue (center is experiencing this on the whole) because they have 4 kids already that need to go; and she can’t always take them as a one-off outside of group trips. So far today, she’s left snarky comments in our app: “having trouble pulling pants over diaper”; “told me he was dry but he pooped.” I’m forging ahead because he’s showing signs at home; but any experience with this kind of stuff at daycare??! (Also downloading the Oh Crap course on daycare). Thanks for the hand holding/moral support.

Birthday parties are back in full swing in our circle, so let’s hear your favorite party favors. I loathe all of the tiny plastic junk that ends up floating all around our house. I tend to prefer one bigger item. My favorites have included a beach ball, an animal-shaped balloon (non-helium), and a hula hoop.

Can I just say that watching the Ketanji Brown Jackson hearings brings up such mixed emotions? I love that she is a working mom that has clearly thought a lot about what it means to be a working mom, which is so amazing. But then I also have to watch all these old men clearly trying to trigger her and get a rise out of her with their ridiculous questions. She is handling it like a champ because she has dealt with this BS all her life. But it makes me angry that she can’t get angry and start yelling, spittle flying, like Brett Kavanaugh. We all know she can’t do that. This is progress? So frustrating.

And bless Senator Hirono for opening her questioning (after Hawley) with the question “Have you ever been credibly accused of sexual assault?” and just letting that “No” answer hang in the air.

Anyway, just in my feelings about this historic nomination but also all these conservative men rubbing it in our faces at how little progress has really been made by how these hearings are going.