Open Thread / Weekly Recs
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Something on your mind/ Chat about it here. But first…
Pictured above:
- For the pregnant mama: I noticed someone was asking for navy maternity pants, which can be a bit difficult to find. The pictured pair comes in navy, black, and khaki, and is $53-$93 at Amazon; Loft, Nordstrom, and a Pea in the Pod all have options as well. Pictured: Maternal America Women’s Maternity Belly Support Skinny Trouser Pants Pants
- For the mom who’s always outside: these stretch linen pants from NYDJ look like a nice option if you’re always running around outside and not a fan of shorts or skirts. Note that the reviewers note to size down. They’re available in six colors for $110, sizes 0-16, regular and petite. NYDJ ‘Wylie’ Five-Pocket Colored Stretch Linen Blend Trousers
- For the moms in the Diaper Years: This diaper bag looks not only functional and stylish, but it’s part of the Born Free initiative, aiming to end mother to child HIV transmission by 12/31/15. Love that chain-link print combined with the exclusive Born Free pattern. The bag was $155, but is now $77.50 at ShopBop. Born Free Diane von Furstenberg Diaper Bag
I just went through this — I went from G/H during pregnancy to K after milk came in. The only thing I found suitable was Bravado no underwire bra, which the lactation consultant praised. The G/H you are now should be suitable to get you home from hospital/give you time to order proper size b/c as others have said, nursing bras are stretchy. I ordered everything off Amazon and with the Prime it comes in two days. After 3 months, I switched to Anita underwire bras–lactation consultant said underwire was ok at this point and I dropped back down to the G/H. After a few weeks, I also bought some Target G&O nursing tanks in size XL and XXL and some G&O sleep bras in XL; wish I had those right away. Milk (can get on Amazon) makes some nice solid colored nursing tees that I wore when out in public. I bought two and that was sufficient for my 4.5 months at home with baby.
Looking for a photographer to do newborn photo session in Westchester, NY (either in a studio or at my home). Any recommendations? TIA.
I’m pregnant with twins and feeling like my DH has no idea how different this pregnancy has been compared to my previous singleton pregnancy. Any suggestions for Dad focused websites/books on multiples that might help him see my perspective a bit more?
TIA!
Hello O Wise Ladies!
My best friend had her first baby last night! I’ve been invited to come visit her at the hospital and am wondering what you wish someone would have brought you?
I was thinking of making a basket with some ‘Soothies’, some snacks (granola bars, etc.) and a few magazines. She’s there until Thursday. What do you think? Should I just go flowers or what?
Grandparents question: My in-laws do not speak English as their first language. While they understand English perfectly, their speech is heavily accented and after almost a decade, I still have a hard time understanding them. My husband speaks to our daughter only in English. She’s a baby and therefore a long way from talking to my in-laws, but I’d like them to have a good relationship. We live in different cities, so we’ll need to rely on Skype/Facetime. I feel like the language barrier could be a hindrance to developing their relationship. Any tips or tricks for navigating this?
Another nursing bra question here:
When I first got pregnant and my chest grew (from a B to a C cup) it was very painful. I could tell immediately which of my bras were not as supportive, and also started having to wear a bra to sleep. From what I understand, the girls will get even bigger (maybe another cup size?) once my milk comes in and I start nursing. Yet when I look at nursing bras online (and the single one I’ve tried on IRL) they all seem so stretchy and unsupportive. I look for wide straps, a wide band, etc. like is comfortable now on my regular bras, but nursing bras seem to be more like what I’m currently sleeping in. Am I missing something here?
Thanks Kat! I asked about navy pants last week.
I recently returned the recommended pair, actually (#1). They would have worked fine but for the pockets— they really stuck out, even though the rest of the fit across the thighs/ butt didn’t feel too tight. They were like big ears sticking out from my thighs. Didn’t think that sewing them closed would solve the issue, and for the price, I wanted them to look better.
I will check out the other options you suggested, though. Seems to be a lot in ankle / crop lengths but I will persevere!
We’re strongly considering switching from daycare to nanny for our kids (ages 5, 2, and soon-to-arrive newborn). Mainly because it would save us from having to get three kids out the door in the morning and save pick up/drop off to two different places. We did it last year for PK and it was miserable but manageable, but at the time we had a much shorter commute and better schedule. The way it would work out now (we’ve recently moved, changed jobs) looks horrid on paper.
Two questions for people who have a nanny:
1) Did you provide a car for the nanny, have them use their car (you provide carseats?), or not have them drive at all?
The elementary school where my oldest will be attending (full day) kindergarten is within walking distance of our house. There is a park within walking distance, but in true suburban fashion there are no other activities or amenities nearby. We would expect the nanny to pick up the kindergartener (with the other two in tow), but I’m not sure if it’s too confining to leave them otherwise car-less. Options for cars we could leave behind are a very large truck (which can hold three carseats) or a very old sedan that can hold only two carseats. I assume a nanny’s car would most likely only accommodate two carseats as well.
2) Did you have nanny while you were home on maternity leave?
Baby #3 is due in January, and I’ll be home on leave for ~12 weeks. It would be convenient to get a nanny asap so that they can start by the time kindergarten starts, partly to avoid two locations and partly because we’re not loving their current daycare (we recently moved and this is the only place that had openings). But I’m wondering if it would be weird to have the nanny at home with me while I’m on leave. The other option would be keeping kid2 at current daycare and doing aftercare for kid1 at school for now and hiring a nanny about a month before I start back on leave in early spring. I’m thinking Sept is a better time to hire than March/April
My husband stay’s home with our son. He was a professional (CPA), and is keeping up his certification. We planned this in advance, from the time I started law school. My husband did not really like his job, and quit shortly before my son was born. He does occasional part time work to keep up his work history. He is also interested in a career change, but is undecided on what. I think he will re-enter the workforce full time when my son enters kindergarten or so (we hope to have a second child by then). It works well for us. I think all the lawyers I work with, male or female, have spouses with a less demanding job, and a lot have a spouse who stays home, especially if they have two or more children.
Last week’s open thread inspired me to ask this question, which is also based on my observations at work. I work in a very family friendly law firm. The vast majority of associates have young families, and we have many female equity partners (and our prior office managing partner was a mother).
But one thing that I’ve noticed is that, other than me, all the female associates with children have a husband with a relatively less (time) demanding career (so, wife is the biglaw attorney and husband is a teacher). It’s not so for my family: I bill about 2000 hours (give or take 50) a year and my husband, an IT professional–think CTO or equivalent–for a major corp. works even harder than I do and longer hours. We have two kids and obviously make it work, but it’s exhausting. And the only reason we can make it work is because my husband and I bought in fully to our gameplan of child care and can trust each other to pick up the slack when one person is just slammed at work.
So my question – what’s your family like? Two professionals? Does one parent eventually necessarily have to step back or lean back or whatever?
I am well-endowed (F/G and growing) and due with my first children (twins) around the holidays. I know it makes sense to wait to buy most of the nursing clothing, and especially bras, until size and routine are more fixed. But I need something to wear home from the hospital, and something to wear to the Christmas events that are likely to take place in the days soon after birth, when delivery of last-minute online orders may be delayed. Should I just buy a lot of nursing bras in various back and cup sizes and then send back whatever doesn’t fit after those first days? What brands would you wise ladies recommend for the busty? I would prefer at least one bra that is really supportive, since I will hopefully be going to church and family dinners and things, plus maybe one sleeping bra and one lazing-around bra. Also, are there any nursing clothes I should buy ahead of time? I will have some winter dresses that are maternity & nursing, so I’m hoping those can get me through the early weeks. Thanks so much!
I have the NYDJ linen pants, and, while they are comfortable, they stretch out over the course of the day and fall off my hips. I end up hitching them up with one hand and walking on the hems. Not fun.