It seemed pretty accurate to me. Well, my naked tummy will never look quite the same due to my skin, but size wise about the same. I couldn't tell the difference going up and down 10 pds or so, which is interesting as I've been contemplating staying a bit curvier after this pregnancy and I wanted to see what I'd look like. I think I like a bit of extra curves (and I know dh does).

I also list based on the commandments broken for the most part. Penance is sometimes prayers or sometimes other things, like doing something nice for mil who I struggle with or such.

:iagree:

I'm not surprised that it happens, either as a turn-on or as a way to control women.

Yep, I get that too, rather randomly. People ask about my births or somehow know from someone else then tell me all about their medicalized births and how it is good they were at the hospital etc. I don't ever solicit this, I rarely comment beyond a hmm, or that sounds bad etc. I don't talk about my birth either unless someone asks and then I give only as much details as asked for and then I try to evade. It is evidently bothersome to others to even hear about it my experience so I just keep it to myself as I prefer not to be attacked for my choices either. I had a women tell me one time about how "I'm not cool" or such for having a hb." I didn't even know how to respond, yet again in this situation I was asked about hb and I didn't even remotely bring up the subject and only answered as briefly as I could without being rude, but it is a curiosity here because it is so rare.

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I'll have to see if my library has it.

:iagree: I've researched those things myself and you'd have to sell yourself with something really special before I'd even consider it and even then I'd be cheap to buy it. I've seen those a lot those days on various successful blogs though, it seems to really do it well often that you have to build up yourself first through proven content before others are going to trust your opinion. Even of those that are sucessful though in that genre I've only seen one that I thought might be worth it as the others just gave imo basic info that anybody could find with little reading.

Can you elaborate? My dd1, who is also 5, is more prone to sassiness. I think in part due to her personality, she is just intense kind of kid. I've done a few different things- ignoring, making her repeat in a nice manner, sending her to her room until her attitude improves but I don't know that we've reached the perfect solution yet and I'm excited to hear other options.

Too funny, but I've had that happen before as well.

Not all are though. Any small enough to fit in a backpack probably wouldn't be too heavy. I want to sign up for the bubble of perfect kids and put in my order now before the teen years :)

It's been ages since I've made them but I never had any issues(due to gluten issues). They weren't always pretty but the worked and weren't very hard imo.

:grouphug: I agree with everyone else, I'd avoid her like the plague. I hope you get some answers and the support you need.

Unless we are in the direct sun extended periods, ie in a pool all day, etc, I don't do anything. This summer I've used sunscreen once, on my fair 2.5 yo playing at my Mom's pool. Ds does have a swim shirt but the others don't, his was a hand me down. My kids are outside everyday, often for many hrs but they haven't even been red. I do find that they roam from here to there generally and will be in the sun off and on and the shade, as they get hot. eta: I have a few different natural sunscreens but I used regular the other day at Mom's house as that is what she had.

Yes, I am blessed. As Martha said in such situation the mom has to deal with the consequences of her choice. Especially when you are living separately you have less input over the life of your child.

Yes, we all have to live by our own standards and are responsible for our own decisions.

I use Chrome and I cannot see it.

I would and have educated dh about various things. I guess it is beyond my understanding that a reasonable person would ignore the facts, especially in something relating to the health of their young child. Dh defers to me on most matters of babies, well pretty much all matters on babies until we get to the toddler/discipline stage. As he would say I've researched and studied and he hasn't and doesn't care to because he trusts me in such matters. Small babies are always with me as well, pretty much until 18 months or so unless I'm in the shower or bathroom. It would be a pretty hard thing for someone to do.

Yes, it would hurt me, no it wouldn't surprise me. I had this discussion with my mom and she basically said it was her expectation that children should always visit parents. It really, really bothered me for a good while as I begged and asked her over and over to come out and there was always an excuse. I had to let go of all expectation and take our relationship and hers with my kids for what it is. She also misses out on a closer relationship as well due to this but everyone does love each other. So, I visit how often I feel like, knowing that reciprocation isn't likely. I don't let her guilt me into visiting and generally she doesn't play that card anymore, knowing that she generally refuses to make an effort herself. My kids are much closer to the grandparents that live near us though and I'm glad that they have one set that is close. fwiw my children aren't hurt by it. They enjoy spending time with them but don't have an expectation of it being different, they just enjoy whatever time they have.

I'm glad to hear that! You have to stop letting people treat you that way!!!!

No one will be perfect, but I won't just throw in the towel either and say none of it matters. The health of our children is pretty high up there in priorities.

I haven't seen it mentioned either that soda is linked to lower bone density as well. Seems like obviously a horrible idea for a rapidly growing child.

Dh and I don't always agree exactly and his and my own family are more lax than I am by far, but soda for a baby is non-negotiable. I let mine have popsicles and suckers and grannies and drank capri sun, but they don't feed them anything until at least 18 months unless it is real food.

Your not a rapidly growing child though. Babies and adults bodies are not anywhere close to the same, which is why young children up to age 12 months need bm or formula the needs for their bodies are different.

:iagree: And I'd much less aghast at small amounts of wine then soda, although a baby that age doesn't need anything but bm or formula.

I don't remember last time with dd1 I couldn't use cd's until she was a month old, due to the house fire and not having my own laundry. I think we might have just done prefolds folded down along with the covers folded a bit as well. IIRC the cord only lasted 3 days or so though.