Our kids liked having window markers. They drew pictures on the car windows. If you clean them at night it is easy to remove :) just be careful about having kids who are more confined in car seats who can't reach the window with their dominant hand to color!

Also, once I went in to the ER for my gallbladder, the symptoms had somewhat resolved. They could find nothing. Make sure if you go in, that you are actually experiencing symptoms, or you may be sent home repeatedly. Once I was actually seen in the ER as I was experiencing an attack, they discovered it was pretty serious, and I needed surgery. However, it was 2 days before they would do it, and I had to sit in the hospital the entire time, with nothing to eat or drink (IV). They said the whole system needed to "calm down" before they would do anything for it. So it was a case of needing to be really sick to be diagnosed, but then needing to be symptom free to remove! It was a pain...

I may have a different opinion. I had my gallbladder removed, my symptoms were horrible stomach pain, but never the bowel issues. Pain and vomiting, lots of vomiting. Mine would always be connected to fatty dairy, like ice cream. I could eat big meals, greasy foods, etc with no problems. My DH on the other hand has severe reflux. To the point of Barrett's esophagus. If he is unmedicated, he sounds like you. Horrible stomach cramps and pain, diarrhea. Comes and goes but lasts a fairly long time. If you're worried that it may be connected to the reflux, take a quick acting acid med like Pepcid for a bit, and go back on the Prilosec (since it will take a few days to kick in. If it is gallbladder, you should avoid fatty foods, possibly including dairy. That should get you through the holidays, then either try to have a meal that would set off a gallbladder & see if you have symptoms, or go off the acid meds and see if it recurs. Reflux might be set off by acidic food, spicy meals, eating too much, eating then reclining, bending down, etc. You can have your gallbladder checked and maybe an EGD (where they look at your stomach and esophagus with a scope to check for acid damage & ulcers). Hope you feel better!

We just bought the starter set for Christmas, along with a Wii U. The kids are also getting the Toy Story Play Set so that they can play in the toy story world, along with the 3 worlds that come with the starter set (Monsters, Pirates, Incredibles). The additional characters for the worlds that you already have are around 13 here, but some stores also have BOGO deals. The new play Sets come with a piece that gives you the new playset, as well as 2 characters. Those are 35-40 here. There are also power packs that give random powers or perks, like 10% more life, etc. You don't know what you are getting though. Those are about $5 and make good little stocking stuffers. Hope that helps!

We've done books, and pillow pets for the kids with their pj's. However, they don't like to ever get rid of them, so we decided on a flashlight friend this year.

I often do a quick care type of place or my PMD. You can see PA's at my OB's office - I saw once when I was in for a prenatal visit, and thought I had an ear infection. However, this pregnancy I went into a Walgreens quick care place, with a sinus infection & bronchitis. They treated me, but couldn't do anything for cough. I saw my OB the next day for a routine visit and she gave me a script for cough meds at the appointment, so even though they didn't treat the illness, they were able to give me a med that the quick care couldn't.

LOVE this :) :001_wub:

No post-it's here. Mine is securely covered by a Band-Aid that says What the Shrek? Nifty. I have occasionally put my laptop on the bathroom counter and watched an Amazon prime show while I soak in the tub. I'm not interested in being the show, just watching one!

What about a beef stew with lots of veggies, or pulled pork? Tacos with corn tortillas and toppings (you'd have to substitute or eliminate sour cream and cheese), or a baked potato bar with toppings. Gluten free noodles are more expensive than regular, but the rest of a pasta dish like spaghetti aren't too bad, and it is easy!

We used Benadryl based on weight for our DS when he started having hives. He was 11-12 mos the first time. I find, now that he is 4 that the dosage based on weight is even much higher than the dosage on the bottle. We'll decide between the two, or aim for middle ground. We calculated it based on mg per kg. The problem is here in the US, it is a calculation that required steps - convert pounds to kg, which tells you the number of mg. Then you have to figure out what the concentration is, to figure out how many milliliters/cc's you need. Our bottle is 12.5mg per 5ml. Math was not the strong subject for many of my fellow nursing students, and as a RN that CAN calculate doses, I always double check anything I'm given. It's too easy to miss a step, like the pounds to kg thing, or move a decimal point!

We use a lot of recipes from www.glutenfreeonashoestring.com She has gingerbread men, sugar cutouts, we are also making the Samoas, chocolate chip truffles, m&m cake mix cookies, and Andes candies cookies from there. We also make "oreo" truffles with the Ktoos gluten free oreo like cookies. We crush 2 packages with 1 1/2 8oz cream cheese. Make into balls and then dip in either white chocolate, almond bark, candy coating, or chocolate. You can google oreo truffles to see what the gluten version comes out like. These made a quart size freezer bag, and a half a quart size freezer bag worth of truffles. Not helpful if you're dairy free, but they are gluten free!

We peel first if they are Russets, leave the skin on and mash them that way if they are red :)

I had no contractions at all when I went in. I had an abnormal biophysical profile, and the baby had low fluid. I was not at all in or ready for labor, lol. Once the balloon was inflated I started contracting nearly immediately. Within a minute or two. Didn't stop until he was born. The balloon caused the contractions to start, they don't need to be there first. The little bit of Pitocin I had was much later, after the balloon came out, and was just to speed up / strengthen the contractions. I probably could have done without it, as my labor was not stalling, but it was 22 hours, so I was ok with a little speeding up!

I was induced with a VBAC, and it was not in a way that increased my risk. They used the foley balloon method that another poster mentioned, inserting it past the cervix, and filling with water to simulate the pressure of the baby's head pushing down. It worked really well for me, and it is what I am planning if I need to be induced with this baby (although I hope that it happens naturally!). I'm over 25 minutes away from any hospital, so the 45 minutes wouldn't be a "no go" for me personally! If you have specific questions let me know :) ETA: I did have some Pitocin once I was in labor, as he was getting close to being born. It was on for a short time only though, and at a lower dose than they would have used for someone not having a VBAC

I think you need to go with your gut as well. For me, I chose a VBAC. I was induced, and if I go to my due date, they will likely induce again, this time due to high blood pressure, with my son who was VBAC he had very low fluid and ended up pretty stressed with meconium. The VBAC was still very successful though, and obviously I would do it again. My OB doesn't have a problem with inducing for a VBAC, didn't have trouble with them allowing me to try a VBAC or anything. They do not like to do more than 3-4 C Sections though. Since my first was a C/S, and I knew I wanted 4 kids or so, it was worth it to me to try. For me, I felt like it was what I should do. I'm very careful with the dangers I expose my kids/babies to, and despite the higher risk to baby with a VBAC, I still felt and feel like for me, it was the way to go. If you feel led to do another section, I don't see anything wrong with that! ETA: I've never went into labor either, although I didn't really fail to go into labor...my first was at 37 weeks due to blood pressure issues & breech presentation. DS was over 39 weeks but no signs of labor when they induced. I have no idea what that is like, hopefully this time I will do it on my own :)

All animals truly relish yodeling. CCCDB

Queens in leotards played scrabble. W A T P O

My DH is really hard to buy for. He doesn't play music. Has an ipod, but we can't afford anything bigger. Doesn't use apps, mostly listens to podcasts. He is into guns, but those are out of our budget. Wears a work uniform, and would be disappointed if I bought him day off clothes. Doesn't dress up except occasionally. Has every tool imaginable. Not really into music or movies. Will eat candy of certain kinds, but not like I could get him something special. And his bday is right before Christmas, so it is doubly hard. This year, I paid for his conceal carry class, so that will cover his bday except for something small, and part of Christmas too since it was expensive...

Dinner and Supper mean the same thing here, the evening meal. We usually call it dinner. Lunch is Lunch. More often though, it is brunch because we don't get up early enough, or eat early enough once we are awake to have both breakfast and lunch. It's 1:30 here and I'm having brunch....

Speaking just for me, if I have the kids with me, they aren't aware of any fear or anxiety on my part. Having them sleep by me is a fun thing for them, a treat or "sleepover". More like, when Daddy is away, everyone gets to play :) They'll watch a movie later in my room, and sleep with mom, which Dad only usually gets to do. It's part of a more relaxed schedule we have when DH is gone. He goes to bed early, so we have to be quieted down pretty early. I'm a night owl and will allow that as a special treat for them. I wouldn't do this if it was for a long period, but usually DH would only be gone a night or two, or at the longest a work week, leaving Monday am and returning Fri or Sat sometime. They wouldn't sleep by me every night either. Usually once for a 1-3 night away, and maybe twice if he is gone a week.

I also really hope that while he is gone I will not see a centipede....because then I would have to explain the hotel bill :scared:

I just make sure I locked the doors, have a cell phone handy, and leave some lights on. Sometimes the TV, with the sound off so I can hear anything! I also know the combination for the gun safe, and how to use them. I know the dog would react to anything, at least giving me time to grab the phone, get the kids, etc. It doesn't need to be an attack dog to alert you to the fact that there is a problem. Our dog is pretty protective of the kids and will bark if we rough house. I think she would feel the danger. I say a little prayer too. Sometimes I have the kids sleep with me :) They enjoy the cuddle time, and I don't have to worry, even irrationally that someone could get to them before me.

The DK Sticker Encyclopedias have been a huge hit here. My kiddos like the animals ones but they also have a Space book. Lots of stickers and info :) http://www.amazon.com/Sticker-Encyclopedia-Space-DK/dp/075665839X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1384393266&sr=8-6&keywords=space+encyclopedia ETA the link

We're making oreo truffles for Christmas. You mix oreos and cream cheese. Then dip in chocolate or white chocolate. Drizzle with the opposite kind of chocolate or top with leftover crushed oreos. Easy & yummy :) That might be an option that is bite size and kid friendly.

I made dinner even though I am sick out of appreciation for my DH's hard work cleaning the kitchen yesterday. Took my kids to fill Operation Christmas Child boxes Tried to handle it gracefully when DS was upset that he didn't get to keep everything we picked out.