https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:09:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dream-about-hellobee-1#post-2922593 Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:54:00 +0000 josina 2922593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Had to share, I had a dream about Hellobee last night that there was a new blog post up! :grin: :crying: </p> <p>I miss the blogs!</p> <p>Anyone heard anything at all? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pod-swing-thingy#post-2922274 Sat, 30 Jan 2021 14:20:21 +0000 Cait1 2922274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, does anyone have an indoor swing like in the picture? Thinking of getting this for my one year olds first birthday but unsure if there are suffocation or other risks I should think about. </p> [attach=4149/21/qnrhpx.337x600.CF29F0C0-C1AA-49EA-BC1D-B00030EF76D4.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/swimply-pool-rental#post-2917671 Fri, 24 Jul 2020 23:42:12 +0000 Corduroy 2917671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just writing up our experience since I hadn't heard of it before. Have you tried it?</p> <p>Our pools have been closed all season and it's been irking me that we walk past our ready to open neighborhood pool daily. Usually during the summer I'm wishing for more hours at home so we can make use of the pool. Now we're always around but it's closed (which I support from a pandemic standpoint).</p> <p>A few weeks ago decided I would drop some money to get in a pool. My original plan was to get a vacation rental but somehow I came across Swimply. It's essentially an Air BNB for pools. You can rent someone's backyard pool on an hourly basis. It's a little weird because it's almost guaranteed that the people are home and probably watching you but desperate times call for desperate measures. The first weekend spot I could find in our area was for tonight (about 2 weeks out). I paid $60/hour for two hours. We were allowed up to 10 people but we don't have a pod so we went as a foursome. We also used it as a celebration for the kids filling their good deed pom pom jar.</p> <p>The Covid risk seemed pretty low. Outdoor swimming is supposed to be very low risk. The owner greeted us masked, as were we. There was a bathroom available to us just off the house which was probably the highest risk part of it. The bathrooms and other amenities we're detailed on the pool description. This pool also offered a hot tub, grill and trampoline. That was good because I managed to pick a chilly evening in the middle of July. Although the pool was heated the kids started shivering after about 45 minutes of swimming. </p> <p>I'm glad I chose 2 hours instead of one. It took about 10 minutes for the host to show us around and for everyone to use the bathroom (as requested before entering the pool). And it took us about 15 minutes to get out, dry off and change with a few moments reserved for fits. </p> <p>Overall it was a nice treat. I don't think we would do it again until we could go with at least one other family to increase the value. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/inflatable-pool#post-2915824 Sun, 24 May 2020 18:46:29 +0000 winter_wonder 2915824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please share your inflatable pool recs. DD is 4 and we've never upgraded beyond the teeny plastic one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/may-day#post-2914837 Fri, 01 May 2020 18:13:55 +0000 winter_wonder 2914837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys, our neighbors just left May Day baskets on our porch and it was so sweet! :heart: </p> <p>These little things make such a big impact right now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/paint-color-help#post-2914274 Tue, 21 Apr 2020 10:33:04 +0000 Rocker2014 2914274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok brilliant HB-ers, I need some design help and you always have great suggestions! </p> <p>I have a small bedroom size office (roughtly 10x12') with cornflower blue carpeting. The carpet has been there since we bought the house is in great condition and very high quality so despite the fact that I HATE the color, it's staying. (no hardwood under it either). I'm transforming the room from my husband's office to my hobby room/guest room and I need to figure out a paint color to match. The walls are currently white, but I'd like to do something different. We have the same carpet in my daughter's room and we painted the walls a soft lilac and it looks great, but it's definitely a kids room color, not an office. </p> <p>What would you suggest? I'm wide open to ideas. The room is pretty bright from one good sized window. FYI, I tend to like very bold statements in design! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/jungle-jumparoo#post-2914206 Sun, 19 Apr 2020 10:23:57 +0000 MrsSRS 2914206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have one of these? Trying to decide if I should pull the trigger on a Jungle Jumparoo for the back yard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/setting-up-a-scholarshipaward-for-student#post-2907905 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:59:11 +0000 winter_wonder 2907905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone ever set up an award/scholarship at a university before? How complicated is this? Some former students and I from the same grad program, who had the same mentor want to create a travel scholarship/award for current grad students in our mentor's name. It would give a current grad student an opportunity to attend a conference. </p> <p>Any ideas on setting this up? Contact the chair of the program? How is the money part managed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/planner-for-2020#post-2907084 Fri, 27 Dec 2019 17:38:22 +0000 winter_wonder 2907084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need planner recs please! I'm partial to vertical day layouts if possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2019-reflections#post-2907188 Sun, 29 Dec 2019 21:21:00 +0000 winter_wonder 2907188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought it might be fun to do some 2019 reflections! Best thing, most difficult, something I learned are some prompts :happy: </p> <p>Best thing: I had an amazing summer with DD! We did so many fun firsts together!</p> <p>Most difficult: Work feels a bit unstable right now. I am not confident in the direction we're moving.</p> <p>Something I learned: Denial is a powerful emotion that can severely hold people back from their potential. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nugget-comfort-worth-it#post-2900285 Tue, 22 Oct 2019 15:33:52 +0000 sckim 2900285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have one of these? Is it worth it?</p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nuggetcomfort/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/nuggetcomfort/?hl=en</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-find-hello-bee#post-2901919 Sat, 09 Nov 2019 14:36:43 +0000 cake2017 2901919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I came across HB about two years ago when I was looking for more information about baby sleep. </p> <p>What about you?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-ideal-place-to-live#post-2898433 Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:38:24 +0000 bhbee 2898433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not in a “money is no object” kind of way (although you can add that too!), but realistically looking at finances and any other factors you would consider. </p> <p>“Fall” in Texas (97 yesterday) really breaks my spirit and we always talk about moving. But where, we don’t know! (Even if you look past the whole finding a new job thing.) If money didn’t matter we’d definitely move back to the Boston area. But one of the reasons we moved south is cost of living. We grew up in the Midwest and also talk about that some, but nothing feels just right yet so I’m waiting to see where life goes. I’m glad we lived in big cities without kids/with only one kid, but don’t really want to do it now with 3!</p> <p>Do you have an ideal and why? Or a dream place even if you can’t afford it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-social-worker-after-adoption#post-2895835 Thu, 29 Aug 2019 23:32:26 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2895835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are finalizing with our youngest in November. I think I asked this question last year, and got some good advice, but I ended up having a local artist do this (which references the starfish story, often used in adoption stories). There's no way I can top this. The social worker is the same person, and she's been a friend and coworker as well. At the time we adopted our first, we were close friends and I felt like she'd gotten us through a very difficult foster care case with grace and understanding. This year things are a little different, this case has been easy peasy for everyone and she really hasn't done much at all, plus, we've grown apart as friends and are no longer coworkers. It's all fine, but I don't feel like the same sort of gift would be appropriate. But giving her a card seems silly after what we did last year. Any brilliant ideas? Am I overthinking this? </p> [attach=5595/19/px18m2.450x600.IMG952603.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-do-you-want-to-retire-1#post-2895352 Fri, 23 Aug 2019 18:18:33 +0000 cake2017 2895352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you and DH talked about it? If so where do you see yourself settling....?</p> <p>We go back and forth with FL, NC and somewhere out west maybe. DH keeps repeating AZ but I don’t see myself there in retirement. </p> <p>It’s all about great weather(warm) for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-dangers-of-posting-on-craigslist#post-2887891 Sat, 15 Jun 2019 18:27:16 +0000 nana87 2887891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re doing some spring cleaning and dh posted a bunch of stuff on Craigslist to sell. This was a response to a post selling a boppy... I’m not one to laugh at other people’s kinks, but this is quite the response to selling a nursing pillow! </p> [attach=1484/19/pt5yhg.539x600.23F3E707-37FA-4071-960E-77E1920BD23E.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/swing-set-in-backyard-worth-it#post-2880812 Mon, 15 Apr 2019 10:49:56 +0000 periwinklebee 2880812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have a swing set in your backyard? We are finally getting a yard (super foreign to me as a long-term city dweller). We have to rip out an old shed (safety issue), so there's a logical place to put a swing set with a fall zone (would be cheaper than seeding grass, I think). But there will also be a really nice playground within walking distance, which has far more equipment than anything we'd put in a backyard. If you have a swing set did it hold interest for your kids, or did they bore of it quickly? What are the big safety considerations? Alternative suggestions for backyard fun (water table? etc) or specific swing set suggestions? Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/graduation-weekend-feels#post-2884974 Sun, 19 May 2019 08:35:49 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2884974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO and I just came back from my SIL’s college graduation and I’m already feeling a little melancholy about one day going to his. She graduated from a small honors, liberal arts school. Cap and gown was optional even for both students and professors. LO loved the costume parade. He saw a “Baby” Shark and Spider-Man. :grin: Of course I also thought about how much his education is going to cost us and hope his college fund grows enough to finance his dream’s foundation. We have $60k in there now and 15 more years to grow that and contribute more and yet that feels so inadequate. :crying: :bummed: </p> <p>Oh, and this happened...immediately after the ceremony was over the school had appetizers and desserts out. Of course LO managed to dip his brand new sneakers in the very artificial blue cupcake frosting. :silly:</p> <p>Anyone else feeling anxious &amp; excited about LO’s college experience!?</p> <p>[attach=3033/19/prr73q.450x600.3D1FE3C0-26A2-4657-9DB7-6640C5B9CF18.jpeg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-sweet-16-like#post-2873475 Fri, 22 Feb 2019 10:59:35 +0000 josina 2873475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thinking of ideas for my step-daughter's 16th birthday, and thought it'd be fun to hear what everyone else's was like.</p> <p>What did you do for your 16th birthday? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-your-candy-hearts-say#post-2872005 Thu, 14 Feb 2019 10:01:51 +0000 bhbee 2872005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stole this off fb today. One of mine would definitely say “get off her” (the baby) and “if you throw one more time ...” :silly: </p> [attach=4253/19/pmx8f3.336x600.197C6DBF-2D2F-4B00-B186-EBF2DD84039A.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/special-delivery-home-buyers-edition#post-2871149 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:19:06 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2871149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The buyer’s don’t close on my house until early next week. Today, while movers packed up my belongings FedEx arrives with a delivery from Wayfair from the buyers. WWYD</p> <p>1. Keep the delivery, stowe it somewhere safe that it won’t get broken or inadvertently get put on the moving truck?</p> <p>2. Send it back to the sender since it’s not your delivery and the people’s name on the box do not own the home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-photography-sessions#post-2869960 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 20:59:46 +0000 irene 2869960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A curious play space question: </p> <p>From 1-10, How important are family photo sessions to you? 1 being totally indifferent, never would hire a photographer for such a cause, and your family photos are 95% selfies on the phone; to 10 being "obsessed", booking it at least once a year for the year-end holiday cards, ordering matching outfits, studying what venue + time in the day to get the best lighting, hiring make up and hair stylists and plot out the whole day months ahead to ensure the most beautiful outcome.</p> <p>I started joining these FB mom groups, which are filled with photographers booking mini family sessions and moms jumping on them. Moms on HB doesn't seem to talk about it that much, or maybe I didn't read diligently. Personally I never care for them. It would be nice to have nice pics, but too much effort to orchestrate for this one day where there are no birthday parties, no sports practices/games, no events, no tantrums, no illness, no rain. And then I also feel that the photos are sometimes a little staged. Strictly my personal opinion. I feel that one day I'll finally wake up and regret we never ever hired a photographer to do family portraits for at least one time! But at the moment, I am a solid 1. </p> <p>Curious to hear what others think! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-straighten-up-your-house-before-the-cleaning-lady-comes#post-2868755 Fri, 25 Jan 2019 10:39:44 +0000 irene 2868755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I do, and I feel like an idiot lol. So I wonder if other people do it too! If you don't, does your cleaning lady actually tidy up your mess..? I just feel like if I don't, they are going to clean around the mess.</p> <p>Actually I do that too every morning before we get out of our hotel room before the maid comes in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-this-real-life-1#post-2869456 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 14:35:23 +0000 Ajsmommy 2869456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH and I have been having a multitude of disagreements lately and the biggest bone of contention is where our kids play... aka: their play space.</p> <p>First let me say we are moving at the end of march into a new home we built that will hopefully remedy this issue.. although I still think DH's expectations are a little wacky...</p> <p>So for right now in our current home we have a kitchen that opens to a large dining room and then an off shoot that goes into our living room. There are 2 shelves of toys in living room, a playhouse and a few bins in one corner and other toys lining the wall under the tv (no tv stand). There are also toys in the dining room lining a bit of the walls (play kitchen and book shelf with stuff) </p> <p>The issue is that our kids will play with said toys and they become scattered all over the living room. I'll be the FIRST to admit we do not pick up every night. DH becomes so angry and he has decided that there will be NO TOYS in the living room going forward. </p> <p>Is that a thing? Does anyone else have your living room toy free???</p> <p>I just don't see how it's possible? Where do the kids play....? do I have to go wherever they are and sit and watch them bc I can't see them from the living room?</p> <p>I think we can remedy the issue if we institute a mandatory pick up before bedtime, which I am starting to do (DD is 5 yo, DS is shy of 2)... I'm hoping maybe this will ease the tension all around and fix the problem. </p> <p>But DH swears that in his home growing up there were no toys, and his dad told them when they could play and where they played.. tell me this is just him blowing steam.. bc it seems ridiculous to me!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/music-at-kid-festival#post-2866647 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:36:52 +0000 cat620 2866647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on the PTA for the preschool my kids go to, and every year they do a big spring festival where they hire a DJ and other entertainers. We went last year, and my husband made a comment that he thought the music was inappropriate for a preschool festival. Keep in mind these kids are all between 2 and 5 years old. The music included "Blurred Lines," a couple Pitbull songs and other popular songs. </p> <p>Now that I'm on the PTA board this year, I'm thinking about bringing it up before we start planning the spring festival, but first I wanted to hear from others to make sure I'm not being unreasonable. Nobody seemed to mind the music at the festival, but I can see how some of the lyrics aren't exactly kid appropriate. Would you say something to the board about changing the music, or do you think it isn't a big deal? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-your-2019-new-year-resolution#post-2864220 Mon, 31 Dec 2018 19:07:39 +0000 irene 2864220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What's your 2019 New Year Resolution ? Go!<br /> Once you write it down you gotta do it! You have a year :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/greatful-for-the-little-things#post-2863468 Mon, 24 Dec 2018 11:47:13 +0000 josina 2863468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In contrast to the vent post, to prove we're not grinches :silly: </p> <p>What 'little' things are you grateful for this holiday season? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/something-new-you-want-to-learntryexperience#post-2859688 Sun, 02 Dec 2018 21:01:55 +0000 SweetCaroline 2859688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Many of my favorite memories from 2018 are of trying new things or learning new things. In 2019, I'm going to form a personal goal around this concept. Some things I will do by myself, others with DH and some as a family.</p> <p>I'm not sure what my goal will be...likely to try/learn X new things per month. I would include trying a new recipe. That will be balanced with larger new things like learning in depth about the new board position I recently accepted.</p> <p>What would you like to learn/try/experience for the first time that you could feasibly accomplish in 2019? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-help-me-pick-a-play-kitchen#post-2854946 Mon, 05 Nov 2018 13:03:35 +0000 agold 2854946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Please let me know if you have experience with either of these two play kitchens or can recommend one over the other:</p> <p>Pottery Barn Kids All-In-One Retro Kitchen: $279 on sale<br /> KidKraft Boho Kitchen at Target: $110 </p> <p>I will have it for quite a few years (so I want it to be good quality); it will likely be downstairs in the family room for the next couple of years (so I want it to look nice); and, most importantly, I want my girls to have fun playing with it. Does the lack of counterspace on the PB kitchen make it less functional than the KidKraft? Is KidKraft good quality? Is there another kitchen you can recommend? Thank you for your help! Its a big and exciting purchase by my mom for my kids. </p> [attach=6320/18/phqfi0.600x600.GUEST_33d6f581-af4e-424a-899d-84738a8f12d0.jpg] [attach=6320/18/phqfi1.600x529.all-in-1-retro-kitchen-o.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/alexa-baby-shark-video#post-2853131 Wed, 24 Oct 2018 22:43:17 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2853131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you all seen this? Too cute &amp; too funny!</p> <p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&#038;v=JzfBedGaIjU" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&#038;v=JzfBedGaIjU</a></p> <p>Kids these days have totally embraced technology even if the tech hasn’t caught up with them! 😂</p> <p>Last night my mom called me and LO wanted in on the conversation, took the phone and said “I can’t see her. She no FaceTime.” What’s your little techie up to? </p>