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@Mrs Hedgehog: I would kill for overtime!
I have always prayed they would someday change my profession to start getting overtime...haha...they'd go broke though. Thats awesome though. We get to roll holidays since we usually are too busy to take them - so I have a few extra days I could use. My boss is super laid back too - so I am planning to save the "extra" days to take the week between Christmas and New Years off!@Alivoo01: Can you imagine an auditing job with overtime? I think I would have stayed at D&T working 90+ hours a week (just to get paid twice my salary) for another year or two at least!
Pregnant lady self control - they just accidentally gave me a full size salad as a part of my pick two at Panera (Greek Salad + Broccoli Cheddar Soup) and I didn't touch the salad just had the soup and bread chunk! I'm shocked in myself. However, I guess I shouldnt be proud since I had a Blizzard after lunch today - whoops!
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@Mrs D: The crib set is from Baby Gap, I think it's called Sleeping Snails
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Oh man I have been terrible at keeping up lately. Too busy with work. But hoping I can stay more i voiced with the thread in a couple weeks when I'm done work for the summer.
Hope everyone is doing well. I know some ladies have showers this weekend so have a blast! I have my book club shower this afternoon and can't wait! I get nervous when a shower or party is for me but luckily this time it's a joint shower with my best friend. So that'll take some of the "everyone is staring at me opening presents" pressure off!
Have a great weekend. Hope everyone is not too hot.
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Nursery furniture is all here!!!
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@Mrs D: Love the wall colour and the blanket! The birds are so cute! The chair looks so comfy, we're really torn between a rocker and a glider. I just don't know what would work better for babe!
Do you girls think it's OK to paint? I've heard both, yes and no? If I wore a mask I would think it should be OK? I did hire a girl to come do the nursery, a bathroom and our bedroom, but now she can't do it until July ( ish. ) I have a feeling if I wait that long to paint my nursery I'll have a breakdown one day that it's not done. Plus I think my shower will be at the end of June and my sisters said it'd be nice to have it at my place. It would be nice to have the nursery done then anyway if people wanted to see it.
I've hit a new level of exhaustion in the past few days, it's crazy. I got up and drove my husband to work yesterday ( someone hit his car in he parking lot and it got written off last week. It was fine cuz he drove a beater and was planning on getting a new truck soon anyways, just a hassle to have to do it right away. The major bonus is the truck we are looking at has air conditioned seats! Being pregnant in the summer may have just gotten more manageable haha) So when I got home, I was well intentioned to be productive, showered and did my makeup.. then went back to bed and didn't get up until after 3. I literally couldn't muster up the energy to get out of bed all day! It was crazy!
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Wahoo! My mom just ordered our stroller and a Timi and Leslie diaper bag for my shower! (Well, I ordered it on her credit card, because she couldn't figure it out, haha). So excited to have at least one MAJOR thing crossed off the list! DH is a little sad that the B-Agile in Kiwi was so much more expensive (we got black), but ultimately, I think he'll be just fine, haha.
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@redsmarties: good choice on the b agile! We went for the b ready as we plan on having another pretty close in age so it will save some $$ in the long run. I'm obsessed with it! Britax is an awesome brand ( in my opinion ) and the strollers are so light and easy to use!
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@Mrs D: yay for nursery furniture!!
@MrsB2012: I think as long as you're in a well ventilated area (windows open) you should be ok. Not sure what you mean by mask; it would have to be an expensive filtering one to do anything. Would highly recommend no voc paint.
I survived the first day of childbirth class and my shower!
Rundown of class: the nurse ago ran it was excellent. She chose to have a natural childbirth 30 years ago, which was an interesting perspective. We started with icebreakers/introductions (there were 8 couples). She handed out a lot of paper; explained how our bodies are changing, what 10 cm looks like (ouch...my candy lifesaver (aka cervix) had bubbles in it and broke. Hope that's not a sign!). We did exercises that i may or may not remember to do on a regular basis (supposed to help strengthen muscles for labor and delivery). Practiced breathing. She went through labor symptoms and showed us a traumatizing one hr video from 1988 (seriously; the 4 yr old siblings in the video had popples). I did not need to see three strangers' vajayjays who are currently my mothers age. My DH had a hard time watching the video and listening to the nurse discuss the various colors of the mucus plug. I of course took great joy in taunting him with this ;).
The shower was at a small tea shop. My dss was super cute and wrote a note to the baby that I will save forever. There were a few women there who were friends of my mil that I didn't recognize. I just kind of awkwardly looked off in their general direction when opening their gifts. We got so many clothes!!
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@redsmarties: If possible, I plan on starting mat leave one week before my due date. I don't see the problem, unless you have a strenuous job or if you aren't feeling well.
@StbHisMrs: Great haul! I'd love a mamaroo, but somehow I can't justify it.
@delight: Hope you had a great shower!
@Mrs D: LOVE that chair!
@MrsB2012: I've seen lots of stuff that says painting is fine. I made sure that I only used no-VOC paint with the windows open. And now, my worry would be trying to get into awkward positions to edge or straining my back using the roller above my head.
@StrawberryBee: I'm glad you survived! And it doesn't sound like it was too bad, which is good.
AFM, my Ergo came today. Had fun putting a doll in it and seeing what I could do "hands free". Also, my butt is protesting a LOT today. I spent a good chunk of the day swearing at the sudden stabbing butt pain. I googled it, and it sounds a lot like pelvic girdle pain. If it keeps up, I'll have to see a physiotherapist or I won't be able to walk.
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@MrsB2012: Funny you should mention paint...thats what I have been doing for the last day. I had a long chat with my SD (OBGYN - since I think you are new enough here that you may not recall that detail) and the ladies at my local Home Depot - they all say that the fumes in paint now is SO low and just be sure to be in a ventilated area. All my painting has been in the nursery (so a 11x13 space) with the window open.
@StrawberryBee: So glad the shower went well. At my bridal shower I did not know 3 women from DH's mom's work and I was super uncomfortable. Luckily they all sat together so like you I just looked in their general direction. Sounds like you got some nice loot!
@Grace: Thanks - its my favorite thing in the room!!! My butt pain has been off the charts too - so annoying!!!
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@Grace: @Mrs D: thanks for the advice on painting, I think I'll get on that next week!
I had extremely bad pelvic pain a month or two ago. It was so bad I'd be in tears at work. Sometimes I'd step wrong and almost fall it was so painful. I went to a chiropractor once and haven't had a problem since. Maybe see if that can help. I guess with all the relaxin floating through our body, our bodies shift and we don't really know.
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@Mrs D: Have you tried looking on Amazon for nail polish? I had looked a while back and they had some pretty pink ones for cheap. You could mix and match if you needed to as well. PS is your crib the Madison from PBK? If so we have the same one!
@StrawberryBee: Glad you enjoyed your childbirth class and survived your shower! So exciting that you got a lot of clothes. Baby outfits just might be my most favorite thing ever!
So my baby to-do list keeps getting longer and longer. Suddenly two months just doesn't seem like enough time! Eeek!
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Ladies, I need a possible reality check.
My shower was today, and it was lovely. I got some really neat things but mostly clothes. I think 3 people of 20 bought something off our registry and the rest went off registry and bought clothes.....
I have to buy all our big ticket and even just general practical things like bottles and soothers and stuff....
Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful that people thought of us and we will seriously have a well dressed little kid, I guess I just expected a baby shower to help out with costs of having a baby and I'm seriously going to have to buy everything.
Eta: I hate myself for pouting about. I hate that I'm feeling slightly ungrateful. Please kick my butt.
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@Grace: @Mrs D: @skipper2010: Thanks!
@.twist.: I had pretty much a similar experience and am feeling the exact same way, so don't feel bad! One of my friends chastised me for buying stuff myself, and when I said, "did you see how much stuff I had on the registry? *smile*" she said, "Oh, I didn't buy/look at anything off your registry." Yeah, I can tell ;).
And maybe only 10% included gift receipts (though I went through the bags pretty quickly, need to sort through everything again). We got TONS of clothes. A good assortment of sizes which was great, but honestly, I can't imagine her wearing that many 3m clothes, or 6m... I think each person got her at least three outfits.
Of practical items, we received the video monitor (Foscam), a few developmental toys, the nursery bedding, the play gym, some bottles, and about four packs of 0-3m soothies lol. My MIL & FIL also gifted us with the stroller and carseat, which is huge but I feel bad, because I know that it was difficult for them to afford it. She told my DH that she got it for everyone else, so she was going to get it for us as well.
As you say, it's so appreciative to get so many things. I know what you mean that you're not complaining, just looking at everything remaining on the registry and wondering how it's all going to happen! I guess just remember that not everything is needed all at once? For instance, I have feeding items on the registry, but I know that won't be happening until 6 months-ish. Someone bought the bathtub but it wasn't at the shower, so I'm curious about that.
My plan is to take stock of all the clothes we have by size and possibly return some if I feel like we have an excessive amount of one item. Hopefully some things were from BRU and I can get store credit to apply to other items. There were surprisingly few outfit repeats. Very few socks, and no newborn hats/caps.
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@StrawberryBee: ah! I'm honestly so glad that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I'm so frustrated with myself!
Of practical items, we got: breathable bumpers, video monitor, waterproof mattress pad, some wipes/diapers, diaperbag.
Of everything else we got: a ton of blankets (like quilts, not receiving), clothes, socks, hats, shoes and toys.
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@.twist.: it's hard to feel like you're being judgmental of gifts. The thought is lovely, the items are lovely, it's just that that pink ruffly pantset is maybe not quite as high on the list as the ability to bathe your child, or feed your child, or have a place for them to sleep when you come home from the hospital. I don't care how much they complain, I'm still proud of myself for finding a rock n' play on NBD for $50! And having bought stuff slowly, I don't have to worry about a giant hit of costs as I'm gearing up to pay a potentially large hospital bill. Let's face it, no one was buying me 24 cloth diapers, or the car seat base -- they weren't 'cute' items that were exciting to the gifter. Thank goodness a lot of this stuff isn't really necessary.
Oh, we also got a lot of sheets from my MIL. I don't imagine we'll need 6 sets of sheets (I understand that messes happen, but still ;)). I feel a little bad at the waste of some of it.
And I have to say, the baby shower was still stressful to me. I would never tell them that because they tried to put so much thought and effort into it, but I'm just no good at being 'on' and the center of attention. I'm the first of my friends to have a baby shower, the first of my family, so I have no experiences to draw from as to how I should act (a well-timed post from another bee just made me aware that I should give thank you gifts to my mom and MIL for hosting. Of course I would have done thank you cards and have already thanked them in person profusely, but now I have to figure out what to get them!).
I feel horrible for feeling that way :(.
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@Grace: Ugh, that sounds super uncomfortable.
@StrawberryBee: Glad the day wasn't as overwhelming as you anticipated
@.twist.: I don't think you're being ungrateful. We're in a super small space, and NEED our baby stuff to be a very carefully curated selection of items without a lot of fluff that just takes up much needed storage space. Getting a crap ton of stuff that you don't/barely need would be slightly annoying to me as well. My mom keeps giving me shit for buying stuff that "people might want to give you at your shower", but I just feel like 1) we'll be in the same boat as you where people will just bring clothes and 2) my shower isn't until at least labour day weekend since she wants it AFTER baby is born and then working out a day that's convenient for people, I'm assuming they'll just combine it with people coming over for cake for my bday that weekend. Pretty much if I could live without it for a month and a half it doesn't make the list of things I'm buying OR would want for a shower gift, so I'm planning on buying all the gear type stuff on our own. We can't just not have a bath tub, blankets and bottles for over a month, and if your guys' showers are any indication, nobody's going to buy that stuff anyway, so even if I waited, I'll get the pleasure of taking a newborn shopping for EVERYTHING.
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@skipper2010: Actually...I found this one nail polish (Sinful Colors) that was $1.99, then this week it is on sale at Meijer for $1.67. Its not the greatest quality but its fine for a shower favor! Now I just need the remaining components and I'll be set to make the favors!
@.twist.: I will second/third/fourth what everyone else has said. I dont know why people cant follow registries. I totally understand the clothes are fun to buy but even when I vere off I usually get like half the gift off the registry and half the fun clothes. Like you said - when you are having a baby you NEED certain items and that does not include the cutest clothes ever.
My older sister got probably 50% clothes at her shower and I was terrified of that! This is why I have kept the gender as much a secret as I can. My mom has slipped and told 2 people but they are both very practical women who will still go use the registry. I was just terrified if they new LO is a girl I'd get a frilly dress from everyone.
Did you at least get any giftcards to help offset the cost?
I'm also planning on strategizing my completion - meaning anything I wont need until 4+ months I am returning in order to have the stuff I'll need from the get go. Some things (highchair, walker, bouncer, etc) will make perfect Christmas gifts for LO since she'll be just about 4 mos at Christmas time and really what does a newborn need for their first Christmas - certainly not more clothes and certainly not new toys from EVERYONE.
@StrawberryBee: You may be surprised - 6 sheets may not be too many. My SIL sent me 4 sheets (used from her daughter) and at first I thought "hmmm...really" but my mom said she would have suggested 5-6 for me anyways, so I guess in addition to 2 mattress pads these little ones may ruin a LOT of sheets!
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@Grace: Ugh, I'm so sorry about this. I've been dealing with serious SI joint pain since early in the first tri, and its just compounding now with the extra weight (and what I assume is also "normal" pregnancy back pain). Hang in there - we don't have much longer to go!
@.twist.: Come on! Don't feel bad about that at all. Grateful or not, its a bit of a shock to realize that the list of things you compiled (because people were asking you to/wanted to buy you things) all of a sudden has to be bankrolled by you. Its a huge expense! If the same situation were to happen to me at my shower, I would be pretty panicked. Sure, we have the money to support & raise baby...it would just be a fair bit tighter than we thought! -
@.twist.: ugh...this is my biggest shower fear, and why we wanted to do a gender reveal at the shower, but then MIl said she wouldn't be able to keep it a secret so now it's known by everyone that its a boy. I'm hoping that because boy clothes aren't as cute and fun as girl clothes we won't get a ton. But that probably won't happen. We're kind of tight these days money wise because we just kicked our tenants out so I don't know how we're going to afford to buy all the big stuff. I can only hope people include gift receipts or I can tell where the clothes are from so I can return stuff. It seems to me that its mainly older ladies who shop completely off the registry. I usually try to do a combination of registry items and other stuff and it seems like most of my friends who recently had babies do the same. We had a lot of the same problem with our wedding. I distinctly remember DH's well to do aunt and uncle buying us these ugly silver serving platters that were not on the registry and we've never once used them...and I didn't know where they were from so I couldn't return them. They seemed expensive too...I just don't get why people do that...
My shower invites are going in the mail today so I'm going to be registry stalking to see if stuff starts disappearing...I'm sure we're going to have to buy the car seat, monitor, stroller, pack and play, and all the other big stuff, but I hope we don't have to buy all the necessary little stuff as well...
Along the same lines, FIL bought us a stroller which is really nice, but its a Jeep jogging stroller. I just don't know that we'll get that much use out of it. I told DH we would still need to get a regular stroller, and he didn't know why. I had to explain to him that a fixed front wheel jogging stroller is not exactly convenient for anything other than jogging. You also can't attach a car seat and its hard to fold up and still huge when its folded. I don't mean to seem ungrateful but I wish he had even bought the regular Jeep stroller or even the Jeep umbrella stroller which would be way more practical...
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@Mrs Hedgehog: OT?! That’s awesome!!!
@sapphiresun: What a leave plan!! Again, I’m totally jealous!
@Mrs D: Oh man!! Getting paid OT for auditing, we’d be BANKING honey!! Seriously, we work some ungodly hours during busy season, and since it’s a time and half for so many hours over 40; then double pay after a certain amount of time over the initial OT… Oh baby. Haha!
Your crib and wall color are gorgeous!!!@MrsB2012: As long as the room is well ventilated; and you’re using low VOC paint, I think you’ll be okay!
And I’m totally with you on the fatigue/exhaustion. I took a “nap” every chance I got this weekend. It was ridiculous. Thankfully, hubby lets me sleep without guilt tripping me. =)@StrawberryBee: Yay for surviving your super eventful weekend; and it looks like it was done with all smiles!! =)
@Grace: I’ve been going to the chiropractor since the 2nd trimester, and love it!! I think it’s made a HUGE impact on how easy I’ve been having it with this pregnancy. It also eases any aches and pains I have. My chiropractor just sold his practice so I will no longer be going (the lady that bought it is great at muscle work, but not good in adjustments). I’m mildly depressed about that.
@.twist.: I don’t think you’re being ungrateful. Having a baby is expensive yo, and that’s why we have baby showers and registries!! Clothes are cute and functional, but they don’t last long, especially in the beginning. Meanwhile, more practical things aren’t as cute, but are much more helpful/useful!! You know my registry has been kind of dormant also, and my shower is this weekend! Should be interesting to see what all we get since we registered for things we would buy ourselves.
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We started clearing out the office this weekend (removed the desk, monitors, and PC), but holy cow we had a bunch of stuff in there!! The crib is assembled and we put on the bedskirt and bedsheet we have, but that's about it. Since our baby shower is this weekend, we're hoping to have it all cleared out by Friday. We'll see if that happens since time passes by so quickly!!
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Ahh I have fallen behind on this thread! I am going to attempt to catch up.
@MrsB2012: Congrats and welcome!! I am super jealous that your leave has already started! I think painting with a mask is fine. Just make sure to turn a fan on/open a window to keep the room ventilated.
@Mrs D: OMG a blizzard sounds so good. I want one right now! Love love love your nursery furniture--that glider is gorgeous!
@StbHisMrs: Nice pic of all your stuff! I wish they made a Mamaroo for adults--it looks so comfy!
@StrawberryBee: Sorry about all the drama leading up to your shower, but I am glad you survived it and that everything went ok! Showers are super stressful even when we don't lift a finger planning them!
@.twist.: I think what you're feeling re: the baby shower is completely normal. I would feel the exact same way! We still have a lot of necessities that need to be purchased. Even though none of them are huge expenses alone, it adds up to a lot!!
@Alivoo01: I got my breast pump from BCBS on Friday--it's really nice!! It came with a lot of accessories and I had fun playing with it for a good 30 minutes!
I am home from work sick today
I am having the same congestion/coughing/tons of mucus I had in the first tri. I have been using the neti pot and trying to rest--I hope it goes away soon. Being sick while pregnant blows!!
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@Mrs D: Your furniture is beautiful! Where is the chair from?
@StrawberryBee: I am sooo glad to hear you survived the day on Saturday! Your class sounds like it was really informative and helpful. And the shower seems like a big success! I would have done teh same thing re: the MIL coworkers.
@.twist.: Congrats on the shower and I don't think you sound ungrateful at all! Let's be honest, the whole point of a shower (for the most part) is to help new parents with the costs. I liked my off-registry gifts, but I kind of feel like they should be purchased in addition to a registry gift, no matter how small. That's just my opinion though lol!
@lawbee11: Bummer, sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Rest up over the next few days!
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Oh man, my shower was yesterday and it was an absolute blast. All the stress DH and I went through keeping the gender a secret was totally worth it. The guests were all really excited when they arrived and found out it was a gender reveal shower and the moment when my parents cut into the cake was beyond amazing, more exciting than I had ever anticipated. There were about 35 guests crowded around with either a pink or blue straw in their drinks all yelling with excitement. We moved through the events pretty quickly too, the food was served right away and once we saw that people were done eating we started the question game then moved right into the cake. Nothing felt too rushed or dragged out, it was perfect and something was always going on.
We didn't open presents (thank goodness) but after all the guests left I tore through them quickly since we had to pack up the car to drive back to the city. We got a lot of stuff from our registry (that I already knew about since I had been checking and updating accordingly) and some really sweet off-registry things. We got a ton of newborn clothes - even some girl and boy clothing (not from the same person) believe it or not! But I think waiting to announce the gender really helped minimize the amount of clothing we got in general although there is still plenty of it!
Now we just have to wait for our second MI shower before finalizing the nursery. I am sooo glad we controlled ourselves and held back on making any purchases so I'm going to keep that going for two more weeks.
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@lawbee11: This thread is hopping so I apologize for asking again, but which pump did you end up getting again? Hope you feel better soon!
@Modern Daisy: Yay for an awesome baby shower and tons of useful gifts!! Love that the gender reveal worked out great! I can totally picture the excitement with everyone hooting and hollering!!!
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@Mrs D: Your nursery looks adorable!! I love the green paint, so calming! Also, not one single gift card was given. haha I was honestly thinking that's what people were doing since hardly anything was purchased off our registry. Nope. Just clothes.
@MrsB2012: I've become so tired this last little while! I swear, walking up the stairs makes me want to have a nap!
@redsmarties: Hilarious about your DH and the Kiwi colour! It sure does feel nice to get big things on your list crossed off hey!?
@Grace: How are you liking the Ergo? That's what I'd like to get too.
@skipper2010: 2 months really seems like not enough time to get everything done that needs to get done. I hear ya! all my procrastination is starting to catch up to me! LOL.
@JamieLee: Ugh. I so hear you on the stroller. I know I'm only adding to my earlier whining session, but someone got us a babybjorn and I had registered for an Ergo. I researched these things, that's why I picked the Ergo, because I felt like it was the best option for what I needed. It just makes me feel like they thought the bjorn was better than the Ergo, and while that may be the case, I still don't want the bjorn. I'm really hoping there was a gift receipt with that one.
@Alivoo01: So jealous that you started clearing out your office!!! I swear one of these days it's going to happen for me. LOL.
@lawbee11: I'm totally sick too. I'm going to be using my neti pot tonight and gargling salt water (seems like a throat thing)... I feel like garbage today and wish I would have just stayed home.
@Modern Daisy: So glad to hear your shower was a blast!! Sounds pretty exciting to have a gender reveal!
Thanks everyone for your comments on my major poutfest. I feel a little better knowing that I'm not being completely insane about it. I'm also sick too which I don't think is helping my mood and I'm just feeling generally pouty today (and last night) haha. I'm really sorry everyone, I do not like to be a pouter or a complainer. My shower was SO lovely and everything went smoothly and I was so happy to see all the people I saw, so really I shouldn't complain one bit.
Also, I was chatting with my cousins about when I'm starting mat leave and they said that if it started to get to be too much to go to my OB and cry a little and get her to write a note letting me start early, which wouldn't affect my mat leave. hahaha We'll see how I do, I don't think I'll need it. Although, today I could really use a freebie day.
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@Modern Daisy: Your shower sounds so fun! And it sounds like the gender reveal was a hit! That's awesome that you got so much off your registry!
@.twist.: Boo for sickness
Hope we both feel better soon!@Alivoo01: The Ameda Purely Yours was the only available option, so that's what I got. I really like it, though! It's a double electric and came with all the pump parts, a cooler bag with 3 ice packs, and 6 storage bottles. The bag is way nicer than the one they show online at Amazon and BRU--it doesn't look as cheap. I was pleasantly surprised! Here's a pic of what the shoulder bag looks like:
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I have a question about gifts. Some of the things we got were off-registry and non-returnable or exchangeable. I did really like some of these things, but others are either totally not our style or completely inappropriate. For example we got a little stool that is cute, but not our style and we don't have anywhere to put it and someone gave us a bunch of baby girl clothing and we are having a boy.
Is it okay for me to donate or give away these items or since they are a present for our baby should I keep them? Would you feel guilty getting rid of something just because it isn't your style and you don't have space for it?
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@Modern Daisy: for the stuff that's the wrong gender I think it's fair to attempt to contact the giver and see if they have return info. Even for things like the stool, I might ask and if its really non returnable - donate it. But maybe I'm mean like that since we've had to be pretty ruthless in our space making. I mean, I gave away our Christmas tree to make room in our storage box for baby stuff. I certainly didn't do that to accommodate a random stool.
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@Sapphiresun: the giver of the wrong gender clothing was actually there when i opened her gift, a small group of family pulled me aside and had me open their gifts before leaving. She is mentally disabled and didnt understand that the clothes were for a girl while we are having a boy. She also didnt include a receipt and she bought them from a store near her in md which there are none here in nyc. I would feel rude asking the giver of the stool for a gift receipt because i have no idea where its from and dont know if i would be able to exchange it. Its possibly a regift situation but regardless it would be like telling them i hated it!
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@Modern Daisy: are they people who would likely be coming to your home? If not, I wouldn't hesitate to donate or regift it if you can't return it. Especially because your space is probably at a premium in NYC. At least if you regift or donate someone else will enjoy them. Or you could sell them at a consignment shop...
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@Mrs D: Thanks, I'll definitely hold onto them!
@lawbee11: @.twist.: hope you both feel better soon
@Modern Daisy: congrats on your shower, it sounds wonderful!
So, it never rains but it pours. This morning my sheltie managed to somehow severely injure her back. As in, can't put any weight on her hind legs, lame from the back end injury. I took her to an emergency vet who did three xrays but feels like it's probably more of a spinal concern, especially since her spine is really hunched and she was showing some neurological deficits (possibly from a disc pressing against her spinal cord). She was able to walk once we got there, which I guess is a good sign. We came home with steroids and pain meds, but I have to say she isn't looking much better. She's very stoic regarding pain, but I can see it her eyes even though her tail is wagging and she's trying so hard to move normally.
So I call up a better equipped emergency vet and find out that an MRI costs between $1600-$2000, a neurologist consult costs between $150 and $200, and the MRI plus disc surgery (if that's what's needed) would run somewhere between $6500 and $8000. OMFG.
The saving grace in all of this? I took out a pet insurance policy last year on her. As long as this isn't deemed a preexisting condition, we should be covered 90% after a $250 deductible, not including any consults or office visits. Which is still over $1,000, but at least that's within the realm of possibility. $8,000 would wipe us out. I have her claim being expedited through insurance to see if they'll cover it, but it's still going to take a couple of days to get a response back.
I feel so, so bad for her.
Edit: I got a response back from insurance! Looks like they applied today's charges to our deductible, so I would think that would mean they'd cover the MRI and surgery!!! seriously one of the best decisions I ever, ever made.
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@StrawberryBee: So glad to hear all is working out with the insurance. My sisters dogs have both had disks repaired (one of her dogs twice) and it is so financially devastating! I'm glad you have insurance that will cover it - it is genetic for her dogs so not covered!
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@Mrs D: That's a great deal for nail polish! Please post pics of your favors once you're done with them. I'm sure they'll be adorable!
@.twist.: I'm sorry you're feeling disappointed, but I can't say I blame you! Are you one of the girls who will be having a second shower? Does your registry offer a completion discount? I know it's not much, but 10-20% off your registry can add up and be a big help. I'll never understand why people don't buy off registries. I know it's hard to resist buying baby clothes, but I've always bought a new outfit in addition to something the new parents need off their registry.
@Modern Daisy: Your shower sounds like it was a lot of fun! So glad your gender reveal went well!
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@Mrs D: dachshunds?
I told the woman at emergency that the only reason I wasn't sobbing hysterically at the figures she was quoting was because I had insurance. Unfortunately we could only afford to cover two dogs. The cats have a lot of pre-existing conditions, and I'm gambling on the third dog's youth.
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@StrawberryBee: so glad your insurance is going to cover the MRI and surgery! I am so sorry your pup is in pain though. Our big guy had a tumor on his face that we went to have removed and the doctor said it could be cancerous and I had a breakdown because there was no way we would be able to afford cancer treatments for him. Luckily, the surgery was only around $500 and it was benign...he has some other lumps, but the vet thinks they're just fatty deposits. I'm hoping that's the case.
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Thanks for the commiseration, ladies. Since I've been walking all gimpy the past few days, it's amazing how many women had something similar. I have a doctor's appt tommorow, so I'll see what she says and I have several different recommendations for physiotherapists. I'm going to hold off on chiro for now. I had a bad experience in the past that I don't want to duplicate. A good sign is that going to work has done me good. There are lots of little walks I do inbetween sitting sessions, so that's been good for me.
@.twist.: Isn't it an awful feeling to be disappointed in what people get us? I remember being annoyed after my wedding shower at useless gifts or that a couple of my aunts didn't think the practical things on my registry were special enough for them to get me. Unfortunately it's made me a bit cynical about showers. I'm starting to think that they are less about making my life easier and more about them getting to do cute baby shopping. Maybe it would help to not focus on shower gifts but more on the unexpected stuff. Like a friend of mine told me that she had an open bag of NB and size 1 diapers for me. Somehow, because it's unexpected, it makes it really sweet.
@StrawberryBee: The no gift receipt thing for clothes is not cool. I mean, even if you love the outfit, what if your baby gets too big for it by the time the appropriate season rolls around?
@Sapphiresun: Lol - I'm in the same predicament as you as far as shower after baby comes and there's loads of stuff that I'm choosing not to buy because I can survive a month and a half without it. I made a list of need it or want it. I have a lot if wants! Playpen and high chair come to mind off the top of my head.
@lawbee11: Mamaroo for adults?!?!?!? Freakin' brilliant!!! I'm sorry you are sick. Sickness in June shouldn't be allowed.
@.twist.: The ergo seems well made, it's pretty, straps are comfy and I like that it has a waist band. A friend has a baby bjorn and it just has a criss-cross on the back which she says can make her back sore. Beyond that, I'm not sure. My doll is significantly lighter than a real baby, so I'm not sure it's that good a comparison! Sorry to hear you are sick too! Feel better.
@Modern Daisy: Sigh. For me it would depend on how close I was to the person that gave it to me. Do I see them often enough that they'll wonder about the gift? If I could get away with it, there would be no guilt.
@StrawberryBee: glad to hear that insurance is covering all that. I hope puppy is better soon.
Whew! That took a while. You gals were chatty.
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Not gonna lie, all this talk about showers is making me super jealous! My "surprise" shower isn't until July 21... a month before our EDD... it is stressing the crap out of me! I wasn't supposed to know about it at all but my family knew I would have to make sure to work my work schedule around it so they had to tell me. I am wishing it was sooner. I mean, 9 months pregnant with a TON left to buy and set up in the nursery? No thanks.
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@StrawberryBee: French bulldogs.
@Alivoo01: @lawbee11: Thanks ladies - I am so pleased with how the room is coming together!!!
@Modern Daisy: The chair is winged back rocker from PB kids. Not going to lie it was a "splurge" (I say it like that because my dear mom gifted it to us) but it feels SO amazing. Also - I like that it has potential to work in other rooms in our house post baby!
@lawbee11: This is the pump my insurance offers for free and if I cant get a double medela from them I will be getting this. Glad to know you are happy with it!
@skipper2010: I definitely will. I am planning to stock up on my craft supplies this weekend (for the favors and one last DIY project for the nursery) to take to my cottage and work on Fathers Day weekend! I'll post after that!
I have always prayed they would someday change my profession to start getting overtime...haha...they'd go broke though. Thats awesome though. We get to roll holidays since we usually are too busy to take them - so I have a few extra days I could use. My boss is super laid back too - so I am planning to save the "extra" days to take the week between Christmas and New Years off!
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