Disqus - Latest Comments for Arisu_2

Re: {never} homemaker: Breastfeeding Confessional

Arisu_2 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 22:14:33 -0000

Did you cut him off or did he finally self wean? I work full time (and stopped pumping around the 12 month mark), but he still loves to nurse at night. He doesn't take a pacifier and he has no idea how to self soothe. I feel so bad for him and don't see an end in sight! He's 19 months now... I planned to phase it out after I made it to the magical 12 month goal line. 😬

Re: {never} homemaker: Breastfeeding Confessional

Arisu_2 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 22:03:55 -0000

Gah. I swear you're speaking directly to me. I hate breastfeeding. It makes me uncomfortable. I've very modest (Still. Even after child birth.) It did not work with my first ("failure to thrive"). I pumped exclusively out of guilt for 6 months until I got violently ill with my second pregnancy. Gave myself permission to quit. My mom still blames me that it didn't work because I didn't try hard enough? (She was former La Leche League.)

Fast forward to my second baby. Figured I'd "try" with him and quit when it didn't work out. Turns out he loved it. Excelled at it. Refuses to quit. He's 19 months now. I have no idea how to cut him off. He won't take a pacifier. He's an addict. Please send help.

Of course I'm grateful. I love the bond. I'm glad he's comforted and nurtured. But it's hard. Physically. Mentally. No one cares because it was my choice, but I figured I owed it to them to try? People judge parents. We judge ourselves. I try to approach parenting with a open mind and do my best by them. For my first, he thrived when we switched to bottle feeding. My second fought every single bottle. They got really creative at daycare during his feedings!

Anyway. I'm so happy you! I have all the feels for ya since I understand the struggle!

Re: {never} homemaker: Pregnancy: Week 25

Arisu_2 — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:05:56 -0000

Like you, my first baby had a quick delivery (in the middle of the night). We have family in town (~30 minutes) but the hospital is ~30 minutes in the opposite direction. My first was young (14 months) when I had my second and I had never left him over night before. I had great plans of putting my eldest to bed and having my mom watch him at our house. I figured it would be less of a shock to wake up at home. Well. That was a great plan. Except my mom never answered her phone.

True to form, I had to go into the hospital around 11:30 p.m. My oldest had a snuffy nose and woke up around 9:30 p.m. and refused to go back to sleep. Between him, my husband with a sore shoulder, and me (apparently) in labor, it was almost comical. When my mom didn't answer, we had to enlist the in-laws and drop my son off... Still awake, crying, at midnight. Ugh.

We didn't get to the hospital until 1 a.m. I checked in at 8 cm and a bulging water. Oops... Guess I'm having a baby. He was born at 2:01 a.m. Obviously not ideal but thankfully I made it to the hospital. I wish my body would give me time to MENTALLY prepare to have a baby, but considering I still struggle with wrapping my head around things, maybe my body knew best.

My biggest mistake (?) was not thinking I was in labor AGAIN. I mistakenly believed I would recognize it the second time around... I didn't. It was presented completely different (but progressed very similarly). If I could redo anything, I would have gone in earlier instead of being in denial. Better to get checked out and sent home then to have the baby in the parking lot...

Re: {never} homemaker: Pregnancy: Week 20

Arisu_2 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:31:35 -0000

My doctor was intrigued to say the least. I also carried differently (B1: low and across. B2: high and round). And with B1 I had no morning sickness... B2 I had it the entire time (plus a toddler!). No one believed I was having a second boy... At every ultrasound, I had them verify for me!

Re: {never} homemaker: Pregnancy: Week 20

Arisu_2 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:15:55 -0000

Even if the pregnancy was text book perfect, it's still incredibly tough (and there are so many outside influences!). They say you forget... I must be a pregnancy elephant because it's all so vivid for me! I was banned from Google by my OBGYN because there's too much information out there. Even if it applies to you, it's much better to talk it out with a professional than by the glow of a monitor.

Re: {never} homemaker: Pregnancy: Week 20

Arisu_2 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:46:09 -0000

The mental part of pregnancy is tough! Your entire body is effected and you have zero control. I struggle with the idea to have a third because I know too much... Congratulations on your 4!

Re: {never} homemaker: Pregnancy: Week 20

Arisu_2 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:43:48 -0000

Pregnancy weight gain: Identical
Gestation length: B1: 37 weeks, 6 days. B2: 38 weeks, 2 days.
Fundal height: B1: Consistently 3 weeks behind. B2: Consistently 3 weeks ahead (?!)
Times recognized labour: 0 (I honestly thought I’d be sent home both time.)
Time spent in hospital PRIOR to birth: B1: 3 hours. B2: 1 hour.
Dilation when checked in: B1: 4 cm. B2: 8 cm (ahhhh)
Medications received: B1: IV narcotics (weeee). B2: Denied because I was too far progressed (insert scared face)
Time spent pushing: B1: ~ 1 hour. B2: ~20 minutes
Episiotomies needed: 2
Sex of babies: 2 boys!
Size of babies: B1: 4 pounds, 14 oz and 17” long. B2: 6 pounds, 12.5 oz and 20” long
Time before release from hospital: B1: 6 days (due to hypoglycemia) B2: 2 days (no complications)
Times I was mentally prepared for labour/children: 0!
Times I had anything in my control: 0 :)

So excited for you and I love the way you share your journey. Wishing you well!

Re: {never} homemaker: The Thing About Secondary Infertility

Arisu_2 — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:51:19 -0000

I hate feelings. Or rather, feeling like I have to apologize
for having them. Feelings don’t always have to be happy or rational (and they often aren’t). It’s tough to remind ourselves that we are entitled to feel however we want when surrounded by people who don’t understand or say the wrong thing. My husband often reminds me when talking to people to not assume
malice. Most people are well intended and don’t often realize they’re saying the completely wrong thing…

Like my sister-in-law… Long story short, she married into money and had two kids. They bought new cars, a house, a camper, a $4000 swing set… all within the span of 2 years. Since her wife’s family owns the company, neither of them really has to work. They’re basically independently wealthy. I suppose I could be super happy for them. But I’m not. Especially when she asks why I’m so tired (I work full time). Or asks when we’re going to buy a house so our kids can have a backyard (we own a second floor condo that’s depreciated). Or when she comes home from a weeklong vacation without her kids and laments how amazing parenthood is… Yes, I have a lot of things I’m extremely grateful for. And no, I don’t wish ill will on my SILs, but damn, sometimes I wonder if I’m doing something wrong because it doesn’t seem as easy for us.

Regardless, thank you for sharing your story. There are always reasons to be grateful… and to feel resentful. Hopefully life gives you a hug and less of the latter in the near future. <3

Re: Free Coldplay, WMYX loses Jane Matenaer, original Twitter, morel festival

Arisu_2 — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:48:31 -0000

They actually let Jane say goodbye? Normally the radio is like the mafia and they disappear overnight. Regardless, I never cared for her and I stopped listening to 99.1 after Dan disappeared. I loved Jane WITH Dan. It was never the same after Dan left and it was the reason why I switched to 1400 AM.

Not that I love their morning program any better. (sigh) Poor radio.

Re: Epic fail: Twitter mutes @replies, squelches 'social' networking

Arisu_2 — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:08:18 -0000

My favourite comment from "Twitter Puts a Muzzle..." was @ScottHepburn's "I'm in a bar and can only hear conversations between the people I know! It's so quiet! This place is lame..." It put it into a realistic perspective.

I often found new followers through replies (one just yesterday!). I call it twitter hopping and would like it back. Maybe if I offered to double my subscribtion fee?

Re: The new yellow pages: Google Advertising shines in NPR segment

Arisu_2 — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:20:28 -0000

My phonebook never makes it in the house. I've admitted it before, but the mechanics of a phonebook baffle me. I love websites that offer me a menu; it helps the restaurant (and me) immensely. The only other way I try a new place is through word of mouth. So, what’s good out there?

Re: Pancake Day / Lakefront Artist Fair in Racine this Saturday, May 2

Arisu_2 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:05:30 -0000

I'll be there! My mom and I have always enjoyed the Lakefront Artist Fair. Usually there's a slight chill in the air, but it's a great start to the season.

For years, we turned our noses up at Pancake Day (opting to go home and make our own). Two years ago, I received free tickets to attend. Free pancakes? We were sold. Like you, we were shocked at the production line inside. (Plus it was an amazing way to warm up after the fair.)

Expect to see a picture of my own pancakes on twitter this year. I can’t resist taking pictures of good food. Kiwanis pancakes definitely qualify.

Re: Will hoyas fill our home with heavenly Froot Loops® fragrance?

Arisu_2 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:25:19 -0000

Impressive! I managed to kill a healthy plant, so this seems like quite a feat. For the record, I hope the toucans (especially Sam) keep their distance. They always seemed... unsavory.

Re: Mars Cheese Castle moving, Tim & Tom's to close, Bobby Nelson's staying put

Arisu_2 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:02:45 -0000

Good news about Mars Cheese Castle! As a non-native to Wisconsin it was one of the first places I stopped when I moved here. The "iconic sign" lured us in. The idea of a Cheese Castle? Priceless.

I often go there to walk around. It's Wisconsin tourism at its finest. Plus their Wisconsin Aged Cheddar Cheese Bread (baked fresh) is to die for. Ten years later, it's still a favourite place to stop while heading home.