The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 8

[marcij]

Need some suggestions. My girlfriend is pregnant with her 2nd girl and her mom has asked me to throw her a shower. I did for her first and my girlfriend has thrown my bridal and 2nd baby shower.

Dana doesn't need anything big as she has kept everything from her first. And she has kept all of her clothes as well. I want to keep it simple but really don't know what to do. I am thinking along the lines asking everyone to bring a casserole or meal that can be frozen for them to use after the baby comes. My other girlfriend, Amy, thinks that is crazy as Dana will expect gifts. Now Amy has no kids and I think that after Molly came I would have much rather had dinners than all the clothes I did get. Gimme your ideas please!!

I love the idea of meals, certificates for housecleaning, babysitting the other daughter etc. Those types of things were much more meaningful to me the second time.

 

[marcij]

Thank you. With Christopher I actually had to have blood drawn once a week, so I definitely think this is better. I agree that diet is great! I'll find out more about what they're going to have me do as far as diet when I go to the nutritionist next Thursday. i know the diabetic diet takes lots of time for meal planning so I might have to give up this thread for a while, lol!

Dawn -- I also failed mine with both kids, but I was much healthier as well. I saw a nutritionist, and it was very easy to follow her advice. In fact, she worked to make things as easy as possible since I was working full-time and had a little one at home. Good luck!

 

[tmfranlk]

I finally got my girl's dance recital pictures into my photo bucket account. I have to get a digital camera soon!!!!

Here is Sophie & Katie on the day of their dance recital...

Very cute!!!

 

[tmfranlk]

I am back! We had a great time!!!!

I just realized that Mark and I only took a few pics together and only had a few other him or I. All the other pics are of all his other classmates. So here is what I have.

Definitely one hot military chick! You both look great. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[tink2020]

I CANNOT stay focused today

When I scheduled my test with so little time, I made a study schedule. I figured out that I would have to read about 150 pages of my review text a day, to get through it by this weekend (no sense in reading really in the last few days, I'm not going to retain any of that). Along with that, I'm doing 3 practice tests ranging from 100-200 questions each day, and a few more next week (in lieu of reading).

Well today, I've read 25 pages in about 4 hours! I keep getting distracted, or simply not reading. And when I DO read, I can assure you that I'm not really reading anything so much as "reading it" (eyes skimming the page, or even reading it out loud but it not making it anywhere NEAR my brain!)

I was so proud of the last few days, but today I'm losing it!

 

[lmartin2711]

Need some suggestions. My girlfriend is pregnant with her 2nd girl and her mom has asked me to throw her a shower. I did for her first and my girlfriend has thrown my bridal and 2nd baby shower.

Dana doesn't need anything big as she has kept everything from her first. And she has kept all of her clothes as well. I want to keep it simple but really don't know what to do. I am thinking along the lines asking everyone to bring a casserole or meal that can be frozen for them to use after the baby comes. My other girlfriend, Amy, thinks that is crazy as Dana will expect gifts. Now Amy has no kids and I think that after Molly came I would have much rather had dinners than all the clothes I did get. Gimme your ideas please!!

We did a diaper/wipes/gift certificate shower. It worked out great that way!!!

 

[tink2020]

Robyn -- I have no kids myself, but an opinion nonetheless

I think that, as someone else mentioned, you should talk to the mother (if it doesn't need to be a surprise). I think that second showers REALLY need to be taken case by case. There was a thread a while back that got prett heated about having them, as some people thought it was "tacky" or something. I don't think that's always the case. There are certainly things that are out now that maybe weren't (or they didn't receive) when she had her first child. Sometimes, especially in the case of two different genders or lots of time between kids, you just need stuff -- even clothes, etc that you might have had at one point, but don't have a sufficient amount for the second time around (for whatever reason). In other cases, they are completely set for the second child but would really benefit from spa treatments, dinners, etc as others have mentioned (I also liked the idea of 'certificates', for babysitting, etc) -- or even just from the company provided at a get-together in their honor, celebrating their lives.

I think it really needs to depend on where THAT particular family is right now. So even if you don't ask her outright, I would take all those things into consideration -- what they need, etc -- as opposed to other things that don't necessarily look at the particular family (social norms, etc).

ETA: Like someone else mentioned, if they DON'T need gifts really, you could still have a party. If they don't register anywhere, etc and you are clear with people when they ask "what to get her", I would think that many people would feel comfortable coming just to show support. And if they bring a little gift card or something in addition, then what's the harm? Then it would be an individual decision. JMO

 

[tmfranlk]

We realized this morning that we were both at the some post # only a few away from 2,000. So, we coordinated posting so we could reach the milestone together.

We wondered if anyone would notice. Lynn, you caught us!!!

The twins reach 2,000 together!!!!

 

[triplefigs]

Jennifer,

The only prep I did for the NCLEX was the practice exam they gave us before graduation. Just make sure to answer all questions, even if you guess. Letter "C" is your best friend! Good luck.

 

[triplefigs]

I vote for a maid or frozen meals. Our friends gave us a deep freezer and packed it with meals at a shower. One of the very best gifts I've EVER gotten!

 

[tmfranlk]

You could say I feel slightly overwhelmed right now!!! I think if I could really figure out what is going on with Nick things wouldn't seem so bad to me - I just feel like something is off with him - he doesn't complain about his head but he seems more lethargic and crabby to me - I tried to schedule his EKG but the doctor forgot to call in the orders and I keep missing her - and now whenever Nick gets in trouble he looks at me and says "me sick" - so I know he has learned the sympathy I give him with those two little words and now I can't tell when he means it and when he just wants my attention - and on top of everything he has turned into a serious Mama's boy and ONLY wants me all of the time!

Steve has a small procedure tomorrow and is under a HUGE amount of pressure at work which of course is spilling into our home - and is not something that he can just leave at the office

and I find out Wednesday if I need surgery -

I have a lot of unknowns in my life - I can deal with things when I know what is going on - it is when I feel helpless that I get upset!

So as for this situation - I emailed her about how things work and told her that until I get a registration form - these people aren't registered in the program and I will not place them until then - which might mean they won't get the slot she promised them b/c I am working on first come first served - I have to do this the way we always have b/c I know it works!! and that is how everyone else is expecting things to be done - and if the new director thinks the other way is better - then they can do it next year - odds are I won't be doing it anyway!

I'm sorry that everything is so up in the air right now, Kate. I hate that more than just about anything. I hope that you can get ahold of Nick's doctor soon and get him taken care of. I hope that things slow down for Steve soon as well. And finally bundles of that you won't need surgery.

 

[tink2020]

Jennifer,

The only prep I did for the NCLEX was the practice exam they gave us before graduation. Just make sure to answer all questions, even if you guess. Letter "C" is your best friend! Good luck.

That's good to hear! I didn't prepare for our practice exam (HESI) and I got a 94% probability of passing. Not a 94% correct, but it's supposed to accurately predict NCLEX success. I don't buy it though, especially since I have been out of school so long!

There are a few differences now that won't work with letter c, but I have used that trick in the past! There are several questions now of "alterntive format", where there are multiple correct answers ("select all that apply"), identifiying spots on a picture, free answer, etc. Those, surprisingly, aren't the ones I'm worried about

I think it'll be fine. More than anything, I just thought I'd have more time to mentally/emotionally prepare for the idea of TAKING the test. I don't think content is going to be my biggest issue, I think it will be confidence/sanity!

 

[tmfranlk]

Yay. I still haven't found airfare for our trip. I think when SW releases dates past Sep. 12 we might find some. Have fun planning.

If you haven't seen them yet, I think the fares are out through 10/27 now.

 

[tink2020]

I vote for a maid or frozen meals. Our friends gave us a deep freezer and packed it with meals at a shower. One of the very best gifts I've EVER gotten!

Ooh, a maid is a good idea too!

 

[tmfranlk]

I have been busy and haven't had much chance to read or post.
Received PM yesterday so he is all set for his first cruise

May 18'ers thanks for the PC it was such a great surprise to come home to yesterday, PM and the PC in one day!!!

Packed last night and sure I have left things behind but such is life when I procastinate

Wishing you all a happy Memorial day weekend and safe travels, hopefully things will quieten down after the cruise


I finally got to iron my t-shirts and will post pics when I get back
off to DD 5th grade graduation and my long awaited cruise!!!


PS Happy birthday to any I missed

to anyone that needs it - with a dash more

Have a great time!!!!

 

[UP Disney]

I vote for a maid or frozen meals. Our friends gave us a deep freezer and packed it with meals at a shower. One of the very best gifts I've EVER gotten!

My favorite wedding present was a stack of sirloin steaks that we put in the freezer. Nothing like being a poor college student and eating steak once a week. I would have loved to get homemade frozen meals when I had either my first or second child.

 

[tmfranlk]

Morning DDA! Just thought I'd stop by and say hello and make sure everyone else is happy that it's a long weekend.
We don't have much planned here, just a baseball game on Monday, hoping it dries out so we can mow the grass tomorrow, and that's about it...
Gonna get some steaks out for the grill, put up the patio umbrella and hope for sunshine ALL weekend.

Aw man, can I come live with you?!?!? Sounds like a perfect weekend to me. I still can't figure out how to get to a baseball game this year without spending $100 for two bleacher seats or getting to the ballpark 5 hours before game time with a 3yo.

 

[Tammi67]

Did we get new smilies???

 

[kc10family]

I am running around trying to get us ready to go help a friend fix up a house to sell. We are driving about 3 hours up the hill and spending the weekend getting this house fixed up. The girls will be spending time with their friends while we are up there, sorry I didn't get the report done, I will try to get it done while we are gone and I will post it Monday.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Theresa I got the hats, thankyou so much they are fabulous!!!

May 18thers - thank you for the postcard it was so nice to get.

Lindsay - I will be sending Pal Mickey to you Tues.

Kate - I will be sending you something next week.

 

[tmfranlk]

That's good to hear! I didn't prepare for our practice exam (HESI) and I got a 94% probability of passing. Not a 94% correct, but it's supposed to accurately predict NCLEX success. I don't buy it though, especially since I have been out of school so long!

There are a few differences now that won't work with letter c, but I have used that trick in the past! There are several questions now of "alterntive format", where there are multiple correct answers ("select all that apply"), identifiying spots on a picture, free answer, etc. Those, surprisingly, aren't the ones I'm worried about

I think it'll be fine. More than anything, I just thought I'd have more time to mentally/emotionally prepare for the idea of TAKING the test. I don't think content is going to be my biggest issue, I think it will be confidence/sanity!

Deep breath! You are going to do great, Jennifer. Just keep up your hard work and just let it go from there. I'm sure that much more is getting to your brain that you realize.