u/Fmlyjewelz

I’ll start by saying, I’m over all happy for them! Yesterday, I had a call scheduled with my brother so I could tell him my news. We started the call with small talk, it’s been a while since we’ve caught up, we aren’t exactly close. I’m older by 8 years and live out of state. I get most of my updates on him and my niece from my mom. So, as we’re chatting he was like “did you see my texts?” I hadn’t, because I was on a walk with the dogs. I quickly checked my phone and before he called, he sent a group message to myself and my other siblings of his baby announcement. I gasped and said “omg no way! I was calling to tell you about MY pregnancy!” And we had a really funny and sweet moment of “omg this is so funny/awesome” I asked his due date and it’s December 5th, mine is December 8th. So that was really cool and fun.

But, while I’m happy for him, part of me is a little torn. My husband and I have been TTC for years, and after many infertility obstacles we finally have had success through IVF. It’s been a long, difficult journey. In this time, my brother accidentally got his (at the time) very new girlfriend pregnant. They’re now married. She’s very shy and doesn’t come around. I have only met her once in the 3 years they’ve been together. I feel like I am FINALLY having my moment and she just conveniently falls pregnant at the same time. And it’s not like we are close, we aren’t going to be enjoying pregnancy together or anything. My brother also made a comment of “we’ll see who mom chooses to be with at the birth”. I know it was a silly joke, but it’s obviously going to keep my mom home with him to help care for my niece, rather than travel to be with me. Which is also totally fine by me, we hadn’t even talked about it yet, and I’m not even sure I want her here at that time. But just the comment sort of bugged me, like I have to now share my pregnancy joy and attention with him.

And please don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy for them. He mentioned last time I was in town that they wanted more kids. I know they are doing what makes sense for them and their family, just as I am doing for mine. If it were up to me, I would have been pregnant around the same time as their first child, which is around when we started trying. Who’s to say I would have felt differently about it then? I just think due to years of infertility, my emotions are a little heightened and more sensitive. I know in the long run, it will all be great, it’ll be so fun to have cousins so close in age to visit and everything will work out just fine.

I just needed to rant, and vent. Thanks for listening!

EDIT: My step sister, who I am very close to, just called to tell me she’s ALSO pregnant! We were texting about this situation, both of us have dealt with infertility, and I said something along the lines of “sharing my moment with someone I hardly know” she immediately called to say “AND WITH ME” I am over the moon for her. And now it’s turning into a comedy 😂

I posted a few weeks ago about my 2.5yo mixed breed getting sick more and more frequently on a feeding regimen of Farmers Dog and kibble to supplement because I was splitting one pack TFD between two dogs.

I fell for their marketing. I truly thought this was the best food I could possibly feed him. And even though he was regurgitating his kibble, it was after consuming TFD earlier in the day.

After posting on here and learning The Farmers Dog might be the culprit, I eliminated it from (both) my dogs diet and sure enough, he hasn’t been sick for over a month. I took him to the vet the other week and she said he was healthy as can be. She said she has seen other dogs who also can’t handle TFD. Luckily, she hasn’t seen any with full blown pancreatitis which I’ve learned could be a result of this diet long term. We got a prescription for nausea, which I still haven’t given him since he hasn’t been sick in weeks. We did a bag of science diet biome to help his gut bacteria. And I gave some to my girl as well, even though she never had an adverse reaction to TFD (she’s a tank lol). We are now on Hill’s kibble full time and have had no issues.

As for TFD. I emailed them and let them know I believed their food was upsetting my dog. I got a refund on my most recent box which I had just received before switching him off it. And whoooole lot of lip service. 🙃

Thanks to the folks who brought it to my attention that it could be The Farmer’s Dog bothering my boy. I am relieved we so easily figured this out!

I have a close friend who is done having kids and her youngest will be nearly 2 by my due date. She has already started a list of big ticket items that she wants to give me. A crib, her fancy stroller, a glider, breast pump, changing table, etc.
I am totally cool with hand me downs for all this, I am a thrifty gal and I know her stuff was well cared for. Most of it came new from Pottery Barn or similar quality stores. She sent me a link for the stroller and it’s $1700 new! And the glider.. I forget how much she said she spent on it but it’s faaaancy.
I told her I would be happy to pay her for some of this, as I know we were going to be buying all these things anyway. She said “yeah, that’s fine you can pay for some of it”. But I know she won’t give me a price and will say something like “pay what you can”. I can pay whatever, that’s not the problem, I am just afraid I’ll give her too little or too much.
What would you guys do? I’m thinking a percentage of the online price? But what percent? 20%? 30%? More? Or should I look up what these items are going for used and match that? I know she would give me all this for free if I hadn’t offered to pay, but I also know she could make some decent money selling it all if she wanted to. I don’t feel right taking all that plus more without some compensation. I know she will keep it coming as her kids grow out of things as well. 😅 It’s a good problem to have, but Im a FTM and have no idea how these things work lol.