Big rant!

[Artsand crafts]

omg! it seems you have a lot in your plate right now! Pregnant with lots in your shoulder and on top of that kitchen renovation. We had a total kitchen renovation several years ago and was very stressful. I cannot imagine how that would be combined with being pregnant and the tiredness and sleepiness that sometimes come with it. I am pregnant, too (4.5 mos). This is what I would do or have done:

For #1 & 2: With my first pregnancy I was super sleepy. So I napped during kids nap time and then right after they left. With this pregnancy, I am not that tired during the day, but some times in the afternoon I feel like I need to sleep. As soon as my hubby arrives he takes care of my son while I take a nap. Also, during the weekend he always let me over-sleep in the morning while he takes care of my son again. I also have a daycare helper who helps with cooking, cleaning, diaper changes, etc and days feel so much lighter. I would say if you could get help a couple of hours at least during the busiest times of the day it would feel like lighter load.

# 3: My 2.5 yo son is not part of the daycare. His behavior improved so much when he started to be allowed to be around the house (with toys in different spaces of the house). I do not treat him like a dck, he is special, still I am very firm and consistent with him when he misbehaves. He knows I mean business.

#4: I would ask the parents to bring diapers or pull ups or I would take the underwear off and put my own diapers as soon as the child is inside. No way I am cleaning waste from the floor. Do you have a potty training policy. In here, there must be accident free for 3 weeks before they can use underwear only. If they have an accident after potty trained, they need to use pull ups for another 3 weeks until dry.

#5: If someone if whining or crying for no reason (they are feed, cleaned, etc), they are taken to their cot to lay down until they calm down, as many times as necessary until the behavior is over. I currently have a happy little boy, who used to whine and cry for no reason (not a newbie) and after being consistent, the behavior stopped. He is now happy, participate very well in our activities and I also receive hugs from him from time to time.

#6: Our kitchen reno was a nightmare. I will not bore you with details. I know is a very hard thing to bear when things are not going as planned in there. So stressful and emotional. No advice here. Just to tell you that I totally understand how you feel about this.

#5: It sucks when you own more than you expected. If you have a helper for a couple of hours, even if you have to work longer than what you planned, it may not be that hard.

#7: I do not ask for permission to rest when I feel super tired and that I need to sleep in the afternoon. I just tell my hubby that I really need to go to sleep and that dinner is in the fridge. So, I said "see you in a couple of ours and take care of our son" and crash. No arguments there.

#8: Have you looked at the forecast? It's suppose to be much better week.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Sending ya a big virtual hug!! Sounds like a lot is on your plate right now so do what you need to survive! If that means take out, paper plates, loads of free play, just doing the basic cleaning than so be it! This is just a temporary moment in your whole life but your whole life won't crumble if you slack for a few months. Don't feel guilty about it either...your making a baby so what better excuse is that! Tell your husband your feelings and ask if he can miss a few "man dates" and help out at the house and give you some time to yourself. Maybe switch every other weekend so you both get a break?

The other ladies have given great advice! Good luck and remember, this will pass and you will look back at it and know that you made it!

[superfun]

Someone may have mentioned this already, and I could have missed it. If your son is having a really hard time with daycare life, and your other kids didn't have such a hard time, maybe he just doesn't like that one boy that is always in his face? I know money was one of the things frustrating you, but maybe if you got rid of one child earlier than your anticipated closing day, it would be easier to handle everything else until baby comes?

[Kellybelly83]

I haven't had a chance to read all the replies yet- but I wanted to give some advice with the diclectin. I used it when I was pregnant with my first and it literally knocked me out within 45 minutes!! If i took it before bed, it helped with the nausea but had way less of a drowsy effect on me. I hope that helps!!

[Secondtimearound]

It seems a lot because it is !!!! Lol just reading your words made me wish I could help in some way!! I have been married 26 years lol so I start there !! Men ... Hmmm they do not multi task like us . If he's doing the kitchen , that's all he will be doing !! I don't remember when he works on it but if it's a Saturday then order a pizza and put a favourite video on ! Sit and relax ! That way you get a rest ! And the kids enjoy some down time ! Let things go abit !
Men have down time because they take it !! Use family to get away for a bit ! Even an hour !!
The taxes are what they are ! Don't let them get to you , send in a cheque they send you a statement , just repeat monthly !
The dayhome problems and your son , you got those !! Your just tired ! It will pass !! That I know lol try being 39 yrs old , pregnant , 4 teenagers and a freaked out husband lol !!!
Getting rest and taking care if yourself is the key !!
My dd who is 5 regularly 'quits' dayhome !!!
It happens !! Vent to us !! Because it helps !! We women and moms get it !!! Life gets tough !!! This will not last ! Your sickness will go , you will get that energy back !!!
Wishing you all the best !!!!

[cfred]

For years, I walked with a girlfriend who lived across the street. Every night. Not only was it great exercise, but it was the time where 'anything goes' and the air would be blue around us as we swore like truckers and vented all the frustrations of our lives. It was the best therapy and support EVER!!! Sometimes it took a lot of effort to drag my sorry, tired ass off the couch in the evening, but we always went and felt better for it afterward. In the end, we became the closest of friends (like family, really) and we both had the emotional release we needed.

[gravy_train]

Thanks so much everyone! I met my midwife for the first time yesterday and she is so contagiously positive and awesome that I feel a million times better just talking to her. She assured me that when the time is right for me she will write me a letter recommending that I take leave from my job (so that I can get sick leave from EI before my maternity leave). So, in a financial sense that takes a lot of pressure off.
I've also decided to join my hubby on a business trip in three weeks (free hotel with swimming pool for the kids and I while he is in meetings) . I will still be with the kids but will have the luxury of hotel living (no cooking) with the fun of a swimming pool!! I am only giving my clients a few weeks notice but I'm not going to feel guilty about it at all!
I have my countdown calendar in an easily accessible spot and started my day by looking at it and crossing off yesterday :-).
Things are looking up!

[bright sparks]

Sounds like you are much more positive today. I'm glad to hear you have what sounds like an incredible midwife and your trip ahead will no doubt be fantastic and well needed no just for you but as a family too