1- NEW LAPTOP REPORT. As it turns out, writing blog posts on a laptop with only half of a visible screen is rather annoying. My new one arrives on Monday!
On that note – I am tempted NOT to just transfer all of the files, auto-import-style, from my current mac. I think a digital fresh start sounds nice. But obviously I want to keep some things. I’m hoping that there is a relatively easy way to cherrypick; I know there is an app called Migration Assistant that should help with this.
My photos and videos are weighing down my mac and I don’t feel the need to keep them at hi-res (particularly if I have a backup on Google Images). BUT I don’t want to lose baby / little kid videos forever either (precious and irreplaceable!)
Will report back.
2- FIRST CONFERENCE IN FOREVER! Next week I am attending my first conference in what seems like forever (PES in Baltimore)! I went to APPD (Association of Pediatric Program Directors) in April of 2017 in Anaheim, plagued with early morning sickness. And then my endo conference that fall was during Irma, so I didn’t attend. And THEN there was Genevieve, and my general unwillingness to travel while pumping.
I’m really looking forward to it — the learning, the me-time, the break from my daily routine — all of it! I haven’t decided whether I will use this time to try to wean (ie, not bring pump and just sort of be fine with this as the end) but I am going to have to decide soon.
3- SKIN. I went to the dermatologist this week for a skin check – my very first. That went well, and I did accomplish the things on my checklist (um, wart removal on my finger, etc!). I did not really delve into my more frivolous concerns (including adult acne which still plagues me every month) and I just feel like my skin is . . . angry and inflamed. I have experimented with more consistent skincare during different periods of my life, but admittedly this current phase is not one of them.
4- HORMONES. On that note, we will just continue this TMI edition of 5 for Friday by noting that my hormones have kicked into full gear again despite breastfeeding and I am reminded of how much I hate them! Sadly I think I have PMDD (hooray for internet self-diagnosis, but seriously it really isn’t that subtle). The question is . . . what can I do about it? I suppose knowing the issue is probably at least part of the cure, but I may have to delve further. If anyone has tried chasteberry/vitex, let me know!
5- Weekend! Happy Passover and Easter for those celebrating! I am typing this as the sweet potatoes cool for the tsimmes I am making for our family gathering tonight. We will conclude with this slightly ridiculous (but cute) photo that came on Cameron’s school feed yesterday:
21 Comments
Hopefully this won’t sound super creepy but please do let your readers know if you want or have time for a local meetup while in Baltimore! It would be fun to meet you in person and chat all things life / work (especially in healthcare) / organization. That being said, I know conferences can be crazy busy…and not everyone wants an in person fan club.
Also, if you feel like going for a run while here, you can stick on the water for up to about 10 miles and it is lovely at sunrise!
Pmdd is treatable with ocps or ssris if it’s bad enough. I’m definitely not making recommendations but it might be worth discussing with your doctor.
Thanks Sophia … yeah, I should probably discuss w my Obgyn who I like. Would be inclined to go the ocp route if it’s safe (almost 39, and I know nothing about adult guidelines and low long one can safely be on it!) Was curious whether vitex helped anyone, though.
I’m 36 and I’ve struggled with PMDD off and on pretty much my whole life. OCP helped the most by far, but after kid #2 my doc was not keen on putting me on it. SSRIs helped for a limited amount of time. Right now I’m controlling it by exercising regularly, a calcium supplement (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5313351/), and abstaining from alcohol for that one week that’s particularly bad. Good luck to you and hopefully this is temporary, it’s a not fun thing to deal with.
You’re coming to Baltimore? Can we hang (dinner, coffee, beachbody workout, etc)? We live super close to the convention center, and I know all of the restaurants.
YES! Would love it! (Beachbody ha!)
Long time reader and fellow HA Vet here. If you want Baltimore recommendations or to meet for lunch let me know!
Lindsey
Come to the best boot camp Friday am at 6:15!
Oooooooh I need details!!
MV Fitness boot camp with Oxy at 6:15am. In Mt Vernon Neighbohood in Charles Street. Short Uber for you. Best workout around! She also teaches barre there Thursday night at 6pm. $12/class.
Tsimmies looks delish!
and that photo is the bomb!
I am with you on so many of these. Conferences are awesome – thanks for reminding me to plan one this year! Also – my skin is weirdly unhappy lately too. It was great throughout my pregnancies and breastfeeding but has been red and slightly broken out since I weaned my youngest (ummm…3 years ago?). My mom has rosacea and I’ve had issues with it in the past so I think that’s probably it but I need to go back to the dermatologist. Must make appt. Anyway, thanks for mentioning your skin…makes me feel better that I’m not the only one!
Baltimore! It’s a cool city to visit for a conference. I think I ate crab at every meal.
I have PMDD issues. Mine is much worse on OCP. It’s not a cure but I try to take care of myself by scheduling a massage or something that week. Also Moon Cycle tea by Yogi Tea.
Yay for the conference! Hope you have a good time. If I remember correctly you have copper IUD? If so, Mirena might help. Or you can try OCP. I’m on continuous OCP (no placebo week in theory, but in reality I do 4 days off every few months or I get continual spotting), because I get BAD menstrual migraines. I’ve talked to my OB about it and the concern in late 30s/40s is the slight increased clotting risk, but for a healthy active person without family history that risk is pretty negligible. Happy Passover!
I feel like my luteal phase when progesterone high is actually my worst time so I am afraid of Mirena!
Long time reader, also peds! Going to PAS as well 🙂 went last year when baby was 3 mos and they have the nicest pumping room if you decide not to wean- they have free medela kits and everything.
So cool! Though I definitely don’t need a room- i would just pump and dump in the hotel room twice a day to mimic what we do now 🙂
Just wanted to share what I’ve found works for my skin — the First Aid Beauty line. It’s never made my face break out, and the oatmeal in it seems to soothe any redness. You can usually get free samples from Sephora to see if it works for you!
I tried taking Chasteberry when I was amenorrheic with no results.
I too have trouble sticking to a skin care routine for very lazy and mundane reasons. Maybe something simple like micellar water and a good nighttime moisturizer would be enough to calm everything down for you?
Sorry to hear about your adult acne. I struggled as a teenager (think 2 courses of Accutane) and was bummed to find out the hormones I experienced during pregnancy and breastfeeding made my acne flare up again. I started using Beautycounter products 2 years ago, and was amazed to find that I was actually over-drying my skin and it was fighting back with oil production. Once I started an “adult skincare routine” I finally got my skin under control. And now I think it looks better than it did 10 years ago (I turn 40 next month). I actually joined the company a few months ago because the products are amazing and their mission is even better. If you want more info let me know 🙂