Southern Belle

My son is almost 7 months old and has seemed to beat all the 'milestones' by at least 2 months. He first rolled over at 2 months, crawled at 5 months, and now pulling himself up at 6 1/2 months. I was curious to see what other babies out there were doing at these ages.

I am a new mother and work part-time currently. My best friend, who works full-time, has now started to ask me to stop by her house on a daily basis to let out her & her husband's dog and NEW puppy. I didn't mind doing it once, but now it has become expected of me. How do I tell her that her dogs are NOT my problem nicely? I have 2 small dogs of my own and when they were puppies, I had to leave work on my lunch break to come home and let them out. You have to make sacrifices and I don't think she wants to. Help!

My husband and I just had our first child 5 months ago and since then, he has been extremely distant. He has been sneaking around texting the girl that did my ultrasounds when I was pregnant! She knew both of us on a 'friend-level' before I was pregnant, but never did we actually contact her outside of the doctor's office. He says their text conversations are innocent and nothing for me to worry about, but what would you need to say at 11:30 pm? He never told me that they talked until I discovered all the text messages on our last cell phone bill. I want to be able to trust him, but it constantly puts the 'what if' idea in my mind. How do I handle this?

Hello everyone:

I am 9 weeks along today (yay!) and had my first OB appt last week. My doctor called this morning to tell me that they found Group B Strep in my urine from last week. He is putting me on antibiotics today for this. I have never heard of women having this treated until later in the 3rd trimester or during labor. Is this something I should be worried about?

I just want everything to work out because I had an ectopic pregnancy back in August. I just pray to God it will all be okay.

Thank you!

I know some of the basics, but when do you start 'craving' foods and have to wear maternity pants? I am only 7 weeks along, 5'2", and short-waisted. My doctor said it is possible for me to start 'bloating out' anytime and have to wear larger pants. I just want to make sure I am not 'mentally creating' these feelings!

Is there a website where you can find out these 'mommy milestones?' I have had already checked out several.

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I am not a realtor, but was wondering if there is a website to search MLS numbers for homes for sale here in Tennessee. I would appreciate any information- without contacting an actual realtor.

I am looking for some web-site help in creating Professional looking templates for my documents. I found some info through Microsoft.com, but it isn't saving the document to where I can find it and use it.

Any advice is great! Thanks

I graduated college with a B.A. in Communication Science and could find NOTHING within that degree field worth working for! I have talked to several of my classmates who are struggling with the same issues and now working as bank tellers, retail associates, etc. I think that college is becoming an income-based institution - instead of an educational based necessity!

I know I am not alone, but how many others of you out there are encountering the same issues? How did you overcome this growing problem? Just curious!

I used to have Orkin come and spray my house about 2 years ago, but I have the situation under control now. Within the last 2 weeks, I have noticed these little flea-like bugs around my sinks, doors, and window. When you go to kill them, they jump- not fly away. I remember what the Orkin man called them, something '...wigs' I think. They don't bite, sting, or anything like that, but they are annoying! Any idea of what they are and what to do to get rid of them?

I have sprayed Home Defense already, they are immune to it or something.

Many of my friends have moved away in the last 3 years and I have noticed that I have no one to really have 'girl time' with. I work for my parents small company, and there is no interaction with anyone my own age. My husband's friends are all guys who are single, and I am wits end on how to meet some new people. I am not trying to sound pathetic here, but it would be nice to get out once in a while.... thank you!

I understand the whole deal with everyone wanting more fuel efficient cars and all, but I think I am at a loss. I want to sell my 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, but from all the estimates I have seen- I am going to actually OWE money to the bank! In fact, we paid $33,000 for it, and they saying Private Party price is $19,000! What do I do? Hold on to it for another year, or get out while I still can?

Thanks!

my friend just got back from her 'annual' gynecological visit and they told her today that her pap smear showed 'abnormal cells.' They scheduled her for another visit to do a 'CoPo'. What is this? Is this a bad sign? She tried to call back her office today and they were closed- she hasn't a clue as to what this all means!

My husband and I are trying to conceive our first child, and therefore, we are having sex more often. I have thought of several ways to spice it up and one of them is a strip dance. Any thoughts on how to make it worth my while? I really need some help on a good song to dance to as well. Help me!

My husband has a nervous habit of picking the skin around his nails to the point it bleeds! He always says, "I need to stop doing this.." but he never does. I catch him doing it and just give him a look to stop. He says he isn't nervous or worried about anything, but that he just does it. His hands look terrible and now he puts antibiotic ointment and gloves on when he sleeps.

He knows I am asking this, because he really wants to quit. I need some ideas here, as it is driving us both nuts.

My in-laws were wonderful people before my husband and I were engaged. They loved me and included me in all family functions. When my husband came home to show his mother the ring, she said, "It's not my style- I wouldn't wear that!" Soon afterwards, hell began and they did everything to make our engagement horrible. The whole situation escalated when we said we wanted to get married 2 hours out of town in a bigger city. They refused to attend our wedding and pressured his other family (who were attendants and ring bearers) not to attend either. My husband had 3 people to represent his side of the family on our big day. We all believe this behavior was derived from him mom not wanting to let go of her son. Who knows... it has been 3 years now. We just recently starting communication with them and it is so awkward. No mention of the wedding or anything in the past. His mom acts like nothing ever happened. I have the hardest time relaxing around her. Is this normal - is she?

My husband is the world's biggest procrastinator and it drives me crazy. I have been with him for 6 years and things have changed for the better some, but he still lacks in the 'drive for on time' dept. I hate to always ***** at him for this or that, but come on! He realizes he does it too, but that doesn't seem to matter when it comes to getting things done. I am frazzled and over it. Any advice on how to cope with it?

My sister is 19 and is involved with a 21 yr old manipulative guy who has made her an emotional train wreck! Our whole family hates him, simply because he has played with her mind since she was 15. He has dropped out of college, occassionally does drugs, talks to my sister like dirt, and made threats against my parents. She has tried to 'overdose' on Advil to make the 'hurt go away' when they fight, locked herself in her room and not eaten for a day when they fight, etc. They have NEVER actually dated, as he dated a girl for 3 years while still talking to my sister on the side! My parents are at witts end; as they have taken away all the means she has used to sneak around to talk to him- her cell phone, computer, etc. What do we do now? She thinks that because she is almost 20, that we should leave her the 'hell alone and do what she wants to do.' We all don't want to see her go down that road, but we have basically given up. Her mood swings are horrible! HELP US- ANY ADVICE!

I have 2 Yorkshire Terrier pups, brothers, and almost 2 years old. They are absolutely horrible when I take them for a walk, as they both bark and like to 'play fight' each other. It only happens when we leave our house, not anyone else's. I have heard of the 'Alpha Male' and I think this could be the cause. I desperately need help, as it so embarrassing to walk them together anymore. My neighbors come out and check to make sure everything is ok!

I commonly refer to this behavior to my husband as them being 'Ghetto Dogs' and he now refuses to help me train them out of it. Help!