Weekly Thread: Dec 27- Jan 2 - Page 2

[crosscat]

Good Morning Mamas!

NAK (as usual)

ty for kind remarks re: my hair. The stylist is gifted. I'm happier with short hair than I expected to be.

anyway...
Em: You have beautiful hair, which would be just as lovely in a more low-maintenance style, I'm sure. And as for the Mommie Crisis, it really IS overwhelming at times, isn't it? You're doing a wonderful job. Trust that it gets easier and our muscles (physical, spiritual, emotional) strengthen as they are tested.

Tara: We missed you (can you tell?)! WB

Faerie: Thinking about you and hoping everything works out well.

OrchideZ: I'm so sorry to hear that it's not healed up yet. Take good care of yourself. That bubble bath is going to be really special after such a long wait.

Carrie: I know going back to work is going to be hard. You know we are all here for you.

aam: Well Calla seems way fussier lately. She isn't napping enough and she gets upset very easily. Dunno exactly what's going on... growth spurt, "wonder week", reflux, demonic possession??? Well it's not THAT bad... But we're staying positive and remaining optimistic that we'll figure it out or ride it out, whichever applies. It is a bit tiresome, though.

BTW I love that so many of us are FB friends now. Seeing your status updates and photo albums makes me feel like I know you all a little better. I really enjoyed participating in the virtual nurse-in with you all.

[mommysaurus]

Hi all! I'm still out here! Super busy lately with the holidays and all.
Hope everyone had a great one. Mine was quiet. All my kids, except G man, were with their dad. He had them overnight, Christmas Eve (also my #2 bday) to about noonish Christmas day. It was the first time there were not with me for christmas morning, but I did ok. It was just DP, G and me. Once they came home it was CRAZY! No other family to deal with, mine live out of state. I just browsed through some of the post to read about all the drama....sorry some of you all had to deal with that.
We're getting ready to head up to the mtns. on New years day. We'll be visiting DP's mom, dad and grandparents. We'll be there until Saturday. Lots of snow! Kids will have fun!

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

Is anyone else even going back to work or am I the only one??

I can't even find a job! The pickings have gotten less and less every day. I still have some unemployment left but I'm getting worried. I"m trying to figure something out, that I can do here at home. I dont want to leave G. I can't imagine what you must be feeling. *sending hugs*

Facebook: I just signed up to stay in touch with my sisters. I'm still trying to figure it all out. Ok here it is... http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1648225368

Everything is good here. Gman is growing like a weed. I'll have to post a pix soon. Been awhile. Hope everyone has a great new year!

[OrchideZ]

Originally Posted by PassionateWriter

OrchideZ, I dont post much here anymore but i just read your latest post and just wanted to tell you that the same thing happened to me w/ my first c/s. It was horrible and really icked me out (all the draining...and the nurses weren't the ones doing it...i did it in the shower). it seemed like forever. Im sorry you are going through that but i do agree with your OB....you need to get the stuff OUT and closing it up again would probalby lead to another infection.

I hope it heals soon. It is no fun to have to wait months to exercise, take a batha, and generally do things you would normally do. Just remember though..you just had major abdominal surgery...try to take a bit of time to pamper yourself a bit. You have had it harder than most here (and anyone else who had to have a c/s...natural birth is so much easier).

Just wanted to send you some hugs and btdt. and hope you get better soon.

Thanks for posting! I want to say I am quite thankful my wound is not infected. Its just open. My heart goes out to you for having to deal with an infection on top of it being open. Ouch! How long did yours take to close?
It is a big ole pain in the butt, I tell ya. It is really hard to not use your core muscles. My back and shoulders as a consequence are always super sore from over-compensating. Getting in and out of bed is a real trial but I am getting better at it.
I constantly joke and say," thank goodness Jasper is cute! Otherwise I would have to send him back."
Thank you for letting me know I am not the only one who has had this for so long. I feel like such a weirdo...no one has ever heard of this in my circle or family.

Cat: I think Jasper is having a "wonder week". He seems so fussy and needy yet both my husband and I remarked this morning that something about him seems older. He has been sleeping lots too but then at night waking up more.
Keep me posted on Calla and what you are noticing.
I agree with you on loving FB and seeing/keeping up with you all. Its somehow easier over there I think. This thread here can be daunting to me.

Mommy: Have fun in the snow!
I will add you on FB. I am Vivlish Zee there. Its funny- I signed on with a nickname and using the phonetic spelling of my last name (before I married)'s first initial- and FB let me. I just felt funny about using my real name. Now, I feel kinda silly as everyone is on there and has their real name. I wonder if FB would let me change?

Carrie: Hugs to you on your last special day with Nora.
You are a wonderful mama.

[mamanurse]

Originally Posted by OrchideZ

I had an appt. with my OB since its been so long going and my stitches are still open in the middle. My insurance only covers for 90 home health nurse visits so now my husband will have to do my daily dressing changes.
My doc examined me and then asked, "So its been like 6 weeks?"
I was like," Umm, no...10 1/2 weeks".
He was shocked it still is open and set me up with lots of supplies and I go back again in 2 weeks.
He said I still can't do yoga or baths or major exercise/lifting. *sigh*

I think you should see a Wound Ostomy Skin Continence Nurse (WOSCN). They are specifically trained in wound healing. Doctors will often write for a WOSCN to see my patients and they write up the entire protocol for us to do. They also teach the patients how to do their dressing changes if they won't be having home health. Maybe a WOSCN wrote your original orders for your wound, but it sounds like it's not working very well (or quickly).

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

I'm getting nervous thinking about pumping at work - I hope my supply doesn't diminish, and I hope there's a place for me to pump. Right now, I'm either going to use my boss's office (but she's there 2 days a week) or the conference room (which doesn't lock). I'm thinking about making a simple sign that says, "Pumping in Progress, Please Knock Before Entering" or something like that to put on the door when I'm pumping. I can't believe I'm getting nervous about this, but I am. Any advice?

Is anyone else even going back to work or am I the only one??

Me Carrie! I'm going back on the 19th. Only two days a week instead of my usual 3, though. My mom will watch her for the 2 12 hour shifts. She's also going to be bringing Hazel to me once a shift so we can nurse.

Have you checked out the pumping sticky in the working moms forum? Kellymom also has some useful tips. Don't you get good yield when you pump? If you do, you shouldn't have a problem maintaining your supply.

I like the sign idea if you're worried about your privacy is a good idea. We have one for our lounge at work that seems like it's constantly on the door. The few male nurses that work on the floor don't even eat in our lounge anymore because there's always a mom with her teetahs out

I got my haircut today

[crosscat]

Originally Posted by mamanurse

I got my haircut today

You know we all wanna see!!!

[Orionbelt]

Mamanurse: Pictures please!

Ugh...it is turning out to be one of those days. I did something to my leg and it is killing me. I just took a motrin and I'm really hoping to works because having three kids does not allow me hardly a moment to sit down but moving is painful. I think I pulled something when I bent down on the floor with Charlotte in the sling...I must have came back up at an awkward angle. Plus, I've been pretty blah about my body lately (yeah...three births in less than three years does a number on the body!) so DH decides to take me to the mall an buy me a new shirt. I got a beautiful shirt and sweater set from The Gap but couldn't try it on because I was slinging a sleeping baby. I got a size large because my boobs are ginormous at the moment and I was worried that it wouldn't fit...buying clothes is not a fun thing for me...imagine how happy I was to discover that they did fit and looked really nice on me...except the giant poofy sleeves. I just don't like poofy sleeves and these are super poofy. I'm going to return it and try to find something else but finding time to go to the mall and shop is nearly impossible.

Alright...I'm going to stop whining now...got to make the kidlets some supper and stuff my face with some chocolate!

[TaraRae82]

I totally forgot to include all the excitement from the holiday season in my post yesterday!

So, first, I got an email from a friend of mine from Bradley class letting me know that my OB is moving to Michigan! EEK! I called her office and sure enough, the last day they're seeing patients is New Years Eve and then they're closing the doors. I'm SO upset! How will I ever find anyone that progressive and open to completely NCB for my next babies?! The CNM on staff doesn't know where she's going yet. I went to pick up my medical records today since I have no where to send them and they gave me a website that will hopefully keep me in touch with the CNM so I can go to her when she finds a place. I sure hope she finds a place soon! I really don't want to search for a CP again because I've been so spoiled by that practice.

The other "exciting" this is we wrecked my car on Sunday night. It's pretty bad. The roads were really slick by our house from some sleet earlier but DH didn't know just how slick. A car was stopped in the middle of the road and he tapped the breaks to stop and we started sliding. He couldn't do anything but just try not to lose control of the car. In order to not hit that car and the oncoming car, he tried to turn onto our street but couldn't get the car to turn sharply enough and we ran head first into a light pole. The whole front end will have to be replaced. I'm totally bummed but I know it could've been a lot worse had we hit one or both of the other cars (prob would've caused a spin out for all of us). No one was hurt thank goodness but Ally Rae and I both got adjusted today just in case. We were only going about 25 we think but still.

Anyway, that's all my crappy stuff from the holiday.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by mamanurse

Me Carrie! I'm going back on the 19th. Only two days a week instead of my usual 3, though. My mom will watch her for the 2 12 hour shifts. She's also going to be bringing Hazel to me once a shift so we can nurse.

Have you checked out the pumping sticky in the working moms forum? Kellymom also has some useful tips. Don't you get good yield when you pump? If you do, you shouldn't have a problem maintaining your supply.

I like the sign idea if you're worried about your privacy is a good idea. We have one for our lounge at work that seems like it's constantly on the door. The few male nurses that work on the floor don't even eat in our lounge anymore because there's always a mom with her teetahs out

I got my haircut today

Oh, phew, glad I'm not the only one. Though, I am going back full time. I'm going to put myself out there on the Working Mamas forum to see if anyone has any advice for me there, too.

I do pretty good w/pumping. If I pump after she eats, I get 2-3 oz total. If I skip a feeding and pump, I get around 4-6 oz total. Pretty normal, from what I've read.

I'm going to be the only nursing woman in my entire company, let alone my building. So, I'm slightly nervous about privacy. I spoke to my boss on the phone today to let her know I'll be pumping a few times a day. I'll play it by ear once I get there and see if a sign is needed. I bet it will be. Or else people will ask for me and somebody will say, "She's pumping! She'll be out in a few minutes!!!" all loud.

And I too would love to see pics of your hair cut!

[Baby_Cakes]

Tara! We posted at the same time! What a horrible accident! I'm glad everyone is OK and that the only damage done was to the car. That must have been pretty scary though! Accidents seem to happen in slow motion, don't they? Again, I'm SO GLAD everyone is ok!

[PassionateWriter]

Originally Posted by OrchideZ

Thanks for posting! I want to say I am quite thankful my wound is not infected. Its just open. My heart goes out to you for having to deal with an infection on top of it being open. Ouch! How long did yours take to close?
It is a big ole pain in the butt, I tell ya. It is really hard to not use your core muscles. My back and shoulders as a consequence are always super sore from over-compensating. Getting in and out of bed is a real trial but I am getting better at it.
I constantly joke and say," thank goodness Jasper is cute! Otherwise I would have to send him back."
Thank you for letting me know I am not the only one who has had this for so long. I feel like such a weirdo...no one has ever heard of this in my circle or family.

honestly, i cant remember how long it was but it seemed like forever. i was draining it at 3 months...it was crazy.

are you seeing a chiro? that may help keep your back adjusted at least and eliminate damaging your shoulders or back.

i hope it gets better soon.

[Orionbelt]

Wow, Tara, glad that everyone is alright. How scary.

[crosscat]

Originally Posted by OrchideZ

I wonder if FB would let me change?

Yep. They will let you change it. Mine used to be Catherine Cross until I recently changed it to my actual surname. I can't remember exactly what was involved now...

Tara Sorry to hear about the accident, but I'm glad it wasn't any worse. That sucks about your OB.

[JMarie930]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

Is anyone else even going back to work or am I the only one??

I'm going back to work on the 7th, full time. I've been avoiding thinking about it, so much that I completely spaced out on building a freezer stash! I have some, and since she'll be at our on-site daycare for 10 weeks, I won't have to worry TOO much. She'll probably need one bottle before DH takes her to the DC (I start work at 5AM, but the DC doesn't open until 6:30AM), one bottle while I'm working, and then I'll spend my lunch break at the DC nursing her every day. I'll just pump during my breaks, and hopefully that will get me through. She'll actually only be at the DC from about 7:30AM until 2PM, so I think two feedings should be just fine. She only eats about 6 times a day at this point.

Originally Posted by TaraRae82

I totally forgot to include all the excitement from the holiday season in my post yesterday!

So, first, I got an email from a friend of mine from Bradley class letting me know that my OB is moving to Michigan! EEK! I called her office and sure enough, the last day they're seeing patients is New Years Eve and then they're closing the doors. I'm SO upset! How will I ever find anyone that progressive and open to completely NCB for my next babies?! The CNM on staff doesn't know where she's going yet. I went to pick up my medical records today since I have no where to send them and they gave me a website that will hopefully keep me in touch with the CNM so I can go to her when she finds a place. I sure hope she finds a place soon! I really don't want to search for a CP again because I've been so spoiled by that practice.

The other "exciting" this is we wrecked my car on Sunday night. It's pretty bad. The roads were really slick by our house from some sleet earlier but DH didn't know just how slick. A car was stopped in the middle of the road and he tapped the breaks to stop and we started sliding. He couldn't do anything but just try not to lose control of the car. In order to not hit that car and the oncoming car, he tried to turn onto our street but couldn't get the car to turn sharply enough and we ran head first into a light pole. The whole front end will have to be replaced. I'm totally bummed but I know it could've been a lot worse had we hit one or both of the other cars (prob would've caused a spin out for all of us). No one was hurt thank goodness but Ally Rae and I both got adjusted today just in case. We were only going about 25 we think but still.

Anyway, that's all my crappy stuff from the holiday.

I'm so sorry to hear about your OB leaving! When we moved from IL to TX, my biggest concerns were leaving behind my wonderful OBs from DS's birth and also leaving his ped group. They were both just the best. I really hope you're able to either find another OB who shares your views on NCB, or you're able to stick with the CNM. Fingers crossed!

AAM: Well, DH has been sick for about a month and he finally went to see the doctor. Thank goodness, it's not strep and it doesn't look like it's a sinus infection either. Lungs are clear too. Just a nasty, nasty cold, but at least he'll listen to our doctor and start taking some OTC stuff to clear it up. Won't listen to me about it.

I'm so happy to have my home back to normal. The ILs were visiting last week and while I love that they come to see us, it really bothered me that they were so VOCAL about how bored they were just staying around the house. Ummm, DD nurses every 3 hours during the day and each session can last over an hour. I generally don't plan to spend the entire day out of the house and I'll even plan most errands to last me just about an hour or so. Seriously, I would have thought they'd just be happy to spend time with their grandkids.

OH! And MIL erased the memory card on our camera!!! I didn't notice until we'd already taken some pictures over it, but tomorrow we're going to see if we can recover any of the pictures. TG I'd downloaded most of them, but not all. Really, what would possess someone to touch another person's camera? She said she just wanted to 'correct' the resolution on our pictures so they weren't so large when we sent them to her. Sheesh!

[crabbyowl]

This will be short since Eleanor is fussy, but there was a very exciting first today. When I picked her up to hold her I had her looking over my shoulder, and for the first time she put one of her little arms up over my shoulder toward my neck! : Before she would just keep her arms down on my arm or chest.

My MIL is in town to visit, and we're all having a good time - I'm lucky enough to have really great ILs.

[TaraRae82]

^Aww! Isn't is to sweet when they do that crabbyowl?! I love that part of BW'ing now.

[mamanurse]

Originally Posted by Orionbelt

Wow, Tara, glad that everyone is alright. How scary.

I don't have any pics of my hair yet. Maybe I'll convince dh to take some this evening while it's still "salon fresh."

[mkmb129]

naking so will be short

Tara, sorry about your accident! Saying this just in case you don't know that after an accident, you should replace your carseat. I'm glad no one was hurt!

I only skimmed this thread, I will read and reply to every later!

AAM: DTD today.. it was great, no pain whatsoever! Made it almost 10wks pp We're leaving for home tomorrow, then Sunday dh will leave to come back here.. boo. I can't wait to have a "normal" life again! I am so excited to get home and see my mom, sisters & nieces, though! This is the longest I've been away from them!

On a sad note, I have to turn ds forward facing My little boy is getting so big! It seems like such a big milestone.. like he's officially not a baby anymore. I had hoped to make it longer then 26mos.. but he's got a long torso, and we cannot afford a new carseat with a higher back right now. I wonder how he'll react to his new view of the world!

[sonshine_rae]

Tara I'm so sorry about your car, I hope they can fix it easily/quickly for you! .. and 'yeah that' about having your carseat replaced.. even though it was a slow accident they say 'any' car accident you should replace the carseat in case it was weakened. Insurance might pay for it.. They even say if a carseat is in the car.. but no kid in it.. that you still need to replace the carseat.

Tara maybe ask Ally Rae's doctor about a good OB for you? I bet he'd have an idea or keep an ear open if he doesn't...

AAM: My baby can go from happy, smiling, laughing, to sheer tantrum like screaming/hitting in seconds . He mostly does the complete tantrum like behaviour at night.. while he's refusing to go to sleep!!!!

[audsma]

Tara- that sounds scary. Glad everyone is well.

Carrie- you'll do fine at work, and post that sign! Your predicament reminds me of one of my most shameful moments. I was the English department chairperson at the high school where I formerly taught, so I had keys to all of the classrooms. And, as a 25 year old who was no where near being ready to have kids, I sinned against a nursing mother. : My colleague taught 3 days a week, and I could never remember when she was there. She had locked her door to pump, and since I had the keys to her room, I opened the door for one of her sophomores who needed his backpack. We were all so embarrassed, but as someone who has been through pumping and working now, I am even more mortified that I failed to know she was behind that door! A sign would have helped, but also would have been an issue in a high school. I know your colleagues will respect you, Carrie, and look at how you will empower other future mothers in your company!

Jen- how irksome that your MIL erased your card! GL recovering pictures. My folks are just the opposite of your ILs. They never want to go anywhere and sit around my house reading, or if my mom cleans, she puts things in places where I really have to hunt for where they have gone. And, to make it all the more ironic, my dad always used to complain about his ILs who'd drive an hour and a half to come sit around his house and read. He does the same thing except drives 13 hours.

Megan- Wow! What a milestone to reach.

Rae- I hope this is a "wonder week" and it passess soon. I wish you good sleep.

AAM: I got a great deal on a swing yesterday! I took some clothes Bryson had outgrown with tags still on to the used kids store yesterday and got a store credit. Then I saw a swing outside. For a bunch of clothes I'd never use and couldn't return and $9, I got a swing that looks like new. I tested him in it and he slept through it all. So, I think I'll pass my bouncy seat back to the girlfriend who lent it to me and get the swing out of my car. Yipee for hands/moby free dishwasher loading and floor scrubbing! (Okay, I've not scrubbed the floor, but it needs it!)

I had a realization on Christmas Eve as I was getting wistful for a bigger shopping metropolis... You all talk about BRU, and I'd envisioned it as this ideal, organic, super crunchy store that only big city dwellers are privy to, and then it hit me that it's an abbreviation for a store I already know about (but still don't have anywhere near me.) Too funny.

[crosscat]

^ LOL @ crunchy BRU