Chat Thread: Apr 13- Apr 19

[lotus.blossom]

How was everyones holiday weekend?

Mine sucked. We didn't go to the family Easter dinner because my DS is working through some issues lately. Since recovering from his illness he has taken on a violent streak. Towards me mostly. Its been very upsetting. I'm surprised I haven't gone into labor with all the crying I have been doing.

I woke up to some serious cramping this morning. And my legs feel like I have run a marathon. Not sure why, no swelling or anything. I just need to make it through this week. My parents are coming to town Saturday and my mom at the very least will be helpful in keeping my house clean while I veg out. My birthday is on Monday and I'm trying to think of a restaurant I want to go to. I'm going to make myself a Tiramisu.

Ok, now its your turn!

[Amydoula]

Sorry about the bummer of a weekend April! Hope this week goes better.

Me: Things are going well here, I'll be 35 weeks tomorrow which is when I'll be able to birth at the birthing center at our local hospital so a pretty significant milestone for me. My GD is staying controlled and I'm dealing with all the extra ultrasounds and NST's. I'm feeling really good still but definitely slowing down. DH is away on his trip this week and I'm trying to get the rest of the things ready for the baby.

[russianthistle]

Yum Tiramisu, send some to me, mama!
Sorry to hear about the distress in the family. Your son probably seriously senses a change is about to occur in his little life.

Amy, hang in there. I cannot imagine GD and lots of NST. It can be hard enough to have a stress-free pregnancy!

My weekend was great. I have been feeling great. Walking a lot...able to walk a lot. Lots of energy...like I could be pregnant forever. It's almost been easy to forget that I am pregnant, lately, until I try to do something like bend over.

Baby keeps getting bigger. I forgot what a change there can be in the last few weeks.

Have a great day, mamas.

[j_p_i]

April - sorry to hear about your frustrating week. I agree, he probably senses some big changes are about to happen that he doesn't quite comprehend yet. Unfortunately his actions/reactions are directed at you and I'm sure that's pretty overwhelming. Maybe once your LO gets here he'll jump right into the big brother role?

Amy - glad to hear you're hitting your 35 week milestone! I wish I was getting that energy burst too, mine seems to come and go pretty quickly.

This week I am finishing up the baby's room, painting and whatnot. My DH is working and going to school pretty much constantly, which leaves me with all the housework. I'm also still working, and running all the errands, and I'm feeling frustrated because housework just makes me exhausted. Plus he's more of a neat-freak than I, so I feel like the standards are dropping because I'm the only one able to take care of things. Sigh. I hope my energy comes back soon, I'm feeling kind of frustrated with the lack of it.

[CookAMH]

Sorry to hear about your soreness April. I was pretty sore this weekend. I took photos for some friends on Saturday, and did some errands and was soooo sore in my butt and pelvis. It hurt to walk. I guess I over did it.

I get waves of itchiness on my belly stretch marks as baby keeps growing. The marks are growing too...:

I located a place near us for a car seat check, so we'll do that this week and I can mark it off my list. This is my last full week of work and then partial days next Monday and Tuesday. I can't WAIT. DH is pushing hard to finish some projects for this quarter at seminary so they're done before the baby comes.

DH has his next phone interview on Thursday with the church in Seattle. After that we'll find out if 1) they want him for a visit and 2) when that visit might work out with the baby coming

I'm wearing my black yoga pants to work today with a nice top. Much more comfy. I wonder if I can get away with it all week

russianthistle, I'm jealous that you can walk a lot! I can't seem to do much before I'm too sore. I just need to take it slow but still walk.

erin, all of that IS exhausting! I hope you can rest some.

amy great job on the GD!

[~Katie~]

We had a nice, but exhausting weekend. We made the drive to Baltimore early Friday afternoon and picked my BIL up from the airport, then we spent the weekend with family and went briefly to my other BIL's lacrosse game at M&T. It was raining and DS didn't enjoy that part. We got home yesterday around 5pm. Now I know why pregnant women aren't supposed to travel late in pregnancy, its wears you out!

DH is on block leave starting this week so we will finish getting things ready for the baby. I want to buy some things in bulk at Sam's, finish up the baby stuff, get myself some nursing pj's, and go to Ikea because we're converting our dining room into a playroom for the kids. We're also planning to have a fence installed at some point in our backyard so we'll set some outdoor toys up out there.

I could go for some tiramisu right about now.

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by KatieJD

get myself some nursing pj's

I was just thinking about this yesterday, what kind do you think you'll get? I may go to Kohl's or Target, but should I get tank shirts or ones with buttons at the top? Dh is NOT a fan of nightgowns and I don't like sleeping in them, so I was thinking of shorts and shirts...any tips for a first time nurser?

I'm also thinking of buying a bikini for labor since I plan to use a jacuzzi and don't know yet whether I'll just go naked or want some clothing on.

[Amydoula]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

I was just thinking about this yesterday, what kind do you think you'll get? I may go to Kohl's or Target, but should I get tank shirts or ones with buttons at the top? Dh is NOT a fan of nightgowns and I don't like sleeping in them, so I was thinking of shorts and shirts...any tips for a first time nurser?

I'm also thinking of buying a bikini for labor since I plan to use a jacuzzi and don't know yet whether I'll just go naked or want some clothing on.

We sleep nakey so it works out really well During the winter months with DS1 I would just make sure to have a big warm throw blanket to kind of wrap around my top while nursing in bed, being that this will mostly be a summer baby when still nursing all night I'm sure I won't need anything as we don't have A/C.

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by Amydoula

We sleep nakey so it works out really well During the winter months with DS1 I would just make sure to have a big warm throw blanket to kind of wrap around my top while nursing in bed, being that this will mostly be a summer baby when still nursing all night I'm sure I won't need anything as we don't have A/C.

I could manage that fine after our mother's leave...but for the first couple of weeks I def. need something hehe.

I plan to try one of the bravado nursing tanks, so i could easily sleep in that and just find some comfy shorts.

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

I was just thinking about this yesterday, what kind do you think you'll get? I may go to Kohl's or Target, but should I get tank shirts or ones with buttons at the top? Dh is NOT a fan of nightgowns and I don't like sleeping in them, so I was thinking of shorts and shirts...any tips for a first time nurser?

I'm also thinking of buying a bikini for labor since I plan to use a jacuzzi and don't know yet whether I'll just go naked or want some clothing on.

I'm planning to get several pairs of these to wear immediately post-partum in addition to just regular pj's.

I experimented with a lot of different nursing openings last time and I find that the empire opening is easiest to use. I don't like having to separate several layers of clothing to get to the opening. I'm going to get a few shirts with empire openings for baby wearing as well, that way I won't have to pull the bottom of my shirt out of the waist strap to nurse.

I bought a tank top to wear during my water birth but never put it on, I just wore a sport's bra that I ended up putting on under my clothes before I went to the hospital. For me personally, I don't wear bottoms because I like to be able to feel what's going on down there and feel the baby's head descend. I pretty much did my own dilation checks during labor at the hospital that way. I HATED clothing during labor last time so I think I may just be naked this time around, it was such a strange urge for me to want to just strip all my clothing off and be naked since I'm normally more conservative about nudity

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

I could manage that fine after our mother's leave...but for the first couple of weeks I def. need something hehe.

I plan to try one of the bravado nursing tanks, so i could easily sleep in that and just find some comfy shorts.

I have the Bravado nursing tanks and they are fantastic, but I wouldn't recommend them for immediately post-partum because the bra itself doesn't have much stretch to it. I am not a naked sleeper and need nursing pads day and night for the first 4-6 months at least, so I really want to try this bra out and see how it works for night-time.

[russianthistle]

We sleep naked as well...probably will use a tank or bra or a towel/receiving blanet in those first few leaky weeks.

Labor also done in the nude. Clothes are WAY too bothersome for me, much of the time.

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by KatieJD

I have the Bravado nursing tanks and they are fantastic, but I wouldn't recommend them for immediately post-partum because the bra itself doesn't have much stretch to it. I am not a naked sleeper and need nursing pads day and night for the first 4-6 months at least, so I really want to try this bra out and see how it works for night-time.

How do the Motherwear tops open? Just under the bust? Interesting! oh nevermind, I see it now. Is it a stretchy cotton?

Good point about the tanks, I may wait on those anyway since they are pricey and get the right fit for long term use.

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

How do the Motherwear tops open? Just under the bust? Interesting! oh nevermind, I see it now. Is it a stretchy cotton?

Good point about the tanks, I may wait on those anyway since they are pricey and get the right fit for long term use.

They have several different nursing openings and fits, I like the relaxed and loose fitting tops the best. These are the different nursing openings and how they work: http://www.motherwear.com/cs/openings.cfm

[lotus.blossom]

Oooh, that looks like an awesome bra, Katie. I am a big fan of racerbacks (I HATE the straps slipping off my shoulders) and its nice and high on the chest. I found that with my flimsy motherhood cotton bras I had major boob overhang when my breasts were empty after nursing. I hated that.
I always slept in a nursing bra and pair of boxers (summer baby)

[lightheartedmom]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

I was just thinking about this yesterday, what kind do you think you'll get? I may go to Kohl's or Target, but should I get tank shirts or ones with buttons at the top? Dh is NOT a fan of nightgowns and I don't like sleeping in them, so I was thinking of shorts and shirts...any tips for a first time nurser?

I'm also thinking of buying a bikini for labor since I plan to use a jacuzzi and don't know yet whether I'll just go naked or want some clothing on.

I'm doing the same thing today...dr's appt, then off to buy post partum PJ's and a bikini top for labor. I get my GBS results today, if they're positive, I think I might seriously regret taking the stupid test at all. Other than that, operation holy-crap-i-have-so-much-to-do-to-get-ready-for-this-baby marches on...I really wish I could get decent sleep at night...other than that I feel pretty good. I've officially gained way more weight than I did with DD, which was previously operating as my measurement of an unhealthy pregnancy. Now I'm just trying to ignore the numbers and take solace in the little things like, by 34 weeks w/ DD, I was so swollen all over, I couldn't wear my wedding ring. 37 weeks now, the ring is still there.

As for first time nursing advice...I bought ONE nursing top when DD was a baby. One. And I hated it. I bought two or three nursing bras, one bravado, one sleep bra and one wretched underwire thing from Motherhood that was ruined after one wash. Me = not a fan of nursing apparel. My favorite piece of clothing for night nursing: lots and lots of super cheap spaghetti strap camis from Target or H&M or Forever21. I'd just pull one strap down and whip the boob out. Of course, after a few months of being stretched, the straps sometimes broke, but when you're paying $4-$8 for something, it's practically disposable. I'm planning on basically doing the same thing this time. Just my two cents.

Hope all you ladies have a great Monday!

[j_p_i]

I'm doing a bikini top and loose skirt for labor too - the skirt will come off in the tub of course. I got the bikini top from old navy, and it ties in the back and at the neck for easy removal if I want.

I've got a few nursing bras for the time being, they're from Bravado and I love them. I haven't really thought about what to do for sleep though... I hate sleeping in a bra so I'll probably want a looser tank... good idea lightheartedmom!

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom

Oooh, that looks like an awesome bra, Katie. I am a big fan of racerbacks (I HATE the straps slipping off my shoulders) and its nice and high on the chest. I found that with my flimsy motherhood cotton bras I had major boob overhang when my breasts were empty after nursing. I hated that.
I always slept in a nursing bra and pair of boxers (summer baby)

I hate the boob overhang too. I have the Medela sleep bra and they either fall out the bottom or the sides. The comfort bra actually looks supportive enough to keep things in place, especially with the wide band at the bottom.

I think I might get the Bravado body silk seamless nursing bra, has anybody tried that one? I have the lifestyle bra and really love that.

[Punchy Kaby]

April-sorry to hear about your bad weekend. I agree with the others, your DS senses that his position in the family is changing soon. I am having discipline problems with DS as well. He has been into hitting me and he does not listen to me at all sometimes.

Amy-congrats on making it to 35 weeks! glad your GD is under control, what a relief!

For nursing tops, last time I liked the fake wrap tops the best (empire waist or not)I could easily whip a boob out by pulling over the side of the shirt. I never liked pulling up my shirt from underneath. I have stretch pj's tank tops that I can pull over. I do have to sleep in bras the first few months because I leak so badly and i need the support for my size H's (that's how big I was at the beginning last time.) I only have 2 nursing bras to start out this time and am a little worried I will have to order some asap after the baby. I am a 4" smaller around my rib cage this time and none of my nursing bras from last time fit!

I am officially done working now. I had contractions all day yesterday at regular intervals and less so today. My feeling is that if I am going to be in real labor at any time, I don't want to waste my energy at work. I have a lot to do around the house still and I really want to get it done! I don't know if I am having BH or what?? All day yesterday they cx were 5 min apart, they didn't stop me from what I was doing, but I do get a tingly feeling in my thighs that works its way up my whole innards. I have hardly had any BH up until now. I started drinking RRL tea this weekend, could that be responsible for all of this? Wed is 38 weeks.

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by Nolansmum

I am officially done working now. I had contractions all day yesterday at regular intervals and less so today. My feeling is that if I am going to be in real labor at any time, I don't want to waste my energy at work. I have a lot to do around the house still and I really want to get it done! I don't know if I am having BH or what?? All day yesterday they cx were 5 min apart, they didn't stop me from what I was doing, but I do get a tingly feeling in my thighs that works its way up my whole innards. I have hardly had any BH up until now. I started drinking RRL tea this weekend, could that be responsible for all of this? Wed is 38 weeks.

oh that rocks re: work. I am almost there.