Chat Thread: April 19th-25th

[lotus.blossom]

Keeping the Ikea commentary going......

I LOVE Ikea! I have only been there twice though. They put one up in Michigan only months before we moved to Maine. I have looked into buying furniture online and the shipping is OUT of CONTROL expensive. Not worth it at all. A lot of stuff you can find on ebay though. People make their living by buying tons of stuff and reselling it on ebay. Since a lot of stuff you can't order online.

Those were some goodlookin curtains Nolansmum!

So- a new week y'all! This is my last week! I am due next Sunday! Eeeek! Tomorrow night I am going to a nice restaurant for my 28th birthday and then after that, little Griffin is welcome to make his appearance! We visited my friend and her new baby yesterday and while I was holding him, Lochlan came up and gave him kisses and was just so SWEET with him (not at all jealous) and it just melted my heart. I think this transition will be okay. And my parents are here so thats a big relief for me. I am soooo ready to go into labor now! I keep having mild ctx and lots of cervix pinching every night around bedtime so I hope things are ripening down there.

Ok your turn!

[russianthistle]

About Ikea online...everything I eve want to order is always "Only available in stores" . Where is the one that they put up in MI? I'm sure miles away from me, haha.

I'm due Sat. Totally ready!

Have a sweet birthday, Lotus! Eat a good dessert!

[~Katie~]

How exciting that you're both due so soon, I love seeing all the birth announcements and sweet baby pictures


Ikea - We purchased our living room and playroom furniture from there. I ordered our couch, two chairs, a footstool, and the tv stand and I think shipping cost around $150. Everything was still way under what I would have paid at a furniture store. We just finished our playroom for around $140 with easel, table and chairs, carpet, and hanging storage. I used some toy storage boxes and a book shelf that we already had.

We went to Duke yesterday for my BIL's lacrosse game. My IL's were here and stayed with us. Today I feel absolutely exhausted so I'm just hanging around the house taking it easy. I have a very strong feeling that I'm not going to make it to May 20th, I think maybe a week or week and a half more tops. I've been contracting a lot at night and still have lots of cervical pressure/pain. I'm still hanging out around 3cm and about 50% effaced.

[lil_miss_understood]

No effacing or dilation of which I'm aware. I've been cramping a fair bit though and having some interesting back pains. I nested like crazy yesterday, which I don't normally do until the day before labour... Still planning to do some more today, but I feel like I ran a marathon. I strongly suspect I will be going soon, which I'm finding mildly scary since I'm not due until the 22nd (of May ) and we still don't even have a name!!
I've never been to IKEA- not even their website. Maybe I should.
I really want blueberry pancakes. Am I the only one craving serious carbs lately?
I'm so happy to be in on the chat thread at the beginning for a change! :

[SunCB]

You all got me looking at Ikea now! I have wanted a children;s table and chairs for the boys especially since I am trying to homeschool and I want a designated spot for it.

Saw this and thought I could get 2 for less than the other table and 4 chairs I like better but it has a plywood top:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/87474709

2nd table & chairs
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40147707
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20147708

No Ikea is really close to me but if I was willing to drive 2 hrs or so I could go. But then I thought I am headed to Chicago late next wk and will actually be out in the area by 2 of them. Since I am driving I might just stop and see what they have. Maybe my parents will want to give them a gift.

Wow, I cannot believe some of us are due so soon. I am 36 wks today but thinking closer to 5 wks left for me still. I was having more waves and what I thought might be cervix pains before then lately they have slowed though I am sure I am still having BHs several times a day .

I have been looking at getting a few Flexi-8 hair clips since today is the last day for free shipping for orders over $25 plus their code still works for buying 4 get 1 free I have. I wanted to get 1 for my niece that is born since her birthday is coming up (already sent a gift though) plus she is going to have a sister shortly after I having my LO so I thought I could get a 2nd one for my new niece (sure my current niece would wear it while her sibling grew some hair). I wanted a couple of smaller ones now that I have short hair bc my medium definitely does not fit and my small is even a little large at times it seems. My prob is that I found out a group I am part of is doing an order with that company and I might be able to get a better deal but I would not get them as quickly. What to do?

I need to get back to trimming the boys' calendar so I can actually mount it and start using it with them, LM

[RasJane]

I'm an IKEA lover too. I buy a lot of our furniture there. It is just so much more affordable. That and I absolutely hate so much of the furniture in the regular furniture stores.

I have had 2 nights now of some pretty serious ctx. I did this with M too. I would labor for a few hours (or more) and know it wasn't really going anywhere. Then I'd be so tired the next day, and do it again! Oh fun. I think it was the reason I had a 5 hour labor with him though. So I'm thinking it will be fast again. I am 37 weeks today, so I hope the ctx are for real soon. It should be I think. My cervix is getting a ton of pressure and some of the ctx woke me out of a sound sleep last night.

I had my homevisit yesterday. I just adore my mw and her asst. Mw thinks this babe is small. Her guesstimate is about 5.5-6 pounds at this point. With a normal size head. Ds was a 8.5 pound babe with a huge head, so I'm relieved a bit! LOL

April--Have a fantastic birthday!!

Jacqueline, I bet you'll have a name when you set eyes on your LO. Some babies just have to name themselves, y'know?

[lil_miss_understood]

LM- Those clips look fantastic. I'll have to get some when I actually have hair to put in them again. Right now, it's barely past my ears, which is going to make labor a PITA since I can't put it up.

Sarah- I know exactly what you mean, but I'd like to go into the labor room with at least some clue so that he (or she) isn't just "baby" until such time as telling me his/her name. I have a friend who ended up being named Jennifer because that was her parents' "interim" name while they figured out what to name her and they hate the name.

[Sadie Lake]

We're IKEA lovers here too! Dd's room is all decked out with IKEA furniture and decor. We were just in Seattle two weekends ago and got a cabinet for our bathroom that we remodeled way back in Dec. It was the only place I could find a cabinet that fit exactly in the space we had. Perfect!

Next spring we're going to finish our upstairs and I've already got my eye on all the stuff I want to put up there (their kids storage items are awesome!).

April-Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have an awesome dinner out! Have a nice glass of wine and hope that helps little Griffin relax and decide to make his way into the world!

Dh's birthday is Wednesday... I was SOOOO excited yesterday because I went and got him a homebrewing kit with all the supplies. Last night we stayed up WAY too late brewing our first batch of beer which should be ready just in time to help my milk come in. I can't wait!

Sadie

[Sadie Lake]

OH! I almost forgot!

The most exciting thing in my life this week is that my dd (who will be 3 on the 28th) has finally started consistantly using the potty! She even, all on her own accord, said to me last night "mom, I need some private time in the bathroom" and then went in and went #1 AND #2 on the toilet without any prompting from me. I was stunned.

I didn't think she was ever going to make that leap. We've already been having some issues with her regressing. I think there's something really threatening to her about growing up. She wants to drink out of a bottle (which she never did as a nursling) and be carried everywhere and says "waaaa, I'm a baby". I'm fully aware that she may go back into diapers for a little while after baby comes, but at least now I have some reassurance that she will indeed be out of diapers someday!

We're going to get the rest of our garden tilled and planted today. It was supposed to be 72 and sunny, but now its overcast and they're projecting a high of 65. Still nice, but not a good Vitamin D day like I was hoping for!

What are you ladies planting this year?

Sadie

[lil_miss_understood]

Shoot! I keep forgetting!
Happy birthday, April! :

[Punchy Kaby]

Originally Posted by Sadie Lake

OH! I almost forgot!

The most exciting thing in my life this week is that my dd (who will be 3 on the 28th) has finally started consistantly using the potty! She even, all on her own accord, said to me last night "mom, I need some private time in the bathroom" and then went in and went #1 AND #2 on the toilet without any prompting from me. I was stunned.

I didn't think she was ever going to make that leap. We've already been having some issues with her regressing. I think there's something really threatening to her about growing up. She wants to drink out of a bottle (which she never did as a nursling) and be carried everywhere and says "waaaa, I'm a baby". I'm fully aware that she may go back into diapers for a little while after baby comes, but at least now I have some reassurance that she will indeed be out of diapers someday!

We're going to get the rest of our garden tilled and planted today. It was supposed to be 72 and sunny, but now its overcast and they're projecting a high of 65. Still nice, but not a good Vitamin D day like I was hoping for!

What are you ladies planting this year?

Sadie

3+ yo DS has been regressing lately too, he is crawling around on the floor, playing with the baby toys, has to have a receiving blanket on his bed and is sucking on pacifiers. He also says 'food is for babies, num nums are for boys.' =he gets to nurse. LOL.

I got a little pink in the sun yesterday, it was SOOOO beautiful! I'm sure I could use a lot of that good ol Vit D! I love the warm spring days here!

Happy Birthday April!:Maybe you will have an awesome meal and then go into labor!!

I am 38 +4 days and I am starting to feel like I am going crazy being pregnant, but I do not feel like I am going to go into labor anytime soon. Last weekend I had a ton of BH (probably from the RRL tea) and then I stopped the tea and since then not much has been happening. Yesterday I had a bunch of contractions but I could only tell I was having then because baby would move then I would feel my hard tummy. I stopped my epsom salt baths and I may start drinking RRL again, but I kind of feel like I should leave things alone and let baby come when it is ready. Baby did move from ROA to LOA in the night last night so that is one good thing.

I made chocolate chip cookies yesterday and ate way too many. It has been ages since I have baked, I try not to eat chocolate because it doesn't make me feel good and we are allergic to eggs so eating cookies elsewhere never happens.

DS is driving us crazy today, he is cranky and whiny and testing our patience endlessly. He has managed to put both DH and me in bad moods. I hope he takes a good long nap and wakes up nice again.

[lil_miss_understood]

Sadie, it is really exciting that DD has been using the potty consistently! :

Nolansmum, I have a bakery/restaurant here that makes vegan baked goods and gluten free baked goods, as well as very occasionally gluten free, vegan baked goods. They're also organic (and usually local produce). I still haven't taken advantage of it though. :

[russianthistle]

Everyone else seems to be contracting up a storm!
I've never had a prelabor ctx! at least not one that I've noticed!

I am a heavy RRL drinker...I walk nearly everyday...my belly gets tense and such, but not ctx tense.

It's supposed to snow, here, tomorrow. I'm hoping the stormy energy encourages this baby!

[the_lissa]

I have never had a contraction that I have felt before labour either.

Not much going on here, just some deep cleaning.

[Smithie]

I took the kids to their 3rd seder of the year today (the Unitarian Univeralists held one). That's it! No more matzoh and horseradish and endless cups of juice until next year!

At my appointment this week, I will be 35.5 weeks. Since they are swabbing for GBS anyhow, I think I will ask for a cervical check. I need to get in the right headspace - either I'm closed up tight, or I'm already dilating and effacing. I can live with either but I can't live with uncertainty about what's going on in there...

[mamayarn]

Originally Posted by Sadie Lake

What are you ladies planting this year?

Ooooooh, so glad you asked! I've started tomatoes (roma and better boy), peppers, a few watermelons and a few onions inside. Outside I've planted snow peas, two lettuce mixes and spinach. We also have a strawberry plant. Once we're past the frost date, which is approximately 30 seconds before 40 weeks pregnant for me, I have more onions and watermelons to sow, zucchini, yellow squash, sugar pumpkins, and pickling cucumbers. Plus all the seedlings I started, and if they all survive I'll be giving away over half of them. : I am clearly insane. DS1 likes to play outside and so do I. I just need to figure out how to put DS2 on my back in a wrap after he's born...

Originally Posted by Smithie

At my appointment this week, I will be 35.5 weeks. Since they are swabbing for GBS anyhow, I think I will ask for a cervical check. I need to get in the right headspace - either I'm closed up tight, or I'm already dilating and effacing. I can live with either but I can't live with uncertainty about what's going on in there...

I am thinking the same. I had a couple contractions due to stress at 17 weeks and have had them sporadically, usually in stressful situations, ever since. I feel like I'll be going earlier than 40 weeks but who knows? My midwives don't do regular checks in the last weeks. The checks during labor were somewhat depressing but also very interesting to know in retrospect, so I think I might ask not to know the status until later. I lost count of the number of checks, but I counted being checked by six different people in my 26 hour labor. THAT won't be happening again.

[Punchy Kaby]

Ugh. My reflux was so bad today that I aspirated some during my nap. My lungs hurt now. Time for baby to drop, or rather drop out!

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by Nolansmum

Ugh. My reflux was so bad today that I aspirated some during my nap. My lungs hurt now. Time for baby to drop, or rather drop out!

Happened to me last night. Twice. Sorry you've had the displeasure.

[lotus.blossom]

russianthistle- The Ikea is in Canton, MI

Katie- Wow, that doesn't sounds like bad shipping. I guess the more you get the better the shipping?

JacquelineR- I am majorly carb loading myself. So you're not alone!!

RasJane- Thank you!! And I have a smallish baby too. It'll be interesting to see if our midwives are right about the size!

Sadie- Mmmmmm beer brewing. Thats another hobby I'd like to take up!! Let me know how it turns out! Thaks for the b-day wishes! I probably will have a nice glass of Coturri (my fave organic wine). Congrats on the potty progress!
As for what I am growing this year: I have 9 sungold cherry tomato seedlings, 9 broccoli seedlings, and a bunch of marigold seedlings that are doing great. I started a bunch of herbs but they haven't survived. I have better luck sowing herbs straight into pots outside for some reason. I have sage, thyme, mint, basil, and lemonbalm in my garden outside. I am doing a 10x10 square foot garden so aside from the broc and tomatoes I am direct sowing bush and pole beans and bush and climbing peas. Also zucchini, cukes, and some lettuces.

Nolansmum- Ugh to the reflux! I have been suffering lately too. Its so random too. Good thing I have my mouth closed when I vurp! Sorry to hear your DS is being difficult. Mine seems to have 1 freak out every day. Never know when or what its going to be about but I can sure count on it.

Thanks to everyone else for the b-day wishes! I made a Tiramisu last night for today but we gobbled half of it yesterday. I have a thing for soggy cakes (Tiramisu, Tres Leches, bread pudding..... )
My parents are in town and its been nice, but also a bit stressful. My mother is chronicly ill, but its all in her head and she can't seem to think or talk about anything but her ailments and after a day and a half its already driving me batty. She told me yesterday that I am not a compassionate person. I had to bite my tongue. She also asked my DH if I was extra moody while prenant AND she told me my face and lips are swelling (she is anorexic too so it makes me extra uncomfortable that I have all this preggo weight)

Ok, done venting. I know now that I will be calling her at the very LAST minute during my labor. Hopefully I start in the night!

[russianthistle]

s Lotus. I once had an eating disorder. It is consuming and makes people very unlike themselves. I am sorry that you have to deal with it on this level...esp while pregnant. Don't let her "issues" leech into you, mama.

I'll never make it to Canton. That is nowhere near me and nowhere near anyone I visit. :

I have not participated in the garden discussions...I normally would, but my new yard, at my new place is sandysandysandy. It is essentially a conifer/birch forest with little sun exposure. This might be CSA or farmer's mkt. year for me. I might do a few potted plants (calendula, various herbs, kale, chard, and lettuces) but that'll probably be it. I need to figure out WAY too much w/ this baby on the way.

I'm a crazy forager. I am looking forward to leeks and fiddleheads, berries galore (my yard is positively covered in blueberry bushes straight down to the river!), dandelion greens, violets, day lilies, etc.etc.etc. I'm taking it easy on the farming front and stepping up my foraging!

Oh, and we'll be doing beer, soon too! I don't know why we haven't got a batch going yet. We need to start! Something dark or something summery? Hmmm...I love beer, and I miss it so! (although I did have a gorgeously yummy summer brew last night...Bell's Oberon w/ a slice of orange, if anyone's from close to my neck of the woods...).