New week, New thread! June 15-21

[wombatclay]

Mornin' all!

How goes the gestation?

Like some other mamas, swelling seems to have hit home... I still have ankle bones but they're a bit softer than normal and I certainly have that elegant "pregnancy double chin" thing happening. And while my pregnancy ring is still loose, I'm glad I swapped out my normal wedding ring a week or so ago since I don't think it would fit over my knuckle at this point!

I spent a lot of time yesterday in tears... I think the pregnancy hormones are ganging up on me. Because of the PTL I had I've had to drop out of my belly dance classes and that was my only "time without the kids" each week. It's the summer, to my UU church doesn't meet so I'm without my weekly coffee/coversation break. DH's boss just had surgery so DH is in charge of everything at the lab and is putting in killer hours. Our home addition is totally stalled and the code office is calling (and even visiting to ask what is going on) every day or two and I don't have anything to tell them. DD2 is two and having some pretty normal "two year old" moments but she also has some special needs that make this a really tough time for her... and both of her therapists are on vacation for the next two weeks. And this week is dd1's last week of playschool so starting Friday I'll have both girls all day every day. Even the fun stuff, like our CSA starting up, is adding to my stress since this year we are part of a CSA that uses the farmer's market as the weekly pick up spot... and there's no parking so it's a 10-15 minute walk at toddler speed across some really big roads to the market, and then the market itself is super crowded and busy and dd2's sensory issues got the better of her. It was a tough time and this coming weekend I have to do it solo since DH will be out of town. Ugh.

I have a huge shopping trip that has to get done today (our fridge is empty of everything except the CSA greens and a few bottles of dh's beer... it's very "eco-bachelor" ) and I'm just hoping the girls cut me some slack and the belly contractions stay away.

Ok... so my mini-whine is over. On the happy side after this weekend my MIL will be in town. We may be able to afford a week of summer preschool for dd1. My photoshoot is probably tomorrow (depending on weather). I'm making a strand of birth beads to use while preparing for the birth and then during labor. I'm planning a "really belated 2nd birthday, slightly belated summer solstice and father's day, ahead of the game 4th of July, and really on top of things yay baby on the way" party for the weekend after this one which should be random, fun, silly, social fun.

[stardust swallower]

Another week! Hoorah.

Wombat -- you sound stressed! yikes. Any good friends around to hook your little ones up with for playdates? Where's the network of solidarity and support?! You need help, woman! Who can you ask?? For a quick fix: I recently tried rescue remedy one evening after I sliced off half my finger nail chopping parsley and was amazed and how calm I felt afterward.

I'm finally getting to the point where I wish this baby was due a little sooner. 8 weeks seems like an eternity to me right now... We're nesting like crazy around here. We've moved furniture, made new furniture for ds, dp is redoing a bathroom... it's a scene in our house -- all made possible because dp is a school teacher and on summer vacation. Yippee. I'm trying to stay on track with my own work while he manages the projects and the ds, but it's so hard to leave the house and sit in an office to work. Ick.

I've also moved into a new creepy phase of pregnancy anxiety. I feel like I skated through the 2nd trimester with ease and confidence. These days, I worry about all kinds of minor things -- why that click sound in there? are that many hiccups normal? what position is he in? is he having spasms?! is he still alive? etc. etc. etc. Usually I move through the worries okay, but I wish I didn't have so many. I try to get myself to repeat mantras: He's safe and healthy and will be born alive and well, etc.

So, enjoy the week everyone! And share your positive mantras if you have them -- I'm in need.

[dislocator3972]

Wow you guys both seem so busy!

I've heard that Denali Kids Care has been calling about my case so hopefully I'll find out soon that I'm covered and I won't have to keep pinching my pennies.

We finally started researching car seats and cloth diapers, and I think we at least have the diapers in order. DH tried a prefold and is SOLD. It feels pretty good to have him so excited to CD, and to like the cheapest option is always good too!

Still waiting to hear from campus housing. It looks like the soonest we could get in is the first of August. That will be move #4 during this pregnancy, and I think that has to qualify me for some sort of prize.

Can't wait to hear everyone's updates!

[Mamatoabunch]

I went baby shopping w/ dh late last week. I was feeling sad b/c I really don't need anything for baby and most seems like it is #10 and on the heels of baby last year that is just isn't special to anyone you know. So we went and bought a few things we did need. Got a dresser to do dresser switcheroo. I am finishing the small details in the kids bath. We cleaned out our schoolroom today to convert it to pantry and family closet. Dh is off tomorrow so he will start. Have a load in my trunk to take to the thrift, more decluttering. I made my baby/herb/birth list. When the dresser arrives we will sort out the new baby's clothes, Eiley's and Innish. They all will still have their clothes in my room, easier to manage. I am going to have the kids defrost the freezer for me today. I want to have them blow up my kiddie pool that arrived last week to make sure it has no defects. I ordered school books and we will start last week in July then take off after baby. Dh and I planned our trip away before baby comes. I can't wait for that. I started floradix and that has helped my wee bit of anxious feelings I was experiencing. ?Feel good overall.

[Talula Fairie]

Let's see, what am I up to. Most of the time, I'm either trying to find the energy to get off the couch or trying to hold back the vomit. My wrists hurt a lot. My reflux is really bad. I'm exhausted and dizzy from the anemia and no, I cannot afford Floradix or any herb or any supplement. Plus, assuming I can keep down an herb -any herb- is a big assumption. I can't even keep down nettle tea :

My husband is working a horrendous shift, 2-10, and he has to be there a half hour early and it takes 45 minutes to get there. He's pretty much gone for all of our waking hours, which just SUCKS. I feel like he is never here. And he doesn't have much time to help around the house so the house is a disaster too. I'm too exhausted, sick, and overwhelmed to clean it. I'm starting to get depressed over being so sick for so darn long, and the stress of life in general has really wiped me out this week. I really thought I'd be savoring the final months of my last pregnancy, but at this point I just want it to be over.

My kids have been awful too. Screaming and fighting and tantruming almost all day long over EVERY. LITTLE. THING, and I'm too short tempered to even try to gently discipline. I won't get into it, but I'm not being a good mother to them (empirically I am not, I'm not just being down on myself, I really am just atrocious lately but I can't seem to stop myself either). I am SO grouchy and irritable. EVERYTHING bothers me lately.

My garden is going well, that's a good thing I'm quite amazed I got anything to grow, usually I have what they call a black thumb

We pulled the kids out of preschool. My spirited 4.5 year old is actually quite excited about homeschooling and LOVES to be taught things, anything. I really feel that homeschool is going to be best for her and it dawned on me finally that really, public school isn't any easier or less stressful. My husband agreed to let me homeschool her at least until next year. I'll probably be more up for it after the baby comes. I know everyone says that the postpartum period is harder than being pregnant, but I swear I've never found that to be the case for myself.

[Jilian]

Hello ladies! I can't believe we're halfway through June already! But at the same time I cannot believe that I have 10 more weeks of being pregnant and growing. I feel full term right now.

Hugs to the mamas who are stressed. I can relate. My H works loooong hours too and I am alone with the kids most of the time all day and night. It is far too hot here in FL to even think about playing outside for more than 10 mins at a time so we're coming up with creative ways to get outside play in (to burn some of the endless energy my kids have). Lets just say that it is going to be a long summer.

[GenomicsGirl]

Hi fellow Moms!

I, too, cannot believe how far along we are, either! On one hand, I feel like "I only have 8 weeks MAX left" (c-section), on the other hand, I'm like "I can't believe I still have 8 weeks left"!!!! So confusing! I'm on a teeter-totter of emotions right now.

I'm sorry to those of you that are having a rough time right now. Stress, whether physical or emotional, is less than ideal. Especially when you have other kids running around demanding attention and requiring care. Other than my pelvic floor aching, my vericose veins bulging, and my complete exhaustion, I'm feeling fine - Just pregnant with #4. I can function. My kids don't notice the difference. I've had other stressors in the past (while pregnant), so I know how distracting and miserable it can be. Hugs to all of you.

BTW, we finished the attic renovation! We now have 2 rooms up there - a media room, complete with 92" projection screen, 52" tv, a media PC, umpteen speakers and connections, and all the gaming a man would want. We also have a new office for dh, with bamboo flooring and 2 skylights. When he moves up to the attic, we will have an extra bedroom

My DS2 had his 4-year check-up today and he's hugging his 10% curve perfectly for height and his 5% for weight. He's still pidgeon toed, though, so I have to call an orthopedic place to see about getting him some PT and some insoles or something. Apparently, he's not expected to require braces for correction. DD also got 1 vaccine today. Poor thing. We have spaced them all out and now she gets scared every time she walks in the door

[sunshynbaby]

I'm so nauseous and tired, I can’t think straight to update. By some cruel twist of fate, my morning sickness is back with an added bonus of acid reflux, constipation, and uncomfortable baby movements in my belly. I have 3 more hours at work, and I’m doing my best to hang in so I don’t waste my ET time.

[mouso]

Gosh, everyone's falling apart!

Hugs to all the nauseous mamas, and tired mamas, and overwhelmed mamas and just plain I-am-so-done-being-pregnant mamas.

I am still majorly tired, still a bit nauseous, and oh so done being pregnant. I am praying for an early baby. DH told me I had to wait until right before my EDD to have the kid b/c it's better for him and I just glared at him. I wanted to punch him.

Hope everyone's week improves a bit!

[Talula Fairie]

I have to admit it makes me feel a little better to know that I am not the only mom battling nausea. I'm right there with you, sunshynbaby. Just add in the carpel tunnel and sciatica.

[sunshynbaby]

Originally Posted by Talula Fairie

I have to admit it makes me feel a little better to know that I am not the only mom battling nausea. I'm right there with you, sunshynbaby. Just add in the carpel tunnel and sciatica.

Don't even get me started on my aches and pains! I hope we both can mark the nausea off our list soon. It is making everything else seem almost unbearable

[GenomicsGirl]

Originally Posted by Talula Fairie

I have to admit it makes me feel a little better to know that I am not the only mom battling nausea. I'm right there with you, sunshynbaby. Just add in the carpel tunnel and sciatica.

I had really bad carpel tunnel while pregnant with #2 - it was nauseatingly painful! Hugs again!

[Talula Fairie]

Since I always whine on the bad days, I thought I should note that my kids have been pretty well behaved today. Earlier they were playing quietly together in their room! IT IS A MIRACLE!!!!! They have been little angels today It's almost like God knew I could NOT do another day like yesterday.

Now, if only the baby would stop poking me. The last time my belly hurt like this she actually left a bruise on the outside of my belly, I didn't even know that was possible Maybe I should do some spinning babies stuff. I know she's got to be posterior to have parts poking the front of my belly like this.

[Coconut Chronicles]

Originally Posted by mouso

Hugs to all the nauseous mamas, and tired mamas, and overwhelmed mamas and just plain I-am-so-done-being-pregnant mamas.

Ditto to this!


All is well here... DH and I were super productive over the weekend and got lots of projects done. We still have lots to do though and I just can't believe June will be over soon. The "To Do" list just seems to be growing faster than I can check things off of it.

Jillian... I hear ya on the weather! It's been insufferable here lately (95 degrees!) It's making it hard for me to keep up with weeding our front and side beds.

[msada]

Happy new week!

I hit 30 weeks yesterday, and have been quite good at doing my prenatal yoga and walking everyday (per chiropractors orders) to help with hip pain.

Have an appointment with the midwife and chiropractor on Wednesday, other than that nothing planned but counting down the days till the next appointment.

[wombatclay]

Since there have been a number of threads about sore backs, uncomfy mattresses, and random nighttime aches and pains... stores like Target and Walmart sell "memory foam" mattress toppers for about 10-20 dollars. Don't get one that fits your whole bed just buy a twin or full size and layer it under the fitted sheet on "your" side of the bed.

They're only an inch or two thick and don't last all that long, but I tried this with my last pregnancy and it was nice... one or two pillows and a topper under my side and things were a bit more comfy.

[Flower of Bliss]

I'm sorry so many of you are so miserable.

I'm 31 weeks 5 days. My homevisit is 3 weeks from today . I could easily have this baby in as little as 6 weeks We're entering the home stretch here.

I've been up half the night most nights lately. I had awful insomnia during the third trimester with DD too.

Today I have an appointment with an ob. I'm still under midwife care. In fact, I'm pretty sure my midwife is planning to come to the appointment too. The appointment was made just in case when I was going through the gestational diabetes testing, but it's a hard ob to get in with and my midwife thinks she's great so she suggested I keep the appointment. I don't currently have an ob, so it'll be nice to have a back up and someone who can do well woman exams covered by my insurance, write prescriptions, and such.

We have a busy week ahead of us. I'm hosting a meeting tomorrow morning and a play group the next morning. This afternoon we have people coming into clean. I love having my house cleaned, but it means that I spend the whole morning frantically straightening up every surface - floors, counters, table tops, etc so that they can clean If I don't they put things in bizarre and infuriating places creating all sorts of work for me. So, I need to get up and get moving on that.

[Abraisme]

To everyone who's having a hard time this week..

I'm still feeling pretty good really. I did have a bad allergy attack this week and finally gave in and took some Claritin.. It was way worth it, I only had to take one pill and I've felt better since then (5 days ago)..

I spent most of this week learning how to make a Mei Tai baby carrier. So far I've made two, which turned out pretty well. I plan on making a few more for gifts in the coming weeks. I just got the sewing machine, so I'm still practicing with a lot of technique, etc.

My sister gave birth this week to a healthy, 6lb 10oz baby boy. She had an easy, gentle, hypo-birth at home (she did this with ease and she's usually a pain weeeeeenie!). However, she had to be transferred to the hospital afterward for a vaginal hemotoma. The swelling got so bad that she had to have surgery to remove a cantaloupe sized blood clot from her pelvis. We were very glad that she was able to have the easy home-birth that she'd planned on and also very grateful for the modern medicine that she was able to receive. This was one of those cases that without surgery you'd die. Anyway, she had to spend 3 days in the hospital, she's doing great, the baby is great and nursing like a champ! :

I have been waiting around for our tax return to show up.. I want to buy all sorts of organizing stuff for our spare room. My craft and baby stuff is taking over and I WANT TO NEST, NOW! My inlaws are coming in 2 weeks, so we need the room organized by then...

[Spring Sun]

I am soooo tired. Too tired right now to go and read the previous posts in this thread, but I will soon.

I have little white bumps all over my body, that are ichey and then scab over. My belly button started to look really infected this morning. Anyone ever heard of this? Could it be pregnancy related? I have gained a lot of weight so my skin is stretching a lot.

I just want to go take a nap, and I have to have a long meeting with someone that works for me, and then do a photo shoot Then run a bunch of errands and pick up ds from school bc we are leaving for a trip. So. Tired.

[Mom&BabyChiro]

Also sending 's out to all you Mommas who are having such a hard time!

I'm still doing pretty well for the most part. Although after about 1 1/2 weeks of no walking, missing my pre-natal yoga class, and spending too much time in the evening lounging on my couch...I have been having sciatica off and on for the last 2 weeks. It's been gradually getting better as I realized I need to continue taking care of myself no matter how unmotivated I am to do so, but it's really no fun when I can't sit on my couch for 15 minutes without having shooting pain down my left side when I get up! Sitting on my exercise ball makes it better, but I really don't like having to do it ALL THE TIME!

Food cravings have started for the first time the last week. Yesterday, I left work in the middle of the day not sure if I had to have french fries or a donut . I ended up with a piece of gluten free cheesecake from the organic bakery down the street and it was sooo yummy! I almost gave in and went to get some french fries too, but decided I'd wait until the next craving hits.

DH and I went to a fabulous 1 day intensive birth class on Sunday, and a pre-natal partner yoga class on Saturday. In the birth class, we went through something called "The Ice Journey", which was such an incredible experience for allowing us to connect with our partners on a deeper level. Luckily, in this one day class (versus the 2 day), it is the partners who are hands on with the ice and the mommas who are serving as support people. So no my DH has at least some idea of what it's like to be in pain during contractions (for 2 hours off and on) and I have some idea of how challenging it is to want to help and take the pain away, and not know what to do to make it all better! The one time we physically took the ice out of their hands and held it ourselves, my first thought was "I'm so glad we didn't sign up for the 2 day class where the mommas have to go through this too!".

Hang in there everyone, we're almost there!!