Weekly chat thread Dec 14th- Dec 20 - Page 3

[Lauren31]

Originally Posted by Katie34

Lauren How long are you in Germany for?

until at least May 2012. That is if they don't move us to another post here in Germany, then it adds one more year. I really enjoy it and think it is a great experience but honestly, it's hard to be so far from family, especially being pregnant for the first time with the first grandbaby... Plus, the holidays are making me homesick and all my friends saying how they are going home on Facebook is not helping. LOL.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Katie - yes I have definite feelings of not being able to breathe properly. It drives me crazy. That combined with BHxs that start up if I spend more than about 10 minutes on my feet and I feel so useless!

HappiLeigh - that robe is beautiful! You are talented!

Had a m/w appointment today, and dragged DH along. I wanted him to hear a few things from the horse's mouth - like delayed cord clamping and turning down Vit K shots etc. It was also a good chance for him to meet our secondary m/w. I asked her for some information on circumcision but we were out of time to discuss, so she just handed me info on it. I am hoping (and expect) that it leans towards "don't do it" - again DH is more likely to be convinced if it comes from a professional rather than me (grrr but I'm finding that this is a pretty common male trait). I had considered simply not broaching the issue until after babe was born when we knew whether or not it was a boy, but it didn't seem the right thing to do.

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by HappiLeigh

Keeta, ugh. I hope you get out of it!

I'm feeling sort of neutral about giving birth. I didn't love the experience last time, but feel confident it will go better this time, and I still remember the amazing glowy feeling aftward of having my baby in my arms--that makes me ready to go there and get the job done.

I had my hair cut and colored today. You know how you're not really supposed to get all over color while pregnant, well, I sort of do anyway. Because I'm gray otherwise, dangit. And I don't like being gray. But today my stylist couldn't quite get the color right (I don't like being accidently blonde either!!) and I ended up getting colored three times. Yikes! Two of them involved foil--not all over color--but still! Seems a bit excessive. Oh well, my hair now looks as close to Lisa Loeb's dye job as it's ever going to get.

In other news, I finished my second-to-last crafty Christmas project today, and I'm proud of it. It's a robe for my beautiful SIL. It turned out so well, I think I may need one myself in a different color. That's what gifting is all about, right?

Oh my goodness, mama. That robe is gorgeous! Super jealous of your SIL already!!

[itsajenism]

Originally Posted by lulu_n2

I'm looking forward to giving birth, it doesn't really scare me.

Me too! People look at me like I'm crazy when I say that, but I really am excited and feeling empowered.

[OlyR]

HappiLeigh - that is a BEAUTIFUL robe! I love it!

[HappiLeigh]

Awww, thanks guys! I hope SIL likes it--she's awesome and deserves a heartfelt gift. I asked her a few weeks ago if she'd be my birth coach (I was at her homebirth last year and it was inspiring! I need to channel some of that energy to my own), and she's borrowed doula books and everything to prepare.

My "nesting" urges are going in the wrong direction. I totally want to give up on this house and buy a different one. Eek! This is really probably NOT what we need in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, but we totally phoned a realtor anyway. Appointment Saturday. We found a house we're maybe interested in that's just a few blocks away, it just went on the market. But how on earth could we sell this one, buy that one, and move, and not have it conflict with birth of our baby?? But I'm not sure I even care. Because come summer, I could garden in THAT big backyard instead of this one!

[NicoleS]

Will someone come over and do my writing for me so I can go take a nap?

[mtnmoonmama]

Originally Posted by HappiLeigh

My "nesting" urges are going in the wrong direction. I totally want to give up on this house and buy a different one. Eek! This is really probably NOT what we need in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, but we totally phoned a realtor anyway. Appointment Saturday. We found a house we're maybe interested in that's just a few blocks away, it just went on the market. But how on earth could we sell this one, buy that one, and move, and not have it conflict with birth of our baby?? But I'm not sure I even care. Because come summer, I could garden in THAT big backyard instead of this one!

We've done the same thing! We'll eventually need a bigger space anyway, granted, not for a few years, but we're ready to get things moving! We went and looked at houses last Tues and have another appt on Mon.....so exciting! Plus, and don't tell my dh, if we move soon - or just after the baby is born, I'll be out of the heavy lifting, carrying part

[HappiLeigh]

Originally Posted by mtnmoonmama

Plus, and don't tell my dh, if we move soon - or just after the baby is born, I'll be out of the heavy lifting, carrying part

That may have crossed my mind as well.

[hapersmion]

I'm hoping someone finds my gift registry soon! It's my second baby, so I don't think there will be a shower or anything, but I really need diapers! We didn't start cloth diapering the first until he was in a large size, so I have no newborn stash! I'm afraid no one will get me any! Oh well, I can save my Christmas money, I guess.

Originally Posted by Perdita_in_Ontario

I asked her for some information on circumcision but we were out of time to discuss, so she just handed me info on it. I am hoping (and expect) that it leans towards "don't do it" - again DH is more likely to be convinced if it comes from a professional rather than me (grrr but I'm finding that this is a pretty common male trait). I had considered simply not broaching the issue until after babe was born when we knew whether or not it was a boy, but it didn't seem the right thing to do.

It's probably good to discuss it with him beforehand. If he likes professionals, you might look at Doctors Opposing Circumcision. (http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/) I haven't really looked at it, but it sounds like a good place to start. With my first, I didn't know much about it and told DH he could decide... but by the time the baby was ready to be born, I'd done a little more research and realized that I really didn't want it done! I told DH he'd have to take care of all the diaper changes and wound care and that sort of thing if he decided to have it done - but he is pretty good about looking at research and didn't want it done in the end anyway. We've never regretted it.

[Lauren31]

Originally Posted by hapersmion

It's probably good to discuss it with him beforehand. If he likes professionals, you might look at Doctors Opposing Circumcision. (http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/) I haven't really looked at it, but it sounds like a good place to start. With my first, I didn't know much about it and told DH he could decide... but by the time the baby was ready to be born, I'd done a little more research and realized that I really didn't want it done! I told DH he'd have to take care of all the diaper changes and wound care and that sort of thing if he decided to have it done - but he is pretty good about looking at research and didn't want it done in the end anyway. We've never regretted it.

Also, if he is one of those guys who says, "well I don't want him to feel left out if he is not circumsized" find out the stats in the states about it- it is dropping SIGNIFICANTLY. It's a cultural thing mostly. Unless you are Jewish or doing it for religious reasons it seems like such a silly thing to do to a poor baby, in my opinion. My husband had no reason to do it except for the fact that he had had it done. I discussed it in depth with my brother who is not circumsized and grew up in uppermiddle class Chicago Suburbs. He said he was teased by other boys but he would never change it for a second. He, and I agree, that boys should choose whether to chop off half their penis (I know, it is an exaggeration! ). In Europe they don't offer it at birth bc European men are just not circumsized unless of course for religious reasons. America is very far behind. One of the main reasons it was first started and became more mainstream was for cleanliness reasons and bc there was not a lot of fresh water/baths/showers etc. To me it seems so silly to keep circing now just because "everyone else is doing it." Times have changed.

[Lauren31]

Originally Posted by hapersmion

I'm hoping someone finds my gift registry soon! It's my second baby, so I don't think there will be a shower or anything, but I really need diapers! We didn't start cloth diapering the first until he was in a large size, so I have no newborn stash! I'm afraid no one will get me any! Oh well, I can save my Christmas money, I guess. .

I hope you get them too!!! I got two Bum Genius diapers off my registry yesterday! Two is better then 0!

[Snapdragon]

I am waiting for my diapers to arrive. I didn't do a registry- because I have never done one before and I feel kind of awkward about it. the people I would want to do it for is my husband's family. They are throwing me a small baby shower ( a separate one from my friends) and I imagine they will get me gifts. But no one of them has asked about if I am registered and I am not- how would I best go about having them get the things I really want? It feels sort of overwhelming to try and sort out the specifics of what I need and register. Then there is also Christmas which is the same story with dh's family. I would like to have them spend the same money they would on things we actually want, but I feel awkward asking for things! How does anyone else do this? With my own side of the family, they know to ask me before getting things and I am more comfortable telling them what I need.

[Snapdragon]

Okay cool- I just sent an email to someone in dh's family telling her where I will register so I feel excited to have spoken up about that! Now I can choose things I want- fun!
I actually want to register at BabyGap as I like a lot of their stuff. But I can't do an online registry and there is no Gap close to me. So I guess I will just make a list of what I want and the people who would get it for me will communicate. Ah, gifts- fun!

[Ambystoma]

Ugh, registries. Both my family and DH's family said they wanted to get us "everything the baby needed" so we didn't have to buy a thing. (1st grandchild on both sides and everyone is going a bit nuts--no babies have been around for 7+ years). They told us not to buy anything until after christmas and to give them registry stuff so they can see what we like--not one thing has been bought off the registry and I'm thinking...uh, ok, I need to prepare for this kiddo. Only a few weeks left.

I have been buying diapers, but that's just because internet shopping seems to freak our families out more than the average person. Maybe they just decided to send gift cards since we're so far away everyone has to ship. That would be a lot of shopping after new years!

My mom is the exception to this-who sent me maternity clothes, some package from a nursing bra/clothes company that is for xmas, and some bamboozles and covers for the baby along with some baby clothes. I dunno, I guess I just feel in super-nesting mode and I'm afraid to buy anything because then my g-ma will send the same thing and get upset that I bought anything. OK, end crazy registry confusion.

So, homebirthers (and others too!), I have a large jacuzzi tub in my (upstairs) master bathroom. If you were me, would you bother getting a blow up tub for downstairs since my bedroom and bathroom are up there, or do you think I'll get mad at the hard bottom of the jacuzzi tub? The only other thing that makes me think I might want a blow up tub is so DH can more comfortably be in there with me while I'm flopping around. However, something about the thought of those jets on my back makes me happy...

[Snapdragon]

Ambystoma ooooo- a large jacuzzi tub in your upstairs bathroom? That sounds amazing! I wouldn't think you need anything other than that for tubs.
I would love to use my own tub for birth as it is so cozy and familiar and adding hot water is simple. But it is pretty small so it wouldn't cover me. That is so cool that you have a big tub- and jets too!

As for the registry- yeah, I could see how that is stressful but in a couple of weeks you'll know what you got and then you still have time.

[lulu_n2]

Cold, yucky day in TN. Thank goodness DH came home early and took DS with him to the junkyard. I was hoping beyond hope for an afternoon break Feeling extra tired today, now it's time for some hot cocoa.

Baby has been moving more the past week, it's been wonderful! DS was definitely more active in later pregnancy, so these new wiggles are very reasuring.

[Keeta]

Originally Posted by Ambystoma

So, homebirthers (and others too!), I have a large jacuzzi tub in my (upstairs) master bathroom. If you were me, would you bother getting a blow up tub for downstairs since my bedroom and bathroom are up there, or do you think I'll get mad at the hard bottom of the jacuzzi tub? The only other thing that makes me think I might want a blow up tub is so DH can more comfortably be in there with me while I'm flopping around. However, something about the thought of those jets on my back makes me happy...

Don't bother with another tub! If I had a jacuzzi tub I would be sooo stoked. I labored in one for DS's birth in the birth center and those jets are the BOMB. Not to mention the fact that adding more hot water will be sooooo much easier than running a hose to the blow-up tub/draining, etc. If you're really concerned about the hard bottom, why not get a few cheap blow up bath pillows for your knees? Or just roll up some towels. Oh yeah. Jacuzzi tub all the way!

[NicoleS]

Good appointment today, had a long discussion with my OB. We will be inducing 1/29 if baby boy hasn't arrived by then on his own. Hope you don't mind if I stick around anyways, I've never even been in the January room on this site.

[Keeta]

Meant to update about my awesome appointment yesterday! 32 weeks, baby is head DOWN! Woo-hoo! Confirmed by THREE pairs of midwives' hands.

We talked about my glucose numbers (have been testing for about a week and a half - and it's been really stressful trying to eat GD) - and they agreed that I really don't need to continue, that it was low if anything and to just listen to my body and eat when I need to. You have no idea what a weight off my shoulders that was. I was crying all the time from being hungry (and having low blood sugar) but trying to follow the carb recommendations from the GD diet - it was so hard. I don't know how vegetarians do it, I was eating so much dairy (which I prefer not to eat anyway) and I was still hungry all the time. Not to mention that my diet was composed of like 40% fat just to get the recommended amount of calories for a pregnant woman! Blah. So glad I don't have to deal with that anymore.

I gained 1 lb in 2 weeks, and am measuring 1 week ahead, so right on. They reminded me that in 5 weeks I would be considered full term - OMGOMGOMGOMG! I'm sure it'll be more like 8, but the fact that it could be less hadn't really occurred to me! DS was 3 days late, so who knows what this guy will do.