~*~The BSL Graduate/Stalking Thread AUGUST!! ~*~

[MaerynPearl]

Welcome to the AUGUST Thread Mamas!!

Looking forward to adding some of our BSLs to the list over here this month!

This is a spinoff of the Bitter Sushi Ladies Thread over on the TTC board. Some of us have very happily made it to the "other side" and we want to be able to keep track of each other.

Our fellow BSL's that are still on their TTC journey like to check up on us from time to time too - which we really appreciate - since they continue to be in the midst of a sometimes brutal and just "NOT FAIR" TTC journey...

~Our August Baby!~
Congrats to colorbywords and Welcome Baby Emery Oaklynn
Born on August 3rd at 8:46 PM, 8 lbs 11 oz 20.5 inches long

~Our July Baby!~
Congrats to LZP and Welcome Baby Anna Veronica
Born at 36 weeks on July 18th at 4:04 AM, 7 lbs 2 oz 17.5 inches long

~Our June Babies!~

Congrats to Pinoikoi and Welcome Baby Ursula Marisol
Born on June 23rd at 6:40 AM 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long
Congrats to Lisko15 and Welcome Baby Caleb Benjamin
Born on June 24th at 7:36PM 9 lbs 1 oz, 22 inches long

~Our May Babies!~

Congrats to Jelinifer and Welcome Baby Finnegan Hubert
Born on May 1st, 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 1/2 inches long
Congrats to jillc512 and Welcome Baby Albert Boaz
Born at home on May 4th at 3:29 pm, 8 lbs 11 oz, 20 3/4 inches long
Congrats to Starkyld and Welcome Baby Elliott Marlowe
Born at home May 25th at 9:24AM, 9lbs 8 oz 21 inches long

*~Our February Baby~*
Congrats to Lauren31 Adelynn Ruby
Born February 7th at 10:40PM, 7 lbs 12 oz, 20 1/2 inches long

And the rest of us... still waiting...

MaerynPearl - TTC #3 (or #1) for 7 cycles over 2 years, due 9/14/10 .
Lyndzies - TTC #1 for 10 months, due 10/4/10 .
Carlyle - TTC #2 after a loss, due 10/10.
MommyNicoleTX - TTC #3 for two years, two losses, due 10/10/10.
YummyYumYumMama - TTC #2 for 1 year, due 11/22/10.
KellyTTC#1 - TTC #1 for 3 years, BFP after IVF, due 12/03/10 with .
Qbear'smama - TTC #2, due 12/15/10.
jessica_s- TTC#2 for 19 mos, 3 losses, due 1/22/2011
Finnegansmom- TTC #3 for 11 mos, due 2/8/2011
Nannette56- TTC #2 after loss, due 4/2011

Our thoughts are with
Nanette56 ~ February 2010 ~
Enigo ~ April 2010 ~
kalamos23 ~ July 2010 ~
We hope to have you back with us very, very soon.




As always, we are sending a whole lot of to you Ladies over on BSL Proper.
PLEASE GET OVER HERE to keep us company!!!!!

[MaerynPearl]

Big news from July thread (and Im sorry for forgetting to start the new one until now!)

Originally Posted by colorbywords

She's here!!! Last night at 8:46 Emery Oaklynn was born! She weighed 8 lb and 11 oz and is 20.5 inches long! Birth plan was totally thrown out the window due to some complications but we're at peace and happy now! Just waiting on a blood culture to make sure she's really ok! I'm doing fine, just healing from second degree tear.

[Nanette56]

CBW Congrats mama!!! and welcome little Emery!!! I know you're busy with your little bundle of joy now, but when you have time, I'm dying to hear the details!!!

Mae I didn't check it out yet, but does that website have formal maternity dresses too? I have THREE weddings to attend in September and October (Think I can get away with wearing the same dress??)

AFM. I just need to STOP googling IVF betas. So I read this study
http://www.springerlink.com/content/k367861863h25103/
(it's like 2 paragraphs) but what I'm getting from it is this.
In IVF procedures, betas are a little lower than in natural pregnancies because they're putting the embryo in later, so it takes longer for HCG to build up. With me so far?

Well this study of 111 women says that at 14 days post ET (embryo transfer) a beta HCG level of over 600 resulted in a 100% MULTIPLE pregnancy rate. My HCG level at 14 days post ET (yesterday) was 930. I can't have read this right. Other than heartburn after meals, and very mild bouts of nausea when I get hungry, I'm feeling NOTHING. Shouldn't I be feeling something? I'll be 5 weeks tomorrow. Any opinions here? I don't know anyone that's done IVF, so can't ask about symptoms, but should I assume that they will also be later than people who got pregnant naturally because the hormones take a little longer to build up? You KNOW I'm completely (And probably irrationally) paranoid after the February loss. Thanks for putting up with me girls

[jessica_s]

CBW - Welcome little BSL baby Emery!!

Nanette - I don't recall feeling much of anything at 5 weeks. I think maybe a little cramping (different from AF) and besides that just terror at the thought of losing another one. Actually I'm 16 weeks tomorrow and I'm still really worried to hear the heartbeat today and that everything is going well. Despite the fact that I'm starting to show and someone told me I was waddling yesterday!! I took it as a complement.
When do you get to do a sono and find out more about who's in there!?

[Nanette56]

Thanks Jessica! That makes me feel a whole lot better. I was just so freakin' sick with DS that I don't understand why I'm not feeling anything yet! You get to see your little bean today??? That's so cool- come back and update. My sono is not until week 7! I'll be stressin' until then I'm sure. Debating on whether I should call my midwife yet or wait.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by Nanette56

Mae I didn't check it out yet, but does that website have formal maternity dresses too? I have THREE weddings to attend in September and October (Think I can get away with wearing the same dress??)

Well this study of 111 women says that at 14 days post ET (embryo transfer) a beta HCG level of over 600 resulted in a 100% MULTIPLE pregnancy rate. My HCG level at 14 days post ET (yesterday) was 930. I can't have read this right. Other than heartburn after meals, and very mild bouts of nausea when I get hungry, I'm feeling NOTHING. Shouldn't I be feeling something? I'll be 5 weeks tomorrow. Any opinions here? I don't know anyone that's done IVF, so can't ask about symptoms, but should I assume that they will also be later than people who got pregnant naturally because the hormones take a little longer to build up? You KNOW I'm completely (And probably irrationally) paranoid after the February loss. Thanks for putting up with me girls

First, about the dresses... yes, they have very nice formal maternity dresses there too.

Second, my cousin (who had natural fraternal twins last year) did not even know she was pregnant until she was about 8-9 weeks along and suddenly got SO sick she couldnt keep anything down. HOWEVER, with my family history, that was not a sign that she was having twins, just a sign she was pregnant. I was the same with my son.

Every pregnancy is different, even multiples, you could get lucky and be one of those multi-mommies without a bit of morning sickness. Wont ease your worries, no, but it makes day-to-day life a lot easier!

[sunwillshine]

Mae Thanks for the August thread! Eeek, I can't believe you're next!

CBW - Welcome to the world, Emery! Enjoy your babymoon, lady!

Nanette56 - Those stats (and you numbers) are crazy! I can't wait to find out if there's one or two! P.S. I had pretty high betas, yet didn't really start feeling any symptoms worth writing home about till 6.5 weeks or so.

AFM - Here's one of the shots from DP and my first shower. It's making me really excited for our photo shoot and my belly painting!

Hoping to edit and post more shots from the shower on my blog by week's end.

P.S. DP and I both got "corsages" made by MIL. They were made out of silk flowers and baby socks! The cute things she crafted for the shower were over-the-top (and awesome).

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by Lyndzies

Mae Thanks for the August thread! Eeek, I can't believe you're next!

I know, right?

[lisko15]

Oh good... a new thread, I can start over! There just isn't time these days for good posts full of nice personals. I told DH today that most of the time I feel like a chicken with my head cut off, between Caleb, DD, working at home, taking care of the home, as well as other outside the house things we do every week...

Well, Caleb is sleeping currently. He really is a tricky napper. If he doesn't get GOOD deep sleep during the day, he just goes way downhill by evening. He will cat nap no problem in your arms all day - but that doesn't really make him feel better, and he just winds "up" rather than down. He does sleep wonderfully at night, so I really shouldn't complain!

Colorbywords - Congrats and welcome to baby Emery! Hope that all is well and you enjoy your babymoon!

Nanette - (Maybe I already congratulated you, my brain is mush.) Well, two for the price of one is good when you've gone the IVF route, at least that's my opinion. As for m/s mine doesn't really start until 6 weeks, and then just barely, and PEAKS around 8. So try not to get too worried... (easy for me to say, I know)

MaerynPearl - You're IT! I can't believe how fast time is going since DS was born. There is an April DDC already! It will seem way strange when the June DDC pops up....

LZP - Hope all is well with Anna!

to everyone else that I missed. Hope all is well with the babies and the baby-tummies.

Caleb is smiling and trying to "talk". It is the cutest thing, but I cannot capture it in a photo, because he will NOT smile at me with the camera in front of my face. I need to get someone else to take the picture...

I think I hear some baby noise on the monitor... better go for now...

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by lisko15

Caleb is smiling and trying to "talk". It is the cutest thing, but I cannot capture it in a photo, because he will NOT smile at me with the camera in front of my face. I need to get someone else to take the picture...

What I had to do with DS when he first started smiling was aim the camera with my arms stable (like against my legs) and the pull my head out and make him smile, then shoot the picture without looking. Took a few tries to get it framed right but ended up with http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6113768_n.jpg

(my babies smile very early... he was only 4 1/2 weeks old there! DD smiled in the delivery room and DD2 smiled on the 4d ultrasound!)

[lisko15]

Oh my gosh, Mae, DS's hair in that pic is the BEST!!!!!

Caleb has lost all of the little hair he was born with. He's pretty shiny bald at this point (and probably will be for a good 6 months!)

[MaerynPearl]

DS and DD both had full heads of thick dark hair, his always stood up, hers always laid down perfectly until she got older and then it was EVERYWHERE lol

Mae already has a head full of hair, cant wait to see what color it is! Her daddy was a blonde little boy and I was born with black hair, but my brother (who shares both parents with me) was also blonde! So its just a matter of waiting a few weeks to see!

[lisko15]

http://www.uddercovers.com/

Is giving away free nursing covers again for two more days... just type in "Breastfeeding" for the code. You do have to pay $9.95 in shipping... but that's not terrible. I didn't order one last time, but this time I decided to.

I ordered Carson, and can't wait to get mine!

Mae - Caleb will be blonde as a baby and a little kid... after that I'm not sure. My hair is wavy, frizzy and crazy (as is DD's), DH's is/was thin and straight (well, at this point its just mostly all missing). DD's hair is way darker than we thought it would be... she'll most likely be a brunette as an adult with some nice golden highlights. Its so fun to wonder what they'll look like as they grow!

I'm very curious to see if Caleb's eyes stay blue!!!! (And I am relieved that I won't have to brush and style anymore little girl tangled long hair.)

[MaerynPearl]

I always thought those were just silly...

but Im going to get one anyway lol. If I dont like it, I know other breastfeeding moms I could pass it off to.

[Nanette56]

Ok, Mae and Lisko, you two are on my sh$% list. I just promised myself I would spend no more money this week, and here I am buying udder covers ($9.95 is too good to pass up, they've come a long way with this stuff since I had DS 6 years ago!) and formal maternity dresses and it's all your fault!

Check out the dress:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...inerhines1.jpg

[MaerynPearl]

Gorgeous! Not too different from my wedding dress (except it was white and had a floral lace over it)

was so very beautiful!

Did have an odd tulle thing on the bottom edge of the underskirt that made me look like I had odd lumpy legs... but I was able to remove that myself.

[jessica_s]

We heard the heartbeat again today.... I think I'm actually starting to relax. Wasn't so nervous at this appointment. Heartbeat was in the high 150s low 160s and all the tests from last time came up fine and normal. I like normal.

Nanette, we don't get to see this little one again till 20 weeks (4 more weeks!!). I'm actually going to make the appointment soon since I got the referral today. I can make it for Sept 1st or later so that's actually pretty exciting. We'll find out the sex if baby cooperates, I'm ready to start buying and selling some baby stuff!!

[Qbear'smama]

Originally Posted by Nanette56

Check out the dress:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1...inerhines1.jpg

Gorgeous! I am still looking, I think I found one at JCrew, but not sure how much alteration it needs, but I know a woman who said she can alter it for the belly:

http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding...6061/96061.jsp (in champagne, not pink!)

It's plain but I really think it is perfect for our tiny wedding...

CBW, congrats and welcome, baby Emery!!

[KellyTTC#1]

OK I'm really far behind... had to go back to the July thread to catch up.

Congrats CBW!!

I also really enjoyed all the photos everyone has shared... cute babies all around.. thanks Lis, Liz, Jelinifer & Lauren! I hope I didn't forget anyone in the list but I looked at them all...

Nanette: congrats! I did IVF and am expecting twins but didn't experience any early symptoms (I think it was at least until about 7-8 weeks)... so not to worry. I think the time it takes for the beta to double can also help to predict if it you are expecting multiples. You'll get to see if there is one or two at the first ultrasound (my DH never doubted for a minute it was twins). Good luck!

As for me, I'm feeling well. I have grown exponentially over the past couple of weeks. I went from gaining 2 lbs by 13 weeks to a total of 25 lbs by week 23 with 9 lbs over 2 weeks (weeks 21 & 22) and then slowing down again. I was a little concerned about how I could possibly keep growing at the same rate but the past 2 weeks things have slowed down again a bit. I go for my next OB and ultrasound appt on Tuesday, I'm excited to see the progress. As of the last appointment the girls were growing like singletons so I'm interested in seeing if that has continued over the past 5 weeks!

Mae & Lyndzies you are up next so all eyes on you!!

[MaerynPearl]

September had their first baby! Jrene (whom some of you may remember from the TTC boards) had pre-e and gave birth to her little boy this morning. She was due 9/08 and had him 8/06 so that isnt too bad!