**Weekly chat, Aug 8** - Page 2

[Mrs.Music]

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. My daughter woke me up bright and early to open my presents and eat cake. It was cute. And then she let me go back to bed for a bit. My SIL came over to babysit and DH took me to a Moroccan restaurant. You eat pretty much everything with your hands and sit on bean bags on the floor. It's pretty neat. And the food was really good! I'm usually afraid to try new things. I had braised hare. It was yummy. The bones were still there which was mildly disturbing when you remember you're eating a bunny...

[bluefaery]

I'm about 12 weeks and I'm still very sick. Zofran doesn't seem to do much for me either.

[Tresa]

I woke up this morning and had time to think before the rest of my household got in my headspace...my oldest is starting preschool this fall, too, and I'm having all kinds of mixed emotions about it, too. We're planning to homeschool, too, but are trying this program this year to see how ds does in a traditional school setting, and also because this school focuses on interpersonal (intra?-personal) relationships between the kids and their language skills, both things my son, I feel like, is a little behind on. But unless he magically happens to do well in school while knowing all the curriculum before him, he'll be homeschooled next fall. In talking with other local homeschoolers, I'm told it's very common to send the littles away for a year or two of preschool while they're in the super active, sponge stage where it's hard to keep them stimulated, yourself, and then to bring them back home for their traditional schooling years. I feel really...bewildered about it all, just trusting my instincts and the path that seems to be revealing itself, taking it one day at a time.

Making Peggy O'Mara's (did I spell that right? The editor of Mothering) honey coffee cake this morning if I get off the computer in time before everyone wakes up, anyone tried it? People have been talking about cinnamoney things around me the last couple days...I.must.have.coffee.cake!

[momma-molly]

I love this thread!!

13 weeks tomorrow!

Got a WICKED migraine on Saturday and lastest all the way through Sunday. Still hanging in there, but it's managable now. Ick.

My DH is showing signs of wear after all my whining and moaning. The house is *still* a wreck, DD is starting to act out and basically we are all in need of some 2nd trimester relief.

Can we eat take-out chinese food? I've been craving me some broccoli and chicken and fried rice for weeks and I'm totally thinking about giving in at lunch. (Does that cancel out the green smoothie I had for breakfast?)

I'm still down 5 lbs. Woot! I really needed too lose about 15 lbs before I got preggo so I'm happy for a little bonus.

Still haven't heard this little ones hb. One week from tomorrow! That will certainly be a welcome sound.

Can someone link me to that honey coffee cake? Holy moly that sounds good!

[nintendork]

Tresa, it is not uncommon for boys to need speech therapy in the early years of school. Both of my brothers are highly gifted, and they both had speech therapy kindergarten though 2nd grade. Many schools have a speech therapist that work on campus (free for you) but you may also be able to find one independently, but at a higher cost. Just a thought.

[Cujobunny]

Originally Posted by momma-molly

Can someone link me to that honey coffee cake? Holy moly that sounds good!

I know, it does sound good! Though it's so hot and humid here, I don't know if putting my oven on is the best idea, but I may have to.

Hey look, my apostrophes are working! How about the question mark? Yep.

Sweet. I'm gonna go look for that recipe.....

Is this it? It's Sunday Coffee Cake.

I got so so so much tidying up done today!!! DD was up at 6:35 this morning, unusually early for her but i still had lots of motivation to tidy. I kept looking around and seeing clutter everywhere so I tidied up alllll morning. Got rid of lots of old papers, broken stuff, toys and stuff the kids don't use or play with. I feel lighter But I have gained 4lbs really And Marvin's not even a giant baby! But yesterday at my m/w appt she did say that u/s can be wrong and not see a second baby. She was the third m/w I've seen (one was a student) who couldn't believe the size of my uterus. But since reading the "where is your uterus" thread on here, I feel quite normal.

[ashleybrook]

Originally Posted by momma-molly

I've been craving me some broccoli

wow, i'm jealous! all my delicious raw produce, which was the staple of my eating pre-pregnancy, is still out the window! and i'm still stuck on anything which includes a sandwich (i found a delicious gluten free bread) and some kind of potato side (even for breakfast). i'm trying to go easy with myself, but geez, i'm sure the baby will be glad when i can eat a salad again! instead it's chips and salsa?!

other than that... there's been progress. i don't know exactly what it is, but i just feel a bit more like myself! (though my husband still sometimes says i look green!) still the occasional vomit, and the frequent nap...but less miserable! yippee!

growing, growing, i love to see my belly pooch and looking forward to those flutters, but not there yet!

[Tresa]

Yes, that's the very one, the very very tasty and very easy to make coffee cake. It'd better be good, though, with 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter in it...it makes enough to fill a pie pan.

Thanks for the heads up on the speech assistance...I didn't mean to imply that my son is behind in his language abilities. He speaks in complete thoughts with a big vocabulary, but in comparison to kids who have hung out in preschool since they were 6 weeks old, his language skills are a little behind (I think). He's still learning word order in sentences and things like that.

Nesting just a little bit lately, goodwill has been great around here lately, people must have the same purge bug I've caught. Getting some great stuff barely used, fashioinable clothes, nice home furnishing stuff...yay!

[OkiMom]

Echo, Im trying not to stress but its HARD. I feel like Im under a microscope since Im the only one in the family or any of our friends that has a desire to homeschool. My SIL and MIL works/worked for the public school system. My MIL is awesome and told me we need to get stationed near her and she will give the girls and me free piano and clarnet lessons instead of having us pay someone. She also told me she would love to help me set up literature lessons because she loves reading as much as I do. My SIL (shes the delusional one by the way) asked me when I was going to "ask persmission" of the family to homeschool the children because according to her I have to have the whole family's permission otherise I have to send them to public school. It doesn't help my oldest is behind speech wise (every child in my family is slow to develop speech and its nothing therapy helps with, just time and letting the child develop. After having at least 10 of the children in my family go through therapy we have figured it doesn't work for us since its not something that can be helped we just develop differently in different areas). Im going to start doing some speech exercises with her at home but I don't think they will help with anything other than building her confidence. Shes an incredibly shy child (another trait she gets from me, poor kid) so I hope building her confidence will help her feel comfortable talking more to people. Unfortunately there isn't any homeschool groups were I am (other than the library group which isn't good for younger children since everything is designed for 8 and above) so I really am going it alone.
Oh workbooks, do you print stuff off online? Thats where I get a lot of my stuff. Also, if you live near a dollar store they have tons of stuff (at least the one near my Dad when I was visiting had it). Sometimes if you look in the clearance in Walmart or Target you can find some as well. I found a few sticker workbooks my last trip to the states by going though the clearance section at Walmart. Im still using them I got so many and its been a year almost. I limit the number of pages a day though because if I let her DD1 would complete a whole workbook in a day. She loves workbooks for wahtever reason. My husband teases me because I told him I wouldn't do work sheets when I schooled the girls and now I have a bunch of workbooks (I got a bunch from a friend who stopped homeschooling and was moving back to the states, a few from my last trip and I paid full price for a few Kumon workboosk but I don't think I will be doing that again, to expensive) and DD1 askes to do them several times a day
I couldn't sleep well last night, mainly because the girls weren't sleeping well. Between the two of them I was up every 20-30 minutes all night taking care of one or another. I ended up spending between 11pm-2am up with my oldest because she had a bad nightmare and it took her that long to get back to sleep. Hopefully they sleep well tongiht because I REALLY need some sleep.

[hollytheteacher]

no suggestions for what to get dh for our anniversary????? lol i need help!

[lyterae]

I have lost my moby wrap! The last time I had it out was last Fall (a friend returned it after borrowing it) and now I can't find it. I've also lost the baby name book and DH was ready to start going through names.

[LSUtwinMama]

Originally Posted by hollytheteacher

no suggestions for what to get dh for our anniversary????? lol i need help!

What are his interests? Is there a class he'd like to take? Musical instrument he'd like to learn? Special event he's like to attend?

DH and I have pretty much moved past getting each other "stuff" for holidays and anniversaries, I figure he's an adult, he can go buy it if he really wants it... so we give each other "experience" stuff... Last year's anniversary we went to Anaheim to attend Blizzcon (we're both gaming geeks).
For his birhthday I signed him up for SCUBA lessons since he's always wanted to learn, and we took a vacation to Fl to dive when he finished.
He got me Indian Cooking lessons at the local university's "leisure classes" for my birthday. And this year we're going camping in the Ozarks for our anniversary.
None of those things cost a fortune since we budgeted and looked for travel deals and we have a lot of great memories.
Maybe there's something your DH would enjoy along those lines?

I had my 12 week OB visit today. I declined the NT Scan (even though I really wanted a peek). Baby was super cooperative with the doppler and had a nice healthy heartrate of 164. I was shocked to hear I'm measuring almost 16 weeks! Anyone else measuring large?
I know there is only one bean in there.

[Cujobunny]

Originally Posted by LSUtwinMama

Anyone else measuring large?
I know there is only one bean in there.

Yes, I'm measuring about 16 wks as well. This is my 3rd baby, I have had an ultrasound and saw only one baby also. I'm 13w 3d today.

[Mrs.Music]

I get to look at the baby tomorrow and get some good prints. We're technically in there to do measurements, but it's our first real look at the baby. It was a small little blob last time, since it was still a bit early for an abominal u/s and they were only checking heartrate. Now we get to take a look at my cervix for surgery. And I need to remember to ask if I'll need help with the kids and housework after I get home and for how long. My OB is actually out of town and it's a "surgery day" so the other one isn't likely to be there, but I'm hoping someone will know or take a note down for me.

[OkiMom]

Holly, how bout a nice night/day out just the two of you? My husband is hard to buy for so I usually suprise him with some couple time even if its just a nice dinner after the kids go to sleep. November we celebrate 5 years and Ive never gotten him more than a card for our anniversary so Im no help.

[nintendork]

Holly, my husband is very easy going and hard to shop for. Typically I make him something (this is last years "until death do us part" gift http://picasaweb.google.com/marzipan...14151710301474 ) or we surprise each other with tickets (ballet, concerts, sporting events) or a trip to San Antonio or Austin (both are close enough that it isn't terribly expensive). I can't wait to hear what you ultimately decide on!

AFM, I finished my class today! AND after 3 semesters and 7 classes I have a 4.0!!! I am having a hard time with my decision to only student teach next semester and not take any classes in the fall and spring. I am such a perfectionist over achiever that I feel like a failure for taking time off, but I know that this is what is best for my family and I will be grateful for the uninterrupted time we will have together in the Spring. Maybe I need to write that on the wall so I won't forget lol.

[debra_lea]

I am 15 weeks today! Belly is definitely popping out. Can't wait for my next u/s. I go at 18 weeks, although I'm tempted to pay the $100 to get a gender u/s next week. DH says I need to be patient (BLAH)! Driving home today and tomorrow - can't believe summer is almost over. Kids starting school soon....I feel like the rest of this pregnancy is going to fly by!

[trekkingirl]

Nintendork, I love the till death do us part gift. So cool!

For DH on his birthday we went and saw the Giants. We got amazing seats right behind third base and their dug out! We were literally right there. A guy a few seats down got hit on the head with a foul ball because he wasn't paying attention.

Maybe tickets to the ball park?

[eakelly5]

I haven't taken my vitamins in 3 days and coincidentally the nausea is gone. I'm going to wait a few more days and then start taking them and hopefully the nausea won't come back. I was down 12 lbs from my pre-preg weight as of Tuesday. I'm still exhausted all the time, hoping that will hit the road in another week or 2 as well. Had my first u/s today, and heard the HB for the first time 2 days ago. So in love with this tiny little creature already I must have looked at the u/s pic 50 times today..

I have been showing noticeably for a couple weeks now. I'm in the annoying stage where maternity is too big and regular clothes just make me look fat because they don't fit. I wish I could wear leggings and tshirts every day, but alas I must go to work and since I work in an office, leggings/tshirts are a no-go

[nintendork]

I switched from my prenatal vitamin to a gummy one a day vitamin for 3 weeks and it helped a lot.