How about a February Chat Thread :)

[BHappy]

Hi mamas,

Its the month of L.O.V.E. 

How about a chat thread for the month, since we've not been doing the weeklies...

Anyone counting down to the third trimester? I am trying hard to stay in the moment and not get swept away by looking forward all the time. The time is going by fast enough, thank you! I'm starting to finalize who I want to have with me at the birthing. Also looking at hiring a doula to support me, along with my birth attendants. Oh, and my dear friend has offered to organize a Welcoming Ceremony for me and babe. 

Special Valentine's Day plans? My DD is having a Mother-Daughter Tea. Should be sweet:).

Hope you all are having a good start to your week!

xo

[tracymom1]

Aw, mother-daughter tea sounds so sweet!!! We are going to go to the Shedd Aquarium because it is one of the free days. DS has been asking about dolphins, and although I have issues with them being in captivity, I think he would really enjoy seeing one in person. Books and You Tube just don't compare to the real thing.

I am still not really feeling any movement (19+weeks now) other than a wandering kick when I am about to go to sleep. My belly is getting huge, so I know the LO is growing - I just wish I could feel it! I am starting to get anxious. Last time I felt movement at 16 weeks and the same with my first. I am sure it is because I have an anterior placenta but I can't help but worry a little.

So, I know this sounds silly, but my aversions to certain smells have been getting worse and worse as this pregnancy progresses. I totally hate to say this, but the scent that is becoming most offensive to me is that of DH!!! I can't even hardly stand to hug him We are sleeping in separate beds as it is (very bad snoring issues) and I get so little affection these days - now I just don't want him anywhere near me. He has always had a bad breath issue (he has some problem with his tonsils) but I have usually been able to tolerate it well. Not anymore. I have no idea what to do or how to fix this. Its not just the breath thing - its just him. Sigh...

Here in Chicago they are saying that between tonight and Wednesday we should be getting anywhere from 12-20 inches of snow, then temps will dip into the single digits on Thursday. I have nothing positive to say about this

[jshannyn519]

I haven't really thought about the 3rd tri yet, I'm more focused on the 4th tri! I was going to start a CBE class and bring my kids and BFF with me, but it was canceled and the instructor offered to do one in my home. I think I might take her up on it, if it's not too expensive. I might even let Baby Daddy come along too, since he's never seen natural birth even though he has 3 kids already.

I did a little shopping today and got a few baby outfits in 0-3 months and 3-6 months, a bib, and a fitted sheet. I also got my 3 dozen prefolds in the mail today, along with my 9 boxes of 25 each Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags!! YAY! I found the bedding that I want and the crib that I want, I'm just waiting to  buy them until it's a little closer to baby time.

I'm in the DFW Metroplex and it's supposed to drop down to some crazy temp like 10 degrees tonight, with the wind chill it will be -4!!! It is NOT supposed to be that cold in Texas! On top of that it's supposed to rain and/or snow, so there will most likely be ice covering everything. I'm sure schools will be closed tomorrow. If there is no school, that will give me a chance to get caught up on my reading for school.

[Mamatoabunch]

Our anniversary is the 15th and dh and I will go out. I just took down our snowflakes and put up hearts in our dining room/schoolroom. Nice change. We are supposed to close on our house and farm 2/11. I feel anxious about it today. I am feeling I need to slow down some and cannot do as much w/ the same intensity as before. I haven't even done cardio in a week and half, just yoga. We are supposed to be down to -2 and tomorrow -7, we did get some snow today and should get another foot of snow tomorrow. Ugh, I am so over winter. 

[jshannyn519]

School is canceled today for my kids and me. And the rest of North Texas. This weather is nasty. It was raining last night, then it all froze, then it snowed, and now there are ice pellets on top of the snow. I'm refusing to set foot outside of my house. With the wind chill it's a whopping 4 degrees F outside!! Of course, I've been up since 4:50 this morning when I got the "school is canceled for weather" text message from my school. Of all the days to not be able to sleep in...

I did get up and get the dipes out of the dryer, fold them all, stuff 4 of the prefolds into the covers that I have and put everything away in Sam's dresser. Now my DS is awake, on a day that he could be sleeping in, and he's in my bed playing with one of the cats.

It's a REALLY good thing that I grabbed a trashy romance novel at the store yesterday. I'll need it to entertain myself today. :)

Okay, off to make some RRL tea with my pretty new purple enamel tea kettle. :)

[cuddlemama0507]

Lordy, sounds like a lot of y'all are dealing with some serious cold!  We actually had a beautiful weekend in Atlanta this past weekend, but all it did was get me so ready for Spring, which is not yet here.  Even though February is the shortest month, it seems to go by the slowest.  I'm hoping to knock out some house projects this month in preparation of little one.

DP and I are splurging for Valentine's this year.  Money has been tight for us; so, we had an extremely low key Christmas and have being very low key.  But, we were lucky enough to get tickets to go see Widespread Panic at the Fabulous Fox here in Atlanta on Valentine's.  We're looking forward to a night of music, and I'm excited for little one to get to hear her first, in-utero concert.  Fun stuff!

DS has been anxiously waiting to pick out something for "our baby" as he calls her.  I think we might go out and pick out a couple of summer outfits for her this weekend.  He's so excited about his little sister, and it is such a joy going through this time with him.

[junebug2011]

Happy February everyone!
 

So nice to hear how everyone is doing :)

DH and I still have the same level of stress ... I'm looking/interviewing for jobs, Dh work stress etc, we could be moving to Alaska or San Diego in a couple of weeks, or stay here in AZ. But for some reason I am feeling so great! I think it's because I've started swimming. It feels SOOOO good, I take it easy and go slow and the water just washes away all my worries!

The LO is growing really well! My uterus is so much higher and her kicks feel much stronger.

I just found this beautiful book which makes me so happy.

And I am working on this blog for LO. It really helps me connect with her. After she is born I want to turn it into a book for her that she can keep :)

Happy to hear how you are all progressing and growing. It's such a happy thing 

[aleatha5]

Cuddlemama, I miss the south!  I know I'm in for at least 2 more months of winter...sigh.  We're waiting for the snow/ice in PA that has been hitting the rest of the midwest. 

My DS had his first follow up with the ped. cardiologist after his Kawasakis and it was good and bad.  The good news was that the Kawasakis hasn't affected his heart or his valves.  The slightly more worrisome news is that he has an extra vein going into his heart.  They couldn't get a really good look at it, because DS was really unhappy by this point with all the poking and prodding.  But they did say there wasn't a murmur so, it is probably just a harmless anomaly.  They'll now be following that and his Kawasakis at future appointments.  I'm hopeful because the Doctor said he's never seen something like this worsen to the point of needing any intervention...but still not what I wanted to hear this morning.

I'm also looking forward to the third trimester, or at least to the end of morning sickness...which is still strong.  I still feel like I'm in the first trimester and I'm halfway through!  I cry at the thought of spending the rest of my pregnancy sick.  Does that really happen?

[nikie23]

Originally Posted by aleatha5 

I'm also looking forward to the third trimester, or at least to the end of morning sickness...which is still strong.  I still feel like I'm in the first trimester and I'm halfway through!  I cry at the thought of spending the rest of my pregnancy sick.  Does that really happen?

Yikes!  I'm sorry you're still having morning sickness, that sounds horrible!   

[Knittin Mama]

I hit 20w today, I can't believe how fast it's gone!  Feeling lots of movement and Beloved was able to feel movement just yesterday!  I was super excited, it's been something I've been wanting to share with him, I'll randomly grab his hand and smoosh it into my belly, and he'll say something like "are we gonna play the feel the baby game again?"  I just laugh.   

I'm snuggled into the couch, looking at the drift in my driveway, pretty sure I won't be going in to work tonight as I don't think my car will even make it out of the drive.  Here in the midwest with lots of you, watching it snow sideways, not really excited about the foot-ish of snow that is planned for us.  

I am late scheduling my 20w scan, which my OB said he would be okay doing an abbreviated (10-15min) scan, just to check major organs, but when his nurse called the radiologist they said they can't get a good look at the baby in under 40 minutes.  My response was, I don't want a "good look" at the baby, I want a quick scan.  If they see something concerning, I'll concede to a longer more indepth scan.  Totally not telling them that though for fear they will just say that something MIGHT be wrong just so they can do a longer scan. So my doc is just going to do it in the office.  I was a little frustrated that a radiology tech was trying to push a longer scan on me.  I mean really? Urg.  Anywho, I'm thankful my doc offered the in office scan.  

Then there was the convo with my mom (who overall is very supportive of my choices, she just has questions sometimes) who said, "but honey the doctor said that the scan is safe", to which I responded, "yup and the doctors also used to say that xraying the moms abdomen before labor to check the baby's position was safe, oh yeah and doctors use to say thalidomide was safe to take for morning sickness too!"  Sorry, just don't trust everything that comes out of a doctors mouth just because he's a doctor.  

I'm uber jealous of those of you in the warm southern states.  It will be spring here soon enough :)

Kristin - so sorry to hear you're still fighting MS  keeping your little guy in my prayers.  

[tracymom1]

Kristen, I will be keeping you and your little one in my thoughts. I hope the morning sickness passes! And, I would think, that if they hadn't had any reason to detect the extra vein in the past (murmur, abnormal rhythm, etc...) than it is probably just a benign irregularity. What are you doing for follow up now?

So we are sitting here, watching the snow and listening to the howling wind. I have a feeling that when we wake up tomorrow there will be at least 15 inches. There's got to be about 5 or 6 right now. Yikes!!! DH will be home all day so I am taking a "sew day" and working on all my spring projects. I like to cut up the fabric in batches so that I can just sit down and sew everything together all at once. Seems to be a good system for me.

Junebug, that yoga book looks great. The last thing I need is another pregnancy/labor book, but I might have to splurge on that one!

[Mamatoabunch]

I ordered two pregnancy dvd's today. After hurting my SI joint a week and a half ago doing cardio I have only done yoga since, but I need cardio as well. I had been hesitant to switch to a less intense workout, but I can feel myself needing to slow down.

A friend of mine went into labor early today, at 36 weeks. Her baby, as expected has only a tiny underdeveloped lung on one side and none on the other. Other issues as well. He is not expected to live long, but is intubated and alive. We have been praying so earnestly.

[jshannyn519]

Originally Posted by Knittin Mama 

I'm uber jealous of those of you in the warm southern states.  It will be spring here soon enough :)

Kristin - so sorry to hear you're still fighting MS  keeping your little guy in my prayers.  

Which Southern states are warm? Here in Texas it is miserably cold! We have another snow/ice day tomorrow and tonight's temp is supposed to be 7 degrees F, add in the wind chill and we could get from -7 to -12!! It's not looking like it will warm up above freezing until Saturday so this solid sheet of ice won't melt. The bonus is that I'm getting to spend some extra time with my kids, and catching up and getting ahead in my reading for school! I'm about to pull out old cross-stitch projects too, so I have something to keep my hands busy.

Kristin, the m/s can last a whole pregnancy, but I'm praying that yours doesn't! I'm glad that your baby guy's appointment went fairly well today. It sounds like the extra vessel isn't hurting anything and the fact that his heart and valves are doing good is fantastic!

Originally Posted by Mamatoabunch 

I ordered two pregnancy dvd's today. After hurting my SI joint a week and a half ago doing cardio I have only done yoga since, but I need cardio as well. I had been hesitant to switch to a less intense workout, but I can feel myself needing to slow down.

A friend of mine went into labor early today, at 36 weeks. Her baby, as expected has only a tiny underdeveloped lung on one side and none on the other. Other issues as well. He is not expected to live long, but is intubated and alive. We have been praying so earnestly.

How awful for your friend! I don't know them, obviously, but I just said a little prayer for her and her family, and of course her little baby boy.

[MaryElizabeth]

It's getting warmer here in NC.. yay!!!!!!!! It is rainy... but thats ok :) 65 degrees and climbing!!!! I really need this weather to boost my motivation and spirit. I have been soooo cold and unproductive for the last few months. I don't know what I would do with even more snow coming like some of you ladies!! I'm exctied to finish our home renovations and to not have to keep the baby that I have been babysitting for anymore. She's sweet and really easy, but her mom doesn't want me to drive anywhere so I am stuck at home M-F 7am-5pm. The extra money is nice, but my sanity is getting questionable haha I'm ready to concentrate on getting the house ready, playing with my DD, planting all of my landscaping, and decorating the nursery for a baby boy! We have so much happening and I'm ready to get to it!!!!

I'm hoping that you all start to feel great, get to get outside, and are enjoying your pregnancies! I'll keep all those in prayer who are still feeling that MS, pain, and especially the little baby recently born.

[BarefootScientist]

Hugs and prayers for junebug, mamatoabunch's friend, and whoever else needs them.

I am lazing around today in the hopes that one more good day of rest will finally kick this blasted cough. It seems like every winter up here I get a cold that finishes out with a terrible cough that just lasts and lasts...I didn't get this the four winters we were in Colorado. Last night I had an extreme coughing fit at my prenatal appt when the midwife tried to listen to the baby's heartbeat. It was awful.

I am hoping to kick it by next week because my parents are coming to town for a few days for my dad's work, and when they leave they are taking my DS with them and DH and I are going to have a staycation for a few days before going to their house for the weekend (they live four hours away). I am so excited to sleep in, go out to eat, talk with DH, and have sex without worrying about DS for two full days! I figured we had to do SOMETHING just us two before the baby came because although I have friends who went on two week trips to Hawaii leaving behind their 8 month old and so forth...I just can't picture myself doing that, so we probably won't get another good break for...a while.

[Spinnerette]

Hey everyone :)

I'm just over 21 weeks now, feeling my little girl move about tons. It's nice to be able to share that with my husband, he can feel her kicks and see my belly move as she jostles around. 

It's been cold here. Like.. really cold. -36C (-32F) and it's miserable. These temperatures are par for the course here, I just cope by going outside for as little time as possible during the winter. I sure do wish I was where some of you are right now.

We had our big U/S a week and a half ago, and I have to wait until the 16th to see the doctor and get the run-down of what they saw. I know she was measuring a week ahead of average, but the U/S tech can't tell us much more than that. It's been nerve-wrecking, really. I hate the medical system here. I'd have a midwife and a homebirth if I could, but the nearest midwives are 3 hours away and we can't afford to make the drives for appointments (let alone are willing with the highways are this treacherous and this cold).

I just want everything to be okay. A friend's baby died of SIDS in the hospital after being born about a month and a half premature - his abdomen didn't completely close around his organs, but he was expected to make a full recovery and be completely normal, and he just.. died. Another friend just found out that his baby (his wife due just a month or two before all of us) has a cleft palate. It's hard to put out of my mind.

I'm doing all of this for the first time, geographically very far from family and friends, just me and my husband. I'm really afraid. How do you mommas find comfort in the fear? How can I find the confidence in my body and myself, to know that I've done all I can and that I'm built to grow and give birth? Have any of you read anything that has given you peace in the face of all this, spiritual or otherwise? I just feel so alone in this.

Thanks for listening, everyone.

[hilary549]

Spinnerette,

it is tough to feel alone when expecting, esp with your first. i think that regardless of distance from family/friends, pregnancy is inherently a somewhat lonely time, as you turn inward (at least i do, this time and last time) and also with the realization that support aside, you have to go through labor and nobody can do it for you. (this is why a due date club is nice, because you know all of us are in it too) - but i did read some things that were helpful in my first pregnancy- have you read Ina May Gaskin's books? they really were comforting to me in thinking about childbirth being natural, and reading about different experiences of labor.

i also found that reading about parenting helped me- because it's not just birth, it's the experience of becoming a parent, with all the identity change that brings. what about unconditional parenting, parenting from the inside out, and i liked adele faber's book i think it is called how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk?

these are just off the top of my head, but wanted to write back while your comment was fresh.

best wishes to all. i've been enjoying feeling more movements, but also starting to feel like i am unprepared re: work and childcare for two, things that are like little weights in the back of my mind...

-hilary

[Mommy2Austin]

Lots of frozen mamas out there it seems!! Here in Florida the weather is all kinds of crazy going from being beach weather (which DH and I took advantage of) to nearly freezing.

Work is work...annoying as ever. The fact that they can't even remember I'm pregnant just gives full force to my plan of quitting and staying at home with the kids as soon as DH is back to work (which will be before I go out on maternity leave.) It changes nothing as far as our income is concerned and by the time baby arrives we will be moving and (wisely) choosing our rental a lot better than we did this time (house is TOO big, constantly fighting mice and bugs, costing way more than it rightly should/mo)

Sitting at 22 weeks now. Was supposed to have my midwife appt. yesterday, but we canceled it because we celebrated DD's first birthday with friends (I worked on her birthday :( ) So it'll be next week. Personally, I'm getting back to the stage of "I-hate-these-pointless-appts.-we-should-just-be-doing-this-ourselves" like I have every pregnancy. Que Serra!

[tracymom1]

Originally Posted by Spinnerette 

I'm doing all of this for the first time, geographically very far from family and friends, just me and my husband. I'm really afraid. How do you mommas find comfort in the fear? How can I find the confidence in my body and myself, to know that I've done all I can and that I'm built to grow and give birth? Have any of you read anything that has given you peace in the face of all this, spiritual or otherwise? I just feel so alone in this.

Thanks for listening, everyone.

There is a place deep inside of you where the fear does not exist. It is not easy to find and takes a lot of time and patience, but it is there - and you will be so happy when you reach it. The best advice I have is to confront your fears head-on. Do not stifle them or let them roll around aimlessly in your head. Give them the time and space they deserve - think them through with calm clarity. Write, meditate, discuss - whatever you need to do to get it all out there. Once they are fully purged, there will be space for peace, confidence and joy. And we are all here for you, mama! Maybe you can find a buddy from finding your tribe here on MDC to forge a friendship with? I moved across the country all by myself years ago and know firsthand how scary it can be to be in a new place without any real support system in place. As hard as it is, you have to start finding your people - maybe try a La Leche League meeting? Or look into the Holistic Moms Network?

As for me, I have an ultrasound on Monday. I am getting a little freaked out because I have had little to no fetal movement so far and I know that at this point in my previous pregnancies I certainly did. I just want to know everything is okay. The lack of movement is really starting to mess with my head. I am not a worrier by nature, so my feelings about this are kind of strange and concerning to me. If I am worried, that usually means there is a reason. Just trying to remain open and peaceful for the next 2 days.

[MaryElizabeth]

TracyMom--- how did the ultrasound go?????

Spinerette-- I know when I moved to NC away from my family and friends, it took a lot of initiative to get out and make new friends and find a new support group. I haven't even done that well at it and feel lonely a lot, but once you get to know one person, they introduce you to another and so on and so on. I think that having people you can call is really important. I haven't even found someone that I would call to just hang out, but there are a couple of girls that I could get the courage to ask to go shopping and lunch I'm sure :) But don't worry!!! Sometimes when we are alone and accomplish things on our own we find a new strength that we never knew we had!

I'm really starting to accumulate things for the baby and I'm getting excited!! I have been slowly getting new diapers and at the same time selling all my extra girl things. I already sold a huge tub of clothes to Once Upon a Time as well as a stroller, and now I listed my FuzziBunz and pink ring sling on the Trading Post! I feel like I am getting things done. slowly.....  :) trying to find the motivation to get these home renovations done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anybody want to come over and help me paint???