May 2011 Whatever Ladies Graduates - Page 14

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

OMGGGG is it August yet??? I am feeling DONE with being pregnant!!!...I'm starting to get lots of, "When are you due?' comments from strangers and it's exhausting saying, "August," and getting the pitiful looks and the incredulous responses.

I woke up this morning thinking, only 9 more weeks. Then suddenly it will be only 8 more weeks. Wow! I've had a lot of strangers ask me when I'm due, too. And I get those looks when I tell them the end of July. I'm not really that big, am I?

[akind1]

MW: yay for single digit countdown!

JJ: hope the care provider situation looks up soon. If you have to go with an OB you don't like, see if you can at least hire a doula. The more people on your side, ready to advocate for you when necessary, the better!

Carrie, friends of ours are plannin on naming their little girl Fynlay, and calling her Fynn, their little boy is Jett (so Jett and Fynn, very aviator-ish, no?). My only issue with Finn at all, if there is one, it is very Glee :) I like Glee, but wonder if Finn will increase in popularity as a result?

Thankfully we have got nothing but good responses from the name Norah when people ask (personally I prefer to let slip that we have a name preference, thence halting suggestions). Except from my sister, who admits that she wants to wait another year or so before babies, that she guesses that means she can't use HER chosen girl name, Eleanora - which she only informed me was in the running for them a couple months ago, when we have had Norah in mind since before being pregnant.

Oh, and she got me all in a tizzy, because she asked if DS still nurses, and I said no, my milk is all gone. She followed up with WOULD he be still nursing, otherwise? and I said yes, probably so. I also told her there really isn't an age when breastmilk is BAD for a baby. She said, didn't I wonder if that would mess him up developmentally or something? (this coming from someone with an early childhood degree!) I said no; it is actually recommended that babies nurse for at least 2 years, if possible. My mom, bless her, even piped up in my defense and said, maybe if they nursed until 4 or 5 she could see a problem, but DS is only 18 months, after all!  It may just be that pregnancy has made me more easily irritated, but seriously, this got under my skin. *rant over*

hope everyone had a good weekend!

[Baby_Cakes]

I obviously LOVE Nora(h) and think you should use it no matter what your sister says!!  People who aren't even pregnant can't call dibs on a name.  Don't worry about it.  My sister did that when I was pg the first time -- she wasn't even pg (or married, I don't think) but emailed me saying if it's a boy don't use Nathaniel b/c she wanted to use it some day.  How rude, you know?  

Annoying about the bf'ing comments.  I don't get why people think bf'ing boys past a certain time is bad for them psychologically.  It makes no sense.  They're still just babies who need their mamas. It would burn me up too, pg or not!!

Hmm, I don't watch Glee!  I didn't know.  But still -- Finnley (with 2 n's) isn't in the top 1000 for the past 10 years.  And with 1 n it's in the 500-600 range.  If it hits top 20 b/c of Glee, than so be it!  I tried!!  LOL!!  DH still likes Logan better, so it's b/w those two.  But I've been referring to the baby as Baby Finn and so has Nora, and it's really growing on me.  We will see who he looks like when he comes out.

AFM - Yesterday I started having lots of ctx, not just tight but with an edge to them.  I immediately just came inside, drank lots of water.  They didn't really ease up.  I could *feel* them.  So, I had a bit of red wine before bed.  Did a few hypnonbabies relaxation tracks -- they went on all night, these freaking ctx!!  This morning laying in bed, I counted at least 4 in half an hour.  Not cool.  So I called up my mw, she recommended drinking Recharge or Emergen-C, as much as I can in an hour, and seeing what happened.  If they don't slow down or decrease, go to the hospital for monitoring.  I've had 4 glasses of Emergen-C and THANK GOODNESS I feel loads better!  It's been an hour.  The ctx haven't completely stopped but they are no where near as intense or frequent.  I think I really have to watch it now.

This happened with DD's pg too, but I thought it was solely b/c of my high stress job.  I thought I'd be golden this time around.  I may have to give up my 2 mile stroller walks or at least just make sure I hydrate and eat well if I'm going to do things like that.  Even sitting outside in the heat I should take more consideration.  It's worth it not to have to worry about a NICU baby.

[BarefootScientist]

I had my baby ladies!

The whole crazy story (well, at least an abbreviated version) is posted over in the June DDC.

[akind1]

Yay! and congrats BFS!

Carrie, hope the cx peter out a bit. no fun until it is really time to go!

[MarineWife]

Congratulations, BFS! I've been thinking about you and wondering what, if anything, was going on.

Carrie ~ I have contractions all the time, too. They are definitely getting stronger but they don't hurt. I have never bothered to time them but I have been wondering about them more and more. It makes me a little nervous but I'm kind of going with everything is ok as long as they don't hurt. What exactly do you mean by them having an edge to them?

More concerning to me is sharp pains that I've been getting more and more often. Sometimes it feels like a pulled muscle, especially when I roll over in bed. Sometimes it feels like a sharp stab or something. Those don't last long, though, so I guess it's nothing more than growing and stretching as baby gets even bigger. Sometimes the baby hurts me when he moves around. Youch!

I've been meaning to ask you about the belly mapping. What exactly did you mean by that? I think I've finally been able to feel baby's head a few times but still can't tell a foot or knee from his butt and haven't felt an arm or hand that I know of. Is there some trick to feeling around that can help identify body parts better?

I'm back to not being sure about the name Astin. I really like Brenden better. I'm hoping I can sway my dh to agree to that. I found two more meanings for Brenden (Brendan). The Irish meanings are little raven and prince. The English meaning is sword. I think my dh might go for sword, especially with Sloan for a middle name = sword warrior. Every Marine Corps officer is a warrior and gets a sword so it's fitting, right?

[Baby_Cakes]

These ctx were tight, like a BH, but then as they got to their tightest there was a definite, "ow" to them.  They made me pause and take note.  I was aware of each one, I could tell you when it started and stopped.  BH's for me, normal ones, are just tightness that I would notice sometimes but never made me pause or not want to shift in my chair, or keep me from going up/down stairs.  These, I'm like, "I'm NOT getting up, these are uncomfortable."  And TBH they were happening every few minutes.  This morning they were like 4 min apart.

After doing the emergen-c and whatnot, I feel better, I'm still having some ctx but they aren't edgy anymore.  They're just tight and not as frequent.  I talked to my mw again and she wants to rule out a UTI again, so I'm just going to start taking the cranactin and of course, downing fluids.  I may see her in the next day or so if she can make it down, otherwise I'll go see her backup.

If things pick up again I'm going for monitoring.  Not taking chances.

Belly mapping:

 http://spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/belly-mapping

Go by kicks, hands, and hard round lumpy things.  I do it, and I'm still stumped, but if you do it often enough I think you get good at it and can tell a butt from a head and a leg from an arm.  I can usually tell punches from kicks, but I'm still not sure of this baby's position.  I think recently he flipped head down or at least less transverse b/c I do feel some kicky sensations up higher.  But I'm not positive.  Not one bit!!

Names - I still love Aston with an O for your son, but eh, I get that my opinion doesn't really matter.  LOL!  I do love Brenden.  I think that's an awesome name and it does sound really nice with Sloan.

[MarineWife]

I like Aston with an O better than Astin with an I. My dh picked Astin but he may not have done that consciously so that's something for me to ask him about. He should be calling soon.

I'll check out that belly mapping. I can tell the head from the butt and punches from kicks. I can easily tell that this baby is head down most of the time. His back flips from my right to left side almost every day. His back is usually on my right side all day and when I go to bed at night but he usually flips during the night so that his back is on my left side when I wake up in the morning. Must be something about the way I sleep. He still goes transverse sometimes but I think it's been more sort of diagonal than completely straight from side to side. I base that on the fact that every once in a while I feel both punches and kicks down low and a long, hard line across the top of my belly. What I can't tell is a foot from a knee and I have yet to feel hands or arms. Maybe hands are too small to feel. Also, this guy seems to have his hands tucked way down low in my pelvis next to his head most of the time so maybe they are just down and in too far for me to feel.

Hmm on the contractions. Mine seem to be like you are describing. They are definitely noticeable and make me pause. When I get them I usually sit and try to breathe and relax through them like in my Hypnobirthing book. If I'm walking, I have to stop and breathe. If I'm sitting down, I certainly don't want to get up and do anything until they are gone. I do get them every day several times a day but I think they are sporadic, not regular like you would expect labor to be. I remember when I was pg with ds2 and going in for weekly NSTs. The nurses would always ask me if I felt the contractions I was having. Um...yeah. I think they were surprised that I was having such strong contractions so often and it wasn't bothering me. I was 37 or 38 weeks by then, though, so not concerned about PTL like I would be now at only 31w.

Maybe I should mention mine to my MW. I don't know that I would want to go to the hospital for monitoring, though. I'm pretty sure it's not true labor and I don't want to put myself in a position where the OBs would start getting concerned and tell me I need to be on meds or bedrest or anything. As if I could accomplish any semblance of bedrest anyway, unless my insurance would cover a home nurse or health aid. Hmm....that's not such a bad idea.

[akind1]

Carrie, I had those sort from about 37 weeks thru right before I was induced at 41+6. But of course, by that time, I was trying to make them stay rather than have them go!

I was good with DS at telling head from butt. I think this baby may have flipped as the stronger kicks are now at the top of my belly and they were down by my hips. If so, Yay! hope she stays that way. I can't feel her head and butt just yet though. going specifically by strength of kicks at the moment for position.

Names . . . I like all of them!

[MarineWife]

So, with BFS's baby boy we are even again boys to girls. How cool is that? I think that would support the idea that there isn't much anyone can do to influence gender. You have a 50/50 chance and it will be what it will be.

I just finished reading that Belly Mapping article. Based on that, I am certain my baby is right but I don't know anterior or posterior. I feel kicks and see bulging movement on my left front. But, I feel the little wiggly hand punches on my right side. That would make baby twisted, which I don't think is possible. How can baby's back and hands both be on my right side? Maybe the hands are inside, which would make baby occiput anterior (right?). But then how could I feel feet on my front left?

[MovingMomma]

Congrats BFS!!!  

[Baby_Cakes]

I did go into L&D and it was good to get peace of mind that nothing was going on, but man.  It was BORING.  Once they hooked me up and we saw it was nothing, I thought I could just go home, but no.  Had to wait around for the FFN test to come back and it took an HOUR of sitting in a really uncomfortable bed hooked up to monitors.  DH wanted to poke his eyeballs out.  But, that said, it was good to get peace of mind.  Baby is doing just fine (and doesn't like constant monitoring.  He kept trying to kick them off my belly!) and isn't coming out anytime soon.  Thank goodness!  The ctx kept up the rest of the day, and they were registering on the strip, but they weren't consistent enough or strong enough to warrant any concern.

I see my MW next Tuesday and we're going to chat more about the birth.  I need to find out what I need for the birth tub.  With this whole crack down and the FDA seizing tubs and what not I want to order my stuff soon.  Figure if it takes a week or 2 to get it, and this little man could be here in 8-10 weeks, then we better get moving on ordering things!!

Found a glider chair on craigslist that retails for $419 + $139 for the ottoman for only $250 new in box!  So DH is going to contact them and see if its available. 

Still debating about the double jogger stroller.  I'm just not sure if I'm going to use it between when the baby is born and winter.  I would like a few weeks of walks with both kids but am I really going to be up for it?  I want to be realistic here.

I'm a little put off by my ILS.  They are super nice and I love them so much, they are my family.  But they act not excited about this baby coming.  With DD they were SO excited and my MIL could not wait.  This time, I feel like b/c it's a boy and the 2nd baby, they aren't excited.  I think once he's here they will be, but it's hard to be as excited as I am with basically nobody to share it with.  I can't really feel any excitement from DH.  My best friend has her own baby now, and she's sort of off the radar now.  It's just me and I'm really excited!  I'm glad I have you guys and my DDC and stuff b/c w/o it I'd be busting at the seams!

Just an example (b/c I know I'm not making much sense) I tried chatting with my MIL.  I said, "I can't wait to see what this little guy looks like, I'm starting to get curious!  He's coming soon!" and she goes, "Well...you'll find out soon enough." 

End of convo.  No engaging in it, no nothing.  Whenever I'm over she doesn't comment on my belly or ask how I'm feeling.  Ugh.  I'm probably reading too much into it.  But, it's just annoying.

[MarineWife]

Carrie ~ LOL at being bored to death at the hospital. Now I know not to worry about my contractions, either, so thank you for that. What's a FFN test?

What's up with the FDA and birth tubs? I haven't heard or read anything about tubs being seized. I need to get on the ball and order my birth kit, which should include a tub liner, hose and adapter, although I'm not completely committed to another water birth. It was an amazing experience with ds3 but I couldn't get completely relaxed and comfortable in the tub since I had to be either sitting up or on my hands and knees. Sitting in a reclined position doesn't seem like an ideal way to give birth. Wouldn't the pressure from whatever you are sitting on restrict the baby coming out? Plus, I think it restricts how open the pelvis can get. I'm thinking this time lying on my side for at least all of the labor if not pushing as well might make it easier for me to relax all my muscles. I was searching for a birth stool that could go in a tub the other day but they are expensive, $300-$700!

You don't think you'd use a double jogging stroller next year, too? I got one after having ds3 and I don't even run. My dh liked it a lot just for regular outings and I did use it sporadically for walks. DS2 quickly got bored with walks and made them miserable so I gave it up. I have 3 strollers, a regular one, a single jogger and a double jogger. I keep looking at them in the garage and wondering if I should try to sell them. They all could be useful at different times. The regular stroller would be good for leisurely walks when the boys can walk or ride their bikes with me. A single jogger would be good if only one of the boys wanted to go for a walk/run. The double jogger would be good if 2 of them wanted to go, obviously, or if dh and I both wanted to walk/jog and take all 3 with us so one of us could use the single and the other could use the double. I guess I just talked myself into keeping all of them for now.

I sort of know what you mean about not having anyone to be excited with. I don't really have anyone to talk to about all the cool pg and birth stuff that's going on with me. My mom is definitely not as excited or involved this time as she was with ds1. Although, she does like to tell me about the conversations she has with her friends about me having a home birth. Most of them are horrified and ask if it's legal.

I can't really talk to my boys about it. I feel kind of foolish talking about it with my parents. I don't know why. I've been trying to figure out what that's all about for me. I don't know if it's because it's baby #4 so it's sort of no big deal anymore or if it's my age and I feel kind of odd being an "older" mom in the same way I felt odd being such a young mom when I was pg with ds1. All the people I know who are my age have older children, the youngest being around ds2's age, and done having babies. All the people I know having babies are at least 10 years younger than me (like all of you ). Makes me feel like I don't fit in anywhere.

I talked to dh yesterday and I think we're back to not having a name. I never can tell with him if he has definitely agreed to something or not. He gives me non-committal answers. I think he said Brendan with the other meanings might be ok but I'm not sure. I also think he said he'd look some more. Then he started rattling off his list again. All names we had already discussed and passed on, only 1 or 2 of which fit the -an sound criteria. That made me mad. I was like, "Are you not listening to me or are you just discounting what I say?" He comes back with saying he thought I only want that sound because I like it even though I have told him numerous times the reason for it is because I don't want this guy to have the odd name out. I wonder if me naming him what I want without dh's consent would be a divorceable offense to him. It might be for me.

[MovingMomma]

Carrie: Glad to hear there wasn't anything more going on w/your contractions.  Mine have a bit of an "edge" to them this morning, too.  What is the FFN test?  I wouldn't buy a double jogger until baby is older (6+ months) unless you will use it for running before then.  Walks w/2 work great with the "big" kid in the stroller and the baby in a sling.  

I bought a carseat!  I'm taking my chances w/the Marathon 70 w/infant insert.  I think a cloth diaper will give baby a little extra height, and we won't really be out and about for the first month anyway, so she should have some time to grow before we'll really be using it.  My mom bought her plane tickets!  She'll be here for nearly a month, with my due date right about in the middle.  And she's bringing my littlest brother, who is only 18 months older than my oldest.  I'd rather she didn't, but I understand that she needs to.  Hopefully the kids will get along!  They do much better now that they are older, but when they were little visits could be awful!  

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

What's a FFN test?

You don't think you'd use a double jogging stroller next year, too? I got one after having ds3 and I don't even run.

I sort of know what you mean about not having anyone to be excited with. I don't really have anyone to talk to about all the cool pg and birth stuff that's going on with me. My mom is definitely not as excited or involved this time as she was with ds1. Although, she does like to tell me about the conversations she has with her friends about me having a home birth. Most of them are horrified and ask if it's legal.

I talked to dh yesterday and I think we're back to not having a name. 

FFN is the fetal fibronectin test -- if it's present, then there's a bigger risk for PTL.  Basically you want this test to be negative!!  It can't tell you when you'll go into labor or anything, but it can tell you if it's likely in the next few weeks.  Here...

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-fibronectin/MY00128

I will definitely use the jogger when the kids are older!!  Definitely!!  I'm trying to decide if I need to bother looking for one now.  There aren't many that I like up on craigslist and I just don't have $600 to spend on a good one.  

Sucks not having anyone to get excited with, doesn't it??  Man.  Oh well, we can be excited for ourselves!!  LOL!

And ugh on the name!!!  I feel like I can't bring it up with DH either.  He's not opposed to Finnley but he has made it crystal clear he doesn't like it as much as Logan.  

Originally Posted by MovingMomma 

Carrie: Walks w/2 work great with the "big" kid in the stroller and the baby in a sling.  

You're right -- but I don't think I could jog like that!!  Poor little baby bouncing all over the place, lol!!!

[akind1]

Since I don't jog, I just want a plain double stroller (well, I am picky, I really want this one - baby can be facing me in the infant seat, and DS can be up front, facing out, but also can take out the second seat to be a real sit and stand so DS can hop on and off at will)

but at first we will likely to carrier/stroller. I love my Maclaren. definitely worth the money!

MIL is sort of excited, but really worried about money and can't focus on the baby right now. She keeps bringing up how she hopes DH and I can make it through this financial crisis with our marriage intact. I am not saying that it may not put a strain on the relationship, but to keep bringing it up (and then she said she hopes that my parents can forgive DH for all of this) kind of freaks me out. I mean does she want me  to leave? I know she doesn't, but the constant concern bothers me. I mean, none of the financial mess would be fixed by us separating or divorcing, it wouldn't solve anything. My mom is excited, and that helps. My sister isn't at all, which as much as my sister drives me crazy, I wish she would be more excited; she is my kids' only aunt, since DH is an only child. I have a good many IRL friends that are really excited, thank goodness, and that helps.

So glad I have you all to talk to about all the crunchy stuff though! I got my first girly diaper fluff in the mail (weehugger covers) off diaperswappers and they are so adorable! I think weehuggers and thirsties have the best sizing - meaning that I don't have to buy 3-4 different sized covers in the first year - as they are a sort of 2-step one-size system, so think I will stick with those brands for covers. most other brands seem to have xs, s, and med - all of which woudl be gone through (or at least started) in the first year. I don't like having to buy more and more sizes of diapers. It is part of why I love cloth - less size changes.

Glad the hospital went as well as can be expected. Maybe it is baby Finn/Logan telling you to relax a bit! Good luck to both you and MW on the name front. I am glad DH and I agree on that much!

[MarineWife]

Carrie ~ I would be very impressed if you were back to jogging before next spring. I guess whether or not to buy a jogging stroller now would depend on whether or not you find a great deal. $600?! What constitutes a "good" jogging stroller? I don't think I spent more than $200 on mine, although it may have cost somewhere between $200 and $300 but I know I wouldn't have spent over $300, and it's a real jogging stroller, with the larger, inflatable wheels and all of that. Actually, that's one thing that I don't like about the strollers, the inflatable wheels. It's a pita that I have to check the tire pressure and inflate them every time before I use either one. They also take up a lot more space in the car. My dh likes them, though. I think he thinks they are more manly or macho or something. I just checked. Both of my jogging strollers are Schwinn. Not top of the line but not the pretend jogging strollers they sell at the baby stores. I'm not a hardcore runner, though, so I didn't need top of the line.

I've seen these platform like things that you can attach to the back of a stroller for bigger kids to stand and ride. I've wondered a few times about getting that for ds2 but I just don't walk with any of the strollers enough right now to justify it.

Katrina ~ A lot of talk about whether or not my marriage would make it would bother me, too. Maybe your MIL just needs a lot of reassurance from you that you will not be leaving. Sounds like she's a bit embarrassed or maybe ashamed of whatever is going if she's worried about what your parents think about your dh, her son.

Shannon ~ I hope your brother and your DD will get along okay. I don't think I'd be too happy about that, either. I have a hard enough time dealing with my 2 bickering without adding another into the mix.

We went to the pool today. It was nice. When we first got there there were only 2 other people there and no other kids. Some other kids started to show up later but it still didn't get crowded. I spent the whole time in the water (which I really don't like but I have to be in with my boys). When I got out I felt really weird, like my legs were kind of wobbly and weak. It kind of felt like I was walking in a bouncy house or something. Then I started to get sharp pains in my lower belly, like round ligament pain but a lot worse. I guess it was just from having the water support my belly for so long? I feel ok now.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by akind1 

Since I don't jog, I just want a plain double stroller (well, I am picky, I really want this one - baby can be facing me in the infant seat, and DS can be up front, facing out, but also can take out the second seat to be a real sit and stand so DS can hop on and off at will)

Glad the hospital went as well as can be expected. Maybe it is baby Finn/Logan telling you to relax a bit! Good luck to both you and MW on the name front. I am glad DH and I agree on that much!

The Baby Trend sit & stands are nice!!! I looked at those too!!  

Ha, Finn/Logan.  Maybe we'll just name him that.  LOL.  Finnley Logan Dax Suleski. LMAO!

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

Carrie ~ I would be very impressed if you were back to jogging before next spring. I guess whether or not to buy a jogging stroller now would depend on whether or not you find a great deal. $600?! What constitutes a "good" jogging stroller? I
We went to the pool today. It was nice. When we first got there there were only 2 other people there and no other kids. Some other kids started to show up later but it still didn't get crowded. I spent the whole time in the water (which I really don't like but I have to be in with my boys). When I got out I felt really weird, like my legs were kind of wobbly and weak. It kind of felt like I was walking in a bouncy house or something. Then I started to get sharp pains in my lower belly, like round ligament pain but a lot worse. I guess it was just from having the water support my belly for so long? I feel ok now.

Well, i've been comparing jogging strollers and this is the one I've finally decided on.

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Jogger-Elite-Double-Stroller/dp/B0012IT2C6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306877036&sr=8-1

No PITA inflatable wheels to remove, but plenty of versatility for bumpy sidewalks, roads, or just maneuvering around a crowded place.  I'm still "technically" jogging -- able to run about a mile at a time inside on a treadmill.  I haven't done it lately b/c I've been doing stroller walks outside, but I might start back up again since the heat is obviously too much for my poor pregnant body.  I know it's a bit naive to think I'll be up, running outside before next spring.  That's why I think I'll just keep looking for a good deal instead of trying to get one before the baby comes.  If we find a deal before then, then great, but I'm not going to pull my hair out over it.  We did find this exact stroller (albeit a little used) on craigslist for $200.

I would LOVE to spend time in a full size pool and get this weight off my joints!!  I bet that's what it was, with the shaky legs.  All that time floating and not having to bear the weight, and then all of sudden being back on earth.  

AFM - felt like I spent the day at the beach!!  If I have to sit and take it easy, I might as well work on my tan.  LOL!  It was hot enough that I actually got *in* the kiddie pool with DD and lounged a bit!  It was SOOOO nice to lay back against the inflated pool and just feel such relief on my back!  My belly wasn't covered but it was still really nice.  Made me really think about what a water birth/labor will be like.  I can't wait to see how it helps.

[onetwoten]

Carrie-- I heart heart heart heart heart, the baby jogger elite double. Pushing that thing is what convinced me that I want the Elite single. It glides so smoothly over anything. The mama who owns it (I was babysitting) said she's owned/tried phil and teds, bobs, peg peregos, etc, and this is the only one she felt was absolutely worth what she paid. These things are like dreams. 

Congrats BFS! How exciting. It sounds like a wonderful birth *warm fuzzies*

I'm reading baby catcher again in my spare time (I'm out of library books), and it's embarassing because I pretty much sit there the whole time with red teary eyes. But it just all sounds so wonderful. Stupid hormones. 

Stressed to the hilt over here. I've been working tons of overtime, plus I graduate tomorrow, so I have to get myself all 'prettied' up for that, plus my sister is coming to dye my hair today... and then i also have to clean my house. too much to do! At least i have the next two days off!

[MarineWife]

Oh, that's interesting, Carrie. When I was looking into jogging strollers 4 years ago I read that you it wasn't really safe to jog with those smaller wheels because they were more prone to tipping. That's why I didn't get one of those. Maybe the 4 wheels makes it more sturdy than just 3.

I was upset at first about having to be in the pool the entire time I was there because I didn't get to work on my tan. My legs need it the most since they are getting so big and dimply. I didn't think they'd get sun under the water. Turns out they definitely did. Even with sunscreen on and under water, I think the back of my legs might have gotten a little burned. I did like floating on my back. My belly stuck straight out of the water like an island.

JJ ~ Congratulations on graduating! Very exciting!

I just got off the phone with my mom. She said she's planning to come about a week before I'm due and should be able to stay for a month. I was worried about her coming a couple of months ago, thinking we wouldn't get along and having her here would make me miserable. Now I'm glad she's coming sooner than I had planned and can stay longer. I will definitely need the help and, as much as she drives me crazy, she is really good at helping with my kids.