August 2011 Whatever Ladies Having Babies - Page 6

[MarineWife]

i don't like AIOs because they are harder to get clean and take longer to dry because everything is sewn in. are the grovias like that or are they the kind with a shell that's reusable?

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

i don't like AIOs because they are harder to get clean and take longer to dry because everything is sewn in. are the grovias like that or are they the kind with a shell that's reusable?

They have both types.  The AI2's are the shell and the insert that snaps in.  The shell you can use with basically anything, I think.  The AIOs obviously are all sewn together, but you can snap in an extra doubler if you need it.  You can tumble them dry though, so I would think at least one 90 min cycle would dry them (depending how many you had).

Im going to go take a drive to clear my head and fill the car with gas.  

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

You can tumble them dry though, so I would think at least one 90 min cycle would dry them (depending how many you had).

I'm tumble dry all my diapers and the AIOs always took forever. Even the dipes that needed covers and had sewn in soakers took forever. I was just grumbling today about the one Muttaqin newborn dipe I have because it takes forever to dry. I have to hang them all to finish them up. Plus, I think that NB dipe is causing more of a rash on D because it doesn't get completely clean. It's just too thick and it's not thicker than any other diaper or AIO like that.

If you want something that's all-in-one, I'd go with an AI2. I have a few of those and I don't unsnap the soakers. I leave them to wash and dry and they come out fine.

[AnnieA]

Baby_Cakes, so exciting! Even if it's not tonight, things are definitely happening!

We had a rough start with our CDing. The thickness hurt DD's little thighs for the first couple of days home because of all the procedures done to the arteries and veins in her groin area. So I had to go buy a pack of WF chlorine free dupes. But now we are fully in cloth and I'm surprised to find that I really like the BG 4.0s. I thought I wouldn't because you have to stuff them but they are really great for middle of the night changes. Oh and by the time we got home, DD had completely outgrown the NB Bummis covers.

[Baby_Cakes]

Oh good about the BG 4.0's!  I bought a bunch of those, but I'll be honest, I haven't even prepped them.  I've only prepped my PFs and covers.  I only have a few nb sized things from last time, I didn't buy anything nb knowing how fast they outgrow them, and since we use sposies too, I figure if nothing else I've got those.  So glad to hear Ava is thriving and doing so well in the weight department!!  

Thanks for the advice on the AIO vs AI2... food for thought for sure.

No ctx last night.  I'm feeling ripe and ready to be peeled.  Hoping things start back up after I use the bathroom this morning.  I really cannot CANNOT mentally take much more of this.  I'm officially more pregnant than I was with Nora and I just...am having trouble thinking about going much longer.  

[MarineWife]

annie ~ i like to use pockets or AI2s for night because they are easier to change in the dark half asleep. how often do you change ava at night? sometimes it's really hard for me to get up and D goes way too long in a wet dipe. i can't help it, though, because i don't really wake up.

it doesn't surprise me that ava is already grown out of the NBs. D has already outgrown the small soakers i made.

last night was bad. D wasn't fussy or even really awake but from about 2 am on he was grunting and groaning in his sleep. i feel like i didn't sleep at all after 2. ugh!

forgot to say, where is carrie? she usually posts in the morning. hmmm...maybe she's otherwise occupied.

and shannon. never can tell with her since she doesn't post regularly.

[AnnieA]

MW, you guys cross posted I think! She's stll here...hang in there Baby_Cakes! Hopefully all this work ahead of time will make for a super fast labor!

I think I spoke too soon on the BG 4.0s. I've had to completely change DD two nights in a row because she's leaked from laying on her side. Of course it is probably user error or the fact that she likes to sleep on her side or that she has super skinny thighs still but it is a pain. Hopefully when she chunks up some more they will be better. I usually change DD at least once per night but definitely not every time I feed her. She was eating every 1 1/2-2 hrs last night. I'm exhausted!

[MarineWife]

carrie ~ i know i've said it before and it's probably pissing you off but you aren't even 40w yet. being more pg than with nora is a good thing. the earlier a baby is born (before 40w), the more likely he could have health problems. you need to get yourself to a place where it's all good rather than continuing to be upset over it. the stress isn't good for you or finn. i know it's difficult to do things and the spd is painful but you are only making it worse by letting yourself get upset over it all. (you can tell me to shut up and butt out. i won't leave. )

on the spd thing, does anyone know when that's supposed to get all better? I still have pain when I roll over in bed and sometimes when I swing my legs to wide apart. I need to go to the chiropractor but just haven't had the time yet. I'm still trying to figure out how to get to the dentist and the vet. I had appointments for both scheduled the week that D was born.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

forgot to say, where is carrie? she usually posts in the morning. hmmm...maybe she's otherwise occupied.

LOL!  I'm here we just cross posted!  

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

carrie ~ i know i've said it before and it's probably pissing you off but you aren't even 40w yet. being more pg than with nora is a good thing. the earlier a baby is born (before 40w), the more likely he could have health problems. you need to get yourself to a place where it's all good rather than continuing to be upset over it. the stress isn't good for you or finn. i know it's difficult to do things and the spd is painful but you are only making it worse by letting yourself get upset over it all. (you can tell me to shut up and butt out. i won't leave. )

on the spd thing, does anyone know when that's supposed to get all better? I still have pain when I roll over in bed and sometimes when I swing my legs to wide apart. I need to go to the chiropractor but just haven't had the time yet. I'm still trying to figure out how to get to the dentist and the vet. I had appointments for both scheduled the week that D was born.

I know and you're right.  Am I getting too whiny?  I'll shush.  Part of me just feels like he'll never come out.  We waited so long for him and now this is just getting physically and mentally hard.

All other things aside, my pelvic pain hasnt even been too bad the last few weeks/days.  I think the worst is the groin pain.  And just feeling huge.  But no, no actual pain to speak of -- but then again I'm doing a lot less than i used to.  So who knows?  AFAIK, it can take some time and certain exercises to get the symphasis back to normal, Alysia.  You might want to talk to your mw about exercises.  Mine said something about binding the hips tight postpartum?

[MarineWife]

I keep cross-posting with everyone. I get distracted mid-post. Every time I think D is asleep and I put him down he either wakes right back up or E or K comes running in the room yelling. They are driving me crazy! E just ran right into D sleeping in his little chair thingie. I have no idea what the thing is called. I got so mad I almost made E cry. I'm so over them not thinking about what they are doing, though. I have asked/told them countless time to be quiet and not run in the house. They know they can go out in the backyard to run and yell. I really don't get why it's so difficult. (I know. It's typical kid behavior. I just can't take it on only 4 hours of interrupted sleep.)

Carrie ~ It's not that you are getting too whiny. I just don't like to read about you being so stressed and upset over it all. You need to be relaxing and resting and chilling so you'll be as physically ready as possible for when Finn does come. And, he will come. You won't be pg forever (unless you're like that woman in India ). Try focusing on positive things. Think of him in there with his little brain growing and building more synapses so he'll be a genius. And his other organs still developing so they'll be optimally operational once he's born. Now are your last few moments with just Nora. Savor those because once Finn comes you won't have nearly as much of that.

I really miss my other kids. I feel like I don't even know what they are doing anymore. My mother is doing everything for them while I just sit and nurse D or change his diaper or wait for him to wake up to do it all over again. I really appreciate all of my mom's help and I'm worried about how I will be able to do everything once she's gone but there is also a part of me that can't wait until she does leave. I want my kids back. She tried to talk to me about E wanting to go to school because he wants more friends and I snapped at her that I didn't need her telling me what my kids want or need and why. I do talk to them and listen to them. She's not here all the time and doesn't know how many times we've talked about the school thing. School is a touchy subject with her because she's a big proponent of public schools since she was a teacher for many years and she doesn't agree with the way I homeschool my kids. She said she wasn't trying to tell me about my own kids like she knew more but that's the attitude she conveys a lot. She thrives on the idea that they confide in her more than me even though it's not true. We have a lot of bad history about that because she has tried since Ryan was born to emotionally, if not physically, take him away from me.

This all came up again because I've decided not to let E play with the boy next door anymore. I asked my mom how much she thought E would hate me for doing that. He told me last night that I ruined his life because I wouldn't let him go back out and play with that kid and another one. This was after he had come in practically crying because they were calling him a baby. Plus, a couple of days ago he came in crying because the other kid had been trying to put him in a choke hold with his arm and squeezing his hands around E's neck. This is a kid who used to live in this neighborhood but moved away. I guess his dad has a friend here so they come to visit sometimes. I wouldn't let D play with this kid when he lived here. He's older and mean. I've seen him purposely kick a soccer ball as hard as he could to hit another kid in the face. I called him out on it because there were no other adults around to do it. Anyway, so I don't want E around that boy at all. If his supposed friend next door goes along with this other boy at teasing and hurting E rather than sticking up for him like friends should, I don't want E to play with him, either. I tried to talk to E about how friends should stick up for each other and that people who are mean to him like that are not friends but he doesn't understand. Then he said that if he had other friends, he wouldn't need to play with this boy so much. The problem is that I can't always take him somewhere else to play with other kids and, since this kid is right next door, it's hard to keep him away. But I've decided that when he comes over again I am going to tell him that I don't want him playing with my kids anymore. If E hates me for a while, I guess I'll have to live with that.

In the meantime, I am trying to get more involved with a local homeschooling group. I've found out about a homeschool chorus that I'm going to sign E up for. If I have to, I will take the boys to the park every afternoon to keep them away from the boy next door. So now I'm the one being whiny.

I wasn't told about any exercise to do after birth for the SPD. I keep forgetting to bring it up with my MW.

[Baby_Cakes]

A few things.  I think you're dead right not allowing him to play with that kid.  That's not a good situation, and sure, he probably feels like his life is ruined and that you're a big meany -- but that's being a parent!  It's all good and fine to be friends with our kids and give them freedom to make choices, but at the end of the day we have to be the ones to draw the lines in the sand, and say this is how it is.  At least, that's how I feel about it.  He might be bummed for awhile but think what it will do for his self esteem and spirit in the long run.  

When I was 16 I started dating an almost 20 year old.   My mom did NOT like that.  Of course I told her I wasn't going to listen to her and was going to see him anyway and snuck out of the house in the middle of the night, but part of me really liked knowing that she didn't approve, that she cared for me and was looking out for me.  It took about 2 weeks for me to realize she was right, and I stopped seeing the guy when I realized we had nothing in common, lol.  Point being that even though I lashed out at her and called her old fashioned, secretly it made me feel good to know she didn't like it and wanted me safe and happy.

And, thanks too for what you're saying about these last few days.  I think the prodromal labor is just what's making me go nuts.  I get that he obviously needs this time to grow and develop, otherwise he'd be here by now.  I just need to have more faith in my body and calm down a bit.  It's not like I'm on a deadline or a clock here.  Except my own impatient one.  LOL.

About to go on a slowwww stroller walk with Chris and Nora.  Should be nice, it's only 72 out right now.  

[MarineWife]

Thanks, Carrie. I am definitely at the end of my rope with this kid. I have tried and tried for E's sake but I just can't take it anymore. I dated quite a few bad guys in my teen years. I wish my mom had stood up and told me it was not ok. She did just the opposite. She invited them into our home and acted like everything was just fine and dandy. I know I would have completely blown up at her at the time if she had tried to tell me I couldn't see any of them (or do any of the other things I was doing) but at least it would have shown she cared. As it was, I felt like she didn't care about me at all. My dad, otoh, was much more strict and I always knew he loved me no matter what. Although, I also felt like I was never good enough for him. Not sure which one killed my self-esteem more.

[MovingMomma]

I'm still here!  Still having 4-6 contractions most hours (for over a week now).  We went to the Beaufort Pirate Invasion today & walked around a bunch in the heat, but all it did was wear me out!    I'm fine w/still being pregnant, though I'd love to have Baby & the sooner the better, but I'm not fine w/all the other people who aren't fine.  I'm not even a week late yet.  I have an NST scheduled for Mon, which I'm ok w/ b/c it was the only chance to get in w/the MW at NH who's been so wonderful about the HB thing.  It's not even an official appointment, but she's working L&D that day so she said to just come in & ask for her & she'd do the NST.  I'd rather do it early than do it w/someone who's going to hassle me.

[Baby_Cakes]

LOL Shannon - I think part of my issue is the pestering too!  You guys would be so proud of me.  My MIL texted me today with another, "Feeling anything?" sort of comment mid afternoon, and I said no, and she was like, "What is he waiting for!?"  So I said, "He's not even late yet!  He'll come when he's ready."   I mean, really?  What is he waiting for?  I'm not due til Tuesday and even THEN it just means it would be ok for him to come.  Not like he's going to expire.  

Things feel a bit full circle.  It took 7 months of TTC for this little booger, he has kept us waiting a long time to meet him.  He must just be extra special and need all this time, the whole 40 weeks (and maybe more) to grow.  I'm getting to a place mentally where I'm trusting in that.  The same way I had to trust that eventually I would get pregnant, I have to trust that he will be born when he's ready.

[MarineWife]

Carrie ~ I don't think there's anything wrong with telling the people who are pestering you to leave you alone. If they don't stop after you ask nicely, tell them that they are causing you stress that is not good for the baby. In other words, give them a guilt trip.

[Baby_Cakes]

Word!

Here's me today - felt like snapping a quick pic.  39+4!

[MarineWife]

woowee! look at that belly.

i was just looking back and i guess my professional mat photos were the last ones i had. i think that was 36w. i didn't get any later ones this time.

[onetwoten]

I love the belly. I have a feeling by the time I'm done I'm going to have one of those bellys that people turn their heads at and go "ummm that must be photoshoped" lol. I started this pregnancy very hopeful about getting no stretch marks since my mom didn't get any... but now I can't see how. The skin is already so tight and I've got at least another 10-15lbs left to gain. And I know most won't show up totally until afterwards. Oh well, I suppose I'll try some scar lighteners afterwards!

Went for a massage today, and I was disappointed that it didn't really -feel- like anything significant was happening, it was such a light touch, but my hips actually feel way better. I even took a nap tonight (way too long, 3 hours and I woke up at 9pm, but that's besides the point), and when I woke up I didn't feel like dying. Heck if it works, I don't care if it's $90, I'll keep going. Nice thing is that this spa is known for their use of aromatherapy, and they tell you that they don't use it with prenatal ones, due to so many people being sensitive-- but what they wait until the massage to tell you, is that they substitute it for a mini foot scrub. Mmmm, was glorious. 

Dh and I have been reading through all my books, picking out things I've highlighted for him, and then now we're thumbing through heart and hands. It's great because he knows the medical perspective of it, from his paramedic training, but this helps him see more detail, why I don't want some things, and also give him ideas to help once I'm in labor (ie his training doesn't talk about what to do if I'm fully dilated, but don't feel like pushing yet, things like that). I'm having a lot of fun, and it's making me feel so much more confident about our hospital birth. I know it's such a long shot, but I feel like right now, I have a shot of convincing him not to call the nurses/doctor into the room until the baby is literally on their way-- ie maybe they'll miss it. *does a little dance* lol. 

[MarineWife]

JJ ~ I don't like those soft massages. I like deep tissue so I was disappointed when I was told they can't do that when you are pg. I did find the massage I had to be very relaxing and it did make me feel better later, though. I would have gone more if I had had someone to watch the kids.

I've had 4 kids and no stretch marks and I gained 40-45 lbs. with the last 3. I think they've decided that whether or not you get stretch marks is genetic. If your mom didn't get any, you probably won't, either. And, if you are going to get them, there isn't anything you can do about it. Lotion and drinking tons of water won't really help.

BTW, I'm down a total of 21-24 lbs. (depending on which final weight I use. The very, very last time I weighed myself I was up to 170 but I refuse to let that stick so I've been going with 167.) now in only 3 weeks. I've only got 16 lbs. to go to be back at my pre-pg weight. I haven't been doing any kind of exercise or dieting. I'll still need to lose another 10 lbs., at least, after that to be within my ideal weight range (Actually, that's still about 10 lbs. more than my ideal weight based on the government charts but 120 is a good weight for me.)

D slept much better last night. I think he may have slept from 2:30 to 7:30 without even waking to nurse. I'm not sure if he nursed in between then or not. A friend with twins who was supposed to come by today texted me at 7:20 to tell me her babies are sick so she can't come. WTH? She has twins. Doesn't she know you don't call or text a new mom that early in the morning?!

I forgot to tell you about Ryan's visit the other day. He was so sweet with Dylan (except for the fact that he woke him up). I can't really describe it but Ryan was holding D and talking sweet to him and kissing him and being silly with him. D was completely enraptured. That was the first time he was held by a guy except the one time Ryan stopped by when he was only a couple of days old and he was asleep that whole time.

Oh, one more thing. I told E I didn't want him playing with the boy next door anymore. I said he can go out and play with the neighborhood kids if they are in a group but not just him and that boy alone. So, he played with a group of kids yesterday. When everyone else had to go home, the boy asked E if he wanted to keep playing and E told him that I said he couldn't play with him anymore. The boy promptly ran home and told his mom. She called me to ask about it so I tried to tell her about how he's been calling E names and being very aggressive and bossy and mean. I don't think she even heard me because she kept talking over me the whole time saying not her son. Then she said her boy was there if E ever wanted to play again but her tone was not nice. I could tell she was upset. She has no clue how her boy behaves and she doesn't want to hear about or face it. Nothing I can do.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

woowee! look at that belly.

i was just looking back and i guess my professional mat photos were the last ones i had. i think that was 36w. i didn't get any later ones this time.

Thanks.  And awe.  I take wayyyyy too many pictures like every time I pass a mirror, so I don't lack pictures.  But almost all of them are informal or in pjs, so I doubt I'll share most of them with anyone.  

Originally Posted by jeninejessica 

I love the belly. I have a feeling by the time I'm done I'm going to have one of those bellys that people turn their heads at and go "ummm that must be photoshoped" lol. I started this pregnancy very hopeful about getting no stretch marks since my mom didn't get any... but now I can't see how. The skin is already so tight and I've got at least another 10-15lbs left to gain. And I know most won't show up totally until afterwards. Oh well, I suppose I'll try some scar lighteners afterwards!

I looked totally photoshopped until baby dropped.  Remember the torpedo?  I looked like I was going to topple over!!  I *knock wood* still don't have any stretch marks.  Just some on my hips but I think they were there from puberty.  You might just get lucky.  Who knows?

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

BTW, I'm down a total of 21-24 lbs. (depending on which final weight I use. The very, very last time I weighed myself I was up to 170 but I refuse to let that stick so I've been going with 167.) now in only 3 weeks. I've only got 16 lbs. to go to be back at my pre-pg weight.
 

  That's great!  I love hearing about this quick post baby weight loss!  Gives me hope!!  The last time I weighed myself (this week, like last Monday) I was 187.  I decided to stop weighing myself until after I give birth.  Ha!  I just can't see the number anymore.  I can't do anything about it and one way or another, he'll be out in 2 weeks, so it is what it is!  I'm ready to drop some of this fast!!  LOL!

AFM - Chris and I are going to the movies and out to lunch.  Last date before baby!  It's pouring and thunderstorming, ha.  Oh well, what better way to spend a cruddy rainy day then at the movies??  Nora is going to grandma's.  No signs of anything today, except one lousy ctx.  I'm in a very relaxed and zen place though, no longer frantic or upset.  He'll come when he's ready. Thanks for listening to me, all of you, you've all really helped me sort out my feelings and get through these last few weeks.  Love you guys!