Weekly Chat: December 25-31.... The last of 2011! - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[PuppyLove22]

Name: Kristi

Weeks/Days along: about 18 weeks. I am the very end of May or first 2 days of June.

Appointments: I have my 18 week u/s on Friday and my last appt with the OB the week after that to go over results. The I start with my new midwife!

Symptoms: More tired, achy back other wise feeling really good now that I am in the 2nd trimester!

Food: Not the best diet lately. Craving sweets 24/7!!

Exercise: I have a prenatal pilates dvd that is still in the wrapper lol

Body changes and other milestones: belly is really starting to grow now!

Thoughts:

I can't believe how fast this is going this time. I don't feel prepared at all!! Especially financially, but do we ever? I love feeling the little kicks and movements now and I feel so connected to him lately. I can't wait for DH and DD to feel him. Responding to the food and exercise part really makes me feel guilty. I know I need to eat better and work out. I have ZERO motivation and I just need to get off my lazy butt. & I am also have insane dreams. Many scary or upsetting which totally sucks. But other times I have some major sex dreams haha Dang pregnancy dreams!

[MLog]

Name: Megan

Weeks/Days along: 18 weeks + 5 days

Appointments: Friday 12/30, I'll get the form to schedule my u/s from the MW then - hoping for anatomy scan end of next week.  It's been so wonderful hearing about everyone else's scan.  I can hardly wait!

Symptoms: a bit of round ligament pain, that's pretty much all

Food: love it all, especially sweets, and like others I'm back into the coffee flavor big time

Exercise: none to speak of

Body changes and other milestones: seems like I'm about ready for the next cup size again

Thoughts: It's comforting to know lots of others are having crazy sex dreams too.  I thought awhile back I had felt the baby moving, but nothing lately and since it's my first it's hard to tell.  I'm hoping to be able to join in the excitement of feeling baby move soon!  Got our first baby gift for Christmas (blanket from in laws).  Friends have also given us hand me down strollers and high chair which is great!  Every time someone brings something over I get a little overwhelmed.  I'm thankful May is still several months away but so anxious for it to get here at the same time.

[ozzy]

Name:   Ozzy

Weeks/Days along:  18 weeks 5 days

Appointments:   We had our ultra sound last week and found out we are having a BOY. We had both been thinking girl so we are surprised. It is great to know that I am having a son and he feels like such a gift. 

Symptoms:  Not much, just lower back pain when I walk around.

Food:  Lots of sweets lately, but lots of vegetables too.

Exercise:  None.

Body changes and other milestones:  We started putting the nursery together. Just bought a great rocking papasan chair. The kind that is a bowl-shaped basket with a cushion. They are on sale at Pier 1 for $150. We are doing a woodland theme and the chair is so comfy and moss green and will go really well. 

Thoughts:  Things are starting to get real now.

[Plain Mama]

Name: Misty Weeks/Days along: 18 Wks 4 days

Appointments: U/S today.......It's a GIRL!!!!  That will give us 3 girls and 6 boys!!  Everyone was hoping for a girl this time so nice to have everyone happy about that! next OB Jan 24th, level 2 U/S Jan 18, my quad came back positive, 1:14 chance of Down Syndrome and the U/S today was "inconclusive" about D.S. so I am trying to be patient!

Symptoms: Heartburn, tired, SO glad the holidays are over and our company is gone.  Time to get back to routine!

Food: ORANGES I could eat them by the dozen, except they tear me up inside, I am having having coffee needs too, lots of real cream and a bit of stevia, YUM, I think I need some right now! 

Exercise: Milking the cow twice a day, feeding animals, chasing littles, ect.

Body changes and other milestones: Not showing a whole lot, mostly just leftover fat from other babies.  My 2 yr old weaned himself last week......I'm a bit sad, and my breasts are feeling a bit full and sore! Need to visit the Chiropractor soon!

Thoughts: It seems as if Jan 18th will never come, I have never had a level 2 U/S so it will be interesting and hopefully let us know one way or the other how "special" our new little girl will be!  Now the name search will begin in earnest, I always feel like they need a name after we find out what gender they are.  

May everyone have a restful, calm week.....Happy New Year!

[forestmushroom]

So funny... I've been dumping swiss miss in my coffee... which would normally gross me out, I usually drink black coffee... but am loving the sweetness and chocolatey flavor... :)

[mlovesj]

Name: Marisa

Weeks/Days along: 21w, 2d

Appointments: Just had one last week so nothing until mid-January.

Symptoms: All of a sudden I'm sooo much bigger!  My mom was visiting for a week and she commented on how much larger my belly was a week later. Co-workers also commented that I'm no longer is-she-isn't-she but now am *obviously* pregnant looking.  The typical round ligament pains, but otherwise I feel great.  This is my 3rd pregnancy and each time I've been aware of how much I enjoy it.

Food: heh heh I am repeating what so many others have said:  I went for 3 months without drinking coffee and all of a sudden it not only sounds palatable, I'm actually craving a nice creamy, sweet cup of coffee.  It feels good to get back to it...I've always been a one cup a day kind of girl, so I'm not worried about overdoing it on caffeine.

Exercise: not much besides weekend walks & bike rides :(  But I keep thinking I want to sign up for yoga not so much for the exercise, but for the chance to meet other women in my town who are also expecting babies.  Social networking!!  My man and I have been feeling that we need to make friends with other couples who will be having new babies too. 

Body changes and other milestones: Bigger belly, bigger boobs, about 10lb weight gain overall.  I gained  A LOT my two previous pregnancies...the first time I was having twins (56lbs, I think), the second time I just had a 10lb baby and let my weight gain go a little crazy (about 50lbs).  This time I'm hoping to be a bit more reasonable and hoping to keep it to 35....we'll see :)  I always lose it through breastfeeding, but I'm 7 years older than last time so I feel like I need to be more careful.

Thoughts: I am not having weird dreams...none that I can remember anyway.  I AM more emotional though.... I just slip into a random, pouty mood without warning.  Oh men love that, don't they?  heh heh  Overall I feel like I have SO much to do before May but I'm not actually accomplishing much.  I feel kind of spacey and unfocused even though I know I should be getting things done.  But I am very excited about how real the baby is to me now that I can feel her moving almost every hour.  I can't wait to hold her and look at her..... anticipation is delicious!

[Astraia]

Misty- do you have a blog? Weird first question right? Your user name and the number of kiddos is putting me in mind of a blog I may have read... at some point... but I read a lot of blogs and then forget about them and come back to them a year later. I hear you on the oranges! Winter is awesome because the clementines are back and I am way, way, way too lazy to peel or slice a regular orange.

Ozzy- your profile picture is making me hungry

Forest- what's Swiss Miss?

Marisa- you're symptoms are about the same as mine- people at work are definitely all commenting, just since Christmas, that I actually look pregnant now. This is also my  third time, and I'm even more aware this time of how much I enjoy pregnancy. I'm not seeking out pregnant women... I find it hard to connect in pregnancy, I'm so spacey and antisocial most of the time, and I just don't have the energy. I mean, it's nice to have someone to talk baby stuff with (of course!) but it becomes so much easier after I have a baby. I don't know why that's true (for me, at least)  but it is. I am also feeling super spacey and unfocused... I think it's a pregnancy thing!

Dreams- nope. Nothing weird, nothing sexy. I'm remembering almost the same number of dreams as I did pre-pregnancy (that being, almost none) and the ones I do remember I'm not remembering clearly. Last night I had some dream where I prepared this AMAZING meal, but I don't remember what it was or how many courses or anything.

[LinnieThree]

What is up with all the coffee love? I really thought that it was just me!!! I have never noticed this before with other pregnant friends and I honestly don't remember if I had a second honeymoon with coffee at the half way point during my other pregnancies... I wonder if it is a common second trimester craving?

[MLog]

Swiss Miss is powdered instant hot cocoa mix
 

Originally Posted by Astraia 

Forest- what's Swiss Miss?

[casmer]

Name: casmer

Weeks/Days along: 19 weeks! It's going by so quickly!

Appointments: Anatomy scan on Wednesday.  Less than a week before we find out if we're having a girl or boy.  I will be SHOCKED if it's a boy! I really think it's a girl.

Symptoms: Hungry, hungry, hungry.  Nausea when I can't eat right away.  My upper back hurts.

Food: Christmas really did a number on me. Now I'm craving sweets and diet soda.  Luckily we don't keep those foods in our house.  I did have two dinners last night...LOL.

Exercise: Ehhh, no.

Body changes and other milestones: Starting to get a belly.  My boobs are SO big

Thoughts: I'm ready to find out the gender so I can call it something other than "baby".  I'm also glad I'm not the only one having sex dreams

I'm not particularly enjoying the hormonal effects on my mood.  I cried on Christmas because I was convinced everyone hated me (family drama-ugh!).  It wasn't until we tie-dyed the family cat that everyone started getting along again.  (the cat was purring btw).  DH has lovingly told me I have been pretty "snappy" lately, so I'm trying to work on that.  I just feel so irritable and/or anxious.  Does this last the rest of the pregnancy?

[julieandemmett]

Name: Julie

Weeks/Days along:20 weeks 2 days

Appointments: Had the anatomy scan Tuesday and found out we are having a girl

Symptoms: I feel pretty good in general. I have these really annoying leg cramps (mostly in my right leg) at night, which keeps me from falling asleep.

Food: Pretty much anything and everything. Well I don't eat meat, but other than that. I have been eating way too many sweets, but I am hoping when all of the hoilday treats are gone, I will be better about it :)

Exercise: Just walking the dog, and DH and I have been taking hikes with the doggy when DH is off work. I bought a swinsuit and am planning to start swimming at the Rec center soon.

Body changes and other milestones: I have gained 20 pounds already!! I know that this is the best possible reason to gain weight, but it is still a little uncomfortable, and I know it is just going to get more difficult. (My skin feels itchy from stretching too). I feel that other than a few too many sweets lately, I eat very healthy and so I am not worried about it, just feeling kind of huge.

Thoughts:  I am with everyone else on the coffee and sex dreams...which I enjoy :) I have been pretty emotional lately. We were watching the news the other night and there was a commercial for a story about cyber bullying or something like thatg. I just started balling and when DH asked what was wrong, I just cried and said "what if someone is mean to her" (our baby). He was very sweet and understanding, but geez. I am really not generally very sensitive to stuff like that. I am also feeling pretty scatter-brained and unfocused. I have to take the Bar Exam in Feb. and I am having a very hard time focusing on sitting down and studying. I am hoping for some focus in the new year.

[KM84]

Originally Posted by casmer 

DH has lovingly told me I have been pretty "snappy" lately, so I'm trying to work on that.  I just feel so irritable and/or anxious.  Does this last the rest of the pregnancy?

God I hope not. I have been a total bitchface lately. I can't stand being around most anyone, and I started snapping at my husband for making us miss "our" train, despite the fact that we hadn't yet bought tickets and they come every half hour. The holidays drove me NUTS with everyone getting up in my business about the pregnancy. They weren't even that bad, and no one was rude.

But OH MY GOD if I have this conversation one more time I'm going to scream:

Person: How are you feeling? [they always seem to expect the answer to be "great" at this point]

Me: Well, better than I was, though I'm still super tired

Person: [laughing] Oh just wait to see how tired you are once the baby gets here!

Why does everyone feel the need to tell me this, as though it has yet to be brought to my attention?

Other comments I'm not appreciating include "enjoy [hobby] now, you'll never have time for it again!" Because apparently no parents have hobbies. Also the idea that I will never experience quiet again, which makes no sense to me because I remember plenty of "quiet time" in my house growing up.

Seriously, if having kids was half as unpleasant as these folks are making it out to be, the human race would be extinct.

[Kamiro]

LOL KM84

I think I have been guilty of saying those things a few time as well already.

After your post though I remember how rude it felt to hear those things first time around too!

For me there was no such thing as a hobby or free time for the first six months after my babe came. Getting a shower was hard enough without babe crying. BUT - I still felt less tired and grumpy with babe in arms than I did during pregnancy.

I have always hated pregnancy, this time - I don't mind it for some reason. Anyways, I totally see what you are saying.

Casmi - I can't wait to find out with you. So far tons of us were totally 'off' on our gender intuition. You may be the one who is right! LOL

Puppylove - Hi there! I have not craved sweets so much this pregnancy. I will totally admit that in less than 6 hours I ate a whole box of "Chicken in a biscuit" crackers, and if that isn't msg gross enough I even bought the aerosol spray cheese to put on them. Oh goodness. It was delicious. I think oreo's would have been a healthier option lol

Linnie - I have no idea whats up with the coffee love. I dont remember this at all during any pregnancy. The only times I have ever been a coffee drinker was typically when I was a smoker. I may have had 3 cups of coffee (with minimal sips being taken out of the cup) this pregnancy up until this last week...Then it has turned in to every day. Weird.

Gotta post cause kids are crowding me. Will do more personals later

[forestmushroom]

Misty-- sending you patient vibes so waiting for Jan 18 isn't too painful! 
 

Originally Posted by Plain Mama 

Name: Misty Weeks/Days along: 18 Wks 4 days

Appointments: U/S today.......It's a GIRL!!!!  That will give us 3 girls and 6 boys!!  Everyone was hoping for a girl this time so nice to have everyone happy about that! next OB Jan 24th, level 2 U/S Jan 18, my quad came back positive, 1:14 chance of Down Syndrome and the U/S today was "inconclusive" about D.S. so I am trying to be patient!

Symptoms: Heartburn, tired, SO glad the holidays are over and our company is gone.  Time to get back to routine!

Food: ORANGES I could eat them by the dozen, except they tear me up inside, I am having having coffee needs too, lots of real cream and a bit of stevia, YUM, I think I need some right now! 

Exercise: Milking the cow twice a day, feeding animals, chasing littles, ect.

Body changes and other milestones: Not showing a whole lot, mostly just leftover fat from other babies.  My 2 yr old weaned himself last week......I'm a bit sad, and my breasts are feeling a bit full and sore! Need to visit the Chiropractor soon!

Thoughts: It seems as if Jan 18th will never come, I have never had a level 2 U/S so it will be interesting and hopefully let us know one way or the other how "special" our new little girl will be!  Now the name search will begin in earnest, I always feel like they need a name after we find out what gender they are.  

May everyone have a restful, calm week.....Happy New Year!

[Kamiro]

Janelleody - How are you feeling now? I hope better.

Misty - January 18th sounds so far away, but you sound like a very calm mama. I admire that! Yay for team pink too lol

I am starting to wonder why they do this whole quad/soft marker all that test for Down syndrome to begin with. It sounds like a lot of worry and stress on the family when the truth of the matter is  grief/acceptance/anger all that is going to happen regardless of if the baby is in the womb or out, right? So why stress a mom out on a 'maybe' that is truly as likely as any other horror story 'maybe' out there?

I mean I understand preparing the family (though I'm not really sure you can *prepare* in ways that matter for something like that - an example would be autism. I think the shock/grief and all that will happen at any time you learn. The upside to learning after a baby/kid is here is you are already in love or have a bond. Dreams a parent had may still die a little or change with a diagnosis no matter the age. I am wondering if maybe we just *think* we can prepare? I don't know, just thoughts.Hope I didn't offend any one, just basing it off my own experience and reading the experience of other moms)

Lightheartedmom - Homeschooling is really stressing me out to be honest. The kids are behind in the curriculum. We have a classroom for them, but I just am not a disciplined mama plus with learning differences, two in the same grade and every thing else I feel like a total failure. My 6 year old reads on a fourth grade level, my 7 year old reads on a first.second grade. I've put equal time into them, but one is brighter on it than the other.

I think we do more of an 'unschooling' kind of schooling. I have worksheets and topics we learn but at the end of the day its really what they want to learn about. Yes, Iknow the whole comparing kids to the public school family members around the same age. LOL

The only thing that comforts me when my kids do come up 'shorter' (and there are topics they do, but they aren't really that important either) is that my kids have no idea who Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber is. They can not be enough delayed in the subject of American Pop culture. Just kidding (kinda) , truly there are a lot of comforts I have.

You're not screwing your daughter up, but all homeschooling moms feel that way sometimes. Especially if you grew up in PS. HS is just so different.

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by KM84 

Oh just wait to see how tired you are once the baby gets here!

Why does everyone feel the need to tell me this, as though it has yet to be brought to my attention?

Other comments I'm not appreciating include "enjoy [hobby] now, you'll never have time for it again!" Because apparently no parents have hobbies. Also the idea that I will never experience quiet again, which makes no sense to me because I remember plenty of "quiet time" in my house growing up.

Seriously, if having kids was half as unpleasant as these folks are making it out to be, the human race would be extinct.

I hate this, and frankly, it's a bunch of BS. I had people scaring me into thinking I would never have time to take a shower, let alone read a book, and it's simply not true. However, I was always willing to put my baby down in the pack-n-play while I showered, and I'd rather read than do housework while DS is napping, so it may depend on how lazy you are, lol. I'm naturally lazy and always make time for myself, or I'd simply lose my mind.

I EBF'd on demand until two, used cloth diapers, practiced babywearing, etc. but I was not a hardcore AP mama. I did use a pack-in-play, swing, and stroller, let others hold and take care of DS, and only practiced bed-sharing for the first few months (we did cosleep in the same room, with the crib next to the bed, until two). I made sure to set boundaries for myself from the beginning. I completely and totally respect mamas who don't do this, but I had to for my own sanity.

ETA: Onemore, I wrote out my post before seeing your comment about not getting a shower so it wasn't directed at you! Like I said, I think the experience varies a little for different mamas. Now, this time around, with a 3-year-old, I fully expect that I won't have time to shower, lol!

[ajo1]

Name:  ajo2

Weeks/Days along: 19 weeks

Appointments: anatomy scan next week, 1/5

Symptoms: tired all the time, urinary leakage (new and eeew!)

Food: craving Indian food (the spicier the better), vegetarian burritos, and veggie burgers and fries.  This baby loves junk food (which I don't usually eat).  It's def taking after it's dad in that department.  I so miss my caffeine.

Exercise: I'm enrolled in prenatal yoga and belly dance, but haven't been in the last month due to transportation issues and being out of town for the holidays.

Body changes and other milestones: I've gained 10lbs and now have an obviously pregnant belly.  Just purchased a huge lot of maternity clothing from craigslist.  I've just started feeling movement in the last week.  So exciting!  This is baby #1.

Thoughts: Finally feeling good after a month or so of feeling a bit off emotionally.  I went through this huge identity crisis after realizing that I am not superwoman.  It sounds silly, but I really thought I'd be able to keep up with all my activities, groups and activist work in addition to having a baby.  I'm now okay with scaling back that part of my life and focusing on this new and best project yet- the baby.  I'll be able to gradually add back the rest of my passions after the baby is born and a new normal life emerges.  I've just started to obsess about all the things that need to be done around the house before the little one arrives.  All of a sudden 5 moths seems like a very short amount of time.

So glad to have found this site and this community!

[mlovesj]

Heh heh  - I have to giggle a little bit about the dialog above about people warning first-time moms about the realities of life with baby in such dire terms.  I never had "just one" baby because I had twins the first time around.  AAAAAAHHH!  The first 4-6 months are a total and complete blur.  I can remember how hard it was just by recalling the pile of unopened mail that accumulated.  Literally, if it wasn't survival-related, my husband and I didn't do it (for the first several weeks anyway).  I do proudly say that I EBF both babies and that was well worth the craziness of that time.  When I three years later had a single baby it felt like a BREEZE, even with two almost-3 year olds!  So I can see it both ways.  The early weeks/months are a massive life change, but be glad you're not having twins - lol!

[forestmushroom]

Every baby is so different.  I've had super mellow babies, and total high needs babies... I will say that the high needs baby who *won't be put down* and never sleeps was really rough for awhile... and she wasn't even my first!  When I finally figured out her intolerances and cut them out of my diet, her sleep improved and things became more "normal"

but every baby is so different, and some let you shower, some really don't!

[BubbleMa]

Name: Sarah

Weeks/Days along: 21 weeks

Appointments: Jan. 4th

Symptoms: Bigger boobs/nipples/areolae + sensitivity, extra emotional

Food: No real cravings or aversions.  I can eat mostly everything.

Exercise: Not as much as I should be.

Body changes and other milestones: Bigger boobs/nipples/areolae, belly button is starting to flatten out

Thoughts:  I finally told my mom the week before Christmas.  She seemed happy, but it's hard to tell through email.  When I visited over Christmas we talked about the baby a lot, and she seemed genuinely happy and excited. :)  I didn't get any snide comments or anything!    I was worried for nothing!  SO's mom on the other hand hasn't said a single word to me about it since he told her.  We saw her a few days before Christmas and when everyone else was congratulating us and asking about the baby she didn't say a word.  She didn't even ask how I was feeling or anything.  We talked about other things, but she never once mentioned the pregnancy.  Same thing when I saw her yesterday.  I guess she wanted us to be married first, but that's stupid IMO because SO was married when he had his two kids and his (ex) wife is a witch and they ended up divorced.  So how is their crappy relationship better than our healthy relationship just because there's a piece of paper??   Ugh.  Whatever.  If she doesn't treat this baby the same way she treats the other kids, we're going to have serious problems!