Infertility ONE Thread GRADUATES!!! - Winter/Spring 2012 - Page 14

[renavoo]

Hope, i must go buy all these things! Thanks for the tips. ) how are you feeling?

Chica, i sometimes wondered if the reason i only had bad nausea and not vomiting is because i was taking b vitamins. I started taking them because i read somewhere they could help with infertility and just didnt stop once i got pregnant. I stopped after the 12th week because i think my dose was a bit high but i just know that i had amazingly mild ms considering i am carrying twins! I hope that your ms stay mild! Yah to hearing the heartbeat!


Monkey, yah to only having to do a 1 hour GT test and passing! And congrats on the smooth move!

Gem, how are you feeling?

Wissa, your DS is adorable! How cute! Go milk maker! He is going o be a great big brother. Don't think of any possible losses! Not going to happen! I cant wait to follow you ladies through delivery so that means your DS is definitely going to be a big brother. )

Gozal, hi!

Ok typing on the ipad is aggravating my carpal tunnel. Will catch up more later!

[hope4light]

chica - Oh that sounds great for the no m/s, just a simple vitamin.  Who knew!?  I imagine the move in the middle must be stressful sometimes.  Big hugs, you're a strong woman!!  Ohhh, hearing the heartbeat is so perfect.  I had to take the RhoGam shot too, ended up getting it early due to spotting issues, so I had to get it an extra time, and yes, it is a little more hurt-y but worth it, just in case!

monkey - Yeah for a smooth move LOL.  So glad you passed the GTT.  Hello Third Trimester!!!

wissa - I'm laughing at your DS bringing you the 'milkmaker' that is so freaking funny!  What a smart little guy!  I've worried about that too, the 'what if' that comes with the territory.  Just keep reminding yourself that it'll be OK.

rena - I would also say find the best hold that works for you, because that makes a huge difference as well!  Football never worked for me.

AFM - I'm feeling pretty good.  Exhausted.  Starting to get random bouts of m/s, mostly when it's been a little while since I've eaten.  And the heartburn.  oh how I love the heartburn LOL.  I want to eat, all day long.  Some crazy moodswings, which are tough because DD is sick and/or teething and DH hasn't been home in the evenings/weekends.  Plus work is KILLING me right now, it's just SO busy, and I am heading up some HUGE projects that have me in everyone's sight.  Not a bad thing, just crazy busy.  The pregnancy still is feeling a little surreal, but as I'm getting more symptoms it's feeling more real which is good.  I'm 7w4d, yeah!!  My first appt with the OB is June 11.  Ah, can't wait to hear the hb again.  OK, off to another meeting, hope you ladies all have a great day and long weekend!!!

[wissa19]

Gozal - How was your appointment today?

Hope - I have terrible moods in the 1st trimester as well.  I think it's something with all the hormones because I had days when I was really short with DS.  I would feel terrible afterwards, but for a while there things were ruff...it seemed like he could just easily push any of my buttons.  So far, I've been much more mellow in the 2nd trimester!!   Hang in there.    

Work sounds crazy, but maybe it will help keep for obsessing about the pregnancy too much.  It's taken some time for this pregnancy to feel real to me, but with every ob visit, ultra-sound and kick it's becoming more and more of a reality to me.  

Rena - I need to stalk the graduates thread and see how you doctor's appointment went.  I hope you get to start working for home.  I can't believe how much of a trooper you have been up until now.  I must be a whimp because I feel like if I were in your shoes I would have begged to work from home sooner.  I so excited you are so close to getting to hold your babies.  

Also, thanks for reminding me that I need to stay positive!!  Yes, bad things happen. Dwelling on the things that could go wrong won't keep it from happening.  :)

Monkey - Yeah for passing the glucose test.  Once less thing to worry about and one more step closer to baby.  I really can't believe how far along you are!  Just how excited are you these days?

Me - I had great 20 week appointment today.  The baby looks great and it is measuring just a little ahead of dates (which it has done since the begining).  I've put on like 8 more pounds, but the doctor didn't seem concerned.  It seems once I gave myself permission to eat I just can't stop.  And the big news is that IT'S A GIRL.  The first girl for both Dh's and my family.  Dh seems very excited that it's a little girl, which is really sweet.  This baby hasn't been near as active as DS was, which lead my mom and mil to both say they thought it was girl long before the ultra-sound.  (I guess I'll have to stop referring to the baby using male pronouns)

Hi chica, kparker & gemmine!

[chicajones]

wissa - Yay, a girl!!! How exciting! It's so much fun to have the first girl or boy in the family after a long line of the other gender. Even though we're kind of leaning towards boy, DH's entire side of the family is boys, boys, boys, so I know his mom and grandma would be overjoyed if we had a girl. I can't believe you're at 20 weeks! So glad to hear the babe is measuring well (and hey, better to measure ahead than behind, right?). Have you picked out any names yet? Also, lol, "Beggars can't be choosers"! I hear that. :)

hope - Your appointment is getting closer!! I hear you with the heartburn--not fun stuff. Hopefully you aren't getting hit too badly with the m/s.Maybe you should try my vitamins. ;) UGH that work is so busy, I'm with you on that too. The only good thing is that the busier you are, the faster the time goes by! That can definitely be a good thing.

renavoo - isn't it crazy how different people are affected differently by vitamins? I only threw up that one time, and I"m back on my vitamins again! So far, so good. I've gotten hit with queasy moments a few times, but I'm hoping that when I hit 11 weeks next Tuesday I'll be close to home free.

monkey - woohooooo! So glad you passed your GT test and didn't have to do the crazy one. I bet that was such a relief. Are you all nice and settled in to the new place now? Do you have nursery decorating plans?

AFM, yesterday was my birthday and it seriously rocked. DH was super sweet--he showed up at my work (which is an hour away from where we live) with flowers at the end of the day and then took me shopping. He told me he wanted me to get "comfy" clothes, and helped me pick out a lovely robe, yoga pants, an awesome candle -- and I got a new bra from VS. For the first time ever, I actually tried bras on at VS and they fit! So crazy. Then after dinner we went home and watched Mad Men and he gave me a foot rub. :) It was wonderful.

However, as wonderful as yesterday was, today sucked at work. I got chewed out for something totally random and am even more over my job. If for some reason something falls through and we don't end up moving in September, I am definitely finding something else (or quitting and going freelance). I'm just not happy here any more, not at all. Our managers don't know how to manage, and the atmosphere has changed completely from when I first was hired (and not in a good way).

Upside, no more m/s (just that one time); we got our "announcement" video filmed (yay) and almost completely edited, and we get to tell everyone in just a week and a half!

[renavoo]

Hope, UGH to a supremely busy time just when the symptoms are hitting! I hope that work gets better or that your symptoms stay mild! I find that eating helps reduce the nausea so keep eating away!

Wissa, yah to a girl! Your dh is going to be wrapped around her little finger! I find it so funny how the fathers typically really are so in tight with the little girls. One of my coworkers has a little girl who is about 1.5 years old. Complete adoration doesn't even come close to describing how he feels about her. it's adorable. And then, she feels the same because he mentions that he can't go anyway, even the bathroom, without her asking for him or waiting outside the door for him. I love hearing stories like that. i think my dh is going to be the same way. By the way, eat away! 8 pounds doesn't seem like a lot to me ;o) And YAH for a great 20 week visit! It's just so exciting that you are now at the half way point. This is around the time I felt like time started to fly! Soon, you'll be holding you beautiful baby girl in your arms, surrounded by your DH, DS and the rest of the family! 

Chica, happy belated birthday!!! I'm so happy you had a great one and that DH was such a sweetheart...especially since your day after sucked at work. Something to consider is that the added stress and frustration is not good for the baby so if you can go freelance  even earlier than Sept that may be better! I feel like we all spend so much time at work that to hate it there, it may be better to just find other opportunities. Until then, I hope people are nicer and stop blaming you for random stuff (That probably was their fault!). Oooh can't wait to hear about the announcement video and what the response was. I bet everyone is going to ecstatic!

Hi everyone else! Check in please :o) 

afm, SO i found out that they want to do weekly biophysical profiles because of my advanced maternal age and the fact that I'm carrying twins. So ok, that makes me feel better. I had that done on Tuesday and the babies got 8/8. They made the tech work for it though because it was scheduled for a time when they typically aren't awake. So they were sleeping and movement is one of the categories of measurement. Oh well :o) But anyway, they did well so I'm all happy. Next one is next Tuesday. I'm also going to start working from home starting next week so I'm excited about that. This week has been insanely busy again (although thank goodness it was a short week). But last evening, my legs were so swollen that they were basically unrecognizable. The swelling still hasn't gone down completely so I'm a bit sore and itchy. I'm self treating with aquaphor to keep the area well hydrated ;o) I'm a little annoyed because I had to ask the nurse to schedule me for a beta strep test. Ummm isn't that something THEY should be keeping tabs on? This is the big problem with going to a multi physician practice. oh well. Anyway, otherwise, things are going well. I'm hoping to get a lot more stuff done this weekend and next week in preparation for the babies. DH is guessing they will make their appearance on 6/11 and i'm guessing 6/9. Absolutely no reason for thinking either of these dates but we're having fun guessing. ;o)

BIG HUGS, LADIES! TGIF!

[gozal]

Renavoo, I am getting so excited for you, it's a little out of control. :) Also, I am really, really glad you are finally working from home because wow, you have been such a trooper and you deserve it. Hopefully the leg swelling is down and you get to have a truly relaxing weekend. It really is kind of icky now that I think about it, but yep, the lanolin nipple cream is totally fine for the babies. DS never cared in the least, as long as he had his milky. The cream will leave grease stains on your clothes though, so make sure to wear breast pads when you use it (which you probably will be anyway) - oh and definitely get some comfy, cotton sleep bras for the early period! No one told me that! I never thought it would be *comfortable* to sleep in a bra but it really is, while you are establishing BF.

Hope, Whoa that is a crazy workload - I am so impressed with you working ladies, seriously. I think I would have had to take a leave of absence or something during my first tri had I been working, I was totally nonfunctional. I am behind on my writing because of it, but I am really beholden to myself for that so it is not such a big deal. The book I got is by Annie Kubler and it's called My New Baby. It's out of print but I easily got a used copy in good condition from Amazon (it's a board book). If you get it, tell me how you like it!

Chica, Heartbeat!!! I know it can cause worry (what doesn't, right?) but truly, consider it awesome that you have escaped morning sickness!! I think at this point you can be pretty confident that you won't have to deal with it. I have heard people credit B6 with keeping them from m/s but unfortunately it didn't work for me. I am so glad it worked well for you and Renavoo though! Your work situation sounds all sorts of not-wonderful. I say, go for freelance! But I am a bad person to ask because I'd rather be crazy frugal than work at a job I don't like... ;) I can completely understand the stress of having so many things up in the air - really I think that's normal, not a "Type A" thing! Moving is a big stressor, let alone to a different country, let alone when expecting your first child. I would definitely figure out the step-by-step details on getting healthcare established just for peace of mind. But one thing I wouldn't worry about is getting baby stuff. It really is sort o'f shocking how much you *don't* need. Maybe check out the options for online and local shopping so you know where to go. As long as it's accessible, you can get the basics beforehand and everything else over the first weeks/months. 

Gemmine, hi! Fill us in, I miss you!

Wissa, Milkmakers melted my heart. So sweet. I wish we could get our boys together, it would be like a cute explosion to hear them conversing! Even though we don't care ;) I must say HOW EXCITING that you are having a little girl!! And most importantly for great, healthy news from the anatomy scan! I didn't even realize how much I was "holding my breath" for this scan, until after I had it (but more on that below). I am just so happy for you and your family. 

Monkey, glad the big move went well! I still cannot believe how cheerful you are about moving/nomadism. ;) I have moved a LOT throughout my life and did the "move every year" thing almost every year since college, before we bought our current townhouse. I will say somedays I am itching to move - this is one of the longest stretches I've lived anywhere! - but mostly I am over it! And - woohoo on passing the GTT!

AFM, despite my best efforts it has continued to be busy, busy around here, so sorry about the delay in updating! (Really, I am allergic to busy-ness - or maybe I just don't handle it well and what I consider budy everyone else considers normal?!) We did have our "big" ultrasound on Wed. and I was so boring, the doctor barely gave me the time of day! The babies are growing wonderfully, the anatomy exams for both looked great, my cervix is happily long (the OB seemed impressed with it, it was kind of funny), their HBs were prefect, my BP is low as usual. And we learned we are having...twin boys!! In some ways I was surprised because all the twins in my family have been a boy and a girl, but in other ways I wasn't, because I had started having an intuition that they were boys. So I am going to the mom of three boys! For some reason I never imagined that and I did have to let myself think through the possibility that I might never have a daughter, but I am getting super excited about it. DS has been asking for a sister, and he did seem disappointed, but not very much. These days I am thinking we are going to end up going for #4 (NOT to try for a girl, but because we want to bring another child into our family!) so who knows, maybe he just might. I still am not feeling kicks, though I do feel occasional movements. I guess I was just excited to get to the kicking part and assumed because it was my second time and there are two, I would be getting thumped already. Hoepfully soon. For me the biggest part of this ultrasound was that I finally am able to feel...well, pregnant. I'm sure that sounds ridiculous, considering I was so sick the first tri and my belly is so big and I have been of course talking about it and thinking of little else. But I did not let myself fully believe it, until now. I lay awake half the night after just processing it. We are having babies! Two babies! For real. Our little family is changing, growing. 

What do you guys think, should I wait until the summer solstice to start the new thread, or just go ahead and start it now since it's June and all summery?

[monkeyscience]

I swear I am not ignoring you ladies! I keep meaning to come back and do personals, and it keeps not happening. I will really try to see if I can tomorrow. But I'm glad that everyone seems to be doing well in general, and hope that trend keeps up!

AFM, well, I've had a tough week for a lot of reasons. Maybe more about that later. Today was somewhat better (after I spent several hours crying off and on, anyway!). Baby is right as rain, so far as I can tell, so that is good. I forgot to mention that I found out I tested as anemic at the same time as my GTT, so I started on Floradix a day or two ago. But anyway, I'm making it. And we're getting more settled in. So I will be back with more later. I am reading and thinking of you all!

[renavoo]

Monkey, I hope things are going better and that the days are better without you crying on and off!! If you need to vent, we're here for you! Are you basically all settled in?

Gozal, YAH to twin boys! That's really exciting! haha you're going to have 3 sons and 1 DH to protect you. My gosh, no one will ever be able to get through to you because they will have to go through your sons! I love it. As for the kicks, it'll happen sooner than later, I'm sure, and at the most inopportune times. haha. But seriously, CONGRATS! This is so exciting! (and YAH for a boring exam...I love those types of exams ;o) When is your next exam?)

Quick AFM, today is my first day for working at home and I'm completely excited. I'll be laying on the couch working. haha. But seriously, it should be good although I'm worried I'm going to get bored and I already feel like I'm going to miss my walks. I need to plan little times outside the apartment because i'm a hermit and will probably spend the next couple of weeks in the apartment if I didn't plan to leave regularly! otherwise, the little ones continue to amuse me with their kicks and punches and I have been trying to get them on video but they always seem to know when I'm trying to film them. Argh! They are always so rowdy until right before i pick up my phone to film them! I've been feeling some really light cramps. Not sure if these are contractions, as I haven't been through this before but I don't think it's so serious that i need to see the doctors (until my visit tomorrow). I've also had major GI upset that has necessitated me going to the bathroom a lot with soft stools (sorry, TMI). I'm wondering if all this means that the body is planning the little ones' exits. I have a list of questions for my doctors tomorrow. I hope i can get some answers!!

hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! 

[hope4light]

Wissa - I def won't miss them in the 2nd trimester LOL.  They actually seem to be getting a little bit better, and I'm trying really hard to recognize when I'm just being hormonal and keeping it under wraps.  Work is crazy, but I think you're right and that it's helping not to stress about work.  YEAH for a girl!!!!  That is SO exciting, my DH is just wrapped around our DD's pinky finger, it's SO adorable and endearing!!  Yeah for a great scan otherwise!!

chica - The m/s is really just creeping in a bit in the mornings, and if I wait to long to eat.  Then once I eat I'm typically OK.  It's really the heartburn that's kicking my butt.  Ohhhh man, it's there all the time!!!  Happy Belated Birthday!!!  It sounds like it was awesome!  That's so exciting!  Boo for a crappy work day though.  I can't wait to see the video, are you going to share with us?

rena - Yeah, there have been a few moments where I was worried about being surrounded by people when a symptom hits.  Fun times.  Makes sense on the biophysicals.  I'm glad they at least told you why, they should have in thef irst place.  Glad things are looking good though!  Can't wait to hear if one of you is right!  I had a friend that guessed the sex (we didn't find out) of our DD and the weight (down to the ounces) right, she was just off by 3 days.  Crazy!!  Let us know what they say about the cramps, maybe you are getting ready to welcome those precious little miracles!!  Here's to taking it easy!!

gozal - I'm going to find it and get it.  I'm pretty excited about it!  Thanks for letting me know!!  Sounds like all is going good, that's so great.  And YEAH for twin boys!!! 

monkey - I hope everything is OK, but glad to hear the babe is fine!!!    I had to take iron pills during my first pregnancy, just make sure you eat LOTS of fiber or you're going to be miserably constipated!!

[kparker]

Oh boy I herped and derped and went AWOL for a couple weeks there! Sorry ;P

I've lost a couple pounds since the start of this, my inlaws say I look amazing (like I've lost a lot more) and all the fat is in the belly. Sure, I'll take it! Besides a round of motion sickness making it hard for me to drive/ride in vehicles everything is still great on this end.

Yes as photographers both, my husband and I plan to do photos but no set time yet. I'm just now really showing vs being chubby so the time will come.  Finding out the sex in less than 4 weeks. Nursery painted, dislocated a joint in my pelvis/spine connection, and can't bend over right anymore but things are moving along. The kid did its first alienbaby maneuver today, sticking out on one side and feeling super weird. I patted it and it went away LOL

Only bad thing lately is my amazing little '98 Saturn station wagon finally took its last breath Friday :( I've only had it for 5-6 years but it's been the best car ever. We're looking at Toyota as a replacement, or maaaaybe Honda. Any thoughts?

How is everyone doing? I read everything but as always I suck at itemizing so <3 to everyone

[wissa19]

Originally Posted by kparker 

Oh boy I herped and derped and went AWOL for a couple weeks there! Sorry ;P

LOL...Glad to have you back.  Ouch on the joint in your pelvis that sounds very uncomfortable and inconvenient.  As for cars, my parents toyotas literally have more 200,000 miles on them and are still going strong and have never had anything major go wrong with them. ;)

Monkey - I hope things are getting better for you.  I had to take iron with my 1st too.  My iron wasn't really all that low so my OB didn't make me take it everyday and that helped a lot with the side effects. 

Hope- I think that is exactly what my DH is hoping for...A little princess wrapped around his pinky finger!   Maybe work will slow down your hormones will give you a break in a few weeks.  Whew!, but it is rough trying to figure out when it's the hormones are messing with you.  Saturday I was in a really foul mood, I finally figured out I was just exhausted and went to bed early.  

Rena - I so glad you are finally getting to rest and prepare for your babies.  It does sounds like you are having practice contractions, so let know what the doctor says!

Ditto on what gozal said about the nipple cream.  It's a must have, but it will ruin your clothes.  It doesn't harm the baby, but I found it sometimes made it harder for DS to latch on when I used too much.   Also, how is your nanny situation going?

I agree with you about leaving the apartment, plan little trips now.  After the babies get here you might well turn into a hermit for the first couples of weeks. :)

Gozal - Ah! Twin boys.  I have come to love boys and while I'm excited about a little girl I'll admit so some disappointment that it wasn't boy.  All this time I had been picturing another DS and then suddenly my vision got all blurry.  Wow, to thinking about #4 already.  I'm just thrilled to have to 2.  I don't think more are in the future for us, but I guess you just never know.

I'm thrilled both our 20 week scans were pretty normal and boring.  My OB just went down the list for the baby & me checking everything off and saying looks great.  By the end of the appointment I was truly excited for the 1st time since the initial BFP.  Something about that scan just made me feel so happy inside.  It feels so much more like a reality now! So, I don't think you sound ridiculous at all!!!

I went back and watched the ultrasound video today and it says my placenta is anterior.  I found this really interesting because I thought that was supposed to make it harder to feel the babies movement, but I've been able to feel movement from really early on.  Of course, it may explain why I only tend to feel movement on one side???  It seems there really is no normal as to when women feel movement.  I'm sure you'll be feeling their kicks soon enough!!   I think read somewhere that, if you have weak abdominal muscles you might feel the baby sooner, so maybe you have abs of steel??  

Chica - Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful time with your DH.  Work sounds like a challenge for you right now!  I know how hard it can to be to be committed to do doing a good job when you know you are going to be leaving and you feel unappreciated.  

[hope4light]

kparker - glad to see you around!  I'd say go with a Honda, I love Honda's.

Wissa - Hi :-)

[chicajones]

renavoo -- oh my goodness, so close!! I can't believe your babies could be here in less than a week! I'm sure you'll be out of touch for a while, but I can't wait to hear the whole birth story and see photos of your cute little ones! Hopefully everything is going better with the swelling and your doctors will keep a good eye on you--they totally should have been watching things and offering to a Beta rather than you suggesting it! How's the working at home going? I do it one day a week and looove it, but you definitely have to force yourself to get up and take a walk or just get out of the house for a few minutes. Otherwise you really do start to feel a bit hermit-like.

gozal - two boys! What fun--they'll be such good friends. Also glad to hear that your cervix is nice and long, lol! More than that, it must be so encouraging for everything to be checking in right where it should be. And it's also great that you're able to really feel connected to the boys, and truly feel pregnant. We're only planning to have one U/S and I know it will be such a shift in the way I think after we get to see the baby (plus, that's when we'll find out what we're having as well). 

monkey - good to hear from you and so glad things are a little better! You'll have to fill us in on your rough week--hopefully that was the bottom of the valley for a good long time and things will just keep going up.

hope - how are things going with you? We need an "AFM" update from you! :)

kparker - "herped and derped", haha! DH and I say that all the time. Glad you're back and that things are going well (other than the dislocated joint, ugh). Nursery painted already? That's awesome! I hope the next few weeks fly for you, finding out the sex still seems so far away for us! Too bad about your car, but I'm sure it will feel nice to be driving around the baby in something reliable. I have a '99 Mazda 626 that has 251,000 miles on it, so I'm a big Mazda fan. :) I'll have to sell it when we move and I don't think we'll actually have a car for quite some time (the bus and train system is pretty good in the UK). Let us know what you get!

wissa - Yay for a wonderful scan! I can only imagine the raw excitement that you must feel--BFP is such a simple indicator, and then a complete and healthy checklist is like a giant cherry on top. :) So interesting about your placenta and the kicks--I don't know anything about that at this point, but it's funny the tech didn't mention it or see if you had any questions. I'm glad it hasn't kept you from feeling movement!

AFM, thanks all for the birthday wishes! It really was a lovely day. Work has actually be quite a bit better, especially since I told both of my bosses yesterday. It was great--they were very supportive and I think the one totally felt bad about being so harsh. Plus, I've got a bunch of long weekends coming up and am really stoked about lots of 4 day work weeks.

You guys can definitely see the video! Here's the first one I uploaded--I have to reupload because there was a little sound "pop" at the beginning, but I fixed it. We'll be posting it on Facebook Saturday night, right before we go DH's best friends birthday party. The party is actually a "Wilson Brothers Movies" theme, and we're going as two characters from The Life Aquatic--I'm going to be the pregnant reporter. His best friend doesn't know, so that should be fun. We're also sharing with our church on Sunday morning. So excited!

[edited because I just realized that it's probably better if I don't connect all of my and DH's family with my username right out in public, so just send me a PM if you want to see the video and I'll gladly send you the link!]

Edited by chicajones - 6/5/12 at 11:01am

[renavoo]

Chica, what a wonderful video! I love it! It'll be so amazing for your baby to see when he/she grows up too! You and your dh are so artistic! I'm glad that work has gotten better since you told your bosses. And yah to 4 day work weeks! I don't know what it is about that extra day but it really does make a difference!

Wissa, yah to an uneventful scan. I'm sad that you're a little disappointed about not having another DS but i bet that once you hold your beautiful adorable DD in your arms, the disappointment will disappear! By the way, I'm jealous you got an US video. Our doctor's office didn't do that :o( Oh well. They didn't even want us to tape it but dh used his phone and some spy techniques to get a video of it so we do get to see the babies a bit. :oD

kparker, OUCH!! I hope that you heal quickly! Yah to being so far along in preparations though! haha I'm no more than 2 weeks away and we STILL haven't finished preparing. sigh. We're just procrastinating but I plan on getting stuff done as much as possible these next couple of weeks. I know nothing about cars but i hear you really can't go wrong with a toyota or a honda!

Hope, ugh for heartburn. i just got a scolding from my doctor who said that I should be taking tums. So I'm going to go buy some tums today to see if that really works well. have you tried Tums?

AFM, I'm attaching a belly bump photo i took today :o) i'm not sure why it is attaching sideways. It didn't do that on the other thread! But anyway, you get the idea. I compare the belly to a beach ball. haha. Just had a doctor's visit today. Babies are doing well, passed their biophysical and they are now both measuring about 6lbs each. in fact, the boy measured 4lbs, 14 oz just 2 weeks ago and now he's measuring 6 lbs, 5 oz so he had a major growth spurt. The girl measured 5 lb 5 oz 2 weeks ago and is now measuring 6 lb 2oz. So they are doing well. I'm also 1 cm dilated but baby is not very engaged so they set a date for induction if needed...June 18th at night! So I'll probably be giving birth June 19th the latest! I'm so excited. :oD

Anyway off to go have a work conference call. Hope everyone is doing well! Will check in later.

[wissa19]

Renavoo - I just have to quickly say that the 19th is my Birthday!!!  How many weeks will you be if you make it to the 19th?  Already being 1cm sounds like your body is indeed getting ready to kick your little ones out.  Of course, you could walk around like that for a couple of weeks.  It's good that you've already dilated a little on your own...I think it's supposed to make easier to induce if you need too.  Your belly bump is really getting out there! (love the baby motif in the background!)  And WhooHoo to the baby boy's growth spurt!!!  I think it's pretty amazing how close in size the babies are now.  

I took tums with my DS...  I guess I shouldn't say I was disappointed it was girl, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I can't imagine not being totally in love with her once she gets here.

Chica - The video is super cute and it looks like someone has TALENT.  It's a really neat idea.  I can't wait to hear about the reactions you get.  I'm glad work is better for you and 4 day work weeks are sweet!!

The only thing they mentioned about my placenta was that it was away from the cervix, which is the most important thing.  I did do a quick Internet search on it and it doesn't seem to really be a big deal.  There are 3 possible issues with it 1. It can be hard to feel movement and find the hb with the Doppler.  2. It may encourage the baby to be posterior  3. If it is over the c-section scar it could grow into the scar tissue.  As the doctor wasn't concerned and still wanted to talk about having a VBAC, I assume it's not a cause of concern.  I may bring it up closer to delivery to just be sure.  We might also do the 4d because I feel the need to confirm one more time that it is a girl and I could have them double check the placenta placement then.  I've also studied the ultrasound video and the ultrasound tech pointed out where the placenta ends and it looked pretty high...of course I know knowing about reading ultrasounds.

AFM - I've been having dreams about breastfeeding...  Some were quiet out there, but in everyone I actually have milk flowing.  Maybe it's a sign.  ;)
I've also been having what I think are braxton hicks contractions.  I never noticed them with DS, but the doctor said they might be more noticeable this time in part due the c-section scar tissue stretching out.

[kparker]

Lookin' good, renavoo!

Well, after sitting for hours with Toyota and Honda (at husband's request, he has an Acura and likes Honda/Acura) we got a hugely amazing deal going with Honda and we said screw it, let's throw down. I have a new Honda Fit in my driveway O.O  I admit I CRIED when I got out of my Saturn for the last time at the dealership. I loved that car :( I've never had a new car before though, so it's exciting at least.

re: nursery - we've got the walls a light green, nice and neutral, and are considering beachy/oceany themed extras. Anyone do that or know where I could get a good look at decals or just items in general?

Question: this afternoon (and yesterday, too) we did a lot of walking in the hot on the dealership lot, and this evening I've had some MASSIVE, like, short of breath style cramps lower down but not quite bladderish location. It's just a constant dull achy pain. My doppler had a harder time pinpointing the kiddo tonight but it does move around a lot more now to escape the beams so not sure what's what. I intend to call the midwife tomorrow if it keeps bothering me but wondering if this is normal growing pains or if I've aggravated something.

[renavoo]

Yah to a new car, kparker! That's exciting! It's amazing how we get attached to our stuff though right? I'm a hoarder (Although DH is good at getting me to kick the habit!) so I have been having a hard time giving up stuff in preparation for the babies. As for decals, (beachy themes sound awesome!) have you done a search on amazon? That's where I got my decals. I'm a huge amazon shopper though :o) I hope you're feeling  better today. Perhaps it was just the stretching of the ligaments? I get pains too when I walk a lot. I try to wear a pregnancy belt when I know that I'm going to be walking a long distance.

Wissa, haha how neat that my babies may share your birth date! yah! I'm hoping that they don't need to be induced though so starting next week, I'm going to be trying different things that are supposed to induce labor. Any suggestions, ladies? :o) The 19th will be 38 weeks. So, since next week will be 37 weeks and considered full term, that's what I'm aiming for! By the way, my placentas are all anterior too. I feel the babies quite a lot so I'm not sure what the implications are for that but I'm excited that your doctor doesn't seem concerned in terms of a VBAC.

Monkey, Gozal, Chica, Hope, and everyone else, HI! Hope everything is going well!

[hope4light]

chica -  Things are going great!  Can't wait for my appointment next Tuesday :-)  Other than that just kinda hanging around and working hard LOL.

rena - I lived on tums during my first pregnancy, and am starting that already this pregnancy.  They work wonders!  Get the extra strength though ha ha.

wissa - Wow, braxton hicks already.  That's a bummer!

kparker - Yeah for a honda!  I cried when I got rid of my Honda.  I have a Mazda now (sorry wissa LOL) and don't really like it.  I can't wait to get back into a honda!!  Lots of walking can for sure cause some pains like that.  Take it easy and if it doesn't go away make sure to call your OB.

AFM - Just for chica LOL.  Things are going good.  Lots of heartburn, some minor m/s but nothing too bad.  Very tired.  Feeling some ligament stretching, but not too bad and I'm guessing its from muscle memory since I've already had a baby.  Starting to get some floaters now and again from my low blood pressure (I had it with my first pregnancy too).  But none of it is too crazy.  I'll take any of them, because even feeling not the best helps remind me of the little tiny life that I have growing.  I admittedly cannot wait until Tuesday for my first OB appointment.  I better get to hear the heartbeat.  I'll beg for it if I have to.  I know the little one is there, but with the symptoms being NOTHING compared to my first pregnancy I just can't help to feel a little nervous.  I'm getting a bit of a baby bump, but it's probably from all the food I'm eating :-)  I have only a few clothes left that really hide it to any extent, so some days if anyone is paying attention they are probably wondering.  No one has asked since the worst of the OHSS days when I looked 6 months pregnant though.  The big tummy went down quite a bit, so I think that is probably scaring anyone else off from asking - Good!  Other than that just working lots, which is saving my sanity through to my next appointment.  It's been 3 weeks since I've been to the RE for the u/s, so I'm more than ready. 

[monkeyscience]

Okay, I am finally going to catch up! Apparently it's been 3 weeks since I really did personals. I've been reading along the whole time, but between not having good computer/internet access, and feeling overwhelmed by catching up with all I've missed, I haven't been saying much. So here we go!

renavoo - According to the stuff my midwives gave me, and what I've read elsewhere, RRL is supposed to help "tone" the uterine muscles to prepare them for birth, but not actually cause contractions. I've read a few things that say it's not recommended for first trimester, and a few that say not to overdo it in the second trimester/early third trimester, but other than that it seems okay. Of course, I've drunk a whole 1 cup of the stuff since buying it, so I can't tell you much from personal experience! I'm glad you're finally working from home, and can't believe that you will meet your babies sometime in the next two weeks. So excited for you! The 19th is also my older brother's birthday, and the 18th is my parents' anniversary, so I think those are both good days, too, though I hope you don't have to be induced. (Yes, my mom spent her entire 1st anniversary in labor - that kid did not want to come out!) As far as labor encouragers, sex is the most appealing one I've heard of. Since it's still pretty early, I wouldn't recommend doing anything really crazy (like castor oil) to encourage labor. Actually, from the horror stories I've heard, I would NEVER do castor oil. I'm sorry your doctors have been so vague and non-forthcoming with you about plans and tests and such. I'm actually really surprised you had to drag an induction date out of them - I know with lots of twins, the doctors will say right at the outset that they will induce at 38 weeks. Also, I can't believe that you don't have a bigger belly with twins! You definitely have a cute beachball baby bump, but after seeing SIL's bump, I wouldn't guess there were twins on board there. Have you gotten your results back from your GBS test? I'm glad your biophysical profiles have gone well. It's so strange to think of you being of "advanced maternal age" - I always think of you as being close to my age. I think age is a lot more relative once you're an adult (and on the internet!).

wissa - So cute that your DS is so excited for his new sibling! It has been fun to watch my niece get older and actually start to interact with her little brothers (it's also helpful that she sits on/bites them less often!). She thinks it's hilarious to make them laugh, so she can be good entertainment for them, but she sometimes wants to entertain them when they are trying to sleep. I know such a big age gap between your kids isn't what you had planned for, but it will be nice that your DS is plenty old enough to understand what it means that the baby's sleeping, or shouldn't be sat on, etc. I bet he will be an awesome big brother! And see, you didn't need to worry about not gaining weight. Hooray for a little girl! If this baby had been a girl, I also would have had to reframe all my baby imaginings - I've just been assuming boy from the beginning. I would have been very happy for a girl, too, but it would have been a big surprise! I'm glad for your "boring" ultrasound. I'm still a little sad that ours wasn't a better experience, because we had it done at an outside lab with a tech that really didn't tell us anything. The report also says my placenta is anterior, which really surprised me since they found a HB at 8 weeks with the doppler. I still can't figure that one out - everything I read says no way can you hear it until 10 weeks, and there's zero chance this baby was conceived two weeks earlier. But it is so reassuring to know that the baby has all the right parts in all the right places. Hope your breastfeeding dreams come true!

Okay, I am STARVING, so I will be back with more later!

[monkeyscience]

hope - Finally got your blurb up! What you typed wasn't showing up when I first read your post, and I haven't had a chance to relook at it until now. Thanks for sharing your nursing experience. It helps to hear that if it starts out rough, it can get better! I'm sorry work is being so crazy, but glad it's a good distraction. I'm glad your symptoms aren't too bad and are reassuring for you. So excited for your first appointment - not too much longer to wait! I know how crazy-making it is waiting in those early weeks, though, even with symptoms. It actually makes me happy to hear that your pregnancy this time is less symptomatic. I'm really hoping for that next time I get pregnant! Glad your OHSS is calming down. That sounds like it is no fun at all!

gozal - I keep meaning to PM you back, and I haven't done that, either. Sorry! I like the way my church is organized, too - I don't ever have to worry about "church shopping" when I move. This past Sunday was the first time we were able to go and stay for all of services (for various reasons). It seems like a good place. And one of the ladies I already know there is someone who is also dealing with IF, so that's kind of cool. Well, kind of sad for her, as I'm not pregnant, and she's not. They just found out they are dealing with MFI, and weren't given a lot of hope in having another child. (They have one already.) But hopefully I can still be a good friend for her. It's also crazy how many KIDS there are in this congregation! And all ages, too. Our previous congregation had a decent number in the under-12 set, but few older kids. The one before that had million kids under 5 (most families their had one or both spouses in med school/grad school/dental school/etc), and almost no older kids. But this place is exploding with kids of all ages. I'm glad that I'm already pregnant at this point, or I think I would be having something of a hard time with it.

That's neat about the book you found for your DS. I may have to go look for a copy just for future reference. Interesting how you've had so many similarities with your two pregnancies, even though they're also different. And I can't believe spicy food is working for you! I kept craving Mexican food starting toward the end of my first trimester (or maybe even earlier?) but I would end up feeling awful after I ate it. Though that was true of almost everything that sounded appealing. I can handle it no problem at this point, though, thank goodness! I wish I were gaining less in my third trimester, but it seems like it's holding pretty steady. I'm a huge nerd, so I actually made an Excel spreadsheet and graph of my weight as recorded at the midwife's, and ran a regression line on it to predict my weight at 40 weeks. Almost all the points on the line are pretty close to the regression, and adding in another data point from my last visit didn't really change the regression at all. So at this rate, I'm headed towards weighing 190 lbs at term! That's about 33 lbs above my starting weight. I know things can still change, though, and I'm sort of resigned to what will be, will be at this point.

And your philosophy sounds like mine - I have plans for the way I want to parent my baby, but if it doesn't work, I will do something different. I'm sure my give-up threshold is much lower on some things than on others, and I think that's fine. I like to remind myself (and others) that babies have been raised and cared for in a myriad of different ways over the ages (and in the present), and most of them still turn out okay! But I wish people could quit feeling the need to tell me how the things I planned on didn't/wouldn't have worked for their baby, or are just the unreasonable ideals of a first-time mom. On a tangentially related note, also related the the kid-centric/kid-friendly topic - I'm really disheartened with the number of things I've read lately that make it sound like there is something *wrong* with building your life around caring for your kids and your family. I'm not talking about soccer-mom overscheduling, but about the idea that parenting shouldn't mean sacrificing time for yourself and your personal ambitions (for mothers or fathers). That you "have" to get away from the baby sometimes, that you need to make sure you still have outside interests/pursuits. I don't know - it's hard to explain. I'm not trying to say that it's wrong to have a babysitter, or make time for your own interests, just that it seems like society majorly looks down on prioritizing taking care of (not spoiling, but meeting the needs of) children. I'm probably not making any sense at all, but I feel like if anyone would understand what I'm trying to say, you would.

ANYWAY, I am glad you also had a "boring" scan. And yay for your baby boys! It's exciting to find out, I think, no matter what the answer is. And maybe #4 will be a girl. ;) When I bug my mom about not having a sister (I'm the second child, and have 4 brothers), she tells me I should be glad they stopped when they did, before I got MORE brothers! I hope you can feel your LOs kick more soon. My baby has been on a kicking spree the last few days, and I kind of wish he would stop! But not really, because I want him to be strong and healthy, I just don't want to be poked so much. Oh, and THANK YOU for taking the summer thread! I'm good with it starting whenever. Summer started here a month or so ago, at least weather-wise! I think the roster is mostly up-to-date.

kparker - Speaking of the roster, did you ever give me a blurb to put on for you? If so, I missed it - could you post it again? Glad to hear things are moving along pretty well for you and your LO. Envious of your fat loss - I swear my thighs have gained about as much as my abdomen. You will have to post pictures when you take them. Sorry about your car dying, but how exciting to have a new car! I'm still on the first car I've ever actually owned (bought it from my parents 2 years ago). It's a 2001 Toyota Camry with 200k miles. It's had some issues, but overall, I've been very happy with it. And some of its issues have been accident-related, so not really its fault! It's really in pretty good shape for an 11-year-old car. I would love a newer car, but that's just not in the budget for now. I know a lot of people with Hondas who love them. My family had a lemon of a Honda once, so we're pretty dedicated Toyota people, but I think that was just bad luck. What color is your new car? (And am I silly for asking that?) Oh, and green sounds like a lovely nursery color! Sorry about your unpleasant symptoms - I am not sure what to tell you. It could have just been all the walking around, but you might want to call your OB/MW just to check. Hope you are doing better today! Also, just realized that you're another Texas mom! Maybe I noticed before but forgot? It's fun to find other people close to me. (Like Gem - )

Ooookay - chica and gem - I know I'm still missing both of you - but I really need to go out and walk and grocery shop before dh gets home from work. So back with more later today or tomorrow. I just need to do this one bite at a time, apparently!