Weekly Chat! March 11 through March 17th! - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[cookie_]

Name: Marina

Weeks/Days along: 30 weekish

Appointments: MW on Thursday...moving into the every 2 week appt as of this week, which is kind of annoying because I have to schlep my toddler into the city with me. Luckily, most people are pretty nice about helping out with the stroller on the subway stairs.

Symptoms: Chewing a few tums before bed has helped with the nighttime heartburn. Mostly just feeling lazy and decidedly un-nesty. Wondering if that's going to kick in at some point...I want to be nesty! I want to want to clean and organize, but mostly all I want to do right now is nap. It's also kind of hard to nest because there's not really that much to do to prepare. We have all the baby clothes from my son, they'll share a room eventually so nothing to decorate, and the few things we no longer have (swing/bouncy chair, baby bath tub etc) are being passed back down to us by some friends.

Food:  If you'll fix it, I'll probably eat it. I'm not picky, just lazy! I was so bummed a few days ago. I bought some kind of fancy pricey ice cream, only to get home and realize that wasn't actually ice cream, but coconut creme (a vegan "ice cream"). It's not that it isn't good—it's quite tasty—but it's got as much fat/calories as proper ice cream but lacks that decadent mouth feel that I was craving. BOOOO! Never get in between a pregnant lady and her cravings.

Exercise: The weather is very warm this week in the NE (hurray!), so trying to get my son out as much as I can for walks and playground time. Does us both a lot of good!

Body changes and other milestones: Um, so I think I need to buy special underwear, the kind for things like vulvar variscosities. I'm not sure if I actually have a varicose vein there or not, but it is throbbing and the pressure is unreal when I'm upright for more than a few minutes. Hoping my insurance will cover it because they're like $70 a pair!

Thoughts:  I finally found a babysitter to watch my son every Friday from 9:30-3:30. I can't even tell you how excited I am to have some time to myself for the next 8-10 weeks before the new baby arrives. I can finally start taking a prenatal yoga class, run errands, and just create some mental space for myself before the chaos of two little ones starts in earnest!

Janellody - I love buying baby carriers 2nd hand (although my rather extensive collection makes my husband sigh every time he opens the hall closet and they all fall out on him, haha). I was able to experiment with so many different types that way. YouTube is a great resource for how-to videos, esp for moby-type wraps and ring sling holds. I also second Cristeen's suggestion to read through the MDC babywearing forum. I know when I was pregnant with my first, that forum was a great resource of information and I learned so much!

Oh and also, I got a really good laugh a few days ago. My husband and I were talking about the public schools we're zoned for in this apartment and how they're not so great. My husband, in all seriousness, proposed starting to look for a new apartment this year "before the rents go up again". To move when our lease is up...on May 31st. I'm due May 28th.

[Astraia]

Thanks ladies for the support in last weeks thread!

I took a couple of days to think on it and I've realized that I
A. need to be gentle with myself. It's a big shift to change from working 5 days a week to working 2 days a week. I can't expect to slip back into it seamlessly.
B. I don't take care of myself when I'm not working- not eating regularly, not drinking enough water, eating way too much sugar- no WONDER I'm crabby and exhausted
C. I can't accomplish everything at once- cleaning, crafting, time on the computer, books I want to read, etc. I may not be working, but I still have kids! Since I've realized these things, I'm doing a lot better.

Spring weather! We got it, too! Snow is melting rapidly. Everything is a mud pit. I love it and I hate it all at once.

Janel- glad you found a carrier you like, but (and I don't want to bash your decisions) the Snugli isn't a fabulous carrier. I know a lot of moms who LOVE them, but they have the baby dangling from the crotch a bit, and it's bad for their hips and backs- and it's hard to carry them once they're heavier as well because they're not constructed as well as some other things available now. The biggest offering for snugli is that they can front face the baby- which is REALLY bad for their hips and spine. A good back carry is a total life saver, especially if you plan to have more kids or ever want to do things with your hands while baby-wearing. For a bit more money you can get a carrier that you can do front AND back carries in, comfortably, until well into toddlerhood. Look for a soft structured carrier like an Ergo- they're not too expensive. I'm still carrying my 35 lb 3 year old in back carries with my Pikkolo soft structured carrier, and I'm going to buy a Manduka for this baby (so my DH can carry one kid while i carry the other!)

Sky- lordy, that massage sounds phenomenal! I need some of that!

Food- I'm with a lot of other people. Nothing sounds all that appealing. I went grocery shopping friday and blew our entire grocery budget for the next 3 weeks ($294!!!) and we have NOTHING that turns into a meal. Seriously. No meat, no beans or lentils, no butter, no milk, not a lot of vegetables... wth!?! I bought an excessive amount of fruit, and that's all I can really say I actually bought. What happened?  

Sandy- holy moley! That is so real! That's like, a month and a half away! Wow.


Appointments: had my 32 week appointment yesterday, everything looks good. We talked GBS, my preferences for birth (what's your bottom line for the absolute least you can do? Do that! Don't boss me or tell me what to do, we'll get along fine), and my next appointment in 2 weeks will be my homevisit appointment, which is great (no draggin the kids to the clinic) and terrible (I need to clean all the things!). Also need to have my birth kit prepared for the birth as well, which is going to take a few shopping trips to accomplish (although I'm kind of "erg" about it, because I KNOW I don't need everything on their list, but they wont' do a homebirth if I don't have it).

Cookie- love the idea of a babysitter! I NEED to go fabric shopping and run errands, etc, but I can't without either losing my one whole day with my husband or bringing the kids... ick.

Man, I need to start writing shorter posts!

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by janellody 

I picked up a baby carrier thingy from a second hand baby store in our area yesterday for $8.50!  And it's cute, it's called a snugli.  Never heard of it, but I tried a few on and that was the one we liked best.  I tried on a babybjorn, which was the one on my registry, and it didn't fit right.  It seemed too small, maybe they come in different sizes?  Anyway it doesn't matter now, cu i got this one and it's awesome!  I also got a wrap sort of carrier for my baby shower, so I will have both options to use.  No idea how to use the wrap one, i don't even know what it is called, it was just a wrap with some sort of attachment thingy on one side presumably to make it bigger or smaller.  I think it goes across your chest to carry baby.  We will have to experiment with it! 

Hi Janellody! I love babywearing and like a PP mentioned, have tried tons of carriers. My DS LOVED the snugli! I found it to be the easiest and most comfortable of all of my carriers.

I also tried a Maya Wrap (ring sling) which I hated and DS hated, and a Balboa carrier, which I never got the hang of before DS got to big. I will probably try that one again with the new baby. Finally, we ended up splurging on an Ergo for a long hiking and camping trip, and used that one exclusively from the time DS was eight-months-old until he was eighteen-months-old. This time around I'm registered for a Moby, which I've heard great things about. I plan to use them all again this time around!

[Just1More]

Just a thought about wrap carriers...

Usually the moby is good until about 15 pounds.  After that, a woven carrier (as opposed to the stretchy kind) is better.  The stretchy kind tend to sag and don't provide as much support.  The woven ones keep their shape and give a much better and secure carry as the baby gets bigger.  The moby is GREAT for the first several months, because it is easy to just wear it and pop the baby in and out as you want to.  You can also easily nurse in it.  A woven carrier doesn't allow much flex for popping them in and out because there isn't any stretch, but, like I said, I prefer them for back carries and for when the baby is a bit bigger.  (Also, when they start getting mobile, they can push against the moby and I'm not comfortable with the wiggle room.  The woven prevents them from leaning so far back.)

For me...

Newborn stage: ring sling, hot sling, and moby

After 6wks or so (when they are a little heavier, and a little more sturdy): ring sling (minimal), moby, and ergo (froggy the baby, without insert, but often with a blanket rolled under the feet)

At 3 to 4months to about 6months: slowly transition to mostly the ergo (regular, but often still with a booster blanket under the bottom), and a woven wrap (I have a hoppediz)

Oh, and the first 2 months or so I also like using a pod.  It's just a blanket (basically), with long straps.  The blanket goes over the baby, the straps go over your shoulders, cross over your back, and the wrap to the front and tie under the baby's bottom.  SO fast, and cozy.  Love it.

[maryamrose]

I have a ring sling (Maya wrap), a stretchy wrap (Wrapsody stretch hybrid), and a couple wovens (a Girasol and a Didymos in two different lengths). I might also get a soft structured wrap like a Beco or Boba, especially the grandparents who won't want to fuss much with positioning. I'm still learning about babywearing but I think I've pretty much got all the bases covered.

[janellody]

I honestly don't plan on using the carrier much, as I will probably use the car seat a lot more (yes you guys have already lectured me about that so no need to go into it again )  I will try what I have now and if they work out great.  If not I will look for something else, but for now I am happy with what I have :) 

[Kamiro]

Thanks ladies for the info. I have a moby now, but I really want to get a ring sling. Thinking of making one - I liked the padded OTSBH I had. Would I want to use stretch or non stretch material for a padded sling?

[JynxGirl]

Just chiming in here...
I used a maya wrap ring sling with my daughter from the day she was released from the hospital until she was 3... seriously. It was the only sling I had, and we used it EVERYWHERE!!!

I'm surprised by the people who've said that they're not good past the newborn stage, because I found I loved it more once we had more position options open to us.

[Masel]

I had an ultrasound this morning. They say I'm measuring 32 w 4d and made a point of mentioning that I'm exactly 32w but that its no big deal. Because of my age 41 and history of GD (but I passed the glucose test last week) I'll probably need to have weekly monitoring the last month of pregnancy. They did this last time. But this time I'll need to find a babysitter each time I have an appointment. This is really frustrating me. I asked about what they were looking for and it seems to be mostly related to my age. 

[forestmushroom]

Masel, ugh!  what a pain... at least you get to sit in the waiting room and read a magazine in peace, right?  Glad the ultrasound was positive!

I had all kinds of wraps and am just happy with an ergo... You don't want to splay baby's legs to fit though the holes, but I "froggy" his legs and use a support pillow (that I also use in a ring sling) and also keep baby vertical against my chest/head on my shoulder in the ring sling.  I would like to get a moby for DH.... I wish the moby worked for different sized people better.

The one thing about a wrap at this point is that being wrapped up in all that cloth in the summer doesn't sound very fun! I like how easy it is to pop baby in and out of the soft structured carriers, and how secure they are.... and how DH and I can share the same carrier. 

I usd to have a nice mei tai that I liked, but traded it... I might get a beco or a WAHM mei tai again....

[Kamiro]

I made a mei tei looking thing. Not sure how great it will work, but its nice and sturdy.

[persephassa]

what does "froggy"ing the legs mean? i've read this several times and i have a vague notion, but maybe someone could explain it...

i just have a moby & the ergo (thinking about getting the infant insert, might be useful for a plane trip we might take at the end of june). i've looked at some ring slings and the mei tai but i don't know if i need another $60-100 thing. maybe i will get one in the end tho if the moby is too hot--i do hope to wear baby a lot around the house! 

[Kamiro]

I think it means having them scrunched up like newborns naturally do. Kind of like a froggy.

[casmer]

I just bought an Ellaroo Mei Tai from craigslist...it could use a little scrub...omg.  It's the first and probably the last used baby item I buy off of CL...stupid hormones :)  I'm also wanting the Ergo and will buy one for myself if I don't get one from my registry.  Later on, I *really* want a girasol.  They're just so pretty.  I registered for a Moby, but with the triple-digit summers we have I doubt I'll get to use it outside much. 

I can't wait to baby wear! If we didn't have cars, I wouldn't even bother with an infant car seat.  It's not out of the norm to see moms wearing their babies everywhere here, so I'm super-pumped. The thought of lugging around an infant seat is incredibly unappealing to me, ugh.

[casmer]

Here's a link with a picture of froggy legs... http://phoenixbabywearers.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/exploring-mei-tais/ 

[rozziemama]

After so much work and personal traveling last week and weekend it feels like so long since I've been here! I missed you all . Somehow managed to survive the travel, but I am done with work air travel. It's so uncomfortable and exhausting. I feel like my body is still recovering.

Yesterday I made ALL the rest of my appointments - right up to the last one on my due date - May 14. Crazy that it's 8 weeks away!

But somehow Even crazier is that I still have 8 weeks to grow... I'll post an updated belly photo tomorrow so folks understand what I'm talking about!

Masel -- I dont get the onstn monitoring if you're not even measuring a full week ahead, and you don't have GD. What does your age have to do with it?
All of this darn monitoring. Drives me nuts. I'm trying to figure out when the last possible date for me to schedule my next (final!?) ultrasound to check placenta location should be.
I'm fairly certain that they will find something else since that's the clear pattern of the ultrasound techs - every time I have an ultrasound something new is wrong. I just hope the baby isn't breach, because that would send me over edge.

I love reading about all of your baby wearing gear options. My DS didn't like the sling - just the regular hot sling - I think because he was so big. We used it for like two weeks and then it started to feel like we were shoving him in there. Not so nice. I keep forgetting that this baby may be totally different. For example, DSloved the bjorn bouncy seat so much. But I know many babies that don't...so, we shall see!

[MeredithA]

Janelle, I used one of those baby bjorn/snugli style carriers with both my boys and this time I am going to buy a K’tan. I bought a moby at a 2^nd hand store and the thing seems so complicated to get on! I know many people love them but I think the k’tan looks way easier. The bjorn just wasn’t that comfy and we couldn’t use it for the newborn stage. I never felt like it was secure. I always had my hands wrapped around it because I was nervous to let go so the whole "hands free" thing wasn't happening - I ended up carrying them in my arms more than I used the carrier. 

Re: appetite – I just can’t believe that so many of you ladies are not that into food right now because I could eat all day long!!! And I pretty much do.

MlovesJ, YES! I feel the exact same way about my under belly maternity pants. I much prefer the full panel ones now.

Sandy, woa! The 28^th of April! So close!!

Cookie I didn’t even know they made that kind of underwear but I have noticed I am a lot puffier/swollen down there – not painful just generally puffy looking and I wonder if those panties would be good for me too. $70/pair though – eek!

Astria, so glad you’re feeling better! :-)

[MeredithA]

woa, sorry about that huge pic in my pp!! I didn't know it was going to post so big!

Name: Meredith

Weeks/Days along 32 today! - 8 weeks left! omg!

Appointments: none, though still thinking about scheduling a chiropractor visit 

Symptoms: the usual: puffiness, fatigue, general hugeness... Puffiness has me a little concerned now because it is my whole body - my face down to my feet! 

Food: girl scout cookies! and pretty much everything else as well. I love food. 

Exercise: walking a little bit, but not much 

Body changes and other milestones: outgrowing things. giant butt to match the giant belly. stretch marks getting darker :-(  Oh, and boobs are getting leakier - I  don't remember leaking so much colostrum before my other kids were born. 

Thoughts Baby is breech. I feel his hard skull right in my ribs and his feet fluttering and kicking me down low. He flips to transverse sometimes, but mainly he seems to like being feet first. I am confident in my body and trust it to do what it needs to do and all that BUT I have to admit I am pretty nervous about UC a breech baby. There is one doctor in the area that will allow you to attempt a vaginal breech in the hospital. (most doctors around here won't even attempt it - its an automatic section) so I spoke with the one that allows it just so we are familiar with each other in the event that baby does not turn and I chicken out on my UC. My anti-homebirth MIL offered to pay the insurance deductible so a hospital birth would be free for us now...but...a hospital birth really is not what I want. Too bad MIL won't just pay the HB midwife fee. I'd much prefer to go back and start seeing them again. I still have 8 weeks. Baby still has time to turn. His position has just been on my mind a lot lately.

Oh, a fun little note: DH has chosen a middle name for our baby!...but he isn't telling me until the birth. I think it is kind of neat. When he agreed to Deacon rather than Declan for the 1st name, I told him he could be in charge of selecting a middle name and he has taken so long to pick one out. I can't wait to hear what he has chosen. 

[forestmushroom]

Froggy = you just fold the legs next to the butt and tuck them in the carrier, or fold the SS carrier or mei tai up and secure in the back... I have a pillow from an older sling that I use, but you can also fold a receiving blanket.  The ergo insert does look super good and I would probably get it if this was my first baby... I like how it fills in the sides,too. 

I have an ellaroo sling that I totally love, but there was a learning curve on the ring sling!  But that is most likely what I use for newborns since they are light and the single shoulder support doesn't see to be so bad with a tiny bean. 

But the moby looks easy and I can work with a baby in Moby with two hands free.... so that is what I think I'll get next month...

A *great* resource for baby wearing is http://www.thebabywearer.com/ ... I bought a lot of used carriers there to try out, and then sold what I didn't like... it made it easy to try lots of different options without spending a thousand dollars on carriers!  Which I could easily do! 

I have used my ergo through 3 babies now, and still love it and still could use it for at least another baby... although I could probably like to try a calyx if they still made them, or a becco, since the straps of the ergo are kind of wide, and I've heard that the calyx is better for petite mamas....

[forestmushroom]

Originally Posted by MeredithA 
giant butt to match the giant belly. stretch marks getting darker :-(  Oh, and boobs are getting leakier - I  don't remember leaking so much colostrum before my other kids were born. 

Thoughts Baby is breech. I feel his hard skull right in my ribs and his feet fluttering and kicking me down low. He flips to transverse sometimes, but mainly he seems to like being feet first. I am confident in my body and trust it to do what it needs to do and all that BUT I have to admit I am pretty nervous about UC a breech baby. There is one doctor in the area that will allow you to attempt a vaginal breech in the hospital. (most doctors around here won't even attempt it - its an automatic section) so I spoke with the one that allows it just so we are familiar with each other in the event that baby does not turn and I chicken out on my UC. My anti-homebirth MIL offered to pay the insurance deductible so a hospital birth would be free for us now...but...a hospital birth really is not what I want. Too bad MIL won't just pay the HB midwife fee. I'd much prefer to go back and start seeing them again. I still have 8 weeks. Baby still has time to turn. His position has just been on my mind a lot lately.

Oh, a fun little note: DH has chosen a middle name for our baby!...but he isn't telling me until the birth. I think it is kind of neat. When he agreed to Deacon rather than Declan for the 1st name, I told him he could be in charge of selecting a middle name and he has taken so long to pick one out. I can't wait to hear what he has chosen. 

Meredith, have you see this site: http://www.spinningbabies.com/ Spin baby, Spin!  I have one friend who turned her breech baby around with this site's advice.  I hope you can spin that baby! 

That is super funny about your Deacon's name.. I made the same deal with my DH.  And then I found the perfect middle name, and he agreed to it! So I guess I am naming this baby completely.... after 4 other babies.. it is kind of weird to pick both names out and have DH completely agree...