Sooo my husband after seeing how miserable I am at night, ordered some stuff from amazon unbeknownst to me.
Today a huge box came. I was like "WTF?" opened it, and in it, is this giant pillow called a "Snoogle" and a copy of "the backyard homesteader" i think his purpose was for me to curl up and read and try to get comfy. :)
He's a sweetiepie.
Today a huge box came. I was like "WTF?" opened it, and in it, is this giant pillow called a "Snoogle" and a copy of "the backyard homesteader" i think his purpose was for me to curl up and read and try to get comfy. :)
Awwww! I love that book and I love my pregnancy pillow too! Unfortunately, that book made me realize that I'm not cut out to do backyard homesteading because I'm too lazy, but I love reading about it.
See and for me, its all "ZOMG I NEED TO DO THIS". But i've been moving in that direction for a while. lets face it, i'm never going to have my farm, ever, and I can make the best of it in my little brick house. :) Now, if only I could get backyard chickens legalized....
I bought that book for DH last xmas! I hope to get around to reading it myself, although w/our imminent move to NYC, we won't be putting it to good use anytime soon.....
Our backyard neighbors in our urban neighborhood have chickens, and they are so cheerful! No roosters allowed, of course. We eventually want ducks, but they would destroy our tiny yard.
In interesting news, DH has a serious milk allergy and his sister just reminded him that when his breastfed nephew spit up on him years ago, he broke out into hives. So I guess we now know that he is also allergic to human breastmilk. Should make baby clean up a lot more interesting. And NO dangling the baby over his face. We'll have to see how this all plays out.
Our backyard neighbors in our urban neighborhood have chickens, and they are so cheerful! No roosters allowed, of course. We eventually want ducks, but they would destroy our tiny yard.
In interesting news, DH has a serious milk allergy and his sister just reminded him that when his breastfed nephew spit up on him years ago, he broke out into hives. So I guess we now know that he is also allergic to human breastmilk. Should make baby clean up a lot more interesting. And NO dangling the baby over his face. We'll have to see how this all plays out.
Hopefully his allergy doesn't pass down to your babe! I know that a lot of lactose intolerant parents end up with lactose intolerant kids. My poor son inherited my gluten intolerance and is also lactose intolerant (it mainly seems to be milk, though, and he can drink lactose free milk just fine). So...keep that in mind if your baby has any stomach issues or seems more pukey than normal. I wasn't able to eat tomatoes or ingest any form of caffeine or alcohol (even if it was cooked in a reduction sauce) while I was breastfeeding - it made my son super sick. My really good friend has to avoid dairy because her son is lactose intolerant (so is her husband), but thankfully he hasn't reacted negatively to her breastmilk. For a while she was concerned that he could be intolerant of her breastmilk as well.
Thanks, Sally. The current research on allergies suggests that the propensity to be allergic to things seems to be partially genetic, but the kind of thing one is allergic to is environmental. So we're hoping the kid doesn't get his milk allergy, though he/she will probably have some kind of environmental allergy (we both have them). DH gets full on anaphylaxis from milk, so it's quite different from lactose intolerance. He's actually allergic to the protein in milk, not milk sugar.
Lactose intolerance though, you're right, is genetic, or at least can be. It's passed down in certain ethnic groups too. It's pretty interesting stuff. Either way, DH is a dietician who specializes in food allergies, so he'll be keeping a close eye on the little one for any signs. It was pretty obvious in DH's case, since he was projectile vomiting as a baby. (Ewwwww.... I bet that was fun for my MIL to clean up. 
)
thanks for the nipple advice! i'm starting to put together my breastfeeding supplies to take to the hospital, so i'll take a look at the nipplette since it looks more convenient than hauling out a breastpump (even a manual one) before breastfeeding.
i had my first appointment at my new provider (well, not entirely new as i was a patient there previously) and got my GBS swab done which meant sitting pantsless on the papered table and... when i got up, the paper had basically disintegrated in my butt sweat and pieces of it were sticking to me. i picked off what i could feel, but i just had a couple little pieces fall off when i got up from the couch 
and speaking of the couch, i slept there last night. it's cooler than our bedroom and it's more comfortable to sleep on my side since i'm supported by the back of the couch. i dunno if i'll sleep there every night but for the hottest ones, i probably will.
Oooh, chicken talk! We have 5 chickens that have just begun to lay eggs. We got them as chicks and it turns out we have at least 2 roosters, maybe 3. Only one rooster will stay, the others will be traded for hens. I love having fresh eggs and can't wait until we're getting more. We live on 5 acres, so there's space for them and the garden.
LilyTiger, does your DH have any thoughts about peanuts in pregnancy and peanut allergies? I've read there's a slight correlation between peanut consumption in pregnancy and allergies, but moreso if peanut allergies are common in a family. I'm trying to limit my PB consumption just in case, but it's hard to do since it's such an easy source of quick protein.
Hi All!
I am reading this weeks thread but not having much energy to respond to everyone. 
My sleep has gotten horrible, but as I remember the final weeks of DS1 pregnancy it was like this too- it was like 'training' for what happens once they come out- I sleep in 1.5 hour burst from about 12am till 6am then I am up the rest of the day and occasionally take quick 10-15min dozes during the day..
This last week I got a lot on my to-do list done which was a great feeling. All that is left is a few emails, a conference call and to pack a bag for the hospital.. I don't feel at all ready for the twins to come- mostly emotionally and due to the uncertainty of how DS1/DH/the dog etc will handle the transition and the reality of that all is hitting me. I realize how much I am going to have to depend on DH to do things/everything and that really scares me because he's so exceptionally spacey and checked out the last year or two and I am not sure it will be getting any better- he is really horrible at the baby stage .. just doesn't make sense for his logic based scientific mind..
DS1 is super high needs/high energy/defiant lately, which just adds to my anxiety.. Anyone else with toddlers have a suggestion on how to handle this? I just say his name and he screams "NO!" 
then runs away from me.. or if I ask him not to do something he keeps testing me..
My parents will be coming in about 2 weeks from today and I am hoping they are more helpful then not but nervous about that too-- they don't do well here because they don't speak a single word of German and depend on us for everything-- it doesn't help that this is the land of milk and sausages and they are vegan.
Sorry this post is really a downer.. being tired doesn't make me a positive person 
srtacoche, DH says there's almost no evidence that what you eat during pregnancy affects allergies. Even during breastfeeding, they really only suggest you watch for reactions... there's no evidence that dietary restrictions will prevent an allergy. They used to recommend that you avoid certain "trigger" foods until 12 months, but found that had no effect on allergies whatsoever. It's a little depressing that they just don't know what causes specific allergies, so there's no real way to avoid them. DH started with a milk and egg allergy and later developed serious allergies to chicken and turkey (in his 20s) for no apparent reason. So the immune system does whacky things and we don't really know why. Sorry this isn't more helpful! Lots of people have theories on food allergies, but none of them really pan out.
DS1 is super high needs/high energy/defiant lately, which just adds to my anxiety.. Anyone else with toddlers have a suggestion on how to handle this? I just say his name and he screams "NO!" then runs away from me.. or if I ask him not to do something he keeps testing me..
My son is the same way. I don't know if I really have any sort of advice, but I notice that when we have some quality one-on-one time, he doesn't freak out at all and has a much better day. I'm sure your son is starting the transition into being a big brother/knows that big changes are coming and doesn't know what to do with all of those big feelings. If I were you, I would try to spend some one-on-one time with him and make him feel included as much as possible. I'm not saying that you aren't doing this (I have no idea what you've tried), but I find that when negative attention seeking behavior happens, positive attention and/or reinforcement is needed. It's hard, though, because when my son is being a jerk, the last thing I want to do is cuddle with him and play with legos or something.
As for asking him to not do something, I've read and been told that kids don't hear the "don't do" part, only the part that you don't actually want them to do. For example, "don't hit the dog" translates to "hit the dog." So you're supposed to change the way you say what you don't want them to do. So, telling your son to "come here" or "grab a book" or "walk to the car" (instead of don't run in the parking lot) is supposed to work better. I hope that you find something to work for you! I'm also terrified of how everything will pan out once this baby is born and I'm only having a singleton. I can't even imagine your anxiety level. But, as I've been told by countless others, you just do it. I'm planning to have my placenta encapsulated this time, even though I didn't have any PPD with my first birth. I just have a feeling that I'll be much more stressed out with a newborn and three-year-old.
VV/LilyTiger?Srtacoche - As for everyone talking about food allergies, I never had a food allergy until I was in my 20s as well. One day I became allergic to flaxseed (anaphylaxis and everything) and almost exactly 5 years later, I became allergic to lentils. They are both incredibly strange and rare things to be allergic to. The flaxseed allergy is the most frustrating since I'm gluten intolerant - it's in almost everything for texture. :-/
Lily Tiger-- That's crazy about your husband. I wonder if his reaction to your nephew's breast milk was to the human proteins or the cow milk proteins that came through the milk. If it is interfering with interaction with the baby and help for you, it might be worth your going off cows milk and seeing if things improve.
ilovetchotchkes--how nice of your husband!
Eleuthia--I slept on the couch the entire last month of my last pregancy. It was the only way I got any sleep at all--and it wasn't even hot. I do think having the back support can be really helpful, especially if like me you aren't used to sleeping on your side.
ithappened--the lack of sleep plus difficult toddler plus pending twins plus everything else you have going on is a really tough situation. That you are getting anything crossed of your list is amazing. Hold in there!! I don't have any great advice on the toddler front. We have some of our best results with humor and distraction. My daughter may not want me to brush her teeth for anything, but if a stuffed bear with a funny voice tries to, that's apparently lot's of fun, and other such things.
Mornin' from China... We're taking off a week from tomorrow. I'm taking today (Sunday) off with my kids. Off from work and off from packing. Just need a day with my kiddos and a day of belly rest. I think I've got a bit of food poisoning (again, for like the 40th time in 4 1/2 years :). Hopefully it will be shortlived. My husband has two orchestra concerts as soloist this weekend and next - so he is off to Shanghai today. Our church said a blessing on us last night at mass, as it's the last time we'll be at church together as a whole family. We've gone to mass with the Korean community here for about 3 1/2 years - beautiful community and we've even learned a little Korean. It's been a really busy finish to our time in China, and it's hard to believe we're leaving!
Allergies - interesting topic! We have none in our family, so I never bothered to follow any restrictions - my kids had peanut butter and nuts prior to age 2 (more like shortly after age 1) and I broke all sorts of other food rules with them. I'm sure I wouldn't be so relaxed if we did have a family history. I will say though, it's really hard to follow any rules in China. Peanuts, soy, and eggs are everywhere. I feel really bad for any expats who come to China with allergies, because it's so so tough to eat anywhere - you're basically restricted to eating at home.
As for toddler advice - I've had one really tough high-needs little guy (still is) and one easier going little gal. Without knowing your situation, it sounds like he's a normal, high needs toddler - and that while he needs love and affection lavished on him - he also needs some positive discipline. So, for example, if my little girl doesn't want to get dressed in the morning, I just say, "Sure, no problem, but you'll be in your room until you'd like to put your clothes on. Bye bye!" and put her in her room and close the door (if you don't have a room, you could use a playpen - I did that with my son when he was little as our apartment wasn't as big). She pretty quickly realizes that's not where she wants to be and decides to get dressed quickly. I need quick solutions and have no time to coddle my toddlers - I have to go to work, I have other children, and I need them to respond. That said, I am not a spanker, and I try not to be a yeller (although late in pregnancy I'll admit my patience can wear thin). I like Love and Logic. So - those are my tips! Toddlers are complicated and tough... hang in there! But do try to outsmart him - he's not in charge!
I should probably look into the allergy thing a bit more. I don't have any food allergies, but my mom is allergic to peanuts, soy, chickpeas, cashews, peas... she can have soy/peanut oil and lecithin, but definitely not soy protein (which is in an increasing number of things), so I grew up reading labels when helping her shop at the grocery store. We ate peanut butter as kids (strict jelly-first rule with the knife when making pb&j) and none of us have similar allergies. I think the biggest reason I would wait to give those things to my kid when he's under 2 is that it would be harder for him to let me know if he started to have an allergic reaction.
LizBiz - sounds like you're in the home stretch there w/your big move, so exciting!!! Enjoy your final week in China...
Just chiming in quick about the food allergies....I'm certainly no expert, but I saw my nephew spend his first 18mos of his breastfeeding life w/terrible food allergies/sensitivities that manifested as severe scabbing eczema on his face. His mother had already been following a strict organic and non-processed lifestyle for years and lost about another 30 lbs (from her pre-preggo weight) trying to cut out everything in her diet that affected him through her breast milk (gluten, oats, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts, soy - you name it, it would mess him up). At one point their family was eating nothing but homemade meat & bone broth!! Ultimately they discovered that there was a gut flora connection in his case and successfully treated him w/probiotics. They had followed the GAPS diet for a while ( http://www.gapsdiet.com/GAPS_Outline.html ) and then incorporated a lot of raw milk/cheeses, sprouted grains, and fermented foods into their diet too (I'm not sure if that follows GAPS or not). By his 2nd birthday, he can now eat just about anything with no issues (although he still has an epi-pen to be safe around those nuts). They continue to give him daily probiotics but no longer have to follow any crazy dietary restrictions....although they still embrace raw milk, fermented foods and sprouted grains - which I know can be controversial - but that's what has worked for them.
So we went through and took the tags off all the baby clothes this weekend getting ready to do the baby laundry. Why didn't I realize that almost all my onesies are 3 month size not 0-3? I have SO MANY Carter's 3 month onesies, it's insane. I maybe have three or four that are smaller than that (some are labeled smaller some just look it). The Target circo 0-3 month look more like the Carter's 3 month. Of course we don't know how big this kid will be, I know people say some of their newborns never wore newborn clothes? I wish someone would've bought the Gerber side snap shirts from our registry but I guess they weren't exciting enough. I'm waiting to see if I get my Amazon registry completion discount tomorrow since it's one month before what I put as my due date (I changed it though, not sure how that works) Why do I worry about this child being naked when he has SO many clothes? :)
All my newborn clothes start at 3 months. Carter's newborn stuff only goes to 8 lbs, so I always knew I'd never use that size. I wouldn't worry too much.
Thanks ninetales! I was wondering if they really were 0-3 (ish). Even though I know it's not very accurate, I'm curious to see how this guy is measuring, we have an U/S Tuesday. Last time they estimated 66th percentile.
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