July 23rd...wooohoo weekly chat thread! « Back to Group Discussions

[poppylove]

Hi mamas,

Guess I am the first on MDC today. 

How is everyone doing? 

Ithappened, thinking of you, hoping the babies are thriving and you are healing! 

Intime, haven't heard from you in a while. Hoping that means you are all in awesome newborn bliss with your baby boy.

I will be 37 weeks on Thursday! 37 weeks! Can't even believe it. It is also my dd's 2nd birthday party on Saturday and I am just beside myself with excitement. I can't believe how fast 2 years have flown by. 

Happy start of another week everyone! 

[LilyTiger]

Hey everyone!  I'm 38 weeks today.  I can't even believe it. 

Things are going well so far.  No indications that anything is imminent, so I guess I have some time to finish up some work projects.  DH and I had a talk and compromised on him getting the car seats installed stat.  Everything else can just wait, I guess.  Still a little irritated, but that seems to be my baseline state these days.

I have my doc appointment tomorrow, though I'm not anticipating anything earth shattering.  I've been sitting on and doing circles on a birth ball for the past few days, and my hips definitely feel it.  But the kid doesn't seem to be moving down any further, so it's just a waiting game at this point.  Today it's in the 90's, but it's supposed to cool off this week, so I'm hoping to get some good long walks in outside to enjoy the weather.  Other than that, I have no plans for much of anything.  Some crafting with buddies later in the week (burp cloths and such).  I did a craft session (to make soakers, fitted diapers, cloth wipes, and wet bags) with my MIL on Saturday, so that felt productive.  Still finishing up some work projects and just hanging out.

I hope everyone is having a great Monday!

[NewMumJoy]

Happy Monday everyone!  I'm one week away from our EDD!!  And I know many of you are also rounding the corner into the final stretch - how exciting!!

Well I survived an uneventful solitary weekend here and DH gets home tomorrow (yay!).  It's a blissful 76 degrees at the moment and the weather looks great for the week - so I'm really looking forward to getting outdoors again and taking some nice long walks.  And getting some final cleaning/organizing done around the house.  And some quality "spoil me" time!!  No new "signs" or discomfort here, although belly is incredibly low and hits my legs... I can only sit indian-style or on an exercise ball...

My one big thing for the week:  I must convince DH to get the car detailed, before we put the car seat in (I've been nagging about this for months)!!!!  The car is soooooo filthy since he works at a muddy/dusty construction site that it's beyond simply running through the car wash......I wish I could go do it myself (since I have way more free time than him), but haven't been driving for several weeks now (I'm short and belly hits my legs and the steering wheel).

Although I am soaking up my final days of pregnancy, I'm really looking forward to being able to "do things" again - in a matter of days!!!  Like driving, sleeping on my back, cutting/painting my toenails.......

[poppylove]

Originally Posted by NewMumJoy 

Although I am soaking up my final days of pregnancy, I'm really looking forward to being able to "do things" again - in a matter of days!!!  Like driving, sleeping on my back, cutting/painting my toenails.......

LOL! Totally!!

Good luck at your appt tomorrow Lily!

[eleuthia]

Haha my DIY pedicure is from early June and I can't get at my toes anymore. I asked my partner if he'd do it but he said "you know, it's not like they ban you from the hospital if your toenails aren't done..." so I guess that's a no!

[KristyDi]

I'm officially 37 weeks today.  Yikes!

I need to get in gear and get the baby clothes unpacked and washed and get the car seat installed.  I've also just decided that I'm moving the changing table/dresser to our bedroom out of DD's so I need to switch all her clothes into the other dresser that used to be full of fabric.

The new newborn sized prefolds came in and are washed and prepped and I love all the cute covers I bought for this baby. I didn't start CDing with DD until she was 4 or 5 months old and was given a bunch of plain white covers, which worked great and who doesn't love free?  But I had a great time choosing fun prints and colors this time.  I'll be buying new covers for each size/phase as this baby grows because the old ones are pretty worn out. DD was the 3rd baby to use them.  

I've really been enjoying having DH around again.  With the job he had been leaving the house at 9am and not getting back till at least 8pm, which was a huge change from him working from home.  DD and I are loving having him home again.

Oh I decided to stick with the MW closer to where we were going to move.  I really like her and the hospital over there so much better than my choices here. And she was very confident about working around the distance.  She has people drive from much further because she's one of only 3 people in the region who does water births.  I'm just supposed to call her at the first signs of labor so we can work out a plan to avoid major traffic times.

I gotta say, I think I'm finally emotionally ready for this LO to get here.  I think I just needed to feel settled.

[mommamelissa]

Hello Mammas!

It's exciting that we're all on the homestretch. I had a panic moment last Friday morning  thinking "how in the world am I going to get everything done before baby comes?" My dear husband made us each a to-do list and volunteered to help with getting some meals in the freezer. (I still don't have one in there.)

I am moving to WI to live with my doula's friend Aug 18 until birth. (My due date is Sept 3. I know I'm technically in the wrong club, but I think baby will come in August.)

I just found out that my husband's State Trooper training (we won't know for sure until late Sept if he's accepted) will be Oct 28--May 23. The Oct-Feb portion is classroom training in the Twin Cities so we would be looking for a short term place to stay there. For some reason I thought the classroom was 6 weeks. Must've misheard--it's more like 16 weeks. AFter that he head to Camp Ripley and it's no family allowed. This could be a challenging season for us. 

I hope everyone is feeling well. I'm feeling great although I can tell I need to take it a bit easier, especially with all of the 100 degree F plus days we've been having in southern MN. It's hot!

[Lizbiz]

Hey Y'all!  

I am coming up on 37 weeks (on Thursday) and we've been in the USA for a full week now.  Wow - time FLIES.  I'm still a bit jetlagged and feeling tired - but we've got things more or less set up for the birth - and I feel far enough along that if I go at anytime, it'll be fine.  I had a doctor's appointment today here just in case we do need to go to a hospital - I loved the nurse and the facility seems nice, but I didn't love the doc.  Not bad or anything, just so so typical - spouting off scary statistics about birth and correcting me in conversation - just not the partnership mentality I am used to being in a midwife's care.  But... I am glad we have a hospital to go to if needed.  

It's good to be home.  

[Tizzy]

Everyone is sounding a lot more positive and ready this week :)

I'm 37ish weeks now and I have my birth bag packed finally. Still haven't installed the car seat, I keep hoping we'll have our new (to us) vehicle before the baby. Actually, my goal was to have it before I had a huge belly so I'm not squeezing into the back seat of a 2 door pickup to do up buckles...but alas! That is exactly what I've been doing

Our rental vehicle on the weekend for a road-trip/family gathering was a minivan, and as adverse as DH and I are to having a minivan, it was absolutely luxurious to have so much space to move around!

With all the driving and the hot weather though, my feet and ankles swelled up SO MUCH.  Then I couldn't get comfortable overnight with them propped up, so they were still pretty bad today. I took the kids to a local swimming hole for a couple hours and just floated around in the cool water, bliss!

My cousin is due 2 months after me so it was really fun to see her. I felt a little bad because everyone was comparing our belly sizes - she's pretty much the same as me! It shocked everyone that it's my 4th and her 1st. But Every pregnancy is soooooo different!  It was nice to just lounge around for the day though, munching on great food, visiting, talking baby stuffs.

My midwife is coming for a home visit this week which will be nice, and I still have to get that last u/s done.

[poppylove]

Tizzy, what happens at the home visit? I have mine on Friday.

[LilyTiger]

Quick crazy update: I just got word that an editor wants to look at the full manuscript of my book, which means all my white lies about it being complete have come home to roost.  Crazy editing flurry over here.  Not exactly how I pictured spending my 38th week, but if it lights a fire to get this thing done and out the door, it's probably a good thing.  Academics don't have enough firm deadlines, in my opinion.

And in other news, DH is clearly feeling a little guilty about our conversation the other day.  He came home from work, moved a bunch of stuff out of the study and is now at Home Depot buying a light fixture.  It's really sweet that he can meet me halfway on this stuff, even if he's not feeling the same urgency I am.  And now, back to frantically editing and finding citations.  Argh!

LizBiz, how was the flight?  I can't believe how quickly you got things under control.  Glad to hear you're settling in well.

Everyone else sounds like they're putting the final touches on things.  I can't believe we are all so close.  I'm starting to get excited with every cramp and every weird tingle. 

[justchanti]

Hi All!  Sounds like I'm in the same boat as all of you soon to be mamas!  Im at 38 weeks right now and though I feel fine with keeping this baby tucked away fro a couple more weeks, I'm also beginning to feel ready to have this baby!  The house (that we moved into 3 weeks ago) is completely unpacked and all the baby stuff is ready to go.  The only last thing we are waiting for is a liner for the birthing tube, which should arrive on  Wednesday.  DH and I have been rereading a bunch of birth books this time with a bit more urgency.  "The Birth Partner" hasn't left DH's side all week which is pretty much the sweetest thing ever.  We went to the Oregon coast over the weekend and stayed with some friends at their beach house.  It was so wonderful.  Crazy to think the next mini trip we will take will include our baby!

'

On Friday we are celebrating DH's birthday and I asked him what he wanted and his response was "a baby".  So I guess we're as ready as ever.  So exciting. We have an appointment with our midwife later today (she now comes to our house for our weekly appointment) and I look forward to hearing how much my belly has grown since last week.  In the past couple of days it has become clear that this baby is running our of room as s/he is constantly jabbing me and repositioning itself.  

I'm glad to hear everyone is well!  These are some exciting times!!!

[JennaSpring]

My only update is that is 105 degrees here in the beautiful Capay Valley.  I. Am. Melting!  Also I'm so jealous (and excited for you) that so many of you get to meet your babies so soon!  :)  My due date isn't until August 30, so I'll still be posting belly pics while you all are posting your new baby pics.  Can't wait to see all the new little ones!  

[iixivboots]

Ugh, I'm getting a little nervous about going back to work Thursday at 38 weeks (for 7 days, my maternity leave starts 8/6). It's still SO hot here. 104 today. We were walking outside in the sun for just like three minutes and I could feel myself swelling and just starting to panic and feel woozy. I think I need to calm down and realize that other women deal with this heat at this stage of pregnancy and I'll probably be fine. I'm just worried because there's no covered parking at school. Thursday and Friday I will be at a conference at a conference center, I am going to try it and see how it goes, or I might call and see if they have any covered parking. I worry I would get in the hot car and think I was okay to drive and then not be.

Huz can take me to work next week every day except the day I have a doc appointment, so I might see if there's someone to drive me home those days. I guess I might be overreacting? I don't know anyone else been working through this extreme heat? I have honestly been inside during most of it since it's been so intense here and I just wait until the sun goes down to leave the house or just go out in the mornings.

[Tizzy]

Originally Posted by poppylove 

Tizzy, what happens at the home visit? I have mine on Friday.

In the past, it's just been like a regular appointment, except at my home. So basically she just knows where I live and the general layout of the house.

[LilyTiger]

Originally Posted by bootsvalentine 

Ugh, I'm getting a little nervous about going back to work Thursday at 38 weeks (for 7 days, my maternity leave starts 8/6). It's still SO hot here. 104 today. We were walking outside in the sun for just like three minutes and I could feel myself swelling and just starting to panic and feel woozy. I think I need to calm down and realize that other women deal with this heat at this stage of pregnancy and I'll probably be fine. I'm just worried because there's no covered parking at school. Thursday and Friday I will be at a conference at a conference center, I am going to try it and see how it goes, or I might call and see if they have any covered parking. I worry I would get in the hot car and think I was okay to drive and then not be.

Huz can take me to work next week every day except the day I have a doc appointment, so I might see if there's someone to drive me home those days. I guess I might be overreacting? I don't know anyone else been working through this extreme heat? I have honestly been inside during most of it since it's been so intense here and I just wait until the sun goes down to leave the house or just go out in the mornings.

I would ask about covered parking.  You can also bring an umbrella with you and when you get to your car, turn the A/C on and wait outside under the umbrella until the car cools off enough to get in.  And obviously, make sure you're sucking down fluids!  It was 97 here last week and I couldn't even deal with what it did to my feet, and that was only after being outside for an hour or so.  And after swimming and being in the a/c.  Ugh. 

[JennaSpring]

Hi Boots, 

We've had a string of 110-113 degree days where I live (one week the low was 109), and I've been trying to go for a long walk early in the morning when it is still cool enough, and then I just try to stay inside for most of the day. I live on a farm, so sometimes I just have to be outside though. I've been trying to drink as much water as humanly possible.  If I have to drive I turn my car on and let the air conditioning run for a minute or two before I get in.  We also have a big river nearby and I go for a float most days.  Being in the cool water revives my soul at the end of a long hot day.  Any pools near you?  I try not to worry too much about it.  I figure, there are a lot of really, ridiculously hot places on the planet, and pregnant women still do just fine.  Hang in there!  I know how draining the heat can be...

[lakeruby]

Ugh! Yes, the heat is not my friend right now! Yesterday my feet looked like marshmallows with sausages on the ends :)  I went swimming before work this morning and it was sooooo wonderful-- the sun wasn't over the trees yet and the water was still nice and cool.  Ahhhhh.  I'm hoping to make that a regular thing until this baby shows up!

DH is FINALLY painting the baby's room, yay!  I had a baby shower over the weekend and it was so very nice.  I felt very loved and now this whole baby thing feels even more real, since I have a pile of baby things in the living room waiting to be moved into baby's room once it's ready.  Eeeeek!!

[LilyTiger]

Well, I got some somewhat bad news at the doc today.  She can't tell from doppler, palpation, or a cervical check whether the baby is head down.  She thinks it is, but she says it feels different from last week and she doesn't want any surprises.  I also felt some massive movement one night last week, so I was actually a little concerned the baby was doing something suspicious in there.  At any rate, I go in tomorrow morning for an ultrasound.  I really really really really hope this kid is vertex.  I was worried enough about it being posterior, but now breech would be a whole horrible new concern.  My doc doesn't deliver breech babies at all, and there are only a few doctors in this area who do and all of them have lists a mile long for under what precise conditions they'll do it.  And my doc said that first time breech births are just bad all around.  I would have to have a version this week if it is breech, which I've heard really really sucks.

Ok. I'm going to stop talking about it.  I won't know anything until tomorrow, so I'll update everyone then.  Hopefully this kid is just a weirdo and doing some kind of crazy tai chi in there that's confusing things.  If the little bastard did flip, I'll have a few choice words to say when he/she eventually arrives.

[FeralFox]

LilyTiger, I am praying that you get good news.

I'm going back to work tonight for the first time in nearly two weeks.  I'm so not looking forward to it.  I'm 36 weeks now and in so much pain...why can't she just come out already?!  Oh, and tomorrow is my GBS appointment, and I have no garlic.  Blarg.