Bi-Weekly Chat Thread (thru 9/16) - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[Angelorum]

Just put my first meal in the freezer, I feel so accomplished, lol!

As far as feeling mentally ready, I don't think I'm there yet.  I'm still shy of 35 weeks though, so I should have time.  I am hoping babe stays put until closer to my due date.  Ds was born on his due date, and I was all prepared for him to be late.  I just finished reading Birth Matters, and it's helped with the mental prep.  I have Ina Mae's Guide to Childbirth requested from the library, hopefully it comes soon.  I read it last time I was pregnant, but I really want to read the birth stories in it over again, if not the whole book.  Also, I've been meaning to formally write up ds's birth story.  I have it in my journal, but it's pretty disjointed.  I really want to get it ready to share in the birth stories forum. 

[OkiMom]

Basically FIL is looking at coming in on the 2nd (so 4 days prior) and leaving on the 15th (9 days after my due date) unless there is some complication or the baby hasn't came yet.. He offered to get a hotel room but since they are paying for him to come I wouldn't ask that. The hard thing is we CAN"T afford any sort of nanny situation. We have had so many unexpected expenses we are barely getting by until the dusts settles. He did come for the night a few weeks ago and wished he could have stayed longer to help with some of the things I need done but hubby can't do and I know he would try his best not to bug me.. Its more me than anything else, Im an extremely private person. I HATE having people in my house to the point that I have to know you for a long time to even invite you over for a playdate. However, him coming is the best thing for the children..
I did find someone willing to watch them in case of an emergency where I don't have anyone else. She lives like 3 doors down (just moved in) and we attend church together. Shes super sweet so if I end up going into labor early then Im safe. I get good vibes from her (strange I know but I go off my instincts when it comes to people a lot of the time) so I figure if its an emergency at least I have someone.

[pregnova]

I'm glad you found an 'emergency' person Okimom. I'm sure that getting that all sorted out is a huge relief!

Cindy- ds came a day before his due date actually. But I was TOTALLY prepared that time for going over 40...like thinking more like 41 was when I needed to be 'ready'. This entire pregnancy, I've thought Baby would come early...no real idea why, but now I'm in this awful position where I sort of just KNOW I'll probably go over just because I'm so set on having him or her early! lol ds just keeps telling me that baby needs to come before Halloween! lol

I need to clean house. It's ridiculous how much I don't want to...just zero motivation. I mopped the kitchen yesterday, but then I literally fell asleep at 9pm because it just felt too exhausting to clean anything else. lol I need some of that nesting to kick in!

[Vegan Princess]

I'm pretty much over wanting to clean these days. It all gives me braxton hicks. I made DH vacuum and mop the entire house this weekend (we literally have no carpet except for one room). That feels nice. LOL. Thankfully DH has stepped up his helping out bc he knows I'm having a lot of contractions and he wants baby to keep baking too. I'm pretty glad I got all my crazy nesting done already bc I know I just woulnd't do it at this point.

Pregnova: I've feeared going too early this whole preg - but watch me end up going way longer than I expect too. LOL. I doubt you'll go late this time. It sounds like your body is getting ready already.

Okimom: I sort of know how you feel. You are in a tough spot -but it does sound like you mostly find FIL helpful. I hope the situation turns out to be ok for you. I'm sure at least knowing he is there to help will do a lot for making you feel at ease versus worrying about what you are going to do when the time comes. The midwives were asking us a lot about what support people will be here after the birth and we told them how we don't want anyone here the first week or two. They think we're underestimated what it will be like with a newborn and 3 yr old. But we just really want our alone time until DH has to be at work more.

Angelorum: Good job on the freezer meal! :-)

AFM: Had a lot of crampy contractions last night. The crampiness was down low and enough to make me uncomfortable. Not sure if they were related to having to pee or not. I never noticed a pattern or anything and they went away by morning. I finally got a little sleep this morning. I just had wicked insomnia last night and the contractions didn't help my mind quiet down.

Oh and I got my Group B strep results this morning - negative!!! Yay!! Don't know if they would have been neg anyway or if all the things I've been taking made it that way (garlic, probiotics, etc)...but I'll take it!

Cindy

[dannic]

Oki-Hugs!

I am totally bonded with this baby--the most I have ever been en utero.  But I am having a hard time with the labor aspects.  I am tired and the thought of all that work makes me want to cry.  So I suppose I am not ready, lol.  Is it too much to ask for a gentle, easy birth ?  And I ought not to complain, because my births are gentle, simple, and 5 hrs.  But I have back labor and it is hard work.  Just. tired. 

And I want my house put back together.  By tonight, dh will be done with everything and then we need to get everything organized, cleaned up and ready.  But I have a sneaky suspicion that I'll go to October.  I am really trying to be okay with that, lol.

The cheescake was amazing.  I can;t recall the last time I had cheesecake (we are a mostly gf/cf family--my daughters are all the time and the rest of us are at home as well.)  It was the chocolate lover's dilemma cheescake, so 4 different kinds in one.  MMM.  But I have a yeast infection now that I am trying to nip in the bud.  so lame. 

Hoping we can all have some peaceful rest this week!

[sillymom44]

Oki- Your FIL sounds like a very nice man.  And if your kids are happy-- you will be happier!!  I would just create a private space for yourself and the baby and use the time to sleep, nurse, and bond- make sure you have lots of entertainment too!!  It could be a GREAT situation for your body to recover!  I know that my MW wants me to be on "house arrest" for 14 days so I can recover quickly.  If I had someone there- I would be more likely to retreat to my room a lot.  So glad that you found an emergency person!!

Vegan-- I am only 34 1/2 weeks, but I can see how as time goes on I will want to do less.  My BH are picking up-- but only to about 5 per day...  No big deal!  I remember a maternity belt relieved my crampiness-- not sure if it would work for you though.

Pregnova-- I wouldn't have motivation to clean either if I walked all day like you.  What great exercise though-- I am jealous. I have always wanted to live in a big city like NYC or Boston-- and one day I will.  I want to be able to walk everywhere!

Angel- good for you for cooking and freezing.  I am not doing that at all b/c DH eats paleo and there is no point in cooking meat and then freezing it.  He is a fantastic cook though-- and loves cooking.  He's working from home and/or taking 2 weeks off.  If he finds he has time to work, he will and save vacation.

I was the one last week that exclaimed last week how much I like being pregnant.  I think I would still feel the same if I hadn't just gone back to work after havign the summer off. Plus, both boys are in soccer now... I am now more and more miserable and an emotional wreck.  Time is flying though-- one positive about working.  I thought I would be able to stay home wiht the b aby, but probably won't be able to financially.  DH might get a big raise...we'll see....

[Vegan Princess]

Can I just say that I am amazed that our group has only had 1 birth already?!

Dannic: Yay for DH wrapping things up. Your house will be back in order asap! I am curious if this babe will be early or closer to on time for you.

Sillymom: I'm really sorry to hea you might not be able to stay home w/baby like you planned!! I'll keep my fingers crossed for your DH's raise to come through!!!

AFM: I actually just went to bed and cried last night bc so much of my body hurt. I had this horrid groin pain and my back hurt. And I went to the chiro yesterday! It didn't help the groin pain at all this time and I'm wondering if my back isn't more sore from being adjusted. Last time I was kinda sore for a couple days then felt so much better. I'm hoping that is the case again. DH rubbed my back until he fell asleep - which wasn't long. I also had a fairly painful contraction when I got up to pee this morning. I'm really not liking these painful ones - they are kinda making me question my ability to handle labor. Last time I got no practice anything and I just dealt with labor when it came. I know I will do the same but having all these painful practice ones here and there to remind me of what is to come really sucks.

I wrote out a list of birth affirmations last night to look at during labor. Who knows if I will look at them or not. Perhaps I should be looking at them a lot leading up to labor. Anyway, jus another thing to try and get myself mentally ready for this baby to come.

Cindy

[pregnova]

I'm sorry you're so uncomfortable Cindy! I bet posting some of those birth affirmations on your bathroom mirror would help...esp. with the night-time wakings/contractions. I have a few areas of the house where there are little reminders of the birth...birth art ds and I have done...the box of homebirth supplies is in a really obvious spot in our living room and we decorated it with affirmations and more birth art etc... I think they help me be really excited whenever I feel a contraction even if I'm pretty uncomfortable. 

Sillymom- I will totally never own a car again if we can continue to live in big cities with excellent transportation. lol dh and I hate to drive, and I keep telling dh if I can be 35 weeks pregnant and still not want a car, then it's probably something we'll be without so long as we both can still walk well! lol 

And yay for only one baby having been born so far! Maybe just a little longer!

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

Cindy, i'm sorry you are hurting so much after seeing the chiro.  I'm at a point now where I pretty much can't move for two days after seeing the chiropractor.  She says it's doing something beneficial but she doesn't want me to hurt that much.  Last week I barely got myself home but then after the first night I actually felt pretty good.

 Make sure you tell your chiro what is going on...mine wants a call if I hurt more than one night.  We've decided that I need to see her husband (also a chiro) to address nutrition/supplements as complimentary therapies and to work with me on the different equipment they have at his office (she works from home and only sees pregnant women and babies from my midwife).

Anyways,  I just wanted to say I know how much that can hurt and I'm sorry you are having so much pain too.  i hope it is short-lived for you!

Affirmations are on my list of things to work on this week too at some point.

[dannic]

My back always aches more right after an adjustment...then, like magic, it's better, Vegan.  Hope you rest really well tonight! 

I can't believe we're all getting so close!  I am trying to be more zen , lol but still feeling very short with everyone and the slightest thing stresses me out. sigh. 

I have been going to bed really early lately...like 8 or 8:30 pm.  Anyone else needing extra snooze time? 

I have been using a body pillow and two others to sleep with and do pretty well for an hour or so, then I still have to switch to warn off evil hip pain, lol.  It's quite the humorous ordeal for me to turn over, pillows and all; grunting and all, heh.  I find myself grunting involuntarily when I bend over or roll over or lift, lol.  My hubby always gets a kick out of it.  Go figure. 

I washed items I thought I would want immediately after birth for baby--onesies, blankets, sling, washcloths, sleeper gowns...but not all of the baby clothes nb-3 mos, nor all the blankets, ect.  Just enough to get by for now...I havent' sorted or folded yet as things are still in a state of flux.  I just feel better knowing that if baby were to come unexpectedly, then those would be ready.  I need to do the same with the cloth dipes...they were ready, but got moved around alot , and I feel need another washing.  Oh well, better absorbancy prepping that way, eh!  I feel good that I actually was able to do SOMETHING...

DH had a super busy day today, so not much got finished, but he did get the cabinets rehung!  they are beautiful!  white and antiqued.  So nice, but now my counter looks awful, lol.  oh well, this needs to not be a never-ending project...lol.

[zubeldia]

HI guys!

Cindy, oh, love, it sounds really uncomfortable. Does resting help? I'm wondering if you can try and build in some more rest cycles during your day? I know you have DD but perhaps this is the time to rally the troops to help with childcare or to grab your computer and let her watch a few shows while you get some much needed rest. You're so close!

Silly, so sorry you're not getting to stay home. How much leave will you have postpartum? I'd have been back at work and on campus up until the birth were I not out on sick leave for preterm labor (the one upshot!).

HI to everyone else.

Well, I made it to 36 weeks...including 6 weeks of bed rest! Woke up with hideous head cold so I wish I could stay in bed :) I do, though, that a birthday voucher to a spa I'm using this morning for a hot stone pedicure so I can't complain too much. Then I see my midwife for my 36 week appointment. Such a relief. Hoping he stays put for at least 2 more weeks.

Has everyone decided on a name?

I *think* we have!!

[Vegan Princess]

Zub: I was just thinking of you and wondering which day you got your freedom back! Congrats for making it!!!! A hot stone pedicure sounds like heaven!! And yay for a name!!!

Undertheoak: I think maybe I was extra sore from the chiro. Thannks for letitng me know your experience with it! I didn't experience this soreness when I was pregnant and got adjusted last time - the relief was immediate then. Only it never lasted last time, thanks to the relaxin.

Danni: Glad you were able to get the essentials done. The weekend is almost here and I'm sure it'll all get done then. LOL about your cabinets making your counter look bad. :-)

AFM: Well I started to feel better yesterday as I moved around and was actually decently active for me (some cleaning, shopping, took dd to the park, managed to do dishes and clean her messes without leaving it all for DH). I had a faily comfortable night sleep last night. I still have that groin pain, but I'm guessing that is just bc baby is low now? And I still had painful conractions every time I stood up to pee or laid back down. But at least the rest of my body didn't hurt.

Names - I *think* we may have picked one too. I can't remember if I said this or not already. DH found one he really loves this weekend and I like it. I'm not 100% convinced. But I'm leaning towards it. And I really think it's sweet that he picked it. My mom always tells me how my dad picked my name. I may just wait until I see her to make the final decision though.

Cindy

[dannic]

I am awful at keeping up on everyone's names, lol...not even gonna try.  Now that we almost have five, I sometimes call my kids by their sib's names, almost going down the list til I get to theirs...

So, YAY for now more bedrest!  Hope your head cold clears quickly.

Vegan (okay, I can remember one, lol), glad you got some rest.  I am def. hoping by this weekend we are all.done. I am so glad dh did this for me, but am getting sick of it all beign out of order...how's that for gratitude?!? 

Names: We have had a name picked out for this one for quite awhile.  It's funny because it isn't one that was ever on our radar, or one I've ever especially liked, but I read it one day and it totally clicked; emailed a list to dh and he picked up on it immediately.  So it's his, and we've been calling him that ever since.  I usually don't pick a final name until we see baby, esp. since we haven't found out with the last 3 kiddos, but somehow we've known he is a boy and this is his name. 

I worked a bit on the house this morning and also cut about 20 lbs of peaches and put them in the freezer for smoothies.  There.  I've laid some food away, lol.  Like a pp said, I feel so accomplished! 

Off to figure out lunch for the kiddoes!  happy day, all!

[pregnova]

Cindy- I wonder if you're just sleeping through those first feelings of needing to pee? And by the time you wake up, it's at that way to full level where you get cramping/contractions. I do sometimes have contractions come on if I have to 'hold it' a bit too long. lol One of the reasons we no longer go to the park closest to us...no potties!

I'm actually feeling pretty comfortable again. It's weird how it comes and goes in spells for me. Just two weeks ago, I thought I'd DIE if I really had to make it to 40 weeks or so just from being so uncomfortable! And then those nights of contractions...but now, I'm back to sleeping good, feeling pretty comfortable for how far along I am, and just excited to meet this baby. I'm still totally 'done', but mostly because I want this baby NOW lol! I'm sure it'll change again this coming weekend, lol...the weekends seem to be when I'm at my most uncomfortable for some unknown reason!

Dannic- I'm envious of those peaches! The apple trees around us are all getting ripe, so we've been grabbing a few whenever we pass them, but we found a peach tree the other day, and they were SOOOO unbelievably delicious! 

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

Danic-  I'm envious of you being able to go to bed so early.  If I go to bed much before 11:30, I'm up by 3 and never manage to go back to sleep till 6 or so, and then DS wakes up shortly after that....it's made for some difficult mornings around here.  If I go to bed later I seem to be able to sleep through till he wakes up...of course he started school today so all of this is totally off now.  I really need to find a way to go to bed earlier and sleep till at least 5.  I've been pretty exhausted today!

-Also those peaches sound wonderful!  We got some not so great ones earlier in the summer and made spiced peach butter with them...which turned out to be amazing but I can't eat too much of it or my blood sugar goes nuts!  I'm sure once the baby is here and I can ease up a little bit on what I'm eating I'll be really happy to enjoy it this winter though.  It's especially good on cheese sandwiches for some reason!

Zub-Yay for making it to 36 weeks!   You are off of bed rest now right?  Sorry you have a head cold..so not fun...especially while pregnant!

Cindy-glad you are feeling better.  I often find that the more I move around a day or so out from a chiro appointment, the better I start feeling.  I know what you mean about groin pain too...that started this week here though I have to say I had it really badly for most of my last pregnancy and this is still not as bad as that was by any means.  I feel lucky that it's just starting now at this point in time.

Pregnova-glad you are  feeling more comfortable now!  I know by this point in my last pregnancy I was totally ready to just have the baby already since I was really uncomfortable.

AFM-I can't believe I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and aside from a few aches and pains, in no hurry to have this baby at all.  I'm really enjoying being pregnant right now for the most part....though DS is starting to get wise to the fact that I can't chase running after him anymore and that's becoming an issue (I'd like to thank him for that run through the park this afternoon as I was trying to coral him back into the car...that was just what my body wanted to be doing at this point...lol).  Other than that I really feel pretty good.

 DS started school today and it went really, really well (and I got 3 quiet hours by myself to go to a park and relax, read a book and listen to NPR..heaven).  Anyways, there are three kids (including DS) from our parent-child class from last year in his class this year and all 3 moms are expecting babies between October and March.  The three of us are so excited!  Our boys are all good friends and now we're all going to have babies around the same age too!

We've had both our boy and girl names picked out for a while.  I'm going to be a little sad about whichever one we don't get to use actually.  I think DH and I managed to pick out two names that are really special and meaningful to us.  I am sort of wishing I knew for certain which this baby is at this point (I really didn't want to know till just recently)...I have a hunch, but who knows....I could be way off.  DS tells me if it's a boy, the baby is his...if it's a girl, he's giving it back to me...because he doesn't know what to do with it!  lol!  Three year olds!

[sillymom44]

Vegan-- Thanks for the sympathy.  I am OK with working for now.  I will have 12 weeks off and go back in mid-January (Depending on his bday) and then I will only work 4 1/2 more months before summer break.  I know that eventually I will stay at home b/c DH's job is getting more and more intense as he "moves up the ladder".   We just don't want to put ourselves in a stressful financial situation...but, if his raise is really big we may decide for me to stay home.  We're not expecting that, but it would be a nice surprise.  He is working tons of hours right now in order to meet a Sept 15 deadline, and then he will be entering the slowest time of year for him until January (when I go back to work).  So, there is good and bad right now. 

Under-- I feel the same.  I am in no hurry to have our baby either.  I feel like I need the 40 weeks to be ready.  And I need time at work to get important things done, delegate my responsibilities to others, train my replacement, etc...  We have most of everything done at home, but I keep remembering things I've forgotten about.  Last night I remembered I needed to buy new breast pump supplies b/c my sister gave me her pump, but I need the sheilds and whatnot.  Not a huge deal unless I am engorged.

Dannic-- My mouth is watering at the mention of peaches....

Zub-- so happy you made it to 36 weeks!!  I've been worried about you since we didn't hear from you for awhile.  Are you actually going back to work now, or just staying at home??  I will have 12 weeks off and then go back for 4 1/2 months until summer.  I love my job for the most part, so I'm not too upset.  I am just concerned about DH's crazy work sched, a new baby, busy 6 and 10 year old, and then my working too...  I know we'll make it work though!  Maybe it will keep me sane....who knows.

We have had a name picked out for a long time.  We are so in love with it and can't wait to share when the baby is born.  

Gotta go to bed!

[pregnova]

undertheoak- I'm in the same boat...dying to know the gender now when it was no big deal to just not know earlier in the pregnancy! Now, I'm just obsessing about it! I totally think girl...actually, so does everyone who knows me, but I'd really and truly be happy with either...it's just the suspense!!! My ds tells everyone that he's 'decided' that the baby is a girl because HE is a boy...lol, I think he wants to be the only boy for a while longer yet. 

[Vegan Princess]

Pregnova: Glad you are more comfy these days. I can totally see you with a little girl! I think I get that feeling too. But my intuition sucks. LOL. I was thinking boy with both of my own pregnancies and clearly I was wrong both times. Ha.

Mmm peach butter sounds divine! It does sound kinda good with cheese!

Undertheoak: How did your son's first day of preschool go??? My daughter is now saying she wants to go all day every day and can't understand why she can't. That is great that you have 3 other mom friends having babies soon! I started a "2nd time moms" group and we had our first meeting last week. There are a lot of us with little ones around age 3. I'm excited to have the support of other moms of newborns and for this 2nd baby hopefully to have her own group of frinds to grow with, like my first daughter had. She has a group of 4+ good litltle girl friends that she has known since she was 2 months old (and their moms are my good friends). So many of my friends who have 2nd children say that the 2nd kid doesn't have any friends of their own bc they are so focused on the older kid's social circle most of the time.

So I am just one big walking contraction. LOL. I got a bit panicy duing having my hair colored earlier bc it was just back to back. I had one painful one during the day today - that's the first during daytime hours. I don't think the nighttime ones are from holding my pee bc I literally am up every single hour to pee - I don't see how I could possibly go more frequently.

DH told me to get another massage this weekend. Yay! Yes please!! That alone is reason enough to stay pregnant.

Oh and Dannic and I are full term today!!!

Cindy

[OkiMom]

I think the biggest hesitation with my and my FIL is my in laws are very outspoken about the fact they don't' like me, don't like out lifestyle, think I'm a horrible parent, that we shouldn't have had more than one child etc.. I lived near them when DH was deployed and they were so horrible to me I developed extreme depression that Im just NOW getting out of. I spent 7 months straight crying several hours a day because of some of the things they said/did. So, why the change of heart? Why all of a sudden do they want to help when they wouldn't even watch the kids for 2 hours so I could see a doctor when I was so sick I couldn't stand/had to crawl to the bathroom? I don't want to be a prisoner in my own house because I feel like I have to hide to stay away from someone else's negativity. Could they have had some sort of epiphany and changed their opinion? Sure but I really doubt it. My FIL stayed overnight a few weeks ago on a business trip and made several negative comments about our family size/homeschooling/the fact I bake our bread (!!???) etc.

[Vegan Princess]

Okimom: Now I totally get why you don't want FIL there!! If it meant dealing with total negativity, I would definitely be finding as many other ways of coping as possible! Did you say you did find backup care? My mom thought she was being helpful after my first was born but really kept saying things that upset me and made me cry - so we've decided we'd rather wait until baby is a month old before she comes. I know she could be helpful with my older daughter but it's not worth it to us to have the stress she could bring around - we want to protect that special time. So I definitely get what you are scared of - and my mom isn't nearly as bad as your in-laws sound! Is there anyway you could openly ask your FIL beforehand if he is going to make comments, etc like he did on his last visit? Maybe try to clear the air? It sounds like his help would be really valuable - but not at the price of making you feel awful mentally!

Oddly enough, I had like no painful contractions last night! Maybe one. Maybe.

Cindy