Mid October Chit Chat- for Feb 2013 DDC - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Brambleberry]

Originally Posted by sweetestday 

...

I pretty much have everything... though if we find out for absolute certain the end of this month that it's twins, I'll need to get another car seat, more diaper covers and maybe a twin nursing pillow. (Do you know where to find an affordable one?)   :)

...

This isn't necessarily cheaper, but it is more versatile: http://www.amazon.com/Original-Theraline-Maternity-Removable-Zippered/dp/B0049O57T2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350431583&sr=8-1&keywords=theraline+maternity  I requested one for my birthday from my in-laws, or I wouldn't have shelled out the money for it, but I actually am finding that it's worth it.  It's a great maternity body pillow (although it does take some getting used to since the micro-beads have to be adjusted every time you roll from side to side), and it's plenty wide enough to support a baby on each side while nursing.  I have been using it to sit up and read in bed with the middle of it behind my back, on top of my regular head pillow, and the ends wrapped around me like armrests.  I realized that that position is going to be perfect for nursing two at once in the middle of the night in the ideal "laid back" nursing position.  The drawback to using it as a nursing pillow is that it doesn't fasten around you and might not work that great for trying to nurse in an upright chair at the kitchen table or computer chair etc., which is actually the only time I really used a nursing pillow with DD.  I normally just nursed in the recliner with a small pillow under one elbow.  But I really needed a good solution for night time nursing two, since side-lying two at once can be difficult. 

ebay is always good for finding things like nursing pillows used, too.  I did a quick search and came up with a few good looking options: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=twin+nursing+pillow&_sop=15

I am dying to know what you find out about the twins or if you're further along than you thought!  You and Josie too.  You two are so patient!

AFM:

I think just about everyone should be half way done, feeling better?

Feeling better and preparing to start feeling worse soon!  I am getting really big really fast.  Getting enough food is a real challenge, since my stomach is getting cramped faster than my body can adjust to the change, and if I get too full I still get nauseous.  I am constantly hungry and have to get up and drink a glass of milk in the middle of the night just to make it to morning.  It's so hard to come up with a variety of good nutritious snacks.  

How is the preparation for your LO coming?  What have you done?  What do you still have to do?

I'm getting a little worried about getting everything done I want to get done before I have to start limiting activity.  I really want to build walls for our bedroom and switch out the shower with a bath tub before the twins get here, but I don't want to end up making them come early by trying to do too much to prepare for them!

How is everyone doing?

O.k. I guess.  Getting more excited than worried about the idea of twins now, and getting some research done on twins, but not totally settled with it all yet. 

Anyone else stalking the Oct. 2012 ddc with all the cute photos of the new babies?

No, but DD likes to look at pictures on the computer while she brushes her teeth (it's pretty much the only screen time she gets), and we've been googling images of newborns, newborn twins, or watching baby center videos of birth or what baby looks like in the womb right now.  She's pretty obsessed and I may be encouraging it a little...

Anything else you want to share!

[odinsmama]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 
 My 4 yr old is more than tall enough for one, but he's also really squirmy so it makes me nervous.

Oh my gosh, yes.  My DS2 will have to be in a 5 point until he's driving his own car.  ;)

Doing pretty well here.  Still having some hip issues, but I'm stretching, tailor sitting, squatting etc and they're not too bad.  Except for after sex.  Finding different positions for that which don't hurt my hips and sciatic as much afterwards.  :-/

Felt motivated to do some organizing/cleaning/getting rid of stuff in the boys' play room.  Got a bit done and then was getting dizzy with repeated squatting/standing so had to take a break.  Who knows when I'll be motivated to start back on that...

Just ordered a diaper sprayer and am getting hand me down clothes from a friend this week, so I'm basically ready for baby.  There are a couple other things we'll need (baby monitor for naps, booster chair at some point) but we can live without if need be.  I have no idea when my shower is going to be and I'm fine with that.  If I don't get a monitor until after baby comes, whatevs.

Still measuring small, still not gaining very fast, still trying not to freak out about that.  Baby is moving around so that helps.

I need to clear a few shelves in the boys' play room (where all their clothes are also) for baby clothes.  This will mainly be moving all their blankets somewhere else and relocating/killing any spiders that have taken up residence there.  Not totally sure where diapers are going to go yet, but I'll be living out in the living room for the first week or so anyway, so I will probably just get a basket for them which I can move around the house.  

That's about it.  Getting excited!!

[odinsmama]

Had a very early dentist appointment this morning. A couple of months ago a large piece of a molar broke off, no idea why other than I know it had a cavity.
I couldn't do anything about until recently (due to other health issues) but I finally got in and saw a different dentist at the clinic I go to. I am really happy with my regular guy, but he's off on Mondays this month and that is the only day DH can keep the kids. Anyway, I've had a couple of traumatic dental experiences so seeing a new dentist just ramps up my dentist anxiety. But she was terrific, had me take breaks from lying on my back, and was able to get the cavity and repair the tooth with a large filling. I think a small part of my dental anxiety revolves around money. My teeth are pretty bad and I've already paid for a few root canals. So part of me was worried this would be another one, or at least a crown since the break was such a big piece. As if the experience itself doesn't suck enough, I bring money anxiety into it!

So, it was really good and I'm not as worn out as I normally am after dental stuff. Now off to make something soft to eat and I'm going to have to take a Tylenol. Very achey jaw and headache, but I can tell the tooth will be fine tomorrow.

I've started to have semi-sluggish bowels these days so I've been indulging in half a cup of coffee in the mornings. It's awesome.

How's everyone doing?

[Jenny01]

Sorry to hear about your tooth! I dislike dentists too and am always stressed when I'm there. Hope it is much better tomorrow!

I am feeling very stretched out skin wise the past few evenings. It seems by evening my stomach skin feels so uncomfortable. Not liking this - I can't imagine how it will feel when I'm even bigger . Hopefully it's just a phase? Maybe I'm bloated. Kind of hard to tell these days lol. Does anyone else feel like this?

[kellybeth]

yep, sluggish bowels. i'm afraid to have coffee. i miss it a lot. i don't really do chocolate either, so i'm afraid if i have the slightest caffeine that my already feisty little girl will kick the crap out of me.

[kellybeth]

on second thought maybe that's what i need-to get the crap kicked outta me.

[Jenny01]

LOL! i've been drinking a small cup every morning except for the two or three weeks when I couldn't stomach it. It definitely helps with moving things along most of the time!

[loveandgarbage]

A combo of green tea and oatmeal in the morning helps me.

My skin in also very uncomfortable, especially at night. I can feel it stretching and it hurts! My belly butter only does so much. I'm usually too lazy to do this at night, but when I exfoliate with a sugar scrub then put on the butter, my skin feels better.

How is everyone doing on protein intake? I honestly hadn't thought about it much til recently as I assumed I was getting enough. Then I added up my intake over two days and I'm lacking. Uh oh!

[Jenny01]

Good to know its not just me -thanks! This is my first so I have no idea what is normal.

I think I'm doing ok with protein but I haven't tallied it up. Maybe I should check too.

[etsdtm99]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

How is everyone doing on protein intake? I honestly hadn't thought about it much til recently as I assumed I was getting enough. Then I added up my intake over two days and I'm lacking. Uh oh!

i should probably check .. i've been going back and forth from eating lots of beans and quinoa all day, to eating obscene amounts of of meat..  i'm thinking over the course of the week its probably evening out .. i think about protein a lot, too bad that doesn't count lol

[odinsmama]

I've been doing a lot of yogurt and homemade granola. We eat meat or beans every night. I don't know, I'm not counting but I always have a tendency to really feel a lack of protein and go with whatever I'm craving.
I'm looking forward to apple slices and peanut butter now that my tooth is fixed.

Thankfully I'm not feeling the stretched out skin yet but my skin is all really dry! Must remember to moisturize!

[typebug]

I think just about everyone should be half way done, feeling better?

Yes, I finally have a break from all the headaches and nausea and reflux. I'm trying to manage my back aches and some foot pain but it's only cramping my style with my workouts. Day to day life is better. I FINALLY have a bump and have gained a little weight. 

How is the preparation for your LO coming?  What have you done?  What do you still have to do?

I have the basic stuff or what I call the "boring stuff" that I didn't want to put on my registry like nail clippers and nasal aspirater etc. We also have our little in-bed co-sleeper, basinette and bouncer purchased. I need a baby bath, car seat and stroller still. I plan to let family and friends fill in the clothing and toy needs when the shower rolls around in January. Feels like it's all under control. 

Anyone else stalking the Oct. 2012 ddc with all the cute photos of the new babies?

Not yet but I am surrounded by new babies in my area so my husband and I are constantly out gawking at little week old bundles. 

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by Jenny01 

Sorry to hear about your tooth! I dislike dentists too and am always stressed when I'm there. Hope it is much better tomorrow!
I am feeling very stretched out skin wise the past few evenings. It seems by evening my stomach skin feels so uncomfortable. Not liking this - I can't imagine how it will feel when I'm even bigger . Hopefully it's just a phase? Maybe I'm bloated. Kind of hard to tell these days lol. Does anyone else feel like this?

I had it really bad with DS1, seemed like whenever he had a "growth spurt" my belly skin would itch and burn. Putting on LOTS of lotion really helped. With DS2 and so far with DS3, I haven't had any issues like that.. I think it was just my skin stretching that much for the first time!

[Jenny01]

I slathered on some coconut oil last night before bed.  I haven't been doing much of anything cream-wise, so I'm going to try and do it every night and hopefully it helps a bit.  There is no itching or burning, just a painful stretched-to-the-limit feeling.  I'm carrying high so it's really tight up around my ribs, and after a days worth of eating it seems there is just no room left in there!

[HouseofPeace]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

My skin in also very uncomfortable, especially at night. I can feel it stretching and it hurts! My belly butter only does so much. I'm usually too lazy to do this at night, but when I exfoliate with a sugar scrub then put on the butter, my skin feels better.

How is everyone doing on protein intake? I honestly hadn't thought about it much til recently as I assumed I was getting enough. Then I added up my intake over two days and I'm lacking. Uh oh!

i've been paranoid about protein intake this pregnancy (something i've never worried about b/c i normally take in a good amount of protein) and most of my cravings have been protein rich foods. on the days i sit down and tally, i'm in the safe range, but not super high on protein.  this last week i really popped and got wider and bigger and round bellied.  i've been slathering on the body butter at night, but it feels like i've gone up more than a usual week's worth of weight.  i dreamed of feeling the whole little foot last night, and woke up disappointed that i couldn't feel it yet....

my default protein is to have 1lb of grass-fed beef thawed and make myself eat about 8oz of meat a day every day, and then i eat almonds, quinoa, yogurt, eggs (though eggs have been unkind to me this pregnancy), cheese, and sometimes another sort of animal protein if i'm serving it to the family.  i am guessing this is a 'safe' amount, but it's only about 56g of protein a day if i only have the meat and salads..... which seems lower than what i'm aiming for.  

how are the other mama's doing it?  

[eminvc]

Protein--I am doing pretty well from my mental tally; it's especially important for twins! Here's what I have:

breakfast--burrito w/ 2 eggs, little bit of cheese

midmorning snack--cottage cheese,  and sometimes also wheat English muffin w/ peanut butter

lunch--generally some kind of salad/pasta salad with chicken or turkey

midafternoon snack--greek yogurt

dinner--some kind of meat, sometimes side of beans

pre-bed snack--either pudding made w/ milk, milkshake or half grilled cheese sandwich

And I'm also drinking 2-3 small glasses of milk a day. By my estimations, I'm at more than 100 grams a day.
 

[loveandgarbage]

My issue is that I'm a dairy-free vegetarian (1st challenge) and my usual protein sources just don't appeal to me right now (2nd challenge). Beans? Yuck! Get them away . Tofu makes me feel bloated. I recently switched to soy milk over almond milk for the protein factor, even though I don't want to overdo soy during pregnancy. I'm forcing myself to eat eggs a couple of times a week. Last night before bed I snacked on pita chips and hummus (and an insane number of olives) so I'm trying to be good! I usually love almonds as a quick snack but they just seem gross right now, too! I need to make quinoa a bigger part of my diet again. It was one of my only "safe" foods during MS so I'm still a little sick of it. Might just have to try out new recipes or bake with it.

[typebug]

OK this is a strange one... I seem to have way fewer grey hairs than pre pregnancy. How/why did that happen? 

[Chloe'sMama]

http://www.mothersspecialblend.com/

I have used this with my other pregnancies and I think it was wonderful.  I am not so good and only used it every few days, but my skin always feels super soft and supple.  I do not have any stretch marks from either pregnancy... although, I feel like my belly is growing faster all of a sudden this pregnancy, so I don't know if there is any saving my skin.  

I don't really think stretch marks are dependent on oils and other things, I think it is genetics and your skin.  My sister has super dry skin (I have dry skin, just not as dry as hers) and she got stretch marks with each pregnancy.....  My mom also got stretch marks... So, I don't know.

[HouseofPeace]

Originally Posted by loveandgarbage 

My issue is that I'm a dairy-free vegetarian (1st challenge) and my usual protein sources just don't appeal to me right now (2nd challenge). Beans? Yuck! Get them away . Tofu makes me feel bloated. I recently switched to soy milk over almond milk for the protein factor, even though I don't want to overdo soy during pregnancy. I'm forcing myself to eat eggs a couple of times a week. Last night before bed I snacked on pita chips and hummus (and an insane number of olives) so I'm trying to be good! I usually love almonds as a quick snack but they just seem gross right now, too! I need to make quinoa a bigger part of my diet again. It was one of my only "safe" foods during MS so I'm still a little sick of it. Might just have to try out new recipes or bake with it.

i was wondering- the low dairy (i can't do cheese consistently) makes me feel like i can't get enough.  and i had the same problem.  i bought some hemp protein (thought i'd mix it up as i like raw hemp seeds sometimes) for smoothies.  and beans and tofu kill me too!  baking w/ quinoa is the bomb- i'm using 8 eggs and 4 cups of quinoa to make cakes today for a tea party tomorrow.  one will have almond and quinoa flours in it, so i figure even my baking will help out.  w/ my first pregnancy i couldn't stomach meat or dairy.  i made date/almond/coconut balls and ate those throughout.  my husband freaked out b/c i wasn't eating meat (and he swore his mom's high protein diet in pregnancy was why he was so smart, then he found out they couldn't afford/didn't buy meat and ate a bunch of soy flour in their breads and that was the high protein, he's never brought it up again).  i got tired of quinoa (except in curries, stir-fries, and baked goods)- but loving these recipes-

http://thebendytreerecipes.blogspot.com/2011/04/chocolate-chip-scones-made-with-almond.html  (just ground the whole almonds in the blender and used the coarser flour- awesome)

http://www.elanaspantry.com/carrot-cake/

http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2010/11/09/gluten-free-chocolate-quinoa-cake/  -for a grown-up treat, replace the milk w/ coffee.  i use water, no flavor difference.  and i vary the fats to what i have on hand....

http://comfybelly.com/2011/11/pumpkin-bread-2-0/#.UHiPFsXA-8c

http://www.threenewleaves.com/recipes/paleo-banana-bread/

the 2nd to last recipe is AWESOME.  i've been doing butternut squash and a little lighter on the maple syrup (i never follow recipes) w/ homeground almonds, and the fiber helped so much lately and i've felt better w/ some baked goods.... though i think they may have contributed to a growth spurt if not for the baby, for the rest of me....

so i've got a few treats that have protein.... but since i don't do a GD test, i try to avoid most sweetened things on a daily basis.....