Introductions - Page 5 « Back to Group Discussions

[vegrunr]

Hello everyone!  I am Christa, mom to Eli 28 months and married to David since 6/2006.  I am 29 and will have the baby just before I turn 30 in November.  I thought I would be ready to start trying again this past summer but got very anxious about doing it all over again and waited.  My husband and I never seem to be on the same page about when/if we wanted another one except one night in late December and BAM!  I'm pregnant.  So yeah, crazy but exciting.  It seems like the baby will be due about 2 weeks after my son turns 3.  I work part-time 8 months a year at a local college as an Academic Counselor for students with disabilities.  I love my job and the balance of working 20/hours week with summers off and being home with Eli the rest of the time.  I plan to homeschool once the kiddos are school-age but with that being said I am checking out preschools for next fall.  I think I'll need those few mornings a week with baby #2 around.  I had a wonderful pregnancy with my first, very few uncomfortable symptoms and LOVED being pregnant.  Hoping for that this time around as well.  

Edited by vegrunr - 1/15/13 at 12:45pm

[esenbee2]

Hello! 

DSp (Dear Spouse) and I are expecting baby #2, EDD -September 20.  Our DD is 4 and will turn start kindergarten and turn 5 shortly before the baby is born.  We didn't want much of an age gap, so we're excited that our TTC didn't take any longer!

We did an insemination at home with using an anonymous frozen donor.  It was our first try after taking a break from trying 4 cycles last year.  We are so happy!!!  DD also was extremely happy and got the cutest cheesy smile when we told her!  DSp's family is extremely happy.  We don't think mine will be though, so we haven't told them yet.

So far, at 4 weeks, I have extreme breast tenderness at night, mild food aversions (to foods I absolutely LOVE!  ), and mild nausea when I eat too much or get too hungry.  Never had such strong symptoms or such early symptoms with DD's pregnancy.

[Tron]

Hi everyone! I'm Beckie (30). I'm about 5 weeks pregnant (edd about Sept. 20th). This pregnancy is a bit of a surprise as I had a miscarriage in early December and my period never returned, instead I got a positive test!

I have 3 beautiful children 2 DS's from my first marriage Alex (12) and Cassidy (9) and one DD with my current DH Emie (18 months). I have had one medicated hospital birth, one unmedicated hospital birth, and one home birth. We are planning another home birth this time. :)

I pretty overwhelmed at the prospect of having 4 kids. I'm excited too. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you here!

[SparklingGemini]

Hello all!

I'm completely stunned to be here!  My DD is 5.5 and my DS is 10 months. I have PCOS and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss syndrome, so I'm hoping for a sticky baby.  I have a good feeling about things this time around though.  :-)

While we were definitely wanting more kids, I was NOT expecting it to happen when my DS was so young still.  I completely admit to being overwhelmed and a bit nervous about having two under two.

Congratulations to you all!
 

[dakipode]

Hello ladies,
I'm finally ready to join. I've been following along with this DDC until I had confirmation that my blip was in the right place after having an ectopic in November 2012.
I'm 34 and expecting #1. We waited a long time to TTC and then that took longer than we wished but now I'm hopeful that we'll get a take home baby in September, basically this one is due two months after the first one was due. I was surprised to get a BFP so soon, with only one tube and without medication so I'm hoping that means it's meant to be.
I look forward to getting to know you all!

[happybunny]

Originally Posted by beep 

I'm 38, DH is 44, and our son just turned 3. I am 5w0d today, due 9/17, after trying for about a year. We had a first trimester miscarriage before our son. Given that experience plus our ages, I'm trying to be cautious in my expectations for this pregnancy--though I am very pleased and hopeful! I am a doctor in training so I work really long, sometimes weird hours. I have some health problems that make my pregnancies high risk. Last time I had a beautiful, emotionally connected vaginal delivery by a perinatologist in a hospital setting with a lot of specialists and equipment at the ready that we thankfully didn't turn out to need. I'm hoping for a similar experience this time, though I'm starting over with a new high-risk OB group because we've moved since last time.

beep, were you in the December 2009 DDC? I was and your username and story sound very familiar.

[Bromache]

Hi everyone!

My name is Kerry, and I'm a 35-year-old SAHM to my two boys, five and three. I was in the middle of trying to figure out what to do with my life to get back into school or the workforce next fall, when my youngest starts school, but I guess I'll be staying at home for a while longer now! This baby wasn't exactly planned, but is not unwelcome either. We hadn't made a final decision on whether or not we were done having children, though we were leaning towards stopping at two. Sometimes fate has other plans. ;)

My EDD is September 21st. I'm pretty clockwork and textbook for my cycles and pregnancies, so I won't be surprised if the baby arrives very close to that date. That puts me at exactly 5 weeks along today, and so far my symptoms have been slight. Some nausea/queasiness, round ligament pain, tiredness, and as of today, sore breasts. I'm really, really hoping I won't get as sick this time around, but experience tells me it's coming. Not looking forward to that! Otherwise, I have pretty good, healthy pregnancies with not much to complain about after the first trimester. Knock on wood, this one will be the same.

It's been a long time since I've been on the mothering boards, but I found them an invaluable resource for babyhood questions. There aren't many attachment/natural parenting forums out there, and I certainly found none as great as this one! We're totally into homebirthing, breastfeeding, cloth-diapering, baby-wearing, and co-sleeping around here. Hoping for a third homebirth, second time in water, if all the cards fall into place. :)

Aside from my parenting interests, I'm an avid reader and web surfer. I like to craft occasionally. I enjoy movies and tv, when I get a chance to watch anything other than kids' shows. Just started going to the gym in September after a lifetime of laziness, and surprisingly enjoying that! I'm not sure how that's going to change over the next few months, but so far I'm just taking things a bit easier.

Anyway, it's good to be here and I look forward to sharing all the ups and downs of this journey with all of you! It's an exciting ride!

[CookAMH]

Hi everyone. Thanks to all those who have gotten the DDC going!

I'm Alicia and live in Seattle. This is my third pregnancy & birth, and my son is about 3 3/4 and my daughter is about 21 months. Both have April birthdays and will be about 4.5 and 2.5 when the baby is born.

I love cooking, especially nutrient dense food and flavorful food, and our family works to incorporate traditional foods as much as we can financially and time-wise. My husband is a pastor of a small church across the street. This birth will, Lord willing, be my second HBAC. I hope I don't tear as much this time, and that's my main concern this birth. I'd love it to go a little slower than last time!! (2 hrs total).  I also enjoy sewing and have made quite a few cute tote bags.  I just finished a big DIY kick and am happy that's past now that I'm focusing on this pregnancy.

[intownmom]

Hey y'all!  I've been married to DH since 2007.  We have a 17 month old son, so this is # 2 for us.  I had been using NFP and charting to avoid.  However, the one day we got alone time in December happened to be a fertile day for me.  We agreed to go for it since we don't get date nights very often, and....I got a BFP 16 days later!  This was the first pp egg, so we figure it was meant to be.  I'm a little nervous about having kids 25 months apart; I know it's not THAT close, but it's closer than I had envisioned.  But I'm very, very excited as well.  I relied on mothering forums so much when I first had my son, and I can't wait to learn even more this time around.

[mattie426]

Hello!

I am glad to have found a group of intelligent, self educating women. I was beginning to despair while browsing other boards. I just don't think I would have a lot in common with, or find much benefit in a group of women who are almost all surprised to be pregnant after using "pulling out" as their primary form of birth control.

I am also in the Portland area! This is my first, and I'm due (according to the online tools) September 21st. I have been married to my DH for 1.5 years/together 3.5. I am an optician, but plan to " go on maternity leave" and not come back. DH works in IT. We have a lovebird and an 18 year old cat. We are doubtful the kitty will be around when the baby gets here, and as sad as it is, it is also a little bit of a relief. I know she would be great with a baby, but she is pretty high needs, and, well, one less "baby" crying all night long....

My situation is also a bit out of the ordinary, because DH has two children (8 and 11) from a previous marriage. While that in itself is not uncommon, the ongoing, long distance custody battles that continue after 5 years are. All he wants is to see and speak to his kids (his ex has blocked his access for a full year now). All she wants is $2500 a month plus any additional money she requests from him, and for him to otherwise have no contact with her or the kids. Needless to say, he is very excited to have a baby he will be involved with!

We have been thinking for a while about where we want to have a baby, and have not been quite able to decide. Because of insurance stuff, we decided to tentatively go with OHSU. I scheduled the first round of appointments, and promptly felt committed and trapped. DH kindly reassured me that no one is gong to break into the house, and drag me to appointments if I change my mind. One of the midwives at OHSU also does home birth, so I am going to give her a call through her other practice, and set up a time to discuss both options, if we can change mid-stream, but continue care with her, etc.

Symptoms so far.... I had kinda given up charting for December, and wasn't really thinking about pregnancy, so I thought I was coming down with the tummy bug that was going around work. Tired, some nausea. Then it occurred to me that there was another possibility! I have been pretty crampy and had some spotting, but those seem to be letting up. My low back is still bothering me though, so I'm going to try the chiropractor next week. I am also finding that my boobs object to stomach sleeping lately.

Thanks for reading my little book. Thanks for being here, and congratulations to you all!!

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by kmarie8284 

Hi Ladies!

I'm Kristen and I'm 28. This will be baby #3 for us. Due date is somewhere around Sept. 18th or 19th. We weren't trying, but we weren't preventing either ;).  I have a little girl who is 3 1/2 and a little boy who is 18 months. They were exactly 23 months apart so I'm excited to have the extra 4 months or so spacing. Maybe I'll actually be able to get little boy partially potty trained before the baby comes! (Maybe...)

I had the first two at an awesome free standing birth center in our area, so we'll be going with that again.

As far as symptoms, just round ligament pain (always my first tip off), mild crampiness, and I'm HUNGRY! Oh, and also crying at the drop of a hat. So, far pretty much like my last two. I usually don't start getting sick until six weeks or so.

My first two are 23 months apart also, except the genders are switched. I'm hoping my DD (20 mo) will be ready to potty train this summer. My son wasn't ready till a few months before three, so good luck with doing it at 2. :-)

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by SuzieSmiles 
I've been really hungry but about halfway through my meals I get really full and force myself to finish and sometimes feel a little nauseous afterwards.

That's been me for three pregnancies so far, during the first trimester!

[beep]

Originally Posted by happybunny 

beep, were you in the December 2009 DDC? I was and your username and story sound very familiar.

Yes, that was me. I remember you too. Fun to have babies together again.

[seattle mama]

Hey mamas! My name is Julie. I am an architect on sabatical doing the SAHM gig for a few years. I'm 38 so technically an older mommy but whateva. I feel great! I'm 6 weeks along now with baby #3. A bit of a surprise for our family. DS is 3.5yo and DD is 18 months. So having 3 kids under 5 will be a challenge for me.

I will birth at home with midwives with as little intervention as possible. My pregnancies are really normal no hassle. My midwives tell me I am very "efficient" at birth. Um yea, fast natural drug free births. I LOVE giving birth. However pregnancy has always been less romantic. I'm hoping to fulfill some desires of embracing this one more. It will be my last baby for sure.

What else? I'm going gluten free this pregnancy. Trying to elimate all inflammation for me and baby. We are otherwise normal organic, free range bla bla bla eaters.

I am looking forward to getting to know you all and sharing this amazing journey.

[haurelia]

Hi all!  Just joining you all...
I'm Heather, and I live in Upper Michigan near Lake Superior with my husband of 6 years and our newly 4 year old son.  I'm 35 and, if all goes well, will squeak this baby out before my 36th (!) birthday in October.  I'm "due" September 23rd. We've tried for 18 months for this pregnancy; I have PCOS symptoms and a cystic ovary but not all blood values were tested by the OB who did some testing for me when TTC was taking so long.  I made some lifestyle changes while TTC the last few months (low glycemic eating, taking a supplement called inositol to decrease insulin resistance, lost 15lbs) and ta-da! I'm trying to get more info about being pregnant with PCOS, so anybody who can chime in on that please let me know! 

I am an OB RN working a contingent job in our tiny community hospital. I work 2-4 shifts a month, but sometimes no shifts a month! I don't plan to work beyone 28-30 weeks or so, and I won't return after the baby is born (at least not until future baby is weaned). I'm also newly certified as an IBCLC and have been slowly working toward setting up a very very simple private practice.  Mostly, I am a SAHM, which I love. 

I'm also a pretty boring pregnant person (last time, anyway).  So far, no issues other than feeling a bit tired and sore breasts.  I get occasionally crampy.  I guess I'm 5 weeks in, so there's still a lot to be seen! I plan to give birth at home again, although midwifery options are very limited in our area, with the closest CPM about 2.5 hours away.  There are 2 other DEMs that I'm aware of (both are at a distance of at least 1.5-2 hours), but haven't met with anyone yet.  I'm thinking that I'm going to get some concurrent care with the OB practice that I work with to give me the ability to have an anatomy scan (for my peace of mind) and a smooth transfer should one become necessary...we'll see, though, as I don't know if they'll even work with me if I'm planning a home birth, and I don't want to lie.  My last labor was 7 hours start to finish at just shy of 37 weeks.  I'm hoping to keep this baby inside longer this time, to avoid a lot of the breastfeeding issues we had last time. 

Here's hoping everyone has a sticky bean, and a happy, healthy pregnancy! 

[amanda bee]

Hi my name is Amanda.I am 38 & a grad student (studying counseling and school psychology (areas of interest are multicultural and feminist counseling and trauma work) I will be done in May!!!! I also have a MA in education. I currently travel between Canada (where I am from & attend university) and the Pacific north west: Eugene (where we own a business and my DH lives). It is fantastic to see so many PDX and PNW mama’s here!!!!

My DH & I have been best friends for 15 years and married for 12. We have an 11 yr old DS (who is with me in Canada) and I also have a 16 yr old SD, and 18 yr old SS (who live with my DH in PNW).  I am so incredibly excited to move back permanently in May.

It has been 11 years since I was last pregnant…I am kind of freaked out, and although I had a vaginal birth I was considered high risk (I miscarried twins at 25 weeks three years before). My last pregnancy was highly medicalized (constant testing for everything & incredibly invasive). I was completely stressed out and my son’s birth was long & traumatic (epidural, 18 hours of back labour, vacuum & episiotomy, & the cord was wrapped around his neck 2 times) BUT in the end I had a healthy, happy amazing son. I was (and continue to be) an AP. I cloth diapered, extended breastfed, baby wore, co-slept, etc. and plan to do so with baby 2.

This time around I am opting for midwifery care (actually 2: one in Canada for pre-natal care and one in PNW for last trimester care & delivery). Has anyone here “transferred” or moved half way through pregnancy?

My EDD is 9/26/13 (I am almost 5 weeks). Right now I always feel hungry, gassey, and exhausted. My breasts are super tender & I am slightly crampy (and had mild spotting 5 days ago when I found out I was pregnant)…plus I am going through serious caffeine withdrawal …i miss my morning lattes!

Edited by amanda bee - 1/24/13 at 7:59am

[henmama]

Hi, my name is Emily and am just joining the board. My hub and I have a 21 month old son. Looking forward to welcoming the 2nd bundle around Sept. 21st! We live in Portland. My last pregnancy went well except that I had horrible SPD the entire time and it still hurts now. I am hoping it does not get as bad this pregnancy. We gave birth in a hospital with a midwife team but this time we're looking at going to a free standing birth center. I am looking forward to getting the water birth we weren't able to have last time.

I am pursuing becoming a lactation consultant and am currently a breastfeeding peer counselor. Still nursing my 21 month old all the time....he doesn't show any signs of being interested in weaning any time soon.I love being a mama and can't believe we're having another. even though this was planned, I'm still pretty nervous about transitioning from 1-2.

Anyway, looking forward to getting to know everyone in the next year!

[chlorita]

Hi, my name is Mandi and am pregnant with our 4th child (due around 9-21).  My DH and I have been married for 13 years and we have a 9 yo DD, 6 yo DS and 2 yo DS.  We homeschool our kids and are home managers in a group home for adults with developmentally disabled adults.  Life is so very busy and I am nervous how this will all work out with a newborn around.

My first birth was by c-section due to failure to progress but I have had VBACs with both of the boys.  I am hoping for another VBAC in September.

[laura2106]

Hola! My name is Laura. Im 26 and a first time mom! Excited and scared with no clue as to what expect during this whole process.

Im due at the end of September, havent had my first Drs appt. My husband and I run a Mexican restaurant. I still havent decided wether i would like to be seen by a dr or a midwive. Im a pretty healthy person but just as some of you im scared of the weight gain, but as long as it is a healthy baby all is well! 

Peace, love and God Bless your prenancy's!

[joanatron]

Hi All, 

I'm due with my first sept 2.  i'm a massage therapist.  We are planning a home birth. We have 2 dogs and three cats.  Things have been pretty intense with the morning sickness, headaches, and cramps so far and I'm excited to have that go soon! We just told our parents the news and the first thing out of my mom's mouth was,'are you getting married?' lol.   cheers