Weekly Chat Jan 1-8 - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[spughy]

Originally Posted by Melany 

I'm still meeting with the hospital birth MW at 1:15. Not sure if I should take my sick little girl, but I want my husband there, too. Maybe I'll be one of the mom's who hands her 7 year old her iphone with some headphones. Ugh! I just don't think it's kind of me to bring my sick daughter while this woman is going to be around newborn babies.

If it makes you feel any better, I once lugged a laptop and headphones to a MW appointment - for my 7-year-old - when she was home sick from school.  I stuck her in a corner and made her watch a tv show.  Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.  Pregnant ladies and babies are going to be exposed to germs all over - probably the grocery store is way way worse than an otherwise clean MW office when you've been careful not to let your sicko handle anything.  I'm sure your karma is good enough to get away with that sort of thing once in a while anyway.

Scruffytoo - JEALOUS if you get bear at your MW's!!!  Yum.  Next to caribou it's my favourite meat, if it's done well.

beautifulnm - I know all about the "bad fish" cravings and I found this article very helpful.  And I just eat peanut butter out of the jar.  I know it's not strictly paleo - it's a legume - but I don't seem to have any issues with it and if you get the really good kind (the Maranatha smooth, salted is the best!!!) you really don't need any jam with it because it's naturally quite sweet.  One spoonful isn't going to do much to your blood sugar.

AFM I went to the gym this morning... sigh.  January is always such a PITA.  The weight room wasn't bad - and I was happy to be sharing the heavy-lifting stations with another woman for once! - but the stretching area was packed and there were no mats available.  People, people - you go to the gym to DO STUFF, not hang out on the mat doing vaguely yoga-like things and staring at the ceiling.  You can do that at home.  I did pushups without a mat and I hope I made some of the mat-hogs feel bad. Nothing like a 6-months-pregnant woman doing full military-style pushups (granted, with a slightly diminished range of motion, lol) to make someone hogging a mat for 15 minutes of gentle calf stretches feel bad.  And no, that's not consistent with the Y's "everyone's awesome" policy and I don't care.  I'm a grumpy January gym rat.  I could have had a nearly full range of motion on those pushups if I'd had a mat.  Grrr.

[chocolatechip]

Lots of chatter in the last couple days!

melany, I'm glad you had a conversation with your midwife. It does sound like the phone issue isn't really her fault, but the cancelled appointments is still a pretty big deal. I understand why you're nervous, and I hope you either really like the hospital midwife, or that you can communicate with your current midwife about how you need to trust that she will make the birth!

beautifulnm, sorry to hear you had to change your plans for a VBAC, but it sounds like you've done it in such a way that it feels like the right decision, and that's the most important thing! As for fish, you didn't mention tuna in your list, but if you do miss tuna, I'd recommend seeing if you can find the Wild Planet brand (if you don't eat it that often, it's affordable :)). http://www.wildplanetfoods.com/Highest-Omega-3-and-Low-Mercury.html They are really high in all the good-for-you omega-3s, and low in mercury. If you don't have to have albacore, their skipjack tuna is extra low in mercury, and is really good! Their sardines are also super tasty, and sardines are really good for you. 

Chapsie, that sucks that you are still sick! I hope the sinus infection passes quickly (does it ever?).

scruffy, I thought at first maybe getting to eat "bear" was a typo, until spughy got so excited. I have gotten to eat moose and seal in Canada (Newfoundland), but bear seems pretty exotic! What does it taste most like? Also, let us know how the meeting with your supervisor went. Hopefully she actually understands while she was out of line, and doesn't just go through the motions.

spughy, I know what you mean about the gym in January. I really like going to the exercise classes, and it's always frustrating in January and February, when suddenly it's all crowded!

As for me, I got hit with a cold Wednesday night that has me pretty miserable. I hardly slept that first night, and couldn't yesterday much either, because I was just so congested. But with enough liquids yesterday, and steam, and the neti pot, it started getting better. Then I decided to take a bath with a little tea tree oil in it, because the tea tree has been helping me breathe better, and that turned out to be a horrible idea. Apparently my skin doesn't like tea tree oil on it, even when it's only a few drops in a big tub of water, because I was just starting to enjoy getting covered over in warm water when I noticed my thighs suddenly started feeling itchy, and the next thing I knew, I was standing up because my entire legs and butt were all itching and getting red! Commence draining the tub, turning on the shower, and soaping and rinsing off several times, which helped with the itching but didn't satisfy the warmth/steam intention of the bath, because by then I'd used up most of the hot water. It was not the best day ever.

On the other hand, a friend recommended the "wet sock trick," wherein you make sure your feet are warm, then put on thin cold wet cotton socks, and then thick dry wool socks over them, and get into bed, and it makes your body work harder to warm up your feet and therefore kickstarts your immune system a bit, so by the time a few hours go by and you've dried out the socks, it's helped clear out some of your congestion. And it totally worked. 

So today I can breathe a little better, though my voice sounds like a frog and my cold is settling into a cough already. Sorry for all the sick talk - I always feel a little pathetic when I'm sick, but I feel like it's much worse when I'm pregnant! 

[LightForest]

Originally Posted by Tear78 

Originally Posted by MPsSweetie 

I love reading how everyone's doing, I just don't feel chatty this pregnancy. Hmmm. Maybe I'm just exhausted with the other kids, my brain turns off when I finally get some quiet.
But I'm always here lurking...

Me too.

Me three (four?)... Will try to be more sociable now that holiday festivities are behind me

[maydaymom10]

melany  - you do what you have to do. DS comes with me to each MW appt I have. Albeit he hasn't been sick, but I just do my best and yes - I had to bust out the iPad to "entertain" him during the last appointment. It happens, probably too often in my case, but I don't think anyone's going to judge you for that. And remember that everyone else with a kid in that waiting room is also a mom and has "been there, done that". It's survival sometimes. :)

Originally Posted by spughy 

AFM I went to the gym this morning... sigh.  January is always such a PITA.  The weight room wasn't bad - and I was happy to be sharing the heavy-lifting stations with another woman for once! - but the stretching area was packed and there were no mats available.  People, people - you go to the gym to DO STUFF, not hang out on the mat doing vaguely yoga-like things and staring at the ceiling.  You can do that at home.  I did pushups without a mat and I hope I made some of the mat-hogs feel bad. Nothing like a 6-months-pregnant woman doing full military-style pushups (granted, with a slightly diminished range of motion, lol) to make someone hogging a mat for 15 minutes of gentle calf stretches feel bad.  And no, that's not consistent with the Y's "everyone's awesome" policy and I don't care.  I'm a grumpy January gym rat.  I could have had a nearly full range of motion on those pushups if I'd had a mat.  Grrr.

Good for you!! I've been so bad about this! And the January gym traffic is not helping my motivation. I've been doing some workouts in my basement instead (we have a full set of weights - unfortunately the rower & I aren't compatible right now. It will die down soon :)

AFM - nothing new to really report. DH & I finished our Hypnobirthing class last night. Now I just need to practice the techniques if I think I'm going to use them during labor. I also got a nice surprise check for the prenatal yoga classes that I'm teaching. I was really just teaching them until the baby comes as a favor to the woman who owns the pregnancy center. But, we had a ton of mamas sign up for the class series and so I got a lot more money than I was expecting. I am not complaining. I'm sure I can find something to spend it on. :) I'm still in a bit of disbelief that I'm hitting 32 weeks this week. I finally went through DS's old clothes and it looks like there are plenty of GN outfits for this new little girl & that I won't have to get much save for some basic white onsies & t'shirts. This doesn't mean that I won't buy her a few more outfits. 

Overall feeling good, but definitely pregnant. The belly is HUGE and sleeping is a challenge, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Now I'm off for a breakfast feast of pancakes and bacon. Yum!

[SamSarah]

Originally Posted by MPsSweetie 

I love reading how everyone's doing, I just don't feel chatty this pregnancy. Hmmm. Maybe I'm just exhausted with the other kids, my brain turns off when I finally get some quiet.
But I'm always here lurking...

Ditto

[scruffy too]

Melany - sounds like a fairly positive appointment - good for you for holding the tears back! 

On that note, I canceled my meeting with my supervisor and Harassment Prevention...  I don't know how it started, but I ended up crying for the whole 45 minute drive into town.  DP was getting a tad concerned at this point, told me to cancel which I was completely against.  We met a friend at Timmie's and I felt fine - in fact, I felt a bit silly for being so emotional earlier which strengthened my resolve to keep my meeting.  I dropped off DP and DSS where they were going to play Nerf Gun Warrior at an indoor gym and was basically hysterical by the time I got to the building where my meeting was.  I sat outside for a few minutes trying to get it together, but felt like I was hyperventilating (probably not, but it felt like I was probably upsetting the baby by being so upset) so I called and canceled with 8 minutes to spare.  I was fairly disappointed in myself.  And I really don't know why I was so emotional.  This guy's actions, while completely inappropriate, are only a drop in the bucket of the big picture, and don't particularly mean much to me.  I think every time I think about him, I think about the big picture, and that's what gets me upset.  But jeepers!!!  I wish I could control myself for 10 minutes and get this over with!!!!!!!!!!!

C.Chip - I've only had bear a couple times (sausage).  And I'm not much of a meat connoisseur...  (As in, it all kinda tastes the same, and that taste isn't great to me.)  It's gamey, I guess... And quite heavy. 

[writermama12]

Hi Mamas, I didn't have time to read through all that has been going on in this thread but I wanted to update about the death in the family. I didn't end up bringing my LO. I did bring my 11 yo though because he was very close with my step-dad. My mother has had a very hard time adjusting and I had to support her through two panic attack/nervous breakdowns which I've never had to do before, and through her not eating or sleeping, which have been challenging obstacles. This has been an incredibly tiring week and I was teary all day from exhaustion and probably from a bit of resentment for not feeling appreciated for all that I've been doing around the house and also because I wanted to help in other ways and i feel like I've been brushed aside because I'm pregnant. I get the cooking, cleaning, shopping, and errands. I am glad to help and to keep my little sister company, but I really thought I would play a larger role in helping my mother manage all of her messy and chaotic finances and bills, a job that has been delegated to my step-brothers. 

Anyway, I did buy good whole food since this house is only stocked with processed junk food and I am beginning to feel better as a body, despite eating a bit of sugar every day so far. I think the hardest part of all of this is knowing that although I can foresee her struggling to survive because she is unwilling to downgrade her lifestyle, I cannot do anything about it and will have to live with the fact that down the road, maybe not too long from now, she may come knocking on my door for help and I will have to say no and I will feel immense guilt for abandoning my mother. But I cannot support irresponsible spending on luxury and her constant neglect of necessities. 

I am trying my hardest not to argue with her although she is looking for a scapegoat for her anger and sadness. Truth is that I can't stand to be around her for more than two days and she is MORE confrontational now than before. Sheesh. I wish she'd just let me help and leave me alone without having to make me do everything her way which is usually what I fundamentally disagree with. 

[scruffy too]

Writermama -   Sounds like you're doing an excellent job of helping your mother during this difficult time!  Perhaps when the dust has settled she'll be more willing to discuss the future and think about downsizing.  Kudos for remembering to take care of your health during the chaos.

[delilahbeau]

Sending love your way writermama, it sounds like you are doing a great job. Death is so hard and dealing with and confronting our parents faults on top that is beyond what I think anyone is capable of dealing with at the same time. I know how hard it is to deal with my mother, she in her 60's and trying to run a 500 acre alphalfa farm along with her paint horse breeding program. She has over 25 horses and it is just too much.....but trying to get her to look at the situation from a realistic stand point is impossible. If something was to happen to her, my sister and I would be in a world of hurt trying to figure out how to take care of everything. It is daunting and overwhelming to say the least i mean she is my mother not my child......uuuuuug

[Melany]

Writermama: I'm sorry for your mom. It sounds like she really needs you right now, but what a tough situation. I hope 

Scruffy: Sorry about the appointment with your supervisor. I've had the days where I can't keep the tears in. I hope you're able to talk to this supervisor when you feel up to it and make a positive change for your office. It's such a pain that you've had to go through this and it's been going on for way too long.

AFM: It is official, I couldn't have had food poisoning. My daughter got sick, Thursday and was about 80% better on Friday. We thought she was better on Saturday when she'd been fine by the end of the day Friday and took her to the opening day of ski lessons yesterday morning. Not so much fun for me to just watch this year, but the kids had a blast. At least the ski school has a dedicated lodge, so I got to sit with a smaller group of parents than the normal public lodge. She had a good time and absolutely no indication of having been sick. Middle of the night, she lost her cookies. She was so mad at being sick. It was hard not to laugh when she was sitting there after her tummy stopped giving up it's contents, "I had such a wonderful day and now I'm having a HORRIBLE night," which she would emphasize with a big stomp of her foot. Poor girl, I couldn't have agreed more. I think our mistake was stopping for pizza in Roslyn (best pizza I have had on this coast of the US) which we tend to do a few times during the ski season. She drank a big glass of milk at the restaurant which I had been keeping away from her and I think it was too soon for dairy. I wish I'd thought about that when she ordered the milk. She's been fine today, but I've been careful to only give her tummy-gentle foods. Some oatmeal with apple sauce for breakfast, bananas and apple sauce for lunch. Might make something with rice for dinner.

[cabbitdancer]

So... I am finally home from California and extremely limited internet access (My mom lives in a "hole" in the mountains, and her internet line has been disabled. I could check e-mail, but I haven't been able to keep up with y'all for THREE WEEKS! It's been so hard! ;) ) It feels good to finally catch up, though it's a lot to process and respond to.

We drove. My husband and daughter were both miserably ill the whole way out. I lucked out and only got a little bit of whatever they had. I got to see family that I haven't seen in a couple of years, though I didn't really get to see any of my friends, which was a bit of a bummer. We did, however, stop at the Grand Canyon on the way home. It was breathtaking, and every time I turned back to look at it, I'd tear up. Simply amazing. An experience I will never forget. We went back later that night to see the stars over the canyon, too. They were so bright and beautiful. It was very exciting.

We took my daughter to see The Hobbit. She LOVED it, as we expected. I'd love to read the book to her, but she's just starting to get into chapter books. Maybe in another couple of years. :)

I just wanted to respond to a couple of posts that really stuck out for me:

writermama -- I'm so sorry for your loss. I saw your post about your step-father and I almost burst into tears. The holidays have been something of a rollercoaster ride for us, with my husband's grandmother and then my aunt passing, but I couldn't imagine how it would be if my step-father passed. It is good that you can be there for your mother, and I hope your presence helps to ease her grief.

beautifulnm -- I am sorry that you are having to change your plans, but it is good to hear that you are comfortable with the change.

Melany -- Glad to hear you're feeling better. That's pretty scary stuff. I hope you can resolve the issues with your midwife. That sort of situation would make me nervous as well and it is something that I would address with her, if only to understand why things are going the way they are, that I might be able to make a decision moving forward on whether she is appropriate for me or not.

It's hard to believe that I'm 30 weeks along, and yet, that positive pregnancy test feels like it happened so very long ago.

I've missed you guys!

[scruffy too]

Welcome home Cabbit!!!  We've missed you, too!

(Fantastic desciption of the Grand Canyon, you make it sound like someplace I need to see one day.)