"Weekly" Chat thread ~ Jan 10th-19th « Back to Group Discussions

[jodieanneanton]

Here's the new chat thread! :D  

I set the dates up for just past longer than a week so we can get back on a Sunday-Saturday schedule!!! 

The holidays are over and (hopefully) everything has settled down and no one else gets sick!!! :D

Let's Chat!

[babytoes]

Hi Everyone...

I have been keeping up with you all by reading through the board before passing out at night. Unfortunately I haven't found much time to post (thank you Jodie! You're a life saver by keeping the board moving!!  I really appreciate you!) It's been a crazy week around here. I found a job, working for the next six weeks at Vermont Teddy Bear for their Valentines season. I am pretty excited about it, it will get me out of the house and around adults (gulp! Whats an adult?) and I may even make some good connections for in the future. The best part is I can car pool with DP, so we will be saving lots in gas. It is very strange to be working again, I haven't worked in over a year, the whole routine of it (getting up and getting ready, car pooling) is sort of nice, although a bit tiring. I'm 33 weeks tomorrow and I'm tired just getting out of bed!

We have all been pretty lucky ((KNOCKING ON WOOD LOUDLY!!!)) and no one has gotten sick around here. Peyton got a fever a few weeks back but it was only a 48 hour thing, and he seemed to kick it pretty easily. I keeping my fingers, toes and arms crossed that we don't get any flu or stomach bug. I also have been doing a lot of preemptive measures, giving large doses of Vit C, Echinacea, and zinc everyday, hopefully it will keep things at bay.

Last weekend I sort of had a melt down. DP and I were suppose to take off for New Hampshire to visit his brother (who I love to death! He lived with us when I first moved in with DP and we got pretty close. DP at the time was working 10pm to 8am, so BIL and I spent quit a bit of time together.) But that fell through because of family on SIL side. So we ended up doing nothing. Which would have been fine normally, but I was feeling very very couped up in the house, and was just dying to get out! Saturday I was so upset because DP didn't want to go anywhere that would end up costing us too much money (we're still recovering from Christmas), which I understand, but I just wanted to do something... anything!! I came up with a few suggestions but DP didn't want to mainly because they would involve spending money. I ended up curling up in bed and feeling very sorry for myself. DP finally pushed me to take a shower, we headed to his moms, which is always fine because I get along with her. She was baking bread in her new bread machine that we got her for Christmas, and it was so good!! I decided I needed to dig mine out from my parents basement, fresh bread is amazing! After that we spun up to his dads place (DP's parents live about a block from each other), and his dad had been drinking, and was being hilarious! He only drinks once in awhile, but he is so funny when does. He was telling stories about DP when he was younger and had me in stitches. He also insisted we name the baby Raven (which obviously he took back the very next day, lol). Also SMIL gave us a $25 gift card to a local Mexican restuarant that she got a for her birthday (she's not really into Mexican) and we went out to eat there on our way home that night.

So although we didn't really do anything or go anywhere, I did get out and it was pretty much okay. 

Hope everyone is doing well... Home stretch ladies! We're almost there!

[chocolatechip]

babytoes, congrats on the job! And on staying healthy.  

Seems like everybody's getting sick around here right now. I'm recovering from several days of a bad cold, but fortunately have been able to sleep pretty normally the last few nights, which always helps SO much, and means that even though I'm still a bit congested, I have energy again!

My husband and I had a mutual meltdown this week. I still felt like he wasn't hardly doing anything, and he felt like I never said anything nice to him (which was probably true in regards to getting things done). It spawned a good discussion, anyway, though it seems like we come back to similar issues on a regular basis, just manifested in different ways. I think the most useful thing we realized is that since he has moved his computer and stuff upstairs, we've been much more physically separated, and that's not doing us any good. I had originally wanted him to move his stuff upstairs, because it's a whole lot messier than my computer setup (he's got speakers and a mouse and cords running everywhere, whereas mine's just my laptop), and it was hard for me to have his technology stuff take up basically our whole coffee table in our living room. But then what happened is he started spending every evening upstairs, and I was still downstairs, and we lost all those little back-and-forths that happen when you're in the same room with someone, as well as just the nice feeling of being near each other. Not a good thing! So we decided for the next month I would join him upstairs in the evening, and after that when I'm super pregnant and peeing every 15 minutes and don't want to negotiate the stairs so often, he will move back down to the living room for a while. And really, I think it has already made a huge difference in us feeling closer and more positive about each other again!

[Melany]

Babytoes: Congratulations on the job! I'm glad you got to get out, even if it wasn't planned. It sounds like you ended up having a great day.

chocolatechip: We had a similar computer problem a few years back. We ended up finding an armoire type computer desk on craiglist for the kitchen (open floor plan) so someone can sit at the computer and be in the same room. This made a HUGE difference. Also, since the desk has doors, I can shut it and cover up the mess when it isn't in use. Might be something you'd like to consider. 

AFM: Feeling a little isolated and lonely, again. Blah.

[Melany]

Hello!

A friend from HS, who I really only keep in touch via FB, had her baby boy today. She was also due in March, so it sounds like today was a big surprise. Baby is doing fine, 3 lbs 8 oz. 

[ClumsySugarPlum]

Hi, everybody. I am 31 weeks and 3 days today and feeling okay for the most part. My sacrum continues to be sore, but between yoga and acupuncture I am managing. My New Year’s resolution to take care of my body is still going strong. I managed to go to aqua-natal twice and yoga once this week. I had to abstain from aqua-natal and yoga Thursday and Friday due to injuring my shoulder somehow. I think I think I must have hurt it Monday or Tuesday, and then really aggravated it in aqua-natal on Wednesday. Tried acupuncture on Friday plus acetaminophen and hot baths/ showers. Hoping to feel okay for aqua-natal on Monday.

Nursery decorating has been stalled out. I must have measured wrong or something because the fabric I bought for curtains ended up not being enough. My mom and I headed back to Jo-Ann’s today to pick out new curtain fabric for curtains and decided not to use four of the other fabrics I originally picked out because they didn’t go with the new curtain fabric. I guess we’ll just have to repurpose that fabric for outfits or something. I did end up picking out two other fabrics, however, and I’m hoping they will help strike a balance in the room between Victorian Fairy Painting and a general mid-century modern thing we have going on throughout the rest of the house. At any rate, the nursery should be less busy with fewer prints now. DH found a screaming deal on Amazon today for a faux Eames style molded plastic rocker. I’m excited to see it in the room, but a little nervous that it will feel too small for nursing. Other than those purchases, not much is happening in there. Our house came with a 1930s piano, and we won’t be able to paint until we get that out of the room. We’ve heard it could sell for several hundred dollars (yes!), but I have a hunch we’ll have to give it away just to get it out of the house (L)

The first week back at school was pretty good. I didn’t get much planning done over break, but felt really refreshed. I have managed to collaborate a little with a few teachers, which is awesome because I have to write my own curriculum. The hardest part of my job first semester (and this is a new position for me) was figuring out what was grade level appropriate and how to tie it to what the kids are already learning about to make it more meaningful. Now, to get serious about maternity plans. Ugh. I have six preps and am really not looking forward to writing detailed plans. At least I have a  date set for when my sub and I are going to go over them together to help motivate me. She is also going to shadow me one day, so that is good too.

The other big news at our house is sad news. We learned that our sweet 11 year-old springer spaniel/ terrier/ lab mix has lung cancer. We have decided to try to make him comfortable and happy with yummier food, an anti-inflammatory medicine, and a cough suppressant for now. This is the first pet for my husband and I, so figuring out how to lovingly end his time is very hard for us. I have accepted the reality of it, but imagining our life without him seems very sad and quiet. I think the saddest part of losing him is that he’s been with us through such huge transitions. We got him when I was 22 (DH was 27) and since then we have both gone back to school, started careers, lived in 6 rentals and two homes, been married, lost 5 grandparents, and welcomed a niece, nephew, and our own son into the world. Lucky for us we’ll be having another baby soon. I hope our son likes his sister more than a new puppy since we will not be getting a new dog until our finances are a bit more secure. DS talks about death regularly since he has had a little exposure to it. My grandfather, who DS had met several times, passed away on Halloween and DS attended the funerals with us. We are not religious, (well, I’m Unitarian Universalist) so we haven’t spoken to him about any concept of after-life. We are trying to frame things within a cyclical context of birth, life, death, rebirth and this seems to fit well with his background knowledge of the earth and seasons. So far, I think we’ve been able to answer his questions okay.

On that teary note, I will say good-night. I hope everyone stays healthy and warm.

[jodieanneanton]

We've been pretty quiet on the chat threads lately... I, for one, am feeling not quite myself lately.  Usually the social butterfly, things are different lately.  I am feeling distant and quiet much of the time.  I never felt like this during my other pregnancies.  I wonder what the difference is... 

Melany- I am feeling the "isolated and lonely" that you mention, even in rooms full of people I know!! :(  Not fun.  Glad tyour friend's baby is doing ok despite being born so early!

chocolatechip-  Being in the same room is so helpful for marital unity.  I am glad you two were able to figure that out in a way that works for both of you! :D

babytoes- I don't feel like I am keeping much of anything going... But, thanks.

ClumsySugarPlum- I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I hope you are able to navigate through the end days with comfort and confidence, no matter how you choose to approach them.  ((HUGS))  

AFM- Like I said, I am feeling pretty quiet lately, which is sooo unlike me.  Other than that, I am trying to figure out how I am going to navigate homeschooling DD1 with having the baby.. That's been on my mind lately.  Trying to decide if I should scrap everything but reading (she is doing 1st grade math work now despite being in K) or just take a break (a few weeks? 6 weeks?) for a while and start up full force again.  I don't know. It is overwhelming to me... I'd like to have a plan, but I also realize that I may throw it out the window... Still... Can't let go of the idea of having a plan! lol

I also have to start figuring out what I need for my homebirth and acquiring the necessities!  I have done almost no prep on that end.  I haven't even decided if I want to have a waterbirth or not this time.... Have never had one.... Don't know if I'll like it or need it...  Hmmmm.... Decisions decisions...

I am also in the middle of planning a baby shower... for my sister, not for me!  haha! So I am thinking about that, too. 

Busy busy! :D  Hope y'all are doing well!  <3

[Melany]

Originally Posted by jodieanneanton 

We've been pretty quiet on the chat threads lately... I, for one, am feeling not quite myself lately.  Usually the social butterfly, things are different lately.  I am feeling distant and quiet much of the time.  I never felt like this during my other pregnancies.  I wonder what the difference is... 

Glad to hear it isn't just me. :(

I'm actually a little freaked out for my friend. She posted pictures of her husband holding her son, but wow, he is little.

We spent the day up at the ski slope yesterday and the lodge doesn't have the most comfortable seats and my back is complaining to me about that. I knit for most of the morning and I'm about 1/2-way done with a sweater for this baby. It's pink, but it's stash yarn, so I don't feel so bad about that. It's actually almost the color of my skin, so I may have to make one of the boobie/nursing hats with some of the leftover yarn. :)

Since it was so nice outside, we ate lunch in the sunshine out on the snow. I think that, alone, did good things for my mood. Pete actually dragged a camping chair up for me because he didn't think I could get onto the ground that easily. It was super cold and once the sun dipped behind the mountains around 2pm, a lot of the kids in the school came inside. One little boy in my daughter's class was in the early stages of hypothermia.  It doesn't usually get that cold at Snoqualmie, so I think a lot of the parents hadn't dressed their kids warm enough. It was 16 degrees when classes ended at 4PM and our kids had been outside since 8:30 AM (we usually go early so the kids can ski with us, or in this case, Pete). We put dry gloves on the kids at lunch and they do go inside for hot cocoa breaks and bathroom breaks throughout the day, but I think we will put another layer on next time. Pete's on his own next week because I will be in North Seattle for a wedding. I hadn't planned on going up  to the slope in February and if next week goes well for him on his own, I don't think I'll go up, again, this season. I just don't think my back can take it. I'm a little sad about not seeing the kids ski, but relieved. I actually enjoyed talking to some of the other moms. One of the moms in the lodge doesn't normally come up, but her husband is a doctor for the Seahawks and the team is traveling right now. I really enjoyed talking to her, sadly since I don't follow football AT ALL, I just smiled and nodded for all of the football discussion, but she was super nice.

[beautifulnm]

Melany, I can relate on the discussion of football :) We were out to dinner with some friends and their parents were in from the mainland.. The father was talking to me and said something like, "oh how about ___'s record?" I do believe they thought less of me when my response was "who?" Apparently whoever it is was a big deal.

Clumsy, I'm sorry for your shoulder, curtains, and your beloved pup. It's hard to lose a pet regardless of where you are in life, but I'm sure being pregnant does not help the grief of impending loss.

AFM.. I've been getting off and on the contractions that are intense, and do require me to stop whatever it is I'm doing.. Usually I can get them to subside relatively fast and then I'm okay. Last night I really thought we were going to the hospital. I had more than the six in an hour and for more than an hour.. My mucus plug is already long gone, and I was starting to have the other symptoms like ahem, your body just deciding nothing ought to be left in your lower tract.. But no fever, not sick. Finally after a bath with some chamomile they started fizzling though I had a couple wake me up during the night.

[maydaymom10]

melany  - sorry to hear about your dog. We have a dog who is going on 12 and her health is slowly beginning to fail -- deaf, going blind, etc. We're just waiting for the day when we get news similar to yours. I hope you can keep him company during this part. 

clumsy - hope your shoulder heals up for you quick! That is always such a let down when you have momentum going (especially for exercise) and then an injury holds you back. 

jodieanne - I'm right there with you with feeling quiet and lonely. I actually had a crazy dream this morning where I was desperately trying to connect with my family about something. I have a feeling it was about the baby or maybe DS, but I'm not sure. Anyway, the dream ended with me in a fetal-type position, crying on the group and my parents & siblings left (DH wasn't in the dream) basically ignoring me. Then my mom came over, knelt down, & kissed my forehead and ask if that helped. I nodded "yes". Then I slowly woke up only to find that I was actually crying and continued to cry for about 5-10 minutes after I woke up. I think part of the continued crying had to do with the gesture from my mom in the dream. She has alzheimer's and just can't connect anymore like when I was younger, and that simple act of checking on her daughter is something that won't happen anymore. I try not to dwell on those things, but today it just made me sad. Anyway, my melancholy mood is lingering today, so I think I'll just take some time for myself and get it out of my system. I hope you start feeling a little more like yourself soon.

beautifulnm - I hope that your body gives you a break for awhile and lets you rest. It's a scary thought to be having those types of contractions so early. Try to rest & make sure you're getting plenty of hydration and protein. Sending thoughts your way.

AFM - other than my crazy dream, I'm doing OK. I'm finally getting some sleep after a rough last week, so that is helping. I've also kicked in to a nesting mode of sorts and am feeling the need to start getting organized. I ordered my birth kit last week, so at least that part is out of the way. I still need to get old towels and things for the birth, and also a handful of things for the new baby. We decided to put our basement project on hold until April or so since the contractor couldn't begin until February and is estimating 6 weeks for completion -- that just won't do. So I don't know that we'll get DS into his new room before the baby comes. It really doesn't matter since the baby will be in our room for quite some time, but now I'm trying to "organizer" where I'm going to put her stuff. I know it will all fall into place. I woke up at 5am this morning (before my crazy dream) and couldn't fall back to sleep, so I started a to-do list to help ease my mind. Also, I was supposed to do a prenatal yoga training this Friday. I ended up canceling it because my mw was hesitant about my participation in it. Now I'm thinking I should just try to do it because it isn't offered again until July and that's going to be tough with an infant. Sigh. I think the worst part of the training with be the drive & the time (hour-long drive plus full day class). I need to talk to DH about it. 

[cabbitdancer]

Melany, I hope your friend's baby does well. Tiny babies definitely freak me out, too.

Clumsy, I'm sorry to hear about the dog. It's always difficult to lose a pet, especially during times of great transition. Here's hoping his end is peaceful.

AFM. I'm tired, sore, grumpy, and I feel slightly ill. I had a bad visit with the High Risk OB on Thursday and I've been kicking myself ever since. I have to stop comparing this pregnancy to my last, but my last, I got to the end and felt like I could go for another two or three weeks. This time, I find it hard to imagine making it another nine weeks, plus. I hurt so much after a mere hour of activity that I find it hard to do my daily tasks, let alone clean up the mess we left when we headed out to California. I just want this whole ordeal, the stress over sugars, the constant appointments, the pain, and the inability to accomplish even the most simple of tasks, to be over, and yet, at the same time, I am totally freaking out over how little time we have left. We, and this house, are not ready for a newborn! I actually find myself, from time to time, wishing that we'd stopped at one, which is depressing, in turn, because I want to be able to welcome this baby with love and not resentment. I am hoping that I can find my way out of this funk...

In better news, my daughter and I are supposed to go volunteer at the local roller derby tonight. We're manning the kid's corner during the bout. It'll be good to see the ladies again and enjoy the show with my Bean.

[Chapsie]

Oh wow, Ladies!  So sorry to hear that everyone is not feeling themselves lately.  This is my first time being ::this:: pregnant in the wintertime (my others were summer babies) and I can definitely see how it is a struggle to feel my JOY every day.   It is hard.  Vitamin d3 is a HUGE help.  I can tell when I haven't taken it.... I'm not deficient at all (in fact my numbers are pretty good right now) but I still take 4000 iu/day and I really think it helps, especially since it has been so dark lately.  Good nutrition and a little exercise really will go a long way.  Praying that all of you can shake out of the funk and feel joy again.  Our pregnancies are almost over and then... believe it or not... we will miss being pregnant!   :)

Melany-- I am a newborn nurse with NICU experience and an over 30 weeker at 3 lb 8 oz will usually do very well!   The baby may take some time learning to maintain body temperature and to eat well, but I'm sure he will do fine.  Thank you for being honest about feeling isolated and lonely... I'm glad you are here!  Even though it isn't in real life, it is good to connect to other women.  Hoping you feel more yourself soon!

Clumsy-- I'm very sorry about your dog.  We had a spaniel-lab mix that we loved, and I can't imagine having to make those kinds of decisions for him (especially at such a vulnerable time, being pregnant).  I am just now starting to get into "nesting" mode and have a lot of nursery-type stuff to do, too!  Thanks for inspiring me to get cracking at that!

Beautifulnm-- so sorry about the intense contractions.  I was just thinking that statistically, it was pretty awesome that none of us had any premies or serious preterm labor scares, and then I read your post!  ACK!  Take care of yourself!  

Cabbit-- So so sorry to hear that your pregnancy has been causing so much hardship for you!   I really am hoping that the next 9 weeks fly by for you (in a good way!) and that the rest of your time will be complication and stress free!

Jodie-- I hope you feel better soon and less "distant."  I am also a social butterfly usually but tend to sink into "valleys" (can't always be on a mountaintop personality-wise!) and it is hard to climb back out.  You are always so upbeat and positive on the boards and I miss the sunshine that you bring!  I wasn't sure either if I wanted a waterbirth or not (never had one before either) but I'm really excited for it now.  When I was so sick with the flu and muscle aches, nothing felt better than a nice warm bath.  I looked forward to my daily bath so much.  It made me very excited to labor in water.  :)  

I just wanted to say how much I love our due date club.  This is my third baby and first time on MDC and it is awesome!  I feel such a wonderful sense of community with you ladies and am really hoping we can continue our chats when our new babies come!  You are all very special to me.  :)    

I am feeling pretty well lately!  I am FINALLY recovered from my horrible flu-from-hell and sinus infection, YAY!  Praise God!  I am very motivated now to CLEAN and ORGANIZE and get ready for baby!!!!   I was looking at my homebirth kit and was pleasantly surprised to see that I already have most of the items on the list (some of my friends had leftover supplies that they gave me from their births and I have access to a couple of the smaller things from the hospital).  So I have been gathering all my gear together and am starting to get really excited about giving birth!!!  We are renting a birth tub and all the accessories come with the rental, so that will be easy to gather and set up.  I'm all for things being EASY and uncomplicated.  :)   

[Chapsie]

Oh, I almost forgot... I have been having some pubic-symphysis pain.  It is very achy to walk.  Anyone else had this?  I've never had it before.  Thinking it's time to visit the chiropractor!  

[jodieanneanton]

Chapsie!  Thanks for the upbeat encouragement.  It was just what I was needing to hear.  :)  Thanks for the reminder about the Vit D.  I have been slacking on taking my supplements b/c the VitDs are gummy and if I forget to take them b4 brushing my teeth, I just don't take them.  (Actually, I have been slacking on vitamins/supplements in general lately, daily forgetting my afternoon dose! )

 I am having pubic pain as well, but it's not only in the middle, its on the outside, too (If that makes sense?).  It has been bothering me for a while... was really bad when I was moving and gets bad when I overdo it.  (Which I guess I did today bc IT HURTS!!!  I carried a clingy DD2 around Walmart...Boy was she mad when I had to put her down!!!)  I need to get to the chiro... I thought I'd be having to go often (weekly or more) by now, but honestly, other than the occasional pubic bone pain, I have been feeling great physically!  I had a lot of sacrum pain with DD1, DD2 and Papaya(my second miscarriage) starting really early (maybe 8 weeks or so!) and this time, it has not been an issue AT ALL!  I am soo grateful for that!

Does anyone have any experience with taking ACV for heartburn???  Other ailments?  I bought some and I just can't imagine (with how acidic it is) that it would help heartburn, but that is what I have heard!!!

[writermama12]

Jodie, I take raw ACV for terrible acid reflux and yes, it does work but it doesn't always work for me right away. I take it mixed with some water. This is the first time I've had to manage heartburn of this magnitude--it wakes me up in the middle of the night and can keep me awake for hours no matter how long before going to bed I ate my last meal-- and it began about a month or so ago. You can also try a handful of almonds. There are other things you can try like baking soda solution, but that is not good for digestion... so I try not to decrease my stomach acid, just manage it. You can try bitters before eating a meal to stimulate digestion as well. I am just starting that.

[chocolatechip]

melany, thank you for the computer armoire idea - something like that might be a really good idea, so that the computer could be downstairs, but all the mess covered up easily when needed.

ClumsySugarPlum, good luck with all the class preps! I'm sorry about your dog news - it sounds like he really has been part of the family for a long time now. He's lucky you gave him such a good life.

beautifulnm, yikes! I hope your body quiets things down for you. I do know a mama who went into early labor at 32(?) weeks, and went to the hospital and got whatever they can do to halt labor, and it totally quieted down and she had no more worries until 38 weeks, when she gave birth to a very healthy baby girl at home. I hope you don't end up needing intervention of some sort, but just wanted to share this positive story of someone who went through that!

maydaymom, that's definitely a crazy dream, but what a sweet gesture to get from your mother in the dream. I'm sure if she was able to be attentive to you in real life, that she would be there for you.

cabbitdancer, melany, jodieanne, I hope you can find positive outlooks again!

chapsie, I too love our due date club. It's such a good support community!

jodieanne, I've never used ACV for heartburn, but I've been loving my papaya enzymes while pregnant, and they seem to take care of both heartburn and bloating feelings...

As for me, I had a midwife appointment a few days ago, and I was measuring exactly right for my due date. But even more exciting, the baby was in an "easy position to palpate," so she showed me how to feel what part was the back, which the bottom, which the head, and where the feet were. SO so so very cool. It was also nice to find out that based on how the baby was oriented, and where I normally feel the strongest kicks, that the baby seems to be hanging out head down! Nice work, baby!

I can't remember if I said before, but I'm also starting to get some nesting urges. I am not a big decorator, but I do seem to be getting the side of nesting that involves purging stuff and organizing and cleaning. And somehow in the process I'm finding I'm less attached to keeping things that I "might use someday," so that's a big help! Just send it all off somewhere! And my husband is doing a good job of helping with things. We negotiated a to-do list where I can add things to it throughout the week, and he can either do them during the week or not (while I'm doing a bunch of stuff), but he commits to getting them done by the end of each weekend, and gets a fresh list for the following week. I try to do the larger part of most tasks (since I'm not working), but this way I don't feel like I'm having to do everything, and I can pass off the parts that are more difficult for me to do, or at least little discrete things that he can handle. We've only done it this week so far, but it seems to be working well!

[spughy]

Hey everyone.  I've been totally AWOL from the chat - sorry.  I feel like I've missed out on a bunch.

ClumsySugarPlum - sorry about your dog.  That's never easy.  I hope the last of his time with you is comfortable and as pain-free as you can make it.

Everyone who's feeling kinda blue - I hear ya.  Last week I had a day after a bad dream (DH and I were fighting in my dream - or rather *I* was yelling at him and trying to explain why something just wasn't acceptable and he just sat there with no expression - it was something that's a real issue, not one of those dreams where you're arguing about the fridge being blue or something) and I just felt so hopeless when I woke up.  I barely made it to dropping off DD at school and then on the way home I just started crying and couldn't stop for more than an hour.  Then I had to get my sh*t together because I had a lot to do that day - but it was hard.  I feel better now.  DH did something *actually* stupid this afternoon (broke a light that I had to get in Vancouver while he was installing it) but I dealt with it much more productively - I went for a long walk with a friend and our kids and I just had a good rant at her and felt much better.  DH admitted his stupidity (putting a glass light on the floor, with a bunch of other crap...I believe the exact term he used was "numb-nuts", which also gets some points for descriptive originality) and found that it broke in such a way that it can be glued back into usability, if not aesthetic perfection. 

We had a really good meeting with our doula on Friday and I'm feeling pretty good about that, and DH said this evening that he's starting to get really excited about the baby, which is nice.  It's funny that we felt so positive after the meeting because it was mostly us rehashing the hell that was DD's birth, both of us recalling bits of horror that we'd forgotten... but our doula is awesome, and so experienced, and she basically said that the chances of any of that happening again were small and we're better prepared for it now even if some of it does recur.  And we also recounted some of the very good things that happened, like DD's birth bringing me so much closer to his parents and appreciating them so much more, which was a welcome remembrance.

Jodie and Chapsie, I've been having pubic symphysis pain too but a visit to a physio (not a chiro!) helped a lot, and he showed me simple things DH can do to me to help if it starts to get bad again. (That sounds more fun than it is... it involves yanking on one leg then the other, and applying outward pressure at the knees while I use my hip muscles to counter.)  Anyway, that seemed to work.  It's still a little achy but I managed a full 5 km walk yesterday, albeit at about half the pace I did pre-pregnancy, and I walked for over an hour with my friend today, and it's not too bad.  I wish I could walk faster, but I'm okay with an amble.  Dog isn't overjoyed, but she should just be grateful she's still getting long walks and I do take her to off-leash areas as much as possible.

I have also discovered that magnesium supplements are kind of magic.  I ran out a while back and didn't really bother getting more because there's some magnesium in the multi I started taking... but I was having SO much trouble getting back to sleep after waking up and my legs would just feel WRONG, like they were too hot or not right or something.  I figured it might be some kind of "restless leg syndrome" so I decided to try magnesium supplements again and was shocked to find that after ONE dose the problem disappeared entirely!  So, that's nice!  I've never taken so many supplements and pills in my life before though - a multi, magnesium, extra iron, and probiotics... and trying to juggle which ones need food, which ones I have to take without dairy, whether I should take the probiotic on a day when I've had lots of kefir and sauerkraut... blergh.  Tricksy!  But my insides seem to be working better and I think my energy levels are getting a bit better so I guess it's all doing something. 

[babytoes]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one feeling like a lurker lately. I am usually so much more chatty, but I have been just doing a lot of reading lately, and not so much posting. I am pushing myself though, because I feel it's important for me. Considering I lost my cookies two weekends ago because I feel so alone and isolated all the time! Sometimes I wont leave the house for two days at a time, and I feel the cabin fever creeping right into my bones! Of course DP doesn't understand, although he tries to be sympathetic, he really doesn't know how it feels to stare at the same walls day after day and have no one to talk to except him (and only when he gets home from work, to boot!). I am very excited to be working now, even if it is only 20-23 hours a week, I am getting out, and that feels so good!!

Jodie & Writermama What is ACV? I don't have horrible reflux, but every time I bend over I feel it and it makes me gag! Sometimes I feel it when I lay down at night, and I worry it may get worse as I get further along. Maybe this will help?

Chapsie So glad to hear you well!! The flu sucks butt, and being preggers with the flu doubly sucks! 

Chocolatechip I love poking and prodding my baby! When I am at the MW's for appointments, I will lay down and tell them, head is here, butt is here, legs here... They think its great. I have been pushing my kids while in utero since baby #1, and it's fun. It's also very convenient to know I am not hurting anything when I push her legs and/or feet out of my ribs! Ouch baby! And kudos on babe being head down! We always love hearing that news.

Spughy I have totally been slacking on my vitamins as well. I have no idea whats wrong with me, I know I need to take them, but it seems I never think about it unless I'm in bed about to fall asleep for the night. Ugh! It's such good news that you guys are feeling good about your doula. I think that given the bad experiences from your DD birth, the first step towards having a positive experience this time is a good solid and knowledgeable doula.

AFM At my last midwife appointment, they did a urine sample, and said there was 'trace' protein. My BP is excellent (112/78) and I have no swelling yet (which is crazy!), so I am not sure what the 'trace' means. I should have asked, but it was something they said to each other not directly at me. They didn't act concern about anything, so I just didn't worry about it. But knowing my history of pre-e with #2 and 3, it's been ringing in my head. Has anyone else experienced 'trace' protein or know why it would be there? They also asked if I felt like I had a yeast infection, and I hadn't really felt like it was yeast until they mentioned it. I have been a little bit itchy, but I chalked it up to pregnancy hormones, since I don't yeast infections (unless I am on an antibiotic, then I get a really bad case). They said to get an over the counter med and to take probiotics (which I should be taking everyday anyway!). I am just curious to others experiences.

Also want to add in here... I adore our DDC!!! I feel like I know you all so well, and I spend a lot of time reading (should be posting more!) our threads!! I wish we could all meet once our little ones are all earthside! Wouldn't that be incredible? 

[SamSarah]

Chocolate Chip: thanks for the idea of asking the midwife or doula to show me how to palpate the baby (if baby is in a good position for it).  I'm rather flumaxed about how all the parts add up to a whole, and I think that would be really fun for both me and my partner. 

AFM:  We did a weekend long 'Birthing from within" prenatal class this weekend.  There was really helpful content.  But now I feel like I am ready for my weekend, and unfortunately it is Monday morning.  My partner is away for work next weekend, and originally my mom was going to come, but realizing how taxing loosing a weekend was, I asked my mom not to visit so that I could have a recovery weekend at home alone (TV, walks, puttering - little social interaction).  This upset my mom, but she's trying not to be upset.  It is always delicate negotiating with my mom.  

I'm in a strange place with work.  I love my work and all the kids I work with.  I am thrilled to hang out with them and really going to miss them over the next year (Canada has a standard year-long mat leave for anyone who qualifies for employment insurance = not unemployed/ self-employed).  I'm balancing feeling so tired and craving the break with sadness about the loss of connection I get through all my relationships at work.  I work in a parent-participatory democratic school.  I know I can go an visit lots.  Something I know about myself is that I can become very isolated unless plans are made ahead of time.  

One of the things I noticed in the prenatal class was I have been focusing so much on the birth, that I didn't think much about the early days with Babe.  Do people have resources they particularly like for addressing questions that come up with infant care.  I like to have my supports laid out in order to get the information as I need it (people, websites, services, books, etc).

Thanks for the reminder of the vitamin D!  It's only been a few weeks since the nausea has passed sufficiently for me to take pill form supplements.  It is time for some D.

Wishing everyone well.

Sam

[Chapsie]

I don't have any go-to books or websites, but you can always ask here for baby care questions! Lots of experienced mamas here! Spughy is a postpartum doula, right? And I'm a neonatal nurse and lactation consultant.