Friends Chat Thread April 29 - May 15 - Page 5

[lena_girl]

Hi ladies. I am dealing with a lot of them same you guys are. DS has gotten so clingy lately. He even wants me to carry him down the stairs. He's become reobsessed with my boobs too, not that it ever really went away, but now he acts like he wants to start nursing again.

I had my 28 week today, took the stupid GT test. The stuff didn't taste as bad as it did with DS. Still icky though.

So I have bad and good news from my appointment. I went over my birth plan with my OB and just as I thought she was fine with everything. In fact she was enthusiatic. She thought it was great that I'm getting a doula. I chose her b/c I thought she'd act this way, and I am SO GLAD I was right! My bad new is that my weight gain is WAY off track. I've gained 10 lbs. That's it. I'm 28 weeks and have gained 10 lbs! She said I'm on track to gain 16-18 lbs TOTAL. I should be gaining about 30. So anyway, the baby is measuring fine and is healthy, but I have to start coming in more often (like every 2 weeks or so) just so they can track baby's growth.

I'm looking at getting FB too. Not sure yet, depends on if family wants to help pay for it. DH's grandma wanted to know what we wanted and since we've got everything we need I said a moses basket or contribute to a diaper buying fund How many FBs does a little one need? I can't do prefolds this time, last time the comments from people on the huge butt it gave our super skinny guy drove me nuts!

I got a swimsuit from Target too, but I bought it NWT on ebay. It's a Liz Lange thing super cute retro print. Hope you find a good suit!

[ilovebeingamom]

Ketileve--I'll take your snappi's!!!! I still needed to get some, but didn't want to have to place an order for just snappis. We are trying prefolds with Bummi's wraps this time. I still have some Kushie's fitted left, but needed newborn and toddler dipes. The fitteds are really too expensive for us, so I hope the prefolds work out ok. If no one else has claimed them, let me know and I'll pm you my address.

Yes, ER sucked. Especially after JL's story of her doula client, it stuck in my head more than usual. I cried, and tried to remind myself that we can't control everything!

Does anyone else have friends/acquaintances that when you try to get some support about these clingy children, they just look at you? I am getting a little tired of everyone pretending that they are perfect parents. Just b/c I complain about my son doesn't mean I don't love him. I do, that is why I am looking for help!! He really isn't that bad, but I am sure that being pg has blown my patience as well. Anyway, ds is clingy, but since he is way too big to pick up, he touches me all day. Which is really hard b/c I am not a touchy feely person at all. I understand his need, he was slinged and held for most of his life. Now he is too big to pick up, and I can't sit all day and snuggle either. Which isn't what he wants either, I am sure. I think it is just that tough transition into more independence.

thats it for me, gotta go

[frognladybugmama]

lena, if you're measuring on track, i wouldn't worry too much about the weight gain...i've only gained about 8-10lbs at 25wks and my dr doesn't seemed concerned at all and i've had a prior pregnancy that was high risk due to IUGR/oligohydramnios, so he'd be concerned if he thought it was something yk? between now and next appt, do what they suggest for twin/multiple moms and IUGR moms - up your protein level to at LEAST 100g a day (lots of cheese, eggs, beans etc...i also drink carnation instant breakfast with a meal) also, up your water intake to at LEAST a gallon a day...the weeks i slacked off in shelby's pg, we could really tell a difference!

also, i've been a bit trigger happy at ebay and may have an extra swimsuit coming...it's a M/10 if anyone wants to buy it (both were same size)...i'll know in a few days when i get all my packages i guess lol

on the fuzzibunz, i'm reading alot where ppl like them on nb/sm babies lately on teh cd board - i'm going to use mostly fitteds w/ covers in the nb phase (i've made two doz now) and then do mostly aio's after that...i just got 5 small fuzzi's and they are the smallest, sweetest things - i didn't get any fuzzi's with jake or shelby till mediums...i'm busy sewing my small and medium stashes for ian now - i've got @14 fitteds/pockets/aios including the 5sm fb's in the small size, i am hoping to finish sewing about a dozen aio's in the next month...seems my nesting consists mostly of sewing lol!

[Bearsmama]

Ap-Gotta go check out your other thread. I took the test today and then had my blood drawn. I will not know anything until they call with results. Probably within the next week. Although with my office, no news is good news.

You've got a GREAT DH. Could he please give mine a call?? Just kidding, I just need some extra TLC lately!

[madrone]

I had an appointment yesterday with the OB. Birth certificates here MUST be signed by an OB. I presented him with a very reasonable birth plan and he barely looked at it before he said that he would not do my birth. Not like I ever planned on him doing the birth anyway, but an obstacle just the same. I had been thinking quite a bit that I would just say *oops, I thought it would take a lot longer than it did* and present myself at the hospital after the birth for all of the paperwork.

DH and I are thinking we will not be able to do the birth here. Even if we go to a different area in France, we will have problems getting a birth certificate. I'm going to ask some of the Dutch mommies about their laws. About how I could get a certificate for a UC without residency in the Netherlands or about how I could find a midwife that would do the birth in her home or someplace like that in Holland and get me a Dutch birth certificate. If I can get a valid birth certificate from another country then the French consulate in that country will have to recognize the certificate and add the baby to our family book.

Man, this is such a hazzle. But no way can I comply and have a medicalized hospital birth, which is what you get here.

[foxytocin]

Hi, Everyone! Sure love those preggo pictures...........thanks for sharing!
It's a beautiful morning and DD and DH are running errands to give me some space. Guess I must have needed it, because this feels great.
Madrone, birth certificates can be a pain in the watuski here in the US, too, if you have a homebirth. It took a local state representative's reprimand to our County Board of Health to get the ladies there to stop dragging their feet on issuing birth certificates for homebirth babies. One momma we know had to wait over a year. However, seems like having different countries involved puts a different spin on it. Good luck!

DD has been exceptionally clingy this week, too. I think she's figuring out that there's going to be another baby. She's also having a miserable time cutting her 2-yr-molars. Sure love those Hyland's teething tablets.

ABout diapers: go figure, we're right back where we started and using prefolds again. We did, however, just discover wool. Oh, my! It's wonderful! I've been getting back in good pinning form again, but it is really trying DD's patience. We tried pocket dipes, both FB's and HH's, and Luke's Drawers AIO's.......to me, in the end, pocket dipes were no more convenient. I came to loathe pulling out soiled inserts and never really got a good fit with the FB's. AIO's were great, but amounted to more laundry because you were always washing the shells. With wool, that is not an issue and you need half as many covers. Thought about going for fitteds under the wool, but they are pricey! And you know, seems to me I still get pretty many blow-outs in disposables so it seems like the same problem would happen with fitteds. I don't know?.........I'm going to try to get better at pins and snappis.

Dr. Sears says that at 7 months, our babies are able to see, hear, smell and taste......I can only imagine what these senses register in the womb. Sure wish I could ask the baby when it's born.

And yeah, I didn't drink coffee at all with DD, didn't want it. Sure am attached to my cup in the morning now, though.

Have a wonderful Mother's DAy, everyone!

-Leah

[Solange]

:
Madrone
I do not have any advice to help you just wanted to send you a cyber ...I hope something works out for you to have the kind of birth you want. I am sorry it is so frustrating for you.

On the dipe issue...I have heard many here say the FB cannot hold the newborn poos....so keep that in mind ...I hear prefolds are the best since they poo so much and the cost factor is much easier on the wallet....

Lena glad your OB loves your birth plan ...I am chugging the natural whey protein shakes now b/c I just do not eat enough meat, eggs, ect to get to the 80-100 grams a day. I want to start putting some things down on paper myself soon....

Thanks Bears!

How are you doing Dodo?


Did you guys know also it is important to salt your food to taste during pregnancy? My doula has told me this and I was like what???!!( I never use salt-I do not have high blood pressure but I just cannot imagine salting my foods...lol..) but she is right all the reasearch I have done supports it...here is a good nutrition link:

http://www.parentsplace.com/expert/n...108638,00.html

gtg... I am in need of a shower

[ketilave]

Spent the day with my bros girlfriend shopping. What a blast! I feel so much more together. I love having a Dh that loves being home with the kids and doesn't flinch being with them all day. Then we had a 2yo b-day party to attend; not a lot of fun...competing with the Jones's stuff that we just don't buy into! One chic had to mention she was wearing Kate Spade shoes at least three times, one had a kate spade diaper bag, another had her kids in matching smocked (girl and boy) outfits with monogrammed diaper bag. An Acura, a BMW and 2 Land Rovers etc. Too much fun. I have some nice things but I have them because I want them not to use as a topic of conversation. Plus, I get to stay home with my kids!

I agree with the twist for prefolds. Esp with my scrawny kids. I had no problems with them but DH can't do it. He gets so grumpy!! That's why we upgraded.

Good to hear about the glucose stuff ladies. I do mine in a couple of weeks. I am going 5 between appts. so my turn is coming. I start every other week after that but I have a vacation to the beach planned and one of my appts is for that week (I'm already on mw's calendar until 40 weeks; but I have her on mine into August!!). I am hoping I can just skip it but then I would go 4 weeks again. I don't care so I am going to let me MW decide. I'm not going every week until at least 37.

Happy Mothers' Day

[naturegirl]

Madrone, sorry to hear about all the hassles you are facing. I hope you get the birth you want and deserve.

I am getting a little anxious about the birth certificate thing. I am planning a trip to Canada a month after the baby is born. What if I don't have a birth certificate by then for the baby? Any one know the rules about travelling abroad with a new baby? I really don't want a hassle at the border. Especially since we get hassled enough me being Canadian and my dh being American. :

As far as the diaps here. I am using pre-folds and bummis covers and also using the pre-folds as inserts in fbs. I have a few AIO's also for the in-laws and outings. This is all new to me so I have a few of each to see which I like the best. The lady that I bought some from says she uses fbs almost exclusively and loves them. She has cd'd 5 kids now!

On the caffeine. Don't do coffee but have been craving chocolate. How much chocolate is "safe"? I haven't been doing any really but would love a hot chocolate out on the deck by the fire with dh...

Ketilave, sounds like your birthday party friends are pretty interested in material posessions. That drives me bonkers. Not that I don't like to have nice stuff, but why make that the topic of conversation.(over and over )
Good luck with the GD test!

Happy Mother's Day!

Cheryl

http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailsha...674/t_=9810309

[madrone]

Cheryl - The link that you posted doesn't work. It is to login to snapfish. I'm assuming it was a pregnant belly picture. I, for one, would love to see it if you can fix the link. I keep meaning to get some pictures up, but still haven't. Need to get them off the camera still.

I don't crave caffeine really either. It's chocolate for me. But Annakiss posted that study that found that women who ate chocolate daily during pregnancy had happier babies. DH said that I really should check into who funded the study, but I think I'd just prefer to accept it so that I can have some chocolate. I'm such a hypocrite because I would never decide to accept it on face value without finding out everything about it on any other subject besides this.

DH and DS just got home from the bakery with pain au chocolat, so got to go. Take care all.

Happy Mother's Day! (is it Mother's Day in Canada also? I think I'm the only one who isn't in the US or Canada. Not Mother's Day here.)

[lena_girl]

Hi ladies! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!

I haven't been craving caffiene. I've never drank coffee. I have been craving sun tea, but I use decaffinated tea bags so it's not the caffiene I'm craving. My DS is hooked on sun tea now too. I can't drink any without giving hima little too or he has a meltdown. Itt's caffiene free (I know there is a teeny tiny amount in decaffienated, but barely any to even consider) and I just add a tiny bit of sugar b/c too much sugar just tastes WAY too sweet to me, so I'm hoping it's okay for him to drink. My mom said it's just like drinking slightly sweetened water. I do eat chocalate occassionally too, but again, I'm not into lots of sweet stuff.

Yesterday DH, DS, and I went to a civil war reenachment thing and despite putting spf 30 on 3 times, I have a huge burned area on my legs an it absolutely kills to walk! I'm putting lotion with aloe vera in it on it, but that's all I have

DH's grandma is sending us a big check to buy a moses basket and the rest of the money to buy diapers with! Now if the IL's will contribute to a diaper stash too... (pant pant, drool drool). I am not crafty enough to make my moses basket, so anyone have any good reccomendations on where to buy one (esp. WAHM's)? Anybody have any WAHM diapers they really like? Thanks ladies. Enjoy your day! NO CLEANING!!

[ketilave]

Madrone - I want what you have... My folks are moving back to the States so this year there is no escape across the Atlantic. I have also been craving "real" cheese.

Some song came on the radio and I flashed back to when I lived in Switzerland and a picnic I had with friends - I have wanted bread, apples and cheese and wine since...As we have been talking about food that's been about all that's on my mind and eating to match and I keep thinking of all my favorite foods - none of which I can get here. Driving me nuts - it only makes it worse when I try and feed the craving and what I have doesn't cut it - makes me pouty on top if it all.

Cheryl - I have really learned to laugh at a lot of the people around where I live. They have never left this town and their idea of what is acceptable comes from other people or out of a magazine. Women ran out to buy Minolo's when Saks came to town - didn't realize that although trendy, expensive and on TV they are not the worlds most comfortable shoe. It's what happens when money and growth come into an area. Plus, a lot of these couples have been together since college, both worked for 10 years and are just now deciding to have kids. Around here a lot of the grandmothers watch the kids rather than using day care unless you get on the "exclusive" waiting lists.Yesterday one woman had on a crop top, hip hugger mini and 4 inch heels (at a 2 yo b-day party in the afternoon). She is 36 and has a 2 year old. She just sat there trying to be louder than everyone while her husband watched the kid. I was kind of embarrassed for her husband. But that's their relationship. And, I'm just as bad as I sit here and pass judgement.

[LizaBear]

Lena - what is "sun tea" ?

[Jillybean]

just wanted to pop in and say Happy Mothers day all!!!!

Dh has to work today and my mom is out of town so not a very exciting day around here. Altough Dh did get me an Old Navy gift card so I can finally buy some cute clothes!

Lena: I just ordered some AIO's from Little Lambs, haven't gotten them yet but I've heard great things and her prints are sooooo cute. I also really like fitteds from SugarPlumBaby, really well priced and cute!

We registered on NaturalBabies.com and sent an E-mail to family and friends saying that if they wanted to get us something, we really need some CD's. Hopefully we'll get all we need from that.

Madrone: sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having. Hope you can get it all worked out.

ap: I've been salting my food after reading about it in Ina May Gaskin's new preg. book. I don't usually use salt much either, but the studies on it are pretty convincing.

well thats all for me! TTYL

[madrone]

Kate - you can always come to visit me once your folks get back in the states. I have a very baby proofed house and love visitors. Only if we are still living here when you come, the bathrooms outside. But there's only one bedroom so it would be either a tent outside, close to the bathroom, or the living room floor.

[lena_girl]

Originally Posted by LizaBear

Lena - what is "sun tea" ?

You put cold water in a clear jug w/ a couple tea bags, and let it sit in the sun until it's ready. Then you put it in the fridge. It's like ice tea but tastes a little different. I love it when it's warm outside. I add just a tiny bit of sugar. I think it might be a midwest thing, I don't know?

[Bearsmama]

Hi Mamas,
Wow! We are VERY chatty again, aren't we? Funny how it goes in stages.

Finally found a swimsuit I liked at Old Navy (weren't there last time I went). It's a patterned two-piece. Very daring for me. But I figured I will probably be keeping the 'ol beach shorts on anyway, so I might as well get something fun to show up top.

This babe of mine is MOVING like CRAZY. And literally over the course of this weekend I HAVE POPPED out like mad. Friday night I was standing in the kitchen and literally had some pains b/c the little guy/gal was moving so much. Must have done a somersault and now the upper part of my belly is pushed out, too. Fun, now, to really be able to show it to the world!

I am not a huge fan of the forced rush to appreciate moms on Mother's Day. But I do love the nice cards from DH and DS with sweet things written inside. Also, DH gave me a GC for a pregnancy massage! Yeah!

We are getting so excited about our vacation. We leave next weekend and we are just ready to relax! Of course, this will never TRULY happen again until our kids are in college (LOL!), but just getting out of our four walls and gaining some new perspective. Seems like we've had a lot of stress over the first part of this year and we are ready to just BE for a week.

Madrone-Sorry you're going thru so much with planning this birth. Please let us know what comes of all this.

Foxy-My DS seems to know something is going on now, too. Although he's not clingy at all. It's the opposite for him. He's become a little anti-mommy in the past week or so. Very into daddy now. Breaks my heart just a little.

Hi AP!Never heard much about the salting the food thing. I do not use a lot of salt, but I do salt when necessary. My DH's grandma salts BLTs. I'm not kidding. If she could salt SALT she'd love to!

Ahhh, Ketilave... Keeping up with the Joneses. The cars, the clothes, ugh. I hear you. I like nice stuff, too. But we get some good stuff here and there when $$$ will permit b/c WE want to. Not to impress. Sad what a message all this keeping up stuff sends to our children.

Nature-Don't know much about the choc thing. Although I DO LOVE it. I would do a google search for caffiene amts. in choc. Can't be terrible if you eat it in moderation (so hard to do with the GOOOD stuff!).

Lena-Enjoy gettiing all the things you need with your great gift!

Who mentioned cheese? I have to admit that I tend to be a cheese snob. We have a good local cheese monger (believe it or not). I love the blues, goat cheeses, gooey stuff, camembert, YOU NAME it. I've kept the cheese thing in check somehow, though. Now, the ice cream thing is another story.

Jilly-Just at Old Navy and they have some cute maternity things just in. Although nothing on sale. I have a friend who has hit it at all the right times and managed to get some shirts for 99c. No lie.

Anyway, DS has been asleep now for THREE hours. I have to go wake him. I just hate to do it, but this is one loooong nap. Anyone else getting a little anxious about going thru the severe sleep deprivation again? This fear just hit me yesterday. There's nothing we can do about it, though. Just brace ourselves for it.

Have a great day everyone. Hope you all get to relax a little!

[ketilave]

Madrone - I'm there; and not to worry after the Peace Corps with my latrine and bucket showers I can handle anything. DH wants to go camping but after living like that I'm just not into spending my vacations that way. Oh I meant to ask what your citizenship and your dh's is if you don't mind. I might be able to dig up some contacts depending...

Don't worry about sleep deprivation - we haven't slept in years and now it's habit. 4 hours = good nights sleep.

I have had a ton of ice cream also. Today is the first day I have gone without since I started eating again.

No one napped today so early to bed they went - need to do the same because they will be up early also. I can't believe my baby isn't going to be my baby much longer. She's still all little and nursing and a baby.

LOL about big diaper butts - I have scrawny kids and all their pants were falling off when I went to disposables due to being so sick. In reality they have no butts at all.

[madrone]

Kate - I'm a US citizen and DH is French. I have the equivalent of a French green card and insurance in France, so that is good for the rest of the EU. I know that the health care office has signs and brochures saying we are automatically insured in all EU countries. If we leave the EU, we have to pay a premium to have health coverage while there and France covers the healthcare cost. I need to go by the office (thought I would Wednesday) to see how exactly the EU thing works. I think that the EU countries just honor each other's citizens and residents as if they are their own. But I could be wrong on that and it could be more complicated. I don't know how much of that complication I would have to worry about though. Part of what I need to find out. Thanks for your offer to help. I really appreciate it. Let me know if you find some contacts.

[madrone]

I decided to look on the web instead of the office. There is a European form that you're supposed to pick up from the health care office each year saying you are insured within the EU. Apparently we just present this to the provider and they run it through and it somehow gets processed. Guess we really don't have to worry about how the provider gets paid. So maybe I'll go get the form for all of us on Wednesday instead of waiting until we are about to leave. For the person helping me in the office, they probably won't think taking a holiday at six months so odd. Not like taking a holiday at 8.5 months.