Week of June 1 thread--qotw & updates

[indiegirl]

Thought I'd take the initiative and start our weekly thread.

I have to admit, I was a bit opposed to these weekly threads at first. I proposed the due date clubs to Cynthia and when I saw these weekly threads on our board, I thought it kind of defeated the idea of having a whole board to ourselves! Old habits die hard and on Mothering folks tend to post in really long threads instead of creating new threads for shooting the breeze. Anyway, I've realized that I'm not taking advantage of our board because I was sort of boycotting these weekly threads but then realized that I would never get to know y'all if I didn't participate--and that was the whole reason I asked to have due date boards!

So here I am!

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

Update us!
#weeks:
pg symptoms:
struggling with:
really enjoying:
questions about:



Jesse

[pinky]

Hi there..I have been lurking here but haven't really been posting, so I'll try and follow your example and jump back in!


QOTW:
I have been knitting for the baby. I made a wool soaker. I'm also making matching cardigan sweaters for me and a girlfriend who have babies due together. I need to get going making diapers, and I'm finally feeling well enough to start planning that--although I haven't actually started any sewing yet.

I am 17 weeks today.
pg symptoms: still some queasiness and I'm tired!
struggling with: fatigue and trying to get done all the things I want to get done before the baby comes. Plus I'm getting over the flu!
really enjoying: my long, strong fingernails!
questions about: whether I should find out the sex at my diagnostic ultrasound!

[clynnr]

Originally Posted by indiegirl

I have to admit, I was a bit opposed to these weekly threads at first. I proposed the due date clubs to Cynthia and when I saw these weekly threads on our board, I thought it kind of defeated the idea of having a whole board to ourselves!

That is true, I hadn't thought of that (I'm a newbie member). I like the weekly threads because it gives everyone a chance to check in, even if there's not much going on. And the QOTW lets us get to know each other better! JMHO

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

Well, the nursery is pretty much set up (though I don't know how much we'll use it, with the exception of diaper changes and daytime nursing, since I plan to have baby in our bedroom in a co-sleeper for awhile). My next step is to create a "nursing station" in the nursery. I've already got the set-up for cloth diapers (Yay!) but not very many dipes yet. I still haven't quite wrapped my mind around the fact that life as I know it is about to end. That's not a bad thing, just VERY different. I don't know if I'll be able to fully understand that until baby is here!

Update us!
#weeks: 18
pg symptoms: growing belly, occasional gagging
struggling with: haven't felt baby yet! (well maybe I have...just not sure)
really enjoying: people being able to see that I'm pg
questions about: When did you start feeling baby on a regular basis? When can you feel it from the outside? (My nephew is having a really hard time understanding how there's a baby "in there.")

[BabyOsMommy]

Last I posted on a mainstream board that was split into due dates, and we even did Monday updates. Having the due date forums allows us to post separate topics specific to how far along we are that we don't want to get lost in the weekly updates or the main boards... which is nice. And having the main boards is cool because we can appeal to a larger audience if we have a really big question.

Anyhoo, I digress.

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.
I started crocheting his/her baby blanket. I made one for ds, but started after I knew he was a he, so his is blue. This one is baby green. I am also going to start some soakers and LTK longies as soon as I find the energy to find the right wool. Other than that, I've just started making a mental list of the things that I need for this baby. I won't be buying for a while, though.

Update us!
#weeks: 16
pg symptoms: still some nausea, can't take my prenatals yet cause it's an automatic , still tired, getting bigger
struggling with: working and caring for a toddler and being . And my allergies and headaches are unbearable some days.
really enjoying: I think I can feel bean wiggling in there. I'm starting to relax and believe that I will have this baby! The idea that I only have 16more weeks left at my job... and then I can be a mama full time for as long as I need to be.
questions about: MAN, WHY does everyone start talking about labour, telling me how much easier it will be the second time, and asking about my first labour. It's driving me CRAZY. Only because it's coming from the people who believe that labour is some sort of indignity to be endured, and have no idea why I have midwives, or want to birth at home. No joke though, on Saturday when we were out, every person I ran into that I knew had to ask a bazillion questions and then tell me about how HORRIBLE their labour was. Rant over. Phew, felt good to get that out. Oh, and then they ask if we'll find out what we're having. Only 1/2 the people find it amusing when I say it's probably a baby. (We are going to try to find out at the u/s btw, but I just don't get why that question is so important to people).

s

[KittyMommy]

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

Mostly just thinking about when and how to get DS ready for an addition. I have also been working my butt off trying to get as much of my dissertation done before the new babe comes. We will probably be moving after the first of the year and my comps expire in less than two years. *sigh*

Update us!
#weeks: 17
pg symptoms: still puking some, tired, lots of little wiggles from the babe
struggling with: puking
really enjoying: baby wiggles
questions about: how DS is going to handle a new sibling

[BabyOsMommy]

Hey, Jesse...where's your answers???

[indiegirl]

Originally Posted by BabyOsMommy

Hey, Jesse...where's your answers???

I got too tired after I posted!

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

Well, we moved into a bigger house which I think counts as baby prep. Other than that, I've done nothing! I swear, just keeping up is overwhelming me sometimes! Most of my prep has been mental. I officially got excited about baby on Friday when I heard his/her heartbeat for the first time. I am wrapping my head around doing labor again--and I think I'm gonna homebirth again. I wasn't sure because we are pretty rural this go-around. I'm confident that we can transport if need be.

Update us!
#weeks: 18
pg symptoms: just tired mid-day
struggling with: how to prepare my youngest dd for the birth
really enjoying: feeling the baby move
questions about: how to prepare my youngest dd for the birth! She'll be 22 months and right now is very, very much attached to me. She pushes her big sister when she tries to hug me. Hm...

[Ivanhoe]

Hi everyone!

I'm a big time lurker, glad to find you all!

QOTW:

What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

No actual things, my house is still a mess, the new baby will sleep with us the first time and with his/her brother when he is old enough. I'd like to paint the backyard and plant some bushes now so I have flowers in November when the babe is coming. I've been thinking a lot and reading and preparing myself to have the birth I want and heal my body and soul from the c-section I had with ds. ...

Update us!
#weeks: 14 weeks 5 days
pg symptoms: I've gained 6 kg! My skin is marvellous! Thanks hormones. My brests are larger and sore. I stopped vomiting 4 days ago, I feel great!
struggling with: back ache
really enjoying: feeling well after being miserable during 14 weeks
questions about: how DS is going to handle a new sibling, how the whole family is going to handle new addition

[jecaly]

hiya mamas,

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

i'm knitting soaker number two, and have a friend who offered us a changing table, hooray...like jesse, i think a lot of my prep at this stage is mental. still getting my head around the idea that there will be another person in our family. spending a lot of time wondering what he or she will be like.


#weeks: 16

pg symptoms: mostly just allergies and sinus congestion, at this point. oh yeah, and the belly! and i'm pretty sure i felt an actual kick the other night, although i haven't felt anything similar since.

struggling with: i'm still measuring big, and getting bigger all the time: a small voice inside me occasionally reminds that it could be twins...we're trying to decide whether to go ahead with the 18-20 week ultrasound, which we weren't planning to do. trying to just listen, but accepting the tools that are there for this sort of thing is really tempting. i go back and forth. if it is twins, my current plan for birth will be pretty much completely scrapped (midwife doesn't attend twin births, and my chances of a section go WAY up), but that's okay, i guess. i just want to know.

really enjoying: really just the whole thing. the belly, the boobs, the sense that there is someone in there, that kick the other day, the vastness of change in front of us, the fact that i'm really starting to show, the fact that i can swim and do yoga again...and counting weeks. i like watching time pass and feeling like every week is a landmark.

questions about: just that measuring big thing. we're seeing our midwife next week, though, and in another month or so the fetoscope will pick up the heartbeat, so i'm really looking forward to that.

happy almost june, mamas!

*j

[Megamama]

Hi all:
I'm doing OK so far. Today was my first wedding anniv. with DH..we had a very sweet little vacation to the north of us in a town called Helen, Ga. Very cute place

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.
All mental really. I'm still trying to realize there will be another child in the house. I'm really very happy with just the one at home right now, and I feel almost bad to be having another baby when he's only a baby still himself! I'm also trying to think about tandem nursing as it doesn't look like Elijah is going to slow down soon. I've been too tired to do much else, though I'd like to sew a quilt out of all the dragon/fairy/stars fabrics that I got to make diapers with. I am just going to use prefolds and covers now.

Update us!
#weeks: 14 weeks 1 day
pg symptoms: still some nausea in the evenings. sinus headaches, allergies.

struggling with: being tired, how to do all the sibling thing again!

really enjoying: that I've not gained weight and don't need maternity clothing yet. I really wish it could stay this way the whole pregnancy.

questions about: nothing much..this is the 4th time around. The only new thing I'm doing is homebirth and I feel OK with that.

[Attached_Mom_to_7]

Here's my stats:
I have also knitted a wool soaker and would like to make a few more and a nice going home outfit!!


#weeks:17 today!
pg symptoms: mostly roung ligament pains
struggling with: my allergies(have really bad sinus's)
really enjoying: watching my growing belly!!!
questions about: my placenta previa(first time it has happened to me)

[FSUBecca]

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

So far I have not done much of anything I guess all I have really done is plan for our homebirth and make arrangements for DS to be watched after during that time. I just found out this week that we are having another little boy So, we have everything already form our first son - so all the material needs are covered. I try to talk with DS about "the baby" but he really doesn't understand yet.

Update us!
#weeks:15
pg symptoms: Belly!
struggling with: My toddler possibly weaning right now, and trying to keep up with him all day.
really enjoying: Just being pregnant! I feel great, and I love finally being in maternity clothes. I am just enjoying thinking about this new little life inside of me
questions about: How will I handle two children?

[dan_in_taipei]

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

Not a great deal, we've planned the nursery (just need to set it up though), done lots of reading and of course huge dietary changes!

Update us!
#weeks:14 weeks 6 days
pg symptoms: belly & boobs!
struggling with: being very tired in the mornings & at lunchtime (and I don't even work!) & the latest addition to the surprises of pregnancy - back ache!
really enjoying: Being pregnant and seeing how much my partner is enjoying this whole experience. He's so in awe of everything which is wonderful.
questions about: what sort of parents will we be?

[spamama]

QOTW: I guess we've gotten some gender-neutral newborn clothes and thought about how we're going to set up a room for the two kids. Other than that, I've been focusing on getting through this pregnancy.

#weeks: 17 weeks tomorrow
pg symptoms: exhaustion, round-ligament pain, low sex-drive
struggling with: all of the above! plus, my 28-month-old not cooperating with the whole gentle weaning process
really enjoying: feeling the baby move, seeing my belly grow
questions about: funky discharge (no accompanying pain, but it's still weird).

[Shell]

I haven't posted much in the November thread, but I have been lurking too! I liked the weekly updates about a month ago, when I was sick to my stomach, because it made me feel much better to know that otherw were right there with me. I guess I've been lurking because there aren't such major changes right now from week to week, but I guess it is time I posted again!

#weeks: 18

pg symptoms: Belly growing every day! Allergies. Boobs growing from D to an F. Not fun. They are getting in the way!!!

struggling with: Getting enough protein. 60 grams seems like so much! I'm also not taking any prenatals at this point. They make me feel sick, so I am really trying to get all I need through diet.

really enjoying: Watching my belly grow.

questions about: How my step-sons (who don't live with us f/t) are thinking about the new arrival.

On Thursday we will have a sonogram and hopefully find out the sex of the baby. Dh and I are very excited to know!

[scheelimama]

Hi all, I haven't been around much the last few days b/c I've been utterly consumed with the massive debate going on in the bf'ing support and advocacy forum. Anyway, I'm doing great and scheduled for my next appt. on Thursday. I'm excited b/c there are 2 mw's at this practice and I've seen the same one both times, but this week I'm scheduled to see the one who delived dd and I just her! She's absolutely wonderful! Not that the other one is not...I'm just excited to see her again, it's been awhile.


What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

Well, I've sewn a few dipes and purchased a few. I've got 2 dozen preemie prefolds ordered for the first few weeks. (Didn't want to make a ton of nb dipes that would be outgrown rather quickly.) I also bought a used co-sleeper. That's about it right now.

Update us!
#weeks: 17 tomorrow
pg symptoms: not too much right now... growing belly, still tired much of the time but better...can't think of much else right now.
struggling with: how we will juggle two kids and how dd will react to having a new baby sib, she's rather attached right now.
really enjoying: not feeling too pregnant right now. I mean, no 1st tri icky's, no 3rd tri icky's, a tiny bit of a belly, but can still get away with many of my regular clothes, it's been nice.
questions about: can't think of any right now.

[momsmyjob]

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done

I've been looking for either a Arms-reach or a baby hammock

I've purchased a few cloth dipes for this babe and a new outfit.

#weeks: 14 wks 3 days
pg symptoms: nothing other than being tired
struggling with: names..boys names
really enjoying: the first movements
questions about: nothing yet

[AmandasMom]

What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.

Absolutely Nothing!


#weeks: 15 weeks
pg symptoms: I haven't puked in 1 week! And thats on NO medication for it, yay!
struggling with: my weight. was fat before I got pregnant at 245lbs, now I'm fat and pregnant, up to 264. My heart is having a hard time coping. Out of breath alot.
really enjoying: not puking!
questions about: boy or girl? will find out at 18 week ultrasound!

[Annabel]

15 weeks today! I have an ultrasound tomorrow morning and I'm a little nervous but I'm sure everything will be fine.
QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done.
I made a couple of fitted nappies (diapers) yesterday, I want to make more but I think I should wait until the baby is born to make sure they actually work!

Update us!
#weeks:15
pg symptoms:dizziness (low blood pressure) achy joints, backache.
struggling with:keeping up with my toddler and trying to get enough sleep, breastfeeding which is so painful at the moment.
really enjoying:dreaming about the baby, looking at cute newborn clothes in the shops, actually looking pregnant not fat. I love my round tummy!
questions about: I am hoping, in order, these things about the ultrasound tomorrow
a) the baby is alive and healthy
b) there is only one of them (long story there)
c) it is a girl (that is only a minor hope, I want to use my girls name and we already have a boy and I feel deprived of buying cool girls clothes! It would of course make no difference to how much I love the baby!)

[heatherevond]

QOTW:
What sort of prep have you done for the new baby? This can be mental or actual things you've done. Kept myself healthy. Mentally I am trying to keep myself in check. I believe this pregnancy is a keeper but, I want to make sure everything is OK at the level 2 U/S.

Update us!

#weeks: 16 weeks
pg symptoms: growing belly, heartburn, lack of apetite, and a lack of energy
struggling with: Horrible allergies. The trip to FL was wonderful (allergy free) and coming back to VA has been hell. I woke up this morning with horrible sinus pressure and congestion. After getting some relief from a HOT (for my head and neck) shower I was dealing with coughing mucus up. Bleh. I called the OB and they recommended Claritin. It's been almost 6 hours since I took the 24 hour dose and I am feeling no relief. I'll stop whining now. LOL
really enjoying:watching our 2 year old remember to kiss the baby without being reminded where the baby is.
questions about: These are more family oriented. Where we'll be financially when the baby is born. I'm not running to find a night job so that I can keep bringing money home. Working days is out of the question with two children under 3. I really want to be home with the children full-time and I'm wondering if that will happen.