Chat thread for last week of July... or longer? - Page 9

[JenInMpls]

Yes, the gown is made of natural cotton with little dragonflies all over it. It is SO incredibly soft.

I just was all psyched to enter my currant jelly in the state fair!! Not only did it jell properly without using pectin, all of the jars sealed. Hearing all of those little 'pop!'s made me dance. (I know, easily amused, but I love canning!) I came up and looked at the guidelines for entry and unfortunately I would have had to can the jelly in half-pint containers for entry, they will not accept anything else and I canned mine in quarter-pint jars so that I can give them away as gifts, esp to my aunt, we swap canned goods every year for Christmas. I'm a little bummed but not enough to dwell on it. So... maybe next year? Oy, I can't imagine canning with an 11-month-old around. Today's session lasted about 4 and a half hours from start to all-cleaned-up. How did our foremothers do it?

We get to pick up our new car tomorrow at 11!

j

[sistermama]

What kind of car did you get? I aspire to can, but have never actually done it, except when I was helping my mom.

[MamaAcorn]

Jen, I have such great childhood memories helping my mom and grandma can stuff, especially helping my mom make jelly! I've yet to try it myself though, but we're still apartment dwellers without a garden or fruit to pick, so that probabaly explains it. I'm sure that you'll have a more than helpful little one willing to help pick berries and stir anything in the kitchen in a year or two (more likely). Alex "helped" us bottle wine (family tradition to make our own wine) when he was under a year old (no, he didn't drink any of it). Actually, that's how he learned to pull himself up to stand, using the bottle boxes.

Anyway, thanks for reminding me of all those happy times!

Pam

[msrog]

I doubt vernix stains, too. It's like an organic lotion, you know? And it's white, for heaven's sake, lol. Now meconium, I could see how that could stain... =O)

Another September twin momma, isn't that cool?

Wow, I am overwhelmed by all there is left to do. I think being a first time mommy was bliss before, I don't think I was hyper about as much stuff. But then again, I was quite energetic right up to 41 weeks. I don't ever remember having to slow down and put my feet up like this twin pregnancy. With so much left to do, I get tired just looking at my list! Much less getting off the couch to go work. Ugh. Then I or dh look at my big fat ankles, and say, "Quick! Go put your feet up!" haha. There is dust (and cobwebs! ick!) and clutter everywhere. I CANNOT HAVE VISITORS WITH THE HOUSE LIKE THIS. And no place yet to properly store my baby stuff. waaaah

[JenInMpls]

Savannah, if I were there, I would vacuum for you. I have become kind of obsessed with vacuuming lately, I don't know why, but I find myself vacuuming the whole downstairs at least twice a week. Once for sure after Jo has cleaned the litter box because she scatters more kitty litter than the kitties I think I'm trying to get myself into the habit for when Sprout is here and creeping around. Yes, it takes me that long to get into habits! And oddly enough vacuuming is my favorite chore, I love to vacuum and I love OUR vacuum (easy to handle very efficient German brand).

Pam, we found a fabulous solution to not having a garden, since our backyard is as big as a postage stamp, and me not being in much condition to pick this year - we bought a "berry share" from a CSA (community supported agriculture). Every week we get 5 pints of various organically grown berries, depending on what's in season. Soon we supposedly will start getting melons. The past 3 weeks we have gotten currants, both red and black, and I just didn't know quite what to do with them! The jelly was a great solution and it was my first foray into making jelly. I have already put up around 5 pints of strawberry jam and 1 pint of raspberry-currant jam. We will get raspberries again in the fall. Right now I have 3 pints of raspberries and 2 pints of blueberries waiting for me to do something with them. I'm thinking blueberry muffins since we're currently in a cooler weather pattern and I won't heat up the house too badly.

Sarah - we are getting a Honda Civic EX, 4 door manual trans, just like Jo's current car but 5 years newer and blue instead of green. I'm kind of sad to see her old car go but I can still understand how the bad energy affects her. And canning is easy - just kind of picky on the verge of anal retentivity (if that's a word), you have to be mindful of clean rims, sterile jars, etc so that you have a healthy product and that it seals right. I seem to just finally be hitting my stride with getting my jars to seal. In Germany, though, folks just re-use old jam jars, put hot jam in them and then flip them over. I don't get how that works but the jars seem to seal. *shrug*

We are going to visit the Birth Center tonight so I had better eat some food before we go. hogs and quiches, j.

[plantmommy]

I just need to rant. i'm sick of EXPANDING!!!!

I have bought new bras three times since getting pregnant, and the most recent ones, bought maybe a month ago, tops, are now too tight in the bands. Now, I KNOW this is only because of the pressure up there. I have the aching rib cage to prove it. I refuse to buy new bras again, because I know even if I got nursing bras (which I refuse to buy again until I actually need them, thank you, with at least two years ahead of me in the unsexy things) the bands wouldn't adjust down enough to fit properly within a week of the birth.

Those cami-tops with the built-in support work ok in the ribs, but are too short to cover my belly, now.

[JenInMpls]

Left the house late and every single freakin' stoplight was red, we weren't even out of the city at 6:22, I just turned around and went home.

Nice little jaunt around the city there! So much for seeing the birth center, and I skipped my swim class for this?

:

j

[sistermama]

Plantmommy - have you seen these bra extenders? They are very cheap and you can find them at just about any fabric store.

I just posted an ISO for Queen size sheets on the Trading Post, so if anyone has got some they want to sell or trade, let me know!

[Robertsgirl]

BRA EXTENDERS!!!!!! GOOD!!!!!

I too had bought three new bra sizes since conception and REFUSED to buy any more. I was really suffering and one of my friends told me about these. Motherhood Maternity has them for $1.50!!!!!! SOOOOOOO WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[msrog]

Poor Plantmommy!!! But those bra extenders sound like your answer; I'd not seen those...

Poor Jen! That's annoying to say the least. Will you reschedule the tour?

Yay, that Christi and Robert got the go-ahead to have their home birth. That's so exciting. (Saw it on the home birth thread). Placenta previa, POOH! It'll all work out great!

Adventuregirl, stop by anytime even if all you have time to do is "talk about yourself." We need to hear your updates, so don't feel bad!

Jen, how sweet to "offer" to vacuum. That's one of my more pleasant chores, too. Though it's quite painful doing it these days. We have a heavy Hoover upright.

I'm feeling better about my clutter... DH came home tonight in the mood to work on the "junk" room. He went and bought a giant shelf unit, and started filling it up with boxes and stuff. Now I can see the floor! (And get to vacuum it tomorrow, woo hoo!) And he cleared off his work space, which was really awful. Now that room isn't as terrible. Just still need to clear off the futon and my craft corner. Then I'll be happy. Oh, and I put the washed covers back on our matching car seats. So tomorrow he'll probably put those back into the car. I'll have to take a picture of that "cozy" back seat setup for ya'll...

And I got the giant portion of my diaper stash today, pretty much the end of what I'm expecting except a medium wet bag... Here's the link to the photo: http://community.webshots.com/user/ekortering
Anyway, it's so exciting to have all these cool diapers to try, though I really don't know what each one does and how to use or wash them all... especially the extras, like the stuffers and doublers and such. I'm still trying to figure out if the pocket diapers are like AIOs or if they need a cover. Oh, and these dipes are SO CUTE!!! How in the world can I stand to cover them with a plain white wrap?? Ugh. My favorite is the "tie dye" looking print one with hearts.

[plantmommy]

Bra extenders!!! Of course. Excellent idea, ladies, thank you!

Sarah, I have a bunch of nice white queen sheets. I'm a total linen slut and although we got a king sized bed, oh, 4 years ago almost, when Belle was born, I kept them for the sofabed and whatnot, but I have more than I have any use for. They're yours for postage. Plus, since they're all white, you can dye them if you want, I'm sure. PM me your address. They're all 100% cotton.

[Lazuli]

Eep! I'm so nervous.....

I have a doctor's appointment this morning and I'm sooooooo nervous about it. It was supposed to be Wednesday but the doctor was at a birth so I go today instead. I see a different doctor which I suppose is a good thing. But this being nervous thing is not good for my blood pressure but I can't help it. Oh well!

I was productive yesterday, woo hoo! I got the kitchen counters cleaned off, cut fabric for 24 baby wipes, got the binding for one of the baby quilts cut and ready to be sewn together, I cut fabric for three cloth pads, did some laundry, and picked up the living room. Of course, i was too tired to attempt to make dinner or anything, but hey, at least I got stuff done!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great day!

[adventuregirl]

Good Morning! This is the first time I've been able to get online, catch up and post two days in a row all summer! I miss you guys!

Lazuli, calm peaceful wishes for your appt today, I hope it goes wonderfully. Good for you for getting so much done too!

Jen, so sorry your tour and swimming were missed. Your jam making sounds so delicious! Mmmmm....love home made jam!

So I gave my notice at camp yesterday, I will finish up next week, backing out two weeks early. It really helped to purge my feelings here and with dh yesterday, I realized that if it was weighing on me that much emotionally, it is time. Everyone understands and fully supports me, they are now looking for solutions to stay open those last two weeks. I feel relieved to have one week left instead of three, there is still so much I need to get done to be ready for baby.

Well maybe, just maybe I will be able to catch up on another thread before work today. Happy Friday everyone! Have great weekends!

[4under6]

36w2D

Jen-
Canning for the Great Minnesota Sweat Together?
Neat! Too bad it wouldn't qualify!
That would have been fun.

Plantmama-
"linen slut" cracked me up!
I love me some fine sheets, too. I found some Calvin Klein 350 thread count sheets on clearance for a ridiculous price, and they are gracing our bed right now. Too bad they don't keep me from waking up every hour and a half these days!

I have my 36 week appointment today, but not with my regular OB. She's on vacation, so I'm seeing another guy. I'm not really into male OB's, so we'll see how it goes.

[Lazuli]

I just got home from the doctor, and am most relieved. He said that things look good and that as long as my blood pressure stays under 140/90 everything's good, but if either number goes over, then we have a problem. I was so freaked out. They sent me home with a big sealed box labeled 'obstetrical supplies'. I have to admit I'm curious at to what it contains, but given that it's sealed with special tape I'll just have to wait. I did find out Vaysh is head down though, and on the right side instead of the left. Yay!

Jen - Your jelly sounds interesting. The side of our garage is covered in grape vines. I doubt I'll be helping out with the jelly making this year, though I would like to make some juice.

I am far too bouncy right now. *bounces off walls*

[plantmommy]

For fellow linen sluts: overstock.com.

Lazuli, hurrah! I'm so glad things are looking good for you, and the bp is down.

[cottonwood]

"Obstetrical supplies"? I'll be interested to hear what's in that box too!

Lazuli, you're inspiring me. I'm going to go get to work on my wipes now too.

Plantmommy, I got a couple of maternity tanks with the bra liner built in at Target. I am practically living in them! I normally wear Blue Canoe bras, which have a very comfy band, but they only go up to XL so my breasts are beginning to strain at them. I can still get them on but my breasts start to get itchy from being compressed. I'm not sure what to do because I'm sure they aren't going to get smaller when my milk comes in, you know? But I have just had no luck finding decent nursing bras. Of course at home it's not a problem because I can just go bra-less, but when I'm out I can't just prop a towel up there to deal with the leaking...

[JenInMpls]

Count me among the linen sluts, I found a queen-sized jersey knit sheet set made by Wamsutta at Marshall's once for a steal and can't find anything that comes close to it in softness. I am *very* picky about sheets.

We have our new car!! and now we're trying to figure out how to get the convertible Cosco seat in it and secure. It was recommended that we use the shoulder belt instead of the LATCH tethers, but the thing flopped all over the place. As it is we can't seem to get the thing very secure. Jo will bring it by the fire department when they have hours for checking car seats...

Lazuli: hooray for your good appt!

Danielle: we both hooted in laughter at the "Great Minnesota Sweat Together", that is THE most appropriate title I've ever heard (for the non-Minnesotans, the real title is "The Great MN get-together"). I can't tell you how many summers I have sweated out as a 4-Her. Yeah, it would have been fun to enter, but perhaps this is not quite the year! Do I dare go to indulge in my yearly corn dog? No deep-fried candy bar on a stick, though. Ugh. Hope your appt went well, I have my 36/37 week appt next Tuesday right after my chiro appt, so I will be well-aligned!

Sheryl, I'm glad you're taking care of yourself and that the staff is looking for solutions. Rest up!

Savannah - we will go again next Tuesday for a tour, I will miss another swim class, but oh well, to be honest I wasn't in love with the aerobics ones that much - we did real swimming the last 2 sessions, our teacher helped us with our strokes and I enjoyed it a lot more. I just need to get myself there to swim! Motivation is sometimes (often?) lacking, esp when it's hot outside because i prefer to take the bus to the YWCA than drive (I don't have to wedge myself behind the wheel! :LOL).

Went to IKEA again today. Did I mention I love IKEA? We bought a sheepskin there for Sprout. can't beat $20 for a sheepskin. The cats both did funny dances around it and both of them flehmen'ed (when they sniff and open up their mouth with their lips curled up) which was really funny.

That is all, we are off to my mom's to drop off large-sized baby clothes so we have more room.

jen

[Lazuli]

Jen - We got our cats one of those sheepskins. The two older cats didn't like it at all, wouldn't step on it or anything, they'd leap over it and in general avoid it as much as possible. The other three loved it. Sadly someone piddled on it and washin git didn't go over so well so we had to throw it away. They're going to be building a new Ikea 20 minutes down the road from us, woo hoo! That could be dangerous. Chances are good it will on the way to the in laws house.

[plantmommy]

Linda, those tanks don't cover my belly anymore.

I'm small boned, and normally am a 32 band in bras, so the larger size doesn't fit right. Something about my narrower back or something, so the M tanks don't cover the tummy anymore, and the L ones are too loose, not around the ribs actually, or even the breasts, but at the top/neckline (if you can call it that on a tank) so if I lean over at all they just give... uh... too much of a view. :LOL