weekly thread nov.28th-4th - Page 3

[Mommak]

Niki--

I am so thankful to you for sharing your pain! I don't write much here (not much experience, so feel kinda weird) but I read at least once a day. It helps so much to have people to relate to! I am so sick of my clothes, nothing fits, gained 55-60 pounds, first pregnancy, dh and I live in a new state so no friends yet, my hips are killing me, my hands fall asleep all of the time and now ache like crazy. Dh is just stressed out all the time and mostly I feel like I'm doing this alone. This is just not my idea of livin'!

Oh, yeah, and dh is pouting about sex, too. We were married only 6 months before pregnancy so he has this doomsday belief that we'll just never have a sex life. He's being so melodramatic! Ai!

I did go to Maryland, btw, and drove back. We went slow and cut the trip in half, but you were right, I was just fine. Thanks for the input and cheerleading!

Hang in there!

Kirsten

[mamamoo]

Wow mamas!

m~l~h I hope you are in bed sleeping with your newly born babe!!

uuelisabeth~I am so sorry. I do know how hard it is to have your babe in the hospital. I hope he gets to go home soon! ANd I totally agree with Lauren!! Nurse that baby as often as possible...it is the most important thing to get the bili out of his system!!

Euriditia~I totally hear you on the insomnia thing. I am so damn tired but by 10 pm I cannot fall asleep!! I am up until one or something every night, then have to wake up super early with Sam! Ugh!! :LOL Only a few more weeks and we will have much more rewarding reasons for being awake in the iddle of the night!


Whimsy~That sounds like a hard day, but wow!! what a great doc! I have never had an experience with a doc like that! Lucky for you...I bet he's great during the birth too.

Mommak~I am sorry...my dh is not really on board either. He is usually better once the babe gets here, but for some reason the pregnancy is just not really real to him(and this is my fourth LOL). I also become a megabitch about this time during the pregnancy(he will say lots earlier), but I feel like a drill sergeant. LOL No one does anything thoroughly enough for me right now. LOL Anyway, I hope things look up, and hubby gets in there and enjoys the rest of your pregnancy.

I have no clue how much weight I've gained...my mw doesn't make me weigh in. I assume it's under 20 pounds though(don't hate me...I am *very* overweight, so don't gain much these days). I gained 80 with my first(uh, never lost it...and got preggers when he was 7 months old), 20 with Maddy, and under 20 with Sam...so I'm hoping it is under this time too. LOL I'll get weighed at WIC next month, so I'll probably be PP but should be able to tell...I know I loose about 25 pounds within a couple weeks after giving birth.

Anyway...hope everyone is doing well, and I can't wait to add some more babies to the list!! Debi

[Past_VNE]

I can't stand being at work any longer right now...I feel all irritated. I'm going out, on the pretense of a run to Staples, which I'll do. But...I'll hit the bank, the baby consignment store and the organic store to stock up on some of the things from my midwive's 'to-get' list that I don't yet have.

I went to the Carter outlet last night with DH. The friggin' outlet prices for two layette gowns was 15 bucks and they wanted 7 dollars for a cotton hat. Hell no. Let somebody else spend the money on it new. I'm going to the consignment shop. (Why is it that I love to buy things for other people, DH included, but when it comes to me...and baby...I'm dirt cheap? It doesn't make sense... Hmmmm)

[rainy32]

38 1/2 weeks

So, is it possible to in labor for, like, a full week?!? I feel like I have been -- crampy, tired, dreamy, energetic, contractions ... but no water breaking, nothing that lasts longer than a few hours at a time. dh was telling a woman at work about it and she said "oh, her labor will be so easy! her body has been prepping all week!" lord and lady I hope that's true!!

i went to yoga today and was too tired to do hardly anything but it was nice to be there with everyone. then I came home and took the dog for a walk by the ocean and I got a burst of energy and we ended up doing 3 miles, including some jogging!

in yoga, i had a memory of a dream that I had last night that dh and i were whales and dolphins, he was a whale, I was a dolphin -- it wasn't cartoony, very very real -- we were in deep deep green water and he was full of barnacles and I was an older dolphin. it was a gorgeous dream.

elisabeth -- i am so sorry to hear what's going on with Charlie! my thoughts are with you!! it _does_ suck donkey balls. no two ways about it.

whimsy -- what a great doc!!!!! sounds like how I imagine dr. sears -- except the waiting three hours part, that sounds like hell.

m-h-l, any baby yet!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!

eruditia -- I give a final on the 8th (am due on 12th) -- but I've had a contingency plan for the semester since November 15 -- lecture notes, movies to watch, etc. every day that I come in, my students look half disappointed! They are excited about the baby, too. Yesterday, I taught through an hour of contractions, that was interesting!! I am on the program committee of a conference this spring, and I asked a far-flung colleague to chair a panel -- she responded by saying no, because she had recently had a baby and was treating herself to a year of minimal professional obligations. I love that attitude! I am adopting it as of TODAY, which means I am flaking on a 7 minute talk to potential transfer students that I had signed up to be part of, but I just cannot stay an extra 2 hours at work today to be there for it at 8pm. 8pm is my bedtime! Since I'm up from 2 - 5am every morning with shooting hip pain, I try to sleep when I can..... lol.

love to all!

[mamamoo]

Ugh...I am in so much pain. That's what I get for saying I am feeling pretty good for being this far along. My older kids are homeschooled, but are in a few classes through the ps system(they have a homeschooling program), and just the walking around there for a bit makes it so I can hardly walk at all. My hips and pelvis are KILLING me. And I can't even go into labor because my mw called me yesterday to tell me that her kids surprised her and her hubby with a night's stay at a B&B for their 20th anniversary, so she will be gone today and tomorrow...I would have to have the backup mw who I don't even know.

Sorry...had to vent. Oh, Past_VNE...I totally know what you mean. I can not believe what they want for stuff retail...and consignment stores have almost brand new things for so cheap(at this age!!) It's ok to be a cheapskate. LOLOL

[Oregonicmama]

Lol... I never buy any clothes new for DD (and haven't for baby)! I just can't stand to spend on 1 t-shirt what i would spend for a whole outfit at the Con. shop! And I try to sell whatever isn't ruined back to or through the con. shop for store credit! I was able to sell almost everything of DD's back until she was a year old.

I have been having contractions since I woke up this morning. They are making me very uncomfortable and grouchy! : I'm trying to not get into too mych of a funk b/c of them since I could have to deal with this for another month! I just hate pain. They have been about 10 minutes apart all day.

My Midwife came today and said the baby is way down low. Last week I measured at 34 weeks, this time I measured at 32. So the baby has dropped a lot. She thinks I've got about 7 lbs of baby in there now. I hope I have it soon or it might be huge! She said with the contractions and how low its dropped, its likely I could have it in the next week. I really hope so, I am so over being pregnant!

Thats all I have to say right now. I can't really focus on anything. Have a good night!

[nikirj]

I went to the midwife today. She is referring me to a physical therapist for my hip/pelvic pain. She says she can't get my insurance to cover a chiropractor, but that the PT she is referring me to is really great. I can't afford to go to a chiropractor on my own so we'll see if the PT helps. My MW also gave me a packet of Arnica tablets to hold me until then.

I'm measuring 36 weeks even though baby has dropped - kinda, I think - the baby is definately quite low, but it might just be lack of growing room. When I lie down, my uterus goes all the way up to my chestbone, to the point where my MW had to push under it a bit to feel the top curve of my uterus - I'm really short-torsoed. I get these monster b/h contrax several times a day and they really push baby into my cervix. My MW didn't check me but when I checked myself yesterday, I couldn't reach to tell how dilated I am but things feel very soft even compared to just last week, when it was not-quite-so-soft and fingertip dilated. If I weren't so sure of my dates (they can't possibly be more than a week off) I'd say I was further along. But I got nauseous, felt movement, etc. all right on time. My earliest-homebirth date with my MW is Dec. 9th. We have a home visit scheduled then; she's been here before, but we were going to walk around and talk about where I wanted to set up the birth pool, she was going to give me a bunch of supplies and instructions and stuff. I'm looking forward to it even though it means I'll have to do some cleaning - I needed to do it anyway. I have high hopes for the PT and Arnica, and hopefully by next week I'll be feeling up to doing some cleaning again.

It is actually good to hear that others are feeling the kinds of aches and pains I'm feeling. The last two pregnancies, I was always one of those "I feel great" people at the end - this time I'm in a ton of pain! Hopefully the PT will work.

to you mommak! I hope your DH comes around! My DH and I got married when DD was 6 months old - so we've never had a sex life :LOL . Just kidding. There's an art to the naptime 'quickie'. You guys will figure it out, I'm sure. And I'm glad to hear your trip went well

MHL, hope you have that baby soon

Rainy, hope you last 'till your finals are over! Sounds stressful! I like the 'minimal obligations' mindset, sounds like a really healthy one to have for a while.

[rainy32]

oh gosh niki, i hope i don't last till my finals are over! i don't mind laying in bed and grading .... i just want to be done being pregnant! :

[Jenelle]

uuelisabeth, your donkey balls comment is right on. :LOL Hope you get to go home soon!

Not much news here... just sitting here enjoying my very first cup of Pregnancy Tea. I've had it the entire pregnancy but I guess I've been waiting for this last month for some reason.

Since we haven't heard back from m~h~l... hope that's good news!

Went Christmas shopping again tonight, but unfortunately wore the wrong shoes! They weren't that great for standing/walking before, and they certainly aren't now, with an extra 33 or so pounds. So my feet were killing me by the time we got half-way through the store!

I just want to be done with the Christmas shopping so bad. I enjoy buying for everyone and I want to do it, but I am really sick of having it on my mind. I could literally stay home for the next 4 weeks and be perfectly busy and content.

[mamamoo]

Jenelle~Could you do some of it from the internet? We have tons of great WAHMs here on Mothering...I would love to be able to get gifts for my family through some of them. That might help the sore feet, and help some MDC mamas too.

All I know is this baby will be here soon(I hope), the pressure/aching of my vulva is driving me nuts(sorry if TMI). :LOL I just have to hold her in until Friday. LOL

m~h~l is your baby here???!!! I hope so, and that everything went well.

Is anyone homebirthing that has major issues with housecleaning? I am so afraid I will have a quick labor and dh will not have time to clean up this stye. Ugh...I am *not* feeling like cleaning at all, well I am mentally, but can't bend over, or stand for any length of time...I can't even wash laundry/dipes until she comes...it hurts too much to go up and down the stairs. <sigh> I am blessed to be having this baby, I am blessed to be having this baby, I am blessed to be having this baby...

[whimsy]

Is anyone homebirthing that has major issues with housecleaning? I am so afraid I will have a quick labor and dh will not have time to clean up this stye. Ugh...I am *not* feeling like cleaning at all, well I am mentally, but can't bend over, or stand for any length of time...I can't even wash laundry/dipes until she comes...it hurts too much to go up and down the stairs. <sigh> I am blessed to be having this baby, I am blessed to be having this baby, I am blessed to be having this baby...

Well, I'm not homebirthing, but I am having major housecleaning issues. The fact that people will be in my house is freaking me out more than the birth!

I'm am super blessed to have 2 11.5 yo homeschooled girls (one who is an organized cleanie) who are taking over for me. Literally. They do it all. I feel bad for putting so much on them, but I think they are feeling really proud that they can do it (for a limited time ) and I also think they are nesting themselves. Does that sound weird? They are both natural little mothers and I think they are having the urge to get everything ready for their new sister. OK - they also enjoy laughing at me when I try to help. They finally told me to get out of the kitchen because there wasn't room for me!

[cinnamonamon]

whimsy, that is so sweet! I'm back & forth on the cleaning thing. One day I'm psycho Martha Stewart lady, the next I'm Oscar the Grouch's favorite roommate! In the last few days I've been concentrating on my sewing -- I finished up the baby's mattress last night, and the bumper today. Of course my 22 month old then had to test out the bassinette with it's bedding... I have a couple really cut pics of him (nekkid except for a pair of socks & some sandles...) in the bed. :LOL Of course he had a minor meltdown when it was time to put it up, but...ah well.

Back to work...

mhl -- still thinkin about ya; hope to hear some good news soon!

[mamamoo]

Whimsy~it sounds like you have wonderful girls! My poor kiddos are so sick of picking stuff up off the floor for me, they are probably more ready for this babe to be born than I am. :LOL

I go in spurts too...but they are mostly drizzling out now. I am sooo tired...and have been feeling nausious(sp?). I think I am just really not getting enough sleep at all. I had to wake my dh last night to take Sam (he fell asleep within 10 minutes of laying on the couch with Dad...I am so mad that I waited so long...I was up for hours trying to get him back to sleep!!)because he was latched on all night, and it was hurting so bad. My nipple HURT and I am scared now, because if they hurt this bad with an experienced nurser, I am afraid it is going to get a lot worse when the baby comes and I really am nursing 24/7.

oh well...I just hope dh is ready to be a clean machine!!! :LOL

[nannymom]

37 & 1/2 weeks

UUelisabeth- Hang in there. I am sending you all good vibes. Keep us posted.

Dh and I went to the MW today (I am already so sick of going every week). Everything looked and sounded good which was a relief b/c the baby has been a lot calmer lately.

I am feeling all of the aches and pains everyone is describing. I also am running out of things that fit. I have gained almost 60 lbs! My Sister gained 60 with her first and my Mom gained 60 with me so I guess it's just par for the course in our family. My hips, legs, arms, and hands hurt. My back pain is from another planet. So, needless to say while I want my baby to cook cook cook I also would like to get her out of me...

I am having a lot of anxiety about work. My boss misunderstood our conversation about me taking an extra week off and now I will be taking the entire week before my due date off ( I wanted to take the week of my due date off) b/c that is when she could get help. I am looking forward to having the time to rest, but I feel a lot of anxiety about by job being here when I get back. Is this normal? Also Ryan will start half day school the 1st day of my absence and his 2d day of school this other sitter will have to pick him up. I offered to go get him and meet her back here but my boss says I have to let go. Now, I am worried I offended her. I wasn't questioning her judgement or anything I just want to be here for him. Should I say something about it or let it go?

Sorry I didn't mean for that to get so long!

[Oregonicmama]

M~H~L- wheres that baby?!?

[Lula's Mom]

Nannymom, when you say "boss", do you mean Ryan's mom, or someone at an agency that employs you? If it was Ryan's mom who told you to let go, I'd drop it, because she clearly thinks he will be fine (but it would be a little weird for her to say that to you, and I'd get a weird vibe about my job being there, too!) If it's an agency-boss, wellll, I'd probably just mention to the mom that you're more than happy to help transition him that day. I'm sure she'd appreciate it. I know how you feel, by the way. I've never been a kid-nanny, but for years I was a pet-nanny. I almost never took time off because I couldn't trust any of the backups I found to do the job the way I would do it...

I'll be at 39 weeks tomorrow! Since 36 weeks I've been hearing comments like "get ready, it could come any time!" from friends and family, mostly on DP's side. But I've really never had any doubt that this baby would stay in until around my due date, the 10th. In fact, I've thought a couple of times that it might be later than that.

I don't seem to have any "labor will be here soon" signs. No mucus plug, no contractions to speak of. As far as I can tell, the baby hasn't 'dropped' because I am still walking around normally, no excessive pressure in my pelvis, etc. But it seems like such a long, tall baby, because there's lots of movement up high and way down low at the same time. I think it's in a good position now, after a visit to the chiropractor. I don't want to jinx myself, but I feel very good- just a little tired in the afternoon, and a little lower back pain but nothing majorly different from when I'm not pregnant!

I haven't talked much about my relationship on here, but something horrendous happened the other day that I feel like sharing... OK, I'm not officially divorced from my daughter's father, just separated for 2 1/2 years. We're only not divorced because we both procrastinate and we don't like to do unpleasant things, which going to the courthouse will be for both of us. We have a happy parenting/friend relationship, and there's no question that we will be divorced at some point. I've filled out almost all of the paperwork, it's just slow going.

Anyway... DP has been a saint about it. He knows I am with him, and he'll do a happy dance the day I actually AM divorced, but it's not been a huge issue for him. He realizes it's hard and has never pushed me to do anything until I was ready, which I am. But I'm ready TOO LATE in the state of Georgia's eyes, because I just found out there is a law saying that if you're married at ANY POINT during your pregnancy, your husband is automatically considered to be the father of your baby!

I cannot put DP's name on the birth certificate.

Instead, my 'husband' will have to sign something saying he refuses paternity, and then DP and I will have to go to court (again, my nightmare!) to have his name added to the birth certificate!

I am horrified, and it all feels very scandalous. GA will call my baby legally ILLEGITIMATE(!!) until there's a name on the bc, even though this baby has a father who wants it and me very much. I could just die. When I told DP, I couldn't stop crying and hyperventilating. I've never been so hysterical in my life. I must say, he took it in stride, and just said we'll do what has to be done. He says nothing can change the fact that this is OUR baby.

[cinnamonamon]

Ouch, Kristi! That's hard. Just remember that you & your dp both know who this baby belongs to. It will all work out!!

[Changed]

Sorry to just go awol like I did. I was busy having a sweet baby BOY!

It didn't turn out like I'd planned it but he's here and it ended up being wonderful. I ended up being transfered at 8 am yesterday morning and got home from the hospital today at noon. After my last post I never could dialate anymore and finally had to go in. I'm still trying to process it all. Anyway, he was 6.6 pounds and 19 1/2 inches long. He's nursing so well and is just perfect. We are home and comfy resting together. Afterpains sure suck. Make sure you have a plan for that ahead of time, I didn't and was seriously unprepared for how horrible they hurt. Like transitional contractions sort of. Anyway I have to go feed baby Cole. Any other new babies?????????

[mamamoo]

Yea!! Congratulations mama! And Welcome baby Cole!! Sounds like you have a wise mw...and I am so glad that things worked out ok. You sound really good...and can't wait to see pics.
Off to add your sweetie to the ever growing list of new babes!!

Lulu's mama~ I am so sorry...that must be really hard. I am so glad it sounds like you have a very supportive partner! And no matter what YOU know that your baby is made from the love you and your dp share. Hang in there...
oh, and we are due on the same day.

Debi

[cinnamonamon]

Congrats mhl!!! Enjoy your babymoon!