Jan. Mamas Jan. 2-Jan. 8 - Page 8

[mamabeca]

Funny that you got heidi's bead and Lisa and I didn't - so much further to go! I think your style enve. kept it in, which worked well. I wrapped them in the tissue to sort of head that problem off...wonder whether it worked.

Just talked w/mw who made me giggle - she is wonderful - and said who knows, call back kind of thing. Thank GOD for wonderful women who love to birth babies!!! That's you too, Karen! Ok, I think I need to walk around the block and see what happens. I'm going to sign off for a while, and probably by the time I'm back you'll be knackered and hopefully snoozing very well... thanks Karen! Have a peaceful night! Andy

[Malama]

keep us up to date mama, if anything "happens", lol.
if you're in "real" labor i'm seriously jealous..... seriously!!!!

dh tried to tickle the baby out, the boys are talking to the baby continously, and I'm just willing it to happen.... I Want the baby in my arms. pregnancy is sooo long a wait!!!

stay warm in your walk!

much love,
Karen

[mamabeca]

Well I think they're still (or back to) 10 min. apart, so I'm gunna try to snooze a bit. Maybe it's just a wake up call...I've been very convinced the babe will come the weekend of the 28th LOL! Not that I think I have any actual control over things, but wouldn't it be nice?! Hang in there ... you know your baby knows what its doing. I know exactly what you mean by the loooong wait, though. I can't say having this baby sooner wouldn't be AWESOME! I guess I got thrown off because mamas in my family don't BIRTH babies early! I think the dates are really pretty close, and my periods are really regular, so it is a little early, but hey - whatever happens, right!? Ok, time to snooze. Have a great night! Andy

[mamabeca]

Well, that was my first experience of false labor! Ugh! Never had that with dd. what a drag! I was up till about 5am with contractions that were pretty strong (got stronger throughout the three-four hours), finally pushed myself to go to sleep and they came every 20 min. and then they were 20 min. but not so strong...so oh well! dh is sure uterus is in training, and needed the work out. whatever...I'm exhausted. Good night!

[pixiexto]

Ooooh Andy, what a night you've had! I'm thinking of you & hoping that you either found some rest or are busy birthing your baby

We have found a good solution to our dilemma with DH's travel this month, and I'm not sure why it took us so long to realize it. I've invited my parents to come earlier rather than after the Baby is born, and they are overjoyed! I do not wish for them to be *here* for the birth, but they will be able to take a hotel room and are available for DD whenever & however we need them. I cannot express how much relief I feel ~ it's like a tremendous weight has been taken from my shoulders! And from Baby's wee shoulders, too!

So I feel MUCH better this morning, and now only have the fun part of nesting & preparing our birthing area! What is everyone else doing for this? Any special little touches?

Oh, and we see our MW this morning! It's been since before Christmas, so I'm excited. Lots to talk about!

[LEAW]

Karen and Andy, what a night you had! Andy, I hope you are sleeping the morning away!!! But gosh, what a way to cancel on your mom.. har!

Kathy, yaay on solving the travel and baby thing!

It's my brother's bday today, which means family dinner at some restaurant of his choice. DH is also home today, having worked 4x10 hrs. instead of the regular week, which also means the dog may get a bath! Yaay! Usually she's my problem, but I just can't do the leaning over the bathtub hanging onto an 80# wet lab while scrubbing shampoo in thing right now.

Andy, the kkafp is snapped on the shoulder, it has a bunch of rows of snaps (like 12 snaps to keep it shut, I don't think it could unsnap with a heavy babe at all!) and the rows are 1" apart, to make it longer/shorter. I looked at the wraps before, and thought the same thing, but yesterday when I looked at them, and the directions, it all suddenly made sense. Little lightbulbs going off everywhere. And it looks very, very comfy, although I bet it would be warm here in summer. I'm going to see if I can't make a psuedo-moby with stuff around here, or at least use their wearing directions and see how it works. I'm going to need a set of hooks in the nursery for slings now. Hmm.. I've been trying to convince dh that we need shelves with hooks below them for storing books and toys in there.. especially since there is no closet!

Lisa

[pixiexto]

Originally Posted by mamabeca

Ok, I just surfed around (two more ctx) and saw the moby (oh my god I'd never! figure that one out!)

Andy, I was *so* reluctant to get a wrap-style sling for the longest time. Like you said, I figured there was NO way I had the patience to learn how to wind 6 meters of fabric around me and a squirmy toddler! My friends in my babywearing playgroup used to giggle at me, but I was insistent!

Well, one day I gave one a try... OMGoodness, I couldn't turn back after that! Really, it's super-easy to learn and not at all something to be intimidated (or irritated ) by.

Pouches are awesome though, and I think everyone needs a pouch in their collection. I made one when DD was about 6 months old, and we used it quite a bit. I'm hoping that I'll get my sewing area together enough to get another one made before this little Babe arrives

[Malama]

It's almost 4 am and I got up because I was having indigestion.... thought I would check up on andy

Andy, there's no such thing as "false" labor IMO, just "pre" labor. every time your body has lots of contractions, whether they are the "real" thing or not, it's getting ready.... I'm sure it was a frustrating night for you (unless you're really doin it by now), but it's all for good!!!!!

I just looked that those kkafp slings you all are talking about and see they have them in cotton (could never handle fleece here!). are they esp more comfy? or is it the fleece? we have a mama here who we (I) helped have a baby laast dec who sells maya wraps from her home. she's single and with 2 kids, so I will probably buy one from her because she could use the business/ support, but i don't want to buy too much before baby is here!!! but i'm so tempted to just shop online and buy buy buy.
ugh, did i REALLY say that???

Kathy, I'm SOOOO glad you found a solution to your dh's travelling. I'msure all will work out and he'll end up with a kick ass job!!! it'll all be worth it in the end!!!!

going back to sleep, hopefully!

[LEAW]

Ack, am I the only one who got a decent night of sleep? A first in a long time for me..

I know someone who has the cotton pouch, she loves it. They have a solarveil ring sling on there too, which I think I might try to make using the maya as a template. Oooh I have such high aspirations! I don't even have a working sewing machine right now!!! I'll probably go spend $$$$ on materials and then end up buying the ones online anyway.

Dh brought me breakfast on the couch... nothing like toaster waffles and a banana. hehehe. Have decided to go to Target today... am convinced I need a wall shelf with hooks, and they have one I think will work. Need to find bday gift for brother as well.

Off to start the day,
Lisa

[stacey31]

Morning ALL.....sorry I missed the excitement last night! I certainly was up but was sobbing in my bed rather than at the computer.....how much more of this freakin anxiety can I take???

Due date is tomorrow & I have on & off contractions & a lot of pressure in my hips. I am lugging myself outside today though because DS broke our only living room lamp last night & I need a new one. May swing by a few other places if I am up to it!

I am reading all the great birth stories posted here! Hoping some of that magical QUICK labor dust floats this way....not in my history though so we shall see. As some of you know, this anxiety has me torn between wanting to get this babe out & keeping it in forever to avoid labor......sigh.

Yesterday, everyone drove me nuts & I was thinking how in some African cultures, the woman lives in a hut all alone to gestate.....GOOD IDEA!!! No one around to piss me off:LOL

s to everyone with insomnia, heartburn, backache & baby longing!!

[rubysmomjess]

I loved my New Native and used it with DD until my belly was too big. It was nice for hiking 'cause she always wants to get down then up then down...that and it was really easy to figure out. I am a little nervous to figure out the Moby.

Kathy I'm glad you figured out a solution to your dh travelling. That would stress me out too.

I haven't been sleeping very well either. The practice contrax/bh definitely seem to get stronger in the evening. I'm tired today and kind of grouchy...poor dd is stuck with at home. Maybe we'll walk to the coffee shop for break.

Things at work seemed to have slowed down and I found out who my new boss will be. She's very cool and very much wanting me to come back. I'm working from home today...which is nice 'cause I really don't have alot to work on so I'm going to clean/"nest." And I have a MW appt this afternoon.

I'm just ready to have this baby. Maybe this weekend, although I have a massage scheduled for monday and I could really use a massage

[mamabeca]

Well 3 more hrs. of sleep feel soooo good. I feel almost human! I think that I was pretty anxious about having a baby last night - just too soon for me. After the shower, later this month, I plan on doing a beautiful ceremony inc. a bath etc. which I found in a wiccan book. It's not specifically for baby birthing, but for purification and passing energy through the body etc. I'm just not quite ready for doing it yet. Ummmm. I may be thrown off my timing here, of course, but, well, gotta try! Thanks for all your kind thoughts, and Karen, you really helped ground me when I might have just WHEEEEEEW flown off the map of reality. It was sorta weird. My mw said the same thing about prelabor. Hopefully it won't occur every night!

Enjoy the shopping and dinner Lisa, Kathy - WELL DONE finding such a good and simple solution to your stress! I know that having family around will make it easier for you to feel you can labor now, so WATCH OUT!

I got the mini baby-trekker. We used the trekker last time but I found it WAY too bulky and big. Dh liked it somewhat, but used it maybe 3-4 times. We ended up giving it away after dd got too big anyway, so it was time for something new. I really like this one. I've used it with our neighbor on my back (he's almost 5 but small), and with the yummy big bear (all 1#) on the front and find it the right height and all for me. The sling I have (Kindersling, I think) is ok, but a little small for the bigger baby to lie down in. It works well for hip holding and front sleeping leaning on my chest for up to about 20lbs. I think I'm set, so good luck to ya'll who haven't made a decision. Lisa, the only thing I can say is to pick a couple (sometimes one is better for longer hikes, one is better for all the leaning over and moving around you do around the house) and get really comfortable with them. It's easier on the baby to have a familiar place to be while mom is out and about/cleaning etc. That's what I used it for mainly. Getting ANYTHING done with dd was tough because she always wanted to be held. So the sling/carrier was a great compromise. You'd never know she was like that, though, as now she's this amazingly independent child - even from about age 2, 2 1/2 she could "do myself mama!" :LOL

Allright. Lack of actual food in this house is getting serious, so it's time for me to walk dog and go shop. Take care, and chat atcha later! Andy

[Malama]

Stacey. Every time you post, I wish there was something i could do or say to alleviate your anxiety!!! I really feel for you but it's so hard in cyberspace to hug or whatever. I'm just really wishing a positive experience for you.

Jess, I am so impressed that you're still working!!! wow!!! And you know, if you have your babe this weekend, you could still have your massage- just have it be a pp massage

andy, that was a wild night! Maybe related to anxiety about your mom coming?? or it was just your body warming up. in any case, i'm sure it did some good.

my night wasn't all that great. I was having stomach issues- had to um, relieve the bowels in the middle of the night (sorry, TMI!) and now sort of cleaning out this morn..... a hopeful sign, or maybe I ate something funky??? who can tell? dh has this thing he has to go to on the 11th. It's his only serious committment this month and so he's feeling like the baby will probably come that day and he'll have to miss it. lol. He's defintiely one of those people who thinks that babies come at inconvenient times.....

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. I don't have to go ANYWHERE today and I'm thrilled. I'm tired of getting in the car.

[mamabeca]

Hi Karen - sorry about the tough night. Just on my way out, now the dog has been walked and fed, my vits. taken etc., but wanted to mention that the ginger I have been using has really helped...but not with lower bowel probs. SORRY! I have had my share of late night visits with lots of TP too...ugh. I'm not sure, I think it's a squished factor, myslef. It's not something in specific I ate, or even a sign of things coming eminently, just that things have progressed to that point where there isn't always room to move bowels in the right way, and sometimes they just don't work so well. Maybe. Anyway, I hope you can catch up on some sleep in the sun today, a palm frond or two swaying gently nearby... for my part I'm working hard on not falling on my ass in the driveway. Warmer today, but still icy out. Def. winter! Lots of hugs, especially to Stacy who can have as MANY as she needs to stay sane these last few days/weeks xxx andy

[jessitron]

Good morning everybody. Sounds like last night was a good night for contractions. I had bunches of BH that seemed to last forever. The belly was really hard. Andy's comment is reassuring:

Originally Posted by mamabeca

Ctx are lasting several minutes, which I think is a good sign I'm not in labor

Now for another busy day at work, then finally the weekend! Yay!

I have a maya wrap sling. DH wants a Baby Bjorn. I hope the maya will be sufficient for the newborn period.

Did someone say a while back that she never picked up a maternity belt? My gosh, I'd be miserable without the brace! Mine is a postpartum belt, really two postpartum belts (small and medium) hooked together. The midwife recommended this. I've worn it all the time during the day for the past month at least. It makes the belly feel lighter by half. How do you get by without one?

Another meeting. Time to run.

[Malama]

no lying in the warm sun under palm fronds for me! it's nice and wet so far this am, but I'm NOT complaining. it's nice.

I'm still in bed, reading, with a kitty snuggled against my belly.

Life is good

[mamabeca]

Oh WOW are you girls good! We are due 3 - 6 more inches and freezing temps tomorrow!!! YEAH!!! It does mean my two oldest friends can't come to the shower, but more importantly it means my MOTHER can't come!!! I am dancing, hoping around the house, the dog thinks I am insane and is barking at me and I'm typing and putting away groceries all at once. Quite the site. With no mat. belt (huh? never even saw one!) I am all a jiggle! I do think the maya wrap is good for older babies, too...like even over a year old. You just plop them in at a different angle, maybe.

Dd starts skiing tomorrow too, which could be a problem, but that's dh's problem, not mine :-))) Lotsa yummy organic veggies and fruit now, enough to hold for 3 or 4 days, plus my Ca enriched soy yogurt etc...all the goodies, inc. a new ginger chew cnady that looked pretty delectable. It's a real trip across town to the hfs, but worth it. Ok, best to put these all away before dd gets off the bus and wants to playplayplay! Caio mamas and THANK YOU ALL for the snow vibes! What POWER!!! xxx andy

[Malama]

Andy I'm sitting here cracking up at your post. Your poor mama
I just can't imagine it being as cold and icy as it is around you all..... having grown up in Southern California and now living here, I've never lived with snow- in fact I saw it fall for the first time only a few years ago.

DH is complaining this am about my lack of brain function. I'm normally a very sharp person and he is just getting tired of my fogginess..... I told him, WHAT ABOUT ME? I'm frustrated by it too, though it's funny too. And bf doesn't help the situation, though I know I was in school doing really well after the first year, so we'll see.

I know I've been so thrilled to try and have my baby a little early, but I realized this am that this pregnancy is kinda like my first one- same time of year- lotsa similarities. That one went to 42 weeks..... my mom was coming to visit her new grandbaby and ended up being there for the birth. This time she's coming on the 22rd.... I guess that's only 2 more weeks from now.... I CAN do that! OK, so I'm having the baby on the 22nd or 23rd. Sounds like a plan. I'll be happy if she's here for it. And then the baby would be an aquarius- something different than ds#1. Whatever!

[jessitron]

Originally Posted by malama

Sounds like a plan.

Isn't any plan just wishful thinking at this point?
My mom asked yesterday whether I was anxious. Uncomfortable, but not anxious. This is good. It helps that for work purposes, it's most convenient to keep the baby in past EDD.

Andy, that's a funny image, you dancing and jiggling around the house because your weather is terrible. Good thing you're not in Hawaii.

[Malama]

of course a plan is absurd! but I've been so feeling like the baby would come earlier (wishful thinking?) that I just decided that it'll be a longer while now and then I can either be pleasantly surprised, or just right.

the worst part is that I KNOW better! I haven't even divulged my "due" date to anyone, and knew that it could really be anytime in Jan. BUT, I am uncomfortable and that's really driving me.

so don't listen to MY ramblings!!!