Feb. 21 - 28 UPDATES!

[2+twins]

Starting a new thread for the week.

I finally got a storage solution for the babies clothes. Now I'm just washing stuff and putting it all away. Bought most of the remaining items my mw had requested for the birth kit plus a few extras just for me. Still need a couple things though that I can pick up locally. I'm debating buying this special nursing pillow made for twins. People seem to love it, but it's $60! Of course, what's $60 when it makes for easier bf'ing? I don't know why I'm so hesitant to buy. Usually I'm looking for reasons to shop online. Still need to find some cute boy outfits to take birth announcement pics in (in case I've got boys in there). Had some strange birth dreams recently - hadn't been having any that I remembered up until the other day. Oh, and my hips are at a new all-time level of discomfort when I sleep on them (which I have to cuz I can't sleep on my back). I did get an inexpensive memory foam mattress topper and honestly I don't know if it's helping or not. My sacrum actually seems to hurt more! And all of a sudden I'm getting a spasm-stabbing pain in my back on the right side. That just started yesterday I think. It's really weird and hurts like heck when it happens. I'm really really looking forward to being full-term so I can feel okay about wanting these babies to come OUT! Oh, and I don't remember if I mentioned this or not before but I held my old belly cast up to my body from last time (done at 37 weeks and I was pretty darn large w/that pregnancy) and I more than fill it up now. So I looked up my last pregnancy photos from last time (taken at 39 weeks & 1 day - I made it to 40 1/2 weeks) and I'm totally smaller then I am now at 32 weeks! So that's a bit weird. Plus I think I'm crossing the threshold of how big bellies usually get for pg women and people are starting to gawk. I still love being/looking pregnant, but I'm finding that I'm more comfortable hiding my belly behind a shopping cart or stroller if we're out. Nothing covers my belly either - nothing. So that's weird for me! Anyway, that's my update!

[Wittyone]

I don't have the twin belly thing going on, but just this week (32) I'm noticing that the majority of the shirts I put on - that have fit *just fine* - are no longer working. We were starting to get really warm weather here and I was able to pull out some warm weather maternity hand me downs that were in bigger sizes. Fabulous until the freezing streak came through last week and I discovered I'd outgrown *all* of my sweaters. I had to raid my dad's closet and only found 2 sweaters to cover the belly. I don't want to buy any more clothes for the last 6-10 weeks, but this is ridiculous! Keeping my fingers crossed for more of that warm weather

Other than that things are going relatively smoothly - my back is more achy more often, and my hips pop like crazy first thing in the morning, but I figure that's just everything softening and spreading. I'm tired of the ache in my pubic bone everytime I try to move around in bed, but it's fairly mild at this point so I can't really complain. I want so badly to be done with work. I have a fabulous job that I really like a lot, but I'm just really over it right now. I have tons of studying to get done before baby arrives and I want to get into all sorts of projects around the house. Work just feels extraneous at this point (except for that part about the paycheck ). Soon enough I suppose!

Here's wishing for a calm and peaceful week for us all...

[Mel38]

I can't imagine how you must feel with a twin belly - I feel I've hit the limit to huge-ness, and also still have 6 weeks to go.

On one hand, I can't wait for the baby to come, but on the other, I should really be enjoying these last weeks without a baby. Just simple things like showering, napping, taking a walk - all of that becomes a huge endeavour once the baby is here.

I have an appointment late next week with an OB who is (hopefully) going to give the OK for me to have the homebirth with a midwife. After that, I'll be 36 weeks and finally having my first real pre-natal with the homebirth mw! It seems so late, and of course, I haven't ordered a thing for the birth. So I'm mulling over calling the m/w and asking if we can't have an informal prenatal before this OB visit, just to get some of this stuff rolling. I'm usually late - about a week - anyway, but I would just feel so much better if I were better prepared.

Nothing much else going on here, though! I'm getting more and more comfy with the idea of a homebirth - the more I read, the better I feel about it.

[Mel38]

Originally Posted by Wittyone

Keeping my fingers crossed for more of that warm weather

Yes, totally!! I also have that belly-sticking-out-from-under-the-sweater problem!! And my HUGE down jacket won't zip up any more!! My husband tells me I'll have to drape myself in a blanket to go out any more - and I'm afraid he's not kidding!

[2+twins]

Melissa - Why can't you just talk to the mw to see if she clears you for the homebirth? What would it have to do with the OB?

[lmonter]

I want to nest/clean, but I can't. My toddler is in destructive phase, so anything I do is undone within a few minutes if it's below the 4 foot level. Dh is usually being great about my moodiness, but if I ask him to watch or do something with ds so I can get something done... well, I have a better shot at winning the lottery right now.

Dh has sent his AVR to a local electronics shop twice so far to get fixed. Each time it comes back it's more scuffed up (it was in *perfect* condition the first time it went over) and more messed up. What sucks is that *everything* is routed through the AVR - the TV, radio, DVD, VCR, speakers, CD player, etc. So ds and I can't even listen to music.

I'm just plain cranky. And jealous of those due in early April. If this babe does the same thing ds did, it'll wait until the first week of May to make it's appearance. I'm so ready to be done right now.

At least I'm still sorta able to make food for us. Last night I made baked potatoes, roasted turkey breast and gravy. Yum. Tonight it'll be cheesy corn chowder with some leftover turkey. Yum.

And I'm sick again. Sometimes I just can't wait to be done being pregnant and nursing so I can take my good drugs (like Benedryl) again.

Oh, and my garage door is freaking out again. I'm too tired to go out and deal with it right now, but it'll go up an inch or two, then stop. So my car's out in the driveway right now. At least I got the car out this morning to go get donuts and hot chocolate with ds (I'm sick, I'm allowed).

In happy news, I should be getting my mei tai in the mail sometime this week, so that's exciting. I might even be able to strap ds on my back and do a few things.

Lanna


eta: The garage door has a broken spring. Great. Just to make things more nerve-wracking/interesting, my dad permanently broke his arm trying to fix a broken spring on our garage door when I was 5. As if I don't have enough weird emotions flying around me.

[newbie_mary]

Well, I had my shower this weekend, and got some cute stuff -- only one person out of 10 got me what I REALLY wanted, though, which is cloth diapers. I suppose it's not a very exciting gift, but definitely practical!! I'm probably lucky that one person did get me some, at least. I did get my Hotslings, as well, which is so exciting!!!

I agree with a previous poster who said that work is very extraneous right now. My mind is definitely NOT there at all!! Only 6 1/2 weeks to go, thank goodness!!!

Baby seems to be in the midst of changing positions, although I can't figure out which end is up for the life of me. I keep feeling around, but it's a mystery to me. All I know is that something is very uncomfortable under my right ribs. Hopefully at my next appointment I can find out.

I'm realizing that time is ticking and if I'm going to finish this baby quilt, I'd better get on it!!! Otherwise, it will go back in the dark dungeon of my sewing trunk and possibly never come out...

Mary

[mirandahope]

haven't posted here for a long time!

This week has been hard. Lots of tests because my liver enzymes are a bit elevated, so they have to rule out everything under the sun, and one of the new docs (internal medicine specialist) I had to see really triggered me!! Thankfully yesterday she called with good news: not only are my liver enzymes stabilized, but I don't have to see her! I can stick with the midwives and the new OB.

I think I have figured out that dairy was a major source of some of my intense reflux. I am no longer in intense pain every 5 minutes, and I can drink water without it feeling like I am drinking straight lemon juice or vinegar, although I do pop Tums at various points throughout the day.

There is still very LOUD construction outside our house, still getting the foundation ready for building condos, including really loud drilling. But now that I am feeling a bit better, it isn't SO grating.

7.5 weeks or so left!! Wow!!

[Mel38]

Turkey and gravy - yum!

About that OB visit - I *think* it's a requirement that candidates see an OB for referral after 32 weeks, to rule out any high risk stuff. I guess that shouldn't stop me from having an appt with the mw prior to that, because most people start seeing her much earlier than 32 weeks. Anyway, I'm going to give her a call and ask.

Funny thing is, I live in a city of somewhere near 150,000 people, and yet, I have to drive 1.5 hours to a little town in the middle of SC to find an OB who will refer me! I am totally healthy, no problems in the pg, and this will be my 3rd baby. I think most OBs and CNMs here do not approve of homebirthing. In fact, I don't plan on telling my old CNM any details about my plans because I know how she feels about it and I don't want to even go there. I plan on continuing to see her for routine gyn. stuff and I really like her - just don't want to go through the whole hospital rigamarole again.

Hey Mary, which of the hotslings did you get for your shower? I was interested in buying one of those but wasn't sure which fabric would be good. They look perfect for the little babies, although they show them being used for older children, too.

[Carley]

Hey everyone! It's awesome to read so many happy updates! Miranda I'm so glad things worked out for you! Everyone sounds healthy! Awesome! I totally need some turkey gravy action over here! RAWR!!!

love_homebirthing: I am in awe of you and your twin carrying abilities! I can't imagine being twice as big & uncomfortable than I am with just one! You have one heck of a body+mind woman!

I am doing GREAT! My husband & I are completely in love with our new midwife & officially feel ready for whatever may come. She is exactly right for us. After our meeting my husband said "WOW, you can REALLY tell the difference between them can't you!?" What an understatement! I felt completely emotionally supported by her.. she & my husband are going to make an excellent team. Thank you to ALL of you who gave me a much needed nudge in that direction.*le sigh* what relief!

My husband ordered me to hire some help around the house. DH doesn't have the time to help so I feel really grateful it's in our budget. Our floors have been really neglected! Yuck!

In other news I was a silly girl today & watched a Baby Story on TLC (yeah.. I know ). The husband was stationed in Iraq when she was 5 months along & she was left with her other 2 kids by herself. He made it home for the birth (a planned induction) but had to go back almost right away. Of course I spent the entire time sobbing into my haagen daz & feeling especially horrible for every complaint I've had during this pregnancy.

I feel SO lucky today. Here's to being a healthy thankful momma with an amazing supportive partner by my side.

[lmonter]

Okay, I'm not feeling so much doom and gloom right now.

I finally got ahold of my midwife to find out my glucose test numbers from the blood draws she did last week.
Fasting was 76, 1-hour after eating was 96. Nice and low/normal (from my random reading visit before last of 113).


So, if anybody's interested, here's the turkey/gravy thing I did the other day (since I keep seeing it mentioned).


My modified Turkey Recipe (from Alton Brown's 14-16 pound recipe):

1 (2-3 pound) turkey breast (on ribs, off ribs, doesn't really matter, keep skin on if you can though)

Brine:
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 box vegetable stock (16 oz, give or take)
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/2-3/4 teaspoon allspice berries
1/2-3/4 teaspoon candied ginger
Ice

1) Combine salt, sugar, stock, peppercorns (I also add a little fresh ground pepper because I can), allspice berries (again, I add some ground allspice because I can), and ginger (I can only find crystallized ginger, so I break it up into small chunks, but I probably end up throwing in close to a tablespoon) in a medium/large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat.
2) Let cool a few minutes, or just add a ice cubes to cool it down quickly (only add a few at a time, otherwise you'll end up with too much brine).
3) Place turkey breast in a sealable container, pour brine over turkey. Put lid on, stick in fridge for afternoon or overnight.
4) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take turkey out of brine. Place turkey breast in shallow baking container (I use an 11x7-inch baking pan) with skin up. Bake at 350 for an hour or so, until a meat thermometer in thickest part reads 165+ degrees. I used convection so my potatoes would be done at the same time.
5) When turkey's done, let it cool down for a few minutes, then place it somewhere to cut up.
6) Whisk up drippings from the pan and place in a small saucepan. Add a little water if you want/need more gravy than is there. Let it warm up on a low setting (2-4).
7) In a small container (think teeny-tiny Tupperware) combine almost equal parts flour and water (if you want measurements, try 1 tbsp flour, 1.5 tbsp water and go from there). Seal, shake, shake, shake until there are no lumps. Whisk in a little of the flour/water combination at a time, whisking away in between additions. Whisk very frequently. Don't let gravy come to a rolling boil, bad things happen (first hand experience). A few bubbles before you take it off the heat is fine, but don't boil. You probably won't need to season it, but taste before serving just to make sure.
8) Before or during the gravy making, slice up the turkey.
9) Enjoy.

Notes:
* I totally guesstimeasure on the brine ingredients and just throw stuff in. A little variation one way or the other doesn't seem to make a huge difference.
* A 3 pound turkey breast is enough for me, dh and 2yo ds for dinner, plus 6-7 turkey sandwiches and some to add to a medium sized soup recipe (like for 4 people or so).
* It sounds sorta complicated, but it's really not. 15, maybe 20 minutes to boil/cool the brine and pour on the turkey (assuming you've got most of the ingredients in your cupboard). 3 minutes to throw in oven. 15-20 to make the gravy (which was the most time-consuming part to me, especially because I didn't want to mess it up).

[eilonwy]

Well, my life is still pretty crappy. I'm not feeling as miserable as I was before, though, and that helps.

Most weekends, we drive down to the IL's. On our way back, we pass my mom's house where we often stop so that BeanBean can use the toilet or I can pick something up or whatever. Last weekend, we dropped BeanBean and BooBah off for a sleepover with their cousins. Leaving was difficult, but overall it went very well and I was able to get a break and get a lot done around the house. Mike and I got to have some time together which was *amazing* and wonderful, and while I didn't finish everything that I wanted to, I still felt like a human being afterwards. I talked to BeanBean about it (BooBah didn't mind at all, she's totally mellow about such things and happy as long as people feed her and help her when she wants to use the toilet ) and he says he's okay with staying with his cousins this weekend, too. We may make this a regular thing! Probably not *every* weekend, but weekends when I have early morning appointments in town on Monday make perfect sense.

I really wish that people would think about having baby showers for women who aren't having their first children, especially if the kids are off-season or slow growers who wear out most of their clothing (as mine are). I would never expect to get anything big like a carseat or a stroller or even a sling, but some new diapers/covers and baby clothing that's seasonally appropriate would be thoughtful, you know? It was harder with BooBah than I think it will be for BellyBean; at least BooBah and BellyBean will only be two months apart, and BooBah was born during a very mild summer. It was impossible for me to dress BooBah, though; November boy clothing just didn't work for a June girl. Then people (family) would give me funny looks when BooBah was out and about in undershirts all the time ("masculine" undershirts, no less). Whatever.

I've got hives again. I'm not sure why, but I'm allergic to something around here and I've got to get to the bottom of it. They're all over me and they're driving me *insane*.

[2+twins]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

I really wish that people would think about having baby showers for women who aren't having their first children, especially if the kids are off-season or slow growers who wear out most of their clothing (as mine are). I would never expect to get anything big like a carseat or a stroller or even a sling, but some new diapers/covers and baby clothing that's seasonally appropriate would be thoughtful, you know? It was harder with BooBah than I think it will be for BellyBean; at least BooBah and BellyBean will only be two months apart, and BooBah was born during a very mild summer. It was impossible for me to dress BooBah, though; November boy clothing just didn't work for a June girl. Then people (family) would give me funny looks when BooBah was out and about in undershirts all the time ("masculine" undershirts, no less). Whatever.

: Honestly we don't really need stuff for this baby that we can't afford to pick up ourselves (although this is our first off-season baby, well babies, and we don't know if they'll be girls like our other two) but it would have felt really nice to have someone think of me - and them - ya know, make me feel special? Oh well. We'll hold the "meet the babies" party ourselves sometime after the birth like we did with dd2.

Oh, and isn't this nice... I was chatting with an ex-coworker (male) online today who I haven't talked to in forever. I gave him a link to my belly pictures and he said - and I quote - "wow you are huge" and then he follows that gem with "just look abnormally big". I didn't even know how to respond to that second one and was silent for awhile so then he wrote "well not big, just abnormally protruding" - I guess to make the prior comment less nasty.

[AdinaL]

[AllisonK]

I am doing good. Both kids are sick, some nasty cough and goopy runny nose. YUCKKKKKKKK!! Had an appt Sat with my MW. Am doing well, and declined the GD testing.

Have most of the stuff for the HB, but I cannot find a small plastic bottle of olive oil. They are all glass. I just am picturing broken glass and olive oil all over the bedroom.

have been nesting like crazy, got alot of stuff washed. Well its not much since we don't have anything. I think my baby shower is this Sun so we'll see what we get. Hoping some of my family and friends from back home are going to be there.

Baby is facing the right, thats better than posterior!!!

have been super busy with ICAN work and neglecting some of my other duties (liek dishes)

Hope everyone is doing well.

Allison

[aprilushka]

Not only do most OBs not approve of homebirthing (perhaps most CNMs also) in the entire country, but most of them are downright hostile to it and an unfortunate minority think it's their mission in life to "punish" homebirthers. I won't even get into what they do to want to be HBACers who transfer.

Sad but true.

[JefsJen]

Well, let's see, some progress has finally really been made..and some that you can SEE to BOOT! We finally bought paint for the nursery and Jef and I painted the base coat the other night. Then last night we had a friend over to put down the brand new baseboards and the door framing while another guy was caulking around the baseboards in there and in one of my sons rooms. This afternoon the same friend is coming back over to put up the crown molding and then the other guy is coming back tomrrow night to put the final paint on the walls and paint all of the trim. WOOHOO! Then I can finally put the crib together and move all of the babys furniture in there. We are having some friends over Friday night and it's going to be finished so I can show them. YIPPEE! Oh, plus the guy doing the baseboards and stuff is going to finish putting down the new baseboards in our hallway and foyer. ALot is getting done around here and I am SOOO glad! It looks SO much better already!

Then yesterday, while I said I was going to have a lazy day, I ended up sewing like 5 more diapers, washed all the baby clothes along with some of the blankets and the burp cloths and washcloths. Now I just need to wash the sheets for her bed and her blankets and diapers. I only have like about 7 more diapers I want to get made in NB or SMALL size before she gets here.

I also packed a few things in my labor / birth bag, like some of my toiletries that I have smaller sizes of. Friday I am planning on going to buy my starter diaper bag. Not really a diaper bag, but one of those cloth / quilted style bags...like you see alot of people have these days...most are toile, but mine won't be, since i like to be a bit different! LOL

I have an appt with my midwife Thursday morning. Writing her the final check for the birth, YAY!

So, today I am going to do some laundry, wash my dishes and watch them put up the crown molding...and while they are doing that I will update my To-Do list and list of things I still need / want.

[kyle98sean02]

On Saturday I took my kiddos to the hospital because they do a siblings tour and class. I was actually pretty impressed with it. They told the kids that babies drink mamas milk from their breasts, but occasionally moms may pump milk into bottles. They didnt even mention formula. Then we went on a tour of the hospital. The kids couldnt tour the actual delivery rooms or postpartum floor because its RSV season big time in our area but they got to see in the window of the nursery. Well, its not really a regular nursery. They only have sick babies in there. They dont have a regular nursery. One mom asked about it and the nurse actually looked at her and said "If you birth it, its yours, you keep it not us. The babies room in with their moms unless the babies need special help." I was thrilled they werent going to try and get me to send my baby away at night I think this is going to be quite a different experience then my other hospital births.

On the not so fun side, I have to go in for an u/s of my gallbladder. I have been having severe pain the past few weeks and it sounds like I may have gall stones I still have adversions to milk and most meat and now eating any significant amount of fat at all has me in terrible pain. No wonder I have only gained 10 lbs. I really wanted to try and get most of the simple carbs out of my diet so that I had less of a chance of developing thrush but I just cant eliminate anything else from my diet. I am visiting my mom in CA right at the moment and I am LOVING the fresh strawberries. You just dont get very many fresh off the farm produce in AZ.

Besides for being huge and uncomfy, thats about it for me.

[Wittyone]

Originally Posted by kyle98sean02

On Saturday I took my kiddos to the hospital because they do a siblings tour and class. I was actually pretty impressed with it. They told the kids that babies drink mamas milk from their breasts, but occasionally moms may pump milk into bottles. They didnt even mention formula.... they got to see in the window of the nursery. Well, its not really a regular nursery. They only have sick babies in there. They dont have a regular nursery. One mom asked about it and the nurse actually looked at her and said "If you birth it, its yours, you keep it not us. The babies room in with their moms unless the babies need special help." I was thrilled they werent going to try and get me to send my baby away at night I think this is going to be quite a different experience then my other hospital births.

That is so fabulous! When I was in nursing school I was in a rural area and we had small community hospitals - that was pretty much the attitude there. One hospital used their nursery for storage only b/c any sick baby went to a bigger hospital in the next town. Newborn assessments, hearing screening, etc was all done in the parent's room. The only thing baby went to the nursery for was the PKU screening and then we encouraged a family member to come (even mom if she wanted since it was all of 30 or 40 feet down the hall - I small hospitals!) It makes so much sense, b/c mamas are going to be taking those babies home in a day or three, and there won't be any night nursery there! You might as well start getting to know your baby right off the bat. I especially love the nurse's comment that if you birth it, it's yours...so many hospitals seem to forget that very important fact!

[Citykid]

Rynna and love_homebirthing, don't you find that a baby-naming ceremony/baptism or whatever you do is a good opportunity for people to buy you gifts? And every baby has to have one. Or maybe it's just that I'm Jewish so people wait til after the birth to buy stuff anyway.

I seem to have turned a corner in the last week. Suddenly I'm much more tired, tire more easily when I'm out and about, and have a hard time sleeping. Poor DH couldn't get back to sleep after I woke him up last night and is currently trying to work on 3 hours sleep! Last night it was heartburn that kept me up - that's a first. And I haven't been to the gym all week, so I'm not feeling wonderful. but I certainly can't complain!

Nothing covers my belly anymore either. My mom saw me a week ago and decided that for my birthday present she wants to buy me "the rest of my maternity wardrobe," i.e. cover yourself you hussy! Of course, if she insists....but the maternity shopping options are so sparse. I mean it's NYC, a big fashion town, and all I've got is the Gap and Mimi?? I don't understand what that's about.

We picked out a closet organizing system over the weekend and dh is ordering it today, so we'll have room for db's stuff in the closet in our 2nd bedroom. Then we can paint the entire apartment, and that's it until db comes. Is it weird that db is not getting an entire room dedicated to him/herself at the beginning? Currently our little bedroom is our office, and there's no other place for our desk, computer & file cabinets. We figure it's ok since db will sleep with us for the first few months at least anyway.

We finished our registry last weekend. It's hard getting all non-gendered clothes. DH wants to buy gendered stuff for both genders and have db wear it no matter what, but I don't like that idea. Once db is born and we know the sex we can buy as much gendered stuff as we want. But a girl in a blue firetruck shirt I think would just confuse people too much.

Tomorrow is my birthday! h DH is taking me to a new vegetarian fancy-food restaurant - I just hope we can keep our eyes open.