Lets do updates!

[phillychiquita]

Hi everybody -- Lets do some updates -- Here are some questions to get us started.

1) What week are you in?
2) How are you doing?
3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
4) What else is happening in your life and work?
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?

[phillychiquita]

1) What week are you in? Week 31 started yesterday.
2) How are you doing? Pretty good. My hips are sore at night, and I am not sleeping as much, but overall, I am still feeling pretty decent.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out? I got a balance ball and have been using it for sitting at my desk and rotating my pelvis. Also have been ding Yoga once or twice a week. DH learned how to "Sift" me, which has been great to do before bed.
4) What else is happening in your life and work? We went on Vacation last week to Sanibel Island Florida, which was great. My mom is throwing a shower this Sunday for me. Work is totally suffering...
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? I am ordering my home birth kit, beginning to assemble supplies, and looking into pediatricians.
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared? He is taking a class with me. Will read Th Birth partner soon.
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this past week? I booked myself a chiropractor appointment (first ever) so I can get some hip relief, and I am getting a hair cut.
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this past week? My husband has been cooking me dinner every night and has been so sweet in helping me with things around the house.

What else should I add....
Saw my backup OB yesterday and she was great and supportive of my plans. I see my midwives today for my 31 week appt.
Bad news is that we found out our insurance will not cover the homebirth, but we are going to fight it!

[swtmama2be]

1) What week are you in?
Week 32 starts today! (I can't beleive it)
2) How are you doing?
I have to admit, so far pregnancy is my favorite thing I've ever experienced. I feel like it's a blessing everyday. My legs have been a little uncomfortable & achy at night and starting yesterday my stomach and breasts have been a bit itchy, but no big deal.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
I haven't been too active. I have alot of physical restrictions right now due to placenta previa (I know, I know...I could still stretch)
4) What else is happening in your life and work?
Starting Sept.1 we started a huge kitchen / living room remodel (I'm talking walls, floors, windows and everything in between) It's finally wrapping up...I just need trim work done in the kitchen & countertops...but starting 2 days ago It's at least fully functional and I can cook again (on plywood countertops mind you) !!
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?Cleaning, organizing, visualizing, reading.....I'm also researching c-sections so that I can incorporate them into my birth plan in the way that I best viualize. A section may be necessary if my placenta does not get out of the way of my cervix.:
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
He's going nuts remodeling the house, works all day as a mason, comes home and works as a carpenter all night. He's reading some fathering books and finally starting to bond with the baby with some kisses and sweet talk to the tummy. He holds the baby every night as we fall to sleep while "spooning"
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
I've been a little idle for a while now so for the last 6 weeks I've been organizing to prepare and serve a big dinner at a homeless shelter with some dear friends of mine. It was Saturday pm...all organic and yummy comfort food. One of my friends performed...It was really great for everyone. i didn't expect to think of it as something nice I did for myself.... but it did feel really good.
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
My dear friend keeps popping by with all of this really great baby gear that we could never afford right now(her dc is 3 and has outgrown stuff). Yesterday she stopped by, told me I was beautiful & that she loves me and
gave DH & I this great baby backpack for serious hiking (dh's favorite hobby) Anyway, she always makes me feel great...Df's are key to me these days.

[Azza]

1) What week are you in?
Week 29

2) How are you doing?
Doing really well I think! Struggling to sleep because of restless leg stuff so am very tired but other than that (and the really ugly stretchmarks) I'm having a very pleasant pregnancy.

3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
Doing preggie yoga once a week

4) What else is happening in your life and work?
Trying to hire some new staff at work. Building starts on our home today and wont end until Feb so thats going to be a pain in the butt but worth it in the end.

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
We see our doula tomorrow evening and I'll borrow some books and test out the different sized birthing balls. This morning we paid our pre-booking fee at the birthing centre.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
He is finishing some stuff in the nursery this weekend and other than that likes to talk to the little one and watch her moving around. He has also suddenly become interested in finding a name.

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
Organised to have tea and go shopping with a friend this weekend.

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
My sister and brother-in-law came over and took some beautiful photographs of DH and I

[libragirl]

1) What week are you in? 32 tomorrow
2) How are you doing? great! no complaints. I had some bad hip pain at night but I started sleeping more or less sitting upright and that helped.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out? Yoga a couple times a week, lots of walks.
4) What else is happening in your life and work? Planning a post-holiday vaca to Miami (yay!) and generally just getting ready for holidays. Need to get serious about my freelance project so I'm not crazy with it after the baby comes.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? Looking into pediatricians, want to buy a birth ball, deciding about another class.
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared? just generally being supportive and helping with research (he's a DO), coming to classes, etc.
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? naps
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week? we had friends visiting and it was nice to hear them say how great I looked

[mom2mimi]

1) What week are you in? I just started week 29.
2) How are you doing? Eh, I'm surviving. This is my hardest pregnancy by far probably because I have a two year old whirlwind to contend with. I'm pretty exhausted by the end of the day.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out? See above answer about two year old whirlwind. That and my daycare kids and keeping my house clean is enough exercise for me.
4) What else is happening in your life and work? We're getting ready for Christmas, really enjoying picking out fun gifts for everyone we love. And dealing with a possible provider change late in the game.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? I won't be doing much to prepare for the birth until January I think. I am mentally prepared, does that count??
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared? He went online last week and took down a bunch of boys names for us to go over which was really cute to me. It has been a little harder for him this third time around so that meant a lot to me. Oh and he picked a winner!!
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? I have been allowing myself to feel and be tired and done at the end of the night. Not killing myself over that last load of laundry, like usual. Curling up in bed with the kids on Saturday and watching kids Christmas programming all evening was nice.
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week? Hubby got home from work yesterday and cleaned both bathrooms for me which was a huge help! Also he takes care of dinner whenever he is off.

[DreamsInDigital]

1) What week are you in?
I am 32w1d
2) How are you doing?
Having a lot of pain with SPD, sciatica and such.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
I'm totally not.
4) What else is happening in your life and work?
Not a whole lot. DP is trying for a promotion to management since the manager of his team moved to another contract. That's about it.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
I scheduled the home visit with my midwife for Wednesday the 27th.
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
He's not.
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
...
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
...

I'm pretty crabby. I don't get a lot of time enjoy being pregnant. Mostly I work, clean, cook, put kids to bed and go to sleep.

[BarnGoddess]

1) What week are you in?
30 weeks
2) How are you doing?
I tell people I'm still "pleasantly Pregnant". I am enjoying my big round belly and really can't complain about anything else.

3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
I do water aerobics twice a week and yoga on Saturdays

4) What else is happening in your life and work?
We're changing our plans of a hb to a hospital that has a pedway to the children's hospital. DD has kidney issues that seem to be worsening and we feel it's wise to be near the NICU just in case. I'm dealing with that, it was really heart-breaking. I'm doula shopping right now. Work for DH sucks and he's looking for another job. Work for me is okay, but stressful bc my manager is leaving in several weeks and they're not replacing her, leaving me and a few other girls to pick up the slack. Oh well, at least I'll only be here about another 10 weeks.

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
I had my last visit with my mw yesterday. That was positive. Other than that, our next appt is next week to meet with another perinatologist who's know to be a "cowboy" and a lot more liberal in labor and delivery. We're also writing our birthplan.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
We just finished up birth classes. We've been preparing the baby's room. He loves to feel her moving around and talk to her.

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
Hmm... probably going to yoga.

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
A girl from work brought me in a big bag of baby clothes.

[Jude Rose]

This is for you, DID. I wish it was easier for you.
Hey Phillychicita, so instead of saying you've been frosted, you can say you've been sifted.



1) What week are you in? 29 weeks
2) How are you doing? Pretty good, I think. I have a little pelvic pain, but moving and stretching the groin area seem to help out. Plus lots of breaks. My hypoglycemia is a bit of a drag. I'm in a perpetual state of starvation.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out? I just am so focused on what I want done before two beelers take over my life that I'm on the go all day long-between breaks of course I have been following spinningbabies advice. Baby A is posterior vertex and I want him to turn for sure!
4) What else is happening in your life and work? I've shut down my biz almost completely. A few retail order strickle in and I take them to pay for the chiro. Right now it's a mad dash to finish our remodeling projects because I may get pooped out sooner than you singleton ladies.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? We registered at the preemie and the regular hospitals. I'm doing my Hypnobabies as much as I can (VERY time-consuming) I promised myself I'd release my baby registry list to everyone this week.
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared? He finally picked up a Dr. Sears book, which is a start. He also sat down with me to learn why I have what I have on the birth plan. (And I finally trained him to not think epidural at every turn : )
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? Chiro. Hired an electrician and plumber for some projects that just haven't gotton done by us DIY'ers yet.
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
My girlfriend is coming later this week to help paint some more.

[julieanne]

1) What week are you in?
32! wow.
2) How are you doing?
I'm feeling pretty good overall but I'm definitely starting to get irritable and overly emotional.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
I'm visiting the campus pool a couple of times a week and either actually exercising or just stretching, depending on how tired I am.
4) What else is happening in your life and work?
We're getting ready for holiday guests that we actually are excited about seeing! I'm working on getting my two big projects at work to a hand-off-able point and getting all my documentation done so my backups know what to do while I'm out on leave.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
Still reading bradley books and the birth partner with my wonderfully supportive partner who has done most of the research, gathering of good literature, setting up appointments with doulas and pretty much all of the birth prep stuff. We'll probably meet with our doula again this week, too. Oh, and maybe we'll preregister at the hospital and get a lovely tour of the newly opened fancy-pants maternity wing.
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
Umm, doing absolutely everything! She's the best!
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
Took the rest of yesterday off after our prenatal to see a movie and play with dp.
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
dp totally coddled me over the weekend while I was completely losing my grip , emotionally speaking.

[TR's_mummy]

1) What week are you in?
I'm 32 weeks and 3 days.
2) How are you doing?
cranky.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
i'm on bedrest...so walking to the bathroom is about as active as i get.
4) What else is happening in your life and work?
just laying here... the lady that was coming during the day to help with ds & i quit.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
we packed the hospital bag.
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
actually, he packed the hospital bag and i yelled instructions from the bed.
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
hmmm....
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
dh has done too many nice things to list.

[ekblad9]

1) What week are you in? I'll be 32 wks tomorrow.

2) How are you doing? I really don't like being pregnant and I can't wait until baby is here.
3) How are you staying active and stretched out? I'm not

4) What else is happening in your life and work? Just everyday life of homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, taking care of kids, changing diapers, life with teenagers and toddlers

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? We're having a homebirth and I really haven't done anything to prepare yet. Baby has diapers and clothes and I ordered my herbs for after birth bath.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared? Nothing

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? Yesterday was my birthday so I went to see The Nativity Story with no kids.

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week? Well, again with my birthday, LOL. My husband and friends had a birthday dinner/party for me. I was resistant to say the least but it turned out well.

[kaybee]

1) What week are you in?
31 weeks - yikes!

2) How are you doing?
I've been sick all week. Otherwise, all is well. We're a little stressed right now from job decisions.

3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
I'm starting to try and stretch more while playing with my son (I get to be the catcher when we play baseball - good for doing squats)

4) What else is happening in your life and work?
I just got offered a really nice faculty position. We are trying to decide whether or not to take it and move or stay here (where my dh has a faculty position). Not an easy decision.

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
I'm trying to schedule a meeting with our doula, so my dh can meet her and we can go over my birth plan.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
He's not. He's a great help to me though (except for now - he's out of town this week).

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? I ordered tiramisu with my pizza.

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
My son let me sleep in until 8 this morning.

[Cloth4Colin]

1) What week are you in? working on the 32nd week!
2) How are you doing? completely and utterly POOPED!!
3) How are you staying active and stretched out? Um...well...just day to day like is wearing me out at the current moment! LOL! I try to get in a quick walk every now and again.
4) What else is happening in your life and work? We're settling in with my parents...though still trying to find us our own place for after the baby comes. I'm trying not to stress TOO much over it...but it's hard.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? writing my birth plan
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared? he's just waiting for the word 'go'
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? ???
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week? a beautiful fellow MDC mama sent us the bassinet we had been longing for - I haven't stopped crying!! THANK YOU, MAMA!!!!

[bikruca]

1) What week are you in? 32
2) How are you doing? meh.. body is kinda starting to SLOW DOWN... things are getting harder..
3) How are you staying active and stretched out? I'm not really... I have taken some short walks with my son, but that leaves me exhaused
4) What else is happening in your life and work? I am trying to figure out our finances to see how long DH can stay home with me after the twins are born. It's sooo stressful. We bought house and found out we were pregnant during the "closing". We have managed ot get ourselves into a bit of debt (around 7,000!) and our income is being slashed! AHHH! Thank god we have supportive families and I live ina country with paid mat. time and great govt. subsidies (ie. Canada).

Dh got to pick his Vacation time for next year and he took the last week in Jan and the first two weeks in Feb so that really really helps. I will share the parental leave with him, so he can take hopefully another month and a half or two months off, and I will have 10 months off total after the birth(paid anyways, who knows if I will go back to work after that). Things will be tight, but manageable. I am glad I have finally crunched the numbers so we know what IS possible.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? Eating, eating, drinking water, eating... I am trying to decide if I should buy a birthing pool. Obviously we can't afford it (even a $45 one) but that was the whole point of the UC homebirth so I guess we will just add it to the CC debt, kwim?
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
He is signing us up for infant cpr classes this week- something we ment to do with DS one but never did!
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
lots of relaxing bubble baths!
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
my Dh taking more than his share of "crazy bryce time" so I can have lots of relaxing bubble baths and whatnot

[MCKMN]

I LOVE doing these sort of updates, and love reading them as well

1) What week are you in? 31wk2

2) How are you doing? Pretty good acutally, a little bit of heartburn, but other then that, I *feel* good.

3) How are you staying active and stretched out? I chase a pre schooler and toddler all day long, and have been doing alot of SHOPPING and decorating for the Holiday, does this count as activity

4) What else is happening in your life and work? Not too much really.

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week? This week, I am going too start shopping for coming home outfit, and pre pare babies bag.. Next week i will pack my bag.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? NOTHING, too busy taking care of others, I need too get a bit of me time sometime soon. I really want a hair cut * very badly *

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
__________________

[e123vg]

1) What week are you in?
31w 1day
2) How are you doing?
a little sore
3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
physical therapy
4) What else is happening in your life and work?
no work, still on partial bedrest and my dd just turned 1.
5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
nothing really
6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
trying to get some extra cash, just in case
7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
got some extra sleep. hehe
8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
let me get some extra sleep. hehe

[Gray's Mommy]

1) What week are you in?
I am 32 weeks and 1 day

2) How are you doing?
Overall, very well. I do have a slight cold right now & have some gall bladder pain, but besides that this is a great pregnancy.

3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
I walk to pick up my son from Kindergarten (1 mile) and will start a pg yoga dvd this week.

4) What else is happening in your life and work?
Well, having 3 jobs has taken a toll on me. I will work up to my due date with my primary job (teaching part time) and the same for my church nursery job. My doula/breastfeeding education is currently on maternity leave.

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
We are having a homebirth & I ordered my birth kit yesterday from inhishands.com. I can't wait to receive it. I am also going through the gender neutral clothes we saved from our firstborn & washing them.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
He reads some books when I ask him too (& point out the areas I want read). Other than that, he is fine.

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
My son & I are having a pajama day on Saturday. We don't do anything much, but hang out at the house in our pj's.

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
I received a jar of turkey joints (candy) from my Aunt in NY. They are super yummy!!

[anabellee]

1) What week are you in?
29 weeks!

2) How are you doing?
so fricken ready for this semester to be over, only one more exam. school has made this pregnancy fly by.

3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
love sitting on my birth ball. i also tote ds and laundry up and down all our stairs several times a week so i'm getting plenty of exercise.

4) What else is happening in your life and work?
last statistics class ever tomorrow

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
nada. had my last mw appt. til after the holidays yesterday and got my rhogam shot and a copy of my records to have while we travel.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
eventually he will have to read all the circ articles i've printed out for him. he can't ignore the issue forever...

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week?
ate some Oreos

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
ds slept in til 830 yesterday!

__________________

[bdoody11]

1) What week are you in? 32 weeks tomorrow

2) How are you doing? Pretty well. I have sciatica in my left leg. It's pretty bad in the middle of the night (when I get up to pee), but lessens by morning and throughout the day. I also don't really sleep more than 2 hours at a time without waking. I guess it's just practice for when the baby arrives.

3) How are you staying active and stretched out?
I would like to do pre-natal yoga, but the days haven't worked out for me yet. I try to walk alot and just get exercise cleaning or doing normal activities throughout the day. I always stretch my back in the mornings.

4) What else is happening in your life and work?
Work is going well although I'm much less focused these days! My life feels over scheduled and like I really want to slow down.

5) What are you doing to prepare for the birth (at home, hospital or birth center) this week?
What aren't we doing? We met all the midwives in our practice last night and then took a tour of the birth center. Tonight we have our 6th class in the 7 week series on holistic birth preparations. Saturday is our breastfeeding class.
We are getting "classed" out. I don't want to talk about this baby anymore, I just want to do it! We're also meeting our doula this weekend for the first time to discuss our birth preferences.

6) How is your DP or DH getting prepared?
Going to all the classes, God love him.

7) What is the nicest thing you did for yourself this week? Bought fluff for the babe, not technically for me but oh do I love cloth diapers.

8) What is the nicest thing someone else did for you this week?
After we saw the birth center, I got really scared about birthing in the hospital. It felt very clausterphobic to me (there were 14 other people in the room). My DH sweetly asked me if I wanted to switch to HB. I said no, but just him asking melted my heart. Of course, when he heard how much we would pay out of pocket for the HB versus the hospital he recinded the offer I told him save up for the next birth.