Introduce Yourself!

[JenInMpls]

OK, I'm starting the introductions thread

Hi, I'm Jen. I live in a part of the country where King Winter will not go away. I have a wife and a 3.5 year old son. Both he and his future sibling (insha'Allah*) were conceived by IUI (intra-uterine insemination) using anonymous donor sperm. They unfortunately don't have the same donors which really disappoints me - but it's love that makes a family, in our book, so I'm working hard on letting go of it.

I had a miserable time breastfeeding my son due to lack of developed breast tissue but fought it out with an SNS until he was one. He continued to nurse for 2+ years after that until he quit nursing on his own around last Thanksgiving, and I'm darn proud of that.

His birth was by cesarean and I am determined to try my hardest to give birth naturally this time. I am trying so hard to convince my wife that a home birth is neither dangerous or scary but she's like a brick wall.

OK, who's next?


*insha'Allah is a beautiful Arabic word meaning 'God willing'. Although I am not Muslim, I use it a lot, particularly in talking about pregnancy, because it reminds me how much my pregnancy is really out of my hands. I've been given a miraculous body that can conceive and grow beautiful babies... I'm so in awe! And so NOT in charge!!

ps: I have created a Dec 2008 chat thread for those who would like to shoot the breeze about anything at all...

[hazeleyes]

Hello... My name is Hazel and live in the Pacific Northwest. I'm married and we have one son born through emergency c-section. We have been TTC our 2nd child for 30 cycles. In January I had a MC at 5 weeks. I am pregnant again and hope and pray this one sticks.

[Om Girl]

Hi I'm Summer...We just confirmed (30 minutes) ago that we're expecting #2. We have a DD who will turn 2 tomorrow morning! I'm married to DH and we'll be celebrating our anni and the birth of our babe in December! (By LMP due date is 11-25, but by date of conception Dec 3)

My first pregnancy was beautiful and happy and amazing...I'm praying this one will be as charmed!

ETA: I live in Mpls, same as Jen! How ya doin' neighbor?!

[orionbaby]

Hi. I'm Jo. I'm a SAHM to DS who just turned two last week. We just found out a few days ago that we'll be adding #2 to our family and we're so excited!

My first pregnancy was the happiest time in my life and I loved it (well, after the first yucky part was over, that is). I'm so looking forward to doing it again. My son was born with the help of forceps, unfortunately. I'm hoping it goes a bit more smoothly this time around.

Oh, and we live in Canada, West coast.

[erinmacey]

Hey December Mamas!

What fun to share this journey with all of you.

I'm Erin, due Dec. 3, and this is #2 (little sib to our son Alex, who is two). I'm really excited to just enjoy this pregnancy - last time I was so excited to meet Alex and get through labor that I had a hard time just savoring the moments.

Alex was born by c-section, too, which actually launched me on a birth-researching trajectory (and eye-opening experience!!) in grad school (I'm a doc student in education policy, and I think my department thinks I'm a little nuts). I'm expecting to do a lot of writing and studying about birth, particularly VBACs, over the next few months. I'd be happy to share what I find - expecting it to be a combination of my own reflections, "hard science," educators/midwives/doulas' perspectives and other women's personal experiences.

Anyway, I'm so excited and wishing everyone here (and those who join) sticky sticky babies.

--Erin

[namistenicole]

Hi, I just found out today that I am pregnant with my second child. My first is almost 5. It took us 5 years to be ready for the second, but we are so excited. And terrified!

I am really looking forward to reaching out more and being involved with other moms during this pregnancy. Our last experience with a new baby was very difficult, and I realized too late that I needed a big community of support.

Congratulations everyone! Ha ha, you are the first people we've told, and it feels great!

[akvtmama]

Hi I'm Tamara. we have two girls 2 an 1 ( 19months apart) and weren't quite ready for another one, i had an appointment for an IUD on April 1st but we're rolling with punches here, counting our blessings and hoping three under three doesn't put me over the top. I'm hoping by joining you guys I'll get excited faster ( it's already working!) My fisrt two pregnancies were very blessed, easy preg, super cool labors both at home, so here we go again

[erinmacey]

Originally Posted by namistenicole

I am really looking forward to reaching out more and being involved with other moms during this pregnancy. Our last experience with a new baby was very difficult, and I realized too late that I needed a big community of support.

Can totally empathize! Having a kid (singular!) is really hard work - I often wonder if I'll be able to remain sane with two. I know that being around other moms is a huge help to me - whether it's physically or just emotionally. I don't think we were meant to do this alone.

[JenInMpls]

Originally Posted by erinmacey

I don't think we were meant to do this alone.

I agree. I know two women who are single moms by choice (one of whom actually got herself pregnant with anonymous donor sperm!) and I don't know how they do it - except that they rely on their friends a LOT. In a good way. Yes, I think this parenting thing was never meant to be a solo endeavor!

[PolyEstr28]

I am Heidi, I have a 3 yearold, a 3 month old and just found out I am pregnant again due around dec 1st. I was in the dec due date club last year. This was a HUGE surprise, and I am a little freaked out about having a3 year old, 11month old and a newborn come dec.

[JenInMpls]

wow, this is getting funny - we have Jo here (which is my partner's name) and Heidi (which is my sister's name). Now all we need is Jan or Janet and we'll have our moms covered.

Heidi and Tamara, you are in good company with each other eh!?

[purplepaisleymama]

Hello all,
I am Laura, mom to a bunch of wild monkeys...... I found out yesterday just exactly why I was totally exhausted this Monday after taking the kids to the zoo and treking around with them for four hours, driving home and passing out on the couch with my 2.5 yo stuck to my breast. Go figure!!! We have been trying for awhile now and I am very excited about the new little one.
Congratulations to everyone here, and welcome to the club!!!!!!!!!!

[momto3wantingmore]

Hi all I am Tracy momma to 3 wonderful kids and just found out #4 will be comming! I have had all 3 of my children by unnessary and very unwanted c/sections and am planning a HBA3C with this little one. I woln't lie I am terrified of ending up with another c/section as my last one was a recovery from hell filled with lots of painful, and mentally defeating complications. I am still very excited to be on this journey though. Congrates all new momma's!!!

[MomTo2Girlies]

Hello!

Hi everyone. I am Christy. Mom to Samantha 3.5 and Lilly 11 months. We are pg again and due in early Dec. My husband has a son who will be 5 in 2 days from him previous marriage. We are super excited.

[nisti75]

Hello Everyone!

It's so great to finally be here! My husband and I were married in January 2007, and we've been TTC for the last 7mths. It's been a rollercoaster ride to say the least...especially after seeing 6 BFN in a row. We got our 1st BFP this past wednesday, and were super excited to be expecting #1 who is due Dec. 3. Of course, it's still pretty early so we hope everything STICKS!

Here's to our exciting 9-mth journey!!

[Goinfor4]

Happy to Meet Everyone!!

Hello there! My name is Jo, I am 29 and just found out I ma expecting #4!! So happy! I am a mom to DD, age 11, DS, age 7 and DS, age 10 months. We wanted to have the last two close together so I stopped nursing in February and am blessed to have my BFP so soon! My fiance and I are FINALLY going to be married in May, so I guess I will be drinking apple juice for the toasts! My EDD is December 5, but I think more like the 10th. Can't wait to get to know everyone!

[Vanessa]

Hi I'm Vanessa. I have two boys already. Quinn is 4 and Reed will be two in May. So this will be #3! It's exciting, and I hope for a smooth easy pg like both of my sons. I have had 1 m/c, so I am really praying this one sticks.

I'm really not sure of my date. It's either sometime really late in Nov or very early Dec, I believe. Both of my boys were late, so I tend to think Dec.

[applecider]

Hi everyone! I'm Sara, I just found out (about 30 min ago) that I am pg with # 2. My first will be 3 in June. My DP and I live in a little town in Western Washington where we bought our first house last summer and I graduated from college about 2 weeks ago!! So the timing was perfect. We have been TTC since September and had 1 mc. I also had 1 mc before my son was born so I am cautiously being excited. I am going to do progesterone supplement so hopefully that will help. Can't wait to get to know you over the next 9 months! Oh, I'll be due December 7.

[terrainthailand]

First timer in Thailand

Hi all. I'm Terra. After four months of TTC hubby and I got a positive test result last week. It will be our first - hopefully!!

In January we moved from Seattle to Bangkok so am still learning the ropes of my adopted city. Wish family could here for the next nine months but will be glad to share it with all of you.

[kJad29]

Tentatively joining....

Alright, here goes. I haven't received a positive test yet (it's been a week since testing) and I feel craptacular at this point. I'm pretty sure that this is it and I'm pregant. I feel funny and with fatigue and nausea when I eat that tends to get more intense as the day goes by. I'm getting a blood test this afternoon, so I should find out soon. My EGD (estimated guess date) would be 29th November, but since this is my first baby, I'm sure I'll have him/her in December. So here I am...Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm sure that this is it. I've been feeling really off for the last 1 1/2 weeks. DH and I have been ttc for 21 months and had a miscarriage in August at 5 weeks and this feels totally different than the last time. More m/s (why do they call it that? This is going on all day! ), fatigue and lower abdominal fullness. I'm practically pouring my breasts into my bras. I'm getting new ones next week for sure!

Congratulations to everybody here! I guess I should start unpacking my things and get comfortable....Yay!!!!!